Wireless multi-funtional sensor platform, system containing same and method for its use

• US 20040004554A1
• Filed: 08/27/2002
• Published: 01/08/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 12/08/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Johns Hopkins University
• Original Assignee: Johns Hopkins University
• Inventors: Srinivasan, Regaswamy, Spicer, Jane W., Weiskopf, Francis B. Jr., Grossmann, Kenneth R., Carkhuff, Bliss G., Cain, Russell P., Osiander, Robert
• Granted Patent: US 6,796,187 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/870.01
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 21/02 Measuring two or more variables by means not covered by a single other subclass
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 9/005 Solid-state data loggers
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 5/0008 of bridges
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 5/0033 by determining damage, crack or wear
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 5/0083 by measuring variation of impedance, e.g. resistance, capacitance, induction
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 5/0091 by using electromagnetic excitation or detection
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/383 Concrete or cement

Abstract

A multi-functional sensor system for simultaneously monitoring various parameters such as the structural, chemical and environmental conditions associated with a medium to be monitored, e.g., bridges, high-rise buildings, pollution zones, is provided wherein the system includes at least a plurality of wireless multi-functional sensor platforms embedded in the medium in which an interrogation unit transmits power and receives responses. Each wireless multi-functional sensor platform includes multiple channels for accommodating a plurality of sensor types to simultaneously monitor the parameters associated with the medium. Thus, the wireless sensor platforms are formed to include those sensor types which are considered germane to the intended medium to be monitored.

Claims

1. A wireless sensor platform for monitoring a plurality of parameters associated with a non-gaseous medium, the sensor platform comprising:

a sensor housing having an interior volume;

a plurality of sensors configured for inserting within said interior volume and for monitoring said plurality of parameters; and

sensing electronics enclosed within said sensor housing interior volume and operatively coupled to said plurality of sensors, said sensing electronics comprising at least means for processing said plurality of parameters received from said plurality of sensors and means for transmitting said processed parameters.

2. The wireless sensor platform of claim 1, wherein said housing is made from a ceramic material.

3. The wireless sensor platform of claim 1, wherein said non-gaseous medium is selected from the group consisting of ground, asphalt, composites, plastics, concrete and cement.

4. The wireless sensor platform of claim 1, wherein said sensing electronics further includes means for being externally powered.

5. The wireless sensor platform of claim 1, wherein said plurality of parameters are selected from the group consisting of temperature, conductivity, pH, magnetism, noise, pressure, shock, strain, stress and vibration.

6. The wireless sensor platform of claim 1, further comprising a multi-layered substrate for mounting said sensing electronics.

7. The sensor system of claim 6, wherein said multi-layered substrate is a low-temperature co-fired ceramic substrate.

8. The sensor system of claim 6, wherein said multi-layered substrate is constructed of tape dielectric materials and screen printed thick-film conductor.

9. The wireless sensor platform of claim 1, wherein said plurality of parameters indicate structural, chemical and environmental conditions associated with the medium.

12. The sensor system of claim 9, wherein each of said sensor platforms comprises:

a sensor housing having a cap portion and a base portion defining an interior volume,

said plurality of sensors; and

sensing electronics enclosed within said housing interior volume and operatively coupled to said plurality of sensors, said sensing electronics comprising;

a processor coupled to said plurality of sensors for monitoring outputs generated from said plurality of sensor types; and

transmit circuitry coupled to said processor for transmitting said outputs representative of said sensor types.

13. The sensor system of claim 9, further comprising analog to digital conversion means for converting an analog output of said plurality of sensors to a digital output.

16. The sensor system of claim 9, wherein one layer of said multi-layered substrate defines a patterned transmission antenna.

10. A sensor system for monitoring of a medium, comprising:

an interrogation unit for generating an induction power field and for receiving responses; and

a plurality of wireless embedded sensor platforms, each including a plurality of sensor types and powered by said induction field, said platforms are disposed throughout said medium, and wherein each of said plurality of sensor types generates a respective output representative of said sensor type.

11. The sensor system of claim 10, wherein the sensor platform is made from a ceramic material.

14. The sensor system of claim 10, further comprising a multi-layered substrate for mounting said sensing electronics.

15. The sensor system of claim 14, wherein said multi-layered substrate is ceramic a low-temperature co-fired ceramic substrate.

17. The sensor system of claim 10, wherein said plurality of wireless embedded sensor platforms are individually addressable.

18. A method for providing monitoring of a medium, comprising the steps of:

providing a plurality of wireless embedded sensor platforms in said medium, said sensor platforms having a housing defining an interior volume; and

a plurality of sensors configured for inserting within said interior volume and for monitoring a plurality of parameters associated with said medium; and

embedding the plurality of embeddd wireless sensor platforms within the medium to be monitored.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising the steps of:

generating an induction power field to said plurality of embedded wireless sensor platforms;

receiving the power field at said plurality of embedded wireless sensor platforms;

powering said plurality of embedded wireless sensor platforms from the power field; and

sensing a plurality of structural, chemical and nvironmental conditions of the monitored medium from said powered embedded wireless sensor platforms.

20. The method of claim 18, further including the step of transmitting said sensed plurality of structural, chemical and environmental conditions of the monitored environment to a receiving unit.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the receiving unit is one of a mobile interrogation unit, a hand-held unit and a stationary unit.

22. The method of claim 20, wherein said receiving unit receives said sensed plurality of structural, chemical and environmental conditions while said receiving unit is in proximity with the monitored medium.

23. The method of claim 18, wherein the medium is selected from the group consisting of ground, asphalt, composites, plastics, concrete and cement.