Timing device using electrodeposit growth
AssigneeArizona Board of Regents on behalf of Arizona State University
InventorMichael N. Kozicki
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Abstract
Systems and methods are presented for a timing device. The timing device includes a first electrode, a second electrode, and an electrolyte. The electrolyte includes a material selected such that an electrodeposit forms on the first electrode when a current is applied between the first electrode and the second electrode. A measurable electrical characteristic of the timing device is indicative of a time-dependent degree of growth of the electrodeposit between the first electrode and the second electrode.
Claims18
A timing device comprising:
- a first electrode;
- a second electrode;
- an electrolyte positioned between the first electrode and the second electrode, the electrolyte including a material selected such that an electrodeposit forms on the first electrode when a current is applied between the first electrode and the second electrode,
- wherein a measureable electrical characteristic of the timing device is indicative of a time-dependent degree of growth of the electrodeposit between the first electrode and the second electrode,
- wherein a resistivity of the electrolyte is higher than a resistivity of the electrodeposit, and wherein the measurable electrical characteristic indicative of the time-dependent degree of growth of the electrodeposit includes a resistance between the first electrode and the second electrode;
- and
- a controller configured to detect expiration of a timing interval when the monitored resistance between the first electrode and the second electrode falls below a resistance threshold.
A timing device comprising:
- a first electrode;
- a second electrode;
- an electrolyte positioned between the first electrode and the second electrode, the electrolyte including a material selected such that an electrodeposit forms on the first electrode when a current is applied between the first electrode and the second electrode,
- wherein a measureable electrical characteristic of the timing device is indicative of a time-dependent degree of growth of the electrodeposit between the first electrode and the second electrode,
- wherein a resistivity of the electrolyte is higher than a resistivity of the electrodeposit, and wherein the measurable electrical characteristic indicative of the time-dependent degree of growth of the electrodeposit includes a resistance between the first electrode and the second electrode;
- and
- further comprising a controller configured to:
- detect an expiration of a first timing interval when a resistance between the first electrode and the sense electrode falls below a first resistance threshold, and
- detect an expiration of a second timing interval when a resistance between the first electrode and the second electrode falls below a second resistance threshold.
A method of operating a timing device, the method comprising:
- applying a current between a first electrode and a second electrode, the first electrode and the second electrode being coupled by an electrolyte including a material that causes an electrodeposit to form on the first electrode when the current is applied;
- monitoring a resistance between the first electrode and the second electrode, wherein the resistance is indicative of growth of the electrodeposit between the first electrode and the second electrode;
- detecting expiration of a timing interval based on a threshold of the monitored resistance;
- and
- generating an output timing signal indicative of the expiration of a timer when the threshold is exceeded.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.