US5898183A — Compact moisture sensor with efficient high obliq…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 338 words

A moisture sensor for mounting on a first surface of a sheet of glass to detect moisture in a sensing area on a second surface of the sheet of glass, said moisture sensor comprising: a) a coupler for mounting on the first surface of the sheet of glass for optically coupling light rays into and out of the glass; b) a housing secured to said coupler; c) a planar circuit board secured in said housing and having a device surface which is disposed generally parallel to the first surface of the sheet of glass; d) an emitter mounted on said device surface for emitting light rays about an emission axis extending from said emitter approximately perpendicular to said device surface; e) a collimator optically coupled to said coupler for collimating light rays from said emitter into a collimated light beam, said collimator having a light receiving aperture with a physical center and an optical center such that an optical axis extends through said optical center and said optical center is spaced apart from said physical center, said collimator being disposed such that the optical axis forms a first oblique angle with respect to the emission axis; f) a detector having a detection surface and a detection axis extending from the detection surface for detecting light striking the detection surface about the detection axis and for generating signals in response to the detected light, said detector mounted on the device surface of said planar circuit board such that the detection axis is approximately perpendicular to the device surface; and g) a focuser optically coupled to said coupler for focusing the collimated light beam into a convergent fan of rays onto said detection surface, said focuser having a light transmitting aperture with a physical center and an optical center such that an optical axis extends through said optical center and said optical center is spaced apart from said physical center, said focuser being disposed such that said optical axis forms a second oblique angle with respect to said detection axis.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 338 words

A moisture sensor for mounting on a first surface of a sheet of glass to detect moisture in a sensing area on a second surface of the sheet of glass, said moisture sensor comprising: a) a coupler for mounting on the first surface of the sheet of glass for optically coupling light rays into and out of the glass; b) a housing secured to said coupler; c) a planar circuit board secured in said housing and having a device surface which is disposed generally parallel to the first surface of the sheet of glass; d) an emitter mounted on said device surface for emitting light rays about an emission axis extending from said emitter approximately perpendicular to said device surface; e) a collimator optically coupled to said coupler for collimating light rays from said emitter into a collimated light beam, said collimator having a light receiving aperture with a physical center and an optical center such that an optical axis extends through said optical center and said optical center is spaced apart from said physical center, said collimator being disposed such that the optical axis forms a first oblique angle with respect to the emission axis; f) a detector having a detection surface and a detection axis extending from the detection surface for detecting light striking the detection surface about the detection axis and for generating signals in response to the detected light, said detector mounted on the device surface of said planar circuit board such that the detection axis is approximately perpendicular to the device surface; and g) a focuser optically coupled to said coupler for focusing the collimated light beam into a convergent fan of rays onto said detection surface, said focuser having a light transmitting aperture with a physical center and an optical center such that an optical axis extends through said optical center and said optical center is spaced apart from said physical center, said focuser being disposed such that said optical axis forms a second oblique angle with respect to said detection axis.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 20 words

The moisture sensor of claim 1 wherein said collimator includes a collimating lens, and said focuser includes a focusing lens.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 29 words

The moisture sensor of claim 2 wherein said coupler, said collimator, said collimating lens, said focuser and said focusing lens are formed integrally from a single piece of material.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 41 words

The moisture sensor of claim 1 further including a signal processing circuit mounted on said circuit board and connected to said emitter and said detector for controlling the light emitted by said emitter and for processing the signals from said detector.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 28 words

The moisture sensor of claim 1 wherein said first oblique angle is between thirty-nine and fifty-one degrees and said second oblique angle is between thirty-nine and fifty-one degrees.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 38 words

The moisture sensor of claim 1 wherein said optical center of said collimator light receiving aperture is displaced at least 20% of the width of said light receiving aperture from said physical center of said light receiving aperture.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 38 words

The moisture sensor of claim 1 wherein said optical center of said focuser light transmitting aperture is displaced at least 20% of the width of said light transmitting aperture from said physical center of said light transmitting aperture.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 37 words

The moisture sensor of claim 1 wherein said collimator is disposed to collimate light rays emitted from said emitter, wherein said light rays range from approximately ten to approximately fifty degrees with respect to said emission axis.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 47 words

The moisture sensor of claim 1 wherein said focuser is disposed to focus a collimated light beam into a convergent fan of rays onto said detection surface, wherein said fan of light rays range from approximately ten to approximately fifty degrees with respect to said detection axis.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 18 words

The moisture sensor of claim 2 wherein said collimating lens and said focusing lens are continuous convex lenses.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 22 words

The moisture sensor of claim 1 wherein said collimator includes a segmented collimating lens and said focuser includes a segmented focusing lens.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 92 words

The moisture sensor of claim 2 further wherein said collimator includes a second collimating lens and said focuser includes a second focusing lens, and said moisture sensor further including a second emitter and a second detector mounted on said device surface, a second collimator optically coupled to said coupler and including third and fourth collimating lenses, and a second focuser optically coupled to said coupler and including third and fourth focusing lenses, wherein light rays from both emitters are collimated into light beams and said light beams are focused onto both detectors.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 247 words

A moisture sensor for mounting on a first surface of a sheet of glass to detect moisture in a plurality of sensing areas on a second surface of the sheet of glass, said moisture sensor comprising: a) a housing; b) first and second emitters disposed in said housing for emitting light rays; c) a first detector disposed in said housing for detecting light rays traveling along a first optical path extending from said first emitter to the second surface of said glass at one of the sensing areas and back to said first detector and for detecting light rays traveling along a second optical path extending from said second emitter to the second surface of said glass at one of the sensing areas and back to said first detector, wherein the length of said second optical path is approximately equal to the length of said first optical path; and d) a second detector disposed in said housing for detecting light rays traveling along a third optical path extending from said first emitter to the second surface of said glass at one of the sensing areas and back to said second detector and for detecting light rays traveling along a fourth optical path extending from said second emitter to the second surface of said glass at one of the sensing areas and back to said second detector, wherein the lengths of said third and fourth optical paths are approximately equal to the length of said first optical path.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 247 words

A moisture sensor for mounting on a first surface of a sheet of glass to detect moisture in a plurality of sensing areas on a second surface of the sheet of glass, said moisture sensor comprising: a) a housing; b) first and second emitters disposed in said housing for emitting light rays; c) a first detector disposed in said housing for detecting light rays traveling along a first optical path extending from said first emitter to the second surface of said glass at one of the sensing areas and back to said first detector and for detecting light rays traveling along a second optical path extending from said second emitter to the second surface of said glass at one of the sensing areas and back to said first detector, wherein the length of said second optical path is approximately equal to the length of said first optical path; and d) a second detector disposed in said housing for detecting light rays traveling along a third optical path extending from said first emitter to the second surface of said glass at one of the sensing areas and back to said second detector and for detecting light rays traveling along a fourth optical path extending from said second emitter to the second surface of said glass at one of the sensing areas and back to said second detector, wherein the lengths of said third and fourth optical paths are approximately equal to the length of said first optical path.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 77 words

The moisture sensor of claim 13 further including a coupler having collimators for collimating a portion of light rays emitted from said emitters about emission axes extending perpendicularly with respect to the first surface of the sheet of glass into collimated light beams traveling along said optical paths, and focusers for focusing said collimated beams into convergent rays onto said detectors having detection axes extending perpendicularly with respect to the first surface of the sheet of glass.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 119 words

The moisture sensor of claim 14 wherein said collimators include a light receiving aperture with a physical center and an optical center such that an optical axis extends through said optical center and said optical center is spaced apart from said physical center, said collimators being disposed such that said optical axes form first oblique angles with respect to said emission axes, and wherein said focusers include a light transmitting aperture with a physical center and an optical center such that an optical axis extends through said optical center and said optical center is spaced apart from said physical center, said focusers being disposed such that said optical axes form second oblique angles with respect to said detection axes.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 288 words

A moisture sensor for mounting on a first surface of a sheet of glass to detect moisture in a plurality of sensing areas on a second surface of the sheet of glass, said moisture sensor comprising: a) a first emitter for emitting light rays disposed at a first corner of a square; b) a second emitter for emitting light rays disposed at a second corner of the square, opposite the first corner; c) a first collimator disposed adjacent said first emitter for collimating light rays emitted from said first emitter into a first and second collimated light beam; d) a second collimator disposed adjacent said second emitter for collimating light rays emitted from said second emitter into a third and fourth collimated light beam; e) a first detector disposed at a third corner of the square for detecting said first collimated light beam traveling along a first optical path between said first emitter and said first detector and said third collimated light beam traveling along a second optical path between said second emitter and said first detector, said second optical path having a length approximately equal to said first optical path, and for generating signals in response to the detected light beams; and f) a second detector disposed at a fourth corner of the square opposite the third corner for detecting said second collimated light beam traveling along a third optical path between said first emitter and said second detector and said fourth collimated light beam traveling along a fourth optical path between said second emitter and said second detector, said third and fourth optical paths each having a length approximately equal to said first optical path, and for generating signals in response to the detected light beams.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 288 words

A moisture sensor for mounting on a first surface of a sheet of glass to detect moisture in a plurality of sensing areas on a second surface of the sheet of glass, said moisture sensor comprising: a) a first emitter for emitting light rays disposed at a first corner of a square; b) a second emitter for emitting light rays disposed at a second corner of the square, opposite the first corner; c) a first collimator disposed adjacent said first emitter for collimating light rays emitted from said first emitter into a first and second collimated light beam; d) a second collimator disposed adjacent said second emitter for collimating light rays emitted from said second emitter into a third and fourth collimated light beam; e) a first detector disposed at a third corner of the square for detecting said first collimated light beam traveling along a first optical path between said first emitter and said first detector and said third collimated light beam traveling along a second optical path between said second emitter and said first detector, said second optical path having a length approximately equal to said first optical path, and for generating signals in response to the detected light beams; and f) a second detector disposed at a fourth corner of the square opposite the third corner for detecting said second collimated light beam traveling along a third optical path between said first emitter and said second detector and said fourth collimated light beam traveling along a fourth optical path between said second emitter and said second detector, said third and fourth optical paths each having a length approximately equal to said first optical path, and for generating signals in response to the detected light beams.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 204 words

A moisture sensor for mounting on a first surface of a sheet of glass to detect moisture in a sensing area on a second surface of the sheet of glass, said moisture sensor comprising: a) a coupler having a mounting surface for mounting on the first surface of the sheet of glass for coupling light rays into and out of the glass; b) a sleeve disposed about the perimeter of said coupler and extending from said coupler opposite said mounting surface; b) tabs extending outwardly from said sleeve; c) a housing for fitting over said sleeve having a base and side walls extending from said base, said side walls having interior surfaces with grooves formed therein, said housing detachably fitting over said sleeve such that said tabs extend into said grooves for securing said housing to said coupler; d) a planar circuit board secured in said housing and having a device surface for receiving electronic components; e) an emitter mounted on said device surface for emitting light rays symmetrically about an emission axis; and f) a detector mounted on said device surface having a detection surface for detecting light emitted by said emitter and for generating control signals in response to said detected light.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 204 words

A moisture sensor for mounting on a first surface of a sheet of glass to detect moisture in a sensing area on a second surface of the sheet of glass, said moisture sensor comprising: a) a coupler having a mounting surface for mounting on the first surface of the sheet of glass for coupling light rays into and out of the glass; b) a sleeve disposed about the perimeter of said coupler and extending from said coupler opposite said mounting surface; b) tabs extending outwardly from said sleeve; c) a housing for fitting over said sleeve having a base and side walls extending from said base, said side walls having interior surfaces with grooves formed therein, said housing detachably fitting over said sleeve such that said tabs extend into said grooves for securing said housing to said coupler; d) a planar circuit board secured in said housing and having a device surface for receiving electronic components; e) an emitter mounted on said device surface for emitting light rays symmetrically about an emission axis; and f) a detector mounted on said device surface having a detection surface for detecting light emitted by said emitter and for generating control signals in response to said detected light.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 65 words

The moisture sensor of claim 17 further including a collimator extending from the surface of said coupler opposite said mounting surface for collimating light rays emitted from said emitter into a collimated light beam, and a focuser extending from the surface of said coupler opposite said mounting surface for focusing the collimated light beam into a convergent fan of light rays onto said detection surface.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 41 words

The moisture sensor of claim 18 wherein said emitter includes an emission axis extending from said emitter approximately perpendicular to said device surface, and said detector includes a detection axis extending from said detection surface approximately perpendicular to said device surface.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 123 words

The moisture sensor of claim 19 wherein said collimator includes a light receiving aperture with a physical center and an optical center such that an optical axis extends through said optical center and said optical center is spaced apart from said physical center, said collimator being disposed such that the optical axis forms a first oblique angle with respect to the emission axis, and said focuser includes a light transmitting aperture with a physical center and an optical center such that an optical axis extends through said optical center and said optical center is spaced apart from said physical center, said focuser and said detector being disposed such that said optical axis forms a second oblique angle with respect to said detection axis.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2002-04-26	2002-10-26	2003-04-27	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2006-04-26	2006-10-26	2007-04-27	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2010-04-26	2010-10-26	2011-04-27	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Compact moisture sensor with efficient high obliquity optics

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