Passive RFID Sensors for Viscous Substance Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for measuring moisture content and temperature in viscous substances like concrete and asphalt are expensive, invasive, and often inaccurate, especially when dealing with deep structures or high temperatures, and lack real-time monitoring capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A non-destructive, passive RFID-based system that embeds small sensors within the viscous substance to measure moisture, temperature, and other parameters, using an interrogator to wirelessly transmit data to a cloud storage system for real-time analysis and algorithmic processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If battery sensors are embedded in concrete to measure moisture content, then measurement capability is provided, but the sensors are bulky, expensive, have limited temperature tolerance and lifespan, and may impact concrete strength
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces battery-operated mechanical/electronic sensors with a passive RFID-based sensing system. The RFID sensor tag is powered wirelessly by an interrogator, eliminating the need for batteries and reducing the sensor's physical size and complexity while maintaining measurement capability for moisture content, temperature, and other parameters.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the power source (battery) from the sensing system, leaving only the passive RFID sensor tag embedded in the concrete. This reduces the sensor's impact on concrete strength and simplifies the overall system while maintaining measurement functionality through wireless power transfer.
2Measurement precision
If concrete moisture meters are used to measure moisture content, then surface moisture can be measured, but deep moisture content cannot be accurately assessed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from surface-only measurement to multi-depth measurement by embedding RFID sensor tags at various depths within the concrete structure. This allows the system to capture moisture content information from the surface down to deeper layers, providing a comprehensive vertical profile of moisture distribution.
3Strength
If standard 28-day waiting period is used to determine concrete readiness, then full strength is achieved, but productivity is reduced due to extended time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous monitoring of concrete curing parameters (moisture content, temperature, strength) using embedded RFID sensor tags. This real-time feedback allows dynamic assessment of concrete readiness, enabling early formwork removal or loading decisions based on actual curing progress rather than fixed time schedules, thereby improving productivity while maintaining strength requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary embedding of RFID sensor tags during concrete placement, allowing continuous monitoring to begin immediately. This preliminary action enables real-time tracking of curing progress, facilitating earlier determination of concrete readiness and subsequent productivity improvements.
4Measurement precision
If cylindrical samples are tested periodically to assess concrete curing, then strength development can be measured, but the samples are lab-tested approximations that do not reflect actual project conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates in-situ copies of the actual concrete structure by embedding RFID sensor tags directly within the concrete during placement. These embedded sensors provide real-time data from the actual project conditions, replacing the need for separate lab-tested cylindrical samples and providing more reliable representation of the true concrete curing progress.
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
Provides accurate, instant, and cost-effective monitoring of moisture and temperature within viscous substances, enabling precise control of curing processes and improving the quality of final products by offering continuous, non-invasive data collection across varying conditions.
Implementation Method 1
A non-destructive, passive RFID-based system that embeds small sensors within the viscous substance to measure moisture, temperature, and other parameters
Implementation Method 2
using an interrogator to wirelessly transmit data to a cloud storage system
Data Source
AI summary
The inventive concept relates to a method of determining the relative ratios or percentages of certain characteristics or properties of viscous substances, wherein moisture content is a key determinant. The method utilizes placement of passive Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) instrumentation into a slurry or existing viscous mixture of substances. The RFID then reads moisture and/or other physical properties of the substance, typically process parameters such as temperature and/or pH. The readings are queried using an interrogator to acquire the data wirelessly. As a planning step, it is necessary to correlate the data with a variety of specially-developed algorithms specific to a viscous mixture associated with a particular process. The acquired readings will then provide a user with instantaneous information which will be determinative of the degree of completeness or maintenance of a certain property of the process.