COMPOUNDS EVENT

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[001] The present invention relates generally to the field of detection of a surface event. More specifically, the present invention relates to the field of detection of surface event based on the release of volatile compounds resulted from the surface event.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[002] Detection of surface defects and processes occurring on the surface of an object, for example, corrosion, cracks, pilling of coating and the like, is done today using image analysis, visible inspection, electric resistance measurement or ultrasonic detection.

[003] These detection methods are complicated, expensive or labor consuming.

[004] Accordingly, there is a need for a remote system and method for detecting events related to the surface, for example, by sensing volatile compounds (VC) emitted from the surface in response to the event.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[005] Some aspects of the invention may be related to a method of detecting a surface event, comprising: applying on the surface of an object at least one Volatile Compound (VC) emitting layer, configured to emit one or more types of VCs in response to the surface event; and detecting the surface event, using one or more scent recorders configured to generate one or more signals in response to a VC emission from the VC emitting layer.

[006] In some embodiments, the surface event includes any event that changes at least one of feature of the surface of the object: a chemical composition of the surface, chemical compounds on the surface, biological compounds on the surface and a physical property of the surface. In some embodiments, the surface event is one of: a corrosion on the surface, pilling of a coating layer, one or more scratches, cracks, dimension change, presence of oil on the surface, generation of biofilm on the surface, presence of insects or pests on the surface, presence of organic materials, generation of mold on the surface, presence of liquid(s) on the surface and generation of heat on the surface.

[007] In some embodiments, a type of the VC emitting layer is selected to emit VC in response to a specific type of the surface event. In some embodiments, the method may further include: applying on the surface a first type of VC emitting layer, configured to emit one or more types of VCs in response to a first type of surface event; and applying on the surface a second type of VC emitting layer, configured to emit one or more types of VCs in response to a second type of surface event.

[008] In some embodiments, each of one or more scent recorders comprises: one or more VC detecting sensors and a communication unit for communication with a controller. In some embodiments, the method may further include determining, by the controller, a type of the surface event. In some embodiments, the method may further include determining, by the controller, a location of the surface event. In some embodiments, the method may further include determining, by the controller, an extant of the surface event.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[009] The subject matter regarded as the invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. The invention, however, both as to organization and method of operation, together with objects, features, and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following detailed description when read with the accompanying drawings in which:

[010] Fig. 1A a block diagram of a system for detecting surface related VC event according to some embodiments of the invention;

[011] Fig. IB is a block diagram of a scent recorder according to some embodiments of the invention;

[012] Fig. 2 is a flowchart of a method of detecting surface related VC event according to some embodiments of the invention

[013] Fig. 3 is an illustration of a surface related VC event according to some embodiments of the invention;

[014] Fig. 4 is an illustration of a surface related VC event according to some embodiments of the invention; and

[015] Figs 5A and 5B are illustrations of surface related VC events according to some embodiments of the invention.

[016] It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration, elements shown in the figures have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements may be exaggerated relative to other elements for clarity. Further, where considered appropriate, reference numerals may be repeated among the figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[017] In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, and components, modules, units and/or circuits have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the invention. Some features or elements described with respect to one embodiment may be combined with features or elements described with respect to other embodiments. For the sake of clarity, discussion of same or similar features or elements may not be repeated.

[018] Although embodiments of the invention are not limited in this regard, discussions utilizing terms such as, for example, “processing,” “computing,” “calculating,” “determining,”“establishing”,“analyzing”,“chec king”,“synchronizing” or the like, may refer to operation(s) and/or process(es) of a computer, a computing platform, a computing system, or other electronic computing device (e.g., a wearable electronic computing device), that manipulates and/or transforms data represented as physical (e.g., electronic) quantities within the computer’s registers and/or memories into other data similarly represented as physical quantities within the computer’s registers and/or memories or other information non-transitory storage medium that may store instructions to perform operations and/or processes. Although embodiments of the invention are not limited in this regard, the terms “plurality” and“a plurality” as used herein may include, for example,“multiple” or“two or more”. The terms“plurality” or“a plurality” may be used throughout the specification to describe two or more components, devices, elements, units, parameters, or the like. The term set when used herein may include one or more items. Unless explicitly stated, the method embodiments described herein are not constrained to a particular order or sequence. Additionally, some of the described method embodiments or elements thereof can occur or be performed simultaneously, at the same point in time, or concurrently.

[019] Some aspects of the invention may be related to an accurate method and system for detecting a surface related VC event. [020] A used herein the term“surface event” may be related to any event that takes place on the surface of an object and that changes a feature of at least one of: a chemical composition of the surface, chemical compounds on the surface, biological compounds on the surface and a physical property of the surface. Some examples to surface events may include a corrosion on the surface, pilling of a coating layer, one or more scratches, cracks, object dimension change (e.g., a diameter of the a pipe), presence of liquids on the surface, generation of biofilm on the surface, presence of insects or pests on the surface, presence (or changes in the presence) of organic materials, generation of mold on the surface, presence of water, oil, etc. on the surface, generation of heat on the surface and the like.

[021] As used herein the term“volatile compound” (VC) may be related to any volatile material, either organic or inorganic compound. Some examples for VCs may include: Cr2 _, O2, H2, CH4, NH3, CH3OH, SO _x , NO _x BTEX, Benzene, Toluene, Ortho-Xylene, Para- Xylene, Meta-Xylene, Glycol, Ethylbenzene and the like.

[022] As used herein the term“surface” may be any plane of an object that is exposed to the atmosphere (e.g., to a pure gas or mixture of gases). A surface may be the outer or inner part of an object (e.g., a pipe, an engine, a cabinet, etc.), a sealing, walls, floor and the like.

[023] As used herein the term“a surface related VC event” may be related to any surface event that may cause an emission of VCs from a layer coated or applied on the surface.

[024] Reference is now made to Fig. 1A which is a block diagram of system 100 for detecting a surface event according to some embodiments of the invention. System 100 may include one or more scent recorders 120 located in known locations with respect to the inspected surface(s) and a controller 130. In some embodiments, two or more scent recorders 120 may be included in a scent recorders array 110. The structure of each scent recorder 120 is better understood with respect to the block diagram, of Fig. IB.

[025] Reference is now made to Fig. IB which is a schematic illustration of a scent recorder 120 according to some embodiments of the invention. Scent recorder 120 may include one or more VC detecting sensors 122, for example, chemiresistors , metal oxide semiconductor (MOS), complementary MOS (CMOS), field-effect transistor-based biosensor, catalytic sensor, electrocatalytic sensor and the like, a communication unit (e.g., wireless or wired unit) 124 for communicating with controller 130 and a processor 126. Processor 126 (e.g., implemented on a chip) may collect readings from one or more VC detecting sensors 122 and send them as a signal to controller 130 via communication unit 124.

[026] Chemiresistor sensors may be adapted to detect the presence of volatile compound (VCs). Chemiresistor sensor may include a material or structure that changes its electrical resistance in response to changes in the nearby chemical environment, for example, due to the presence of VCs. Commercial chemiresistor sensors 112 for sensing VCs may include a sensing element made from one of: carbon nanotubes, graphene, carbon nanoparticles, conductive polymers and the like. These chemiresistor sensors are sensitive to cleaning and regeneration cycles which are required after each measurement, due to the nonuniformity nature of the sensor’s material. Another optional chemiresistor sensor may include metallic nanoparticles cores coated with organic ligands. The organic ligands may be bonded with the surface of the metallic core at one end and may be configured to be weakly bonded (e.g., interact) to a VC at the other end. The most suitable and widely used cores are nanoparticles of: Au, Pt, Pd Ag and further also alloys consisting of Ni, Co, Cu, Al, Au/Ag, Au/Cu, Au/Ag/Cu, Au/Pt, Au/Pd, Au/Ag/Cu/Pd, Pt/Rh, Ni/Co, and Pt/Ni/Fe.

[027] The most commonly type of organic ligands that may bond with the surface of a metallic particle having one of the above listed metallic cores is thiol (sulfides). Thiols can be bonded with the metallic cores via groups such as: alkylthiols with C3-C24 chains, co functionalized alkanethiolates, arenethiolate, (g-mercaptopropyl) tri-methyloxysilane, dialkyl disulfides, xanthates, oligonucleotides, polynucleotides, peptides, proteins, enzymes, polysaccharides, and phospholipids. These bonds are relatively stable in comparison with other organic ligands, but not stable enough and wear in time.

[028] In some embodiments, different chemiresistor sensors (e.g., having different cores and/or different organic ligands) may be included in a single scent recorder 120. In some embodiments, different chemiresistors may be configured to sense different VCs or familied of VCs, thus a signal produced by these chemiresistors may identify these VCs. Accordingly, each scent recorder 120 may reconfigured to sense and identify one or more types of VCs.

[029] In some embodiments, all scent recorders 120 in array 110 may be identical (e.g., having the same amount and types of chemiresistors 122). In some embodiments, at least some scent recorders 120 in array 110 may have different numbers and/or types of VC detecting sensors 122. [030] Refereeing back to Fig. 1A, controller 130 may include a processor 132, a memory 134 and an input/output unit 136. Processor 132 may be a central processing unit (CPU) processor, a controller, a programable controller or any suitable computing or computational device. Memory 134 may be or may include, for example, a Random Access Memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM), a Dynamic RAM (DRAM), a Synchronous DRAM (SD-RAM), a double data rate (DDR) memory chip, a Flash memory, a volatile memory, a non-volatile memory, a cache memory, a buffer, a short term memory unit, a long term memory unit, or other suitable memory units or storage units. Memory 134 may be or may include a plurality of, possibly different memory units. Memory 134 may be a computer or processor non-transitory readable medium, or a computer non-transitory storage medium, e.g., a RAM. In one embodiment, a non-transitory storage medium such as memory 134, a hard disk drive, another storage device, etc. may store instructions or code which when executed by a processor may cause the processor to carry out methods as described herein.

[031] In some embodiments, memory 134 may store an operating system that may include any code segment designed and/or configured to perform tasks involving coordination, scheduling, arbitration, supervising, controlling or otherwise managing operation of processor 132. In some embodiments, memory 134 may store a code or instructions for determining a location of a VC event according to some embodiments of the invention.

[032] Input/output unit 136 may include any unit/units that allows controller 130 to send and/or receive information from external devices, for example, scent recorders 120, 120A and 120B and user devices (e.g., laptops, tables, smartphones and the like). Input/output unit 136 may be or may include any suitable input devices, components or systems, e.g., a detachable keyboard or keypad, a mouse and the like. Input/output unit 136 may include one or more (possibly detachable) displays or monitors, speakers and/or any other suitable output devices. Any applicable input/output (I/O) devices may be connected to controller 130, for example, a wired or wireless network interface card (NIC), a universal serial bus (USB) device or external hard drive.

[033] Reference is now made to Fig. 2 which is a flowchart of a method of detecting a surface event according to some embodiments of the invention. The method of Fig. 2 may be conducted by system 100 and executed by processor 132, or any other suitable processor, according to instructions stored in memory 134 or in any other suitable memory. In step 210, at least one Volatile Compound (VC) emitting layer may be applied on the object’s surface. In some embodiments, at least one VC emitting layer may be configured to emit one or more types of VCs in response to the surface event. In some embodiments, VC emitting layer may be a coating applied to the surface of a component, for example, a pipe, a cover, a cabinet, an electrical component, a housing and the like. In some embodiments, VC emitting layer may be a coating applied to surfaces of other nature, such as, of sealings, floors, walls and the like. In some embodiments, the at least one VC emitting layer may include at least one reacting ingredient configured to undergo a VC emitting chemical reaction in response to the surface event.

[034] In some embodiments, VC emitting layer may include a base matrix (e.g., a polymer). For example, the base matrix may include, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP) and the like. In some embodiments, the base matrix may be configured to emit VC in response to a surface event, for example, in response to a rise in temperature or burning of the surface.

[035] In some embodiments, the VC emitting layer may include in addition to the base polymeric matrix one or more additional reacting ingredients. For example, the reacting ingredients may be a reactive chemical group attached to the chains of the polymers in the polymeric matrix. For example, reactive 4-hydroxybenzaldehyde chemical group may be added to Polystyrene for detection of corrosion surface event. 4-hydroxybenzaldehyde may be oxidized during corrosion formation for example.

[036] Phenol or any other aromatic chemical could be adsorbed on polymer chain or function group and oxidized during corrosion formation for example or released during heating of surface for example. [037] Some nonlimiting examples for an emitting layer for detecting the presence of water (e.g., from leakages, condensation, irrigation and the like) on a surface may include:

1) A layer configured to form an esterification reaction.

o o

I! IS

R - C - G - R' + H ® R - C - OH + R' -OH

Wherein RCOOR' is a polymer where R may be any organic chain of interest, for example, be any scaffolding such as beads (e.g., silica), nanoparticle, gel, polymer and the like and R' may be small organic group such as, CfR, CH3-CH2, CH3-CH2-CH2.

In some embodiments, the layer may include RCOOR' embedded or attached to the base polymer. In some embodiments, the layer may further include a catalyst that may activate the reaction at low temperature, such as room temperature. Upon a surface event of water presence on the surface, the water may come in contact and react with the RCOOR' group in the coating. The result of the reaction may be the formation of RCOOH polymer and small VCs such as, CH3-OH (i.e. methanol), CH3-CH2-OH (i.e. ethanol), CH3-CH2- CH2-OH (i.e. propanol). The VCs may diffuse and released from coating to further be detected by a scent recorder (e.g., scent recorder 120).

Additional examples are:

2) A layer containing acid halide reactive group that reacts with water to generate acid according to the following reaction:

o o

I! if

R - C - X + H ₂ G ® R - C - OH + HX

3) A layer containing anhydride reactive group that reacts with water to generate carboxylic acid according to the following reaction:

4) A layer containing amide reactive group that reacts with water to generate secondary amine according to the following reaction: 5) A layer containing nitrile reactive group that reacts with water to generate ammonia according to the following reaction:

o

§

R - C = N + 2H .0 ® R - C - OH + NH ₃

[038] In another example, the reacting ingredients may be one or more types of particles embedded in the base matrix and configured to release VCs in response to surface events. In some embodiments, each type of particles may be directed/ designed to emit different types of VCs in response to different types of surface events.

[039] In some embodiments, a VC emitting layer may include two types of particles embedded in a PET matrix. The first type of particles may include metallic iron configured to react with body fluids from pests or humans and the second type of particles/polymer may include PEG (discussed with respect to Figs. 3-4 herein below) configured to react in the presence of corrosion. Accordingly, such a layer may be configured to detect three types of surface events, corrosion, the presence of pests and raise in temperature.

[040] In some embodiments, the reacting ingredients may be dissolved into the base matrix, for example, dissolving glucose or penicillin in polymer or as reactive chemical group attached to polymer matrix for biofilm surface event detection.

[041] In some embodiments, the method may further include, applying on the surface a first type of VC emitting layer, configured to emit one or more types of VCs in response to a first type of surface event and applying on the surface a second type of VC emitting layer, configured to emit one or more types of VCs in response to a second type of surface event. In some embodiments, the first type of VC emitting layer, applied directly on the surface, may be selected to detect surface events that may be generated inside a component or an element related to the surface, for example, a leakage from a pipe coated with the first layer, a heat generated in an engine coated with the first layer and the like. In some embodiments, the second type of VC emitting layer may be selected to detect surface events generated by external influences, for example, humidity, presence of pests and the like.

[042] A schematic illustration of a surface event 300 occurred on a surface 310 of an object 300 (e.g., a pipe) is given in Fig. 3. Object 300 may be coated with a VC emitting layer 320 that includes reacting ingredient 325. In some embodiment, coated surface 310 may be in contact with a“touching material” (material that at least some molecules of which get in touch with the coated surface) which may be the cause of surface event 330. Such a touching material may be water, oil, acid, organic material form living body, air and the like. In some embodiments, reacting ingredients 325 located at the outermost portion of VC emitting layer 320 and may react with the touching material. In some embodiments, the type of VC emitting layer 320 (e.g., the type of reacting ingredients 325) may be selected to emit VC in response to a specific type of the surface event as disclosed herein above.

[043] Referring now to Fig. 4 which is a schematic illustration of a surface event (e.g., corrosion) according to some embodiments of the invention. A surface event 400 may be corrosion occurred on surface 310 of component 300 under VC emitting layer 320. The corrosion on surface event 400 may chemically react with reacting ingredients 325 of VC emitting layer 320 that may cause the emission of VC.

[044] A nonlimiting examples regarding corrosion of metals may include Fenton chemistry that may be used for degradation (i.e. oxidation) of polymer such as polyethylene glycol (PEG) and chemicals such as phenol or 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) or benzoic acid

[045] For example, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) was shown to be formed during the corrosion of iron, aluminum and other metals in the presence of an excess of oxygen (O2). The degradation of PEG may be achieved by reaction of H2O2 and, for example, Fe(OH)3 generated during corrosion. PEG oxidation for example may result VC emission, such as, alcohol, ester, formic ester, formic acid, formaldehyde, ethylene glycol, di-ethylene glycol, and tri-ethylene glycol

[046] As known in the art, Fenton chemistry use H2O2 and Fe(OH)3 at high concentration to eliminate high concentration of organic pollutants or polymers from waste water. However, the Fenton chemistry may be used in low concentration (i.e. 1-lOOOppms) to generate VCs that are the result of degradation (i.e. oxidation) of a coating according to some embodiments of the invention , that could then be detected by scent recorder (e.g., sent recorder 120) as an indication for corrosion. [047] Therefore, VC emitting layer 320 may include a polymer such as PEG or other polymers possibly with functionalities resemble to phenol, such as, poly vinyl phenol (PVP) and the like, that may be designed to be oxidized and degrade in the presence of corrosion species (e.g.,. H2O2 and Fe(OH)3but not limited to).

[048] Alternative nonlimiting examples of polymers may include, poly vinyl alcohol (PVA), polyacryl amide (PAM), poly acrylic acid (PAA), carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), 2-hydroxyethylcellulose (HEC), and methylcellulose (MC), Phenol polymer.

In some embodiments, other material, such as the alloying elements in steels, aluminum alloys, copper alloys and the like (e.g., C, P, Si, S, P, Cr, Ni, Mo, Ti, Se, Cb, etc.) may act as catalyst for degradation of polymer under ambient environment (e.g., RH and room temperature).

[049] Referring back to Fig. 2, in step 220, the surface event may be detected using one or more scent recorders configured to generate one or more signals in response to sensed VC emission from the VC emitting layer. For example, one or more scent recorders 120 located at known distances from object 300 (e.g., attached to a ceiling above the component) may sense the presence of the VCs by sensing a change in the electrical resistance in one or more sensors 122. One or more scent recorders 120 may generate and send a signal to controller 130 indicating the detection of VCs. Processor 132 may determine the type of the surface event based on the received signals. For example, processor 132 may determine the type of the sensed VC by the one or more sensors 122, therefore determine the type of emitting layer and the corresponding surface event. Alternatively, controller 132 may receive data indicative of the type of the emitting layer, e.g. from a data base, and determine the type of VC event based on the received signal and the known emitting layer.

[050] In some embodiments, processor 132 may determine the extent of the surface event, for example, based on the intensity and duration of the detected signal. In some embodiments, the controller may estimate the extent (e.g., the size the surface event). For example, the higher is the intensity (e.g., due to concentration) of the VC detected and the longer the duration at which these VCs have being detected, the lager is the damaged area. For example, a small a leak of water will result in less VC production during the reaction of water with the VC emitting layer, than a larger leak. In another example, corrosion tends to expand on the surface (e.g., below the VC emitting layer) therefore, may result in more VC release from reacting with portion of the VC emitting layer during longer time period.

[051] In some embodiments, processor 132 may determine or estimate the location of the surface event, for example, based on known locations of sent records 120. Processor 132 may identify the sent record(s) 120 from which signal(s) and may estimate the location of the surface event based on the location of each identified scent recorder and optionally the intensity of the signal received from each scent recorder, using triangulation methods.

[052] While certain features of the invention have been illustrated and described herein, many modifications, substitutions, changes, and equivalents may occur to those skilled in the art. It is, therefore, to be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit of the invention.

[053] Various embodiments have been presented. Each of these embodiments may of course include features from other embodiments presented, and embodiments not specifically described may include various features described herein.