Beam Position Detector With Asymmetric Inductance Sensors

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing beam position detectors in particle accelerators suffer from reduced signal amplitude and precision due to the use of attenuators, which degrade the signal-to-noise ratio and increase costs and maintenance complexity.

Innovation Solution

The use of magnetic field sensors with conductive loops of different inductances eliminates the need for attenuators, maintaining maximum signal amplitude and reducing the number of connectors in the processing chain, thereby enhancing precision and reducing costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If attenuators are introduced into the measurement chain to avoid integration or digitization of near-zero amplitude signals, then the beam position detection can be performed, but the signal amplitude is reduced leading to degradation of signal-to-noise ratio and precision

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebeam position detection capabilityVSAvoidbeam position precision
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies asymmetry by using magnetic field sensors with different inductances instead of symmetric sensors with equal inductances. This asymmetric configuration generates signals with different amplitudes directly from the sensors, eliminating the need for external attenuators and maintaining maximum signal amplitude for high-precision measurement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the inductance parameter of the magnetic field sensors to create amplitude asymmetry in the generated signals. By selecting sensors with different inductance values, the system directly produces signals of different amplitudes that can be processed without attenuation, thereby maintaining signal-to-noise ratio and measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If attenuators are used to adjust signal amplitudes, then signal processing can be performed, but the number of connectors and processing chain complexity increases leading to higher costs and maintenance requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal processing capabilityVSAvoidprocessing chain complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates the attenuators from the measurement chain by incorporating the amplitude adjustment function directly into the sensor design. This removal of unnecessary components simplifies the processing chain, reduces the number of connectors, and lowers both manufacturing and maintenance costs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The magnetic field sensors perform self-service by automatically generating signals with appropriate amplitudes through their different inductances. This eliminates the need for external amplitude adjustment devices, making the system more autonomous and reducing overall complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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

This approach improves the accuracy of beam position detection by maintaining higher signal amplitudes and eliminating noise, leading to a better signal-to-noise ratio and reduced maintenance costs.

Implementation Method 1

Each magnetic field sensor comprises a conductive loop across the terminals of which a voltage (electromotive force) is generated by a variation of the magnetic field resulting from the passage of the particle beam

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP3846595B1Detector of the position of a beam of charged particles passing through an enclosure
Publication Date: 2022.10.19 COMMISSARIAT A LENERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ENERGIES ALTERNATIVES
  • EP3846595B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2B
  • EP3846595B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3C
  • EP3846595B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The invention relates to the measurement of the position of a beam of electrically charged particles passing through an enclosure. It concerns a beam position detector (42) comprising a first magnetic field sensor (30A, 30C) and a second magnetic field sensor (20E, 20G) arranged to be installed in the enclosure on either side of the particle beam. Each magnetic field sensor (30A, 30C, 20E, 20G) comprises a conductive loop (23B, 33B). According to the invention, the conductive loop (33B) of the first magnetic field sensor (30A, 30C) and the conductive loop (23B) of the second magnetic field sensor (20E, 20G) are arranged to have different inductances. The inductances may differ depending on the number of turns, the shape, and/or the dimensions of the loops.