Wireless multi-functional sensor platform, system containing same and method for its use

• US 6,796,187 B2
• Filed: 08/27/2002
• Issued: 09/28/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 12/08/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Johns Hopkins University
• Original Assignee: Johns Hopkins University
• Inventors: Srinivasan, Regaswamy, Spicer, Jane W., Weiskopf, Francis B. Jr., Carkhuff, Bliss G., Grossman, Kenneth R., Cain, Russell P., Osiander, Robert
• Primary Examiner(s): NOORI, MAX H
• Application Number:
  US10/220,102
• Publication Number:
  US 20040004554A1
• Time in Patent Office: 763 Days
• Field of Search: 737/84, 738/01, 738/02, 738/03, 738/05, 738/04, 738/11, 737/78, 737/86
• US Class Current: 73/784
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 21/02 Measuring two or more variables by means not covered by a single other subclass
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 9/005 Solid-state data loggers
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 5/0008 of bridges
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 5/0033 by determining damage, crack or wear
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 5/0083 by measuring variation of impedance, e.g. resistance, capacitance, induction
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 5/0091 by using electromagnetic excitation or detection
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/383 Concrete, cement

Abstract

A multi-functional sensor system for simultaneously monitoring various parameters such as the structural, chemical and environmental conditions associated with a medium to be monitored, e.g., bridges, high-rise buildings, pollution zones, is provided wherein the system includes at least a plurality of wireless multi-functional sensor platforms embedded in the medium in which an interrogation unit transmits power and receives responses. Each wireless multi-functional sensor platform includes multiple channels for accommodating a plurality of sensor types to simultaneously monitor the parameters associated with the medium. Thus, the wireless sensor platforms are formed to include those sensor types which are considered germane to the intended medium to be monitored.

Claims

1. A sensor system for monitoring of a medium, comprising:

an interrogation unit for generating an induction power field and for receiving responses; and

a plurality of wireless embedded sensor platforms, each including a plurality of sensor types and powered by said induction field, said platforms are disposed throughout said medium, and wherein each of said plurality of sensor types generates a respective output representative of said sensor type,

wherein each of said sensor platforms comprises;

a sensor housing having a cap portion and a base portion defining an interior volume,

said plurality of sensors; and

sensing electronics enclosed within said housing interior volume and operatively coupled to said plurality of sensors, said sensing electronics comprising;

a processor coupled to said plurality of sensors for monitoring outputs generated from said plurality of sensor types; and

transmit circuitry coupled to said processor for transmitting said outputs representative of said sensor types.

2. The wireless sensor platform of claim 1, wherein said housing is made from a ceramic material.

3. The wireless sensor platform of claim 1, wherein said sensing electronics further includes means for being externally powered.

4. The sensor system of claim 1, wherein each sensor platform is made from a ceramic material.

5. The sensor system of claim 1, further comprising analog to digital conversion means for converting an analog output of said plurality of sensors to a digital output.

7. The wireless sensor platform of claim 1 or 6, wherein said medium is selected from the group consisting of ground, asphalt, composites, plastics, concrete and cement.

8. The wireless sensor platform of claim 1 or 6, wherein said sensors sense a plurality of parameters selected from the group consisting of temperature, conductivity, pH, magnetism, noise, pressure, shock, strain, stress and vibration.

10. The wireless sensor platform of claim 1 or 6, wherein said sensors sense a plurality of parameters indicating structural, chemical and environmental conditions associated with the medium.

6. A sensor system for monitoring of a medium, comprising:

an interrogation unit for generating an induction power field and for receiving responses; and

a plurality of wireless embedded sensor platforms, each including a plurality of sensor types and powered by said induction field, said platforms are disposed throughout said medium, and wherein each of said plurality of sensor types generates a respective output representative of said sensor type,

further comprising a multi-layered substrate for mounting said sensing electronics.

9. The sensor system of claim 6, wherein said multi-layered substrate is constructed of tape dielectric materials and screen printed thick-film conductor.

11. The sensor system of claim 6, wherein said multi-layered substrate is a low-temperature co-fired ceramic substrate.

12. The sensor system of claim 6, wherein one layer of said multi-layered substrate defines a patterned transmission antenna.

13. The sensor system of claim 6, wherein said plurality of wireless embedded sensor platform are individually addressable.

14. A method for providing monitoring of a medium, comprising the steps of:

providing a plurality of wireless embedded sensor platforms in said medium, wherein the medium is one of asphalt, concrete and cement, said sensor platforms having a housing defining an interior volume; and

a plurality of sensors configured for inserting within said interior volume and for monitoring a plurality of parameters associated with said medium;

embedding the plurality of embedded wireless sensor platforms within the medium to be monitored;

generating a time varying magnetic field to said plurality of embedded wireless sensor platforms;

wirelessly receiving the time varying magnetic field at said plurality of embedded wireless sensor platforms;

powering said plurality of embedded wireless sensor platforms from the wirelessly received time varying magnetic field;

sensing a plurality of structural, chemical and environmental conditions of the monitored medium from said powered embedded wireless sensor platforms;

wirelessly transmitting said sensed plurality of structural, chemical and environmental conditions of the monitored environment to a receiving unit.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the receiving unit is one of a mobile interrogation unit, a hand-held unit and a stationary unit.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein said receiving unit receives said sensed plurality of structural, chemical and environmental conditions while said receiving unit is in proximity with the monitored medium.