Surface acoustic wave sensor and radio frequency identification interrogator fixture

• US 7,136,683 B2
• Filed: 03/23/2004
• Issued: 11/14/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/23/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Original Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Inventors: Eisenhower, Gary W. Jr., Marsh, Brian J., Larson, Roger L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Eng, George
• Assistant Examiner(s): HUYNH, NAM TRUNG
• Application Number:
  US10/806,987
• Publication Number:
  US 20050215294A1
• Time in Patent Office: 966 Days
• Field of Search: 455/552, 455/86, 455/267, 455/315, 455/188.1, 455/575.7, 455/575.9, 455/67.11, 455/345, 455/349, 343/713, 343/873, 343/872, 343/893, 343/906, 343/770, 343/767, 340/445, 340/442, 340/447, 340/505, 340/713
• US Class Current: 455/575.1
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 18/00 Testing or calibrating apparatus or arrangements provided for in groups G01D1/00 - G01D15/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 21/00 Measuring or testing not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 5/485 using magnetostrictive devices

Abstract

A wireless sensor fixture system and method are disclosed in which an antenna block is provided that includes a plurality of grooves, wherein such grooves maintain a plurality of antennas located on a portion of the antenna block. A top locator block can be positioned above the antenna block, wherein the top locator comprises a top surface having depression thereon for receiving and locating a patch, which can receives wireless signals from the antennas for sensor testing thereof, wherein the patch comprises a SAW sensor and an RFID tag over-molded into the patch. Additionally, an antenna cover can be connected to the antenna block for protecting the plurality of antennas and wiring thereof. A BNC connector protrudes from the antenna block and is electrically connected to the plurality of antennas via the wiring thereof.

Claims

1. A wireless fixture system, comprising:

an antenna block comprising a plurality of grooves, wherein said plurality of grooves maintain a plurality of antennas located on at least one portion of said antenna block; and

a top locator block located above said antenna block, wherein said top locator comprises a top surface having depression thereon for receiving and locating a patch, which can receive wireless signals from said plurality of antennas for sensor testing thereof.

2. The system of claim 1 further comprising:

an antenna cover connected to said antenna block for protecting said plurality of antennas and wiring thereof

a BNC connector that protrudes from said antenna block and is electrically connected to said plurality of antennas via said wiring thereof.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein said patch comprises a SAW sensor and an RFID tag over-molded into said patch.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein said patch comprises a rubber material.

5. The system of claim 3 wherein said antenna block comprises a material that is not affected by RF signals.

6. The system of claim 3 wherein said antenna cover comprises a material that is not affected by RF signals.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein said top locator block is formed from an amorphous thermoplastic polyetherimide material.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein said plurality of grooves comprises two grooves.

9. The system of claim 8 wherein said plurality of antennas comprises two antennas.

10. The system of claim 1 wherein said patch comprises a SAW patch and wherein said antenna block further comprises a pressure test rail enabling said SAW patch to react to both temperature and pressure while being interrogated wirelessly at a fixed distance in order to collect test data indicative of said SAW patch.

11. A wireless test fixture system, comprising:

an antenna block comprising a plurality of grooves, wherein said plurality of grooves maintain a plurality of antennas located on at least one portion of said antenna block;

a top locator block located above said antenna block, wherein said top locator comprises a top surface having depression thereon for receiving and locating a patch, which can receives wireless signals from said plurality of antennas for sensor testing thereof, wherein said patch comprises a SAW sensor and an RFID tag over-molded into said patch;

an antenna cover connected to said antenna block for protecting said plurality of antennas and wiring thereof; and

a BNC connector that protrudes from said antenna block and is electrically connected to said plurality of antennas via said wiring thereof.

12. The system of claim 11 wherein:

said patch comprises a rubber material;

said antenna block comprises a material that is not affected by RF signals;

said antenna cover comprises a material that is not affected by RF signals; and

said top locator block is formed from an amorphous thermoplastic polyetherimide material.

13. A wireless sensor fixture method, comprising the steps of:

providing an antenna block comprising a plurality of grooves, wherein said plurality of grooves maintain a plurality of antennas located on at least one portion of said antenna block; and

positioning a top locator block above said antenna block, wherein said top locator comprises a top surface having depression thereon for receiving and locating a patch, which can receives wireless signals from said plurality of antennas for sensor testing thereof.

14. The method of claim 13 further comprising the steps of:

connecting an antenna cover to said antenna block for protecting said plurality of antennas and wiring thereof;

providing a BNC connector that protrudes from said antenna block; and

electrically connecting said BNC connector to said plurality of antennas via said wiring thereof.

15. The method of claim 13 further comprising the step of configuring said patch to comprise a SAW sensor and an RFID tag over-molded into said patch.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein said patch comprises a rubber material.

17. The method of claim 15 further comprising the step of configuring said antenna block to comprise a material that Is not affected by RF signals.

18. The method of claim 15 further comprising the step of configuring said antenna cover to comprise a material that Is not affected by RF signals.

19. The method of claim 13 further comprising the step of configuring said top locator block from an amorphous thermoplastic polyetherimide material.

20. The method of claim 13 further comprising the steps of:

configuring said plurality of grooves to comprise only two grooves;

configuring said plurality of antennas to comprise only two antennas respectively associated with said two grooves; and

configuring said antenna block, said antenna cover and said top locator block to each comprise a rectangular shape.