Apparatus for detecting particles in a fluid and a method for operating same
US5608315A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 21, 1995 |
| Grant date | Mar 4, 1997 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 21, 2015 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01N33/2858
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
In one aspect of the present invention, an apparatus for detecting particles within a fluid is disclosed. A bobbin defines a debris collection chamber. Spaced apart first and second coils are wound about the bobbin in the proximity of the debris collection chamber, wherein the inductance of the coils are responsive to the particle accumulation within the collection chamber. An electromagnet is wound about the second coil to attract ferrous particles into the proximity of the second coil. A reference coil is wound about the bobbin to compensate for the changing temperature of the fluid. An oscillator is coupled to the first, second and reference coils for selectively producing an oscillating waveform at a frequency that induces eddy currents in the particles. The frequency of the oscillating waveform is indicative of the amount of accumulation of both the ferrous and non-ferrous particles.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.