Windshield moisture detector
First Claim
1. A moisture detector comprising:
- a first elongated conductor disposed on a substrate, the first conductor defining a path comprising multiple electric field emitting points between opposite ends thereof; and
a second elongated conductor disposed on the substrate at least partially surrounding the first conductor, the second conductor defining between opposite ends thereof a path having a portion thereof which is positioned in spaced relation with the path of the first conductor along the sides thereof.
12 Assignments
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Accused Products
Abstract
A moisture detector can include a first elongated conductor disposed on a substrate. The first conductor can define a zigzag path between the opposite ends thereof. A second conductor can also be disposed on the substrate at least partially surrounding the first conductor. The second conductor can define between opposite ends thereof a zigzag path having a portion thereof that is positioned in substantially spaced parallel relation with the zigzag path of the first conductor along the sides thereof. A power conductor disposed on the substrate can be electrically connected to the first conductor intermediate the ends thereof via a gap defined between the ends of the second conductor. Ground conductors disposed on the substrate can be electrically connected to the ends of the second conductor. A temperature sensor can be utilized to correct the response of the moisture detector for temperature.
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Citations
43 Claims
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1. A moisture detector comprising:
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a first elongated conductor disposed on a substrate, the first conductor defining a path comprising multiple electric field emitting points between opposite ends thereof; and
a second elongated conductor disposed on the substrate at least partially surrounding the first conductor, the second conductor defining between opposite ends thereof a path having a portion thereof which is positioned in spaced relation with the path of the first conductor along the sides thereof. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A moisture detector comprising:
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a first conductor disposed on a substrate;
a second conductor disposed on the substrate at least partially surrounding the first conductor whereupon a gap is defined between the ends of the second conductor;
a power conductor disposed on the substrate and electrically connected to the first conductor via the gap between the ends of the second conductor; and
a ground conductor disposed on the substrate and electrically connected to one end of the second conductor. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
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34. A moisture detection system comprising:
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a moisture detector disposed on a substrate;
a temperature sensor disposed in operative relation to the moisture detector for measuring a temperature on or adjacent the moisture detector;
means for measuring a property of the moisture detector that varies in response to an amount of moisture present adjacent the moisture detector;
means for measuring a property of the temperature sensor that varies in response to the temperature adjacent the moisture detector; and
means for causing a system to operate as a function of the measured properties of the moisture detector and the temperature sensor. - View Dependent Claims (35, 36)
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37. A moisture detector comprising:
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a plurality of conductors disposed on a substrate and defining along their longitudinal axes zigzag paths that track each other in substantially spaced parallel relation;
a power conductor disposed on the substrate and electrically connected to a first conductor of the plurality of conductors; and
a ground conductor disposed on the substrate and electrically connected to a second conductor of the plurality of conductors. - View Dependent Claims (38, 39, 40, 41, 42)
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43. A method of moisture detection comprising:
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(a) providing a moisture detector on a substrate;
(b) providing a temperature sensor in operative relation to the moisture detector;
(c) measuring a property of the moisture detector that varies in response to an amount of moisture present adjacent the moisture detector;
(d) measuring a property of the temperature sensor that varies in response to the temperature adjacent the moisture detector; and
(e) causing a system to operate as a function of the measured properties of the moisture detector and the temperature sensor.
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Specification