Superconducting Accelerometer Magnetic Levitation Precision
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional accelerometers rely on mechanical springs, which can be a significant obstacle in precise acceleration measurement due to their mechanical nature and potential interference, whereas superconducting materials exhibit unique properties such as zero electrical resistance and diamagnetic behavior, offering a potential for magnetic levitation without mechanical coupling.
Innovation Solution
A superconducting accelerometer utilizing a solenoid levitation coil to magnetically levitate a test mass made of a superconductor, coupled with a measurement superconductor coil and a SQUID sensor to detect changes in distance and convert them into voltage signals, eliminating the need for mechanical springs and enhancing precision.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If mechanical springs are used to support the test mass, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the measurement precision deteriorates due to mechanical interference and spring characteristics
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical spring support system with a magnetic levitation system using a solenoid coil and superconducting test mass. This substitution eliminates mechanical contact and spring interference, thereby improving acceleration measurement precision while accepting increased system complexity through the introduction of electromagnetic components and cryogenic requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state of the test mass to superconducting state by cooling it below its critical temperature. This parameter change enables magnetic levitation without mechanical contact, improving measurement precision. The superconducting state provides stable levitation forces and eliminates friction and mechanical wear associated with traditional spring-based systems.
2Measurement precision
If a solenoid levitation coil is used to magnetically levitate the test mass, then mechanical spring interference is eliminated, but the device complexity increases due to the need for superconducting materials and cryogenic systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical spring support system with a magnetic levitation system using a solenoid coil and superconducting test mass. This substitution eliminates mechanical contact and spring interference, thereby improving acceleration measurement precision while accepting increased system complexity through the introduction of electromagnetic components and cryogenic requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite material strategies by combining superconducting materials (for the test mass and measurement coil) with conventional materials (aluminum can, ceramic spacers, epoxy resin). This composite approach allows the system to benefit from the unique properties of superconductors while managing manufacturing complexity through the use of readily available conventional materials for structural and support components.
3Stability of the object's composition
If superconducting materials are used for the test mass and measurement coil, then the levitation stability is improved, but the cost and manufacturing difficulty increase due to cryogenic requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state of the test mass to superconducting state by cooling it below its critical temperature. This parameter change enables magnetic levitation without mechanical contact, improving measurement precision. The superconducting state provides stable levitation forces and eliminates friction and mechanical wear associated with traditional spring-based systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a cryogenic environment using liquid nitrogen or other cryogenic fluids to maintain the superconducting state of the test mass and measurement coil. This controlled low-temperature environment ensures stable levitation while isolating the superconducting components from ambient conditions that would cause instability. The inert cryogenic atmosphere protects the delicate superconducting materials while enabling their unique properties.
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
This solution allows for precise acceleration measurement by leveraging the stable magnetic levitation of a superconducting test mass, minimizing interference and improving sensitivity through the use of a pancake-type spiral measurement superconductor coil and SQUID sensor, effectively removing the limitations of mechanical springs.
Implementation Method 1
a solenoid levitation coil disposed to surround a portion of the body part and adapted to magnetically levitate the test mass
Implementation Method 2
a test mass including a rod-shaped body part and a disc-shaped coupling part connected to the body part, the test mass being made of a superconductor
Implementation Method 3
A superconductor exhibits zero electrical resistance, and its internal magnetic field becomes zero. The latter is called Meissner effect, which is repulsive to an external magnetic field, i.e., has a diamagnetic property.
Implementation Method 4
a measurement superconductor coil disposed at at least one side of an upper portion and a lower portion of the coupling part; and a SQUID sensor adapted to detect current depending on variation of a distance between the test mass and the measurement superconductor coil
Implementation Method 5
a SQUID sensor adapted to detect current depending on variation of a distance between the test mass and the measurement superconductor coil
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are a superconducting accelerometer, an acceleration measurement device, and an acceleration measurement method. The superconducting accelerometer includes a test mass including a rod-shaped body part, a disc-shaped coupling part connected to the body part, the test mass being made of a superconductor; a solenoid levitation coil disposed to surround a portion of the body part and adapted to magnetically levitate the test mass, the solenoid levitation coil being made of a superconductor; a measurement superconductor coil disposed at at least one side of an upper portion and a lower portion of the coupling part; and a SQUID sensor adapted to detect current depending on variation of a distance between the test mass and the measurement superconductor coil.