Non-contact detection of surface fluid droplets
First Claim
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1. A system for detecting fluid on a substrate comprising:
- a sensor board;
a first capacitive sensor mounted on the sensor board, the first capacitive sensor having a transmit sensor pad for transmitting a signal, a receive sensor pad for receiving the signal, and an analog-to-digital convertor connected with the receive sensor pad, wherein a pad gap is formed between the transmit sensor pad and the receive sensor pad, thereby forming an interdigitated finger pattern, and wherein the pad gap is less than 1 millimeter; and
a platform upon which the substrate is to be placed, wherein the platform is a first distance from the transmit and receive sensor pads.
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Abstract
A system for detecting fluid on a substrate is provided. The system includes, but is not limited to, a sensor board, a first capacitive sensor, and a platform upon which the substrate is to be placed. The first capacitive sensor is mounted on the sensor board. The first capacitive sensor has a transmit sensor pad for transmitting a signal, a receive sensor pad for receiving the signal, and an analog-to-digital convertor connected with the receive sensor pad for analyzing the received signal. The platform is a first distance from the transmit and receive sensor pads.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A system for detecting fluid on a substrate comprising:
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a sensor board; a first capacitive sensor mounted on the sensor board, the first capacitive sensor having a transmit sensor pad for transmitting a signal, a receive sensor pad for receiving the signal, and an analog-to-digital convertor connected with the receive sensor pad, wherein a pad gap is formed between the transmit sensor pad and the receive sensor pad, thereby forming an interdigitated finger pattern, and wherein the pad gap is less than 1 millimeter; and a platform upon which the substrate is to be placed, wherein the platform is a first distance from the transmit and receive sensor pads. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method for detection of fluid on a substrate comprising:
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placing the substrate on a platform under a fluid detector, wherein the fluid detector comprises a sensor board and a first capacitive sensor mounted on the sensor board, wherein the capacitive sensor includes a transmit sensor pad for transmitting a signal, and a receive sensor pad for receiving the signal, and wherein a pad gap is formed between the transmit sensor pad and the receive sensor pad, thereby forming an interdigitated finger pattern and wherein the pad gap is less than 1 millimeter; measuring a capacitance value between the transmit sensor pad and the receive sensor pad of the capacitive sensor; and determining if fluid is on the substrate based on the measured capacitance value. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. An apparatus for detecting fluid on a substrate comprising:
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a first capacitive sensor positioned a distance away from a platform upon which the substrate is to be placed, the first capacitive sensor having a transmit sensor pad for transmitting a capacitance signal, a receive sensor pad for receiving the capacitance signal, and an analog-to-digital convertor connected with the receive sensor pad, wherein a pad gap is formed between the transmit sensor pad and the receive sensor pad, thereby forming an interdigitated finger pattern, wherein the pad gap is less than 1 millimeter, and wherein the capacitive sensor is capable of forming an electric field between the transmit sensor pad and the receive sensor pad when transmitting the capacitance signal, and wherein the electric field is capable of traveling to a surface of the substrate on the platform; and detection circuitry connected with the analog-to-digital convertor, comprising a microprocessor executing pattern recognition and decision making algorithms, wherein the detection circuitry is for analyzing any change in the capacitance signal by determining any change in the electric field and then determining if any fluid is present on the surface of the substrate on the platform. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification