Patent ID: 7421894
Filing Date: 2008-09-09
Classification: G01N,G01W,G08B

Abstract:
1. A surface sensor system for sensing conditions on a surface and configurable to provide data to a remote location, comprising: an electrically insulative body having a surface portion positionable substantially coplanar with the surface; a data processing system within the body; a first sensor assembly coupled to the data processing system and having a first temperature sensor and a conductivity sensor unit within the body and coupled to the surface portion, the conductivity sensor unit having a plurality of sensing electrodes coupled to the surface portion and electrically isolated from each other by a plurality of non-conductive layers interleaved between the sensing electrodes, the conductivity sensor unit configured to detect if the surface portion is wet, partially wet, or dry; and a second sensor assembly within the body and spaced apart from the first sensor assembly, the second sensor assembly being coupled to the data processing system, the second sensor assembly having first and second electrodes spaced apart from each other and interconnected by an electrically conductive member, at least a portion of the first and second electrodes being substantially coplanar with the surface portion, the electrically conductive member being positioned adjacent to first and second windings spaced apart from each other, and a detection device connected to the first and second windings and configured to detect and measure an electrical condition in the electrically conductive member based upon the conductivity of material on the surface portion and in contact with the first and second electrodes.