Self-monitoring controller for quartz crystal Microbalance sensors
US6492601B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 1, 2000 |
| Grant date | Dec 10, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 11, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01N35/00871
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A controller for a quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) sensor system and method for detecting mass deposition on a QCM sensor. The controller controls a QCM using temperature-, voltage- and current-regulating circuits, a microcontroller, an oscillator, heating and cooling devices and circuits, high voltage grids, digital-to-analog and analog-to-digital converters, data telemetry and uplink circuits, and a remote user. The remote user may be a person, computer, network or data logger. The remote user allows the controller to be reconfigurable during operation. The controller samples and reports data faster and is more reliable over extended periods of operation. Further, the controller is assembled using innovative techniques making it smaller and thus more transportable, easier to incorporate into existing facilities and less expensive to construct and operate. The apparatus may also be assembled in a modular fashion that allows for customization.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.