Particle sensor plug with wireless casing connection
First Claim
1. A particle sensor for sensing the presence of metallic particles in a lubricating fluid circulating through a machine casing comprising:
- (a) a plug removably attached to the machine casing;
(b) a magnet attached to the plug and located so as to extend into the lubricating fluid such that metallic particles in the lubricating fluid are attracted to the magnet;
(c) a first coil located on and electrically insulated from the plug;
(d) a second coil located on the casing adjacent to the first coil so as to be inductively coupled therewith;
(e) variable resistance means located on the plug and electrically connected to the first coil such that an accumulation of metallic particles on the magnet changes the resistance of the variable resistance means thereby changing the inductance of the first and, consequently, the second coils as metallic particles build up on the magnet; and
,(f) electrical circuit means connected to the second coil to sense the varrying inductance of the second coil and generate an output signal.
2 Assignments
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Accused Products
Abstract
A particle sensor having a magnet for attracting and retaining metallic particles in a lubricating fluid is disclosed having a sensor to determine when the particles attracted and retained on the magnet have reached a predetermined level and to transmit this information to a machine operator. The sensor, which includes a plug removably attached to the machine casing, has a magnet which extends into the path of the lubricating fluid to attract and retain metallic particles. A pair of coils, one attached to the moveable plug and one attached to the casing adjacent to the plug are inductively coupled such that the accumulation of particles on the magnet changes the inductance of the coils. An electronic circuit converts the changes in inductance to voltage changes to activate an alarm or other signal to the operator when the threshold value has been reached.
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Citations
9 Claims
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1. A particle sensor for sensing the presence of metallic particles in a lubricating fluid circulating through a machine casing comprising:
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(a) a plug removably attached to the machine casing; (b) a magnet attached to the plug and located so as to extend into the lubricating fluid such that metallic particles in the lubricating fluid are attracted to the magnet; (c) a first coil located on and electrically insulated from the plug; (d) a second coil located on the casing adjacent to the first coil so as to be inductively coupled therewith; (e) variable resistance means located on the plug and electrically connected to the first coil such that an accumulation of metallic particles on the magnet changes the resistance of the variable resistance means thereby changing the inductance of the first and, consequently, the second coils as metallic particles build up on the magnet; and
,(f) electrical circuit means connected to the second coil to sense the varrying inductance of the second coil and generate an output signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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Specification