Wireless monitoring of temperature
AssigneeMassachusetts Institute of Technology
InventorsRichard Fletcher, Neil Gershenfeld
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Abstract
Temperature sensing through observable, temperature-dependent effects on an interrogating magnetic field is facilitating by a sensing module having, first, a signal element that interacts with the interrogation field to produce a remotely readable magnetic response; and disposed proximate to the signal element, a temperature-sensitive component. This latter component may include a modulation element having a magnetic permeability varying with temperature in the operating range and/or a bias element comprising a magnet having a Curie temperature in the operating range. The temperature-sensitive component interacts magnetically with the signal element such that the remotely readable magnetic response is indicative of a temperature in the operating range.
Claims19
A temperature sensor for determining temperature within an operating range, the sensor comprising:
- a. a signal element for producing a remotely readable magnetic response;
- b. disposed proximate to the signal element, a temperature-sensitive component comprising at least one of (i) a modulation element having a magnetic permeability varying with temperature in the operating range, and (ii) a bias element comprising a magnet having a Curie temperature in the operating range,
- wherein
- c. the temperature-sensitive component interacts magnetically with the signal element whereby the remotely readable magnetic response is indicative of a temperature in the operating range.
A method of sensing temperature within an operating range, the method comprising the steps of:
- a. providing a sensor comprising a signal element for producing a remotely readable magnetic response and, disposed proximate to the signal element, a temperature-sensitive component comprising at least one of (i) a modulation element having a magnetic permeability varying with temperature in the operating range, and (ii) a bias element comprising a magnet having a Curie temperature in the operating range;
- b. subjecting the sensor to a magnetic interrogation field, the temperature-sensitive component interacting magnetically with the signal element to affect the interrogation field in a manner indicative of a temperature in the operating range;
- and
- c. sensing the effect on the interrogation field.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.