Ceramic Coil Resonant Sensors for Extreme Temperature and Pressure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional temperature and pressure sensors are limited by their inability to withstand high temperatures and pressures, requiring wired connections and being unsuitable for in-flight or harsh-environment monitoring due to material limitations, such as oxidation of metallic components and restricted temperature ranges.
Innovation Solution
Development of temperature and pressure sensors using ceramic coil inductors with carbon nanotubes or nanofibers dispersed in a ceramic matrix, combined with polymer-derived ceramic (PDC) nanocomposites, enabling wireless real-time data transmission and operation in extreme conditions up to 1000°C and 600 psi.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If conventional temperature sensors (thermocouples, thermistors, resistance thermometers) are used, then wired measurement capability is provided, but the sensors cannot withstand high temperatures (800°C to 1400°C) due to oxidation of metallic coil inductor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite structure consisting of a ceramic coil inductor (made from ceramic material rather than metal) combined with a polymer-derived ceramic (PDC) nanocomposite dielectric layer. This composite material system provides both high-temperature stability and oxidation resistance, enabling operation in environments up to 1400°C without the metallic oxidation problems that plague conventional sensors.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the traditional metallic coil inductor with a ceramic coil inductor. This substitution eliminates the oxidation vulnerability of metals while maintaining the inductive sensing mechanism. The ceramic material provides both structural integrity and electrical properties necessary for temperature sensing in extreme environments.
2Temperature
If conventional pressure sensors (resistive or capacitive) are used, then pressure measurement capability is provided, but wire interconnection is required and they cannot operate effectively in high temperature environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces wired resistive or capacitive sensing mechanisms with a wireless resonant sensing system. The ceramic coil inductor forms part of an LC resonant circuit whose resonant frequency shifts with pressure-induced changes in the PDC nanocomposite dielectric properties. This eliminates the need for wire interconnections while enabling high-temperature operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes changes in the dielectric constant and loss tangent of the PDC nanocomposite material as functions of pressure and temperature. These parameter changes modulate the resonant frequency and quality factor of the LC circuit, providing a wireless, contactless method for sensing that works in extreme environments where conventional wired sensors fail.
3Ease of operation
If patch antenna pressure sensors are used, then wireless operation is achieved, but they operate within a limited temperature range (−55°C to 125°C) due to metallic wire used with the patch antenna
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the metallic patch antenna structure with a ceramic coil inductor-based resonant system. This substitution eliminates the temperature limitations of metallic components while maintaining wireless operation. The ceramic material and PDC nanocomposite dielectric enable the resonant circuit to function wirelessly in temperatures exceeding 1000°C.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a composite system where the ceramic coil inductor and PDC nanocomposite dielectric work together to create a wireless resonant sensor that is immune to the thermal limitations of metallic antennas. This composite approach enables wireless sensing in extreme temperature environments previously inaccessible to conventional technologies.
4Adaptability or versatility
If conventional temperature sensors are used for M&M surveillance, then limited evaluation capability is provided, but the sensors are suitable for storage and transportation purposes only
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal sensor platform based on ceramic coil inductors and PDC nanocomposites that can function as temperature sensors, pressure sensors, or both simultaneously depending on configuration. This multi-functional design enables the same basic sensor architecture to be deployed for storage monitoring, transportation surveillance, and in-flight monitoring of missile and munition systems across the entire temperature range from cryogenic to hyper-thermal environments.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
These sensors provide reliable, real-time monitoring of temperature and pressure in extreme environments, enhancing the safety and effectiveness of missile and munition systems and other high-temperature, high-pressure applications without the need for extensive non-destructive evaluation, reducing costs and time.
Implementation Method 1
a ceramic coil inductor formed of a ceramic composite that comprises carbon nanotubes, carbon nanofibers, or a combination thereof dispersed in a ceramic matrix
Implementation Method 2
ceramic coil inductor having a first end plate and a second end plate
Implementation Method 3
a thin film polymer-derived ceramic (PDC) nanocomposite disposed between the first and the second end plates, wherein the thin film PDC nanocomposite has a dielectric constant that increases monotonically with temperature
Implementation Method 4
the PDC nanocomposite structure has walls that define an internal cavity having a first cavity surface and an opposed second cavity surface, wherein the first and second cavity surfaces are spaced a distance from one another and the distance varies proportionally to the atmospheric pressure outside of the pressure sensor
Data Source
AI summary
Temperature sensors, pressure sensors, methods of making the same, and methods of detecting pressures and temperatures using the same are provided. In an embodiment, the temperature sensor includes a ceramic coil inductor having a first end plate and a second end plate, wherein the ceramic coil inductor is formed of a ceramic composite that comprises carbon nanotubes or, carbon nanofibers, or a combination of carbon nanotubes and carbon nanofibers thereof dispersed in a ceramic matrix; and a thin film polymer-derived ceramic (PDC) nanocomposite disposed between the first and the second end plates, wherein the thin film PDC nanocomposite has a dielectric constant that increases monotonically with temperature.