Room-Temperature Magnetic Field Imager with Mu-Metal Shielding
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current magnetic field imaging systems require cryogenic cooling and are not suitable for indoor use, limiting their applicability and efficiency in detecting magnetic fields with sensitivity below the strength of the Earth's magnetic field.
Innovation Solution
A magnetic field imager comprising a sensor substrate with a microcontroller and an array of non-cryogenically cooled magnetic sensors, including scalar and vector magnetometers, that can operate at normal indoor conditions, using mu-metal shielding and conductive or convective cooling, and a data interface for communication with a magnetic field analysis circuit to generate and output magnetic field images.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If cryogenic cooling is used to achieve high sensitivity magnetic field detection, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operating temperature parameter from cryogenic conditions to room temperature, enabling magnetic field detection without complex cooling systems. This is achieved through the use of optically pumped magnetometers that maintain high sensitivity at ambient temperatures, fundamentally altering the temperature parameter from which conventional magnetometers operated.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and removes the cryogenic cooling system from the magnetic field imaging apparatus, eliminating the need for liquid helium or nitrogen cooling infrastructure. This extraction simplifies the overall system while maintaining detection sensitivity through alternative room-temperature magnetometer technologies.
2Measurement precision
If cryogenic cooling is used to achieve high sensitivity magnetic field detection, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The operating temperature parameter is changed from cryogenic to room temperature, transforming the device from a specialized laboratory instrument requiring complex cooling infrastructure to a portable system suitable for indoor and field operations. This parameter change enables deployment in diverse environments without cryogenic support equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetometer system operates autonomously at room temperature without requiring external cryogenic cooling infrastructure. The device serves itself by maintaining operational conditions through its own internal design rather than relying on external cooling systems, enabling easy deployment and operation in various indoor settings.
3Device complexity
If conventional magnetometers are used without shielding, then device complexity is reduced, but object-affected harmful factors increase
Solution Approach 1:
Mu-metal shielding is introduced as an intermediary material between the magnetometers and the external environment. This shielding layer acts as a mediator that selectively blocks harmful magnetic interference from power lines and electronic devices while allowing the magnetometers to function. The shielding is integrated into the housing structure, providing protection without significantly increasing operational 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 efficient detection and imaging of magnetic fields with sensitivity at least two orders of magnitude below the Earth's magnetic field strength without the need for cryogenic cooling, allowing for rapid image generation in about 100 milliseconds and providing accurate graphical representations of magnetic field strengths.
Implementation Method 1
A magnetic field imager may be configured to operate without the need for cryogenic cooling
Implementation Method 2
A magnetic field imager includes a sensor substrate including a top surface and a bottom surface, a plurality of magnetic sensors arranged in an array and disposed below or on the bottom surface of the sensor substrate
Implementation Method 3
using mu-metal shielding and conductive or convective cooling
Implementation Method 4
using mu-metal shielding and conductive or convective cooling
Implementation Method 5
using mu-metal shielding and conductive or convective cooling
Data Source
AI summary
According to embodiments, multi-axis magnetic sensors (magnetometers) are disposed in an array or a plurality of arrays. The magnetic sensors can be disposed on modules that form the array. The magnetic sensors can each sense a local magnetic field coincident with the respective sensors. Data corresponding to the local magnetic fields can be analyzed by a magnetic field analysis circuit and assembled to form an image corresponding to the sensed magnetic field(s). The magnetic field analysis circuit can output the image corresponding to near-field magnetic features.