Abstract:
A moisture sensing apparatus, system and method. In general, a surface can be provided, and one or more conductor pairs located in a plane of the surface. Each conductor of the conductor pair(s) is insulated from one another. Water droplets forming on the conductor pair(s) thereby provide a quantifiable measurement of water on the surface. A controller can be electrically connected to the conductor pair(s), wherein the controller provides data indicative of whether or not the conductor pair is shorted.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD  
       [0001]     Embodiments are generally related to sensing devices and techniques. Embodiments are also related to moisture sensing devices and systems. Embodiments also relate to discrete components and circuits utilized in sensing applications.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     Moisture sensing devices are utilized in number of sensing applications. One type of a conventional moisture sensing device is a humidity sensor, which can provide for the measurement of relative humidity (RH) over wide RH ranges (e.g., 1%-100%), but which continues to be a challenge in design and construction. Moisture sensing devices can be implemented in the context of semiconductor-based sensors utilized in many industrial applications. Solid-state semiconductor devices are found in most electronic components today. Semiconductor-based sensors, for example, are fabricated using semiconductor processes.  
         [0003]     Many modern manufacturing processes, for example, generally require measurement of moisture contents corresponding to dew points between −40° C. and 180° C., or a relative humidity between 1% and 100%. Such devices do not, however, adequately measure the amount of moisture collected on a particular surface, which is an important factor in maintaining the efficiency and safety of manufacturing facilities. There is thus a need for a durable, compact, efficient moisture detector that can be used effectively in these processes to measure very small moisture content on surfaces.  
         [0004]     Moisture can be measured by a number of techniques. In a semiconductor-based system, for example, moisture can be measured based upon the reversible water absorption characteristics of polymeric materials. The absorption of water into a sensor structure causes a number of physical changes in the active polymer. These physical changes can be transduced into electrical signals which are related to the water concentration in the polymer and which in turn are related to the relative humidity in the air surrounding the polymer. Such devices, however, are limited in range and efficiency and do not adequately detect moisture on surfaces.  
         [0005]     Two of the most common physical changes are the change in resistance and the change in dielectric constant, which can be respectively translated into a resistance change and a capacitance change. It has been found, however, that elements utilized as resistive components suffer from the disadvantage that there is an inherent dissipation effect caused by the dissipation of heat due to the current flow in the elements necessary to make a resistance measurement. The result is erroneous readings, among other problems.  
         [0006]     It is therefore believed that a solution to some of the problems associated with conventional moisture sensing devices involves the design and implementation of discrete components and circuits, based on simple principles of electrical conducting circuits, which to date have not been fully implemented in moisture sensing applications.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY  
       [0007]     The following summary is provided to facilitate an understanding of some of the innovative features unique to the embodiments disclosed herein and is not intended to be a full description. A full appreciation of the various aspects of the embodiments can be gained by taking the entire specification, claims, drawings, and abstract as a whole.  
         [0008]     It is, therefore, one aspect of the present invention to provide improved sensor devices and sensing techniques.  
         [0009]     It is another aspect of the present invention to provide for an improved moisture sensor.  
         [0010]     It is also an aspect of the present invention to provide an apparatus and system for detecting moisture on a surface.  
         [0011]     The aforementioned aspects of the invention and other objectives and advantages can now be achieved as described herein. A moisture sensing apparatus, system and method are disclosed herein. In general, a surface can be provided, and one or more conductor pairs located in a plane of the surface. Each conductor of the conductor pair(s) is insulated from one another. Water droplets forming on the conductor pair(s) allow for conduction between the insulated conductor pair(s) thereby providing a quantifiable measurement of water on the surface.  
         [0012]     A controller can be electrically connected to the conductor pair(s), wherein the controller provides data indicative of whether or not the conductor pair is shorted. A microprocessor can also be provided for processing the data indicative of whether or not the conductor pair is shorted, such that the microprocessor communicates with the controller. The conductor pair comprises a first conductor concentrically located with a second conductor, such that at least one water droplet forms between the first and second conductors of the conductor pair.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0013]      FIG. 1  illustrates a top view of a moisture sensing apparatus, which can be implemented in accordance with a preferred embodiment;  
         [0014]      FIG. 2  illustrates a perspective view of the surface of the moisture sensing apparatus depicted in  FIG. 1 ; and  
         [0015]      FIG. 3  illustrates a block diagram of a moisture sensing system, which can be implemented in accordance with an alternative embodiment.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0016]     The particular values and configurations discussed in these non-limiting examples can be varied and are cited merely to illustrate at least one embodiment and are not intended to limit the scope thereof.  
         [0017]      FIG. 1  illustrates a top view of a moisture sensing apparatus  100 , which can be implemented in accordance with a preferred embodiment. The moisture sensing apparatus  100  generally includes a surface  102  and one or more conductor pairs  101 ,  103 ,  105 ,  107 ,  109 ,  111 ,  113 ,  115 ,  117 , and  119  located in or on a plane of surface  102 . Each of the conductor pairs  101 ,  103 ,  105 ,  107 ,  109 ,  111 ,  113 ,  115 ,  117 , and  119  include concentric, but isolated conductors. Note that surface  102  can be configured as a surface of a substrate or other base material.  
         [0018]     Thus, conductor pair  101  can be composed of a conductor  104  and a conductor  106 . Conductor pair  103  generally includes a conductor  112  and  114 . Similarly, conductor pair  105  comprises a conductor  120  and a conductor  122 . Conductor pair  107  includes a conductor  130  and a conductor  132 , while conductor pair  109  includes a conductor  138  and a conductor  140 . Likewise, conductor pair  111  includes a conductor  180  and a conductor  182 . Conductor pair  113  is composed of a conductor  172  and a conductor  174 . Conductor pair  115  comprises a conductor  162  and a conductor  164 .  
         [0019]     Additionally, conductor pair  117  includes a conductor  154  and a conductor  156 . Finally, conductor pair  117  includes a conductor a  146  and a conductor  148 . Thus, each of the aforementioned conductor pairs are composed of two isolated conductors exposed as concentric rings at the surface  102  of sensing apparatus  100 . Water droplets on the surface  102  of apparatus  100  create an electrical connection between the two conductors, thereby providing a quantifiable measurement of the water on the surface  102 .  
         [0020]     Each conductor can be connected to an electrical conducting wire or electrical connection. For example, conductor  104  can be connected to an electrical conducting wire  110 , while conductor  106  can be coupled an electrical conducting wire  108 . Similarly, conductor  112  can be connected to an electrical conducting wire  118 , and conductor  114  can be coupled an electrical conducting wire  116 . Likewise, conductor  120  is generally connected to an electrical conducting wire  126 , while conductor  122  can be coupled to an electrical conducting wire  124 . Conductor  130  is generally connected to an electrical conducting wire  136 , and conductor  132  can be connected an electrical conducting wire  134 .  
         [0021]     Additionally, conductor  138  is generally connected to an electrical conducting wire  144 , while conductor  140  can be connected an electrical conducting wire  142 . Also, conductor  180  can be connected to an electrical conducting wire  184 , while conductor  182  can be connected an electrical conducting wire  186 . Conductor  172  is generally connected to an electrical conducting wire  176 , while conductor  174  can be connected an electrical conducting wire  178 . Similarly, conductor  162  can be connected to an electrical conducting wire  170 , while conductor  164  can be connected an electrical conducting wire  168 . Likewise, conductor  154  can be connected to an electrical conducting wire  158 , while conductor  156  is generally connected an electrical conducting wire  160 . Finally, conductor  146  is generally connected to an electrical conducting wire  150 , while conductor  148  can be connected an electrical conducting wire  152 .  
         [0022]      FIG. 2  illustrates a perspective view of the surface  102  of the moisture sensing apparatus  100  depicted in  FIG. 1 . Note that in  FIGS. 1-2 , identical or similar are parts are generally indicated by identical reference numerals.  FIG. 2  therefore provides a detailed view of a portion of apparatus  100  illustrated in  FIG. 1 . It can be appreciated that water droplets can form close to the circuit formed between conductor  104  and conductor  106  on surface  102 . Conductor  104  is isolated from conductor  106  and together the two conductors  104 ,  106  form a concentric ring configuration, which can be electrically connected to via wires  110 ,  108  to a control circuit (not shown in  FIG. 3 ), which can be utilized to determine if the pair of conductors  104 ,  106  has or has not been shortened.  
         [0023]      FIG. 3  illustrates a block diagram of a moisture sensing system  300 , which can be implemented in accordance with an alternative embodiment. Note that in  FIGS. 1-3 , identical or similar are parts are generally indicated by identical reference numerals. System  300  generally provides a means of moisture detection by way of electrical conduction. The water droplets close to discrete circuits can provide a quantifiable feedback regarding the moisture level on surface  102 . Thus, system  300  includes the sensing apparatus  100  depicted in  FIG. 1 . System  300  also includes a controller  302  and a microprocessor  304 , which can be electrically connected via a system bus  308  to sensing apparatus  100 .  
         [0024]     System  300  can further include a memory  310  in which data can be stored and then retrieved. Controller  302  can be implemented as a computer chip that controls the transfer of data between the microprocessor  304  and memory  310  or between the microprocessor  304  and other devices, such as, sensing apparatus  100 . Microprocessor  304  can be implemented as a computational and control unit (in association with controller  302 ) in order to interpret and execute instructions, particularly moisture sensing instructions. Microprocessor  304  can therefore be configured to fetch, decode, and/or execute instructions and to transfer information to and from other resources (e.g., sensing apparatus  100 ) over the communication path, i.e., bus  308 .  
         [0025]     System  300  can be utilize in a number of moisture sensing applications. For example, system  300  can be applied to manufacturing operations, such as in the fabrication of semiconductor products. Other possible applications also include commercial and consumer implementations, such as in aerospace facilities or in association with automobiles for detecting moisture thereof. Another application includes agricultural settings where the need to detect moisture is or paramount concern, particularly in dry climates.  
         [0026]     The embodiments and examples set forth herein are presented to best explain the present invention and its practical application and to thereby enable those skilled in the art to make and utilize the invention. Those skilled in the art, however, will recognize that the foregoing description and examples have been presented for the purpose of illustration and example only. Other variations and modifications of the present invention will be apparent to those of skill in the art, and it is the intent of the appended claims that such variations and modifications be covered.  
         [0027]     The description as set forth is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the scope of the invention. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching without departing from the scope of the following claims. It is contemplated that the use of the present invention can involve components having different characteristics. It is intended that the scope of the present invention be defined by the claims appended hereto, giving full cognizance to equivalents in all respects.