A resonance measuring wire tension monitor for high-energy physics

The Ohio State group has built a device to automatically measure the wire tension on the sense wire in SDC (Solenoidal Detector Collaboration) barrel muon drift tubes using resonance techniques. The SDC experiment was part of the now canceled SSC (Superconducting Super Collider) project. The design, construction, and operation of a wire tension monitor is presented. The technique used is unique in that the electric force is used to excite the wire into harmonic resonance. The amplitude of the wire is in turn monitored using the variation of the oscillating wire's capacitance measured by a resonance circuit. Finally, the resonance is found electronically using phase lock loop techniques. Wire tension is measured to an accuracy of 0.3% with this device