Microwave Resonator Variable Cross-Sectional Material Unit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Microwave resonators used for measuring fiber material thickness and moisture content face inaccuracies due to irregular fiber movement and fluctuations in resonant frequencies, leading to wear and damage, especially when fiber material is removed or reinserted, and temperature changes affect measurement precision.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating an electrically non-conductive material unit within the resonator chamber with variable cross-sectional areas that increase at the inlet and decrease at the outlet, aligned with the fiber's direction of travel, to homogenize the electric field and reduce friction, thereby improving measurement accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If fiber material is removed or reinserted into the resonator chamber, then the machine can handle material jams or running out, but the resonant frequency becomes out of tune and requires readjustment due to temperature drop
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the physical geometry of the resonator chamber through variable cross-sectional area sections. These geometric parameter changes create compensating effects that counteract temperature-induced frequency drift, allowing the resonator to maintain accurate resonant frequency readings even after material removal and reinsertion operations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses reference or guide sections with specific cross-sectional areas that serve as templates for the variable sections. These reference sections provide stable geometric copies that help maintain consistent resonant characteristics throughout the chamber, enabling reliable frequency measurement despite operational variations
2Productivity
If the resonator chamber operates continuously, then productivity is maintained, but temperature fluctuations cause resonant frequency drift leading to measurement inaccuracies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements parameter changes through variable cross-sectional area sections along the resonator chamber length. These geometric modifications create zones with different thermal and electromagnetic characteristics that compensate for temperature drift, maintaining measurement precision during continuous high-speed operation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by creating different cross-sectional area characteristics at different locations within the resonator chamber. The variable sections have locally optimized geometries that address specific thermal and measurement challenges in different regions, with inlet sections designed for material entry and outlet sections for material exit, each with tailored cross-sectional properties
3Measurement precision
If mechanical scanning sensors are used to measure fiber thickness, then measurement capability is provided, but mechanical impairments occur and measurement inaccuracies arise due to inertia
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical scanning sensors with an electromagnetic field-based measurement system using microwaves and resonators. This substitution eliminates mechanical contact with the fiber material, preventing mechanical impairments while providing accurate thickness and moisture content measurements through non-contact electromagnetic interaction
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs periodic microwave signals at resonant frequencies to continuously probe the fiber material properties. The periodic electromagnetic excitation allows for high-speed non-contact measurement that matches the continuous flow rate of fiber material through the resonator chamber
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 design enhances measurement accuracy, particularly at higher fiber speeds, by minimizing friction and wear, and reduces the impact of temperature fluctuations, ensuring precise thickness and moisture content measurements.
Implementation Method 1
microwaves generated by a microwave generator, whose frequencies are preferably changed by a computer within certain limits, are coupled into a resonator chamber of a microwave resonator... Depending on the fiber type, the material thickness and material geometry as well as the material moisture content, a resonance signal occurs at a characteristic microwave frequency
Implementation Method 2
at least one electrically non-conductive material unit is provided in the resonator chamber along the measuring chamber, which has an input-side section with a cross-sectional area that can be changed in a planned direction of travel of the fiber material and/or an output-side section with has a variable cross-sectional area
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The invention relates to a microwave resonator for a measuring device for measuring the thickness and/or the moisture of stand-shaped fiber material (FM), which is continuously conveyed through a measurement chamber (6, 6') arranged in a resonator chamber (5, 5') of the microwave resonator (1, 1', 1'', 1'''), on a textile machine, in particular on a carding machine, on a drawing frame, or an combing machine. According to the invention, at least one electrically non-conductive material unit (10, 10', 10'', 10''', 10'''', 10''''') is provided in the resonator chamber (5, 5') along the measurement chamber (6, 6'), said material unit comprising an inlet-side section (11, 11', 11'', 11''', 11'''', 11''''') having a cross-sectional area that is variable in an intended travel direction (LR) of the fiber material (FM) and/or an outlet-side section (12, 12', 12'', 12''', 12'''', 12''''') having a cross-sectional area that is variable in the intended travel direction (LR) of the fiber material (FM), wherein the cross-sectional area of the inlet-side section (11, 11', 11'', 11''', 11'''', 11''''') of the material unit (10, 10', 10'', 10''', 10'''', 10''''') increases in the travel direction (LR) of the fiber material (FM) and/or the cross-sectional area of the outlet-side section (12, 12', 12'', 12''', 12'''', 12''''') of the material unit (10, 10', 10'', 10''', 10'''', 10''''') decreases in the travel direction (LR) of the fiber material (FM).