Patent ID: 8513958
Filing Date: 2013-08-20
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
1. A stacked sensor for testing a porous medium, comprising: a plurality of porous ceramic elements, wherein each element operates as a discrete variable capacitor, each element exhibits a different known liquid release curve, and each element comprises a first axial opening, and wherein the elements are stacked one on top of another such that the radial axis of each element is positioned along a common axis; a first number of electrically conductive interface plates, wherein each plate comprises a second axial opening, and the first number is one greater than the total quantity of elements, and wherein the plates are axially distributed within the sensor such that, a second number of electrical conductors, wherein the second number equals the first number, a distal end of each conductor is electrically attached to a different one of the plates, and a proximal end of each conductor is routed through the cavity to the proximal end of the sensor.