Magnetostrictive Sensor Gap Compensation via Proximity Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Magnetostrictive sensors used for stress measurement are sensitive to the separation distance between the sensor and the target material, affecting the accuracy of stress calculations.
Innovation Solution
A sensor system and method that includes a proximity sensor to determine the gap distance between the sensor and the target, generating a gap signal proportional to the impedance of the proximity sensor, which is used to correct the stress signal and improve measurement accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If magnetostrictive sensor is used for stress measurement, then stress can be detected through changes in magnetic permeability, but measurement accuracy deteriorates due to sensitivity to separation distance between sensor and target material
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by using the proximity sensor to continuously monitor the separation distance between the magnetostrictive sensor and target material, then using this distance information to correct the stress measurement output. The system measures the actual gap and applies compensation algorithms to eliminate distance-related errors, creating a closed-loop feedback mechanism that maintains measurement accuracy despite variations in sensor-to-target distance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a proximity sensor as an intermediary element that measures the separation distance between the magnetostrictive sensor and target material. This intermediary device provides distance information that is used to correct the main sensor's output, acting as a mediator that enables compensation for the harmful effect of distance sensitivity without requiring direct contact between the magnetostrictive sensor and target
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 system effectively corrects for distance-related errors in stress measurements, providing more accurate calculations of stress in conductive targets by accounting for changes in magnetic flux due to proximity sensor impedance.
Implementation Method 1
The drive element can be located on the central arm of the first support and it can be configured to induce a first magnetic flux that travels through a target
Implementation Method 2
Ferromagnetic materials can have magnetostrictive properties that can cause the materials to change shape in the presence of an applied magnetic field
Implementation Method 3
The first proximity sensor element can be located at a fixed position relative to the at least one detection element and it can be configured to generate a second magnetic flux that travels through the target, and to generate a raw proximity signal based on a gap distance between the first arm and the target
Data Source
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Figure 3A
AI summary
Systems, devices, and methods for determining stress in a conductive target (110,210,310,510,610) are provided. The systems, devices, and methods facilitate detecting stress in the target (110,210,310,510,610) using a sensor assembly (102,302,402,502,602). Raw stress signals, which can correspond to stress in the target (110,210,310,510,610), can be generated by detecting a first magnetic flux (340,540) that travels through the target (110,210,310,510,610). The raw stress signals can be sensitive to a gap between the sensor assembly (102,302,402,502,602) and the target (110,210,310,510,610). A proximity sensor element (224,324,524) can be used to determine the size of the gap by generating a magnetic field which can couple with the target (110,210,310,510,610). If the size of the gap changes, the coupling can change. By determining an impedance of the proximity sensor element (224,324,524), a corresponding gap signal can be generated. The gap signal can be used to correct the raw stress signals, thereby creating corrected stress signals, which can correspond to values of stress within the target (110,210,310,510,610).