Self Powered Sensor with Radioisotope source
First Claim
1. A self-powered physical parameter sensor comprising:
- (a) a sensing circuit element selected from the group comprising Photo Diode and Capacitor;
(b) a portable, self contained very low external emission radioisotope source that is configured to provide power to the sensing circuit element for an operational life of one or more decades; and
(c) output signal generating circuitry coupled to the sensing circuit element to provide an output signal responsive to a sensed physical parameter.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A self-powered sensor (e.g., 100, 180, 220, 400) can wake-up systems requiring a trigger signal to wake-up circuits or systems in power-sleep mode, conserving the battery power for emergency computations and communications. In a humidity sensor embodiment 100, radioisotope generated voltage biases are employed to power sensor capacitors to realize self-powered sensors. A first self-powered capacitor biasing architecture 160 is based on changes in the leakage resistance of the polymer capacitor 110, and a second self-powered capacitor biasing architecture 140 uses changes in the capacitance of the polymer capacitor. Another sensor embodiment uses changes in the capacitance or leakage resistance of the sensor capacitor to modulate conductance of a MOSFET 114, realizing an easily readable electronic output signal. A temperature sensor embodiment 180 and a MEMS cantilever structure based fissile material proximity sensor embodiment 400 are also disclosed.
-
Citations
15 Claims
-
1. A self-powered physical parameter sensor comprising:
-
(a) a sensing circuit element selected from the group comprising Photo Diode and Capacitor; (b) a portable, self contained very low external emission radioisotope source that is configured to provide power to the sensing circuit element for an operational life of one or more decades; and (c) output signal generating circuitry coupled to the sensing circuit element to provide an output signal responsive to a sensed physical parameter. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
-
Specification