Resonant sensor system and method
First Claim
1. Apparatus for remotely measuring at least one environmental condition, comprising:
- an electromagnetically resonant sensor having a resonance frequency which varies as a result of at least one physical change to the sensor, the at least one physical change being due to one or more changes in the at least one environmental condition, the sensor emitting an electromagnetic return signal having a frequency at or near the resonance frequency when an electromagnetic excitation signal having a frequency at or near the resonance frequency impinges on the sensors; and
an electromagnetic excitation signal generator which is separated from the sensor and located away from the sensors and which generates the electromagnetic excitation signal having the frequency at or near the resonance frequency.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Apparatus, and related method, for remotely measuring at 1east one environmental condition includes an electromagnetically resonant sensor having a measurable resonance characteristic (e.g., center resonance frequency, quality factor, or bandwidth) that varies in correspondence to changes in the environmental condition present at the sensor. The sensor emits an electromagnetic return signal representative of a state of the resonance characteristic when an electromagnetic excitation signal impinges on the sensor. The electromagnetic excitation signal is generated by a generator located separate and away from the sensor, and the excitation signal is then directed at the remote sensor. The sensor thus remotely detects and measures the environmental condition. In one embodiment, the sensor is an electromagnetically resonant electrical circuit. In another embodiment, the sensor is an antenna resonator (e.g., a half-wavelength antenna) made of a conductive material.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. Apparatus for remotely measuring at least one environmental condition, comprising:
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an electromagnetically resonant sensor having a resonance frequency which varies as a result of at least one physical change to the sensor, the at least one physical change being due to one or more changes in the at least one environmental condition, the sensor emitting an electromagnetic return signal having a frequency at or near the resonance frequency when an electromagnetic excitation signal having a frequency at or near the resonance frequency impinges on the sensors; and an electromagnetic excitation signal generator which is separated from the sensor and located away from the sensors and which generates the electromagnetic excitation signal having the frequency at or near the resonance frequency. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. Apparatus for remotely measuring an environmental condition, comprising:
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an electromagnetically resonant senor having a resonance frequency which varies as a result of at least one physical change to the sensor, the at least one physical change being due to one or more changes in the environmental condition; a generator, separate from the sensor and located remote from the sensor, for generating at least one electromagnetic excitation signal having a frequency at or near the resonance frequency; and a monitor, separate from the sensor and located remote from the sensor, for detecting at least one electromagnetic return signal returned by the sensor in response to the at least one electromagnetic excitation signal, the at least one electromagnetic return signal having a frequency at or near the resonance frequency. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method of remotely measuring an environmental condition, comprising:
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providing an electromagnetically resonant sensor at a first location, the sensor having a resonance frequency which varies as a result of at least one physical change to the sensor, the at least one physical change being due to one or more changes in the environmental condition; generating at least one electromagnetic excitation signal with an electromagnetic signal generator which is separate from the sensor and disposed at a second location remote from the first location, the at least one electromagnetic excitation signal having a frequency at or near the resonance frequency; and monitoring for at least one electromagnetic return signals returned by the sensor in response to the at least one electromagnetic excitation signal, the at least one electromagnetic return signal having a frequency at or near the resonance frequency. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification