Microwave probe for measurement of dielectric constants

Claim 2

A microwave probe adapted for insertion into the crankcase of an internal combustion engine through a dipstick passage for measuring the dielectric constant of engine oil to detect oil contaminants which alter the dielectric constant of the oil comprising: a coaxial cable having an outer conductive sheath and a concentrically located inner wire, and a cage-like tip attached to an end of the coaxial cable including a center wire connected to the said inner wire, three to five outer wires each connected at one end to the sheath and surrounding the center wire, the outer wires being spaced sufficiently to facilitate free flow of liquid through the tip, and means shorting the distal ends of the said center wire and outer wires, the wire geometry and number of wires being so selected that the impedance of the tip, when immersed in the liquid, substantially matches the impedance of the coaxial cable and sufficiently contains microwave energy within the tip to prevent substantial radiation outside of the probe, the cable and tip being smaller in diameter than the said passage.

Claim 3

A microwave probe adapted for insertion into the crankcase of an internal combustion engine through a dipstick passage for measuring the dielectric constant of engine oil to detect oil contaminants which alter the dielectric constant of the oil comprising; a coaxial cable having an outer conductive sheath and a concentrically located inner wire, the inner wire axially extending a fixed distance beyond the sheath, a round conductor element having a diameter approximately the same as the sheath diameter connected to the end of the inner wire, and four outer wires parallel to the inner wire connected between the conductor element and the sheath to form a cage-like tip with sufficient space between the wires to allow free fluid flow through the tip, the wire geometry being so selected that the impedance of the tip, when immersed in the liquid, substantially matches the impedance of the coaxial cable, and sufficiently contains microwave energy within the tip to prevent substantial radiation outside of the probe, the cable and tip being smaller in diameter than the said passage.

Claim 4

A microwave probe adapted for insertion into the crankcase of an internal combustion engine through a dipstick passage for measuring the dielectric constant of engine oil to detect oil contaminants which alter the dielectric constant of the oil comprising; a coaxial cable having an outer conductive sheath and a concentrically located inner wire, the inner wire axially extending a fixed distance beyond the sheath, a round conductor element having a diameter approximately the same as the sheath diameter connected to the end of the inner wire, and four outer wires parallel to the inner wire connected between the conductor element and the sheath to form a cage-like tip with sufficient space between the wires to allow free fluid flow through the tip, the wire geometry being so selected that the impedance of the tip, when immersed in the liquid, substantially matches the impedance of the coaxial cable, and sufficiently contains microwave energy within the tip to prevent substantial radiation outside of the probe, the cable and tip being smaller in diameter than the said passage.

Claim 5

A microwave probe adapted for insertion into the crankcase of an internal combustion engine through a dipstick passage for measuring the dielectric constant of engine oil to detect oil contaminants which alter the dielectric constant of the oil comprising; a coaxial cable having an outer conductive sheath and a concentrically located inner wire, and a cage-like tip attached to an end of the coaxial cable consisting of five parallel wires shorted at one end including a center wire connected to the said inner wire, four outer wires each connected at one end to the sheath and surrounding the center wire, the outer wires being spaced sufficiently to facilitate free flow of liquid through the tip, and a shorting conductor connected to the distal ends of the said parallel wires; the wire geometry being so selected that the impedance of the tip, when immersed in the liquid, substantially matches the impedance of the coaxial cable and sufficiently contains microwave energy within the tip to prevent substantial radiation outside of the probe, the cable and tip being smaller in diameter than the said passage.

Claim 6

A microwave probe adapted for insertion into the crankcase of an internal combustion engine through a dipstick passage for measuring the dielectric constant of engine oil to detect oil contaminants which alter the dielectric constant of the oil comprising; a coaxial cable having an outer conductive sheath and a concentrically located inner wire, and a cage-like tip attached to an end of the coaxial cable consisting of five parallel wires shorted at one end including a center wire connected to the said inner wire, four outer wires each connected at one end to the sheath and surrounding the center wire, the outer wires being spaced sufficiently to facilitate free flow of liquid through the tip, and a shorting conductor connected to the distal ends of the said parallel wires; the wire geometry being so selected that the impedance of the tip, when immersed in the liquid, substantially matches the impedance of the coaxial cable and sufficiently contains microwave energy within the tip to prevent substantial radiation outside of the probe, the cable and tip being smaller in diameter than the said passage.