Wireless corrosion sensor
First Claim
1. A sensor for sensing an affect of an environment on a structure on or near which the sensor is located, comprising:
- a substrate;
an inductive element formed on a substrate for receiving electromagnetic radiation with a particular electromagnetic response;
a protective film that isolates the inductive element from the environment;
a parasitic element proximate to the inductive element and having a first affect on the electromagnetic response,wherein as the environment interacts with and changes at least one characteristic of the parasitic element, the changed parasitic element has a second, different affect on the electromagnetic response that is detectable by a sensor reader to monitor changes to the structure.
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Abstract
A passive sensor that is located on or adjacent to a structure that can be used to monitor the affect of environment on a structure or coating that is used to protect the structure. The sensor includes a parasitic element that interacts with the environment and influences the intensity of the electromagnetic response between the inductive element of the sensor and the antenna of the interrogation reader device. The condition of the parasitic element is determined by the radio frequency interaction of the reader antenna and the inductive element of the sensor. The parasitic element condition correlates to the environmental severity, or corrosivity of the environment and damage to metallic structures or protective coatings. An integrated circuit within the sensor is capable of storing identification, time, material, and measurement information. The sensor and system of the present invention is useful for tracking and monitoring cumulate environmental damage to a structure.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A sensor for sensing an affect of an environment on a structure on or near which the sensor is located, comprising:
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a substrate; an inductive element formed on a substrate for receiving electromagnetic radiation with a particular electromagnetic response; a protective film that isolates the inductive element from the environment; a parasitic element proximate to the inductive element and having a first affect on the electromagnetic response, wherein as the environment interacts with and changes at least one characteristic of the parasitic element, the changed parasitic element has a second, different affect on the electromagnetic response that is detectable by a sensor reader to monitor changes to the structure. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A sensing system comprising:
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a sensor for sensing an affect of an environment on a structure on or near which the sensor is located, the sensor including; a substrate, an inductive element formed on a substrate for receiving electromagnetic radiation; a protective film that isolates the inductive element from the environment; a parasitic element proximate to the inductive element; and an integrated circuit connected to the inductive element for enabling storage and communication of sensor information including one or more of;
identification, date/time stamp, material description, or prior sensor measurements, wherein the integrated circuit is wirelessly powered by electromagnetic radiation received from the sensor reader via the inductive element, anda sensor reader including; one or more antennas, a transmitter, connected to the one or more antennas, for transmitting electromagnetic radiation that interacts with the sensor, a receiver, connected to the one or more antennas, for detecting an amount of electromagnetic radiation provided by the sensor in response to the transmitted electromagnetic radiation, and a processor for determining environmentally-induced change to the structure based on a change in the electromagnetic response caused by environmentally-induced changes to the parasitic element. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification