Abstract: A sensor includes a resonant transducer, the resonant transducer being configured to determine the composition of an emulsion. The composition of the emulsion is determined by measuring the complex impedance spectrum values of the mixture of the emulsion and applying multivariate data analysis to the values.

Abstract: An oven appliance with a sensor for sensing gases in the cooking chamber is provided. One or more features and methods are provided for detecting the gas levels in the cooking chamber to determine if the cooking chamber is clean or unclean. Features for initiating and terminating an oven cleaning cycle are also provided.

Abstract: A system for measuring component fluid levels in a multi-phase fluid is provided. The system includes a sensing assembly. The sensing assembly includes a primary coil and at least one secondary coil. The primary coil is wound around a sampling container that holds the multi-phase fluid. The secondary coil is disposed proximate to the primary coil and each of the at least one secondary coil is electrically connected to at least one capacitive element. Further, the system includes an analyzer that is inductively coupled to the at least one secondary coil. The analyzer is configured to measure a response of the at least one secondary coil in response to an excitation signal provided to the primary coil.

Abstract: A system includes a vessel system for a fluid, a sampling assembly and a resonant sensor system coupled to the sampling assembly. The resonant sensor system may include a subsystem that detects a set of signals from a resonant sensor system at a plurality of locations in the vessel. The resonant sensor system may also include a subsystem that converts the set of signals to values of a complex impedance spectrum for the plurality of locations and stores the values of the complex impedance spectrum and frequency values. A subsystem determines a fluid phase inversion point from the values of the complex impedance spectrum.

Abstract: A field-portable impedance reader is provided. The impedance reader comprises a reader antenna, an impedance compensator, a calibrator, and a synchronous sampler. The impedance reader further comprises a digital processor that receives and processes signals from the synchronous sampler. Further, a wireless system comprising the impedance reader of the invention is provided.

Abstract: A system for measuring component fluid levels in a multi-phase fluid is provided. The system includes a sensing assembly. The sensing assembly includes a primary coil and at least one secondary coil. The primary coil is wound around a sampling container that holds the multi-phase fluid. The secondary coil is disposed proximate to the primary coil and each of the at least one secondary coil is electrically connected to at least one capacitive element. Further, the system includes an analyzer that is inductively coupled to the at least one secondary coil. The analyzer is configured to measure a response of the at least one secondary coil in response to an excitation signal provided to the primary coil.

Abstract: An integrated interrogator for a RFID sensor is provided. The integrated interrogator comprises a digital reader in communication with the RFID sensor, an impedance reader in communication with the RFID sensor, and one or more controllers that coordinate actions of the digital reader and the impedance reader.

Abstract: A sensor includes a resonant transducer, the resonant transducer being configured to determine the composition of an emulsion. The composition of the emulsion is determined by measuring the complex impedance spectrum values of the mixture of the emulsion and applying multivariate data analysis to the values.

Abstract: A system includes a vessel system for a fluid, a sampling assembly and a resonant sensor system coupled to the sampling assembly. The resonant sensor system may include a subsystem that detects a set of signals from a resonant sensor system at a plurality of locations in the vessel. The resonant sensor system may also include a subsystem that converts the set of signals to values of a complex impedance spectrum for the plurality of locations and stores the values of the complex impedance spectrum and frequency values. A subsystem determines a fluid phase inversion point from the values of the complex impedance spectrum.

Abstract: A boiling water reactor includes a reactor pressure vessel having a feedwater inlet for the introduction of recycled steam condensate and/or makeup coolant into the vessel, and a steam outlet for the discharge of produced steam for appropriate work. A fuel core is located within a lower area of the pressure vessel. The fuel core is surrounded by a core shroud spaced inward from the wall of the pressure vessel to provide an annular downcomer forming a coolant flow path between the vessel wall and the core shroud. A probe system that includes a combination of conductivity/resistivity probes and/or one or more time-domain reflectometer (TDR) probes is at least partially located within the downcomer. The probe system measures the coolant level and flow velocity within the downcomer.

Abstract: A sensing device for sensing one or more conditions inside a container is provided. The sensing device comprises a radio frequency based sensor; a support for positioning the sensor in operative proximity to the inside of the container, and a pick-up coil in operative association with the sensor.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention described herein is directed to a detection system utilizing at least one radiofrequency identification (RFID) sensor comprising: an RFID sensor comprising: a substrate; an antenna; a sensor material selected to be sensitive to one of chemical or biological environment; and a reader, wherein said reader is configured to measure a signal in the form of a complex impedance from said RFID tag wherein said signal comprises a plurality of frequencies and a frequency shift of the maximum of the imaginary part of the complex impedance, a frequency shift of the minimum of the imaginary part of the complex impedance, a frequency shift of the maximum of the real part of the complex impedance, and changes in magnitude of the real part of the complex impedance; and, wherein said complex impedance is related to a nature and a concentration of analyte species derived from multivariate analysis.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include a wireless sensor, such as an RFID tag, that includes a substrate, an antenna disposed on the substrate, and an environmentally sensitive sensor material disposed over at least a portion of said substrate. Other embodiments an RFID tag and at least one antibody coupled to the RFID tag. The RFID tag includes a substrate, circuitry disposed on the substrate, and an antenna coupled to the substrate. The at least one antibody is capable of affecting the signals emanating from the RFID tag. Further embodiments include a detection system that includes a reader. Yet other embodiments include a method for detecting specific analytes. The method includes providing an RFID tag which emanates a first signal having a first frequency, and enabling the REID tag to emanate a second signal having a second frequency upon attraction of a specific analyte to the RFID tag.

Abstract: A method for sensing physical, chemical, and biological characteristics of an environment is provided. The method comprises using a radio frequency identification (RFID) sensor component having a predetermined range of power initiation levels and having predetermined resonant circuit parameters comprising the steps of activating the RFID sensor component and determining whether a range of power levels, needed for activating the sensor component, is below the predetermined range of power initiation levels; sensing at least one of the physical, chemical, and biological characteristics of the environment; quantifying the sensed characteristic of the environment using one or more selected resonant parameters, wherein the selection of parameters is based in part on the range of power levels needed to activate the sensor.

Abstract: A sensor is provided. The sensor comprises at least one sensing device comprising a first electrode and a second electrode, and a gap defined as a distance between one or more facing inner surfaces of the first and second electrodes, wherein the gap distance at least in part determines a threshold of one or more sensed parameters, and an antenna in operative association with the sensing device.

Abstract: A field-portable impedance reader is provided. The impedance reader comprises a reader antenna, an impedance compensator, a calibrator, and a synchronous sampler. The impedance reader further comprises a digital processor that receives and processes signals from the synchronous sampler. Further, a wireless system comprising the impedance reader of the invention is provided.

Abstract: An integrated interrogator for a RFID sensor is provided. The integrated interrogator comprises a digital reader in communication with the RFID sensor, an impedance reader in communication with the RFID sensor, and one or more controllers that coordinate actions of the digital reader and the impedance reader.

Abstract: A temperature independent pressure sensor for selectively determining pressure is provided. The sensor comprises a resonance sensor circuit, a pressure sensitive component disposed on the sensor circuit, and an electromagnetic field modulator. A temperature independent pressure sensor system comprises a resonance sensor circuit, a pressure sensitive component disposed on the sensor circuit, an electromagnetic field modulator, and a processor that generates a multivariate analysis of sensor response pattern that is based on a change in an environmental pressure of the sensor system. A method of detecting a pressure response pattern in a temperature independent manner is also provided.

Abstract: An article includes a substrate assembly for use in a detector system. The substrate assembly includes a substrate; a sample reception structure secured to the substrate; a test window extending through the substrate; and a fluid channel defined by a surface of the substrate and extending from the sample reception structure to the test window.

Abstract: The present invention related to devices and methods for using ferrite alignment keys in wireless remote sensor assemblies. In one aspect, the invention provides wireless resonant sensor assemblies comprising a pick-up coil, a ferrite alignment key positioned in and extending from the pick-up coil, and wireless resonant sensor having a receiving element wherein the pick-up coil and the wireless resonant sensor align upon insertion of the ferrite alignment key into the receiving element. The ferrite alignment key may also be part of a resonant sensor such that insertion of a pick-up coil into a receiving element of the alignment key results in a configuration where the alignment key is positioned in and extended from the pick-up coil. Methods of measuring one or more parameters of a monitoring system are also provided. The insertion of the ferrite alignment key aligns the pick-up coil and wireless resonant sensor thereby increasing sensing of the wireless resonant sensor by the pick-up coil.