초록 ▼

A method and an apparatus for the dynamic and non-contact measurement of the distance separating the surface of a first part that may be conductive or not, from the surface of at least one second conductive part closely spaced from the first conductive part. The method resides in positioning, on the

A method and an apparatus for the dynamic and non-contact measurement of the distance separating the surface of a first part that may be conductive or not, from the surface of at least one second conductive part closely spaced from the first conductive part. The method resides in positioning, on the surface of the first part, at least one sensor including two conductive plates that are parallel, superimposed and electrically insulated from one another. The two plates of this at least one sensor are then fed with a same high frequency signal under the same voltage and the current generated by this high frequency signal, between the plate of the sensor which is closest to the surface of the second conductive part and this second conductive part, is measured. This measured current varying as an inverse function of the distance separating the surface of the second conductive part from the surface of the sensor which is closest to this second conductive part, it is then easy to determine the value of the distance separating the first and second conductive parts as a function of the value of the measured current. This method as well as the apparatus for carrying it out are particularly well adapted for measuring the air gap in any type of rotating machine such as an electric generator.

대표청구항 ▼

Apparatus for non-contact measurement of the distance separating the surface of a first part from the surface of at least one second grounded conductive part closely spaced from said first part, characterized in that is comprises: at least one sensor including first and second parallel, superimposed

Apparatus for non-contact measurement of the distance separating the surface of a first part from the surface of at least one second grounded conductive part closely spaced from said first part, characterized in that is comprises: at least one sensor including first and second parallel, superimposed conductive plates electrically insulated from one another, said sensor being positioned on the very surface of said first part in such a way that the said two plates are parallel to the said surface of said first part and electrically insulated therefrom; means for feeding said first plate of said sensor a high frequency signal; means for measuring the current generated by the said high frequency signal between the second plate of said sensor which is closest to the surface of said second conductive part, and the said second conductive part, said measured current varying as an inverse function of the distance separating the surface of said second conductive part from the surface of the second plate of said sensor which is closest to said second conductive part, including: an impedance mounted in series between said means for feeding said high frequency signal and the second plate of said sensor which is closest to said second conductive part, and an insulating circuit connected to said impedance for measuring in an insulated manner the high frequency voltage signal at the terminals of the impedance and extracting to the detected current; and processing means for determining the value of the distance separating said first part from said second conductive part as a function of the value of said measured current.