Capacitive Plate Dielectrometer for Low-Frequency Permittivity Testing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for measuring dielectric properties, particularly permittivity, require large quantities of test materials and cumbersome equipment, making them expensive, time-consuming, and difficult to fabricate, especially for low-frequency testing.
Innovation Solution
A capacitive plate dielectrometer system that uses a small sample, such as a three-inch honeycomb cube, allowing measurements of all polarizations and electric field directions with one test sample, reducing material waste and labor time, and utilizing a calibration process that takes less time than traditional methods.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If large waveguide dimensions are used for low frequency permittivity testing, then measurement accuracy is improved, but device complexity and material quantity requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical waveguide system with a capacitive plate measurement system. Instead of using large physical waveguide structures to guide electromagnetic waves, the invention uses parallel capacitor plates with a test sample placed between them. This substitution eliminates the need for complex waveguide geometry while maintaining the ability to measure permittivity through capacitance changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the measurement parameter from waveguide dimension-based electromagnetic wave propagation to direct capacitance measurement. By measuring the change in capacitance when a test sample is placed between capacitor plates, the system determines permittivity without requiring large physical dimensions. The measurement is based on electrical parameter changes rather than geometric constraints.
2Reliability
If large quantities of test material are used for low frequency testing, then measurement reliability is improved, but loss of substance and fabrication difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential portion of test material needed for the measurement. Instead of requiring large quantities of material to fill waveguides, the invention uses small test samples placed between capacitor plates. The essential measurement capability is maintained while removing the unnecessary bulk material, thereby reducing material consumption and fabrication complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the test material into small, manageable samples rather than requiring large continuous quantities. The capacitive plate system allows measurement of small test pieces by focusing the electric field directly on the sample between the plates, eliminating the need for large material quantities and simplifying sample fabrication and preparation.
3Measurement precision
If traditional waveguide methods are used for permittivity testing, then measurement accuracy is maintained, but loss of time for testing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the time-consuming waveguide setup and measurement process with a simpler capacitive plate system. The substitution of electromagnetic wave propagation measurements with direct capacitance measurements using parallel plates significantly reduces the time required for sample preparation, positioning, and measurement while maintaining permittivity measurement accuracy.
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
Enables accurate permittivity measurements with reduced material and equipment costs, easier specimen fabrication, and faster testing, while maintaining productivity and measurement accuracy across various electric field vector directions.
Implementation Method 1
Permittivity is a physical quantity that describes how an electric field affects and is affected by a dielectric medium, and it is determined by the ability of a material to polarize in response to the field and thereby reduce the field inside the material
Implementation Method 2
test materials may be classified according to their conductivity or permittivity. Electrical conductivity is a measure of a material's ability to conduct an electric current
Data Source
AI summary
A capacitive plate dielectrometer method and system is provided that is used to measure dielectric properties, such as permittivity, of a small sample test material at a low frequency. The capacitive plate dielectrometer method and system calibrates the capacitive plate dielectrometer with a plurality of standard dielectric materials and the sample test material is rotated in the capacitive plate dielectrometer to allow measurement of several electric field directions.