SENSOR DEVICE

• US 20120286804A1
• Filed: 04/27/2012
• Published: 11/15/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 05/13/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation (Seiko Group)
• Original Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation (Seiko Group)
• Inventors: KATO, Juri, MIYAZAWA, Takao
• Granted Patent: US 9,194,788 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 324/649
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 17/02 Electrochemical measuring systems for weathering, corrosion or corrosion-protection measurement
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 17/04 Corrosion probes
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 27/048 for determining moisture content of the material
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 27/125 Composition of the body, e.g. the composition of its sensitive layer
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 27/4167 pH electrodes therefor G01N27/302, G01N27/36
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/208 Coatings, e.g. platings
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/383 Concrete or cement

Abstract

A sensor device includes a first electrode, a second electrode and a functional element. The first electrode includes a porous body having a connecting hole where adjacent holes communicate with each other with the porous body being in at least the vicinity of a surface of the first electrode. The second electrode is spaced apart from the first electrode. The functional element is configured to measure a difference in electric potential between the first electrode and the second electrode. The sensor device is configured to measure a state of a site to be measured based on the difference in electric potential as measured by the functional element.

Claims

1. A sensor device comprising:

a first electrode including a porous body having a connecting hole where adjacent holes communicate with each other with the porous body being in at least the vicinity of a surface of the first electrode;

a second electrode spaced apart from the first electrode; and

a functional element configured to measure a difference in electric potential between the first electrode and the second electrode,

the sensor device being configured to measure a state of a site to be measured based on the difference in electric potential as measured by the functional element.

2. The sensor device according to claim 1, wherein

the second electrode includes a porous body having a connecting hole where adjacent holes communicate with each other with the porous body being in at least the vicinity of a surface of the second electrode.

3. The sensor device according to claim 2, wherein

the first electrode includes a first metallic material in which either a first passivation film is formed on a surface thereof or a first passivation film present on a surface thereof is lost, in association with changes in an environment of the site to be measured.

4. The sensor device according to claim 3, wherein

the second electrode includes a second metallic material in which either a second passivation film is formed on a surface thereof or a second passivation film present on a surface thereof is lost, in association with changes in the environment of the site to be measured.

5. The sensor device according to claim 4, wherein

each of the first metallic material and the second metallic material is iron or an iron-based alloy.

6. The sensor device according to claim 2, wherein

at least one of the first electrode and the second electrode includes a substrate and a conductive film provided on the substrate including a material different from that of the substrate.

7. The sensor device according to claim 6, wherein

the conductive film includes a metallic material in which either a passivation film is formed on a surface thereof or a passivation film present on a surface thereof is lost, in association with changes in an environment of the site to be measured.

8. The sensor device according to claim 1, wherein

the functional element is further configured to detect whether or not pH or chloride ion concentration at the site to be measured is at or below a set value, based on the difference in electric potential between the first electrode and the second electrode.

9. The sensor device according to claim 1, further comprising

an antenna and a communication circuit configured to provide power to the antenna,

the functional element being further configured to drive and control the communication circuit.