Resonator-based, surface-condition sensor
US5695155A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 21, 1995 |
| Grant date | Dec 9, 1997 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 21, 2015 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB64D15/20
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A sensor is provided for detecting the presence of dielectric media, e.g., ice. The sensor includes a plurality of microstrip resonators which are positioned for electromagnetic coupling with a microstrip transmission line. The resonators produce amplitude minima in a radio-frequency signal that is carried over the transmission line. The resonance of the resonators changes in response to the addition of a dielectric coating. Each resonator can be configured with a different resonant frequency which serves as a signature that identifies the respective resonator's position. The sensor has a thin aerodynamic profile, can conform to nonplanar surfaces and its installation requires no intrusion into an aircraft skin.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.