Radio Wave Angle Sensor Using Wire Grid Polarization Filter
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing angle measurement technologies using polarized light are sensitive to adjustments, vibrations, and limited by the use of optical materials, which are brittle or prone to corrosion, and have limited temperature ranges, making them unsuitable for robust and accurate measurements in fast-moving applications.
Innovation Solution
A device using an anisotropic transducer with a rotatable and movable configuration for radio waves, allowing for polarisation-sensitive measurements that are independent of location and angle of incidence, utilizing a wire grid polarisation filter with a grid constant smaller than the wavelength to minimize diffraction effects and ensure consistent polarisation properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If polarized light is used for angle measurement, then measurement precision is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to brittleness and scratch-sensitivity of optical materials
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the optical measurement system with a radio wave-based measurement system. Instead of using polarized light and optical polarizing filters, the invention uses radio waves and wire grid polarisation filters made from robust materials like stainless steel and ceramics. This substitution eliminates the fragility of optical materials while maintaining the ability to measure polarisation changes for angle detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the wavelength parameter from optical frequencies to radio frequencies. This parameter change allows the use of different materials (metal and ceramic instead of glass and plastic) that are much more robust and suitable for harsh environments, while still enabling polarisation-based angle measurement through the interaction of radio waves with the wire grid structure.
2Measurement precision
If optical materials are used in polarisation measurement, then measurement capability is improved, but adaptability deteriorates due to limited temperature range
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes optical materials with radio wave components that have superior temperature resistance. The wire grid polarisation filters made from metal and ceramic materials can operate in much wider temperature ranges compared to glass polarizing filters or plastic foils, enabling the measurement system to function in extreme thermal environments.
3Measurement precision
If optical transducers are used for angle measurement, then measurement accuracy is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to sensitivity to adjustments and vibrations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the optical transducer system with a radio wave-based system that is inherently less sensitive to mechanical disturbances. Radio waves have longer wavelengths and interact differently with mechanical vibrations and misalignments compared to light, providing a more robust measurement system that maintains accuracy in dynamic and vibrating environments.
4Measurement precision
If wire grid polarisation filter with small grid constant is used, then polarisation measurement accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases due to manufacturing requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the scale parameter from optical dimensions to radio wave dimensions. The wire grid grid constant is made smaller than the radio wavelength (e.g., sub-millimeter to millimeter scale), which achieves the necessary polarisation filtering effect while being manufacturable using standard metalworking and ceramic fabrication techniques, avoiding the need for extremely fine precision manufacturing.
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 enables accurate, real-time angle measurements insensitive to adjustments and vibrations, using robust materials like stainless steel and ceramics, and operates effectively across a wider temperature range, suitable for both stationary and rotating objects in control loops.
Implementation Method 1
A device using an anisotropic transducer with a rotatable and movable configuration for radio waves, allowing for polarisation-sensitive measurements
Implementation Method 2
utilizing a wire grid polarisation filter with a grid constant smaller than the wavelength to minimize diffraction effects and ensure consistent polarisation properties
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to systems for changing and measuring the polarisation of radio waves. Embodiments of the systems are disclosed for different applications as well as uses of the systems as sensors for measuring angles and shifts.