Aspects relate to a sensor device 1 and a method for detecting properties of a medium having an inner space bounded by a wall. An open measuring capacitor is arranged in the inner space. A coupling capacitor with at least two coupling capacitor areas is arranged on the wall in such a way that at least a part of the wall is arranged between an inner coupling capacitor area and an outer coupling capacitor area. The inner coupling capacitor area is connected to the measuring capacitor 10.

A capacitive sensor includes a sensing electrode, a first electrode pad, a substrate, and a second electrode pad. The sensing electrode outputs a signal corresponding to a capacitance between the sensing electrode and a detection target. The first electrode pad is coupled to the sensing electrode. The substrate includes a substrate surface portion and a step portion. On the substrate surface portion are the sensing electrode and the first electrode pad mounted. The step portion is provided at a position in the substrate lower than the substrate surface portion. The second electrode pad is mounted on the step portion and coupled to an external line.

A capacitive sensor includes a sensing electrode, a first electrode pad, a substrate, and a second electrode pad. The sensing electrode outputs a signal corresponding to a capacitance between the sensing electrode and a detection target. The first electrode pad is coupled to the sensing electrode. The substrate includes a substrate surface portion and a step portion. On the substrate surface portion are the sensing electrode and the first electrode pad mounted. The step portion is provided at a position in the substrate lower than the substrate surface portion. The second electrode pad is mounted on the step portion and coupled to an external line.

The present invention is a wear sensing and monitoring system including: at least one sensor node, and wireless communication means, and a gateway node, and a remote monitoring and management node, wherein the wireless communication means are adapted to enable the at least one sensor node to have at least one-way wireless communication from the node to the gateway node. The gateway node is adapted to have at least one way wired or wireless communication from the gateway node to the remote monitoring and management node. Note that the two nodes may be included in the one device.

A method for nondestructive inspection of a flexible underwater pipe capable detecting a flooding of the annular space in which the armor layers are found. The method comprises the steps of arranging in the vicinity of the external sheath at least one pair of electrodes, measuring the impedance at the terminals of the pair of electrodes, at a frequency advantageously between 10 Hz and 10 MHz, and comparing the measured impedance with reference values so as to determine the nature of the fluid contained in the annular space.

Disclosed is a monitoring method for monitoring the film thickness of a lubricant within a lubricated bearing, the bearing having an inner ring, an outer ring and rolling elements being arranged between the inner ring and the outer ring/ The monitoring method comprises a capacitance measuring step for measuring the total capacitance of the bearing; a first calculation step for determining a film thickness of the lubricant based on the measured capacitance of the bearing and for determining whether the lubrication condition is fully flooded or starved, and when the lubrication condition is fully flooded, a second calculation step for correcting the film thickness determined in the first calculation step.

Disclosed is a monitoring method for monitoring the film thickness of a lubricant within a lubricated bearing, the bearing having an inner ring, an outer ring and rolling elements being arranged between the inner ring and the outer ring/ The monitoring method comprises a capacitance measuring step for measuring the total capacitance of the bearing; a first calculation step for determining a film thickness of the lubricant based on the measured capacitance of the bearing and for determining whether the lubrication condition is fully flooded or starved, and when the lubrication condition is fully flooded, a second calculation step for correcting the film thickness determined in the first calculation step.

A coated structure with a monitoring system includes a base having a base surface, a coating system having one or more layers of cured coat providing protection against surface degradation and being joined to the base surface in a base interface and extending in a thickness direction to an outer coating surface, at least one electrode made from a conductive material embedded in the coating system. The monitoring system is configured to generate an input signal in the at least one electrode and to read an output signal from the at least one electrode, and from the output signal, to determine cracking of the one or more layers of cured coat.

A chip crack detection structure, including a substrate, a first chip crack detection ring, a second chip crack detection ring, and a seal ring, is provided. The first chip crack detection ring includes multiple first conductive layers stacked over the substrate and electrically connected to each other. A bottom surface of a lowermost conductive layer among the first conductive layers is not in contact with any plug. The second chip crack detection ring surrounds the first chip crack detection ring. The second chip crack detection ring includes multiple second conductive layers stacked over the substrate and electrically connected to each other. A bottom surface of a lowermost conductive layer among the second conductive layers is not in contact with any plug. The seal ring surrounds the second chip crack detection ring. The seal ring includes multiple third conductive layers stacked over the substrate and electrically connected to each other.

A chip crack detection structure, including a substrate, a first chip crack detection ring, a second chip crack detection ring, and a seal ring, is provided. The first chip crack detection ring includes multiple first conductive layers stacked over the substrate and electrically connected to each other. A bottom surface of a lowermost conductive layer among the first conductive layers is not in contact with any plug. The second chip crack detection ring surrounds the first chip crack detection ring. The second chip crack detection ring includes multiple second conductive layers stacked over the substrate and electrically connected to each other. A bottom surface of a lowermost conductive layer among the second conductive layers is not in contact with any plug. The seal ring surrounds the second chip crack detection ring. The seal ring includes multiple third conductive layers stacked over the substrate and electrically connected to each other.