Radio frequency identification tags and methods employing ceramic components, which may be suitable for use in extreme environmental conditions

• US 9,122,967 B2
• Filed: 04/08/2011
• Issued: 09/01/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 04/14/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Technologies ROI LLC
• Original Assignee: Technologies ROI LLC
• Inventors: King, Patrick F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kim, Ahshik
• Application Number:
  US13/082,631
• Publication Number:
  US 20110253793A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,607 Days
• Field of Search: 235/492, 235/451, 340/572.7, 340/572.1
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07728 the record carrier comprising means for protection against impact or bending, e.g. protective shells or stress-absorbing layers around the integrated circuit
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/0773 the record carrier comprising means to protect itself against external heat sources
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07756 the connection being non-galvanic, e.g. capacitive
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07758 arrangements for adhering the record carrier to further objects or living beings, functioning as an identification tag
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07771 the record carrier comprising means for minimising adverse effects on the data communication capability of the record carrier, e.g. minimising Eddy currents induced in a proximate metal or otherwise electromagnetically interfering object
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/2225 used in active tags, i.e. provided with its own power source or in passive tags, i.e. deriving power from RF signal
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/2233 used in consumption-meter devices, e.g. electricity, gas or water meters
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 19/00 Combinations of primary active antenna elements and units with secondary devices, e.g. with quasi-optical devices, for giving the antenna a desired directional characteristic combination of horns with slotted waveguide array H01Q13/0233
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49018 with other electrical component

Abstract

RFID tags capable of operating in harsh environments include an RFID chip and antenna positioned on a ceramic substrate are disclosed. Alternatively, in other embodiments an RFID chip may be positioned inside a metal shell and then secured to a work piece in the hazardous environment.

Claims

1. A radio frequency apparatus, comprising:

an RFID chip;

a primary antenna coupled to the RFID chip, thereby forming a functional RFID tag; and

a metal shell encasing the functional RFID tag and coupled to the RFID tag wherein the shell provides a second antenna for the functional RFID tag such that the RFID tag communicates in an ultra high frequency band (UHF).

2. The radio frequency apparatus of claim 1, wherein the primary antenna comprises a printed antenna printed on a ceramic substrate.

3. The radio frequency apparatus of claim 1, wherein the shell defines a cavity and the functional RFID tag is positioned within the cavity.

4. The radio frequency apparatus of claim 3, further comprising a filler positioned within the cavity and holding the functional RFID tag in a desired position relative to the shell.

5. The radio frequency apparatus of claim 4, wherein the filler comprises a material adapted to withstand high temperatures and insulate the RFID chip.

6. The radio frequency apparatus of claim 1, wherein the metal shell comprises a dome shape.

7. The radio frequency apparatus of claim 1, wherein the metal shell comprises a flattened cylinder shape.

8. The radio frequency apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a means for attachment to secure the metal shell to a work piece.

9. The radio frequency apparatus of claim 1, wherein the primary antenna comprises a patch antenna.

10. The radio frequency apparatus of claim 1, wherein the primary antenna comprises a cut inlay antenna.

11. The radio frequency apparatus of claim 1, wherein the primary antenna comprises a braided dipole antenna.

12. The radio frequency apparatus of claim 1, wherein the primary antenna comprises a dipole antenna.

13. A radio frequency apparatus structure comprising:

an RFID chip;

a ceramic substrate comprising a printed antenna, the RFID chip coupled to the ceramic substrate to form an RFID tag; and

a metal shell surrounding the RFID tag and coupled thereto such that when an ultra high frequency (UHF) RFID interrogation signal is directed at the metal shell, a return signal is generated.

14. The structure of claim 13, wherein the metal shell comprises an open cylinder shape.

15. The structure of claim 13, further comprising an epoxy filler suspending the RFID chip within the metal shell such that the RFID chip does not touch a side or bottom of the metal shell.

16. A radio frequency apparatus, comprising:

an RFID chip;

an antenna coupled to the RFID chip, thereby forming an RFID tag operative in an ultra high frequency (UHF) band; and

a metal shell coupled to the RFID tag wherein the metal shell provides a second antenna for the RFID tag, wherein the metal shell comprises a dome shape.

17. A radio frequency apparatus, comprising:

an RFID chip;

an antenna coupled to the RFID chip, thereby forming an RFID tag operative in an ultra high frequency (UHF) band; and

a metal shell coupled to the RFID tag wherein the metal shell provides a second antenna for the RFID tag, wherein the metal shell comprises a flattened cylinder shape.

18. A radio frequency apparatus structure comprising:

an RFID chip;

a ceramic substrate comprising a printed antenna, the RFID chip coupled to the ceramic substrate to form an RFID tag operative in an ultra high frequency (UHF) band; and

a metal shell surrounding the RFID tag and coupled thereto such that when an RFID interrogation signal is directed at the metal shell, a return signal is generated, wherein the metal shell comprises an open cylinder shape.

19. A radio frequency apparatus structure comprising:

an RFID chip;

a ceramic substrate comprising a printed antenna, the RFID chip coupled to the ceramic substrate to form an RFID tag operative in an ultra high frequency (UHF) band;

a metal shell surrounding the RFID tag and coupled thereto such that when an RFID interrogation signal is directed at the metal shell, a return signal is generated; and

an epoxy filler suspending the RFID chip within the metal shell such that the RFID chip does not touch a side or bottom of the metal shell.