High intensity, non-reversing humidity indicator

• US 6,663,679 B1
• Filed: 05/23/2002
• Issued: 12/16/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 05/23/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: William P. Duncan
• Original Assignee: William P. Duncan
• Inventors: Duncan, William P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lefkowitz, Edward
• Assistant Examiner(s): CYGAN, MICHAEL T
• Application Number:
  US10/154,551
• Publication Number:
  US 20030217585A1
• Time in Patent Office: 572 Days
• Field of Search: 73/73, 73/76, 73/290.1, 73/290.2, 733/350.1, 73/290.4, 73/290.5, 116/206, 206/524.5, 961/175, 961/18
• US Class Current: 73/335.01
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 7/005 Indication of measured value by colour change
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 19/10 Measuring moisture content, e.g. by measuring change in length of hygroscopic filament; Hygrometers

Abstract

The invention is a device for monitoring humidity, comprising a first layer, which is a visual indicator, a second layer covering and obscuring the first layer, with the second layer comprising a deliquescent material. The deliquescent material picks up moisture and dissolves itself in the moisture, becoming transparent and exposing the first layer. Also included is a viewing means, such as a sight glass, disposed on the opposite side of the second layer from the first layer. The components of the device are mounted or placed in an enclosure that allows entrance of moisture. The activation humidity level may be selected by choosing the appropriate deliquescent material. The device may be in the form of a component of a moisture-containing system and used to detect the moisture should it leave its containment. It may also be in the form of a stand-alone device, such as a capsule, used to monitor exposure to humidity. Additionally, the device may be formed with indication of exposure to different levels of humidity.

Claims

1. A device for monitoring humidity, comprising:

a) a first layer comprising a visual indicator;

b) a second layer, covering and obscuring said first layer, said second layer comprising a deliquescent material, wherein said deliquescent material picks up moisture and dissolves itself in the moisture, becoming transparent and exposing said first layer;

c) viewing means disposed on the opposite side of said second layer from said first layer;

d) urging means for moving said visual indicator, wherein said urging means is activated by deliquescing of said deliquescent material;

e) an enclosure containing said first and second layers, said spring means, and said viewing means; and

f) an entrance to said enclosure,

whereby moisture may enter and react with said deliquescent material.

2. The humidity monitoring device of claim 1, wherein said urging means comprises spring means, and wherein one end of said spring means is placed behind and against said first visual indicator layer and the other end of said spring means is fixed against a stop, such that said spring means causes pressure to be exerted against said first visual indicator layer, pushing it towards said viewing means, such that said first visual indicator layer travels in the direction of said viewing means once said deliquescent material layer has dissolved.

3. The humidity monitoring device of claim 2, wherein said deliquescent material layer liquefies and is excluded from its original location by the force of said spring means.

4. The humidity monitoring device of claim 1, further characterized by selecting a mixture of deliquescent materials each having a different level of moisture that leads to deliquescence, whereby said mixture liquefies at a level of moisture characteristic of the mixture and not the individual components thereof.

5. The humidity monitoring device of claim 1, wherein said enclosure, said viewing means and said entrance are made of the same material, thus forming the containment surface of a capsule.

6. The humidity monitoring device of claim 1, wherein said viewing means is formed from a transparent material.

7. The humidity monitoring device of claim 1, wherein said viewing means is made from a translucent material.

8. The humidity monitoring device of claim 1, wherein said viewing means is constructed from a material selected from the group consisting of glass and plastic.

9. The humidity monitoring device of claim 8, wherein said plastic is selected from a group consisting of polycarbonate, vinyl and acetate.

10. The humidity monitoring device of claim 1, wherein said enclosure is made of a material selected from the group consisting of metal and plastic.

11. The humidity monitoring device of claim 1, wherein said deliquescent material is selected from the group consisting of metal chlorides, metal fluorides, metal hydroxides, metal carbonates, and metal nitrates.

12. The humidity monitoring device of claim 11, wherein said metal chlorides are selected from a grout consisting of all alkali metal chlorides.

13. The humidity monitoring device of claim 11, wherein said metal chlorides are selected from a group consisting of all alkaline earth metal chlorides.

14. The humidity monitoring device of claim 11, wherein said metal chlorides are selected from a group consisting of all transition metal chlorides.

15. The humidity monitoring device of claim 1, wherein said deliquescent material is selected from the group consisting of lithium chloride, sodium hydroxide, potassium fluoride, potassium carbonate, potassium nitrate, magnesium chloride, stannous chloride, strontium chloride, aluminum chloride, calcium chloride, zinc chloride, calcium nitrate, sodium nitrate, ammonium chloride and ammonium nitrate.

16. The humidity monitoring device of claim 1, wherein said visual indicator comprises a substrate and a coating thereon.

17. The humidity monitoring device of claim 16 wherein said coating comprises a colored material selected from the group consisting of vinyl, vinyl laminates, paint, epoxy paint, inks, dyes, polymers, glass, acetates, polycarbonates, plastics, ceramics, composites, and powder coats.

18. The humidity monitoring device of claim 17, wherein said substrate is rigid and wherein said colored material is attached to said rigid substrate through a permanent bonding process.

19. The humidity monitoring device of claim 17, wherein the color of said colored material is selected from the group consisting of red, orange, yellow and pink.

20. The humidity indicating device of claim 1, wherein said enclosure contains a section permeable to water, thus forming said entrance.

21. The humidity indicating device of claim 1, said enclosure comprising a water permeable material.

22. A self-contained, disposable corrosion monitor for a fluid containing system comprising:

a plug insertable into a fluid containing system, said plug indicating a preselected amount of loss of metal on an inner wall of said fluid containing system due to corrosive action of said fluid on said inner wall of said fluid containing system, said plug including

a) a solid monitoring wall of a predetermined metal having a thickness equal to said preselected amount of loss and one surface exposed to said fluid when said plug is inserted into said fluid containing system at the same level as said inner wall of said fluid containing system,

b) an enclosed cavity associated with the other surface of said solid monitoring wall, and

c) a substance disposed within said enclosed cavity reacting with said fluid penetrating said solid monitoring wall to indicate when said fluid has penetrated said solid monitoring wall and, hence, that said preselected amount of loss of said metal on said inner wall of said fluid containing system has occurred;

wherein said substance disposed within said enclosed cavity comprises the humidity monitoring device of claim 1,

whereby said corrosion monitor is suitable for water-based environments.

23. A method for detecting humidity, comprising the steps of:

a) providing a color indicator;

b) covering said indicator with a layer of deliquescent material;

c) providing spring means for moving said indicator;

d) placing said indicator and said spring means in an enclosure;

e) providing a means for viewing said indicator from the deliquescent material side; and

f) providing an entry means for water to access the deliquescent material.

24. A device for monitoring humidity, comprising:

a) a first layer having one side coated with a visual indicator material and the other side uncoated;

b) a second layer comprising deliquescent material, covering and obscuring said coated side of said first layer, wherein said deliquescent material picks up moisture and dissolves itself in the moisture, becoming transparent and exposing said coated side of said first layer;

c) a third layer having one side coated with a visual indicator material differing in color from that of said first layer, and the other side uncoated;

d) a fourth layer comprising a different deliquescent material from that in said second layer, said fourth layer covering and obscuring said third layer, wherein said deliquescent material picks up moisture and dissolves itself in said moisture, becoming transparent and exposing said coated side of said third layer;

e) a spring in contact at one end with said uncoated side of said first layer visual indicator and in contact at the other end with said uncoated side of said third layer visual indicator;

f) a viewing means disposed on the opposite side of each deliquescent material layer from said first and third visual indicator layers;

g) an enclosure containing said first, second, third and fourth layers, said spring and said viewing means; and

h) an entrance to the enclosure,

whereby when moisture enters and reacts with the deliquescent material, which liquefies and dissolves, said first and third visual indicator layers are propelled forward against said viewing means by the force of the spring.