Resonator-based, surface-condition sensor
First Claim
1. A sensor for use with a swept-frequency signal in identifying the presence and thickness of a dielectric media on a surface, said sensor comprising:
- an elongate transmission line positioned across said surface; and
at least one resonator configured to have a resonant frequency, positioned on said surface and separated from said transmission line by a space to electromagnetically couple said resonator with said transmission line;
said resonator producing a detectable difference at said resonant frequency in an amplitude response of said swept-frequency signal when said swept-frequency signal is transported along said transmission line; and
said resonant frequency having a frequency shift in response to the presence of said dielectric media on said resonator with the extent of said frequency shift corresponding to said dielectric media thickness.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A sensor is provided for detecting the presence of dielectric media, e.g., ice. The sensor includes a plurality of microstrip resonators which are positioned for electromagnetic coupling with a microstrip transmission line. The resonators produce amplitude minima in a radio-frequency signal that is carried over the transmission line. The resonance of the resonators changes in response to the addition of a dielectric coating. Each resonator can be configured with a different resonant frequency which serves as a signature that identifies the respective resonator'"'"'s position. The sensor has a thin aerodynamic profile, can conform to nonplanar surfaces and its installation requires no intrusion into an aircraft skin.
57 Citations
24 Claims
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1. A sensor for use with a swept-frequency signal in identifying the presence and thickness of a dielectric media on a surface, said sensor comprising:
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an elongate transmission line positioned across said surface; and at least one resonator configured to have a resonant frequency, positioned on said surface and separated from said transmission line by a space to electromagnetically couple said resonator with said transmission line; said resonator producing a detectable difference at said resonant frequency in an amplitude response of said swept-frequency signal when said swept-frequency signal is transported along said transmission line; and said resonant frequency having a frequency shift in response to the presence of said dielectric media on said resonator with the extent of said frequency shift corresponding to said dielectric media thickness. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A sensor system for identifying the presence and thickness of a dielectric media on a surface, comprising:
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an elongate transmission line positioned across said surface; at least one resonator configured to have a resonant frequency, positioned on said surface and separated from said transmission line by a space to electromagnetically couple said resonator with said transmission line; a generator configured to generate a swept-frequency signal, said generator coupled to said transmission line; and a detector coupled to said transmission line for detecting an amplitude response of said signal; wherein said generator, said resonator and said detector are positioned so that said signal couples to said resonator prior to its detection by said detector; said resonator producing a detectable difference at said resonant frequency in said amplitude response; and said resonant frequency having a frequency shift in response to the presence of said dielectric media on said resonator with the extent of said frequency shift corresponding to said dielectric media thickness. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. An aircraft equipped with a sensor system for identifying the presence and thickness of ice, comprising:
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an aircraft having an aerodynamic surface; an elongate transmission line positioned across said surface; at least one resonator configured to have a resonant frequency, positioned on said surface and separated from said transmission line by a space to electromagnetically couple said resonator with said transmission line; a generator configured to generate a swept-frequency signal, said generator coupled to said transmission line; and a detector coupled to said transmission line for detecting an amplitude response of said signal; wherein said generator, said resonator and said detector are positioned so that said signal couples to said resonator prior to its detection by said detector; said resonator producing a detectable difference at said resonant frequency in said amplitude response; and said resonant frequency having a frequency shift in response to the presence of said dielectric media on said resonator with the extent of said frequency shift corresponding to said dielectric media thickness. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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21. A sensor for use with a swept-frequency signal in identifying the presence and thickness of a dielectric media on a surface, said sensor comprising:
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a plurality of electromagnetic resonators arranged over said surface and each configured to have a respective resonant frequency; and an elongate transmission line arranged across said surface so as to be separated from each of said resonators by a space which electromagnetically couples that resonator to said transmission line; the magnitude of said swept-frequency signal across said transmission line being reduced at the resonant frequency of each of said electromagnetic resonators by electromagnetic coupling between that resonator and said transmission line and the resonant frequency shifting in response to the presence and thickness of said dielectric media on said surface. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24)
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Specification