Programmable EMAT Tone Burst Generator With Isolated MOSFET Excitation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electromagnetic acoustic transducer (EMAT) excitation systems face limitations in power efficiency and cost due to reliance on high-power push-pull or H-bridge technologies, with a need for a more efficient and cost-effective method to generate tone bursts for non-destructive testing of electrically conducting materials.
Innovation Solution
A tone burst generator system using low-power MOSFETs in parallel to pump high power to EMAT windings, with a programmable circuit design allowing selection of the number of cycles and burst repetition rate, and a completely isolated tone burst generator with separate grounds to prevent noise propagation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If push-pull or H-bridge technologies are used for EMAT excitation, then high power output is achieved, but power efficiency deteriorates and cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic tone burst excitation signals instead of continuous excitation, where the EMAT coil is excited only during specific time intervals (tone bursts) and remains idle during other intervals. This periodic action allows the system to achieve high power output during the burst periods while consuming significantly less average power, thereby resolving the contradiction between power output and power efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters by using tone burst duration, repetition rate, and duty cycle as controllable parameters. By adjusting these parameters, the system can optimize the balance between delivering sufficient peak power for effective testing and reducing average power consumption, thus improving power efficiency while maintaining required power output capability
2Power
If push-pull or H-bridge technologies are used for EMAT excitation, then high power output is achieved, but system cost deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
By using periodic tone burst excitation instead of continuous high-power amplification, the patent reduces the power rating requirements for active components. This allows the use of lower-cost components that can handle peak power during bursts but don't need to sustain continuous high power, thereby reducing overall system cost while maintaining high power output capability when needed
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs cost-effective components designed for pulsed operation rather than continuous operation. These components are optimized for short-duration high-power bursts and can be implemented at lower cost compared to components designed for continuous high-power operation, thus reducing system cost while achieving required power output
3Object-generated harmful factors
If tone burst generator is electrically isolated from power amplifier, then noise propagation is prevented, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the excitation system into electrically isolated segments: the tone burst generator and the power amplifier stage. This segmentation prevents noise and high-voltage transients from the power amplifier from coupling into the sensitive tone burst generator circuitry, thereby preventing noise propagation while maintaining relatively simple individual module designs that can be independently optimized
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
This solution enables efficient and cost-effective generation of tone bursts for EMATs, allowing for precise testing of thin and thick samples with reduced echo mixing and lower costs, while ensuring isolation from high voltage components.
Implementation Method 1
an oscillator device (101) configured to produce a radio frequency signal
Implementation Method 2
electromagnetic acoustic transducer (EMAT) excitation system
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to an electromagnetic acoustic transducer excitation system comprising a tone burst generator, the tone burst generator comprising: an oscillator device configured to produce a radio frequency signal; an analog switch configured to produce an output based on the radio frequency signal produced by the oscillator device and a control signal; a pre-amplifier configured to amplify the output of the analog switch and produce a tone burst output signal; and a control module configured to produce the control signal for providing to the analog switch.