Harmonic wireless transponder sensor and method
First Claim
1. A method for detecting a latent environmental effect or a latent structural change at a known remote concealed location, comprising the steps of:
- (a) using a harmonic electromagnetic transponder at the known remote concealed location of the latent environmental effect or the latent structural change, the harmonic electromagnetic transponder having a reactive portion which reacts to the latent environmental effect or latent structural change to modify the harmonic emission of the transponder;
(b) remotely interrogating the transponder by directing electromagnetic radiation at the transponder; and
(c) using the harmonic emission of the transponder to remotely determine the latent environmental effect or latent structural change.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method for detecting a latent environmental effect (such as a corrosive environment under insulation) or a latent structural change (such as a crack in a concealed structural member) at a known remote concealed location. The method of the instant invention includes three steps. The first step is to use a harmonic electromagnetic transponder at the known remote concealed location of the latent environmental effect or the latent structural change, the harmonic electromagnetic transponder having a reactive portion which reacts to the latent environmental effect or latent structural change to modify the harmonic emission of the transponder. The second step is to remotely interrogate the transponder by directing electromagnetic radiation at the transponder. The third step is to use the harmonic emission of the transponder to remotely determine the latent environmental effect or the latent structural change.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. A method for detecting a latent environmental effect or a latent structural change at a known remote concealed location, comprising the steps of:
- (a) using a harmonic electromagnetic transponder at the known remote concealed location of the latent environmental effect or the latent structural change, the harmonic electromagnetic transponder having a reactive portion which reacts to the latent environmental effect or latent structural change to modify the harmonic emission of the transponder;
(b) remotely interrogating the transponder by directing electromagnetic radiation at the transponder; and
(c) using the harmonic emission of the transponder to remotely determine the latent environmental effect or latent structural change. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
- (a) using a harmonic electromagnetic transponder at the known remote concealed location of the latent environmental effect or the latent structural change, the harmonic electromagnetic transponder having a reactive portion which reacts to the latent environmental effect or latent structural change to modify the harmonic emission of the transponder;
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16. A method for detecting a latent environmental effect or a latent structural change at a known remote concealed location, comprising the steps of:
- (a) directing electromagnetic radiation to the known remote concealed location;
(b) resonating the electromagnetic radiation at the known remote concealed location;
(c) converting the resonated electromagnetic radiation to a harmonic thereof at the known remote concealed location;
(c) transmitting the harmonic electromagnetic radiation from the known remote concealed location; and
(d) using the transmitted harmonic electromagnetic radiation to remotely determine the latent environmental effect or the latent structural change by measuring the relative strength of the transmitted harmonic electromagnetic radiation from the known remote concealed location.
- (a) directing electromagnetic radiation to the known remote concealed location;
Specification