Abstract: An electric field sensor includes an insulating substrate, a plurality of electrodes, an insulator, a plurality vias, and a ground ring. The electrodes are disposed on the substrate. The insulator is disposed over the electrodes. The vias are coupled to the electrodes and extend through the substrate at a right angle to the electrodes. The ground ring is disposed around the electrodes and the vias and is configured to attenuate a sensitivity of the sensor to electric fields outwards of the ground ring.

Abstract: In some examples, a high-energy-density battery pack device includes a circuit board and at least two casing structures mounted on the circuit board. In some examples, the high-energy-density battery pack device also includes at least two cells electrically connected in series or in parallel through the circuit board. In some examples, each cell of the at least two cells is positioned in a casing structure of the at least two casing structures. In some examples, the respective casing structure surrounds the respective cell with an opening on one end of the cell.

Abstract: An electric field sensor includes an insulating substrate, a plurality of electrodes, an insulator, a plurality vias, and a ground ring. The electrodes are disposed on the substrate. The insulator is disposed over the electrodes. The vias are coupled to the electrodes and extend through the substrate at a right angle to the electrodes. The ground ring is disposed around the electrodes and the vias and is configured to attenuate a sensitivity of the sensor to electric fields outwards of the ground ring.

Abstract: A method of monitoring for the in-flight accretion of matter involves an electric field sensor applying a time-varying electric field to an engine surface of an aircraft while the aircraft is in flight. The electric field sensor is thermally-coupled and thermally-matched to the engine surface. A sensor monitor receives, in substantially real-time from the electric field sensor, at least one measurement set that includes a measurement of a phase and a magnitude of a current detected by the electric field sensor and resulting from the time-varying electric field. The sensor monitor generates an assessment, in substantially real-time, of an instantaneous accumulation of matter on the engine surface from the at least one measurement set. The sensor monitor activates an alarm upon the assessment indicating an accumulation of matter on the engine surface.

Abstract: A pipeline breach monitor includes an electric field sensor and a signal processing unit in communication with the electric field sensor. The electric field sensor includes an upper substrate, and a plurality of electrodes embedded in the upper substrate. The electrodes are substantially parallel to each other in the upper substrate and comprise at least one sense electrode and a plurality of elongate sensor electrodes disposed around the at least one sense electrode. The signal processing unit is configured to (i) apply a voltage signal to the sensor electrodes, (ii) receive at least one measurement set comprising a measurement of a phase and a magnitude of a current generated in the at least one sense electrode and the sensor electrodes, and (iii) generate an assessment of accumulation of a substance proximate the electric field sensor from the at least one measurement set and at least one predetermined substance accumulation profile.

Abstract: A pipeline breach monitor includes an electric field sensor and a signal processing unit in communication with the electric field sensor. The electric field sensor includes an upper substrate, and a plurality of electrodes embedded in the upper substrate. The electrodes are substantially parallel to each other in the upper substrate and comprise at least one sense electrode and a plurality of elongate sensor electrodes disposed around the at least one sense electrode. The signal processing unit is configured to (i) apply a voltage signal to the sensor electrodes, (ii) receive at least one measurement set comprising a measurement of a phase and a magnitude of a current generated in the at least one sense electrode and the sensor electrodes, and (iii) generate an assessment of accumulation of a substance proximate the electric field sensor from the at least one measurement set and at least one predetermined substance accumulation profile.

Abstract: A method of monitoring for the in-flight accretion of matter involves an electric field sensor applying a time-varying electric field to an engine surface of an aircraft while the aircraft is in flight. The electric field sensor is thermally-coupled and thermally-matched to the engine surface. A sensor monitor receives, in substantially real-time from the electric field sensor, at least one measurement set that includes a measurement of a phase and a magnitude of a current detected by the electric field sensor and resulting from the time-varying electric field. The sensor monitor generates an assessment, in substantially real-time, of an instantaneous accumulation of matter on the engine surface from the at least one measurement set. The sensor monitor activates an alarm upon the assessment indicating an accumulation of matter on the engine surface.

Abstract: In some examples, a high-energy-density battery pack device includes a circuit board and at least two casing structures mounted on the circuit board. In some examples, the high-energy-density battery pack device also includes at least two cells electrically connected in series or in parallel through the circuit board. In some examples, each cell of the at least two cells is positioned in a casing structure of the at least two casing structures. In some examples, the respective casing structure surrounds the respective cell with an opening on one end of the cell.

Abstract: A method of monitoring the accumulation of matter on an external surface of an aircraft involves applying varying electric fields to the aircraft surface, and a sensor monitor receiving a time-series of measurements of a temperature of the aircraft surface and a phase and a magnitude of a current induced in an electric field sensor unit from the varying electric fields. The electric field sensor unit is mounted proximate the aircraft surface. The time-series of the measurements varies in accordance with the instantaneous accumulation of matter on the aircraft surface. The sensor monitor generates an assessment of the accumulation of matter on the aircraft surface from a correlation of the time-series of the measurements with at least one predetermined matter accumulation profile. Each predetermined matter accumulation profile comprises a corresponding time-series of current phase, current magnitude and temperature measurements.

Abstract: A method of monitoring the accumulation of matter on an external surface of an aircraft involves applying varying electric fields to the aircraft surface, and a sensor monitor receiving a time-series of measurements of a temperature of the aircraft surface and a phase and a magnitude of a current induced in an electric field sensor unit from the varying electric fields. The electric field sensor unit is mounted proximate the aircraft surface. The time-series of the measurements varies in accordance with the instantaneous accumulation of matter on the aircraft surface. The sensor monitor generates an assessment of the accumulation of matter on the aircraft surface from a correlation of the time-series of the measurements with at least one predetermined matter accumulation profile. Each predetermined matter accumulation profile comprises a corresponding time-series of current phase, current magnitude and temperature measurements.