US 7,875,836 · Granted 2011-01-25

The RFID Temperature Sensor That Heats Smart Kitchens Safely

Imagine a heating device that talks back to you via radio waves, telling you exactly how hot it is inside. This patent describes how to build a super-durable temperature sensor paired with an RFID tag—think of it like a tiny wireless thermometer wrapped in protective armor so it survives intense heat without breaking down.

Curated and verified by the IsItPatented Editorial team

The plain-English version

What it protects

The claim covers a complete assembly combining a temperature sensor, an RFID transmitter, and a mineral-insulated cable all housed in protective overmolding, with a potting material (silicone or ceramic) sealing the sensor end and laser-welded to the cable sheath. What's protected here is the specific way these heat-resistant components are bonded together and the novel potting material formulation that mixes silicone with bauxite to conduct heat better while protecting electronics.

Why it matters

This patent solves a real engineering challenge: how do you embed smart wireless temperature monitoring inside appliances that get extremely hot without the electronics burning up or corroding? By combining RFID (wireless communication) with mineral insulation and heat-conducting potting material, this design lets manufacturers monitor heating appliances remotely and safely, which is valuable for safety, efficiency, and product liability protection.

Real-world use

If a future smart oven, slow cooker, or industrial warming pan needed to wirelessly report its internal temperature to your phone, the RFID tag assembly described here would be the heat-proof sensor buried inside doing the monitoring.

Original USPTO abstract

Components for use in a temperature controlled heatable object are provided in which a temperature sensor is connected to a transmitter such as a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag. The RFID tag is encased in a protective overmolding and connected to the temperature sensor via a mineral insulated cable. An end cap containing a potting material (such as silicone or ceramic) is placed over the temperature sensor and laser welded to a sheathing of the mineral insulated cable. A potting material for use in a heatable object is also provided comprising a silicone-based material that is modified by adding bauxite to increase thermal conductivity.

Patent details

Publication number: US 7,875,836
Filing date: 2005-06-09
Grant date: 2011-01-25
Assignee: Mamoru Imura / Johnson Michael F
Inventor(s): IMURA MAMORU, JOHNSON MICHAEL F.
CPC class: A47J45/068

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