Field Regulator for Resonant Circuit Inductance Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing proximity detection systems face limitations due to environmental factors affecting the strength and reliability of electromagnetic fields, with manual adjustments or additional complexity being required to compensate for changes in circuit components and environmental variables.
Innovation Solution
A field regulator for a resonant circuit that uses a DC bias circuit to selectively change the inductance of the inductor coil, allowing for consistent electromagnetic field strength by applying a DC bias current, with a feedback control system to adjust the current based on detected changes in current flow, thereby maintaining a desired resonance point without additional control windings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual control or servomechanism is used to adjust variable inductors and capacitors to compensate for transmitter performance changes, then the transmitter can be tuned to maintain field strength, but the device complexity and expense increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the existing resonant circuit current as a self-indicating signal that reflects performance degradation. The controller automatically detects changes in current magnitude and adjusts the DC bias to the inductor coil accordingly, enabling the system to self-regulate without external manual intervention or complex servomechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the operating parameter of the inductor coil by applying a variable DC bias current that alters the magnetic properties of the core material. This modifies the inductance value dynamically to compensate for performance changes, using electrical parameter adjustment rather than mechanical component replacement or complex control systems.
2Reliability
If variable inductors and capacitors are used to compensate for environmental factors and component deterioration, then field strength can be maintained, but additional complexity and expense are introduced
Solution Approach 1:
The existing inductor coil serves dual functions: as part of the resonant circuit for generating the electromagnetic field and as an adjustable component whose inductance can be modified by DC bias. This eliminates the need for separate variable inductors or capacitors, as the same component performs both the original function and the compensation function.
Solution Approach 2:
The system monitors its own performance through the resonant circuit current and automatically adjusts its own parameters by varying the DC bias current to the inductor coil, enabling self-compensation without external intervention or additional complex control mechanisms.
3Reliability
If DC bias current is applied to the inductor coil to regulate the electromagnetic field, then field strength consistency is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The DC bias current is not applied continuously at a fixed level but is dynamically adjusted based on real-time feedback from the resonant circuit current detection. The controller varies the bias current only when performance degradation is detected, minimizing unnecessary energy consumption while maintaining field strength when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback control loop where the resonant circuit current is continuously monitored and used to regulate the DC bias current applied to the inductor coil. This ensures that energy is consumed only when necessary to compensate for detected performance changes, rather than continuously regardless of actual need.
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 solution ensures a consistent and reliable electromagnetic field strength by automatically adjusting the resonant circuit's resonance point, reducing the need for manual calibration and additional components, thus enhancing the effectiveness and reliability of proximity detection systems.
Implementation Method 1
a DC bias circuit configured to apply a DC bias current to the inductor coil for regulating an electromagnetic field generated by the inductor
Implementation Method 2
the strength and therefore the range of the electromagnetic field generated by a transmitter can be affected by factors of its operating environment
Implementation Method 3
a resonant circuit including an inductor coil around a core... selectively change the natural frequency of the resonant circuit so as to shift the resonant circuit towards a desired resonance point
Data Source
AI summary
The invention generally relates to a field regulator, particularly a field regulator for a resonant circuit, a transmitter including such a field regulator, a proximity detection system including such a transmitter, and a method of regulating a resonant circuit. In one aspect the invention provides a field regulator for a resonant circuit, the resonant circuit including an inductor coil around a core, the field regulator including a DC bias circuit configured to apply a DC bias current to the inductor coil for regulating an electromagnetic field generated by the inductor. The DC bias circuit can be used to selectively change the inductance of the inductor in the resonant circuit so as to maintain a consistent field strength in a changing environment, particularly to take into account the presence of large metal bodies which might otherwise adversely impact on operation. In particular, the DC bias current may be used to selectively change the natural frequency of the resonant circuit so as to shift the resonant circuit towards a desired resonance point.