Parallel Plate Capacitor for Material Impedance Characterization

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods for determining soil compaction and moisture levels using electromagnetic impedance spectroscopy face limitations due to the need for large laboratory tests, difficulty in replicating field compaction conditions, and limitations in testing various soil types and weather conditions.

Innovation Solution

A material testing system that measures impedance characteristics of materials over a range of frequencies using a non-conducting container with parallel plate electrode geometry, allowing for controlled compaction and moisture levels, and enabling impedance characterization of small samples in a laboratory setting.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional laboratory testing procedures are used to develop impedance libraries, then the testing can be performed in a controlled environment, but the test fixture size and amount of soil required become limiting factors

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrolled testing environmentVSAvoidamount of soil required

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces conventional mechanical laboratory testing procedures with an electromagnetic field-based impedance measurement system. This substitution allows for the development of impedance libraries using small soil samples while maintaining controlled testing conditions, thereby resolving the contradiction between reliable controlled testing and the large quantity of soil required in conventional methods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Measurement precision

If field testing is used to accurately replicate field compaction methodologies, then compaction accuracy is improved, but the ability to control weather conditions and test various soil types is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompaction accuracyVSAvoidtesting of various soil types and conditions

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a controlled laboratory testing environment as an intermediary between field conditions and impedance measurement. This intermediary setup allows for accurate replication of field compaction methodologies while providing the versatility to test various soil types and controlled moisture conditions, thereby resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If electromagnetic impedance spectroscopy is used to non-invasively determine soil properties, then the measurement process is non-invasive, but the system requires development of comprehensive impedance libraries

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenon-invasive measurementVSAvoidimpedance library development

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary action by developing comprehensive impedance libraries through controlled laboratory testing with small soil samples before deploying the non-invasive measurement system in the field. This preliminary library development using the parallel plate capacitor apparatus enables the subsequent non-invasive field measurements to be accurate and reliable, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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

Enables reliable and accurate impedance characterization of materials across a range of frequencies, overcoming limitations of conventional methods by allowing for precise control of compaction and moisture levels, and accommodating various types of materials.

Implementation Method 1

an electromagnetic signal is transmitted from the transmitting electrode, through the material under test (MUT), to the receiving electrode

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic radiation: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

Parallel plate capacitor system for determining impedance characteristics of material under test (MUT)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapacitance: Capacitance

Data Source

PatentUS11965873B2Parallel plate capacitor system for determining impedance characteristics of material under test (MUT)

Publication Date: 2024.04.23 TRANSTECH SYST

AI summary

Various aspects of the disclosure relate to evaluating the electromagnetic impedance characteristics of a material under test (MUT) over a range of frequencies. In particular aspects, a system includes: an electrically non-conducting container sized to hold the MUT, the electrically non-conducting container having a first opening at a first end thereof and a second opening at a second, opposite end thereof; a transmitting electrode assembly at the first end of the electrically non-conducting container, the transmitting electrode assembly having a transmitting electrode with a transmitting surface; and a receiving electrode assembly at the second end of the electrically non-conducting container, the receiving electrode assembly having a receiving electrode with a receiving surface, wherein the receiving electrode is approximately parallel with the transmitting electrode, and wherein the transmitting surface of the transmitting electrode is larger than the receiving surface of the receiving electrode.