Patent ID: 6084417
Filing Date: 2000-07-04
Classification: G01N,Y10S

Abstract:
A method for the operation of a resistive sensor having electrodes disposed on a surface for measuring moisture thereon, wherein upon exposure of the electrodes to the environment, a change of resistance of the sensor results upon a deposition of the moisture on the sensor electrodes, the method comprising steps of:connecting a first terminal of a measurement resistor directly to a first of said electrodes of said sensor;applying voltage to resistive elements of the sensor, in the form of a sequence of pulses, between the sensor electrodes, said voltage being applied between a second of said electrodes of said sensor and a second terminal of said resistor and resulting in a flow of current through said measurement resistor in the presence of moisture on said sensor, the interconnection of said sensor to said measurement resistor providing for current flow within said sensor alone a single path of current flow between said second electrode of said sensor and said second terminal of said resistor;inhibiting corrosion of the sensor by generating the pulses in the sequence of the pulses with alternating polarity of voltage; andmeasuring conductance of the sensor, wherein said measuring step includes a measuring of voltage drop across said measurement resistor for improved linearity of measurement, and utilizing a continuous variation in magnitude of said voltage drop as a measure of continuous variation in magnitude of said conductance.