Windshield moisture detector
First Claim
1. A moisture detector comprising:
- a first elongated conductor disposed on a substrate, the first conductor defining a path comprising multiple electric field emitting points between opposite ends thereof; and
a second elongated conductor disposed on the substrate at least partially surrounding the first conductor, the second conductor defining between opposite ends thereof a path having portions thereof which are positioned in spaced relation with the path of the first conductor along opposite sides thereof and a portion spaced from one of the ends of the first conductor for connecting the portions of the second conductor in spaced relation with the path of the first conductor along the opposite sides thereof.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A moisture detector can include a first elongated conductor disposed on a substrate. The first conductor can define a zigzag path between the opposite ends thereof. A second conductor can also be disposed on the substrate at least partially surrounding the first conductor. The second conductor can define between opposite ends thereof a zigzag path having a portion thereof that is positioned in substantially spaced parallel relation with the zigzag path of the first conductor along the sides thereof. A power conductor disposed on the substrate can be electrically connected to the first conductor intermediate the ends thereof via a gap defined between the ends of the second conductor. Ground conductors disposed on the substrate can be electrically connected to the ends of the second conductor. A temperature sensor can be utilized to correct the response of the moisture detector for temperature.
53 Citations
43 Claims
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1. A moisture detector comprising:
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a first elongated conductor disposed on a substrate, the first conductor defining a path comprising multiple electric field emitting points between opposite ends thereof; and a second elongated conductor disposed on the substrate at least partially surrounding the first conductor, the second conductor defining between opposite ends thereof a path having portions thereof which are positioned in spaced relation with the path of the first conductor along opposite sides thereof and a portion spaced from one of the ends of the first conductor for connecting the portions of the second conductor in spaced relation with the path of the first conductor along the opposite sides thereof. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A moisture detector comprising:
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a first conductor disposed on a substrate; a second conductor disposed on the substrate surrounding the first conductor with a gap defined between the ends of the second conductor; a power conductor disposed on the substrate and electrically connected to the first conductor via the gap between the ends of the second conductor; and a ground conductor disposed on the substrate and electrically connected to one end of the second conductor. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
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34. A moisture detection system comprising:
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a moisture detector disposed on a substrate, said moisture detector comprising at least one conductor that has a zigzag path along a longitudinal axis of said conductor and an other conductor surrounding the one conductor with a gap defined between the ends of the other conductor; a temperature sensor disposed in operative relation to the moisture detector for measuring a temperature on or adjacent the moisture detector; means for measuring a property of the moisture detector that varies in response to an amount of moisture present adjacent the moisture detector; means for measuring a property of the temperature sensor that varies in response to the temperature adjacent the moisture detector; and means for causing a system to operate as a function of the measured properties of the moisture detector and the temperature sensor. - View Dependent Claims (35, 36)
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37. A moisture detector comprising:
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a plurality of conductors disposed on a substrate and defining along their longitudinal axes zigzag paths that track each other in substantially spaced parallel relation, wherein each zigzag path includes a series of short, sharp turns or angles that define a series of distinct points; a power conductor disposed on the substrate and electrically connected to a first conductor of the plurality of conductors; and a ground conductor disposed on the substrate and electrically connected to a second conductor of the plurality of conductors wherein; the second conductor of the plurality of conductors surrounds the remaining plurality of conductors and defines a gap between the ends of the second conductor; and the power conductor is electrically connected to the first conductor via the gap between the ends of the second conductor. - View Dependent Claims (38, 39, 40, 41)
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42. A method of moisture detection comprising:
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(a) providing a moisture detector on a substrate, said moisture detector comprising a conductor that has a zigzag path along a longitudinal axis of said conductor; (b) providing a temperature sensor in operative relation to the moisture detector; (c) measuring a property of the moisture detector that varies in response to an amount of moisture present adjacent the moisture detector; (d) measuring a property of the temperature sensor that varies in response to the temperature adjacent the moisture detector; and (e) causing a system to operate as a function of the measured properties of the moisture detector and the temperature sensor.
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43. A moisture detector comprising:
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a first elongated conductor disposed on a substrate, the first conductor defining a path comprising multiple electric field emitting points between opposite ends thereof; and a second elongated conductor disposed on the substrate at least partially surrounding the first conductor, the second conductor defining between opposite ends thereof a path having a portion thereof which is positioned in spaced relation with the path of the first conductor along the sides thereof, wherein the path of the first conductor is a zigzag path that includes a series of short, sharp turns or angles that define a series of distinct points, each of which defines one of the electric field emitting points.
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Specification