US 11,705,676 B2
Method and apparatus for tracking a life cycle of turbocharger
Brian C. Hogan, Pittsboro, IN (US); Thomas Jeffrey Crowell, Germantown Hills, IL (US); Jon Ashley Johnson, Flora, IN (US); Anurag Menon Kunnath, Peoria, IL (US); Martin A. Lehman, Congerville, IL (US); Marian Elizabeth L. Neal, Lafayette, IN (US); Vincent John Neyens, Peoria, IL (US); Joseph Brock Oelze, Peoria, IL (US); Tryg Carl Tow, Peoria, IL (US); and Ross Wetzel, Peoria, IL (US)
Assigned to Caterpillar Inc., Peoria, IL (US)
Filed by Caterpillar Inc., Peoria, IL (US)
Filed on Dec. 11, 2020, as Appl. No. 17/119,586.
Prior Publication US 2022/0186659 A1, Jun. 16, 2022
Int. Cl. H05K 1/02 (2006.01); H01R 13/66 (2006.01); H05K 7/20 (2006.01); H01R 13/622 (2006.01)
CPC H01R 13/665 (2013.01) [H01R 13/622 (2013.01); H05K 7/2039 (2013.01); H01R 2201/26 (2013.01)] 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A plug configured to be at least partially inserted into a central housing of a turbocharger, the plug comprising:
a body having a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a threaded portion extending from the second end to a location on the body between the first end and the second end;
a heat sink coupled to the second end;
a microchip mounted to a substrate that is coupled to the heat sink, the microchip configured to store information related to the turbocharger, wherein the microchip is at least partially submerged in coolant in the central housing when the plug is inserted into the central housing of the turbocharger; and
a thermally resistant sealant that is applied to one or more sides of the microchip once the microchip is coupled to the heat sink.