SENSOR SYSTEM, MOTE AND A MOTES-SYSTEM FOR SENSING AN ENVIRONMENTAL PARAMETER

• US 20150268213A1
• Filed: 03/06/2015
• Published: 09/24/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 03/20/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ingu Solutions Inc.
• Original Assignee: Stichting Incas3
• Inventors: WRTCHE, Heinrich Johannes, TALNISHNIKH, Elena, VAN POL, Johannes Hubertus Gerardus
• Granted Patent: US 9,880,143 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 9/02 Producing one or more recordings of the values of a single variable
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/1886 using probes, e.g. submersible probes, buoys
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/20 using microwaves or radio frequency waves
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/80 involving the exchange of data, concerning supply or distribution of electric power, between transmitting devices and receiving devices
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/34 Parallel operation in networks using both storage and other dc sources, e.g. providing buffering H02J7/14 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/345 using capacitors as storage or buffering devices

Abstract

The invention provides a sensor system, mote and a motes-system. The sensor system is configured for being contained in a container having a maximum outer dimension less than 10 millimeter and for sensing at least one environmental parameter (T, P, pH, ρ). The sensor system includes at least one sensor configured for measuring the at least one environmental parameter and for generating a sensed value (xT, xP). The sensor system includes a storage element and a timer in which the at least one sensor is configured to measuring the at least one environmental parameter at each time triggers (t1, t2, . . . ) from the timer and for storing a sensed value (xT, xP). The sensor system further includes an energy storage comprising a chargeable capacitor being chargeable via electro-magnetic radiation of a predefined frequency, and wherein the sensor system is configured to initiate a sequence of sensed values when the energy storage is charged or is being charged.

Claims

1. A sensor system configured for being contained in a container having a maximum outer dimension less than 10 millimeter and for sensing at least one environmental parameter, the sensor system comprising:

at least one sensor configured for measuring the at least one environmental parameter and for generating a sensed value representing the at least one environmental parameter,

a storage element for storing the sensed value,

a timer for generating a plurality of time triggers separated by a predetermined time interval, the at least one sensor being configured for measuring the at least one environmental parameter substantially at the time of each of the time triggers and for generating a corresponding sensed value and storing the sensed value onto the storage element to generate a sequence of sensed values,

an energy storage for supplying at least the at least one sensor, timer and storage element with power to enable operation of the sensor system during a predefined time duration, wherein the energy storage comprises a chargeable capacitor being chargeable via electro-magnetic radiation of a predefined frequency, and wherein the sensor system is configured to, when the energy storage is charged or when the energy storage is being charged, initiate the generating of the plurality of time triggers, measuring the at least one environmental parameter and storing the sensed value, thus initiating the sequence of sensed values, and

an antenna for receiving the electro-magnetic radiation for charging the energy storage.

2. Sensor system according to claim 1, wherein the sensor system is configured to reset the timer for generating a new plurality of time triggers when the energy storage is charged or when the energy storage is being charged.

3. Sensor system according to claim 1, wherein the timer comprises an oscillator and a counter and wherein the resetting of the timer comprises resetting the counter.

4. Sensor system according to claim 3, wherein the sensor system is configured for storing a trigger number together with each sensed value, the trigger number being generated by the timer and indicating the number of time triggers generated by the timer since the resetting of the timer.

5. Sensor system according to claim 1, wherein the sensor system further comprises a controller for controlling the operation of the sensor system.

6. Sensor system according to claim 5, wherein the controller is constituted of one or more logic blocks.

7. Sensor system according to claim 5, wherein the controller is coupled to the antenna and is configured to communicate via the antenna.

8. Sensor system according to claim 7, wherein the controller is configured for communicating the stored sensed values.

9. Sensor system according to claim 7, wherein the controller is configured for receiving configurable parameters via the antenna for determining an operation of the sensor system.

10. Sensor system according to claim 7, wherein the time interval is a configurable parameter.

11. Sensor system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one environmental parameter is selected from a list comprising at least temperature pressure, acidity, and conductivity.

12. Sensor system according to claim 1, wherein the predefined time duration is at least 24 hours.

13. A mote comprising the sensor system according to claim 1 contained in the container, wherein the volumetric mass density of the mote is substantially equal to the volumetric mass density of a predefined liquid.

14. A motes-system comprising a plurality of motes according to claim 13, wherein each of the sensor systems in each of the plurality of motes are chargeable using electro-magnetic radiation having the same predefined frequency.

15. The motes-system according to claim 14, wherein the plurality of motes are synchronized when the energy storage of each of the sensor systems is charged or when the energy storage of each of the sensor systems is being charged.

16. Method for collecting sensor data from an environment, the environment having an injection point, and an extraction point, the method comprising

charging a plurality of motes according to claim 13 via electro-magnetic radiation, thereby initiating in the plurality of motes, measuring of at least one environmental parameter substantially at the time of each of a plurality of time triggers and for generating a corresponding sensed value and storing the sensed value onto the storage element, generating a sequence of sensed values, the plurality of time triggers being separated by a predetermined time interval

injecting via an injection point the plurality of motes into the environment using a stream of liquid,

allowing the plurality of motes to migrate through the environment via the injected liquid from the injection point to the extraction point,

harvesting at least part of the plurality of motes from the environment via the extraction point

extracting the stored sequences of sensed values from the harvested motes.

17. Method for collecting sensor data from an environment as in claim 16, comprising

placing harvested motes inside a tank containing liquid at a specific predefined temperature.

18. Method for collecting sensor data from an environment as in claim 16 wherein the environment is an oil well, water distribution system, sewer system, or a reservoir for a liquid.