Patent · US Expired

Resonant sensor system and method

US5942991A · kind A · utility

84Cited by
4References
19Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJun 6, 1995
Grant dateAug 24, 1999
Priority date
Expiry dateJun 6, 2015

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG06K19/0717
  • WIPO fieldComputer technology
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

Apparatus, and related method, for remotely measuring at 1east one environmental condition includes an electromagnetically resonant sensor having a measurable resonance characteristic (e.g., center resonance frequency, quality factor, or bandwidth) that varies in correspondence to changes in the environmental condition present at the sensor. The sensor emits an electromagnetic return signal representative of a state of the resonance characteristic when an electromagnetic excitation signal impinges on the sensor. The electromagnetic excitation signal is generated by a generator located separate and away from the sensor, and the excitation signal is then directed at the remote sensor. The sensor thus remotely detects and measures the environmental condition. In one embodiment, the sensor is an electromagnetically resonant electrical circuit. In another embodiment, the sensor is an antenna resonator (e.g., a half-wavelength antenna) made of a conductive material.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.