Non-vibrating capacitance probe for wear monitoring
First Claim
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1. An apparatus for monitoring surface variations on a component, said apparatus comprising:
- (a) a non-vibrating capacitance probe;
(b) means for positioning said non-vibrating capacitance probe in proximity to the component; and
(c) means for measuring the contact potential difference between the component and said non-vibrating capacitance probe.
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Abstract
A non-vibrating capacitance probe for use as a non-contact sensor for tribological wear on a component. The device detects surface charge through temporal variation in the work function of a material. A reference electrode senses changing contact potential difference over the component surface, owing to compositional variation on the surface. Temporal variation in the contact potential difference induces a current through an electrical connection. This current is amplified and converted to a voltage signal by an electronic circuit with an operational amplifier.
36 Citations
10 Claims
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1. An apparatus for monitoring surface variations on a component, said apparatus comprising:
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(a) a non-vibrating capacitance probe; (b) means for positioning said non-vibrating capacitance probe in proximity to the component; and (c) means for measuring the contact potential difference between the component and said non-vibrating capacitance probe. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A process for monitoring surface variations on a component, comprising the following steps:
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(a) imparting relative motion between the component and a non-vibrating capacitance probe; (b) monitoring the relative motion between the component and the non-vibrating capacitance probe; and (c) monitoring the contact potential difference between the component and the non-vibrating capacitance probe. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10)
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Specification