Method for characterizing materials by using a mechanical resonator
US7334452B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 23, 2002 |
| Grant date | Feb 26, 2008 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 23, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01N2291/0427
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Methods for monitoring a fluid composition include placing a mechanical resonator in the fluid composition and oscillating the resonator. The resonator can be a tuning fork resonator having tines oscillated in opposite directions and in opposite phases. A variable frequency input signal can be varied over a predetermined frequency range and oscillate the mechanical resonator at less than 1 MHz. A frequency-dependent resonator response curve can be stored in a computer memory and fitted to a model curve to monitor the fluid. The resonator can be coated with a protective coating. The resonator can be treated with a functionality designed to change a resonance frequency of the resonator after being exposed to a selected target chemical and the resonance frequency monitored to detect presence of the target chemical.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.