Curved Coaxial Probe for Non-Invasive Wine Dielectric Testing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wine testing methods are invasive and not suitable for non-invasive testing of wine in closed bottles, especially due to the high cost and size of NMR instruments and interference from metallic bottle labels in existing radio-frequency coil methods.
Innovation Solution
A coaxial probe system with a large diameter and curved open end is used to interrogate wine through the bottle, allowing for non-invasive dielectric testing by measuring radio-wave reflection signals, which can penetrate the bottle and determine dielectric properties of the wine without direct contact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a radio-frequency coil encircles the bottle to measure dielectric properties, then measurement capability is achieved, but the interface must be large and metallic bottle labels interfere with measurements causing failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the measurement function from a large encircling coil and concentrates it into a small coaxial probe that contacts only a localized portion of the bottle. This eliminates the interference problem caused by large coil interfaces interacting with metallic labels, as the small probe can be positioned away from label areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The coaxial probe serves as an intermediary measurement interface that couples the measurement system to the wine through the bottle wall. This localized intermediary approach avoids direct interaction with problematic metallic labels while still enabling dielectric property measurement through the bottle material.
2Measurement precision
If NMR spectroscopy is used to characterize wine composition, then measurement capability is achieved, but the instrument is very expensive and large making it unsuitable for decentralized locations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive, complex NMR instrumentation with a simple, inexpensive coaxial probe system that uses basic radio-frequency measurement principles. This simplified approach achieves adequate measurement capability for dielectric property assessment without the high cost and complexity of NMR equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts only the essential measurement function needed for dielectric property assessment from the complex NMR system, implementing it through a simple coaxial probe. This extraction eliminates unnecessary complexity while retaining the core measurement capability for wine analysis.
3Ease of operation
If conventional wine testing methods are used, then direct wine access is achieved, but the testing becomes invasive requiring bottle opening
Solution Approach 1:
The coaxial probe acts as an intermediary that enables measurement through the bottle wall without opening the bottle. The probe contacts the bottle exterior and measures dielectric properties of the wine through the bottle material, maintaining bottle integrity while enabling testing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical bottle opening and direct liquid contact with an electromagnetic field-based measurement system. The coaxial probe uses radio-frequency electromagnetic fields to measure wine properties through the bottle wall, eliminating the need for mechanical intrusion.
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, non-invasive wine testing by minimizing air gaps and accommodating bottle shapes, effectively determining dielectric properties of wine without the need for expensive equipment or interference from bottle labels.
Implementation Method 1
a measurement module for determining a dielectric property associated with the wine by generating and measuring radio waves propagating through the coaxial cable
Implementation Method 2
measuring a radio-wave reflection signal associated with the wine by interrogating the wine, through the bottle, with radio waves
Data Source
AI summary
A system for dielectric testing of wine in a bottle includes (a) a coaxial probe for interrogating the wine, wherein the coaxial probe has an open end for contacting an exterior surface of the bottle, and (b) a measurement module for determining a dielectric property associated with the wine by generating and measuring radio waves propagating through the coaxial cable. A method for dielectric testing of wine in a bottle includes measuring a radio-wave reflection signal associated with the wine by interrogating the wine, through the bottle, with radio waves, and determining a dielectric property associated with the wine from the radio-wave reflection signal. A probe for radio-wave interrogation of wine in a bottle has an inner conductor, an outer conductor, and an open end with curvature matching the curvature of an exterior surface of the bottle.