Sensor with RFID data carrier

• US 8,179,266 B2
• Filed: 01/07/2009
• Issued: 05/15/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 01/29/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Balluff Verwaltungsges mbH
• Original Assignee: Balluff Verwaltungsges mbH
• Inventors: Hermle, Rolf
• Primary Examiner(s): Tweel, Jr., John A
• Application Number:
  US12/319,468
• Publication Number:
  US 20090189738A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,224 Days
• Field of Search: 340/572.8, 340/10.41, 340/447
• US Class Current: 340/572.8
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 21/00 Measuring or testing not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 3/022 having an ideal characteristic, map or correction data stored in a digital memory

Abstract

In order to provide a sensor that is employable in an advantageous manner and which comprises at least one sensitive element and a housing within which the at least one sensitive element is arranged, it is proposed that at least one RFID data carrier be arranged below a surface of the housing, said data carrier storing sensor properties in a non-volatile manner and being adapted to be read out in a non-contact making manner.

Claims

1. A sensor comprising:

at least one sensitive element; and

a housing within which the at least one sensitive element is arranged;

wherein;

at least one RFID data carrier is arranged below a surface of the housing, said data carrier storing sensor properties in a non-volatile manner and being adapted to be read-out in a non-contact making manner;

the at least one RFID data carrier stores at least one of;

data relating to a type of sensor, fixed settings of the sensor, programmable settings of the sensor, at least one of servicing data and maintenance data for the sensor, test data of the sensor, manufacturing data, life history of the sensor, and operational data of the sensor;

the at least one RFID data carrier is adapted to be written-to in a non-contact making manner;

the at least one RFID data carrier is adapted to be at least one of read-out and written-to by means of electromagnetic waves;

the at least one RFID data carrier is independent of a power supply for the sensor; and

the at least one RFID data carrier is adapted to be powered by the electromagnetic waves.

2. A sensor in accordance with claim 1, wherein at least one of (i) the housing is formed in such a manner and (ii) the at least one RFID data carrier is arranged and formed in such a manner that the at least one RFID data carrier is adapted to be at least one of read and written-to by a reading/writing device located outside the housing.

3. A sensor in accordance with claim 1, wherein the at least one RFID data carrier is arranged within the housing.

4. A sensor in accordance with claim 1, wherein the electromagnetic waves have a frequency within a technically high frequency range.

5. A sensor in accordance with claim 1, wherein a read/write frequency lies in an ISM band.

6. A sensor in accordance with claim 1, wherein a read/write frequency lies in the UHF range.

7. A sensor in accordance with claim 1, wherein a read/write frequency is at 13.56 MHz and/or 125 kHz.

8. A sensor in accordance with claim 1, wherein an emergency channel is formed for the process of reading out data by means of the at least one RFID data carrier.

9. A sensor in accordance with claim 1, comprising an interface device which is integrated into the sensor and by which at least one of (i) items of sensor data are adapted to be provided to the at least one RFID data carrier and (ii) signals are adapted to be provided internally to the sensor by the at least one RFID data carrier.

10. A sensor in accordance with claim 9, wherein the signals provided to the sensor comprise at least one of programming signals and parametric signals.

11. A sensor in accordance with claim 9, wherein the signals provided to the sensor comprise stimulation signals for at least one of sensor interrogation and triggering diagnostic processes in the sensor.

12. A sensor in accordance with claim 9, wherein the items of sensor data comprise warning signals.

13. A sensor in accordance with claim 9, wherein the items of sensor data comprise measuring data.

14. A sensor in accordance with claim 9, wherein a storage device is associated with the interface device.