| US 7,466,124 B2 | ||
| Magnetostrictive transmitter with improved piezoelectric sensor | ||
| Paul G. Janitch, Lisle, Ill. (US); and Timothy S. Sussman, Bolingbrook, Ill. (US) | ||
| Assigned to Magnetrol International, Inc., Downers Grove, Ill. (US) | ||
| Filed on Sep. 08, 2006, as Appl. No. 11/517,866. | ||
| Prior Publication US 2008/0061772 A1, Mar. 13, 2008 | ||
| Int. Cl. G01B 7/14 (2006.01); G01R 33/18 (2006.01) | ||
| U.S. Cl. 324—207.13 [324/207.24; 333/148] | 8 Claims |
| 1. A magnetostrictive level sensing instrument for sensing level of a process material comprising:
an elongate tube having a near end and a distal end;
a magnet selectively positionable proximate the tube responsive to level of the process material;
a magnetostrictive wire in the tube having first and second ends, the second end being operatively secured at the tube distal
end;
a pair of shear mode crystals mounted proximate the tube near end, the crystals sandwiching the magnetostrictive wire proximate
the first end;
a sensing circuit operatively connected to the magnetostrictive wire and the pair of crystals for generating an electrical
pulse on the magnetostrictive wire whereby a magnetic field produced by the magnet interacts with the electrical pulse to
produce a torsional wave on the magnetostrictive wire sensed by the pair of crystals; and
a support tray mounting the crystals proximate the tube near end and the tray clamps the magnetostrictive wire between the
crystals, wherein the support tray comprises a two piece plastic tray and each piece supports one of the crystals.
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