Slow-Wave Position Sensor With Remote Electronics for Harsh Environments
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing position sensors face challenges in achieving high sensitivity, resolution, and accuracy at low frequencies while operating in harsh environments, and require complex and costly equipment, making them inefficient for applications in high temperatures, radiation, pressure, and vibration.
Innovation Solution
A sensing apparatus using a coupled slow-wave structure with a hollow ceramic tube and curled impedance conductors, connected by coaxial cables to a remote electronics module, allowing the sensing element to operate in harsh environments while keeping the electronics module separate and protected.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the sensing element is placed directly in harsh environments to enable measurement in extreme conditions, then the sensor can operate in high temperatures, radiation, pressure, and vibration, but the electronic circuits and components are exposed to damaging environmental factors reducing reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor is divided into two separate modules: a sensing element that can withstand harsh environments and an electronics module that remains protected. The sensing element includes a housing with a target rod extending into the environment, while electronics are housed separately in a protected enclosure, allowing each component to operate in its optimal environment.
Solution Approach 2:
A protective housing and sealed enclosure act as intermediaries between the harsh environment and the electronic components. The housing includes seals and protective barriers that prevent environmental factors from reaching sensitive electronics while still allowing the sensing function to operate.
2Measurement precision
If complex circuitry is used to achieve high sensitivity and resolution measurements, then measurement precision improves, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sensing element utilizes the natural electromagnetic interaction between the target rod and surrounding conductive structures to generate measurement signals. The target rod's position changes directly modulate the electromagnetic field, providing measurement information without requiring complex signal processing circuits.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical or electronic measurement systems with an electromagnetic field-based sensing mechanism. The coupled slow-wave structure creates an electromagnetic field that naturally responds to target rod position, eliminating the need for complex mechanical linkages or sophisticated electronic circuitry.
3Volume of moving object
If the sensing element is made compact to reduce size, then the sensor becomes more space-efficient, but achieving high sensitivity and resolution becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a coupled slow-wave structure that changes the electromagnetic field distribution parameters to enhance sensitivity. The slow-wave structure creates a concentrated electromagnetic field pattern that increases the interaction between the field and the target rod, providing high measurement precision in a compact volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensing element uses composite construction with a housing material that provides both mechanical protection and electromagnetic properties. The combination of the housing structure and the slow-wave conductive elements creates a composite system that achieves both compact size and high measurement sensitivity.
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 reliable measurements of linear distance, rotary motion, and liquid levels with improved sensitivity and resolution, capable of operating in extreme conditions without the need for complex circuitry, and is compact and economical.
Implementation Method 1
A sensing element formed as a section of a coupled slow-wave structure including a hollow ceramic tube and at least two impedance conductors each curled into a helix or spiral with opposing directions of winding around the hollow ceramic tube to form a resonator
Implementation Method 2
When an electromagnetic field is excited near a movable object, the parameters of the electromagnetic field, such as resonant frequency, phase, or amplitude, vary with the change of position of the movable object
Implementation Method 3
The sensing element is connected by two coaxial cables to a remote electronics module which includes electronic components to create a resonant circuit with the sensing element
Data Source
AI summary
A sensing apparatus that measures a target characteristic. The apparatus has a sensing element formed as a section of a coupled slow-wave structure including a hollow ceramic tube and at least two impedance conductors each curled into a helix with opposing directions of winding around the tube to form a resonator. The sensing element is connected by coaxial cables to a remote electronics module which includes electronic components to create a resonant circuit with the sensing element. A metal internal target rod is configured to move into and out of the sensing element, being covered and uncovered by portions of the sensing element. This will cause the frequency of the resonant circuit to change proportionally to the movement of the target rod. The length of the coaxial cables separates the electronics module from the sensing element by a distance sufficient to avoid exposing the electronics module to harsh environments.