NMR Rotor Cap Removal and Smooth-Walled Microwave Waveguides
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for removing NMR rotor caps are prone to damage, leading to costly instrument failures, and microwave transport in NMR systems is inefficient and complex, resulting in high manufacturing costs and losses.
Innovation Solution
Development of apparatuses for consistent cap removal using a plate with tightening and pushing screws, and smooth-walled slotted waveguides for microwave transport that minimize damage and losses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional cap-grabbing tools are used to remove rotor caps, then cap removal can be performed, but the operation is prone to misalignment causing rotor cracks and instrument damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a specialized removal tool with a forked jaw design that acts as an intermediary between the operator and the rotor cap. The tool engages with the cap's removal tab and provides mechanical guidance to ensure straight-line extraction forces, preventing lateral loads that could crack the rotor. This intermediary device mediates the force application to eliminate alignment issues.
Solution Approach 2:
The tool design creates equipotential force distribution by using a rigid plate structure with symmetrically positioned pushing screws. This ensures that forces are applied evenly and simultaneously to the cap, preventing rotational moments or uneven stress that could lead to misalignment or rotor damage during removal.
2Loss of energy
If corrugated waveguides are used for microwave transport, then microwave delivery to the sample is achieved, but the system complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the corrugated structure from the waveguide design, transitioning from a corrugated inner surface to a smooth-walled waveguide. This removal of the complex corrugated feature simplifies manufacturing while maintaining acceptable microwave transport performance. The extraction eliminates the need for complex fabrication processes associated with creating precise corrugations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the waveguide from a corrugated profile to a smooth cylindrical profile. This parameter change simplifies the manufacturing process and reduces structural complexity while still achieving the necessary microwave transport function. The smooth-walled design allows for easier fabrication and lower cost production.
3Loss of energy
If corrugated waveguides with free space launch are used, then microwave transport is achieved, but manufacturing time and cost increase due to complex processing and high failure rates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adopts a smooth-walled waveguide design that is simpler to manufacture and less expensive to produce. While corrugated waveguides offer slightly better performance, the smooth-walled version provides adequate performance at a fraction of the manufacturing cost and complexity. This approach prioritizes ease of manufacture over maximizing transmission efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanically complex corrugated structure with a simple smooth-walled cylindrical waveguide. This substitution eliminates the need for complex mechanical fabrication processes such as precision machining of corrugations, sacrificial part usage, and extensive quality control. The simpler mechanical design dramatically reduces manufacturing time and failure rates.
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatuses and methods for removing caps, such as NMR rotor caps. The apparatuses and methods may permit caps to be removed in a manner that minimizes damage to equipment and instruments. Microwave waveguides that may include an elongated waveguide, a spline horn, and a slotted waveguide. Analytical instruments that include the waveguides.