# US 5,705,930 A · Gas path electrostatic sensor

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- Number: US 5,705,930 A
- Document ID: US5705930A
- Status: Granted
- Kind: A
- Application number: 08/446,605
- Filed: 1995-09-20
- Granted: 1998-01-06
- Earliest claimed: 1992-11-30
- Assignees: Stewart Hughes Limited
- Inventors: Roy Forfitt
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5705930A

## CPC

- G01N 27/626: using heat to ionise a gas
- G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q)

## Abstract

A sensor installable within a gas turbine engine for sensing electrostatic charge therein. The sensor comprises a sensing plate and first and second shielding plates. The sensing plate has a first face with a first peripheral portion, and a second face with a second peripheral portion. The first and second shielding plates are spaced from and positioned relative to the first and second faces of the sensing plate, respectively, by a layer of electrically insulating material, so that electrostatic charge in the proximity of the sensor is sensed by both the first and second peripheral portions of the sensing plate.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A sensor for sensing electrostatic charge, said sensor comprising:
a sensing plate having a first face with a first peripheral portion, and a second face with a second peripheral portion; and
a first shielding plate positioned relative to said first face of said sensing plate so that electrostatic charge in the proximity of said sensor is sensed by said first peripheral portion of said sensing plate.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The sensor of claim 1, which further comprises
a second shielding plate positioned relative to said second face of said sensing plate so that electrostatic charge in the proximity of the sensor is sensed by said second peripheral portion of said sensing plate,
wherein said first and second shielding plates are spaced from said first and second faces of said sensing plate, respectively, by a layer of electrically insulating material.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The sensor of claim 2, wherein said first shielding plate extends beyond said first peripheral portion of said sensing plate, and said second shielding plate extends beyond said second peripheral portion of said sensing plate.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The sensor of claim 3, wherein said first shielding plate is secured relative to said sensing plate by at least one bolt extending through a first oversized hole formed in said first shielding plate, and said second shielding plate is secured relative to said sensing plate by at least one bolt extending through a second oversized hole formed in said second shielding plate.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The sensor of claim 1, wherein said second shielding plate comprises two or more plates for securing said sensor in position relative to a support surface.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The sensor of claim 1, installed within a gas turbine engine.