Medical or dental instruments, preferably handpieces, can have different temperature-measuring devices for measuring the temperature in the instrument or of at least a part of the instrument. The temperature-measuring devices can be designed, for example, to measure the temperature contactlessly by detection of electromagnetic radiation or to measure the temperature of an interior of the instrument that can be heated by a heat source. The temperature-measuring devices may be designed, for example, as electrical temperature-measuring devices or may have a magnetic material whose magnetic property is a function of temperature and/or has a temperature-dependent course. The temperature-measuring device may have, for example, an electrical switching device and a signal device wherein the signal device is switched at least between a first signal condition and a second signal condition when a temperature limit value is reached or exceeded or is underrun.

Systems and method for operating an STS panel comprising: a filler with a thermally resistive/insulating material and a first open area (FOA); first and second layers of thermally conductive material (TCM) that are spaced apart, extend parallel, and sandwich the filler such that FOA extends from the first layer of TCM to the second layer of TCM; and a first thermal connector (FTC) disposed in FOA (a) so as to reside between and be spaced apart from the filler, and (b) so as to reside between and be in contact with the first and second layers of TCM. FTC is switchable between a first position in which a thermal bridge is created to allow heat transfer between the first and second layers of TCM and a second position in which the thermal bridge is broken and a thermal gap is created to prevent the heat transfer.

The present invention relates generally to a sensing system for monitoring the state of a system of components, and in particular, to a sensing system for monitoring the state of a system of components and for providing a warning when the state of any component within the system of components requires attention.

Medical or dental instruments, preferably handpieces, can have different temperature-measuring devices for measuring the temperature in the instrument or of at least a part of the instrument. The temperature-measuring devices can be designed, for example, to measure the temperature contactlessly by detection of electromagnetic radiation or to measure the temperature of an interior of the instrument that can be heated by a heat source. The temperature-measuring devices may be designed, for example, as electrical temperature-measuring devices or may have a magnetic material whose magnetic property is a function of temperature and/or has a temperature-dependent course. The temperature-measuring device may have, for example, an electrical switching device and a signal device wherein the signal device is switched at least between a first signal condition and a second signal condition when a temperature limit value is reached or exceeded or is underrun.