Sensor arrangement and method for measuring fouling and/or erosion, and machine monitoring fouling and/or erosion
US12235242B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 20, 2020 |
| Grant date | Feb 25, 2025 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 9, 2041 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01N2291/2693
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A sensor arrangement used for measuring fouling and/or erosion in a machine. A first piezoelectric transducer, a first plate and eventually a first support member form a first vibrating mass. After electrically stimulating the first piezoelectric transducer, the first vibrating mass starts vibrating mechanically and consequently the first piezoelectric transducer generates an electric resonance vibration; the electric resonance vibration is at a resonance frequency depending on the mass of the first vibrating mass. If the mass of the first vibrating mass changes due to fouling and/or erosion by a flow of working fluid in the machine, also the electric resonance vibration frequency changes; such vibration frequency change may be measured and the corresponding mass change may be determined by comparison with a vibration frequency of a second vibrating mass not exposed to the flow of working fluid in the machine.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.