Magnetic Field Amplification for Non-Invasive Sensor Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sensor devices struggle to accurately monitor process variables in media within containers due to small changes in magnetic fields caused by differences in magnetic permeability, making it difficult to measure and determine media-related changes non-invasively.
Innovation Solution
A sensor device comprising a crystal body with defects, a magnetic field device to amplify magnetic field changes, an excitation unit to stimulate defects, and a detection unit to evaluate magnetic field-dependent fluorescence signals, allowing for high measurement accuracy and resolution without determining magnetic permeability or susceptibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a sensor device uses fluorescence signal to detect magnetic field changes in a medium, then measurement capability is provided, but the small changes in magnetic field caused by differences in magnetic permeability make accurate measurement difficult
Solution Approach 1:
A magnetic field device is introduced as an intermediary component to generate a magnetic field in the container region. This magnetic field device acts as a mediator that amplifies the interaction between the medium's magnetic properties and the crystal body, making the small changes in magnetic permeability detectable through enhanced magnetic field changes at the crystal body location.
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetic field device dynamically adjusts magnetic field parameters (strength and distribution) to optimize the detection sensitivity. By changing the magnetic field parameters, the system amplifies the effect of small magnetic permeability differences in the medium, enabling precise measurement of fill levels and other medium properties.
2Ease of operation
If the sensor device is arranged outside the container wall, then non-invasive measurement is achieved, but the signal strength from the medium is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetic field device serves as an intermediary that bridges the gap between the external sensor device and the internal medium. It generates and transmits magnetic field information through the container wall, enabling the external crystal body to detect medium properties without direct contact, thus maintaining non-invasive operation while preserving signal strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from direct spatial contact to magnetic field-mediated interaction across the container wall dimension. By utilizing the magnetic field's ability to penetrate non-magnetic container walls, the sensor device operates externally while maintaining sensitivity to internal medium changes.
3Measurement precision
If the magnetic field device amplifies magnetic field changes in the crystal body region, then measurement sensitivity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetic field device is designed to perform multiple functions: generating the magnetic field, amplifying magnetic field changes, and enabling both fill level detection and other medium property measurements. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components for different measurement tasks, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
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 precise monitoring of media-related changes in magnetic fields, including fill levels and chemical reactions, without the need for invasive measurements, by amplifying and reading out changes in the magnetic field gradient through fluorescence signals.
Implementation Method 1
a magnetic field device (8) for generating a magnetic field, wherein the magnetic field device (8) is arranged such that a magnetic field can be generated in the region of the crystal body (6) and in the region of the medium (4) located inside the container (5)
Implementation Method 2
an excitation unit (9) for optically exciting the at least one defect, a detection unit (10) for detecting a magnetic field-dependent fluorescence signal of the crystal body (6)
Implementation Method 3
The fluorescence signal of the crystal is influenced by magnetic fields in the vicinity of the crystal. Thus, a change in the magnetic field caused by the medium, such as a change in the magnetic field gradient, will affect the fluorescence signal.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a sensor device (3) for determining and/or monitoring a process variable of a medium (4) in a container (5), the sensor device (3) at least comprising: a crystal body (6) having at least one defect (7) and a magnetic field device (8) for generating a magnetic field, the magnetic field device (8) being arranged such that a magnetic field can be generated in the region of the crystal body (8) and in the region of the medium (4) located within the container (5), so that a change of the magnetic field in the region of the crystal body (6) is amplified, wherein the crystal body (6) and the magnetic field device (8) can be arranged from the outside at a wall (13) of the container (5). The invention also relates to a method for determining and/or monitoring a process variable of a medium (4) in a container (5) by means of a sensor device (3).