Portable Wall Humidity Detection Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for dehumidifying and monitoring wall humidity are invasive, economically inefficient, and lack repeatability and accuracy, particularly in assessing the health of building structures like frescoed or historical buildings.
Innovation Solution
A portable electronic apparatus and a fixed-installation system using electromagnetic dehumidification and capacitive humidity sensing, combined with remote monitoring and data transmission, to accurately and reliably measure and manage wall humidity, optimizing dehumidification processes based on environmental and operational needs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If invasive methods like ventilation holes or chemical injections are used for dehumidification, then dehumidification effectiveness is improved, but structural damage and invasiveness increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces invasive mechanical methods (drilling holes, injecting chemicals) with electromagnetic fields for dehumidification. The electromagnetic dehumidification system uses electromagnetic waves to heat and evaporate moisture within walls without physical intrusion, thereby maintaining structural integrity while achieving effective dehumidification.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces electromagnetic waves as an intermediary medium to transfer energy into the wall structure for moisture removal. Instead of direct mechanical or chemical intervention, electromagnetic radiation serves as the mediator that penetrates the wall, heats the moisture, and enables its removal through evaporation and vapor transport, avoiding direct contact with structural materials.
2Measurement precision
If laboratory examinations requiring wall removal are used for monitoring, then measurement accuracy is improved, but invasiveness and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces destructive mechanical sampling (removing wall sections for lab analysis) with electromagnetic sensing methods. Sensors detect moisture content, temperature, and humidity parameters through electromagnetic interactions with the wall material, providing accurate measurements without physical removal or damage to the structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a virtual model of the wall's internal moisture state through non-invasive sensing. Instead of physically extracting samples to analyze, the system uses electromagnetic sensors to generate a digital representation of humidity distribution, temperature profiles, and moisture migration patterns, enabling accurate monitoring while preserving the original structure.
3Ease of operation
If traditional resistivity measurement instruments are used, then dehumidification monitoring is enabled, but measurement reliability and repeatability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from measuring electrical resistivity to directly measuring moisture content, temperature, and relative humidity parameters. This parameter change enables more reliable and repeatable measurements because these parameters directly reflect the physical state of moisture in the wall without being influenced by the variable electrical properties of different wall materials, which cause inconsistencies in resistivity-based methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces electrical resistivity measurement systems with electromagnetic sensing systems that directly detect moisture content. The new system uses electromagnetic fields to probe the wall material and extract moisture-related parameters, providing more stable and repeatable measurements that are not affected by the contact resistance and material variability issues inherent in traditional electrical measurement methods.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple different dehumidification devices are coordinated, then comprehensive wall health management is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs an integrated system where a single control unit coordinates multiple dehumidification devices and sensing instruments. The control unit serves multiple functions: it receives data from various sensors (moisture content, temperature, humidity), processes the information, and controls different types of dehumidification devices (electromagnetic, chemical, physical) based on the detected wall conditions, thereby managing complexity through centralized multi-functional control.
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
Enables precise, non-invasive, and repeatable humidity measurement and monitoring, effectively managing wall dehumidification while minimizing damage to structural elements and providing real-time data for improved intervention strategies.
Implementation Method 1
a preset number of electromagnetic pulses are generated that act on the ions and on the salts dissolved in the water/humidity contained in the walls, promoting the migration of the latter ions
Implementation Method 2
promoting the migration of the latter ions to a return electrode
Implementation Method 3
The sensor is of capacitive type and the reading unit is electrically connected to the sensor to read the electric capacity between the two electrodes
Data Source
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AI summary
Portable electronic apparatus for detecting wall humidity comprising: a movable unit (11) having means (12) for determining wall humidity; means (13) for detecting scanning coordinates that are suitable for determining the position of said movable unit (11) at least during detecting of humidity, said means (13) for detecting scanning coordinates comprises: at least a coordinate reference device (14) positioned outside the movable unit (11) and at a preset distance from the scanning place in a fixed reference position; at least a scanning coordinates detecting unit (15) mounted on the portable unit (11) and movable with said means (12) for detecting wall humidity.