Sand detection probe

Claim 2

A means for detecting the presence of particulate material in a flow stream through a conduit, said means comprising: a probe means having a housing; acoustical transducer means freely suspended within said housing, said transducer means responsive to vibratory energy implied thereon to generate a signal corresponding to said energy; means in said housing for allowing said housing to be filled with a noncompressible fluid; means on said probe means adapted for positioning said housing directly into the flow stream through said conduit so that when said probe is in place within said conduit the flow stream will impinge directly onto said housing; and means attached to said acoustical transducer means and extending from said housing for providing an output of said signal from said transducer.

Claim 3

The detection means of claim 1 including: a noncompressible, nonconductive fluid filling said housing whereby said acoustical transducer means is effectively coupled to said housing.

Claim 4

The detection means of claim 2 wherein said acoustical transducer means comprises: a piezoelectric crystal responsive to those high frequencies generated by particulate material impinging on said housing.

Claim 5

The detection means of claim 3 wherein: said output means of said acoustical transducer means comprises an electrical lead which also serves as means to freely suspend said transducer means within said housing.

Claim 6

The detection means of claim 4 wherein: said housing is an elongated, cylindrical tube which is adapted to be positioned within said conduit with its elongated axis perpendicular to said flow stream.

Claim 7

The detection means of claim 5 including: a thin layer of wear-resistant material affixed to the outer surface of said housing.

Claim 8

The detection means of claim 5 wherein: said conduit is horizontal and wherein said transducer means is positioned at a distance within said cylindrical tube necessary to insure that said acoustical transducer means will lie in the lower portion of said conduit when said probe means is in an operable position within said conduit.

Claim 9

The detection means of claim 4 wherein: said piezoelectric crystal is in the shape of a circular disc and said piezoelectric crystal has a primary resonant frequency in its thickness mode in excess of 100 kilohertz.

Claim 10

The detection means of claim 8 wherein: said primary resonant frequency is approximately 700 kilohertz.

Claim 11

A probe means for detecting the presence of particulate material in a flow stream through a conduit, said probe means comprising: a thin-walled, elongated, cylindrical housing closed at one end; a plug means closing said other end of said housing, said plug means having two openings therethrough, one of said openings providing a passage for filling said housing with a noncompressible fluid; means normally closing said one opening; an acoustical transducer means responsive to vibratory energy to generate an output signal; output means attached to said acoustical transducer means for carrying said output signal to a point outside said housing, said output means extending through the other of said openings and providing means for freely suspending said transducer means within said housing; and means on said probe means for positioning said probe means in said conduit so that said housing is placed directly into said flow stream with the elongated axis of said housing perpendicular to said flow stream.

Claim 12

A probe means for detecting the presence of particulate material in a flow stream through a conduit, said probe means comprising: a thin-walled, elongated, cylindrical housing closed at one end; a plug means closing said other end of said housing, said plug means having two openings therethrough, one of said openings providing a passage for filling said housing with a noncompressible fluid; means normally closing said one opening; an acoustical transducer means responsive to vibratory energy to generate an output signal; output means attached to said acoustical transducer means for carrying said output signal to a point outside said housing, said output means extending through the other of said openings and providing means for freely suspending said transducer means within said housing; and means on said probe means for positioning said probe means in said conduit so that said housing is placed directly into said flow stream with the elongated axis of said housing perpendicular to said flow stream.

Claim 13

The probe means of claim 10 including: a thin layer of wear-resistant material affixed to the outer surface of said housing.

Claim 14

The probe means of claim 11 wherein said acoustical transducer means comprises: a piezoelectric crystal in the shape of a circular disc having a primary resonant frequency in its thickness mode in excess of 100 kilohertz.

Claim 15

The probe means of claim 12 wherein: said primary resonant frequency is approximately 700 kilohertz.

Claim 16

The probe means of claim 13 including: a noncompressible, nonconductive fluid filling said housing whereby said crystal is acoustically coupled to said housing.

Claim 17

A means for detecting particulate material in a flow stream comprising: a housing; acoustical transducer means freely suspended within said housing, said transducer means responsive to vibratory energy to generate a signal corresponding to said energy; means in said housing for allowing said housing to be filled with a noncompressible liquid; means adapted for positioning said housing in relation to said flow stream so that, when said housing is in an operable position, said transducer means is responsive to energy generated by particulate material in said flow stream; and output means for providing an output for said signal generated by said transducer means.

Claim 18

A means for detecting particulate material in a flow stream comprising: a housing; acoustical transducer means freely suspended within said housing, said transducer means responsive to vibratory energy to generate a signal corresponding to said energy; means in said housing for allowing said housing to be filled with a noncompressible liquid; means adapted for positioning said housing in relation to said flow stream so that, when said housing is in an operable position, said transducer means is responsive to energy generated by particulate material in said flow stream; and output means for providing an output for said signal generated by said transducer means.

Claim 19

The detection means of claim 15 including: a noncompressible, nonconductive liquid filling said housing whereby said acoustical transducer means is effectively coupled to said housing.

Claim 20

The detection means of claim 16 wherein said acoustical transducer means comprises: a piezoelectric crystal responsive to those high frequencies generated by particulate material.

Claim 21

The detection means of claim 17 wherein: said ouTput means of said acoustical transducer means comprises an electrical lead which also serves as means to freely suspend said transducer means within said housing.

Claim 22

The detection means of claim 17 wherein: said piezoelectric crystal is in the shape of a circular disc and said piezoelectric crystal has a primary resonant frequency in its thickness mode in excess of 100 kilohertz.

Claim 23

The detection means of claim 19 wherein: said primary resonant frequency is approximately 700 kilohertz.