US3879992A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Multiple crystal oscillator measuring apparatus
Assignee: California Institute of Technology
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Filing: 1971-12-08
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Granted: 1975-04-29
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Expires: 1991-12-08
Abstract
Abstract Crystal oscillators are described for measuring an environmental characteristic such as the density of a particular gas, even though other characteristics such as temperature are changing that also affect the oscillator frequencies. The apparatus includes two oscillator assemblies with both of their crystal structures uncovered and close together to experience the same temperature and mass accretion, and with the crystal structures having the same mass accretion coefficient (change of frequency per unit increase in mass) but different temperature coefficients. The difference in crystal oscillating frequencies, which is due solely to temperature change since their mass accretion coefficients are equal, is monitored to determine their temperature. The frequency of either crystal at the thus determined temperature indicates its mass accretion. The fact that both crystals are uncovered means that they both respond rapidly to environmental changes, so that measurements can be made in a short time.
Inventors
- 👤 Ralph E Bartera
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 21:06
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N29/00; G01N29/02; G01N29/036; G01B; G01B7/00; G01B7/02; G01B7/06; G01B7/063; G01B7/066; G01K; G01K7/00; G01K7/32; G01N2291/00; G01N2291/02; G01N2291/025; G01N2291/0256
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 31
Claim 1
Independent Claim
100 words
Apparatus for use in measuring temperature and mass accretion in a deposition environment by the use of oscillation circuits comprising: first and second crystal means with surfaces, said crystal means having a ratio of frequency-temperature coefficients different from the ratios of their frequency-mass accretion coefficients; means for holding said crystal means adjacent to one another for exposure of their surfaces to the same deposition environment, so they experience substantially the same temperature and the same mass accretion per unit area; and means for coupling said crystal means to different oscillation circuits to permit the measurement of their individual frequency changes.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
100 words
Apparatus for use in measuring temperature and mass accretion in a deposition environment by the use of oscillation circuits comprising: first and second crystal means with surfaces, said crystal means having a ratio of frequency-temperature coefficients different from the ratios of their frequency-mass accretion coefficients; means for holding said crystal means adjacent to one another for exposure of their surfaces to the same deposition environment, so they experience substantially the same temperature and the same mass accretion per unit area; and means for coupling said crystal means to different oscillation circuits to permit the measurement of their individual frequency changes.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
60 words
The apparatus described in claim 1 wherein: said first and second crystal means comprise first and second crystals joined in a lap joint so that edge portions thereof overlap, first and second back electrodes disposed at portions of said crystals which are spaced form said lap joint, and a continuous front electrode extending over the front faces of said crystals.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus described in claim 1 wherein: said first and second crystal means includes first and second crystals that have edge portions in thermal contact, and a continuous film of conductive material extending between the faces of said crystals.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
84 words
Apparatus described in claim 1 wherein: said first and second crystal means include a pair of crystals constructed to oscillate at approximately the same frequency, said crystals having the same frequency-mass accretion coefficient and having substantially different frequency-temperature coefficients; and including first oscillator means coupled to said first crystal means; second oscillator means coupled to said second crystal means; and means coupled to said first and second oscillator means to derive the difference between their frequencies, whereby to derive a quantity directly indicating temperature.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
73 words
Apparatus for use in a depositing environment comprising: first and second crystal structures having substantially the same frequency-mass accretion coefficients and different frequency-temperature coefficients; and means for mounting said crystal structures in thermal contact with each other and exposed to the ambient environment, for receiving mass accretions that can change the frequencies of oscillation of said crystals, said means for mounting including electrode meanS for carrying currents to said crystals to oscillate them.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
73 words
Apparatus for use in a depositing environment comprising: first and second crystal structures having substantially the same frequency-mass accretion coefficients and different frequency-temperature coefficients; and means for mounting said crystal structures in thermal contact with each other and exposed to the ambient environment, for receiving mass accretions that can change the frequencies of oscillation of said crystals, said means for mounting including electrode meanS for carrying currents to said crystals to oscillate them.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
75 words
The apparatus described in claim 5 including: first and second oscillator means coupled to said electrode means for providing currents to said crystals to oscillate them; means coupled to said first and second oscillator means for generating a difference signal indicating the difference between their frequencies; and plotting means having a first input coupled to one of said oscillator means and a second input coupled to said means for generating a graph showing their relationship.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
108 words
A method for measuring the level of depositable material in an environmental comprising: positioning first and second crystals which have a ratio of frequency-temperature coefficients different from the ratio of their frequency-mass accretion coefficients, in thermal contact with each other so they have the same temperature, and in said environment so that said depositable material can be deposited on both of them; and oscillating both of said crystals to generate first and second oscillator signals at the frequencies of oscillation of said first and second crystals, whereby to determine two frequency changes which enable calculations of temperature change or mass accretion by the solution of two simultaneous equations.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
108 words
A method for measuring the level of depositable material in an environmental comprising: positioning first and second crystals which have a ratio of frequency-temperature coefficients different from the ratio of their frequency-mass accretion coefficients, in thermal contact with each other so they have the same temperature, and in said environment so that said depositable material can be deposited on both of them; and oscillating both of said crystals to generate first and second oscillator signals at the frequencies of oscillation of said first and second crystals, whereby to determine two frequency changes which enable calculations of temperature change or mass accretion by the solution of two simultaneous equations.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
64 words
The method described in claim 7 wherein: said first and second crystals have the same frequency-mass accretion coefficients and different frequency-temperature coefficients; and including deriving a difference signal proportional to the difference in frequency of said first and second oscillator signals; and plotting a graph having said difference signal as one variable and the value of one of said oscillator signals as another variable.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
124 words
Apparatus for measuring an environmental characteristic comprising: first and second crystal means, each having a surface portion whose temperature and mass affect the frequency of the crystal means, said crystal means having a ratio of frequency-temperature coefficient different from the ratios of their frequency-mass accretion coefficients; means for holding said crystal means adjacent to one another for exposure of said surface portions to the same deposition environment, so they experience substantially the same temperature and a constant ratio of mass accretion; first and second oscillation circuits coupled to said first and second crystal means respectively, to oscillate them; and means responsive to the frequency of oscillation of said first and second crystal means for indicating a characteristic of the environment of said crystal means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
124 words
Apparatus for measuring an environmental characteristic comprising: first and second crystal means, each having a surface portion whose temperature and mass affect the frequency of the crystal means, said crystal means having a ratio of frequency-temperature coefficient different from the ratios of their frequency-mass accretion coefficients; means for holding said crystal means adjacent to one another for exposure of said surface portions to the same deposition environment, so they experience substantially the same temperature and a constant ratio of mass accretion; first and second oscillation circuits coupled to said first and second crystal means respectively, to oscillate them; and means responsive to the frequency of oscillation of said first and second crystal means for indicating a characteristic of the environment of said crystal means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
106 words
Apparatus for measuring temperature in a depositing environment comprising: first and second crystal means, said crystal means having a ratio of frequency-temperature coefficients different from the ratios of their frequency-mass accretion coefficients; means for holding said crystal means adjacent to one another for exposure of surface portions of each crystal means to the same deposition environment, so they experience substantially the same temperature and a constant ratio of mass accretion; first and second oscillation circuits coupled to said first and second crystal means, respectively, to oscillate them; and means responsive to the frequencies of oscillation of said first and second crystal means for indicating their temperature.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
106 words
Apparatus for measuring temperature in a depositing environment comprising: first and second crystal means, said crystal means having a ratio of frequency-temperature coefficients different from the ratios of their frequency-mass accretion coefficients; means for holding said crystal means adjacent to one another for exposure of surface portions of each crystal means to the same deposition environment, so they experience substantially the same temperature and a constant ratio of mass accretion; first and second oscillation circuits coupled to said first and second crystal means, respectively, to oscillate them; and means responsive to the frequencies of oscillation of said first and second crystal means for indicating their temperature.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
110 words
Apparatus for measuring the concentration of a component in a deposition environment comprising: first and second crystal means, said crystal means having a ratio of frequency-temperature coefficients different from the ratios of their frequency-mass accretion coefficients; means for holding said crystal means adjacent to one another for exposure to the same deposition environment, so they experience substantially the same temperature and a constant ratio of mass accretion; first and second oscillation circuits coupled to said first and second crystal means, respectively, to oscillate Them; and means responsive to the frequency of oscillation of said first and second crystal means for indicating the concentration of a depositable component in the environment.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
110 words
Apparatus for measuring the concentration of a component in a deposition environment comprising: first and second crystal means, said crystal means having a ratio of frequency-temperature coefficients different from the ratios of their frequency-mass accretion coefficients; means for holding said crystal means adjacent to one another for exposure to the same deposition environment, so they experience substantially the same temperature and a constant ratio of mass accretion; first and second oscillation circuits coupled to said first and second crystal means, respectively, to oscillate Them; and means responsive to the frequency of oscillation of said first and second crystal means for indicating the concentration of a depositable component in the environment.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
121 words
Oscillator apparatus for measuring at least one variable environmental parameter, in an environment where at least one other parameter also changes which can also affect oscillator frequency comprising: a plurality of crystal means with individual oscillation frequencies that vary in accordance with variations of each of a plurality of said environmental parameters, but which have different ratios of frequency sensitivities for different of said plurality of parameters; means for supporting said plurality of crystal means for exposure of each of them to all of said plurality of parameters; means for oscillating each of said crystal means; and means responsive to the frequencies of oscillations of said plurality of crystal means for indicating the level of at least one of said parameters.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
121 words
Oscillator apparatus for measuring at least one variable environmental parameter, in an environment where at least one other parameter also changes which can also affect oscillator frequency comprising: a plurality of crystal means with individual oscillation frequencies that vary in accordance with variations of each of a plurality of said environmental parameters, but which have different ratios of frequency sensitivities for different of said plurality of parameters; means for supporting said plurality of crystal means for exposure of each of them to all of said plurality of parameters; means for oscillating each of said crystal means; and means responsive to the frequencies of oscillations of said plurality of crystal means for indicating the level of at least one of said parameters.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
41 words
The oscillator apparatus described in claim 12 wherein: said crystal means includes a slab of oscillatory material, electrode means on a first face thereof, and first and second spaced electrodes on a second face thereof defining first and second crystal means.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
73 words
The oscillator apparatus described in claim 12 wherein: said crystal means includes first and second portions of oscillatory material in intimate contact, first and second spaced electrodes respectively disposed on face regions of said first and second portions of oscillatory material, and a continuous film of highly electrically and heat conductive material extending over face regions of said first and second portions of oscillatory material which are opposite said first and second electrodes.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
31 words
The oscillator apparatus described in claim 12 wherein: at least two of said crystal means include coatings of different absorbable material for absorbing different ratios of absorable materials form the environment.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
162 words
The oscillator apparatus described in claim 12 wherein: said plurality of crystal means includes multiple pairs of crystal means, a first crystal means in each pair having substantially the same first ratio of frequency sensitivities for first and second of said parameters as the first crystal means in each of the other pairs, and the second crystal means of each pair having substantially the same second ratio of frequency sensitivities for said first and second parameters as the second crystal means in each of the other pairs; said means for oscillating includes a plurality of oscillator circuits for oscillating each of said crystal means; and said means for indicating the level of at least one of said parameters includes means coupled to all of said oscillator circuits for deriving a signal value equal to the difference between all of the oscillations of said first crystal means and all of the oscillations of said second crystal means during the same predetermined time period.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
48 words
The oscillation apparatus described in claim 12 wherein: said plurality of crystal means includes first and second crystal means, said first crystal means having a different ratio of sensitivity to transient applications of energy as to steady state applications of the same energy than said second crystal means.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
122 words
Apparatus useful in measuring the concentration of a predetermined depositable material in an environment, by the use of oscillation circuits, comprising: first and second crystal means with surfaces that can receive said depositable material, each crystal means having a oscillation frequency that varies in accordance with the concentration of said depositable material and also in accordance with the temperature of the crystal means, but the ratio of frequency-temperature coefficient to frequency-concentration of said material coefficient for said first crystal means being different than for said second crystal means; and means for holding said first and second crystal means adjacent to one another for exposure of their surfaces to the same deposition environment and so that they are both at the same temperature.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
122 words
Apparatus useful in measuring the concentration of a predetermined depositable material in an environment, by the use of oscillation circuits, comprising: first and second crystal means with surfaces that can receive said depositable material, each crystal means having a oscillation frequency that varies in accordance with the concentration of said depositable material and also in accordance with the temperature of the crystal means, but the ratio of frequency-temperature coefficient to frequency-concentration of said material coefficient for said first crystal means being different than for said second crystal means; and means for holding said first and second crystal means adjacent to one another for exposure of their surfaces to the same deposition environment and so that they are both at the same temperature.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
58 words
The apparatus described in claim 18 wherein: said crystal means includes a single slab of crystal material with first and second spaced electrodes thereon defining said first and second crystal means, and said crystal means also includes first and second different coatings respectively disposed over said first and second electrodes fo absorbing different amounts of said depositable material.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
90 words
A method for measuring the levels of different environmental parameters comprising: positioning a plurality of crystal means which have different ratios of frequency-response coefficients for a plurality of different environmental parameters, so that all of said crystal means are exposed to all of the environmental parameters; and oscillating each of said crystal means to generate a plurality of oscillator signals at the frequencies of oscillation of said crystal means, whereby to determine frequency changes which enable calculations of the different parameters by the solution of a plurality of simultaneous equations.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
90 words
A method for measuring the levels of different environmental parameters comprising: positioning a plurality of crystal means which have different ratios of frequency-response coefficients for a plurality of different environmental parameters, so that all of said crystal means are exposed to all of the environmental parameters; and oscillating each of said crystal means to generate a plurality of oscillator signals at the frequencies of oscillation of said crystal means, whereby to determine frequency changes which enable calculations of the different parameters by the solution of a plurality of simultaneous equations.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method described in claim 20 wherein: said plurality of crystal means includes first and second crystal structures that have the same frequency-mass accretion coefficients and different frequency-temperature coefficients; and including deriving a difference signal proportional to the difference in frequency of said first and second oscillator signals.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
156 words
The method described in claim 20 wherein: said plurality of crystal means include first and second crystal structures that undergo different frequency changes when a given concentration of a first substance is introduced to their environments, and that undergo different frequency changes when a given concentration of a second substance is introduced to their environment; and including determining the frequency-change characteristics for each of said first and second crystal structures, for each of said first and second substances in the absence of the other substance; establishing a calculating means in accordance with said frequency-change characteristics determined for each of said first and second crystal structures, which calculates the concentration of said first substances in accordance with the frequency change of said first crystal structure and as adjusted by the relative frequency changes of the first and second crystal structures; and delivering the oscillator signals derived from said first and second crystal structures to said calculating means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-04-28 | 1978-10-28 | 1979-04-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-04-28 | 1982-10-28 | 1983-04-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-04-28 | 1986-10-28 | 1987-04-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |