Sample Manipulator for 360° Rotation in CT Imaging

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current CT devices are limited in their ability to fully examine material samples in-situ due to restricted angular ranges, often below 360°, which prevents the capture of complete 3D structure images, especially when the entire detection unit must rotate around the sample, leading to incomplete data situations.

Innovation Solution

A sample manipulator with independent and synchronized rotary drives allows for 360° rotation of the material sample, enabling torsion-free or defined torsion, coupled with force measurement and control, to record and evaluate tensile or pressure forces, and synchronize drives via a central control unit.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If the entire detection unit rotates around the material sample, then complete 3D structure images can be captured, but the device complexity increases and the measurement time extends

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompleteness of 3D structure dataVSAvoidcomplexity of rotating detection unit

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of rotating the detection unit around the sample, the patent inverts the approach by keeping the detection unit fixed and rotating the sample manipulator with the material sample. This inversion simplifies the overall device structure while still achieving complete 360° data acquisition for comprehensive 3D imaging.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the system into a fixed detection unit and a separate rotating sample manipulator. This segmentation allows the detection unit to remain stationary and structurally simple, while the rotation function is isolated to the sample manipulator, reducing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Device complexity

If the material sample is rotated by limited angular ranges below 360°, then the device structure is simplified, but incomplete data situations arise preventing full 3D reconstruction

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural simplicity of rotation mechanismVSAvoidcompleteness of imaging data

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a dynamic rotation capability that enables the sample manipulator to rotate through the full 360° range. This dynamic design, featuring independent and synchronized rotary drives, allows the system to overcome the limitations of fixed angular ranges while maintaining structural feasibility through coordinated motion control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Measurement precision

If independent rotary drives are used for holding and centering heads, then precise synchronization and torsion control are achieved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprecision of torsion control and synchronizationVSAvoidnumber of rotary drives and control systems

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs feedback control mechanisms where the central control unit continuously monitors and adjusts the operation of multiple independent rotary drives. This feedback system ensures precise synchronization and torsion control despite the increased number of actuators, maintaining measurement precision while managing device complexity through intelligent control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

4Loss of information

If the detection unit must rotate around the sample, then complete data acquisition is possible, but measurement time extends due to the rotation process

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompleteness of data acquisitionVSAvoidmeasurement time for 3D imaging

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

By inverting the rotation approach and rotating the sample instead of the detection unit, the patent enables faster data acquisition. The fixed detection unit can continuously capture data while the sample rotates, eliminating the time penalty associated with moving the entire detection system and enabling more efficient complete 3D imaging.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentEP3379237B1Sample manipulator for rotating tensile or compressive stress and corresponding method

Publication Date: 2022.10.05 KAMMRATH & WEISS GMBH

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Figure 5a~5b

AI summary

The invention relates to a sample manipulator (1) for the rotary tensile or compressive stress of a material sample (9), comprising two linearly motor-movable yokes relative to each other and two holding and centering heads driven by a motor about a common axis of rotation (DA) for receiving and holding the material sample, wherein each yoke (4.1, 4.2) is assigned a holding and centering head (24.1, 24.2), wherein a rotary drive (10.1, 10.2) is arranged on each of the two yokes (24.1, 24.2), wherein the rotary drive arranged on the at least one movable yoke is movable together with it, and wherein the associated holding and centering head is mounted on the yoke or in the rotary drive in such a way that it is also movable together with the rotary drive and the yoke (4.1) is movable and rotatable by the rotary drive, and wherein the two holding and centering heads and a material sample arranged therein can be rotated or torsionally rotated at least 180°, in particular 360°, about an axis of rotation (DA) by means of the two rotary drives.