Measuring and testing – Moisture content or absorption characteristic of material
Patent
1994-09-12
1996-10-29
Cuchlinski, Jr., William A.
Measuring and testing
Moisture content or absorption characteristic of material
324694, 324724, G01N 2556, G01R 2708
Patent
active
055687474
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a moisture sensor and more particularly to a moisture sensor adapted to be used to sense the moisture content within wood, although the sensor of the invention may find other applications.
It is to be appreciated that the performance and durability of wood is dependent upon its moisture content. It is thus desirable to be able to measure the moisture content of wood.
Many moisture meters have been proposed previously which can measure the moisture content of wood, but most of these meters rely on inserting two prongs or electrodes into the wood, and then measuring the electrical resistance between the prongs or electrodes.
Such a technique is very prone to error, since the electrical resistance between the prongs depends upon the degree of insertion into the wood, the nature of any paint provided on the exterior of the wood, and many other similar factors. Also such moisture meters can only be used to determine the moisture of wood where access can be gained to the surface of the wood.
The present invention seeks to provide an improved moisture sensor.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to this invention there is provided a moisture, sensor, the sensor comprising an elongate element of moisture absorbent material presenting two opposed side faces, the two opposed side faces being provided with conductive material extending over a predetermined area thereof, there being a cable having two conductors which are connected respectively to the areas of electrically conductive material, the element being encapsulated within a sleeve of electrically insulating material, the sleeve being such that an end face of the sensor is exposed, there being a plurality of apertures or perforations in the sleeve exposing at least part of the element, the sensor being adapted to be exposed to an environment, the moisture level of which is to be sensed by the sensor.
Preferably the apertures of perforations are provided at the ends of bores extending through the element.
conveniently the bores extend through parts of the element which are not provided with said conductive material.
Preferably the electrically conductive material is in the form of conductive paint, such as a silver paint.
Advantageously the conductors of the cable are secured or bonded to the conductive material.
Advantageously the absorbent material is wood.
Conveniently the absorbent material has a size which is approximately 1.8 mm by 1.8 mm by 8 mm.
The sleeve may be a heat-shrunk sleeve of plastic material which covers the conductive material.
The invention also relates to the use of a sensor as described above with a moisture meter or a moisture monitor, and the sensor may be interrogated by a microprocessor. The sensor may be interrogated over a telephone line or the like by a remote computer.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
In order that the invention may be more readily understood, and so that further features thereof may be appreciated, the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a sensor strip to be used in a sensor in accordance with the invention,
FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the sensor strip of FIG. 1 with wires attached,
FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a heat shrinkable sleeve,
FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the assembled sensor,
FIG. 5 shows a schematic diagram of system wherein the sensor of the present invention is connected to a meter, monitor or a remote central computer.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
A moisture sensor in accordance with the invention has a sensor strip 1 which is formed from an appropriate element of a moisture absorbent material, such as wood. The wood may be any appropriate wood, but is preferably a uniform close-grained wood, so that sensor strips for sensors in accordance with the invention may be substantially uniform. The strip 1 is an elongate strip of square cross-section. The strips may be cut to have approximately the desired si
REFERENCES:
patent: 2740032 (1956-03-01), Bouyoucos
patent: 3824844 (1974-07-01), Strickland
patent: 4449396 (1984-05-01), Bzdula
Cuchlinski Jr. William A.
Worth Willie Morris
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