Method and apparatus for determining thickness of a charge wall being

Abstract

An ultrasonic probe is mounted in a centrifugal machine within close proximity to a maximum charge wall which is to be formed within a charge basket of the centrifugal machine. The probe comprises a tubular member which extends from an upper portion of an outer shell which surrounds the basket into the basket. A sensing head of the probe includes an ultrasonic transmitter and receiver which are mounted within a capsule formed of ultrasonic energy and vibration damping material. The transmitter and receiver are directed toward an inner surface of the charge basket of the centrifugal machine to monitor build up of a charge wall within the basket by directing bursts or pulses of ultrasonic energy toward the inner surface of the basket and receiving reflections or echoes of the pulses which are reflected from the charge wall building within the basket. The centrifugal machine is then controlled in accordance with the ultrasonically measured thickness of the building charge wall to more accurately and consistently fully load the basket with little or no underfill or overfill of the basket.