Magnetoelastic RFID Strain Sensor Wireless Monitoring

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a need for long-lifespan, maintenance-free, and cost-effective wireless strain sensors that can be embedded in inaccessible areas of machines and structures to monitor strain in high-performance materials, such as those used in cars, aircraft, and bridges, without requiring regular maintenance or replacement.

Innovation Solution

A radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag incorporating a magnetoelastic strain sensor, where the magnetoelastic material changes its magnetic properties with deformation, altering the resonant frequency of the RFID tag's antenna, allowing strain measurement through a RFID reader.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Duration of action of moving object

If traditional electronic strain sensors are used, then strain measurement capability is achieved, but maintenance and replacement are required reducing lifespan

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensor lifespanVSAvoidmaintenance-free operation

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional electronic strain sensing mechanisms with a magnetoelastic material that directly couples mechanical strain to magnetic property changes. This substitution eliminates the need for complex electronic components that require maintenance, creating a maintenance-free sensor with extended lifespan.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses magnetoelastic composite materials that combine magnetic and elastic properties in a single integrated structure. This composite approach allows the material to simultaneously sense strain and transmit the signal wirelessly, eliminating the need for separate electronic components and reducing maintenance requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Ease of operation

If wireless strain sensors are used to monitor inaccessible areas, then monitoring capability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewireless monitoring capabilityVSAvoidsensor structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the strain sensing function, signal generation, and wireless communication capabilities into a single integrated RFID tag structure. The magnetoelastic material is directly incorporated into the RFID tag antenna, eliminating the need for separate sensing components and simplifying the overall device structure while maintaining wireless monitoring capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The RFID tag structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as both the wireless communication device and the strain sensing element. The magnetoelastic material integrated into the antenna provides both the magnetic resonance needed for RFID operation and the strain-sensing capability, reducing device complexity through multi-functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If magnetoelastic material is integrated into RFID tag, then maintenance-free wireless sensing is achieved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemaintenance-free operationVSAvoidmanufacturing process

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes changes in magnetic permeability and resonant frequency of the magnetoelastic material in response to strain, rather than requiring complex manufacturing processes. By sensing through physical property changes rather than complex structural modifications, the manufacturing process is simplified while maintaining maintenance-free operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 RFID tag functions as a maintenance-free wireless strain sensor, capable of remotely monitoring strain in inaccessible areas, providing reliable and long-lasting performance by utilizing magnetoelastic materials that change magnetic permeability with strain, enabling accurate strain measurement without the need for regular maintenance.

Implementation Method 1

the magnetic properties of the magnetoelastic material changes, and these changes vary the resonant frequency of the RFID tag antenna

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetoelastic effect: Magnetoelastic Effects

Implementation Method 2

these changes vary the resonant frequency of the RFID tag antenna

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectResonance: Resonance

Data Source

PatentUS11371823B1Magnetoelastic strain sensor and radio-frequency identification tag including the same

Publication Date: 2022.06.28 HRL LAB

AI summary

A wireless radio-frequency identification (RFID) strain sensor including: a substrate; an antenna on the substrate; and an integrated circuit on the substrate and electrically connected to the antenna. At least one of the substrate and the antenna includes a magnetoelastic material.