Advances in materials science and engineering require an interdisciplinary approach and understanding of the interrelationship of various sciences of technological issues in a comprehensive manner. Development of new materials and their utilization, export of conventional and advanced materials etc. reflect the economic status of a country. Sensor technology (sensor materials and intelligent smart material systems) is obviously an essential ingredient for the advancement of materials and processes. The large number of patents filed over the past few years in the area of sensor technology is an indication of the technological advancements in this area. Information technology has greatly helping the researchers to obtain and disseminate the latest information on advancements in various areas, expeditiously and reliably. 

Though a substantial increase in number of patents over the last few years can be considered as an indication of the awareness of protecting intellectual property of individuals and organizations in the field of science and Technology, one should also be conscious of the statement of Benjamin Franklin, " That we enjoy great advantages from the inventions of the others, we should be glad of an opportunity to serve others by an invention of ours". Realising the possibility for opposition to such a view, he further stated "I leave them to take their chance in the world. If they are right, truth and experience will support them; if wrong, they ought to be refuted and rejected. Disputes are apt to sour one’s temper and disturb one’s quiet. I have no private interest in the reception of my inventions by the world, having never made, nor proposed to make, the least profit by any of them". However, it is clear that the actual technological strength and the resulting economic growth depend on the working of the patents, i.e. the commercial exploitation of the inventions. 

Keeping in mind the promise this area of science has, with all the potential inherent in the advancement of science and technology, and with all the utility the technology has to offer, care, patience and husbandry of the concept must be exercised to ensure that the sciences and technology mature and reach their full potential. The sensor development undertaken at IGCAR is one step forward in this direction. Sensor research at IGCAR was initiated with the primary objective of developing sensors essentially for use in nuclear technology. It involves the entire gamut of fundamental investigations, identification of sensor concepts and their technological developments to provide reliable systems for field applications. Some of the sensors developed at IGCAR during the last five years include: hydrogen sensor, carbon sensor, oxygen sensor, polymer hydrogen sensor, thick film semiconductor sensors, sodium sensors, sodium leak detector, liquid sodium–proof ultrasonic transducer, eddy current flow sensor, magnetic flow meters, temperature sensitive magnetic switch, sensor based on ferrofluid emulsion for defect detection, eddy current sensor for high sensitivity scratch detection, split coil sensor for wire rope testing, acoustic resonance sensor for leak testing, ultrasonic attenuation sensor for measuring the neutron dose, magnetic Barkhausen noise detection sensors and SQUIDS.

"Imagination is more important than knowledge, for imagination embraces the world." 

Albert Einstein 

Usefulness of Patent Search

• To obtain information on the latest state of the art in various fields of Science and Technology

• Planning R&D Programmes

• Strategy for product development and improvement

• To withstand competition in commercial ventures

• To be in forefront

• Whether it has already been patented?

• Is the invention worth patenting? 

• Will it have any potential market in near future?

• Will the inventor’s establishment able to make a product out of it?

Facts to Know

• Only a few inventions ever make it to the marketplace! 

• Getting a patent doesn't necessarily lead to the chances of commercial success. 

Top 12 Patent Filing Countries- Calendar Year 1999
 

1999  Rank	1999 # Patents	1999 Share of All Patents	Country
1 2 3  4  5 6 7 8 9 10  11 12 Total	94,096 32,515  9,896  4,526  4,097 3,900  3,679 3,678  1,686  1,542  1,396  1,391  169,154	55.6% 19.2%  5.9%  2.7%  2.4%  2.3%  2.2%  2.2%  1.0%  0.9%  0.8%  0.8%  100.0%	United States Japan  Germany  Taiwan France United Kingdom  South Korea  Canada Italy  Sweden  Netherlands  Switzerland  All Countries

 

COUNTRY * 1998 1999 TOTAL Annual %

98-99 Increase

AUSTRALIA 830 832 1662 0.2%

AUSTRIA 408 505 913 23.8%

BELGIUM 755 718 1473 -4.9%

CANADA 3537 3678 7215 4.0%

CHINA 88 99 187 12.5%

DENMARK 500 588 1088 17.6%

FRANCE 3991 4097 8088 2.7%

GERMANY 9582 9896 19478 3.3%

INDIA 94 114 208 21.3%

PAKISTAN 2 0 2 -100.0%

SINGAPORE 136 152 288 11.8%

SRI LANKA 2 0 2 -100.0%

JAPAN 32119 32515 64634 1.2%

Some of the sensors developed at IGCAR during the last five years (for use in nuclear technology) 

• Hydrogen sensor

• Carbon sensor 
• Oxygen sensor 
• Oxygen gauges 
• Thick film semiconductor sensors 
• Sodium level sensors 
• Sodium leak detector
• Liquid sodium –proof ultrasonic transducer 
• Eddy current flow sensor 
• Magnetic flow meters 
• Temperature sensitive magnetic switch 
• Ferro fluid emulsion for defect detection 
• Eddy current sensor 
• Split coil sensors for wire rope testing 
• Acoustic resonance sensor for leak testing 
• Ultrasonic attenuation sensor for measuring the neutron dose 
• Magnetic Barkhausen noise detection sensors 
• SQUIDS 
• Some interesting US Patents 

• Steel and Iron Industry related Sensors 

US Patent 5,830,407 ; Cates Nov. 3, 1998 

2. Refractory monitoring temperature sensor and refractory erosion location measuring device 

US Patent 5,158,366 ; Nagai , et al. October 27, 1992 

3. Radiation thermometer for molten iron and method for measuring the temperature of molten iron 

US Patent 5,180,228 ; Tarumi, et. al. Jan. 19, 1993 

4. Method and sensor for detecting thermal history 

US Patent 5,975,758 ; Yokota, et. al. Nov. 2, 1999 

5. Flame detection monitoring system for detecting blockages in blast furnace injection paths 

US Patent 6,080,223 ;Mavronis June 27, 2000 

6. Process and apparatus for preheating and inserting scrap into a smelting furnace

US Patent 5,497,977 ; Schneider Mar. 12, 1996 

• NDT Sensors

US Patent 4,519,041 ; Fant , et al. May 21, 1985 

2. Ultrasonic distance sensor and monitoring of surface profile utilizing ultrasonic distance sensor 

US Patent 4,976,149 ; Ichikawa, et. al. Dec. 11, 1990 

3. High temperature ultrasonic testing of materials for internal flaws 

US Patent 4,898,034 ;Kupperman , et al. February 6, 1990 

4. Sensor and method for the in situ monitoring and control of microstructure during rapid metal forming processes 

US Patent 5,420,518 ; Schafer, Jr. May 30, 1995 

• An apparatus and method for viewing and analyzing the interior of a molten metal bath during treatment in a metallurgical vessel comprises a concentric pipe tuyere extending into the vessel below the surface of the bath and comprising an inner pipe through which a pressurized transparent fluid is passed, and an outer pipe forming, with the inner pipe, an annulus through which a cooling fluid is passed. 

• A sight glass is disposed in alignment with an opening in the inner pipe and with a centerline of the tuyere providing visual access to the interior of the bath. 

• An optical sensor is associated with the sight glass to receive and analyze light generated in the bath to determine molten metal properties such as temperature and chemical composition. 

• A compact and inexpensive refractory monitoring temperature sensor and a compact and inexpensive refractory erosion location measuring device which can effect continuous detection of erosion over a wide range and specification of a location of an erosion and further can be re-used and used continuously. 

• The temperature sensor includes at least two metal members and an insulating substance (2) filled between the metal members. 

• The sensor detects a condition of an erosion of a refractory not from a melting breakdown of the sensor but from a variation in insulation resistance of the insulating substance which arises from a high temperature of the refractory due to erosion of the refractory. 

• A method and apparatus relating to the real time automatic detection and classification of characteristic type surface imperfections occurring on the surfaces of material of interest such as moving hot metal slabs produced by a continuous steel caster. 

• A data camera transversely scans continuous lines of such a surface to sense light intensities of scanned pixels and generates corresponding voltage values. 

• The voltage values are converted to corresponding digital values to form a digital image of the surface which is subsequently processed to form an edge-enhanced image having scan lines characterized by intervals corresponding to the edges of the image. 

• The edge-enhanced image is thresholded to segment out the edges and objects formed by the edges are segmented out by interval matching and bin tracking. 

• An ultrasonic distance sensor generates ultrasonic waves and transmits same towards a target surface, the distance to which is to be measured, through a predetermined path. 

• The sensor is also provided with a reference surface which reflects ultrasonic waves, which reference surface is disposed within the aforementioned predetermined path of the ultrasonic waves. 

• A receiver associated with delayed pulse generators receives the ultrasonic waves reflected by the reference surface or by the target surface, selectively. 

• Elapsed time between transmission and reception of the ultrasonic waves derive the transmission velocity of the ultrasonic wave based on the known distance to the reference surface. 

• On the basis of the derived transmission velocity and the elapsed time measured with respect to the ultrasonic waves reflected by the target surface, the distance to the target surface is derived. 

Conclusions

• Patents are an integral part of science and Technology

• In addition to protection of IPR, patents also help to solve the industrial problems effectively

• Commercial exploitation of the patents is the key to actual technological strength.

• Inventor must ensure that the inventions make it to the marketplace. 

• Innovator, Management and the patent attorney play an active role for the effective making and utilization of patents