Linking of a sensor element with a transponder

• US 7,714,706 B2
• Filed: 11/13/2003
• Issued: 05/11/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 11/26/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sandpiper CDN, LLC (Theseus LF Asset Holdings, LLC), Thomas Ostertag, Thoms Ostertag
• Original Assignee: Thomas Ostertag
• Inventors: Schacherbauer, Walter, Ostertag, Thomas
• Primary Examiner(s): Mullen; Thomas J
• Application Number:
  US10/536,429
• Publication Number:
  US 20060186997A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,371 Days
• Field of Search: 340/442, 340/445, 340/447, 340/448, 340/531, 340/657
• US Class Current: 340/445
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/04 using magnetically coupled devices
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/06 using capacity coupling

Abstract

The invention relates to the coupling of a sensor element to a transponder, the connection of said sensor element to the transponder being achieved by capacitive or inductive coupling. This enables any separation layer that may lie between the sensor element and the transponder to be retained, allowing the invention to be advantageously used in gas and liquid-tight containers, such as tires. In addition, electrically non-conductive materials of the object to be measured can be used as a dielectric for the capacitive coupling and electrically conductive parts can form part of a conductor loop for the inductive coupling.

Claims

1. A sensor system, comprising:

a sensor element for measuring a physical parameter;

a transponder for transmitting the measured physical parameter to a read device; and

a capacitive coupling, including a first pair of plates connected to the sensor and a second pair of plates connected to the transponder, for wirelessly linking the sensor element to the transponder, the first and second pair of plates separated by a fixed distance.

2. The system according to claim 1, further comprising a separating layer disposed between the sensor element and the transponder, wherein the sensor element is linked with the transponder without mechanically penetrating the separating layer.

3. The system according to claim 1, further comprising a mechanical separating layer that forms a dielectric for the capacitive coupling.

4. A configuration for linking a sensor element with a transponder, wherein the transponder is linked with the sensor element through inductive coupling, and the transponder and the sensor element are fastened to each other in a non-movable relationship to each other.

5. Configuration according to claim 4, wherein a capacitor whose value depends on a respective measurement is used as the sensor element.

6. Configuration according to claim 4, wherein an inductor whose value depends on a respective measurement is used as the sensor element.

7. Configuration according to claim 4, wherein an ohmic resistor whose value depends on a respective measurement is used as the sensor element.

8. Configuration according to claim 4, further comprising a separating layer disposed between the sensor element and the transponder, wherein the sensor element is linked with the transponder without mechanically penetrating the separating layer.

9. Configuration according to claim 4, further comprising a separating layer, wherein measurement data are registered by:

at least two sensor elements disposed on opposite sides of the separating layer,

at least one sensor element disposed at a surface of the separating layer, or

at least one sensor element disposed within an interior of the separating layer.

10. Configuration according to claim 4, wherein measurement data are registered by at least one sensor element disposed within an interior of a container that is at least partly filled with gas or fluid.

11. Configuration according to claim 4, wherein measurement data are registered by at least one sensor element disposed within an interior of a wheel that is at least partly filled with gas or fluid.

12. Configuration according to claim 4, wherein measurement data are registered by at least one sensor element disposed on a surface, or within an interior, of a tire.

13. Configuration according to claim 4, further comprising an electric conductor loop, disposed between the sensor element and the transponder, to provide the inductive coupling.

14. Configuration according to claim 13, wherein the electric conductor loop is disposed within a structural element of a monitored device.

15. Configuration according to claim 14, wherein the structural element is a tire and the electric conductor loop is a steel belt of the tire.

16. Configuration according to claim 14, wherein the structural element is a tire and the electric conductor loop is vulcanized into the tire.