Abstract A device for detecting conductive and non-conductive material present in fluid systems and lines, such as hydraulic, lubricating or cooling systems. The basic device is a woven mesh screen, which is cylindrical, flat or other shape, and comprises conductors of alternate polarity and non-conductors. The conductors may serve as the fill yarn while the non-conductors serve as the warp, or vice versa. Preferably, the selected weave exposes the conductors on one side, i.e. facing into the flow of fluid, with the non-conductors on the downstream side. A chip is detected when it contacts a pair of conductors of opposite polarity, thereby completing an electrical circuit and energizing a signal. Provision is made for incorporating a pressure sensitive device with the screen wherein rate of buildup of both conductive and non-conductive debris on the screen will be indicated by the change in pressure differential across the screen. The device, therefore, is readily incorporated into circulating fluid systems of all types. An embodiment of the invention permits the device to perform the functions of both a filter and a detector wherein debris below a certain size is not electrically detected, but is filtered out of the system.
A cylindrically shaped woven wire screen comprising a plurality of electrical conductors and non-conductors, each of said conductors comprising two conductive members, said nonconductors being arranged substantially parallel to each other, said conductors being arranged substantilly parallel to each other and perpendicular to said non-conductors, one of said conductive members of each conductor being woven so as alternately to cross over the other conductive member of said conductor and under said non-conductors, means to connect said conductors to an electrical source for electrically polarizing said conductors in a selected manner and a generally conical shaped insulator which closes one end of said screen.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
103 words
A cylindrically shaped woven wire screen comprising a plurality of electrical conductors and non-conductors, each of said conductors comprising two conductive members, said nonconductors being arranged substantially parallel to each other, said conductors being arranged substantilly parallel to each other and perpendicular to said non-conductors, one of said conductive members of each conductor being woven so as alternately to cross over the other conductive member of said conductor and under said non-conductors, means to connect said conductors to an electrical source for electrically polarizing said conductors in a selected manner and a generally conical shaped insulator which closes one end of said screen.