Microwave Resonator Moisture Sensing for Magnetic Mineral Materials
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing moisture measurement methods for non-magnetic mineral materials, such as Magnetite, are unreliable due to variations in magnetic permeability and material density, leading to inaccurate moisture percentage readings.
Innovation Solution
A measurement apparatus utilizing a microwave resonator with a high permittivity solid material structure that cancels the magnetic field within the measurement volume, allowing for moisture measurement based on the electric field, independent of the material's magnetic properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If electromagnetic radiation of radio frequency is transmitted through mineral sample, then moisture measurement is performed, but measurement reliability deteriorates due to random variation of permeability and magnetic losses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the magnetic field component from the measurement system by using a resonator configuration where the magnetic field is confined to the resonator structure itself. The measurement volume is positioned in a region where the magnetic field is minimal or zero, thereby extracting the harmful magnetic interaction from the measurement process while retaining the useful electric field interaction for moisture measurement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a resonator as an intermediary structure that mediates between the electromagnetic radiation source and the mineral sample. The resonator converts the incident electromagnetic radiation into a resonant mode with specific field distribution, creating an intermediate state where the electric field is enhanced in the measurement volume while the magnetic field is suppressed, thereby enabling reliable moisture measurement.
2Adaptability or versatility
If reflection measurement is used to overcome magnetic property issues, then magnetic permeability sensitivity is reduced, but measurement accuracy deteriorates due to surface roughness, slope, environmental reflections and material density variations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs resonant vibration of electromagnetic fields within the resonator structure. By tuning the resonator to its natural resonant frequency, the system amplifies the electric field in the measurement volume while maintaining a suppressed magnetic field. This resonant enhancement provides high sensitivity to moisture content without being affected by magnetic properties, surface conditions, or environmental reflections.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operating parameters of the measurement system by using resonant frequency rather than continuous wave radiation. The resonator is designed to operate at specific resonant frequencies where the field distribution optimizes the electric-to-magnetic field ratio. This parameter change enables the system to achieve both compatibility with magnetic materials and high measurement precision.
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 reliable moisture measurement in mineral materials with varying magnetic properties and densities, improving accuracy and reducing the impact of magnetic permeability variations.
Implementation Method 1
a resonator is provided which is located around the duct and comprises a probe arrangement which is configured to cause an electromagnetic resonance of the resonator within the cavity in response to electric energy received by the probe arrangement
Implementation Method 2
an uneven distribution of a magnetic field of the resonance between the cavity and the solid material structure is caused by the solid material structure and the cavity, wherein the magnetic field is cancelled in the cavity
Data Source
AI summary
A measurement apparatus for measuring moisture of mineral material comprises a resonator. A relative permittivity of the solid material structure of the resonator is configured to be higher than that of the cavity with mineral material. The resonator comprises, within the solid material structure, a probe arrangement which causes an electromagnetic resonance of the resonator within the cavity in response to electric energy fed through the probe arrangement to the resonator. The solid material structure of the resonator and the cavity cause an uneven distribution of a magnetic field of the resonance between the cavity and the solid material structure such that a magnetic field is cancelled in the cavity caused by a higher relative permittivity of the solid material structure than that of the cavity. The cavity contains the mineral material for a moisture measurement. The probe arrangement outputs a frequency response of the resonator affected by the mineral material for determination of moisture content of the mineral material.