Mapping Open to Closed Circuit Demagnetisation Curves

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for measuring demagnetisation curves in magnetic materials, particularly rare-earth materials, face inaccuracies when transitioning from open to closed magnetic circuits due to self-demagnetisation field effects and eddy currents, leading to protocol and geometry-dependent results.

Innovation Solution

A multi-stage method involving pulsed field magnetometry to measure open circuit demagnetisation curves, correcting for linear and non-linear eddy current effects, sample geometry, and adding idealised steel core effects to accurately map these curves to closed circuit demagnetisation curves.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If closed magnetic circuit permeameter measurements are used, then measurement precision and reliability are improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedemagnetisation curve measurement precisionVSAvoidpermeameter system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a steel core as an intermediary element in the permeameter system. This steel core acts as a magnetic flux conduit that guides and concentrates the magnetic flux through the sample, enabling accurate closed-circuit measurements without requiring complex external magnetic field generation systems. The steel core with its high permeability creates a well-defined magnetic circuit path, simplifying the overall measurement system while maintaining high precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If open magnetic circuit PFM measurements are used, then measurement speed and cost are improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to self-demagnetisation field effects

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement speedVSAvoiddemagnetisation curve accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The steel core serves as a mediator that transforms the open-circuit measurement configuration into an effective closed-circuit configuration. By introducing this high-permeability intermediate element, the system maintains the speed advantages of PFM while achieving the measurement precision traditionally associated only with slow closed-circuit permeameter methods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the magnetic circuit parameter from open to closed configuration by introducing the steel core. This parameter change fundamentally alters the magnetic field distribution and eliminates self-demagnetisation effects, thereby improving measurement precision while maintaining the fast measurement capability of PFM systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Strength

If open magnetic circuit measurements are used for rare-earth materials, then saturation field requirements are reduced, but measurement accuracy deteriorates due to eddy current effects

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesaturation field capabilityVSAvoiddemagnetisation curve accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The steel core acts as an intermediary that provides a low-reluctance path for magnetic flux, enabling the system to achieve high saturation fields necessary for measuring rare-earth materials without requiring excessively strong external fields. This intermediate magnetic pathway reduces the burden on the external field generation system while maintaining measurement accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

Enhances the accuracy of demagnetisation curve mapping to within the precision of permeameter and PFM measurements, improving the reproducibility and reliability of magnetic material characterisation.

Implementation Method 1

Pulsed field measurements use high frequency magnetisation pulses that additionally induce eddy currents in the system

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

induce eddy currents in the system, introducing a distortion in the measured characteristic

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEddy currents: Eddy Currents

Implementation Method 3

Magnetic materials are characterised and graded by their hysteresis loop

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic hysteresis: Magnetic Hysteresis

Implementation Method 4

rare-earth materials, such as samarium cobalt and neodymium require large saturation and coercive fields

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic saturation: Magnetic Saturation

Data Source

PatentUS20240210499A1Method and apparatus for mapping the open circuit demagnetisation curve of a sample of magnetic material to a closed circuit demagnetisation curve
Publication Date: 2024.06.27 HIRST MAGNETIC INSTR

AI summary

A method and apparatus for accurately mapping the closed magnetic circuit demagnetisation curve to and from a open magnetic circuit demagnetisation curve. The method utilises open circuit data from a pulsed field magnetometer (PFM) and computer modelling of both the PFM (open circuit) and permeameter (closed circuit) apparatus. This method is more accurate than previous methods and can calculate the closed circuit curve within the precision of both the PFM and the permeameter apparatus.