US 10,466,201 B2 · Complex impedance moisture sensor and sensing method

Abstract

An insulated pipe includes an elongated tube having a first end, a second end, and a sidewall extending therebetween; and an insulating member at least partially enclosing a portion of the sidewall, including at least one channel extending through at least a portion thereof. The insulated pipe also includes at least one coaxial moisture sensor positioned within at least a portion of the channel configured to sense moisture in the channel. The at least one coaxial moisture sensor includes: a dielectric member having a sleeve defining a center hole formed from an absorbent dielectric polymer material; an outer electrode electrically connected with an outer surface of the dielectric member including a moisture permeable sleeve which permits moisture to pass to the dielectric member; and an inner electrode having a wire extending through the center hole of and electrically connected with an inner surface of the dielectric member.

Claims19

Dependent claims

An insulated pipe comprising:

an elongated tube comprising a first end, a second end, and a sidewall extending therebetween, the sidewall comprising an inner surface and an outer surface;
an insulating member at least partially covering a portion of the outer surface of the sidewall of the elongated tube, the insulating member comprising at least one channel extending through at least a portion of the insulating member;
and
at least one coaxial moisture sensor positioned within at least a portion of the channel configured to sense moisture in the channel, the at least one coaxial moisture sensor comprising:
a dielectric member comprising a sleeve defining a center hole formed from an absorbent dielectric polymer material;
an outer electrode electrically connected with an outer surface of the dielectric member, the outer electrode comprising a moisture permeable sleeve which permits moisture to pass to the dielectric member;
and
an inner electrode comprising a wire extending through the center hole of and electrically connected with an inner surface of the dielectric member,
wherein the dielectric member is in electrical contact with the inner electrode and the outer electrode and maintains the inner electrode and the outer electrode spaced from one another.

6 more elements

A container enclosing a cavity configured to enclose objects in a low moisture environment, the container comprising:

a top portion, a bottom portion, and sides extending between the top portion and the bottom portion thereof, each of the top portion, the bottom portion, and the sides comprising an inner surface and an outer surface;
and
at least one coaxial moisture sensor mounted to and extending over at least a portion of at least one of the inner surface or the outer surface of at least one of the top portion, the bottom portion, or the sides, the coaxial moisture sensor comprising:
a dielectric member comprising a sleeve defining a center hole formed from an absorbent dielectric polymer material;
an outer electrode electrically connected with an outer surface of the dielectric member, comprising a porous sleeve for permitting moisture to pass through the sleeve;
and
an inner electrode comprising a wire extending through the center hole of and electrically connected with an inner surface of the dielectric member,
wherein the dielectric member is in electrical contact with the inner electrode and the outer electrode and maintains the inner electrode and the outer electrode spaced from one another.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Complex impedance moisture sensor and sensing method

Life of this patent

Complex impedance moisture sensor and sensing method

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims19