Abstract

Sensors, systems, and methods for monitoring environmental conditions, such as physical, electromagnetic, thermal, and/or chemical parameters within an environment, over extended periods of time with the use of one or more electromechanical sensing devices and electronic circuitry for processing an output of the sensing devices. The sensing devices each include a cantilevered structure and at least one contact configured for contact-mode operation with the cantilevered structure in response to the cantilevered structure deflecting toward or away from the contact when exposed to the parameter of interest. The cantilevered structure has at least first and second beams of dissimilar materials, at least one of which has at least one property that changes as a result of exposure to the parameter.

IPC Classes  ?

• H01H 1/00 - Contacts
• B81B 3/00 - Devices comprising flexible or deformable elements, e.g. comprising elastic tongues or membranes
• G01K 5/48 - Measuring temperature based on the expansion or contraction of a material the material being a solid
• G01K 5/56 - Measuring temperature based on the expansion or contraction of a material the material being a solid constrained so that expansion or contraction causes a deformation of the solid
• G01K 5/72 - Measuring temperature based on the expansion or contraction of a material the material being a solid constrained so that expansion or contraction causes a deformation of the solid the solid body being formed of compounded strips or plates, e.g. bimetallic strip specially adapted for indicating or recording with electric transmission means for final indication
• G01K 3/04 - Thermometers giving results other than momentary value of temperature giving mean valuesThermometers giving results other than momentary value of temperature giving integrated values in respect of time

Abstract

Sensors, systems, and methods for monitoring environmental conditions, such as physical, electromagnetic, thermal, and/or chemical parameters within an environment, over extended periods of time with the use of one or more electromechanical sensing devices (26) and electronic circuitry (16) for processing an output of the sensing devices (26). The sensing devices (26) each include a cantilevered structure (30) and at least one contact (40,42) configured for contact-mode operation with the cantilevered structure (30) in response to the cantilevered structure (30) deflecting toward or away from the contact (40,42) when exposed to the parameter of interest. The cantilevered structure (30) has at least first and second beams (44,46) of dissimilar materials, at least one of which has at least one property that changes as a result of exposure to the parameter.

IPC Classes  ?

• B81B 3/00 - Devices comprising flexible or deformable elements, e.g. comprising elastic tongues or membranes
• B81C 1/00 - Manufacture or treatment of devices or systems in or on a substrate

Abstract

Modules, systems, and methods for monitoring environmental conditions, such as physical, electromagnetic, thermal, and/or chemical parameters within an environment, over extended periods of time with the use of one or more electromechanical sensing devices (26,28) that include a sensing device (26,28) and electronic circuitry (16) for processing an output of the sensing device (26,28) and generating a output of the module (10). The sensing device (26,28) includes a microstructure (30,32), for example, a cantilevered beam (30,32), and at least one set of contacts (38,40,42) configured for contact-mode operation with the microstructure (30,32) in response to the microstructure (30,32) deflecting toward or away from the contacts (38,40,42) when exposed to the parameter of interest. The microstructure (30,32) has a stack of layers (44,46) of dissimilar materials, at least one of which has at least one property that changes as a result of curing of or absorption by the first material when exposed to the parameter.

IPC Classes  ?

• H01H 1/00 - Contacts
• H01H 35/42 - Switches operated by change of humidity
• H01H 37/00 - Thermally-actuated switches

Abstract

A sensing system, sensing method, and method of producing a sensing system capable of providing a cumulative measurement capability, such as in the form of a RFID tag capable of measuring cumulative heat and humidity for continuous monitoring of storage and shipping conditions of various goods. The system includes integrated circuitry and a plurality of sensing elements, preferably having cantilevered bimorph beams. Each sensing element is responsive to an environmental condition so as to deflect toward and away from open contacts in response to changes in the environmental condition. Each sensing element produces a digital output when it contacts and closes its open contacts. The integrated circuitry interfaces with the sensing elements so that the digital outputs of the sensing elements are processed to generate a system output of the sensing system.

IPC Classes  ?

• H01L 41/00 - SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES; ELECTRIC SOLID STATE DEVICES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - Details thereof
• H02N 2/00 - Electric machines in general using piezoelectric effect, electrostriction or magnetostriction
• H01H 61/00 - Electrothermal relays
• H01H 71/16 - Electrothermal mechanisms with bimetal element

Abstract

A bimorphic structure responsive to changes in an environmental condition, sensor structures incorporating one or more of such bimorphic structures, and a method of forming such bimorphic structures. The sensor structure has an electrically-conductive first contact on a substrate, and a bimorph beam anchored to the substrate so that a portion thereof is suspended above the first contact. The bimorph beam has a multilayer structure that includes first and second layers, with the second layer between the first layer and the substrate. A portion of the first layer projects through an opening in the second layer toward the first contact so as to define an electrically-conductive second contact located on the beam so as to be spaced apart and aligned with the first contact for contact with the first contact when the beam sufficiently deflects toward the substrate.

IPC Classes  ?

• H02N 11/00 - Generators or motors not provided for elsewhereAlleged perpetua mobilia obtained by electric or magnetic means