An electric field sensor includes an insulating substrate, a plurality of electrodes, an insulator, a plurality vias, and a ground ring. The electrodes are disposed on the substrate. The insulator is disposed over the electrodes. The vias are coupled to the electrodes and extend through the substrate at a right angle to the electrodes. The ground ring is disposed around the electrodes and the vias and is configured to attenuate a sensitivity of the sensor to electric fields outwards of the ground ring.
A pipeline breach monitor includes an electric field sensor and a signal processing unit in communication with the electric field sensor. The electric field sensor includes an upper substrate, and a plurality of electrodes embedded in the upper substrate. The electrodes are substantially parallel to each other in the upper substrate and comprise at least one sense electrode and a plurality of elongate sensor electrodes disposed around the at least one sense electrode. The signal processing unit is configured to (i) apply a voltage signal to the sensor electrodes, (ii) receive at least one measurement set comprising a measurement of a phase and a magnitude of a current generated in the at least one sense electrode and the sensor electrodes, and (iii) generate an assessment of accumulation of a substance proximate the electric field sensor from the at least one measurement set and at least one predetermined substance accumulation profile.
G01M 3/18 - Investigating fluid tightness of structures by using fluid or vacuum by detecting the presence of fluid at the leakage point using electric detection means for pipes, cables, or tubesInvestigating fluid tightness of structures by using fluid or vacuum by detecting the presence of fluid at the leakage point using electric detection means for pipe joints or sealsInvestigating fluid tightness of structures by using fluid or vacuum by detecting the presence of fluid at the leakage point using electric detection means for valves
F17D 5/06 - Preventing, monitoring, or locating loss using electric or acoustic means
G01M 3/04 - Investigating fluid tightness of structures by using fluid or vacuum by detecting the presence of fluid at the leakage point
F17D 5/02 - Preventing, monitoring, or locating loss
G01M 3/16 - Investigating fluid tightness of structures by using fluid or vacuum by detecting the presence of fluid at the leakage point using electric detection means
3.
Apparatus and method of monitoring for in-flight aircraft engine ice crystal accretion
A method of monitoring for the in-flight accretion of matter involves an electric field sensor applying a time-varying electric field to an engine surface of an aircraft while the aircraft is in flight. The electric field sensor is thermally-coupled and thermally-matched to the engine surface. A sensor monitor receives, in substantially real-time from the electric field sensor, at least one measurement set that includes a measurement of a phase and a magnitude of a current detected by the electric field sensor and resulting from the time-varying electric field. The sensor monitor generates an assessment, in substantially real-time, of an instantaneous accumulation of matter on the engine surface from the at least one measurement set. The sensor monitor activates an alarm upon the assessment indicating an accumulation of matter on the engine surface.
A pipeline breach monitor includes an electric field sensor and a signal processing unit in communication with the electric field sensor. The electric field sensor includes an upper substrate, and a plurality of electrodes embedded in the upper substrate. The electrodes are substantially parallel to each other in the upper substrate and comprise at least one sense electrode and a plurality of elongate sensor electrodes disposed around the at least one sense electrode. The signal processing unit is configured to (i) apply a voltage signal to the sensor electrodes, (ii) receive at least one measurement set comprising a measurement of a phase and a magnitude of a current generated in the at least one sense electrode and the sensor electrodes, and (iii) generate an assessment of accumulation of a substance proximate the electric field sensor from the at least one measurement set and at least one predetermined substance accumulation profile.
G01M 3/18 - Investigating fluid tightness of structures by using fluid or vacuum by detecting the presence of fluid at the leakage point using electric detection means for pipes, cables, or tubesInvestigating fluid tightness of structures by using fluid or vacuum by detecting the presence of fluid at the leakage point using electric detection means for pipe joints or sealsInvestigating fluid tightness of structures by using fluid or vacuum by detecting the presence of fluid at the leakage point using electric detection means for valves
5.
APPARATUS AND METHOD OF MONITORING FOR IN-FLIGHT AIRCRAFT ENGINE ICE CRYSTAL ACCRETION
A method of monitoring for the in-flight accretion of matter involves an electric field sensor applying a time-varying electric field to an engine surface of an aircraft while the aircraft is in flight. The electric field sensor is thermally-coupled and thermally-matched to the engine surface. A sensor monitor receives, in substantially real-time from the electric field sensor, at least one measurement set that includes a measurement of a phase and a magnitude of a current detected by the electric field sensor and resulting from the time-varying electric field. The sensor monitor generates an assessment, in substantially real-time, of an instantaneous accumulation of matter on the engine surface from the at least one measurement set. The sensor monitor activates an alarm upon the assessment indicating an accumulation of matter on the engine surface.
A method of monitoring for the in-flight accretion of matter involves an electric field sensor applying a time-varying electric field to an engine surface of an aircraft while the aircraft is in flight. The electric field sensor is thermally-coupled and thermally-matched to the engine surface. A sensor monitor receives, in substantially real-time from the electric field sensor, at least one measurement set that includes a measurement of a phase and a magnitude of a current detected by the electric field sensor and resulting from the time-varying electric field. The sensor monitor generates an assessment, in substantially real-time, of an instantaneous accumulation of matter on the engine surface from the at least one measurement set. The sensor monitor activates an alarm upon the assessment indicating an accumulation of matter on the engine surface.
An electric field sensor includes an insulating substrate, a plurality of electrodes, an insulator, a plurality vias, and a ground ring. The electrodes are disposed parallel to one another on the substrate. The insulator is disposed over the electrodes. The vias are coupled to the electrodes and extend through the substrate at a right angle to the electrodes. The ground ring is disposed around the electrodes and the vias and is configured to attenuate a sensitivity of the sensor to electric fields outwards of the ground ring.
B64D 15/20 - Means for detecting icing or initiating de-icing
G01B 7/06 - Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of electric or magnetic techniques for measuring length, width, or thickness for measuring thickness
G01R 29/08 - Measuring electromagnetic field characteristics
8.
Apparatus and method of monitoring for matter accumulation on an aircraft surface
A method of monitoring the accumulation of matter on an external surface of an aircraft involves applying varying electric fields to the aircraft surface, and a sensor monitor receiving a time-series of measurements of a temperature of the aircraft surface and a phase and a magnitude of a current induced in an electric field sensor unit from the varying electric fields. The electric field sensor unit is mounted proximate the aircraft surface. The time-series of the measurements varies in accordance with the instantaneous accumulation of matter on the aircraft surface. The sensor monitor generates an assessment of the accumulation of matter on the aircraft surface from a correlation of the time-series of the measurements with at least one predetermined matter accumulation profile. Each predetermined matter accumulation profile comprises a corresponding time-series of current phase, current magnitude and temperature measurements.
G01R 19/00 - Arrangements for measuring currents or voltages or for indicating presence or sign thereof
B64D 15/20 - Means for detecting icing or initiating de-icing
B64D 15/22 - Automatic initiation by icing detector
G01B 7/06 - Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of electric or magnetic techniques for measuring length, width, or thickness for measuring thickness
G08B 19/02 - Alarm responsive to formation or anticipated formation of ice
G01B 21/08 - Measuring arrangements or details thereof, where the measuring technique is not covered by the other groups of this subclass, unspecified or not relevant for measuring length, width, or thickness for measuring thickness
G01K 13/00 - Thermometers specially adapted for specific purposes
9.
APPARATUS AND METHOD OF MONITORING FOR MATTER ACCUMULATION ON AN AIRCRAFT SURFACE
A method of monitoring the accumulation of matter on an external surface of an aircraft involves applying varying electric fields to the aircraft surface, and a sensor monitor receiving a time-series of measurements of a temperature of the aircraft surface and a phase and a magnitude of a current induced in an electric field sensor unit from the varying electric fields. The electric field sensor unit is mounted proximate the aircraft surface. The time-series of the measurements varies in accordance with the instantaneous accumulation of matter on the aircraft surface. The sensor monitor generates an assessment of the accumulation of matter on the aircraft surface from a correlation of the time-series of the measurements with at least one predetermined matter accumulation profile. Each predetermined matter accumulation profile comprises a corresponding time-series of current phase, current magnitude and temperature measurements.
B64D 15/20 - Means for detecting icing or initiating de-icing
G01B 7/06 - Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of electric or magnetic techniques for measuring length, width, or thickness for measuring thickness
G08B 19/02 - Alarm responsive to formation or anticipated formation of ice
10.
APPARATUS AND METHOD OF MONITORING FOR MATTER ACCUMULATION ON AN AIRCRAFT SURFACE
A method of monitoring the accumulation of matter on an external surface of an aircraft involves applying varying electric fields to the aircraft surface, and a sensor monitor receiving a time-series of measurements of a temperature of the aircraft surface and a phase and a magnitude of a current induced in an electric field sensor unit from the varying electric fields. The electric field sensor unit is mounted proximate the aircraft surface. The time-series of the measurements varies in accordance with the instantaneous accumulation of matter on the aircraft surface. The sensor monitor generates an assessment of the accumulation of matter on the aircraft surface from a correlation of the time-series of the measurements with at least one predetermined matter accumulation profile. Each predetermined matter accumulation profile comprises a corresponding time-series of current phase, current magnitude and temperature measurements.
B64D 15/20 - Means for detecting icing or initiating de-icing
G01B 7/06 - Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of electric or magnetic techniques for measuring length, width, or thickness for measuring thickness
G08B 19/02 - Alarm responsive to formation or anticipated formation of ice
A computer-based fibre production monitoring system includes at least one sensor, and a computer server in communication with the sensors. Each sensor is configured to provide data packets each being associated with a respective threadline and providing a measurement of at least one physical characteristic of a fibre as it is drawn past the sensor on the threadline and wound onto a bobbin. The computer server is configured to provide an analysis of the physical characteristics on a per-threadline basis and/or per-bobbin basis from the measurements. The sensor is configured as an electric field sensor, and includes an insulating substrate, non-contacting electrodes disposed on the substrate, and vias extending transversely through the substrate. The electrodes are interlaced with one another. One portion of the vias is coupled to one portion of the electrodes, and another portion of the vias is coupled to another portion of the electrodes.
G06F 19/00 - Digital computing or data processing equipment or methods, specially adapted for specific applications (specially adapted for specific functions G06F 17/00;data processing systems or methods specially adapted for administrative, commercial, financial, managerial, supervisory or forecasting purposes G06Q;healthcare informatics G16H)
An electric field sensor includes an insulating substrate, a plurality of non- contacting electrodes disposed on the substrate, and a plurality of conductors coupled to the electrodes and extending transversely through the substrate. The electrodes includes a plurality of first non-contacting electrodes, and a plurality of second non- contacting electrodes that are interlaced and non-contacting with the plurality of first electrodes. The conductors include a first conductor portion and a second conductor portion. The first portion of the conductors are coupled to the plurality of first electrodes, and the second portion of the conductors are coupled to the plurality of second electrodes.
