US 10,810,474 B2 · Radio frequency identification of nano/micro-electro-mechanical measurements

Abstract

A sensor configured to detect and record measured conditions, such as temperature, pressure, volume, displacement, acceleration, and/or other measureable conditions. The sensor may incorporate radio frequency identification (RFID) components. The sensor may also incorporate micro-electro-mechanical devices and/or systems (MEMS) and/or nano-electro-mechanical devices and/or systems (NEMS) that are configured to change in response to certain conditions encountered by the MEMS/NEMS and provide indications of the same. The sensor may include a detector configured to detect the changes in the MEMS/NEMS. The detected changes may be stored by the MEMS and/or the NEMS and/or the RFID components, allowing information about the changes to be retrieved through a RFID reading and/or scanning process. The sensor may be used to monitor and/or track conditions associated with certain objects and/or environments, among other uses.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A sensor adapted to provide radio frequency identification (“RFID”) of a maximum detected temperature, the sensor comprising:

a RFID tag;
a micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) and/or a nano-electro-mechanical system (NEMS) that is coupled to the RFID tag, the MEMS and/or NEMS comprising:
a temperature responsive component,
a temperature indicating component, and
a mechanical coupling that couples the temperature responsive component to the temperature indicating component, allowing a physical change in the temperature responsive component to be at least partially translated to the temperature indicating component;
and
a detector communicatively coupled to the RFID tag and configured to detect a change in the temperature indicating component,
wherein the MEMS and/or the NEMS and/or the RFID tag is configured to store a maximum detected temperature indicated by the temperature indicating component,
wherein the temperature responsive component comprises:
a fluid reservoir having a fluid disposed therein,
a movable piston that at least partially encloses the fluid within the fluid reservoir, and
a circular gear having a plurality of teeth located about a perimeter of the circular gear, each of the teeth corresponding to a different temperature indication, and
wherein a change in volume of the fluid caused by a change in temperature of the fluid translates to rotation of the circular gear.

10 more elements

A sensor adapted to provide radio frequency identification (“RFID”) of a maximum detected temperature, the sensor comprising:

a RFID tag;
a micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) and/or a nano-electro-mechanical system (NEMS) that is coupled to the RFID tag, the MEMS and/or NEMS comprising:
a temperature responsive component comprising a bi-material strip that forms a coiled shape, wherein the bi-material strip is formed at least from first and second strips of material having different coefficients of thermal expansion,
a temperature indicating component, and
a mechanical coupling that couples the temperature responsive component to the temperature indicating component, allowing a physical change in the temperature responsive component caused by a change in temperature thereof to be at least partially translated to the temperature indicating component;
and
a detector communicatively coupled to the RFID tag and configured to detect a change in the temperature indicating component,
wherein the MEMS and/or the NEMS and/or the RFID tag stores a maximum detected temperature from the temperature indicating component.

5 more elements

A sensor adapted to provide radio frequency identification (“RFID”) of a maximum detected temperature, the sensor comprising:

a RFID tag;
a micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) and/or a nano-electro-mechanical system (NEMS) that is coupled to the RFID tag, the MEMS and/or NEMS comprising:
a temperature responsive component comprising a bi-material strip, wherein the bi-material strip is formed at least from first and second strips of material having different coefficients of thermal expansion, wherein the bi-material strip pivots about a pivotal coupling,
a temperature indicating component comprising a plurality of measurement indicators, and
a detector communicatively coupled to the RFID tag and configured to detect when the temperature responsive component is in contact with one of the plurality of measurement indicators,
wherein the MEMS and/or the NEMS and/or the RFID tag is configured to store a maximum detected temperature from the temperature indicating component,
wherein the temperature indicating component comprises a curved surface extending at least partially about the pivotal coupling,
wherein the plurality of measurement indicators comprise a plurality of teeth positioned along the curved surface to face toward the pivotal coupling, and
wherein, when the temperature of the bi-material strip increases, a distal portion of the bi-material strip moves in a first rotational direction into sequential contact with the plurality of teeth.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Radio frequency identification of nano/micro-electro-mechanical measurements

Life of this patent

Radio frequency identification of nano/micro-electro-mechanical measurements

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20