Magnetic Capsule with Dual Shell for Oxidation Protection

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Rare earth polymer-bonded magnets face durability issues due to oxidation, particularly at high temperatures, leading to a reduction in magnetic lifespan and safety concerns, as existing anti-oxidant coating methods struggle to evenly distribute the protective layer within the magnet, especially in microfractures formed during compaction.

Innovation Solution

A capsule comprising a solid magnetic core with a hydrophilic primary shell containing an anti-oxidant agent and a hydrophobic secondary shell of particles, where the secondary shell ruptures during compaction to ensure uniform exposure of the magnetic core to the anti-oxidant, preventing oxidation and enhancing magnetic durability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If anti-oxidant is applied during or after compaction step, then oxidation protection is provided, but the anti-oxidant cannot evenly disperse throughout the magnet body and reach microfractures

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoxidation protectionVSAvoideven dispersion of anti-oxidant
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The anti-oxidant is incorporated into the magnetic particles before compaction occurs. This preliminary incorporation ensures that the anti-oxidant is already distributed throughout the particle structure, including any microfractures, before the compaction process creates new surfaces. The anti-oxidant is released in-situ during compaction when particles fracture, providing immediate protection to newly exposed surfaces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses a liquid carrier medium as an intermediary to deliver the anti-oxidant to the magnetic particles. This liquid medium facilitates uniform distribution of the anti-oxidant throughout the particle mass and enables penetration into microfractures and pores that would be inaccessible to anti-oxidant applied after compaction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If compaction heat step is applied to prevent particle contact with air, then oxidation is limited, but the process complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoxidation preventionVSAvoidprocess complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The magnetic particles are pre-treated with anti-oxidant coating before compaction, enabling them to protect themselves from oxidation during the compaction process. This self-service approach eliminates the need for additional protective measures such as inert atmospheres or compaction heat steps, thereby reducing process complexity while maintaining oxidation prevention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The anti-oxidant coating is applied to magnetic particles before compaction, providing pre-established protection that eliminates the need for complex protective measures during compaction. This preliminary protective action simplifies the overall manufacturing process by removing the requirement for inert atmospheres or elevated temperature compaction steps.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If magnet manufacturing occurs in static or non-oxidising surroundings, then oxidation is minimized, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex and costly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoxidation minimizationVSAvoidmanufacturing process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The magnetic particles are pre-coated with anti-oxidant, enabling them to protect themselves from oxidation during manufacturing. This self-protective capability allows manufacturing to proceed in normal atmospheric conditions without requiring complex inert atmosphere systems or specialized equipment, thereby minimizing oxidation while maintaining process simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Anti-oxidant coating is applied to magnetic particles before manufacturing operations, providing advance protection that eliminates the need for complex non-oxidizing surroundings during manufacturing. This preliminary protective measure enables standard atmospheric manufacturing while preventing oxidation, thereby reducing process complexity and cost.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 encapsulation system effectively prevents oxidation of the magnetic core, maintaining magnetic properties even at high temperatures and reducing the need for further anti-oxidative treatments, while allowing for cost-effective and efficient magnet manufacturing.

Implementation Method 1

a primary shell of liquid encapsulating the solid core that comprises an anti-oxidant agent that inhibits or prevents oxidation of the magnetic core

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOxidation prevention: Oxidation

Implementation Method 2

a secondary shell of particles encapsulating the primary shell, wherein one of the primary shell or secondary shell is hydrophobic while the other of the respective primary shell or secondary is hydrophilic

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRupture: Fracture Mechanics

Data Source

PatentEP2715746B1A capsule
Publication Date: 2019.12.04 MAGNEQUENCH
  • EP2715746B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2715746B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

There is provided a capsule comprising a solid core, a primary shell of liquid encapsulating the solid core and a secondary shell of particles encapsulating the primary shell, wherein the primary and secondary shells are generally repulsive to each other.