Single balanced beam electrostatic voltmeter modulator
AssigneeXerox Corporation
InventorAlan J. Werner, Jr.
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An electrostatic measurement apparatus having a single balanced beam vibratory element supported and balanced at its center, so that it may be driven in a manner to cause a regular vibration of the beam. The apparatus also has an electrode suitable for sensing a capacitive coupling relationship with an electrostatic field to produce a signal indicative of the magnitude of the electrostatic field. The coupling of the electrode with the electrostatic field is modulated (coupled/decoupled) either by attaching the electrode to the end of the beam and vibrating the electrode past an aperture, or by affixing a vane to the end of the beam, whereupon the vibration of the beam causes the vane to occlude the electrode from capacitively coupling with the electrostatic field.
Claims13
An apparatus for measuring the magnitude of an electrostatic field, comprising:
- a balanced beam vibratory element;
- means for resiliently supporting said balanced beam vibratory element;
- drive means for vibrating said balanced beam vibratory element;
- and
- an electrode, operatively associated with said balanced beam vibratory element, for sensing a capacitive coupling relationship with the electrostatic field and thereby producing a signal indicative of the magnitude of the electrostatic field during modulation of the coupling relationship.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.