Real Time Thermal Mapping Techniques for Elastomeric Track Components

Acquisition of real-time measurements of track component temperatures is necessary for establishing the requirements for improved parts and materials. To support this, Templeman Automation LLC. (TA) proposes its Wireless Tank Track Monitoring (WTTM) system using embedded, battery-free RFID sensor chips. WTTM uniquely combines industry-proven miniature RFID sensor chip technology from Phase I partner Phase IV Engineering with wireless, mesh-network telemetry capabilities and ultra-rugged monolithic packaging. Phase IV RFID sensors overcome limitations of access and surface contamination through an advanced ASIC RFID design that enables elastomer-penetrating, multi-point temperature sensing from a battery-free component about the size of a single grain of rice. Because the read range of passive RFID sensors is limited, WTTM applies Phase IV sensor chips in a TA measurement suite that wirelessly transmits real-time data to one or more visualization/storage terminals via a ZigBee mesh network. This allows test personnel on or off a full-speed moving vehicle to monitor track component temperatures, up to 1000 feet away. WTTM has the advantage of having no moving parts or critical mechanical tolerances, allowing the hardware to be fully potted and monolithic.