NMR Probe Fastening Device with Pretensioning Element
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current fastening devices for NMR probes, such as 'Standard Bore' and 'Wide Bore' probes, face challenges including cumbersome mounting processes, mechanical play due to temperature changes, undefined forces, and wear from friction, requiring two hands for installation and leading to potential misalignments and reduced service life.
Innovation Solution
A fastening device with an annular disc-shaped pretensioning element that presses on spring elements to pretension them, allowing for a 0.5 mm to 5 mm mechanical play initially, which reduces friction and wear, enabling one-handed installation and easier mounting by eliminating the need for rotating spring elements, and incorporating non-magnetic materials to avoid magnetic field interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a fastening device with spring elements is used to connect the probe to the retaining system, then mechanical play can be compensated and reliable connection is achieved, but friction and wear increase, requiring two hands for installation and increasing operating force
Solution Approach 1:
A non-magnetic intermediary element is introduced between the spring element and the retaining system. This intermediary acts as a mediator that transmits the pretensioning force while eliminating direct friction and wear between the spring element and the retaining system, thereby reducing operating force and enabling one-handed installation while maintaining reliable connection
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the direct mechanical contact system between spring elements and the retaining system with a substituted mechanism using non-magnetic materials. This substitution eliminates harmful friction and wear while maintaining the necessary mechanical connection and pretensioning function
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional fastening devices are used, then mounting can be achieved, but mechanical play occurs due to temperature changes and undefined forces result
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a pretensioning mechanism that actively adjusts and maintains optimal contact force between components. By dynamically controlling the pretensioning parameter, the system compensates for temperature-induced dimensional changes and ensures consistent alignment precision across varying operating conditions
3Force
If spring elements are rotated during installation, then pretensioning can be achieved, but friction causes wear and increases operating force
Solution Approach 1:
A non-magnetic intermediary element is positioned between the spring element and the retaining system to eliminate direct frictional contact. This intermediary mediator allows pretensioning force to be applied effectively while preventing energy loss through friction and wear, enabling one-handed operation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes the conventional direct mechanical engagement system with a modified system using non-magnetic materials. This substitution replaces the high-friction mechanical contact with a low-friction interface, reducing energy loss while maintaining necessary pretensioning force
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 solution simplifies the mounting process, reduces wear and operating force, ensures precise alignment without mechanical play, and extends the service life of the NMR probe while maintaining compactness and reducing material costs.
Implementation Method 1
the insert part is configured such that, with the aid of at least one spring element, in addition to a form fit, a force-variable connection is established between the probe and the retaining system
Implementation Method 2
an annular disc-shaped pretensioning element is arranged between the insert part and the retaining system, designed so that, by rotating the pretensioning element about its disc axis relative to the insert part, the pretensioning element presses on the spring element and thereby pretensions it
Data Source
AI summary
A fastening device for releasably fastening a probe (1) to an NMR magnet (2). An insert part (3) fastens the probe to a retaining system (4) connected to the magnet. A force-variable connection is established by the insert part with spring elements (8). The probe fastens to the insert part with rigid retaining elements (6). When closed, a connection without mechanical play exists between the insert part and the retaining elements when the spring elements are under tension. An annular disc-shaped pretensioning element (9) is arranged between the insert part and the retaining system. By rotating the pretensioning element relative to the insert part, the pretensioning element presses on and pretensions the spring elements. When open, the spring elements and the retaining elements are configured to connect with a mechanical play of 0.5 to 5 mm between the insert part and the retaining elements when the spring elements are pretensioned.