Apparatus for detecting particles in a fluid and a method for operating same
US5608316A · 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. A first coil is wound in a helix about the bobbin in the proximity of the debris collection chamber, wherein the induction of the first coil is responsive to the particle accumulation within the collection chamber. A reference coil is wound in a helix about the bobbin to compensate for changing fluid temperature. An oscillator is coupled to the first and reference coils for selectively energizing the coils with 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 nonferrous particles.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.