Claims
- 1. An apparatus for the detection and measurement of static electric charge on the surface of a charged object comprising:
- a sensing probe, said probe being positioned a specific distance from the surface of the object;
- a motor means, connected to the sensing probe, for providing cyclic movement to the sensing probe so as to cyclically move the sensing probe relative to the surface of the object; the motor means includes a clock motor, said clock motor connected to a wheel so that the motor rotates the wheel; and
- a monitoring means, connected to the sensing probe, for monitoring the potential of the charged object.
- 2. The apparatus of claim 1 further including a pivotal bar containing a slot, the wheel having a pin engaging the slot so that upon rotation of the wheel the bar pivots in a cyclical fashion.
- 3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein a rod assembly connects the elongate bar to the sensing probe so that upon pivoting of the bar the sensing probe reciprocates in a cyclic fashion with respect to the surface of the object.
- 4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the rod assembly comprises an insulative rod connected to the elongate bar and a conductive bar affixed to the sensing probe, the insulative rod and the conductive rod operatively connected through an insulative linkage.
- 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the motor means includes a motor with a rotatable shaft, the sensing probe being affixed to the distal end of the shaft so that the sensing probe rotates upon the rotation of the shaft under the urging of the motor.
- 6. The apparatus of claim 5 further including a contact that is in cyclic contact with the sensing probe.
- 7. The apparatus of claim of claim 1 further including an alarm means, connected to the sensing probe, for indicating a condition where the static charge has exceeded a preselected value.
- 8. The apparatus of claim 7 where the alarm means automatically discharges the surface of the object upon the static charge exceeding a preselected value.
ORIGIN OF THE INVENTION
This invention was made with Government support under prime contract NASA NAS7-918, Task Order No. RE-4 subcontract NASA/JPL 958314 awarded by NASA. The Government has certain rights in this invention.
US Referenced Citations (7)
Foreign Referenced Citations (6)
Number |
Date |
Country |
661424 |
May 1979 |
SUX |
995016 |
Feb 1983 |
SUX |
1018052 |
May 1983 |
SUX |
1307395 |
Apr 1987 |
SUX |
1485157 |
Jun 1989 |
SUX |
1531031 |
Dec 1989 |
SUX |