Amorphous Metal Capsule for Scientific Instruments
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pressure sensor capsules made of crystalline materials have limited elastic deformation, leading to restricted measurement ranges and low winding forces, and the use of amorphous metals is hindered by the risk of crystallization during welding, which alters their mechanical properties.
Innovation Solution
A capsule design featuring two integral flexible membranes made of amorphous metal alloys with a higher elastic limit to Young's modulus ratio, allowing for greater deformation and precise shaping without crystallization, optimized for compact size and enhanced mechanical properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If crystalline materials such as Cu-Be alloy are used to manufacture the capsule, then the capsule can be sealed by welding, but the elastic deformation capability is limited due to low σe/E ratio
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from crystalline to amorphous structure, which fundamentally alters the σe/E ratio. Amorphous metals exhibit a significantly higher ratio of yield strength to Young's modulus, enabling greater elastic deformation capability while maintaining reliability and avoiding plastic deformation.
2Strength
If amorphous metals are used to manufacture the capsule, then the elastic deformation capability increases, but the material may crystallize during welding, altering its mechanical properties
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful welding process from the manufacturing sequence. Instead of welding amorphous metal capsules (which causes crystallization), the invention joins cups made of different materials (at least one amorphous) using alternative connection methods that avoid thermal damage to the amorphous structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite construction where cups of amorphous metal are joined with cups of other materials. This composite approach allows the amorphous metal to provide superior elastic deformation capability while the other materials and joining methods address manufacturing concerns about crystallization during welding.
3Reliability
If the capsule deformation is limited to avoid plastic deformation, then reliability is maintained, but the measurement range is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
By changing from crystalline to amorphous material, the patent fundamentally alters the deformation parameters. The amorphous metal's higher σe/E ratio allows the capsule to undergo larger elastic deformations without risking plastic deformation, thus expanding the measurement range while maintaining reliability.
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 amorphous metal capsules exhibit increased elastic deformation capabilities, improved reliability, and reduced plastic deformation risk, enabling larger measurement ranges and more efficient winding mechanisms while maintaining compact dimensions.
Implementation Method 1
the two cups being flexible membranes deformable under the effect of a physical quantity... at least one of said membranes being made of at least partially amorphous metallic alloy in order to optimize the dimensions of said capsule
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a capsule (1) comprising two cups (2) joined together in such a way that they are connected by a closed and common surface (4) and together defining, on each side of said surface, a closed space (3) delimited by said cups. At least one of the two cups (2) is a flexible membrane that can be deformed under the effect of a physical parameter. At least the said membrane is made of a metal alloy that is at least partially amorphous so as to optimise the dimensions of the said capsule.