Inventors:
Jerome Leigh Kurz - Carmel Valley CA
Assignee:
Los Robles Advertising, Inc. - Monterey CA
International Classification:
G01G 316
Abstract:
An apparatus and method for weighing particulates in a gas stream has a generally cylindrical tube manufactured from a magnetostrictive material. One end of the tube is anchored to a mounting block, while the other end includes a filter. The gas stream passes through a filter, where particulates are collected. Several alternative filters provide various alternative benefits for varying applications to different sensing applications. Between the two ends of the magnetostrictive tube are electromagnetic drive and pick-up coils which are magnetically coupled to the tube. The drive coils are driven by an electrical current from an electronic control circuit to generate alternating magnetic fields. These alternating fields in turn stimulate ultrasonic oscillations in the magnetostrictive tube, causing the tube to extend and retract along the length. Oscillation is in the longitudinal direction only, resulting in only one mode of operation.