Abstract: A relaxation time constant associated with a fluid can be determined and then compared with a stored reference value. The difference between the relaxation time constant and the stored reference value can then be calculated in order to provide qualitative and/or quantitative data indicative of an adulteration of the fluid. The relaxation time constant associated with the fluid can be determined by first generating a static charge and then injecting the static charge into the fluid. The charge can then be collected from the fluid and utilized to determine the relaxation time constant.

Abstract: A torque sensor packaging system and method includes a torque member that includes one or more holes formed therein for receiving one or more respective fasteners associated with a sensing element. The sensing element can be connected to the torque member to the sensing element in order to transfer torque associated with the torque member to the sensing element for torque sensing operations thereof.

Abstract: A cooking oil quality sensing apparatus and system includes an acoustic wave sensor composed of one or more acoustic wave transducers configured upon a piezoelectric substrate such that when the acoustic wave sensor is in contact with cooking oil, the sensor generates acoustic wave data indicative of the quality of the cooking oil. An antenna can be integrated with the acoustic wave sensor, such that the antenna receives data an external source and transmits the acoustic wave data indicative of the quality of the cooking oil to the external source. An oscillator can be integrated with the acoustic wave sensor, such that the output of the oscillator contains data indicative of the quality of the cooking oil. The acoustic wave sensor can be coated with a material that is selectively sensitive and/or reactive to one or more fatty acids associated with or contained in the cooking oil.

Abstract: An acoustic wave flow sensor includes a piezoelectric substrate and a heater located immediately below the acoustic wave substrate. A heating element can be deposited in association with a plurality of acoustic wave components upon the acoustic wave substrate. The acoustic wave components, the piezoelectric substrate, the heater and the heating element operate in a high-condensation environment, such that the plurality of acoustic wave components are heated directly by the heater and/or the heating element, thereby promoting a desorption of water in the high-condensation environment in order to achieve accurate and reliable flow sensing data thereof.

Abstract: An acoustic wave sensor system, comprising a plurality of acoustic wave sensing devices for detecting a multiplicity of varying conditions wherein each acoustic wave sensina device among the plurality of acoustc wave sensing devices is an independent component for detecting at least one condition of the multiplicty of varying conditions and a common interrogation component that communicates with each acoustic wave sensing device among the plurality of acoustic wave sensor devices for providing an interrogation signal to each acoustic wave sensing device thereof. A transmitter and receiver unit can also be provided that communicates with the common interrogation component and the plurality of acoustic wave sensing devices and which transmits an interrogation signal from the common interrogation component to the at least one acoustic wave sensing device among the plurality of acoustic wave sensing devices and which receives sensor data from at least one acoustic wave sensing device.

Abstract: An acoustic wave sensor system for monitoring the etch rate or etch ability of a selective material has an acoustic wave sensing device having a piezoelectric substrate and at least one electrode coupled to the substrate for generating a propagating acoustic wave and for detecting changes in frequency or other propagation characteristics of the acoustic wave. A selective material is disposed on the substrate. Changes in propagation characteristics of the wave caused by etching of the selective material by an etchant can be analyzed to evaluate the etching rate or etch ability of the selective material. The sensing system can have a wireless sensing device which device is mountable in an oil filter system for monitoring the corrosion of the engine. The sensing device can be configured as BAW, SH-SAW, SH-APM, FPM devices or other acoustic wave devices.

Abstract: An oil quality sensor apparatus includes a housing that includes an oil flow path through which oil flows through the housing. One or more photo-detectors can be provided in association and a plurality of light-emitting devices located within the housing and proximate to the oil flow path. At least one light-emitting device among the plurality of light-emitting devices is sensitive to large particulates associated with the oil and at least one other light-emitting device among the plurality of light-emitting devices is sensitive to small particulates associated with the oil to thereby provide an indication of differences among particulates associated with the oil.

Abstract: A torque sensing system generally includes a torque sensor comprising a torque sensing element configured upon a substrate in association with an antenna for sending and receiving wireless signals. A plurality of electronic controlling components for controlling the torque sensor, wherein the electronic controlling components are configured upon another substrate in association with an antenna for sending and receiving the wireless signals to and from the torque sensor, such that the torque sensor is located on a rotating member in order to generate signals indicative of a torque associated with the rotating member, and wherein the signals are wirelessly transmittable from the torque the via the antenna configured upon the substrate in association with the torque sensor.

Abstract: An oil quality sensor system comprise an acoustic wave viscosity and an etch rate sensor. The etch rate sensor system includes a piezoelectric substrate and one or more sensing layers configured upon the piezoelectric substrate. A layer of gold is generally configured above the sensing layer(s), such that the gold layer provides protection to the sensing layer(s), thereby extending the operating life of the resulting etch rate sensor system. The sensing layer(s) generally comprises one or more reactive electrodes. The etch rate sensor system can be adapted for use in a permanent oil quality sensor application.

Abstract: A differential pressure flow sensor system comprises a disposable flow sensor which has upstream and downstream pressure sensing devices for detecting a differential pressure in a flow channel. Each sensing device comprises a diaphragm, a capacitor and an inductor electrically coupled to the capacitor so as to form an LC tank circuit. The capacitor and/or inductor can be mechanically coupled to the diaphragm such that a deflection of the diaphragm in response to fluid pressure applied thereto causes a change in the resonant frequency of the LC tank. The differential pressure and flow rate can be determined by detecting changes in the resonant frequency using interrogation electronics which can wirelessly interrogate the devices. A calibration capacitor and/or inductor can be formed on each sensing device and trimmed thereon for calibration purposes. Such pressure flow systems can be implemented in medical applications.

Abstract: A sensor calibration system includes a sensor having one or more sensing components formed on a substrate. A barcode can also be configured or printed from or on the, such that the barcode contains calibration data associated with a calibration of the sensor and the sensing component(s). One or more barcode readers can be provided which can scan the barcode and reads the calibration data associated with the calibration of the sensor and the sensing components thereof, in order to reduce the need for trimming the sensor while also providing for a reduction in associated manufacturing and production costs. A binning methodology can also be implemented for reducing overall sensor manufacturing costs.

Abstract: A wireless oil filter sensing system includes an oil filter and a sensing mechanism that is connectable to the oil filter. The sensing mechanism includes one or more acoustic wave sensing elements and at least one antenna that communicate with the acoustic wave sensing element(s). An external interrogation system could excite the acoustic wave sensing element(s) wireless and passively. When the acoustic wave sensing elements are in contact with oil contained in the oil filter, the acoustic wave sensing elements detect acoustic waves associated with the oil in response to an excitation of the acoustic wave sensing elements, thereby generating data indicative of the quality of the oil for wireless transmission through the antenna(s).

Abstract: A multiple-mode acoustic wave sensor apparatus includes an acoustic wave device comprising a piezoelectric substrate and at least one electrode on the substrate. When such sensor is used in a wireless configuration, a plurality of antennas can be configured on the substrate in association with the acoustic wave device, wherein each antenna among the plurality of antennas is responsive to varying interrogation signals transmitted wirelessly to the plurality of antennas in order to excite multiple frequency modes via at least one interdigital transducer on the substrate and thereby passively detect multiple and varying parameters of a sensed material utilizing the acoustic wave device.

Abstract: An acoustic wave acceleration sensor comprises an acoustic wave device including a plate that functions as a propagation medium and at least one interdigital transducer configured upon the plate. One or more antennas can be integrated with the acoustic wave device, wherein the antenna(s) communicates with interdigital transducers. Such antennas can receive wireless interrogation signals and transmit signals indicative of acceleration data.

Abstract: A method and system for detecting oil quality. The quality of engine oil can be determined utilizing an acoustic wave sensor to obtain viscosity and corrosivity data associated with the engine oil. The acoustic wave sensor is coated with a material that selectively reacts to at least one type of an acid in order to provide data indicative of the presence of the acids in the engine oil. The etch rate or the corrosivity of the engine oil can be determined based on the frequency data obtained as a result of the frequency measurement utilizing the acoustic wave sensor. The viscosity of the engine oil can additionally be obtained based on a measurement of phase and amplitude obtained from the data utilizing the acoustic wave sensor. The etch rate and the viscosity measurement provide data indicative of the quality of the engine oil.

Abstract: A sensor system for dialysis applications includes a plurality of pressure sensors, wherein each pressure sensor can be provided as an LC type sensor, and/or an RLC type sensor. Each sensor among the plurality of pressure sensors can be inductively coupled with a respective antenna among a plurality of antennas for the wireless transmission of pressure data. A dialysis machine is generally connected to the plurality of antennas, wherein the plurality of pressure sensors monitors pressure during operation of the dialysis machine to generate pressure data that is wirelessly transmitted to at least one antenna among the plurality of antennas.

Abstract: A viscosity and corrosivity sensor apparatus includes a substrate upon which one or more electrodes are configured. The electrode(s) are exposed to a liquid, such as automotive oil. An oscillator can be connected to the electrode, wherein the oscillator assists in providing data indicative of the corrosivity and data indicative of the viscosity of the liquid in contact with the electrode(s). A viscosity and corrosivity sensor is therefore provided in the same package.

Abstract: A multifunction sensor based on a bulk acoustic wave (BAW) device can be used to obtain measurements of a liquid's corrosivity, viscosity, and conductance. A front electrode and a back electrode can be used to excite vibrations in a piezoelectric substrate. Vibrations in the piezoelectric substrate cause an electrical signal that can be measured as a voltage differential between the front and back electrodes. The signal amplitude is an indication of the liquid's viscosity. The signal frequency is an indication of corrosivity because corrosion can change the sensor's fundamental frequency over time. A third electrode, a runner, can be placed near the front electrode. A voltage difference between the runner and the front electrode can cause a current to flow between them and through the liquid. The voltage difference and the current indicate the liquid's conductivity.

Abstract: An acoustic wave flow sensor is disclosed, which includes a sensor substrate and an acoustic wave diaphragm etched upon the sensor substrate, wherein mechanical stress or strain is concentrated in the acoustic wave diaphragm. One or more interdigital transducers can be configured upon the acoustic wave diaphragm, wherein the sensor substrate, the acoustic wave diaphragm and the interdigital transducer(s) form an acoustic wave flow sensor, such that when the interdigital transducer and the acoustic wave diaphragm are exposed to a fluid in flow, the fluid in flow causes the acoustic wave diaphragm to experience a change in the mechanical stress or strain resulting in a detectable frequency and/or phase change in order to provide an indication of fluid flow.