US 9,804,216 B2 · Detection of electromagnetic field with electroactive polymers

Abstract

Embodiments relate to a method, apparatus, and system for passively detecting strength of an electromagnetic field. An electroactive polymer (EAP) is configured with an antenna in communication with an RC circuit. The EAP is positioned proximal to a sensor. In response to receipt of a transient electromagnetic pulse due to an electrostatic discharge, the circuit captures the received pulse and transmits the pulse to the EAP. The EAP reacts to the pulse in the form of a deflection. The magnitude of the deflection correlates to the field strength which caused the received pulse. As deflection of the EAP is communicated to the proximally positioned sensor, a recording of the electrostatic discharge takes place.

Claims16

Dependent claims

A method comprising:

creating an electrostatic sensing circuit, wherein creating the circuit comprises:
providing an electroactive polymer (EAP);
and
configuring the EAP in electrical communication with at least one antenna;
capturing an electromagnetic pulse from a discharge and communicating the electromagnetic pulse to the EAP;
deflecting a state of the EAP from a first state to a deflected state in response to receipt of the communication;
and
measuring the deflected state of the EAP, wherein the measured deflection correlates with field strength of the received pulse.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application

15/071,314Filed 16 Mar 2016

Published

US 2017/0269144 A121 Sep 2017

Granted

31 Oct 2017

Term ends

Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification8 codes

G01R 29/12
Arrangements for measuring or indicating electric quantities not covered by groups G01R19/00 - G01R27/00: measuring electrostatic fields or…
G01R 5/28
Instruments for converting a single current or a single voltage into a mechanical displacement: electrostatic instruments
G01R 15/165
Using capacitive devices: measuring electrostatic potential, e.g. with electrostatic voltmeters or electrometers, when the design of the sensor is…
G01R 29/0878
Characterised by constructional or functional features: sensors; antennas; probes; detectors

Detection of electromagnetic field with electroactive polymers

Life of this patent

Detection of electromagnetic field with electroactive polymers

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims16