Timing system and device and method for making the same
View Patent ↗A timing device for indicating a passage of a duration of time is disclosed. The timing device in accordance with the embodiments of the invention has a grid array architecture. The grid array architecture includes an electrode structure with an anode layer, a cathode layer and a thermistor layer. The anode layer and the thermistor layer are electrically coupled through a plurality of cathode line structures. In operation the timing device is actuated through a suitable mechanism to initiate depletion of the anode layer and, thereby, indicate a passage of a duration time. As the anode layer depletes, sequential cathode line structures are exposed and the thermistor layer acts as a variable resistor through a plurality of exposed cathode line structures.
1. A timing device comprising:
a) a base layer;
b) an anode layer;
c) an electrolyte layer between the base layer and in electrical contact with the anode layer;
d) a cathode layer electrically insulated from the electrolyte layer;
e) a thermistor layer;
f) a plurality of cathode line structures in electrical contact with the anode layer and the thermistor layer; and
g) at least one contact line in electrical contact with the cathode layer and the thermistor layer.
2. The timing device of claim 1 , further comprising means to activate depletion of the anode layer in a depletion direction.
3. The timing device of claim 2 , wherein the plurality of cathode line structures are substantially perpendicular to the depletion direction.
4. The timing device of claim 1 , wherein the electrolyte layer is formed from a solid-state material.
5. The timing device of claim 1 , wherein the cathode layer is formed from copper.
6. The timing device of claim 1 , wherein the anode layer is formed from aluminum.
7. The timing device of claim 1 , wherein the base layer is formed from a material selected from the group consisting of plastic, glass and metal.
8. A timing device comprising:
a) an electrode structure comprising:
i) an anode material,
ii) a cathode material;
iii) a thermistor material; and
iv) a plurality of cathode line structures that are in electrical contact with the anode material and the thermistor material;
b) an electrolyte material; and
c) means for initiating depletion of the anode material and thereby indicating a passage of a duration time.
9. The timing device of claim 8 , wherein the electrolyte material is a solid-state electrode material.
10. The timing device of claim 8 , wherein the plurality of cathode line structures are formed from the cathode material.
11. The timing device of claim 8 , wherein the cathode material comprises copper.
12. The timing device of claim 8 , wherein the anode material comprises aluminum.
13. The timing device of claim 8 , further comprising a base layer that is formed from a material selected from the group consisting of plastic, glass and metal.
14. The timing device of claim 8 , further comprising an insulating layer positioned between the cathode material and the electrolyte material.
15. A method of making a timing device comprising:
a) providing a base;
b) forming an electrolyte layer over the base;
c) forming an electrode structure over the electrolyte layer, wherein the electrode structure comprises:
i) an anode layer;
ii) a cathode layer;
iii) a thermistor layer;
iv) a plurality of cathode line structures that are in electrical contact with the anode layer and the thermistor layer; and
v) at least one contact line in electrical contact with the cathode layer and the thermistor layer.
16. The method of claim 15 , wherein the plurality of cathode line structures are formed to be substantially perpendicular to a depletion in a direction toward the anode layer.
17. The method of claim 15 , wherein the electrolyte layer is formed from a solid-state material.
18. The method of claim 15 , wherein the cathode layer comprises copper.
19. The method of claim 15 , wherein the anode layer comprises aluminum.
20. The method of claim 15 , wherein at least a portion of the electrode structure is formed by vapor deposition.