US4294105A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Mass sensing element
Assignee: ExxonMobil Technology and Engineering Co
•
Filing: 1980-04-08
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Granted: 1981-10-13
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Expires: 2000-04-08
Abstract
Abstract A particle mass sensing element comprises a piezoelectric crystal, a portion of whose surface is coated with a mat-like mass of substantially rigid whiskers for entrapping or otherwise retaining particles while the crystal is caused to vibrate.
Inventors
- 👤 Arnold J. Kelly
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 00:29
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N29/00; G01N29/02; G01N29/036; G01G; G01G3/00; G01G3/12; G01G3/16; G01N2291/00; G01N2291/02; G01N2291/025; G01N2291/0256
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 28
Claim 1
Independent Claim
68 words
An apparatus used for sensing the mass of incident particles impinging thereupon, comprising a piezoelectric crystal coated over at least a surface portion thereof with a plurality of substantially rigid whiskers having a generally perpendicular attitude with respect to said crystal surface and forming a mat-like mass upon said crystal so as to entrap or otherwise retain said incident particles while said piezoelectric crystal is caused to vibrate.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
68 words
An apparatus used for sensing the mass of incident particles impinging thereupon, comprising a piezoelectric crystal coated over at least a surface portion thereof with a plurality of substantially rigid whiskers having a generally perpendicular attitude with respect to said crystal surface and forming a mat-like mass upon said crystal so as to entrap or otherwise retain said incident particles while said piezoelectric crystal is caused to vibrate.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said whiskers are comprised of a metal which is vacuum deposited upon a surface of said piezoelectric crystal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said metal is comprised of tellurium.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said coated portion of said crystal is a center portion.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said whiskers are distributed upon said crystal with a mean spacing of approximately 5 average collected particle diameters.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said whiskers are distributed upon said crystal having a mean height of approximately 10 average collected particle diameters.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said whiskers are distributed upon said crystal having a mean width of approximately 1 average collected particle diameter.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said particles are micron and sub-micron sized.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said piezoelectric crystal is caused to vibrate with a surface amplitude in the range of 1 to 10 μm.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said piezoelectric crystal comprises a single quartz disc approximately 200 μm thick having nickel over gold electrodes.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said whiskers are arranged substantially parallel with respect to each other.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said whiskers have a generally parallel attitude with respect to an initial velocity vector of said impinging particles.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said whiskers are arranged substantially parallel with respect to each other.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said whiskers may be skewed about said crystal surface.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
73 words
An apparatus used for sensing the mass of incident particles impinging thereupon, comprising a piezoelectric crystal coated over at least a surface portion thereof with a plurality of substantially rigid whiskers having a generally parallel attitude with respect to an initial velocity vector of said impinging particles and forming a mat-like mass upon said crystal so as to entrap or otherwise retain said incident particles while said piezoelectric crystal is caused to vibrate.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
73 words
An apparatus used for sensing the mass of incident particles impinging thereupon, comprising a piezoelectric crystal coated over at least a surface portion thereof with a plurality of substantially rigid whiskers having a generally parallel attitude with respect to an initial velocity vector of said impinging particles and forming a mat-like mass upon said crystal so as to entrap or otherwise retain said incident particles while said piezoelectric crystal is caused to vibrate.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 15, wherein said whiskers are comprised of a metal which is vacuum deposited upon a surface of said piezoelectric crystal.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 16, wherein said metal is comprised of tellurium.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 15, wherein said coated portion of said crystal is a center portion.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 15, wherein said whiskers are distributed upon said crystal with a mean spacing of approximately 5 average collected particle diameters.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 15, wherein said whiskers are distributed upon said crystal having a mean height of approximately 10 average collected particle diameters.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 15, wherein said whiskers are distributed upon said crystal having a mean width of approximately 1 average collected particle diameter.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 15, wherein said particles are micron and sub-micron sized.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 15, wherein said piezoelectric crystal is caused to vibrate with a surface amplitude in the range of 1 to 10 μm.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 15, wherein said piezoelectric crystal comprises a single quartz disc approximately 200 μm thick having nickel over gold electrodes.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 15, wherein said whiskers are arranged substantially parallel with respect to each other.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 15, wherein said whiskers may be skewed about said crystal surface.
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) | 1984-10-12 | 1985-04-13 | 1985-10-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-10-12 | 1989-04-13 | 1989-10-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-10-12 | 1993-04-13 | 1993-10-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |