Patent ID: 7038460
Filing Date: 2006-05-02
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for detecting electrically conducting dust particles on a surface exposed to an air or a vacuum environment comprising: an electrically conducting detection grid having two or more interlocking tracing networks where each network has a plurality of tracings, where adjacent tracings have a specified separation or spacing and which in a dust free environment said grid represents an open circuit between adjacent tracings and where in an environment of settled dust an electrically conducting bridge of dust particles is established between adjacent tracings forming a electrical short which exits for a varying time duration; an electrically nonconducting substrate which supports said grid and where said substrate is mounted on a specified, possibly isolated, fixed surface to detect a presence of conducting dust particles which have settled on said surface; a power supply which is electrically coupled to said grid and which is sized to provide voltage sufficient to vaporize said dust particle bridge; a means for detecting an electrical chance or a short across said grid tracings where said electrical change or short indicates the presence of electrically conducting dust particles on said surface.