Wireless thermionic sensor
AssigneePalo Alto Research Center Incorporated
InventorsSaroj Kumar Sahu, Scott Limb, Francisco E. Torres
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Abstract
A thermionic sensor is disclosed. The sensor includes a sensor housing at least partially defining an emission chamber in which at least a partial vacuum is maintained; a cathode disposed in the emission chamber; an anode disposed in the emission chamber and spaced apart from the cathode; and an electrically conductive layer disposed in the emission chamber facing the anode and cathode. The thermionic sensor is configured to output a detection signal when the anode and cathode are at substantially the same temperature.
Claims19
A thermionic sensor comprising:
- a sensor housing at least partially defining an emission chamber in which vacuum conditions are maintained, the emission chamber having opposing first and second surfaces;
- a cathode disposed in the emission chamber on the first surface;
- an anode disposed in the emission chamber on the first surface, and spaced apart from the cathode;
- and
- an electrically conductive layer disposed in the emission chamber on the second surface, facing the anode and cathode,
- wherein the thermionic sensor is configured to output a detection signal when the anode and cathode are at substantially the same temperature.
A thermionic sensor comprising:
- a sensor housing comprising a substantially non-porous ceramic material and at least partially defining an emission chamber that is maintained at a pressure of less than about 100 micro Torr;
- a cathode disposed in the emission chamber;
- an anode disposed in the emission chamber and spaced apart from the cathode;
- and
- an electrically conductive layer disposed in the emission chamber facing the anode and cathode,
- wherein the thermionic sensor is configured to:
- apply a bias voltage between the cathode and anode;
- and
- electrically float the conductive layer.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.