Piezoelectric vibration sensor for fluid leak detection
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A sensor comprising:
- at least one piezoelectric crystal having an upper surface and a lower surface;
a base having an attachment section defining an attachment surface, a first calibration mass, a second calibration mass, and a notch between the first calibration mass and the second calibration mass, the first calibration mass comprising a first calibration mass thickness greater than a thickness of the attachment section of the base, and the second calibration mass comprising a second calibration mass thickness greater than the thickness of the attachment section of the base, the base further defining an axis therethrough;
wherein a one of the at least one piezoelectric crystal upper surface and lower surface attaches to the attachment surface of the base; and
wherein the at least one piezoelectric crystal is positioned radially inward from the first calibration mass and the second calibration mass relative to the axis of the base.
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Abstract
A vibration sensor includes at least one piezoelectric crystal having an upper surface and a lower surface; a base having an attachment section defining an attachment surface and an at least one calibration mass; wherein a one of the at least one piezoelectric crystal upper surface and lower surface attaches to the attachment surface of the base; and wherein the at least one calibration mass is external to the piezoelectric crystal.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A sensor comprising:
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at least one piezoelectric crystal having an upper surface and a lower surface; a base having an attachment section defining an attachment surface, a first calibration mass, a second calibration mass, and a notch between the first calibration mass and the second calibration mass, the first calibration mass comprising a first calibration mass thickness greater than a thickness of the attachment section of the base, and the second calibration mass comprising a second calibration mass thickness greater than the thickness of the attachment section of the base, the base further defining an axis therethrough; wherein a one of the at least one piezoelectric crystal upper surface and lower surface attaches to the attachment surface of the base; and wherein the at least one piezoelectric crystal is positioned radially inward from the first calibration mass and the second calibration mass relative to the axis of the base. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method of manufacturing a sensor comprising:
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forming a base of the vibration sensor with an attachment section defining an attachment surface, a first calibration mass, a second calibration mass, and a notch between the first calibration mass and the second calibration mass, the first calibration mass comprising a first calibration mass thickness greater than a thickness of the attachment section of the base, and the second calibration mass comprising a second calibration mass thickness greater than the thickness of the attachment section of the base, the base further defining an axis therethrough; and attaching a piezoelectric crystal to the attachment surface of the attachment section of the base, the piezoelectric crystal positioned radially inward from the first calibration mass and the second calibration mass relative to the axis of the base. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14)
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15. A method of detecting vibrations with a sensor comprising:
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attaching the sensor to a piping member, the sensor including; at least one piezoelectric crystal having an upper surface and a lower surface; and a base having an attachment section defining a first calibration mass, a second calibration mass, and a notch between the first calibration mass and the second calibration mass, the first calibration mass comprising a first calibration mass thickness greater than a thickness of the attachment section of the base, and the second calibration mass comprising a second calibration mass thickness greater than the thickness of the attachment section of the base, the base further defining an axis therethrough; wherein the attachment section defines an attachment surface; wherein a one of the upper surface and the lower surface of the at least one piezoelectric crystal attaches to the attachment surface of the attachment section; and the at least one piezoelectric crystal positioned radially inward from the first calibration mass and the second calibration mass relative to the axis of the base; monitoring a signal output of the sensor; receiving a signal output from the sensor; and determining that the signal indicates that a vibration has been sensed. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification