Moisture sensing devices

摘要

Capacitive moisture sensors for monitoring moisture conditions through the use of an electric field are provided, including sensing devices for determining the amount of moisture on a device and correlating this with an amount of moisture in the atmosphere to determine whether plants need more or less moisture. More specific embodiments of the invention provide a fringing capacitor sensor and a mesh cell sensor. Provided is a mesh cell sensor comprising: a first conductive electrode comprising a wire mesh array; a second conductive electrode disposed on a non-conductive support; an evaporative membrane disposed between the first and second electrodes; a box supporting the first and second electrodes and the evaporative membrane in a manner that provides for a hermetically sealed volume disposed between the evaporative membrane and the bottom of the box.

主权项

1. A fringing capacitor sensor for detecting moisture comprising:
a printed circuit board (PCB) comprising first and second conductive electrodes; an evaporative membrane disposed above the PCB; a void area of an inert gas in direct contact with the electrodes and disposed between the evaporative membrane and the electrodes; and a box supporting the PCB and the evaporative membrane, which box comprises a hermetically sealed volume disposed between the PCB and the evaporative membrane.