Washer assembly and joint monitoring system employing the same

摘要

A washer assembly is for use with a fastener. The washer assembly includes a first conductive portion, a second conductive portion, and an insulating portion disposed between the first conductive portion and the second conductive portion. The first conductive portion, the second conductive portion, and the insulating portion form a variable capacitor having a capacitance based on an amount of force applied thereto by the fastener. A wireless transponder unit includes a control unit electrically connected to the variable capacitor and an antenna electrically connected to the control unit. The control unit is configured to sense the capacitance of the variable capacitor, to generate information representing the capacitance, and to output the information to a wireless reader unit via the antenna.

主权项

1. A washer assembly for use with a fastener, the washer assembly comprising:
a first conductive portion; a second conductive portion; an insulating portion disposed between the first conductive portion and the second conductive portion, wherein the first conductive portion, the second conductive portion, and the insulating portion form a variable capacitor having a capacitance based on an amount of force applied thereto by the fastener; and a wireless transponder unit including a control unit electrically connected to said variable capacitor and an antenna electrically connected to said control unit, the control unit being configured to sense the capacitance of the variable capacitor, to generate information representing said capacitance, and to output said information to a wireless reader unit via said antenna, wherein one of the first conductive portion, the insulating portion, and the second conductive portion includes an extended portion that extends beyond the edges of the other of the first conductive portion, the insulating portion, and the second conductive portion; and wherein said wireless transponder unit is disposed on said extended portion.