Dryness sensor
US10297135B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 13, 2018 |
| Grant date | May 21, 2019 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 13, 2038 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01N19/10
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A dryness sensor uses a block of superabsorbent polymer that absorbs liquid and increases in size as liquid is absorbed. When the block of superabsorbent polymer increases in size in the presence of liquid, the block of superabsorbent polymer contacts one or more electronic components coupled to a moisture detection circuit that provides an indication of moisture. When the block of superabsorbent polymer loses moisture, it decreases in size until the block of superabsorbent polymer no longer contacts the one or more electronic components. The moisture detection circuit detects when the block of superabsorbent polymer no longer contacts the one or more electronic components, and provides an alert indicating a lack of moisture. The dryness sensor could be used, for example, to monitor the moisture content of soil in a pot that has a house plant growing in the pot.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.