US 12,461,023 B2
Subsurface underlying incipient failure indicator in wear components
Russell Ross Henderson, Jr., Havana, IL (US); Ananda Sudhakar Ponnusamy, Naperville, IL (US); Abdul K Maoued, Peoria, IL (US); and Kurt Steven Goslovich, Naperville, IL (US)
Assigned to Caterpillar Inc., Peoria, IL (US)
Filed by Caterpillar Inc., Peoria, IL (US)
Filed on Aug. 5, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/882,511.
Prior Publication US 2024/0044779 A1, Feb. 8, 2024
Int. Cl. G01N 21/31 (2006.01); F01D 21/00 (2006.01); G01N 33/28 (2006.01)
CPC G01N 21/31 (2013.01) [F01D 21/00 (2013.01); F01D 21/003 (2013.01); G01N 33/2835 (2013.01); G01N 33/2888 (2013.01)] 17 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An elastomeric member, comprising:
an outer face;
a first subsurface stratum underlying at least part of the outer face;
a first incipient failure indicator embedded through the first subsurface stratum, wherein the first incipient failure indicator comprises a first element or a first molecule spectrally distinguishable from operating-native constituent matter of a mechanical system in which the elastomeric member is operating, and the first incipient failure indicator further comprises particulate matter smaller than an exclusion size limit of a lubricant filter of the mechanical system;
a second subsurface stratum underlying at least part of the first subsurface stratum; and
a second incipient failure indicator embedded through the second subsurface stratum, wherein the second incipient failure indicator comprises a second element or a second molecule spectrally distinguishable from operating-native constituent matter of a mechanical system.