Humidity sensing system for a storage container

• US 6,157,306 A
• Filed: 06/07/1999
• Issued: 12/05/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 06/07/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Nuventions Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Nuventions Incorporated
• Inventors: Mularoni, Marco
• Primary Examiner(s): Lefkowitz, Edward
• Application Number:
  US09/327,005
• Time in Patent Office: 547 Days
• Field of Search: 340/602, 340/584, 340/585, 340/586, 340/588, 340/589, 340/603, 73/25.01, 73/25.04, 73/29.01, 73/29.04, 200/61.06, 236/44 R, 236/91 A, 206/204, 206/205, 206/213.1, 206/242, 312/31
• US Class Current: 340/602
• CPC Class Codes: A24F 25/02 Moistening devices
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/182 Level alarms, e.g. alarms responsive to variables exceeding a threshold

Abstract

A humidity sensing device dimensioned to be received in a humidor for detecting an out of range ambient moisture condition and transmitting a signal to a remote monitor. The sensing device establishes an acceptable range of period for a humidity sensitive oscillator. The out of range condition causes a signal to be transmitted to the decoding monitor which provides an alarm signal.

Claims

1. A system for sensing humidity in a closed container for storing humidity sensitive articles and generating an alarm signal when the absolute humidity therein is outside a predetermined range, said system comprising:

a) a sensor for placement in the closed container, said sensor including;

i) means for generating a periodic signal, the period of said signal being a function of the absolute humidity in said container;

ii) a microprocessor programmed to contain limits to the acceptable range of periods for the predetermined humidity range, said microprocessor generating an out of range signal when the periodic signal is outside the acceptable range;

iii) a transmitter responsive to the out of range signal for transmitting an activating signal;

iv) a power supply for the sensor, and

b) an alarm circuit for placement outside the container which includes

i) means for receiving the activating signal;

ii) an indicator coupled to the means for receiving and advising that an out of range humidity condition exists within the container, and

iii) means for supplying power to the alarm circuit.

2. The system in accordance with claim 1 wherein said means for generating a periodic signal is an oscillator containing a humidity sensitive capacitor.

3. The system in accordance with claim 2 wherein the humidity sensitive capacitor is an air gap capacitor.

4. The system in accordance with claim 3 further comprising a power supply monitor for providing a low-power signal to the microprocessor, said microprocessor activating the transmitter upon receipt of the low-power signal.

5. The system in accordance with claim 4 further comprising a test circuit containing a switch, the activation of the switch providing a test signal to the microprocessor to activate the power supply monitor.

6. The system in accordance with claim 5 wherein said microprocessor generates a coded digital signal upon receiving one of the out of range, low power and test signals, said transmitter sending the coded signal to the alarm circuit.

7. The system in accordance with claim 6 further comprising a case for the humidity sensor, said case being dimensioned to be received in alignment with articles stored in the container.

8. A humidity sensor for placement in a closed container and for transmitting a signal indicating an out of range humidity condition therein to a remote indicator, said sensor comprising:

i) an oscillator circuit for generating a signal having a period which is a function of the absolute humidity in said container;

ii) a microprocessor programmed to contain the upper and lower limits defining the acceptable range of period for the oscillator signal, the microprocessor generating an out of range signal when the period of the oscillator signal is outside the acceptable range;

iii) a transmitter coupled to the microprocessor for sending an activating signal to the remote indicator upon receipt of the out of range signal; and

iv) a power supply contained in said sensor.

9. The humidity sensor in accordance with claim 8 wherein the oscillator circuit comprises a humidity sensitive capacitor.

10. The humidity sensor in accordance with claim 9 wherein the humidity sensitive capacitor is an air gap capacitor.

11. The humidity sensor in accordance with claim 10 further comprising a power supply monitor for providing a low power signal to the microprocessor, said microprocessor activating the transmitter upon receipt of the low power signal.

12. The humidity sensor in accordance with claim 11 further comprising a test circuit containing a switch, the activation of the switch providing a test signal to the microprocessor to activate the power supply monitor.

13. The humidity sensor in accordance with claim 12 wherein said microprocessor generates a coded digital signal upon receiving one of the out of range, low power and test signals, said transmitter sending the coded signal to the indicator.

14. The humidity sensor in accordance with claim 13 further comprising a case for the humidity sensor, said case being dimensioned to be received in alignment with articles stored in the container.