Determining eccentricity of insulated wire

Abstract

Disclosed is an apparatus for determining the eccentricity of insulation on an elongated conductor comprising two flat parallel opposing electrodes positionable on opposite sides of an insulated conductor in physical contact with the insulation of the conductor, means for moving one of the two electrodes relative to the other in a direction parallel to the electrodes, whereby the insulated conductor is rotated therebetween, electrical contact means for making electrical contact to the conductor, means for translating the electrical contact means at the same rate that the insulating conductor is translated between the two flat opposing electrodes, and electrical means for determining the ratio of the capacitance of each of the two electrodes to the conductor as the insulating conductor is rotated between the two electrodes. Also disclosed is a method of determining the eccentricity of the insulation on an elongated conductor by placing the insulated conductor between and in contact with two flat parallel opposing electrodes, making electrical contact with the conductor, rotating and translating the insulating conductor between the two electrodes by moving one of the electrodes relative to the other of the electrodes in a direction parallel to the electrodes, simultaneously rotating and translating the electrical contact at the same rate that the insulating conductor is rotated, and electrically determining the ratio of the capacitance of each of the two electrodes to the conductor.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.