Electric Field Sensor Calibration via Adjustable Electrode Impedance
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current electric field measurement devices, particularly current measurement electrometers, face challenges such as limited sensitivity, bulkiness, and metrology issues due to the small portion of current deviated in the conducting medium, and require calibration to account for varying conductivity and impedance changes in the medium.
Innovation Solution
A device with adjustable variables like impedance, distance, and active surface area, coupled with control and processing elements to measure current and deduce electric field, conductivity, and impedance, using a system of equations to maintain accuracy despite changes in the medium's properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If voltage measurement electrometers use large electrode separation distance to obtain satisfactory signal-to-noise ratio, then measurement sensitivity is improved, but device bulkiness increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the measurement parameter from voltage measurement to current measurement. By measuring the current flowing through the electrodes instead of voltage, the device achieves satisfactory signal-to-noise ratio with much smaller electrode separation distances, thereby reducing device bulkiness while maintaining measurement sensitivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the voltage measurement mechanism with a current measurement mechanism. This substitution allows the use of smaller electrode separations because current measurement is inherently more sensitive to small changes in the conducting medium, eliminating the need for large physical dimensions required by voltage measurement systems.
2Volume of moving object
If voltage measurement electrometers use small electrode separation distance to reduce device size, then device bulkiness is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates due to insufficient current deviation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent fundamentally changes the measurement parameter from voltage to current. This allows small electrode separations to produce measurable current signals that are sufficient for accurate electric field measurement, overcoming the limitation of insufficient current deviation in small-sized devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the natural current flow through the conducting medium and the electrodes themselves as the measurement mechanism. The electrodes and conducting medium serve their own measurement function by allowing current to flow naturally under the electric field, eliminating the need for additional complex measurement infrastructure.
3Volume of moving object
If current measurement electrometers are used to achieve compact size and better sensitivity, then device portability is improved, but measurement accuracy deteriorates due to varying conductivity and impedance in the medium
Solution Approach 1:
The patent measures current at multiple different electrode separation distances and uses this feedback information to calculate and compensate for the conductivity and impedance of the conducting medium. This feedback mechanism allows the device to maintain accurate electric field measurements despite variations in medium properties, resolving the accuracy issue while preserving compact design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary measurements at multiple electrode separations to determine the conductivity and impedance characteristics of the medium before making the final electric field calculation. This preliminary characterization of the medium allows for accurate compensation and ensures measurement accuracy in compact devices.
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 and sensitive electric field measurements by calibrating the device in situ, accounting for variations in conductivity and impedance, thereby improving measurement precision and reducing errors.
Implementation Method 1
measuring the current flowing between the two electrodes... the conductivity of the conducting medium
Data Source
AI summary
A device for measuring an electric field in a conducting medium comprises: two electrodes separated by a volume of an insulating medium; a device for measuring current coupled to said electrodes; and adjustment elements making it possible to vary a quantity on which the electrical conductivity of the field measuring device depends.