Modular Sensors for Longitudinal Cavity Humidity Measurement

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for measuring humidity in concrete structures are limited by the sensitivity of humidity probes due to blocked or misdirected punctured holes, leading to inaccurate moisture content readings.

Innovation Solution

A modular arrangement of interconnectable sensor and extension sections is inserted into a longitudinal cavity of a structure, allowing multiple climate measurements at different positions, including humidity and temperature, using capacitive, resistive, and inductive methods, with a kit and applicator for precise placement and data transfer.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a humidity probe is inserted through a punctured hole in a tube to measure humidity at a specific depth, then the measurement depth can be controlled, but the sensitivity of the measurement is reduced due to blocked or misdirected punctured holes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehumidity measurement sensitivityVSAvoidtube structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The tube is divided into multiple sections with different wall thicknesses along its length. The thinner sections allow humidity to penetrate more easily, creating multiple measurement pathways. This segmentation eliminates the need for single punctured holes while improving measurement sensitivity and providing redundant measurement paths.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different sections of the tube have locally optimized wall thicknesses - thinner at certain positions to enhance humidity penetration and sensitivity, thicker at other positions for structural integrity. This local variation in quality allows the tube to simultaneously achieve high measurement sensitivity and structural strength without complex puncturing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple measurement positions are required within a longitudinal cavity, then comprehensive climate monitoring is achieved, but the device complexity increases with multiple probes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement position coverageVSAvoidnumber of probes required

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A single probe design is made universal by enabling it to be positioned at multiple locations within the longitudinal cavity. The probe can be inserted through the open end or from the side, and can reach different depths, allowing one probe type to perform multiple measurement functions at various positions throughout the cavity structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The measurement approach transitions from single-point depth measurement to multi-dimensional coverage by allowing probe insertion from multiple directions (through the open end or from the side) and at various depths, creating comprehensive three-dimensional climate monitoring throughout the longitudinal cavity using adaptable positioning rather than multiple fixed probes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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

The solution enables accurate monitoring of climate conditions within structures, detecting potential health and structural degradation risks, optimizing energy consumption, and ensuring reliable humidity and temperature measurements across varying structural layers.

Implementation Method 1

using capacitive, resistive, and inductive methods

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapacitive method: Capacitance

Implementation Method 2

using capacitive, resistive, and inductive methods

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectResistive method: Electrical Resistance

Implementation Method 3

using capacitive, resistive, and inductive methods

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInductive method: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS12405170B2Measuring climate inside a longitudinal cavity of a structure

Publication Date: 2025.09.02 MESHWORKS WIRELESS

AI summary

The invention relates to measuring climate inside a longitudinal cavity of a structure from two or more positions. The cavity has two ends that may be ends open to a surface of the structure, or closed ends inside the structure, or a building comprising the structure. The climate is measured by an arrangement inserted to the cavity. The arrangement comprises plurality of interconnectable sections. The sections comprise at least one sensor section and one or more extension sections. The at least one sensor section and one or more extension sections are interconnectable in a series for insertion inside the cavity. The at least one sensor section is configured to measure at least one quantity indicating the climate. The one or more extension sections are configured to position the at least one sensor section from at least one of the ends of the cavity to a measurement position within the cavity.