Abstract: A moisture detection system includes an electrical conductor disposed on a surface of a substrate, an oscillator for outputting an oscillator signal at a predetermined amplitude and a predetermined frequency, and a resonator circuit coupled to the electrical conductor and responsive to the oscillator signal for outputting a resonator signal having an amplitude related to a resonant frequency of the electrical conductor. A filter circuit responsive to the resonator signal can output a rectified and filtered signal, and an analog-to-digital converter responsive to the rectified and filtered signal can output a digital signal related to the rectified and filtered signal. A sensor can be provided having a property that varies as a function of a temperature at or adjacent the electrical conductor. A controller can be responsive to the digital signal and the property of the sensor for causing another system to operate as a function thereof.

Abstract: A moisture detection system includes a moisture detector having a first electrical conductor, a first substrate having the first electrical conductor disposed on one surface thereof, a spacing layer coupled to the other surface of the first substrate, a second substrate having one surface thereof coupled to a surface of the spacing layer opposite the first substrate, and an electrically conductive layer disposed on a surface of a substrate opposite the spacing layer. A second electrical conductor can be disposed on the same surface of the first substrate as the first electrical conductor. The first and second electrical conductors can define interdigitated fingers. Circuitry is provided for stimulating the first electrical conductor with a predetermined frequency oscillator signal and for outputting a control signal that is responsive to the response of the first electrical conductor to the oscillator signal and an amount of moisture adjacent the first electrical conductor.

Abstract: A moisture detector can include a first elongated conductor disposed on a substrate. The first conductor can define a zigzag path between the opposite ends thereof. A second conductor can also be disposed on the substrate at least partially surrounding the first conductor. The second conductor can define between opposite ends thereof a zigzag path having a portion thereof that is positioned in substantially spaced parallel relation with the zigzag path of the first conductor along the sides thereof. A power conductor disposed on the substrate can be electrically connected to the first conductor intermediate the ends thereof via a gap defined between the ends of the second conductor. Ground conductors disposed on the substrate can be electrically connected to the ends of the second conductor. A temperature sensor can be utilized to correct the response of the moisture detector for temperature.