US4763078A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Sensor for electrostatic voltmeter
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1986-03-27
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Granted: 1988-08-09
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Expires: 2006-03-27
Abstract
Abstract A sensor for an electrostatic voltmeter comprising an elongated vibratory element supported at one end in the manner of a cantilever beam, a sensitive electrode on the vibratory element near the other end and adapted to be disposed toward an electrical field or potential being measured, a driver chip on the vibratory element for vibrating the element in a direction to vary the capacitive coupling between the electrode and the electrical field or potential being measured, and an amplifier on the vibratory element in direct proximity to the sensitive electrode and having an input connected to the electrode and an output adapted for connection to the electrostatic voltmeter. The amplifier is mounted directly on the vibratory element so as to be in synchronous motion with the electrode. Preferably the electrode is mounted on one side of the vibratory element and the amplifier is mounted on the opposite side. The sensor includes a housing having an operative surface provided with an opening therein, and the vibratory element extends from the surface into the opening and is supported at one end from the surface in the manner of a cantilever beam.
Inventors
- 👤 Bruce T. Williams
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 00:10
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01R; G01R15/00; G01R15/14; G01R15/16; G01R15/165; G01R29/00; G01R29/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
155 words
A sensor for an electrostatic voltmeter comprising: (a) an elongated vibratory element having two ends; (b) means for supporting said vibratory element at one of said ends as a cantilever beam; (c) sensitive electrode means on said vibratory element near the other of said ends thereof and disposed directly toward an electrical field or potential being measured having capacitive coupling to said electrode means; (d) drive means on said vibratory element for vibrating said element in a direction to vary the capacitive coupling between said electrode means and the electrical field or potential being measured; and (e) amplifier means on said vibratory element in direct close physical proximity to said sensitive electrode means and having an input directly connected to said electrode means and an output for connection to the electrostatic voltmeter, the direct connection of said input to said electrode means being sufficiently short to eliminate extraneous coupling thereby avoiding the need for shielding.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
155 words
A sensor for an electrostatic voltmeter comprising: (a) an elongated vibratory element having two ends; (b) means for supporting said vibratory element at one of said ends as a cantilever beam; (c) sensitive electrode means on said vibratory element near the other of said ends thereof and disposed directly toward an electrical field or potential being measured having capacitive coupling to said electrode means; (d) drive means on said vibratory element for vibrating said element in a direction to vary the capacitive coupling between said electrode means and the electrical field or potential being measured; and (e) amplifier means on said vibratory element in direct close physical proximity to said sensitive electrode means and having an input directly connected to said electrode means and an output for connection to the electrostatic voltmeter, the direct connection of said input to said electrode means being sufficiently short to eliminate extraneous coupling thereby avoiding the need for shielding.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
A sensor according to claim 1, wherein said means for supporting said vibratory element is in the form of a plate having an opening therein and said vibratory element is located in said opening extending from said plate.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
A sensor according to claim 2, wherein said vibratory element and said plate are integral.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
A sensor according to claim 2, wherein said plate forms one surface of an elongated hollow housing, and wherein said vibratory element has a surface external to said housing and a surface facing the interior of said housing.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
40 words
A sensor according to claim 4, wherein said electrode means is on said surface of said vibratory element external to said housing and said amplifier means is on said surface of said vibratory element facing the interior of said housing.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
A sensor according to claim 5, wherein said housing has an interior and wherein said drive means is on the surface of said vibratory element facing the interior of said housing.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
A sensor according to claim 1, further including feedback means on said vibratory element for connection to the electrostatic voltmeter.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
150 words
A sensor for an electrostatic voltmeter comprising: (a) an elongated vibratory element having two ends; (b) means for supporting said vibratory element at one of said ends as a cantilever beam; (c) sensitive electrode means on said vibratory element near the other of said ends thereof and disposed directly toward an electrical field or potential being measured having capacitive coupling to said electrode means; (d) drive means on said vibratory element for vibrating said element in a direction to vary the capactive coupling between said electrode means and the electrical field or potential being measured; and (e) amplifier means on said vibratory element in direct proximity to said sensitive electrode means and having an input connected to said electrode means and an output for connection to the electrostatic voltmeter, said amplifier means being mounted directly on said vibratory element so as to be in synchronous motion with said electrode means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
150 words
A sensor for an electrostatic voltmeter comprising: (a) an elongated vibratory element having two ends; (b) means for supporting said vibratory element at one of said ends as a cantilever beam; (c) sensitive electrode means on said vibratory element near the other of said ends thereof and disposed directly toward an electrical field or potential being measured having capacitive coupling to said electrode means; (d) drive means on said vibratory element for vibrating said element in a direction to vary the capactive coupling between said electrode means and the electrical field or potential being measured; and (e) amplifier means on said vibratory element in direct proximity to said sensitive electrode means and having an input connected to said electrode means and an output for connection to the electrostatic voltmeter, said amplifier means being mounted directly on said vibratory element so as to be in synchronous motion with said electrode means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
153 words
A sensor for an electrostatic voltmeter comprising: (a) an elongated vibratory element having two ends; (b) means for supportng said vibratory element at one of said ends as a cantilever beam; (c) sensitive electrode means on said vibratory element near the other of said ends thereof and disposed directly toward an electrical field or potential being measured having capactive coupling to said electrode means; (d) drive means on said vibratory element for vibrating said element in a direction to vary the capacitive coupling between said electrode means and the electrical field or potential being measured; (e) amplifier means on said vibratory element in direct proximity to said sensitive electrode means and having an input connected to said electrode means an an output for connection to the electrostatic voltmeter; and (f) said vibratory element having opposite sides, said sensitive electrode means being on one side and said amplifier means being on the opposite side.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
153 words
A sensor for an electrostatic voltmeter comprising: (a) an elongated vibratory element having two ends; (b) means for supportng said vibratory element at one of said ends as a cantilever beam; (c) sensitive electrode means on said vibratory element near the other of said ends thereof and disposed directly toward an electrical field or potential being measured having capactive coupling to said electrode means; (d) drive means on said vibratory element for vibrating said element in a direction to vary the capacitive coupling between said electrode means and the electrical field or potential being measured; (e) amplifier means on said vibratory element in direct proximity to said sensitive electrode means and having an input connected to said electrode means an an output for connection to the electrostatic voltmeter; and (f) said vibratory element having opposite sides, said sensitive electrode means being on one side and said amplifier means being on the opposite side.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
186 words
A sensor for an electrostatic voltmeter comprising: (a) a housing including an operative surface having an opening defined therein; (b) an elongated vibratory element having two ends and extending from said surface into said opening and supported at one of said ends from said surface as a cantilever beam; (c) sensitive electrode means on said vibratory element near the other of said ends thereof and disposed directly toward an electrical field or potential being measured having capacitive coupling to said electrode means; (d) drive means on said vibratory element for vibrating said element in a direction to vary the capacitive coupling between said electrode means and the electrical field or potential being measured; and (e) means for coupling electrical signals developed on said electrode means to the electrostatic voltmeter, said coupling means comprising amplifier means on said vibratory element in direct proximity to said sensitive electrode means and having an input connected to said electrode means and an output for connection to the electrostatic voltmeter, said amplifier means being mounted directly on said vibratory element so as to be in synchronous motion with said electrode means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
186 words
A sensor for an electrostatic voltmeter comprising: (a) a housing including an operative surface having an opening defined therein; (b) an elongated vibratory element having two ends and extending from said surface into said opening and supported at one of said ends from said surface as a cantilever beam; (c) sensitive electrode means on said vibratory element near the other of said ends thereof and disposed directly toward an electrical field or potential being measured having capacitive coupling to said electrode means; (d) drive means on said vibratory element for vibrating said element in a direction to vary the capacitive coupling between said electrode means and the electrical field or potential being measured; and (e) means for coupling electrical signals developed on said electrode means to the electrostatic voltmeter, said coupling means comprising amplifier means on said vibratory element in direct proximity to said sensitive electrode means and having an input connected to said electrode means and an output for connection to the electrostatic voltmeter, said amplifier means being mounted directly on said vibratory element so as to be in synchronous motion with said electrode means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
24 words
A sensor according to claim 10, wherein said opening is of a size and shape such that said vibratory element fits closely movably therein.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
29 words
A sensor according to claim 10, wherein said housing surface is planar and said vibratory element and said surface are substantially co-planar when said vibratory element is at rest.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
15 words
A sensor according to claim 10, wherein said vibratory element and said surface are integral.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
24 words
A sensor according to claim 10 wherein said drive means is on the surface of said vibratory element facing the interior of said housing.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
22 words
A sensor according to claim 10, further including feedback means on said vibratory element and adapted for connection to the electrostatic voltmeter.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
199 words
A sensor for an electrostatic voltmeter comprising: (a) a housing including an operative surface having an opening defined therein; (b) an elongated vibratory element having two ends and extending from said surface into said opening and supported at one of said ends from said surface as a cantilever beam; (c) sensitive electrode means on said vibratory element near the other of said ends thereof and disposed directly toward an electrical field or potential being measured having capacitive coupling to said electrode means; (d) drive means on said vibratory element for vibrating said element in a direction to vary the capacitive coupling between said electrode means and the electrical field or potential being measured; (e) means for coupling electrical signals developed on said electrode means to the electrostatic voltmeter, said coupling means comprising amplifier means on said vibratory element in direct proximity to said sensitive electrode means and having an input connected to said electrode means and an output for connection to the electrostatic voltmeter; and (f) said electrode means being on the surface of said vibratory element external to said housing and said amplifier means being on the surface of said vibratory element facing the interior of said housing.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
199 words
A sensor for an electrostatic voltmeter comprising: (a) a housing including an operative surface having an opening defined therein; (b) an elongated vibratory element having two ends and extending from said surface into said opening and supported at one of said ends from said surface as a cantilever beam; (c) sensitive electrode means on said vibratory element near the other of said ends thereof and disposed directly toward an electrical field or potential being measured having capacitive coupling to said electrode means; (d) drive means on said vibratory element for vibrating said element in a direction to vary the capacitive coupling between said electrode means and the electrical field or potential being measured; (e) means for coupling electrical signals developed on said electrode means to the electrostatic voltmeter, said coupling means comprising amplifier means on said vibratory element in direct proximity to said sensitive electrode means and having an input connected to said electrode means and an output for connection to the electrostatic voltmeter; and (f) said electrode means being on the surface of said vibratory element external to said housing and said amplifier means being on the surface of said vibratory element facing the interior of said housing.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1991-08-09 | 1992-02-08 | 1992-08-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-08-09 | 1996-02-08 | 1996-08-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-08-09 | 2000-02-08 | 2000-08-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |