A nickel powder variable-size electrode capacitive tomography sensor

Abstract

This invention discloses a nickel powder variable-size electrode capacitance tomography sensor, belonging to the field of sensor design technology. It includes an acrylic insulating layer, a fixed mounting frame, a powder electrode storage device, a soft magnetic sheet recovery device, and a nickel metal powder electrode array. Several measuring rods are uniformly arranged around the outer circumference of the fixed mounting frame. A powder electrode storage device and a soft magnetic sheet recovery device are sequentially arranged at the end of each measuring rod near the acrylic insulating layer, with the powder electrode storage device located on the outer circumference of the acrylic insulating layer. Adjacent measuring rods are connected by soft magnetic sheets, with a bonding rod on the outer side of the soft magnetic sheets. The nickel metal powder electrode array includes several measuring electrodes uniformly arranged around the circumference of the object to be measured. This invention, through the nickel powder variable-size electrode capacitance tomography sensor, allows for the flexible selection of powder electrodes of arbitrary width to adapt to imaging channels of different circumferences.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of sensor design technology, and more specifically, to a nickel powder variable-size electrode capacitive tomography sensor. Background Technology

[0002] Electrical Capacitance Tomography (ECT) is a process imaging technique that utilizes the principle of capacitance sensitivity. It collects projection data (i.e., capacitance values) of a non-conductive material from different viewpoints by installing a specially designed array of capacitance sensors around the boundary of the imaging region (such as the outer wall of a pipe or closed container). This data reflects the distribution of the dielectric constant of the internal medium. Based on the sensor's sensitivity characteristics and the selected reconstruction algorithm, the ECT system can display the medium distribution in image form, thus achieving non-contact visualization of the dielectric properties inside structures of arbitrary shapes.

[0003] ECT (Electro-Conduction Electron) technology boasts advantages such as non-invasiveness, rapid response, cost-effectiveness, and safety with no radiation, making it particularly suitable for the detection of two-phase or multi-phase fluids. It has already been applied in numerous fields, including but not limited to: monitoring temperature distribution within skull models, moisture content in stored grains, permafrost characteristics, and the thickness of lubricating oil films in sliding bearings. This technology spans multiple industries, including petroleum, chemical, power, metallurgy, building materials, and even medicine, demonstrating broad application prospects and potential.

[0004] In a two-dimensional ECT configuration, an electrode array is typically arranged around the periphery of a pipe with a circular or rectangular cross-section, containing n electrodes. Each electrode forms a unique capacitance pair with the other n-1 electrodes, resulting in a total of m = n*(n-1) / 2 independent capacitance measurements. These capacitances are closely related to the dielectric constant distribution of the medium within the pipe. By establishing a mathematical model of the sensing characteristics inside the pipe, the relationship between the dielectric constant and capacitance—the so-called sensitive field S—can be determined. Subsequently, using the sensitive field information and a specific inversion algorithm, the spatial distribution of the dielectric constant inside the pipe can be reconstructed from the m capacitance measurements.

[0005] Regarding the practical application of ECT sensors, Chinese patent CN104858813A discloses an adjustable ECT sensor fixture device. This fixture device includes components such as a rotary joint, rods, clamping sliders, flat-head screws, positioning clips, bolts, "T"-shaped rotating parts, hexagonal nuts, electrode plate pressure blocks, angle positioning buckles, L-shaped support rods, and support sliders. This design aims to adapt to the measurement needs of cylindrical pipes of different diameters. However, its structure is relatively complex, the adjustment process is cumbersome, and it cannot adjust the electrode width to maintain the optimal electrode aspect ratio when changing the pipe diameter, affecting the measurement accuracy. On the other hand, Chinese patent CN116380998A discloses a detachable variable-diameter capacitance tomography sensor. This sensor adopts a design of overlapping electrodes combined with a fabric structure, which allows it to fit the object to be measured during installation and maintain the optimal electrode aspect ratio by stretching the overlapping electrodes, achieving accurate measurement of objects of different diameters. However, due to the certain thickness of the overlapping electrode portion, it will have a certain impact on the measurement results.

[0006] No effective solutions have yet been proposed to address the problems in the relevant technologies. Summary of the Invention

[0007] To address the problems in related technologies, this invention proposes a nickel powder variable-size electrode capacitive tomography sensor to overcome the aforementioned technical problems in existing related technologies.

[0008] Therefore, the specific technical solution adopted by the present invention is as follows:

[0009] A nickel powder variable-size electrode capacitance tomography sensor includes an acrylic insulating layer, a fixed mounting frame, a powder electrode storage device, a soft magnetic sheet recovery device, and a nickel metal powder electrode array. The acrylic insulating layer surrounds the circumferential surface of the object under test, forming a conduit structure. The fixed mounting frame surrounds the outer circumference of the acrylic insulating layer and is an openable, graduated frame ring structure. A plurality of measuring rods are evenly arranged around the outer circumference of the fixed mounting frame. A powder electrode storage device and a soft magnetic sheet recovery device are sequentially arranged at the end of each measuring rod closest to the acrylic insulating layer, with the powder electrode storage device located on the outer side of the acrylic insulating layer. Adjacent measuring rods are connected by soft magnetic sheets, with a bonding rod on the outer side of the soft magnetic sheets. The nickel metal powder electrode array includes a plurality of measuring electrodes evenly arranged around the circumference of the object under test.

[0010] Furthermore, in order to flatten the powder electrode into a plane of uniform thickness when subjected to force, the acrylic insulating layer includes a test object layer and a soft magnetic sheet layer. The test object layer is the inner wall of the acrylic insulating layer, and the soft magnetic sheet layer is the outer wall of the acrylic insulating layer. A copper sheet is embedded on the outer circumference of the soft magnetic sheet layer, and the copper sheet is connected to the shielding wire. The material of the test object layer and the soft magnetic sheet layer is synthetic polymer acrylic ester.

[0011] Furthermore, in order to ensure that the widths between multiple powder electrodes are equal and to improve the stability of the sensor body, the fixed mounting frame includes a main frame ring symmetrically arranged at the top and bottom of the outer circumference of the acrylic isolation layer and an auxiliary frame ring arranged in the middle of the outer circumference of the acrylic isolation layer; a number of uniformly arranged main sliding parts are arranged on the outer circumference of the main frame ring; a number of uniformly arranged auxiliary sliding parts are arranged on the outer circumference of the auxiliary frame ring.

[0012] Furthermore, in order to adjust the size of the sensor circumference according to the size of the object to be measured and achieve high-precision imaging of objects of different sizes, the measuring rod includes a main measuring rod inserted inside the main sliding component and an auxiliary measuring rod inserted inside the auxiliary sliding component. One end of the main measuring rod is connected to the powder electrode storage device, and one end of the auxiliary measuring rod is connected to the bonding rod.

[0013] Furthermore, in order to ensure that the measuring powder electrode can fit tightly against the object being measured, the powder electrode storage device includes a powder electrode storage base box and a push-down cover, and the powder electrode storage base box and the push-down cover are connected by a spring. The powder electrode soft magnetic strip inlet and the powder electrode soft magnetic strip outlet are respectively opened on both sides of the powder electrode storage base box. Both the powder electrode soft magnetic strip inlet and the powder electrode soft magnetic strip outlet are slit structures, and the height of the powder electrode soft magnetic strip outlet is greater than the width of the powder electrode soft magnetic strip inlet.

[0014] Furthermore, in order to make the powder layer flat and uniform in thickness, and to ensure the possibility of accurate measurement using nickel metal powder as an electrode, the soft magnetic sheet recycling device is equipped with a spiral spring connected to the soft magnetic sheet, and the other side of the spiral spring is matched with the outlet of the powder electrode soft magnetic strip.

[0015] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows:

[0016] 1. This invention utilizes a nickel powder variable-size electrode capacitance tomography sensor, which allows for the flexible selection of powder electrodes of arbitrary width to adapt to imaging pipes of different circumferences. The sensor employs a fixed mounting frame to ensure that the included angle of the main measuring rod is fixed, thereby ensuring that the widths of multiple powder electrodes are equal and that the electrode gap ratio remains constant. The soft magnetic strip outlet of the powder electrode ensures that the thickness of the pulled-out powder electrode is consistent. Combined with the function of the soft magnetic sheet recovery device, this allows the measuring powder electrode to fit tightly against the object to be measured.

[0017] 2. This invention uses nickel metal powder electrodes uniformly adsorbed onto a soft magnetic sheet and closely attached to the object to be measured. The circumference of the sensor is adjusted according to the size of the object to achieve high-precision imaging of objects of different sizes. The width of the nickel powder electrodes is controlled by adjusting the extension length of the soft magnetic sheet, which realizes the artificial variability of the electrode gap ratio. With a fixed electrode gap ratio, the electrode gap ratio of the electrode array is kept constant. This not only improves the imaging accuracy but also enhances the flexibility of adjustment, allowing the sensor to quickly switch between objects of different sizes.

[0018] 3. By adjusting the width of the powder electrode, the measurement range of the nickel powder variable-size electrode capacitance tomography sensor is more flexible. With sufficient nickel powder and soft magnetic sheet in the cell, the size can be adjusted to any size, which not only improves the adaptability of the measurement but also significantly reduces the cost. Attached Figure Description

[0019] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0020] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a nickel powder variable-size electrode capacitive tomography sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 2 This is one of the partial structural schematic diagrams of a nickel powder variable-size electrode capacitive tomography sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 A magnified view of a section at point A in the middle;

[0023] Figure 4 This is a second partial structural schematic diagram of a nickel powder variable-size electrode capacitive tomography imaging sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 5 This is a third partial structural schematic diagram of a nickel powder variable-size electrode capacitive tomography imaging sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 6 This is a partial structural schematic diagram of a powder electrode storage device in a nickel powder variable-size electrode capacitive tomography imaging sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the spiral spring structure in a nickel powder variable-size electrode capacitive tomography imaging sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the acrylic insulating layer in a nickel powder variable-size electrode capacitive tomography sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] In the picture:

[0029] 1. Acrylic isolation layer; 101. Test object layer; 102. Soft magnetic sheet layer; 2. Fixed mounting frame; 201. Main frame ring; 202. Auxiliary frame ring; 203. Main sliding component; 204. Auxiliary sliding component; 3. Powder electrode storage device; 301. Powder electrode storage base box; 3011. Powder electrode soft magnetic strip inlet; 3012. Powder electrode soft magnetic strip outlet; 302. Push cover; 4. Soft magnetic sheet recycling device; 5. Nickel metal powder electrode array; 6. Measuring rod; 601. Main measuring rod; 602. Auxiliary measuring rod; 7. Soft magnetic sheet; 8. Adhesion rod; 9. Shielding wire; 10. Spiral spring. Detailed Implementation

[0030] To further illustrate the various embodiments, the present invention provides accompanying drawings, which are part of the disclosure of the present invention. These drawings are mainly used to illustrate the embodiments and can be used in conjunction with the relevant descriptions in the specification to explain the operating principles of the embodiments. With reference to these drawings, those skilled in the art should be able to understand other possible implementation methods and the advantages of the present invention.

[0031] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a nickel powder variable-size electrode capacitive tomography sensor is provided.

[0032] The present invention will now be further described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments, such as... Figures 1-8 As shown, the nickel powder variable-size electrode capacitance tomography sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an acrylic insulating layer 1, a fixed mounting frame 2, a powder electrode storage device 3, a soft magnetic sheet recovery device 4, and a nickel metal powder electrode array 5. The acrylic insulating layer 1 surrounds the circumferential surface of the object to be measured, forming a pipe structure. The fixed mounting frame 2 surrounds the outer circumference of the acrylic insulating layer 1 and is an openable and graduated frame ring structure. A plurality of measuring rods 6 are uniformly arranged around the outer circumference of the fixed mounting frame 2. At the end of each measuring rod 6 near the acrylic insulating layer 1, the powder electrode storage device 3 and the soft magnetic sheet recovery device 4 are sequentially arranged on one side of the powder electrode storage device 3, and the powder electrode storage device 3 is located on the outer circumference of the acrylic insulating layer 1. Adjacent measuring rods 6 are connected by soft magnetic sheets 7, and an adhesive rod 8 is provided on the outer side of the soft magnetic sheet 7. The nickel metal powder electrode array 5 includes a plurality of measuring electrodes uniformly arranged around the circumference of the object to be measured.

[0033] It should be noted that the measuring electrode is made of high-purity conductive nickel powder, which is magnetic and is a Class II specification, 40-75um.

[0034] By utilizing the above-described technical solution of this invention, a nickel powder variable-size electrode capacitance tomography sensor can flexibly select powder electrodes of arbitrary width to adapt to imaging pipes of different circumferences. The sensor uses a fixed mounting frame 2 to ensure the included angle of the main measuring rod 601 is fixed, thereby ensuring that the widths of multiple powder electrodes are equal and the electrode gap ratio remains constant. By uniformly adsorbing the nickel metal powder electrodes onto the soft magnetic sheet 7 and closely adhering to the object to be measured, the circumference of the sensor can be adjusted according to the object's size, achieving high-precision imaging of objects of different sizes. The width of the nickel powder electrodes is controlled by adjusting the extension length of the soft magnetic sheet 7, achieving artificial variability in the electrode gap ratio. Given a fixed electrode gap ratio, the electrode gap ratio of the electrode array remains constant, improving imaging accuracy and enhancing adjustment flexibility, allowing the sensor to quickly switch between objects of different sizes. By adjusting the width of the powder electrodes, the measurement range of the nickel powder variable-size electrode capacitance tomography sensor becomes more flexible. With sufficient nickel powder and soft magnetic sheet 7 in the cartridge, adjustments of any size can be achieved, which not only improves measurement adaptability but also significantly reduces costs.

[0035] In one embodiment, the acrylic insulating layer 1 includes a test object layer 101 and a soft magnetic sheet layer 102. The test object layer 101 is the inner wall of the acrylic insulating layer 1, and the soft magnetic sheet layer 102 is the outer wall of the acrylic insulating layer 1. A copper sheet is embedded on the outer circumference of the soft magnetic sheet layer 102, and the copper sheet is connected to the shielding wire 9. The test object layer 101 and the soft magnetic sheet layer 102 are made of synthetic polymer acrylic ester, so that the powder electrode is flattened to form a plane of uniform thickness when subjected to force.

[0036] It should be further explained that the acrylic insulating layer 1 is made of synthetic polymer acrylate, which has excellent smoothness and can be flattened when the powder electrode is subjected to force to form a plane of uniform thickness. The acrylic insulating layer 1 is divided into two parts: the object to be tested layer 101 and the soft magnetic sheet layer 102. The object to be tested layer 101 is in close contact with the object to be tested to prevent the powder from directly contacting the object to be tested, while ensuring that the powder electrode can form a uniform electrode layer when pressure is applied. The soft magnetic sheet layer 102 is in close contact with the soft magnetic sheet 7. As a ferrite magnetic material, if the soft magnetic sheet 7 comes into direct contact with the metal powder, it may affect the accuracy of the electrode measurement. Therefore, the soft magnetic sheet layer 102 plays an insulating role, avoiding direct contact between the soft magnetic sheet 7 and the powder, thereby eliminating the influence of the soft magnetic sheet 7 (ferrite) material on the measurement results.

[0037] In addition, a 2-square-centimeter thin copper sheet is embedded in the middle of the soft magnetic sheet layer 102 on the side facing the powder electrode, and the copper sheet is connected to the shielding wire 9 used for detection.

[0038] When the soft magnetic sheet is pulled out by the spiral spring 10, it will attract the powder electrode. The shielding wire 9 is then connected to the capacitance tomography (EIT) signal acquisition system to transmit data, thereby completing the data acquisition process of the capacitance tomography system.

[0039] In one embodiment, the fixed mounting frame 2 includes a main frame ring 201 symmetrically arranged at the top and bottom of the outer circumference of the acrylic isolation layer 1, and an auxiliary frame ring 202 arranged in the middle of the outer circumference of the acrylic isolation layer 1. A plurality of uniformly arranged main sliding parts 203 are arranged on the outer circumference of the main frame ring 201; a plurality of uniformly arranged auxiliary sliding parts 204 are arranged on the outer circumference of the auxiliary frame ring 202, thereby ensuring that the width between the multiple powder electrodes is equal and improving the stability of the sensor body.

[0040] It should be noted that the fixed installation frame 2 is connected by a pin, which enables automatic installation and has a fixed structure.

[0041] In one embodiment, the measuring rod 6 includes a main measuring rod 601 that is inserted inside the main sliding component 203 and an auxiliary measuring rod 602 that is inserted inside the auxiliary sliding component 204. One end of the main measuring rod 601 is connected to the powder electrode storage device 3, and one end of the auxiliary measuring rod 602 is connected to the bonding rod 8. This allows the sensor circumference to be adjusted according to the size of the object to be measured, thereby achieving high-precision imaging of objects of different sizes.

[0042] It should be further explained that the main measuring rod 601 and the auxiliary measuring rod 602 serve as axial long rods for fixing the object to be measured, which are designed to improve the stability of the sensor body. The main sliding component 203 and the auxiliary sliding component 204 are equipped with an automatic installation device, which includes a stepper motor and its driver, pulleys and other components. The fixed installation frame 2 has N sets of modular measuring rods evenly distributed. Each set of measuring rods consists of a main measuring rod 601 (rod A) and a corresponding main measuring rod 601 (rod B). Rod A is equipped with a powder electrode storage device 3 and a soft magnetic sheet recycling device 4, which together with rod B constitute a complete measuring electrode unit, forming a modular powder electrode unit.

[0043] This embodiment prefabricates N sets of powder electrode units, supporting various commonly used electrode configurations such as 8, 9, 12, 16, and 32 electrodes. Users can select an appropriate number of electrodes as needed, ensuring that the N sets of electrode units are evenly arranged around the object to be measured for accurate measurement. During installation, first open the fixed mounting frame 2, place the object to be measured inside, and close the frame. Then, adjust the scale on each measuring rod to ensure that the object to be measured is centered, and adjust the position of the measuring rods according to the scale angle on the frame ring to form a measuring electrode array of equal size. Since each powder electrode corresponds to the same radian angle, the distance between adjacent measuring powder electrodes remains consistent, thus ensuring the consistency and accuracy of the measurement.

[0044] In one embodiment, the powder electrode storage device 3 includes a powder electrode storage base box 301 and a push cover 302, and the powder electrode storage base box 301 and the push cover 302 are connected by a spring. The powder electrode storage base box 301 has a powder electrode soft magnetic strip inlet 3011 and a powder electrode soft magnetic strip outlet 3012 on both sides. The powder electrode soft magnetic strip inlet 3011 and the powder electrode soft magnetic strip outlet 3012 are both slit structures, and the height of the powder electrode soft magnetic strip outlet 3012 is greater than the width of the powder electrode soft magnetic strip inlet 3011, so that the measuring powder electrode can be closely attached to the object being measured.

[0045] It should be further explained that the powder electrode storage box 301 has slits of different heights on both sides: one side is a narrow slit for the powder electrode magnetic strip inlet 3011, the height of which matches the thickness of the magnetic strip 7 (1mm), for the entry of the magnetic strip 7 and the recovery of nickel powder; the other side is a wide slit for the powder electrode magnetic strip outlet 3012 (i.e., powder outlet) that is about 3mm higher than the inlet 3011, to ensure that the magnetic strip 7 can adsorb powder electrodes of uniform thickness when pulled out; in addition, the powder electrode storage box 301 and the push cover 302 are connected by a spring, and the push cover 302 is equipped with a concave handle to apply force evenly and assist in the pushing and recovery of powder electrodes.

[0046] The powder electrode storage box 301 has gaps of different heights on both sides. The powder electrode soft magnetic strip inlet 3011 is a narrow gap with the same height as the thickness of the soft magnetic sheet 7 (1mm), which is used for the entry of the soft magnetic sheet 7 and the recovery of nickel powder. The powder electrode soft magnetic strip outlet 3012 is about 3mm higher than the powder electrode soft magnetic strip inlet 3011 (powder outlet) and is a wide gap. The height restriction of the powder electrode soft magnetic strip outlet 3012 makes the soft magnetic sheet adsorb powder electrodes of uniform thickness when pulled out. In addition, the push cover 302 has a concave handle for uniform force distribution, which helps to push and recover the powder electrode.

[0047] In one embodiment, the soft magnetic sheet recycling device 4 described above is provided with a spiral spring 10 connected to the soft magnetic sheet 7 inside the soft magnetic sheet recycling device 4, and the other side of the spiral spring 10 is engaged with the soft magnetic strip outlet 3012 of the powder electrode, so that the powder layer becomes flat and uniform in thickness, ensuring the possibility of accurate measurement of nickel metal powder as an electrode.

[0048] It should be noted that the soft magnetic sheet recycling device 4 is fixed on the main measuring rod 601 and located on the side of the powder electrode soft magnetic strip inlet 3011 of the powder electrode storage device 3. The soft magnetic sheet recycling device 4 has a spiral spring 10 fixed inside. The soft magnetic sheets 7 form a soft magnetic sheet roll, one end of which is fixed on the spiral spring 10 in the soft magnetic sheet recycling device 4, and the other end passes through the powder electrode soft magnetic strip outlet 3012 of the powder electrode storage device 3 and is fixed on the opposite set of main measuring rods 601.

[0049] In addition, the soft magnetic sheet recycling device 4 uses a spiral spring 10 as its core component and is equipped with a stepper motor as an auxiliary power source. One end of the soft magnetic sheet 7 is fixed to the spiral spring 10, and the other end passes through the powder electrode soft magnetic strip outlet 3012 (i.e., powder outlet) of the powder electrode storage device 3. When the soft magnetic sheet 7 is pulled out, the spiral spring 10 undergoes elastic deformation, and the elastic force generated is used to provide the pressure required for fixing the powder electrode and the power for recycling the soft magnetic sheet 7. However, considering that the force generated by the spiral spring 10 itself may be uneven and unstable, a stepper motor is added as an auxiliary to ensure that the recycling process of the soft magnetic sheet 7 is more stable and efficient.

[0050] For specific applications, such as waterworks and lumberyards, where continuous measurement of a large number of non-destructible objects of different sizes is required, traditional sensors often require the manufacture of separate measuring tools for each size, resulting in high costs and complex operation. In contrast, the nickel powder variable-size electrode capacitance tomography sensor is not only more convenient but also significantly reduces manufacturing and usage costs, making it particularly suitable for large-scale and diverse measurement needs.

[0051] To facilitate understanding of the above technical solutions of the present invention, the working principle or operation method of the present invention in actual process will be described in detail below.

[0052] In practical applications, firstly, loosen the opening and closing screws of the main frame ring 201 and the auxiliary frame ring 202, separating them in half. Evenly install the required number of main measuring rods 601, auxiliary measuring rods 602, powder electrode storage device 3, and soft magnetic sheet recycling device 4 at a specified angle. Fix one end of the soft magnetic roll composed of soft magnetic sheets 7 to the spiral spring 10, and the other end passes through the powder electrode storage device 3 and is fixed to the main measuring rod 601. Additionally, soft magnetic sheets 7 are placed under the sensor to collect nickel powder electrodes scattered during operation. Next, wrap the object to be tested with an acrylic insulating layer 1 and secure it with self-locking nylon cable ties to ensure stability. Then, place the wrapped object to be tested in the middle of the main frame ring 201 and the auxiliary frame ring 202, close and lock the frame, and simultaneously adjust the main measuring rod 601. The auxiliary measuring rod 601 and the auxiliary measuring rod 602 are used to center the object under test, improving the stability during measurement. Next, the stepper motor is activated to drive the main sliding component 203 that cooperates with the main measuring rod 601, causing the soft magnetic sheet 7 on the main measuring rod 601 to extend and attract the nickel powder electrode. At this time, the spiral spring 10 generates elastic potential energy due to deformation, which helps to stabilize and fix the powder electrode. When the nickel powder passes through the gap, although it will form a uniform wave-like distribution, the elastic potential energy of the spiral spring 10 causes the soft magnetic sheet 7 to adhere tightly to the acrylic insulating layer 1, thereby making the powder layer flat and uniform in thickness, ensuring the possibility of accurate measurement of nickel metal powder as an electrode. Finally, after all the soft magnetic sheets 7 are arranged, the shielded wire 9 is connected to the computer to transmit capacitance data and process the image through the algorithm, providing accurate data support for subsequent analysis.

[0053] In summary, by utilizing the above-mentioned technical solution of the present invention, the nickel powder variable-size electrode capacitance tomography sensor allows for the flexible selection of powder electrodes of arbitrary width to adapt to imaging pipelines of different circumferences. The sensor utilizes a fixed mounting frame 2 to ensure the included angle of the main measuring rod 601 is fixed, thereby ensuring that the widths of multiple powder electrodes are equal and the electrode gap ratio remains constant. The powder electrode soft magnetic strip outlet 3012 ensures that the pulled-out powder electrodes have a consistent thickness. Combined with the function of the soft magnetic sheet recovery device 4, this allows the measuring powder electrodes to fit tightly against the object being measured. By uniformly adsorbing the nickel metal powder electrodes onto the soft magnetic sheet 7 and tightly adhering to the object being measured, the sensor circumference can be adjusted according to the object's size, achieving high-precision imaging of objects of different sizes. By adjusting the pull-out length of the soft magnetic sheet 7 to control the width of the nickel powder electrodes, the variability of the electrode gap ratio is achieved. Given a fixed electrode gap ratio, the electrode gap ratio of the electrode array remains constant, which not only improves imaging accuracy but also enhances adjustment flexibility, allowing the sensor to quickly switch between objects of different sizes. By adjusting the width of the powder electrode, the measurement range of the nickel powder variable-size electrode capacitance tomography sensor becomes more flexible. With sufficient nickel powder and soft magnetic sheet 7 in the cartridge, it can be adjusted to any size, which not only improves the adaptability of the measurement but also significantly reduces the cost.

[0054] In this invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "setting," "connection," "fixing," "screw connection," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal connection of two components or the interaction between two components. Unless otherwise explicitly limited, those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention according to the specific circumstances.

[0055] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A nickel powder sized electrode electrical capacitance tomography sensor, characterized in that, It comprises an acrylic isolation layer (1), a fixed installation frame (2), a powder electrode storage device (3), a soft magnetic sheet recycling device (4) and a nickel metal powder electrode array (5); The acrylic isolation layer (1) is arranged around the circumferential surface of the object to be measured and forms a pipeline structure. The fixed installation frame (2) is arranged around the outer side of the circumference of the acrylic isolation layer (1) and is a frame ring structure which can be opened and closed and is engraved with scales; a plurality of measuring rods (6) are evenly and alternately arranged on the outer side of the circumference of the fixed installation frame (2), one end of the measuring rod (6) close to the acrylic isolation layer (1) is sequentially provided with the powder electrode storage device (3) and the soft magnetic sheet recycling device (4) located on one side of the powder electrode storage device (3), and the powder electrode storage device (3) is located on the outer side of the circumference of the acrylic isolation layer (1). The soft magnetic sheets (7) are connected between adjacent measuring rods (6), and the outer side of the soft magnetic sheet (7) is provided with a matching rod (8). The nickel metal powder electrode array (5) comprises a plurality of measuring electrodes which are evenly and alternately arranged around the circumference of the object to be measured.

2. The nickel powder sized electrode EIT sensor according to claim 1, wherein, The acrylic isolation layer (1) comprises an object to be measured layer (101) and a soft magnetic sheet layer (102), the object to be measured layer (101) is the inner wall of the acrylic isolation layer (1), and the soft magnetic sheet layer (102) is the outer wall of the acrylic isolation layer (1).

3. The nickel powder sized electrode EIT sensor of claim 2 wherein, The outer side of the circumference of the soft magnetic sheet layer (102) is embedded with a copper sheet, and the copper sheet is connected with a shielding wire (9).

4. The nickel powder sized electrode EIT sensor of claim 3 wherein, The materials of the object to be measured layer (101) and the soft magnetic sheet layer (102) are synthetic high molecular acrylate.

5. The nickel powder sized electrode EIT sensor of claim 1 wherein, The fixed installation frame (2) comprises a main frame ring (201) symmetrically arranged on the top and bottom of the outer side of the circumference of the acrylic isolation layer (1) and an auxiliary frame ring (202) arranged on the middle of the outer side of the circumference of the acrylic isolation layer (1). The outer side of the circumference of the main frame ring (201) is provided with a plurality of main sliding components (203) which are evenly arranged. The outer side of the circumference of the auxiliary frame ring (202) is provided with a plurality of auxiliary sliding components (204) which are evenly arranged.

6. The nickel powder sized electrode EIT sensor of claim 5 wherein, The measuring rod (6) comprises a main measuring rod (601) alternately arranged in the main sliding component (203) and an auxiliary measuring rod (602) alternately arranged in the auxiliary sliding component (204), one end of the main measuring rod (601) is connected with the powder electrode storage device (3), and one end of the auxiliary measuring rod (602) is connected with the matching rod (8).

7. The nickel powder sized electrode EIT sensor of claim 1 wherein, The powder electrode storage device (3) comprises a powder electrode storage bottom box (301) and a push cover (302), and the powder electrode storage bottom box (301) and the push cover (302) are connected by a spring.

8. The nickel powder sized electrode EIT sensor of claim 7 wherein, The powder electrode storage bottom box (301) is provided with a powder electrode soft magnetic strip inlet (3011) and a powder electrode soft magnetic strip outlet (3012) on both sides.

9. The nickel powder sized electrode EIT sensor of claim 8 wherein, The powder electrode soft magnetic strip inlet (3011) and the powder electrode soft magnetic strip outlet (3012) are both slit structures, and the height of the powder electrode soft magnetic strip outlet (3012) is greater than the width of the powder electrode soft magnetic strip inlet (3011).

10. The nickel powder sized electrode EIT sensor of claim 9, wherein, The inside of the soft magnetic sheet recycling device (4) is provided with a volute spring (10) connected with the soft magnetic sheet (7), and the other side of the volute spring (10) is matched with the powder electrode soft magnetic strip outlet (3012).

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