Tomographic System Using Guided Electromagnetic Fields for Dielectric Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current dielectric impedance tomography techniques face challenges in accurately determining the spatial and electrical characteristics of inhomogeneous dielectric structures due to significant impedance mismatches and the complexity of solving inverse problems involving multi-path electromagnetic waves.
Innovation Solution
A tomographic system that uses guided electromagnetic fields through a transmission line to propagate electromagnetic fields in a spatial direction, allowing for external measurement of impedance along the line. This system modulates the speed of propagation to match the intrinsic velocity within the inhomogeneous dielectric specimen, enabling accurate determination of the effective dielectric constant.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional dielectric impedance tomography techniques are used to determine spatial and electrical characteristics of inhomogeneous dielectric structures, then measurement capability is provided, but impedance mismatches and multi-path electromagnetic wave complexity obscure spatial position and dielectric characteristics
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a transmission line as an intermediary structure between the measurement system and the inhomogeneous dielectric specimen. The transmission line guides electromagnetic fields along a prescribed path, serving as a mediator that controls field propagation and enables external impedance measurements without direct contact with the specimen, thereby resolving the measurement difficulties caused by impedance mismatches and multi-path waves
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modulates the speed of propagation of electromagnetic fields along the transmission line to match the intrinsic velocity within the inhomogeneous dielectric specimen. This parameter change in propagation speed enables accurate determination of the effective dielectric constant by synchronizing the guided field velocity with the specimen's internal wave velocity
2Measurement precision
If high frequencies are used to improve spatial resolution in dielectric imaging, then measurement accuracy improves, but the complexity of solving inverse problems and computational demands increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical approach of applying electrodes directly to the specimen surface with an electromagnetic field guidance system using transmission lines. This substitution allows for non-contact measurement and simplifies the inverse problem by providing externally measurable impedance data that directly reflects internal dielectric characteristics without requiring complex multi-electrode configurations
3Measurement precision
If direct contact with the specimen is made to improve measurement accuracy, then measurement precision improves, but the system requires intermediate media or direct contact which limits applicability
Solution Approach 1:
The transmission line acts as a non-contact intermediary that couples the measurement system to the inhomogeneous dielectric specimen. By guiding electromagnetic fields along the transmission line and measuring impedance externally, the system achieves accurate measurements without direct contact or intermediate media, thereby improving versatility and applicability to various specimen types while maintaining measurement precision
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 system effectively characterizes the internal structure of inhomogeneous dielectrics by providing solvable tomographic data without requiring high frequencies, intermediate media, or direct contact with the specimen, thus overcoming the limitations of existing techniques.
Implementation Method 1
at least one transmission line operably associated with the at least one source of electromagnetic energy and configured to guide the electromagnetic field in a spatial direction along the prescribed path
Implementation Method 2
The system is configured to modulate the speed of propagation along the prescribed path in the spatial direction to include a speed at which field lines of the electric field extend in directions orthogonal to the spatial direction
Implementation Method 3
electronic means for taking measurements of the electromagnetic energy, indicative of impedance, at each of different locations along the length of each said at least one transmission line
Data Source
AI summary
A tomographic system accurately determines characteristics of a specific region within an inhomogeneous dielectric specimen by guiding an electromagnetic field through the inhomogeneous dielectric specimen in a transverse mode. The system may include a source of electromagnetic energy for generating an electromagnetic waveform, and a transmission line for guiding an electric field of the waveform along a prescribed path that defines a series of spatial regions. The transmission line is provided by a pair or array of conductors, the electric field spanning between two or more of the conductors as the electric field propagates along the prescribed path. The conductors may form part of an external non-contact structure which guides and controls the electromagnetic field both spatially and temporally.