Strain gauge with moisture barrier and self-testing circuit
First Claim
1. A system, comprising a structure and a device, wherein said structure has a structure surface, wherein said device is mounted on said structure surface, wherein said device includes a protective cover, a circuit, a strain sensor, a moisture detector, and a radio frequency transmitter, wherein said strain sensor is bonded to said structure surface with a bond susceptible to damage from moisture, wherein said circuit, said strain sensor, said moisture detector, and said radio frequency transmitter are located within said protective cover, wherein said moisture detector is positioned to provide information about moisture in said protective cover, and wherein said circuit provides data derived from said strain sensor and from said moisture detector to said radio frequency transmitter for external transmission wherein said moisture detector comprises a capacitor.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A structure includes a structure surface and a protective cover. The protective cover includes a circuit having a component, a moisture detector, and a radio frequency transmitter. The component is adhesively connected to the structure surface with an adhesive connection. The moisture detector is positioned to provide information about moisture in the protective cover. The circuit is for providing data derived from the component and from the moisture detector to the radio frequency transmitter for external transmission. The component may be a strain sensor. The moisture detector may be a capacitor. A moisture barrier may also be provided.
71 Citations
101 Claims
- 1. A system, comprising a structure and a device, wherein said structure has a structure surface, wherein said device is mounted on said structure surface, wherein said device includes a protective cover, a circuit, a strain sensor, a moisture detector, and a radio frequency transmitter, wherein said strain sensor is bonded to said structure surface with a bond susceptible to damage from moisture, wherein said circuit, said strain sensor, said moisture detector, and said radio frequency transmitter are located within said protective cover, wherein said moisture detector is positioned to provide information about moisture in said protective cover, and wherein said circuit provides data derived from said strain sensor and from said moisture detector to said radio frequency transmitter for external transmission wherein said moisture detector comprises a capacitor.
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36. A method of monitoring, comprising:
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a. providing a circuit including a moisture detector, a moisture barrier, a second electronic component, and a radio frequency transmitter, wherein said second electronic component has a function different from detecting moisture, wherein said moisture detector is located to provide information about moisture in a location including at least one from the group consisting of in said second electronic component and around said second electronic component, and wherein said moisture barrier is located to protect said second electronic component and said radio frequency transmitter from moisture, wherein said moisture detector is located to detect moisture within said moisture barrier; b. providing a protective cover and enclosing said moisture detector, said second electronic component, said moisture barrier, and said radio frequency transmitter within said protective cover; c. providing data derived from said second electronic component to said radio frequency transmitter for external transmission; and d. monitoring said moisture detector. - View Dependent Claims (37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52)
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53. A method of mounting a strain sensor to a structure, comprising:
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a. providing a structure and a component, said structure having a structure surface, said component including a strain sensor, a capacitor, an adhesive and a transmitter, wherein said structure is subject to strain from a source other than from said component, wherein said capacitor has a capacitance subject to change with at least one from the group consisting of curing and moisture; b. mounting said strain sensor, said capacitor, and said transmitter on said structure surface, wherein said strain sensor is mounted on said structure surface with said adhesive, wherein said strain sensor is mounted for detecting said strain in said structure; c. providing data derived from said strain sensor to said transmitter and transmitting said data; and d. monitoring a parameter of said capacitor to detect problems with said at least one from the group consisting of curing and moisture. - View Dependent Claims (54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65)
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- 66. A system, comprising a structure and a device, wherein said structure has a structure surface, wherein said device is mounted on said structure surface, wherein said device includes a protective cover, a moisture barrier, a circuit, a strain sensor, a moisture detector, and a radio frequency transmitter, wherein said moisture barrier is within said protective cover, wherein said strain sensor is bonded to said structure surface with a bond susceptible to damage from moisture, wherein said circuit, said strain sensor, said moisture detector, and said radio frequency transmitter are located within said moisture barrier, wherein said moisture detector is positioned to provide information about moisture within said moisture barrier, and wherein said circuit provides data derived from said strain sensor and from said moisture detector to said radio frequency transmitter for external transmission.
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92. A method of monitoring, comprising:
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a. providing a circuit including a moisture detector, a moisture barrier, a second electronic component, and a radio frequency transmitter, wherein said second electronic component comprises a sensor and has a function different from detecting moisture, wherein said moisture detector is located to provide information about moisture in a location including at least one from the group consisting of in said second electronic component and around said second electronic component, and wherein said moisture barrier is located to protect said second electronic component and said radio frequency transmitter from moisture, wherein said moisture detector is located to detect moisture within said moisture barrier; b. providing data derived from said second electronic component to said radio frequency transmitter for external transmission; and c. monitoring said moisture detector. - View Dependent Claims (93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 100, 101)
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Specification