Patent ID: 6769314
Filing Date: 2004-08-03
Classification: G01B,G01L

Abstract:
A device for measuring a nip width between two rolls of a press nip, said device comprising:a) a sensor assembly, said sensor assembly including: 1) a first strip formed of a first electrically conductive material having a resistance, said first strip having a first end and a second end and a first measuring zone between said first and second ends; 2) a second strip disposed adjacent said first strip and formed of a second electrically conductive material, said second strip having a second measuring zone disposed adjacent and substantially coextensive with said first measuring zone; 3) a gap defined between said first and second strips and electrically isolating said first and second strips from one another; and 4) wherein at least one of said first and second strips is deformable such that, when said device is placed in the press nip, pressure from the nip rolls forces portions of said first and second measuring zones into electrically conductive contact with one another over a contact length, the contact length substantially directly corresponding to the nip width; b) a resistance measuring unit that measures an electrical resistance; and c) first, second and third leads, the first lead being connected to a ground and to the first strip adjacent the first end, the second lead being connected to a ground and to the first strip adjacent the second end, and the third lead being connected to the second strip and to a voltage source.