Moisture sensing apparatus and interior protection system

• US 4,908,554 A
• Filed: 10/30/1986
• Issued: 03/13/1990
• Est. Priority Date: 10/30/1986
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Jeff Chance
• Original Assignee: Jeff Chance
• Inventors: Chance, Jeff
• Primary Examiner(s): Ro, Bentsu
• Application Number:
  US06/924,793
• Time in Patent Office: 1,230 Days
• Field of Search: 318/265, 318/266, 318/282, 318/286, 318/466, 318/467, 318/468, 318/470, 318/483, 318/560, 318/643, 15/250 C, 49/26, 49/28, 49/31
• US Class Current: 318/483
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 7/0573 power driven arrangements, e.g. electrical
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/41 Detection by monitoring transmitted force or torque E05F15/48 takes precedence; Safety couplings with activation dependent upon torque or force, e.g. slip couplings
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/71 responsive to temperature changes, rain, wind or noise
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/542 Roof panels
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/55 Windows

Abstract

There is provided a moisture-responsive system for protecting the interior of an enclosure such as a motor vehicle which includes an opening; a closure for the opening; a moisture sensor for providing a moisture signal in response to sensing of moisture in excess of a predetermined threshold; a circuit coupled to the closure and the moisture sensor for providing a signal to actuate the closure in response to receipt of a moisture signal and for sensing obstructions of the closure and temporarily terminating the actuation of the closure in response thereto.

There is also provided an improved moisture sensor comprising conductive plates separated by and supported on an insulating layer with a raised bulbous portion which extends above the plates to predetermine the amount of moisture necessary to electronically bridge the gap between the conductive plates and therefore the level at which the sensor commences to sense moisture.

Claims

1. An improved moisture-responsive system for closing an opening of a vehicle in response to sensing of moisture in excess of a predetermined level comprising;

moisture sensing means for sensing moisture and for providing a moisture output signal in response to sensing of moisture in excess of a predetermined level;

closure means for closing said opening in response to a command signal; and

circuit means coupled to said closure means and to said moisture sensing means for providing said command signal in response to said moisture output signal, said circuit means further including means for sensing an obstruction of the closing of said opening and temporarily terminating said command signal, reversing said closure means for a predetermined time to effect at least a partial unclosing of said opening whenever said moisture output signal is provided, and reinstating said command signal after said predetermined time;

said means for sensing an obstruction including a hydraulic pressure sensing means for sensing fluid in a hydraulic closure actuator and for providing a fluid pressure overload signal in response to sensing of fluid pressure in excess of a predetermined level.

2. An improved moisture-responsive system for closing an opening of a vehicle in response to sensing of moisture in excess of a predetermined level comprising;

moisture sensing means for sensing moisture and for providing a moisture output signal in response to sensing of moisture in excess of a predetermined level;

closure means for closing said opening in response to a command signal;

circuit means coupled to said closure means and to said moisture sensing means for providing said command signal in response to said moisture output signal, said circuit means further including means for sensing an obstruction of the closing of said opening and temporarily terminating said command signal, reversing said closure means for a predetermined time to effect at least a partial unclosing of said opening whenever said moisture output signal is provided, and reinstating said command signal after said predetermined time;

said moisture sensing means comprising;

a pair of parallel electrically conductive plates arrayed upon a nonconductive substrate;

an insulating barrier separating said conductive plates, said insulating barrier extending above said conductive plates and terminating in a bulbous portion with edges extending over said conductive plates to define grooves for securing and aligning said conductive plates and to provide means for establishing said predetermined level;

whereby, said moisture sensing means senses moisture whenever moisture collects on said conductive plates to a level sufficient to traverse said bulbous portion and electrically connect said conductive plates.