Perforated plane moisture sensor

• US 20060145879A1
• Filed: 01/05/2005
• Published: 07/06/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 01/05/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Original Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Inventors: Stackelhouse, Scott D.
• Granted Patent: US 7,295,126 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/604
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 25/56 by investigating moisture content

Abstract

A moisture sensing apparatus, system and method. In general, a surface can be provided, and one or more conductor pairs located in a plane of the surface. Each conductor of the conductor pair(s) is insulated from one another. Water droplets forming on the conductor pair(s) thereby provide a quantifiable measurement of water on the surface. A controller can be electrically connected to the conductor pair(s), wherein the controller provides data indicative of whether or not the conductor pair is shorted.

Claims

1. A moisture sensing apparatus, comprising:

a surface; and

at least one conductor pair located in a plane of said surface, wherein each conductor of said at least one conductor pair is insulated from one another, wherein water droplets forming on said surface create an electrical connection between each conductor of said at least conductor pair, thereby providing a quantifiable measurement of water on said surface.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:

a controller electrically connected to said at least one conductor pair, wherein said controller provides data indicative of whether or not said at least one conductor pair is shorted.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 further comprising:

a microprocessor for processing said data indicative of whether or not said at least one conductor pair is shorted, wherein said microprocessor communicates with said controller.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said at least one conductor pair comprises a first conductor co-centrically located with a second conductor, such that at least one water droplet forms between said first and second conductors of said at least one conductor pair.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said at least one conductor pair comprises co-centrically shaped rings.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said surface comprises a surface of a sensor.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said surface comprises a substrate.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said quantifiable measurement of water on said surface comprises feedback data indicative of the moisture level of said surface.

9. A moisture sensing system, comprising:

a surface;

at least one conductor pair located in a plane of said surface, wherein each conductor of said at least one conductor pair is insulated from one another;

a controller electrically connected to said at least one conductor pair, wherein said controller provides data indicative of whether or not said at least one conductor pair is shorted;

a microprocessor for processing said data indicative of whether or not said at least one conductor pair is shorted, wherein said microprocessor communicates with said controller, wherein water droplets forming on said surface create an electrical connection between each conductor of said at least conductor pair, thereby providing a quantifiable measurement of water on said surface.

10. The system of claim 9 wherein said at least one conductor pair comprises a first conductor co-centrically located with a second conductor, such that at least one water droplet forms between said first and second conductors of said at least one conductor pair.

11. The system of claim 10 wherein said at least one conductor pair comprises co-centrically shaped rings.

12. The system of claim 11 wherein said surface comprises a surface of a sensor.

13. The system of claim 9 wherein said surface comprises a substrate.

14. The system of claim 9 wherein said quantifiable measurement of water on said surface comprises feedback data indicative of the moisture level of said surface.

15. A moisture sensing method, comprising the steps of:

providing a surface; and

locating at least one conductor pair in a plane of said surface, wherein each conductor of said at least one conductor pair is insulated from one another, wherein water droplets forming on said surface create an electrical connection between each conductor of said at least conductor pair, thereby providing a quantifiable measurement of water on said surface.

16. The method of claim 15 further comprising the step of:

electrically connecting a controller to said at least one conductor pair, wherein said controller provides data indicative of whether or not said at least one conductor pair is shorted.

17. The method of claim 16 further comprising the step of:

providing a microprocessor for processing said data indicative of whether or not said at least one conductor pair is shorted, wherein said microprocessor communicates with said controller.

18. The method of claim 15 further comprising the step of:

configuring said at least one conductor pair to comprise a first conductor co-centrically located with a second conductor, such that at least one water droplet forms between said first and second conductors of said at least one conductor pair.

19. The method of claim 15 wherein said at least one conductor pair comprises co-centrically shaped rings.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein said surface comprises a surface of a sensor.