Modular Electromagnetic Imaging Units for Safe Material Inspection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing imaging devices using electromagnetic waves face limitations such as susceptibility to external noise, high attenuation of acoustic waves, and the need for protective measures due to high energy content in X-ray radiation, making them less versatile and efficient for industrial applications like material testing and quality control.
Innovation Solution
A modular device using electromagnetic waves in the terahertz or microwave range, with a transmission and receiving unit arranged in a modular format, allowing for flexible placement and frequency adjustment to generate images of objects, enabling reflection and transmission measurements, and capable of being integrated into industrial systems like band conveyors for real-time monitoring and quality control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If acoustic waves are used for imaging, then the device can operate at lower energy levels, but the waves are susceptible to external noise and experience high attenuation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces acoustic waves (mechanical system) with electromagnetic waves (terahertz or microwave range) to eliminate susceptibility to external noise and attenuation while maintaining low energy levels. This substitution resolves the contradiction by using a different physical domain that is not affected by acoustic interference.
2Reliability
If electromagnetic waves in the X-ray range are used for imaging, then high penetration capability is achieved, but protective measures are necessary due to ionizing effects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the frequency parameter of electromagnetic waves from the X-ray range to the terahertz or microwave range (1 GHz to 10 THz). This parameter change maintains the penetration capability for material testing while eliminating the ionizing effects that require protective measures, thus resolving the contradiction between penetration and safety.
3Device complexity
If a compact complete system is used for terahertz or microwave imaging, then the system is self-contained, but the object must be inserted into and removed from the complete system
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the imaging system into separate transmit and receive units that can be independently positioned. This allows the system to maintain its self-contained functionality while enabling continuous operation on conveyor belts without requiring objects to be inserted into and removed from a single compact enclosure, thus resolving the contradiction between system integration and ease of operation.
4Measurement precision
If electromagnetic waves with higher frequency are used, then resolution capacity is improved, but the waves may not penetrate certain materials effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the frequency of electromagnetic waves dynamically adjustable, allowing the system to select optimal frequencies within the 1 GHz to 10 THz range based on the specific material being tested. This dynamic adjustment enables the system to achieve both high resolution and effective penetration by adapting the frequency to the material properties, thus resolving the contradiction between resolution and penetration effectiveness.
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 modular device provides efficient and flexible imaging capabilities, allowing for the detection of anomalies, foreign bodies, and material testing without destruction, while minimizing exposure to harmful radiation, and can be easily adapted to different situations and applications.
Implementation Method 1
The transmission device is set up to radiate electromagnetic waves in the direction of the object. Electromagnetic waves in the terahertz range or in the microwave range with a frequency of between 1 GHz and 10 THz are particularly preferred.
Implementation Method 2
the electromagnetic waves radiated by the transmission device are reflected on the object, and the reflected electromagnetic waves are received by the receiving device
Implementation Method 3
the electromagnetic waves radiated by the transmission device transmit through the object, and the transmitted electromagnetic waves are received by the receiving device
Implementation Method 4
During measuring, preferably both the amplitude and the phase of the received electromagnetic waves are measured
Data Source
AI summary
A device for generating an image of an object by electromagnetic waves has a transmission device which is set up to radiate electromagnetic waves in the direction of the object, a receiving device which is set up to receive electromagnetic waves from the object, and a digital processing and control unit which is set up to generate image data of the object from the measured data. Here, the transmission device and the receiving device are arranged in at least one modular unit. The digital processing and control unit has an interface via which different modular units can be exchangeably coupled to the digital processing and control unit. Here, the interface is set up to transmit data to the modular unit and to receive from this, to transmit control signals to the transmission device and to the receiving device, and to supply the modular unit with energy.