Resonator Sensor Water Content Measurement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for measuring water content in the wire section of a paper machine, such as gamma radiation and ultrasound, face challenges including safety hazards, inaccuracy, and interference from air and web density, making them unsuitable for precise and safe operation.

Innovation Solution

A method and instrument using radiofrequency-operated resonator sensors to form an electric near field, where the web affects the resonance frequency, allowing for accurate water content measurement without emitting harmful radiation, by restricting the field to a near field that does not disturb other devices and is simple to control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If gamma radiation is used to measure water content, then measurement capability is achieved, but safety hazards and radiation control problems occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater content measurementVSAvoidionising radiation harm

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces gamma radiation measurement with electromagnetic resonance measurement using resonator sensors operating at radio frequencies. This substitution eliminates ionising radiation while maintaining measurement capability through detection of resonance frequency changes caused by water content variations in the paper web.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the measurement parameter from gamma radiation interaction to electromagnetic resonance frequency. By operating resonators at specific radio frequencies and detecting frequency shifts caused by water's dielectric properties, the system achieves accurate water content measurement without harmful radiation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If gamma radiation is used for measurement, then water content can be detected, but the radiation area of influence is too wide for close quarters operation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater content detectionVSAvoidradiation area of influence

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The resonator sensors create highly localized electromagnetic near fields that interact only with the paper web immediately adjacent to each sensor. This localizes the measurement area, allowing operation in close quarters without wide-area radiation effects, while maintaining accurate water content detection through resonance frequency monitoring.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Adaptability or versatility

If gamma radiation source is moved between locations, then measurement capability is maintained, but safety regulations complicate movement and relocation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement location flexibilityVSAvoidsafety regulation compliance

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

By replacing the permanent gamma radiation source with relocatable resonator sensors operating at radio frequencies, the system maintains measurement capability across different locations without the stringent safety regulations associated with ionising radiation. The electronic resonance-based measurement allows flexible deployment and relocation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Object-affected harmful factors

If ultrasound technique is used to measure water content, then non-radiation measurement is achieved, but accuracy deteriorates at low water contents and air interference occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveradiation eliminationVSAvoidwater content measurement accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes from ultrasound measurement to electromagnetic resonance measurement. By utilizing the dielectric properties of water at radio frequencies and detecting resonance frequency shifts, the system achieves high accuracy even at low water contents without the air interference problems that plague ultrasound measurements in paper web applications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 provides accurate and safe water content measurement in the paper machine's wire section, unaffected by web movement or air, ensuring consistent paper quality and compliance with safety regulations.

Implementation Method 1

forming with at least one radiofrequency-operated resonator sensor an electric near field, in which a web affects the resonance frequency of each resonator sensor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectResonance: Resonance

Implementation Method 2

forming with at least one radiofrequency-operated resonator sensor an electric near field

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectric near field: Electric Field

Data Source

PatentUS8188751B2Method and measuring instrument for measuring water content

Publication Date: 2012.05.29 VALMET TECH INC

AI summary

For measuring the water content of a web in the wire section of a paper machine, at least one radiofrequency-operated resonator sensor forms an electric near field, in which a web affects the resonance frequency of each resonator sensor. The water content of the web is measured as a function of the resonance frequency of each resonator sensor in a measuring unit.