Moisture/mold detector
First Claim
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1. An apparatus comprising:
- a first conducting probe and a second conducting probe, the first and second conducting probes separated by a gap;
a power supply, to provide a voltage difference between the first and second conducting probes; and
a controller, to indicate when a level of electric current flowing between the first and the second conducting probes equals or exceeds a first threshold value;
wherein the first and second conducting probes are in contact with a drywall material, such that an electric current flows between the first and second conducting probes when moisture in the drywall material creates an electrical path in the drywall material between the first and second conducting probes.
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Abstract
A moisture detector is presented which uses the effects of moisture on the chemistry and electrical conductivity of drywall material. Conducting probes are installed in a drywall material and the level of electric current between the probes is monitored and correlated with the concentration of moisture in the drywall material along a path between the probes.
64 Citations
16 Claims
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1. An apparatus comprising:
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a first conducting probe and a second conducting probe, the first and second conducting probes separated by a gap;
a power supply, to provide a voltage difference between the first and second conducting probes; and
a controller, to indicate when a level of electric current flowing between the first and the second conducting probes equals or exceeds a first threshold value;
wherein the first and second conducting probes are in contact with a drywall material, such that an electric current flows between the first and second conducting probes when moisture in the drywall material creates an electrical path in the drywall material between the first and second conducting probes. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method for detecting moisture in a drywall material comprising:
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installing a first conducting probe and a second conducting probe in contact with the drywall material, the first and second conducting probes separated by a gap, wherein an electric current flows between the first and second conducting probes when moisture in the drywall material creates an electrical path between the first and second conducting probes, and choosing a first threshold value such that a level of electric current, flowing between the first and second conducting probes and equaling or exceeding the first threshold value, indicates a concentration of moisture equaling or exceeding a second threshold value along a path in the drywall material between the first and second conducting probes. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method of making an apparatus for detecting moisture in a drywall material, the method comprising:
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providing a first conducting probe and a second conducting probe, connecting a power supply to provide a voltage difference between the first and second conducting probes, coupling a controller to the first and second conducting probes, setting the to controller indicate when a level of electric current flowing between the first and second conducting probes equals or exceeds a first threshold value, the first threshold value being chosen to correlate with a concentration of moisture equaling or exceeding a second threshold value along a path in the drywall material between the first and second conducting probes. - View Dependent Claims (16)
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Specification