Infrared Moisture Sensor with Thermoplastic Polyethylene

Published March 20, 2020

This white paper proposes a new type of moisture sensor comprising an infrared temperature sensing device situated behind a polyethylene material. In one aspect of the moisture sensor, the moisture sensor has a flat metal plate that is involved in measuring moisture content of a substance (including, for example, grain) flowing past and/or against the plate. Specifically, the plate allows for the measurement of the capacitance of the substance flowing past and/or against it, while a separate, reference capacitance measurement is made. The moisture sensor also obtains a temperature reading of the substance by using, for example, a commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) infrared temperature sensor situated behind a polyethylene material, wherein the polyethylene material is situated on the same plane as the flat metal plate. In addition, the infrared measurement may be adjusted based on parameters of the polyethylene material.

A mathematical equation comprising the capacitance measurement of the substance, the reference capacitance measurement, and the temperature obtained via the infrared temperature sensor is used to determine the moisture content of the substance.

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