Non-vibrating Capacitance Probe For Wear Monitoring

Abstract

A non-vibrating capacitance probe for use as a non-contact sensor for tribological wear on a component. The device detects surface charge through temporal variation in the work function of a material. A reference electrode senses changing contact potential difference over the component surface, owing to compositional variation on the surface. Temporal variation in the contact potential difference induces a current through an electrical connection. This current is amplified and converted to a voltage signal by an electronic circuit with an operational amplifier.