RADIO FREQUENCY IDENTIFICATION TAGS AND METHODS EMPLOYING CERAMIC COMPONENTS, WHICH MAY BE SUITABLE FOR USE IN EXTREME ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS

• US 20110253793A1
• Filed: 04/08/2011
• Published: 10/20/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 04/14/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Technologies ROI LLC
• Original Assignee: Technologies ROI LLC
• Inventors: King, Patrick F.
• Granted Patent: US 9,122,967 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 235/492
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07728 the record carrier comprising means for protection against impact or bending, e.g. protective shells or stress-absorbing layers around the integrated circuit
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/0773 the record carrier comprising means to protect itself against external heat sources
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07756 the connection being non-galvanic, e.g. capacitive
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07758 arrangements for adhering the record carrier to further objects or living beings, functioning as an identification tag
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07771 the record carrier comprising means for minimising adverse effects on the data communication capability of the record carrier, e.g. minimising Eddy currents induced in a proximate metal or otherwise electromagnetically interfering object
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/2225 used in active tags, i.e. provided with its own power source or in passive tags, i.e. deriving power from RF signal
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/2233 used in consumption-meter devices, e.g. electricity, gas or water meters
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 19/00 Combinations of primary active antenna elements and units with secondary devices, e.g. with quasi-optical devices, for giving the antenna a desired directional characteristic combination of horns with slotted waveguide array H01Q13/0233
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49018 with other electrical component

Abstract

RFID tags capable of operating in harsh environments include an RFID chip and antenna positioned on a ceramic substrate are disclosed. Alternatively, in other embodiments an RFID chip may be positioned inside a metal shell and then secured to a work piece in the hazardous environment.

Claims

1. A radio frequency apparatus, comprising:

an RFID chip;

an antenna coupled to the RFID chip, thereby forming an RFID tag; and

a metal shell coupled to the RFID tag wherein the shell provides a second antenna for the RFID tag.

2. The structure of claim 1, wherein the antenna comprises a printed antenna printed on a ceramic substrate.

3. The structure of claim 1, wherein the shell defines a cavity and the RFID chip is positioned within the cavity.

4. The structure of claim 3, further comprising a filler positioned within the cavity and holding the RFID chip in a desired position relative to the shell.

5. The structure of claim 4, wherein the filler comprises a material adapted to withstand high temperatures and insulate the RFID chip.

6. The structure of claim 1, wherein the metal shell comprises a dome shape.

7. The structure of claim 1, wherein the metal shell comprises a flattened cylinder shape.

8. The structure of claim 1, further comprising a means for attachment to secure the metal shell to a work piece.

9. The structure of claim 1, wherein the antenna comprises a patch antenna.

10. The structure of claim 1, wherein the antenna comprises a cut inlay antenna.

11. The structure of claim 1, wherein the antenna comprises a braided dipole antenna.

12. The structure of claim 1, wherein the antenna comprises a dipole antenna.

13. A radio frequency apparatus method comprising:

securing an RFID chip to a first antenna to form an RFID tag;

placing the RFID tag in a metal recess; and

filling the recess with a temperature resistant filler that insulates the RFID tag.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein placing the RFID tag in a metal recess comprises placing the tag within a recess in such a manner that the tag is completely beneath a plane that delimits an opening defining the recess.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the metal recess comprises a metal shell.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising attaching the metal shell to an object such that the RFID tag is positioned between the metal shell and the object.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein attaching the metal shell comprises attaching through one of the methods selected from a group consisting of welding, strapping, gluing, and banding.

18. A radio frequency apparatus structure comprising:

an RFID chip;

a ceramic substrate comprising a printed antenna, the RFID chip coupled to the ceramic substrate to form an RFID tag; and

a metal shell surrounding the RFID tag and coupled thereto such that when an RFID interrogation signal is directed at the metal shell, a return signal is generated.

19. The structure of claim 18, wherein the metal shell comprises an open cylinder shape.

20. The structure of claim 18, further comprising an epoxy filler suspending the RFID chip within the metal shell such that the RFID chip does not touch a side or bottom of the metal shell.