SENSOR DEVICE, AND SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR OBTAINING MEASUREMENTS OF SELECTED CHARACTERISTICS OF A CONCRETE MIXTURE

• US 20180011076A1
• Filed: 04/12/2017
• Published: 01/11/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 07/11/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: QuipIP, LLC
• Original Assignee: QuipIP, LLC
• Inventors: RADJY, Farrokh F., RADJY, Anousha
• Granted Patent: US 10,126,288 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/383 Concrete or cement

Abstract

A sensor device includes a housing having a hole allowing substances to pass from an exterior of the housing to an interior of the housing, and a printed circuit board having a humidity sensor and at least one electronic component. The sensor device also includes a tube comprising a waterproof material, wherein a first end of the tube surrounds the humidity sensor, wherein a first seal is formed by between the first end of the tube and the printed circuit board, wherein a second end of the tube is located proximate the hole. The sensor device also includes a waterproof, breathable material layer disposed between the second end of the tube and the hole, wherein a second seal is formed between the material layer and the housing, wherein a third seal is formed between the material layer and the second end of the tube. The hole and the material layer allow water vapor to pass from the exterior to the humidity sensor. The first, second, and third seals prevent the water vapor from reaching the at least one electronic component.

Claims

1. A sensor device comprising:

a housing, the housing having a hole allowing substances to pass from an exterior of the housing to an interior of the housing;

a printed circuit board disposed in the housing, the printed circuit board including a humidity sensor and at least one electronic component;

a tube having a first end and a second end, the tube comprising a waterproof material, wherein the first end of the tube surrounds the humidity sensor, wherein a first seal is formed by between the first end of the tube and the printed circuit board, wherein the second end of the tube is located proximate the hole; and

a material layer disposed between the second end of the tube and the hole, wherein the material layer comprises a waterproof and breathable material, wherein a second seal is formed between the material layer and the housing, wherein a third seal is formed between the material layer and the second end of the tube;

wherein the hole and the material layer allow water vapor to pass from the exterior to the humidity sensor;

wherein the first seal, the second seal, and the third seal prevent the water vapor from reaching the at least one electronic component.

2. The sensor device of claim 1, wherein the printed circuit board further comprises one of a temperature sensor, an accelerometer, a pH sensor, an inductance sensor, an impedance or resistivity sensor, a sonic sensor, a pressure sensor, a conductivity sensor, a salinity sensor, a humidity sensor, and an elevation sensor.

3. The sensor device of claim 1, wherein the printed circuit board further includes a transmitter.

4. The sensor device of claim 1, wherein the tube comprises one of plastic and rubber.

5. The sensor device of claim 1, wherein the tube has a diameter of between 0.25 cm and 1.0 cm.

6. A sensor device comprising:

a housing, the housing having an opening that allows water vapor to pass between an exterior of the housing and an interior of the housing but prevents liquid from passing between the exterior and the interior;

a printed circuit board disposed in the housing, the printed circuit board comprising;

a humidity sensor adapted to obtain humidity measurements;

one or more second sensors adapted to obtain measurement data;

a processor adapted to;

detect a change in the humidity measurements from a first level to a second level; and

activate the one or more second sensors in response to the change in the humidity measurements; and

and a transmitter adapted to transmit the humidity measurements and the measurement data.

7. The sensor device of claim 6, wherein the opening comprises a hole in the housing, the hole having a diameter between 0.5 millimeters and 1.0 millimeter.

8. The sensor device of claim 6, wherein:

the housing comprises a first portion and a second portion, the first and second portions being engaged;

the opening is disposed between the first and second portions.

9. The sensor device of claim 6, wherein the printed circuit board further comprises one of a temperature sensor, an accelerometer, a pH sensor, an inductance sensor, an impedance or resistivity sensor, a sonic sensor, a pressure sensor, a conductivity sensor, a salinity sensor, a humidity sensor, and an elevation sensor.

10. The sensor device of claim 6, wherein the housing has one of a square shape and a rectangular shape, with a first side having a length between about 1.5 inch and about 2.0 inches, a second side having a length between about 1.5 inch and about 2.0 inches, and a thickness between about one-eight inch and one-half inch.

11. The sensor device of claim 10, wherein the housing has a square shape with sides having a length of about one and three-fourths (1.75) inches, and a thickness of about three-sixteenth ( 3/16) inches.

12. A sensor device comprising:

a housing, the housing having a hole allowing substances to pass from an exterior of the housing to an interior of the housing;

a printed circuit board disposed in the housing, the printed circuit board including one of a temperature sensor and a humidity sensor;

a material layer disposed between the hole and the printed circuit board, wherein the material layer comprises a waterproof and breathable material; and

a support element disposed between the printed circuit board and the material layer, the support element adapted to separate the printed circuit board and the material layer;

wherein the hole and the material layer allow water vapor to pass from the exterior to the interior of the housing.

13. The sensor device of claim 14, wherein the printed circuit board further comprises one of an accelerometer, a pH sensor, an inductance sensor, an impedance or resistivity sensor, a sonic sensor, a pressure sensor, a conductivity sensor, a salinity sensor, and an elevation sensor.