Electric Field Generating Device With Dielectric Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current electric field measurement systems face challenges such as interference from measurement equipment, temperature dependency, and distortion of the electric field, making accurate and reliable measurements difficult, especially in applications like atmospheric electrostatic field surveying and near high-voltage power lines.
Innovation Solution
An electric field generating device comprising a charge accumulation body, a support body, and a conductor element, where the support body has a locally varying electrical resistance and is designed to minimize perturbations of the electric field, allowing for the generation of an electric field that approximates an ideal electric field with known properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional electric field measurement systems are used, then measurement capability is provided, but the measurement equipment itself perturbs and distorts the electric field being measured
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a dielectric support body as an intermediary between the charged sphere and the environment. This support body has a dielectric constant matching the surrounding medium, allowing it to mechanically support the charged sphere while being electrically transparent and not distorting the electric field lines, thus enabling measurement without harmful interference
Solution Approach 2:
The support body is designed with specific local properties: it has a dielectric constant that locally matches the surrounding environment (air or vacuum), creating a region where the electric field can pass through undistorted while still providing mechanical support structure
2Measurement precision
If a charged sphere is supported by a dielectric body with dielectric constant close to environment, then field line deformation is minimized, but the support structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the key parameter of the support body - its dielectric constant - to match the surrounding environment. This parameter matching allows the support structure to become effectively invisible to the electric field, minimizing distortion while maintaining structural integrity
3Measurement precision
If field mills are used for electric field measurement, then measurement capability is provided, but they suffer from strong temperature dependency and require complex calibration procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the complex mechanical field mill system with a simpler electrostatic setup using a charged sphere and potential detector. This substitution eliminates the temperature-dependent moving parts and complex calibration mechanisms of field mills, providing a more reliable and stable measurement system
4Ease of operation
If electro-optical systems are used, then grounded connections are not required, but they suffer from intrinsic temperature instability due to pyroelectric effect and thermal expansion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a simple charged sphere that can be recharged as needed, replacing complex electro-optical systems with temperature-sensitive components. The sphere itself is a simple, robust object that can be easily replaced or recharged, eliminating the temperature instability issues of electro-optical materials
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 proposed solution enables the generation of an electric field with minimal perturbation, allowing for accurate and reliable electric field measurements by providing a well-defined background field that reduces interference from measurement equipment.
Implementation Method 1
an electric potential around the charge accumulation body may be provided by a shape of the charge accumulation body, equipotential faces of the electric potential at least approximating a desired shape determined by the desired electric field
Implementation Method 2
a conductor element extending through the support body and electrically contacting the support body
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates in various aspects to an electric field generating device, an electric field detecting device, and an electric field detection assembly. In some illustrative embodiments of an aspect, the electric field generating device includes a charge accumulation body, a support body of conductive material, and a conductor element of a conductive material. The conductor element extends through the support body. The charge accumulation body has a shape according to a desired electric potential distribution having equipotential faces in correspondence with a desired shape and the conductor element is electrically insulated from the support body.