US 7,466,146 B2 · Frozen material detection using electric field sensor

Abstract

An electric field sensor may be used to detect accumulation of frozen material. In one embodiment, an e-field system includes a first electrode, a second electrode located at a distance from the first electrode, the second electrode forming a capacitive element with the first electrode, wherein a gap is present between the first and second electrodes, and an electric field sensor having an electrode terminal coupled to the first electrode and providing an electric field output value representative of an amount of frozen material located in the gap between the first and second electrodes. The system may also include a first insulator adjacent the first electrode and outside the gap, and a conductive layer adjacent the first insulator, where the first insulator is between the first electrode and the conductive layer, and where a shield output of the electric field sensor is coupled to the conductive layer.

Claims18

Dependent claims

An apparatus comprising:

a first electrode;
a second electrode located at a distance from the first electrode, the second electrode forming a capacitive element with the first electrode, wherein a gap is present between the first and second electrodes, wherein each of the first electrode and second electrode partially surrounds a member subject to accumulation of frozen material, such that the gap is formed between edges of the first and second electrodes along lateral sides of the member;
an electric field sensor having an electrode terminal coupled to the first electrode and providing an electric field output value representative of an amount of frozen material located in the gap between the first and second electrodes;
a first insulating layer around the member, between the member and the first electrode and between the member and the second electrode;
and
a conductive layer around the member, between the member and the first insulator, wherein a shield output of the electric field sensor is coupled to the conductive layer.

3 more elements

An apparatus comprising:

a member subject to accumulation of frozen material;
a first electrode at least partially surrounding the member;
a second electrode at least partially surrounding the member and located at a first distance from the first electrode, the second electrode forming a capacitive element with the first electrode;
an electric field sensor having a first electrode terminal coupled to the first electrode and providing an electric field output value representative of an amount of frozen material formed on the member between the first and second electrodes;
and
a third electrode at least partially surrounding the member and located at a second distance from the first electrode, the first electrode between the second and third electrodes;
wherein the electric field sensor comprises a second electrode terminal coupled to the second electrode and a third electrode terminal coupled to the third electrode, and wherein when the first electrode terminal is enabled, the electric field output value is representative of an amount of frozen material formed on the member between the second and third electrodes.

4 more elements

An apparatus comprising:

a member subject to accumulation of frozen material;
a first electrode at least partially surrounding the member;
a second electrode at least partially surrounding the member and located at a first distance from the first electrode, the second electrode forming a capacitive element with the first electrode;
an electric field sensor having a first electrode terminal coupled to the first electrode and providing an electric field output value representative of an amount of frozen material formed on the member between the first and second electrodes;
a first insulating layer at least partially surrounding the first electrode;
a first conductive layer at least partially surrounding the first insulating layer, wherein a shield output of the electric field sensor is coupled to the first conductive layer;
a second insulating layer at least partially surrounding the second electrode;
and
a second conductive layer at least partially surrounding the second insulating layer, wherein the shield output of the electric field sensor is coupled to the second conductive layer;
a third insulating layer at least partially surrounding the member, the third insulating layer between the member and the first electrode;
a third conductive layer at least partially surrounding the member, the third conductive layer between the member and the third insulating layer, wherein the shield output of the electric field sensor is coupled to the third conductive layer;
a fourth insulating layer at least partially surrounding the member, the fourth insulating layer between the member and the third conductive layer;
a fifth insulating layer at least partially surrounding the member, the fifth insulating layer between the member and the second electrode;
a fourth conductive layer at least partially surrounding the member, the fourth conductive layer between the member and the fifth insulating layer, wherein the shield output of the electric field sensor is coupled to the fourth conductive layer;
and
a sixth insulating layer at least partially surrounding the member, the sixth insulating layer between the member and the fourth conductive layer.

13 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Frozen material detection using electric field sensor

Life of this patent

Frozen material detection using electric field sensor

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims18