Non-destructive Magnetic Content Analysis via Reference Comparison

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing non-destructive methods for determining the magnetizable and non-magnetizable content of a sample are susceptible to interference and require complex evaluation procedures due to non-linear magnetic permeability, making them less reliable and time-consuming.

Innovation Solution

By impressing the same alternating magnetic field strength or magnetic flux into both the sample and a reference sample, measurement data can be made comparable, allowing for the elimination of yoke influence and simplification of data evaluation to determine the magnetizable and non-magnetizable content proportion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a magnetic alternating field is generated using an excitation coil with a resonant circuit to determine magnetizable content, then measurement can be performed non-destructively, but the method becomes susceptible to interference and requires complex evaluation procedures due to non-linear magnetic permeability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement reliabilityVSAvoidevaluation procedure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The measurement process is segmented into two distinct phases: first measuring a reference sample with known magnetizable content, then measuring the actual sample. By separating the measurement into these segments and comparing results, the complex non-linear magnetic permeability effects are canceled out, simplifying the evaluation while maintaining reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The method changes the measurement parameter from absolute magnetic field strength to the difference between reference and sample measurements. This parameter transformation eliminates the need to account for non-linear magnetic permeability, reducing evaluation complexity while preserving measurement accuracy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If the same alternating magnetic field strength is impressed into both reference sample and sample, then measurement data become comparable and yoke influence is eliminated, but requires precise control of magnetic field parameters

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata comparabilityVSAvoidfield control complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses feedback control to monitor and adjust the alternating magnetic field strength, ensuring it remains identical for both reference and sample measurements. This feedback mechanism automatically compensates for variations, making precise field control achievable without excessive operational complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The method creates equipotential measurement conditions by ensuring the same alternating magnetic field strength is applied to both reference and sample. This equalizes the measurement conditions, making data directly comparable while the automated control system handles the precision requirements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #12Equipotentiality

3Productivity

If difference between measurement data is used as measure for determination, then evaluation is simplified and speed is improved, but requires accurate reference sample with known content

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetermination speedVSAvoidreference sample accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The reference sample is prepared and measured in advance, establishing a baseline before actual sample measurement. This preliminary action allows the system to quickly determine sample composition by simple comparison, greatly improving determination speed while the reference sample's known accuracy forms the foundation for reliable results

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

This approach enables a more reliable and faster determination of the magnetizable and non-magnetizable content, reducing interference and complexity in data evaluation, resulting in a precise and efficient method for content analysis.

Implementation Method 1

a magnetic alternating field is generated by an alternating magnetic field strength of an excitation coil in the yoke

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

first measurement data of the sample are acquired with at least one measuring device inductively coupled to the yoke

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP3494394B1Apparatus and method for non-destructive determination of the content of magnetisable part and/or non- magnetisable part of a sample
Publication Date: 2024.06.12 VOESTALPINE STAHL GMBH
  • EP3494394B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3494394B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3494394B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An apparatus (100, 101, 102) and a method for the non-destructive determination of the content of the magnetizable and/or non-magnetizable portion of a sample (1) are shown, in which the sample (1) is provided in an air gap (2, 12) of a magnetically conductive yoke (3, 30), an alternating magnetic field (B) is generated by an alternating magnetic field strength (H) of an excitation coil (4) in the yoke (3, 30), and first measurement data (Mp) relating to the sample (1) are captured using at least one measuring device (5) which is inductively coupled to the yoke (3, 30), and the magnetizable and/or non-magnetizable content portion in the sample (1) is determined by comparing the first measurement data (Mp) with second measurement data (Mref) relating to a reference sample (6) having a known magnetizable and/or non-magnetizable content portion. In order to make the method more reliable, it is proposed that the same alternating magnetic field strength (H) or the same alternating magnetic field (B) is injected both into the reference sample (6) and into the sample (1) when capturing the first and second measurement data (Mp, Mref) relating to the sample (1) and the reference sample (6) with the aid of the excitation coil (4), and the difference between both captured measurement data (Mref, Mp) is included as a measure in the determination of the content for the magnetizable and/or non-magnetizable content portion of the sample (1).