Sensors and associated methods, including surface condition sensors

• US 20070145985A1
• Filed: 07/13/2006
• Published: 06/28/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 07/14/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Zydax LLC
• Original Assignee: Zydax LLC
• Inventors: Keep, Dale, Doyle, Lance
• Granted Patent: US 7,629,801 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 324/694
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 27/223 for determining moisture content, e.g. humidity rain detectors on vehicle windows B60S1/0825

Abstract

The present invention is generally directed toward sensors and associated methods, including surface condition sensors. For example, in certain embodiments sensor can be configured to sense the surface conditions on a road surface and/or an airport surface. One aspect of the invention is directed wet/dry sensors. Other aspects of the invention are directed toward conductivity sensors. Still other aspects of the invention are directed toward sensor packages that include a combination of active and passive sensor technology. Yet other aspects of the invention are directed toward communication systems and methods associated with various sensors.

Claims

1. A wet/dry sensing system, comprising:

at least one driven electrode; and

at least one grounded electrode, wherein when the electrodes are driven by a sinusoidal signal between 10 KHz and 100 MHz either DC (Direct Current) or AC (Alternating Current) coupled between the electrodes, the driven signal is attenuated by any conductance between the at least one driven electrode and the at least one grounded electrode.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising communication circuitry configured to communicate with at least one of:

a customer using text based open protocol;

a Remote Processing Unit; and

a Central Processing Unit.

3. The system of claim 2, further comprising communication circuitry configured to allow multiple sensors or nodes to reside on a communications bus.

4. The system of claim 2, further comprising communication circuitry configured to allow layered addressing method that allows one access point to customer'"'"'s connection using master/slave communications.

5. The system of claim 2, further comprising communication circuitry configured to allow layered addressing method that allows one access point to customer'"'"'s connection using master/slave communications.

6. A conductivity sensor, comprising:

two matched toroidal coils proximate to one another;

an encapsulant surrounding the two toroidal coils;

an oscillator driving one of two matched toroidal coils;

an insulated wire passing through the hole in the toroidal coils, the wiring having a first end and a second end;

a first electrode coupled to the first end of the wire, the first electrode protruding through and away from the encapsulant and configured to be positioned proximate to a first portion of a surface; and

a second electrode coupled to the second end of the wire, the second electrode protruding through and away from the encapsulant and configured to be positioned proximate to a second portion of the surface, the first and second electrodes positioned to allow the transfer of energy between the toroidal coils in proportion to the conductance between the first and second electrodes.

7. The system of claim 6, further comprising communication circuitry configured to communicate with at least one of:

a customer using text based open protocol;

a Remote Processing Unit; and

a Central Processing Unit.

8. The system of claim 7, further comprising communication circuitry configured to allow multiple sensors or nodes to reside on a communications bus.

9. The system of claim 7, further comprising communication circuitry configured to allow layered addressing method that allows one access point to customer'"'"'s connection using master/slave communications.

10. The system of claim 7, further comprising communication circuitry configured to allow layered addressing method that allows one access point to customer'"'"'s connection using master/slave communications.

11. The system of claim 6, further comprising a Peltier Device coupled to the conductivity sensor and configured to modify the temperature of at least one of the first electrode, the second electrode, the first portion of the surface, and the second portion of the surface.

12. The system of claim 11 wherein the Peltier Device is configured to modify the temperature of at least one of the first electrode, the second electrode, the first portion of the surface, and the second portion of the surface while conductivity measurements are taken several times per second using the electrodes and toroidal coils.

13. The system of claim 11 wherein the Peltier Device is carried in the encapsulant with the toroidal coils.

14. The system of claim 6, further comprising a mumetal shield surrounding one of the toroidal coil.