Apparatus for detecting particles in a fluid and a method for operating same

摘要

In one aspect of the present invention, an apparatus for detecting particles within a fluid is disclosed. A bobbin defines a debris collection chamber. A first coil is wound in a helix about the bobbin in the proximity of the debris collection chamber, wherein the induction of the first coil is responsive to the particle accumulation within the collection chamber. A reference coil is wound in a helix about the bobbin to compensate for changing fluid temperature. An oscillator is coupled to the first and reference coils for selectively energizing the coils with an oscillating waveform at a frequency that induces eddy currents in the particles. The frequency of the oscillating waveform is indicative of the amount of accumulation of both the ferrous and nonferrous particles.