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Volume charge density measuring system

  • US 6,586,949 B1
  • Filed: 05/19/2000
  • Issued: 07/01/2003
  • Est. Priority Date: 12/03/1999
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A sensor for testing a material sample, comprising:

  • a housing having an electrically conductive shield;

    at least one chamber disposed within the housing for containing the material sample, the at least one chamber formed from an electrically non-conductive material and having at least one inlet and at least one outlet for allowing movement of the material sample through the at least one chamber;

    at least two electrical conductors corresponding to and disposed on opposite sides of the at least one chamber;

    a measurement circuit within the housing coupled to the at least two electrical conductors for producing a measurement signal having a frequency responsive to a capacitance defined by the at least two electrical conductors and the material sample between the at least two electrical conductors, the measurement circuit comprising;

    an oscillator circuit coupled to a first electrical conductor of the at least two electrical conductors; and

    a circuit ground potential coupled to a second electrical conductor of the at least two electrical conductors; and

    at least one of a first electrically-conductive extension and a second electrically-conductive extension, wherein the first electrically-conductive extension is positioned adjacent the at least one inlet, the first electrically-conductive extension having a first end for contacting the material sample in the at least one chamber, and a second end for connecting to a around potential, the first electrically-conductive extension conducting charges within the material sample to the ground potential; and

    wherein the second electrically-conductive extension is positioned adjacent the at least one outlet, the second electrically-conductive extension having a first end for contacting the material sample in the at least one chamber, and a second end for connecting to the ground potential, the second electrically-conductive extension conducting the charges within the material sample to the ground potential.

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