Continuously Adjustable Phase Actuator With Resonant Phase Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current phase control systems in magnetic resonance tomographs require significant circuit technology and signal processing resources for precise phase adjustments, especially as the increment of phase displacement decreases, leading to increased complexity and cost.
Innovation Solution
A continuously adjustable phase actuator is designed with a signal input, output, reference mass, inductance with tapping points, and a transformation network, utilizing a parallel resonant circuit with a variable capacitance and a Collins filter to achieve precise phase displacement without substantial amplitude changes, using capacitance diodes for rapid adjustment and minimal space requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If discrete phase shifters with fixed values are used to achieve phase displacement, then phase control precision is improved, but device complexity increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/discrete phase shifter system with an electrical/continuous system using a parallel resonant circuit. By substituting mechanical switching of discrete phase values with continuous electrical adjustment of capacitance and inductance parameters, the system achieves both high precision and low complexity. The resonant circuit allows continuous phase control through smooth parameter variation rather than discrete steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operating parameters of the resonant circuit (capacitance C and inductance L values) to achieve phase displacement. By varying these parameters continuously, the system can precisely control the phase angle without requiring multiple discrete components. The phase shift is achieved through parameter adjustment rather than component switching.
2Measurement precision
If the increment of phase displacement is decreased for higher precision, then phase control precision is improved, but the number of discrete phase shifters increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the discrete phase shifter array with a single continuous resonant circuit system. Instead of using multiple discrete phase shifters to achieve fine phase increments, the system uses continuous electrical adjustment of the resonant circuit parameters to achieve the same precision with a single integrated structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic, continuously adjustable parameters (capacitance and inductance values) into the phase control system. This dynamic approach allows the system to achieve any phase value within the operating range by continuously varying the parameters, eliminating the need for multiple fixed-value phase shifters.
3Power
If multiple separate power amplifiers are used to create excitation power, then power output is improved, but signal phase relationship control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the phase control functions of multiple power amplifiers into a unified resonant circuit system. By combining the amplifiers' output signals through a common resonant network with adjustable parameters, the system achieves coordinated phase control across all channels, reducing the overall complexity of signal processing while maintaining high power output.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution allows for low-cost, efficient, and precise phase adjustments with reduced circuit complexity, maintaining impedance symmetry and enabling precise phase control in magnetic resonance tomographs without significant amplitude changes.
Implementation Method 1
a parallel resonant circuit with a variable capacitance and an inductance with tapping points
Implementation Method 2
a variable capacitance in the sense of one or more of the present embodiments may have a capacitance value varied by an electrical signal. In one embodiment, such capacitors involve capacitance diodes
Implementation Method 3
Transformation network may be a circuit that maps a complex impedance at a second terminal of the transformation network to another, different complex impedance at a first terminal of the transformation network
Data Source
AI summary
A phase actuator for a continuously adjustable phase displacement at a first frequency is provided. The phase actuator has a first inductance with tapping point, a first continuously variable capacitor, and a transformation network. A signal input and a signal output of the phase shifter are connected by the first inductance. The first continuously adjustable capacitor is connected in parallel to the first inductance. The tapping point is connected via a transformation network to a reference mass, where an impedance value of the transformation network corresponds to a quarter wave transform of a capacitance value of the first continuously variable capacitance at the first frequency.