Nondestructive On-line Sample Testing via Tunable RF Coil

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current systems lack on-line nondestructive methods for optimizing and improving industrial production processes, particularly in the food industry, for monitoring substance quality and controlling production parameters such as water content, acidity, and contamination levels.

Innovation Solution

An MRI-based or MRI-free system generates RF frequency-dependent signals to determine the reactances and inductances of substances, using a tunable RF coil and processing unit to analyze these signals, allowing for real-time monitoring of physical, electrochemical, chemical, and biological parameters, including water content and contamination, within the food production process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If off-line measurement methods are used to determine substance characteristics, then measurement accuracy can be maintained, but production process efficiency deteriorates due to time-consuming analysis

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement accuracyVSAvoidproduction process efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical/chemical off-line measurement systems with an MRI-based detection system that uses magnetic fields and radiofrequency pulses to obtain substance characteristics online, eliminating the need for time-consuming laboratory analysis while maintaining measurement accuracy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary detection of substance characteristics during the production process itself rather than after completion, allowing real-time monitoring and immediate adjustments to be made, thus improving production efficiency without sacrificing measurement precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Measurement precision

If invasive sampling methods are used to obtain substance samples, then representative samples can be obtained, but the substance quality deteriorates due to contamination or alteration

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesample representativenessVSAvoidsubstance contamination

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces invasive mechanical sampling with non-invasive MRI detection that uses magnetic fields and radiofrequency pulses to obtain substance characteristics without physical contact or contamination, ensuring both sample representativeness and substance integrity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system introduces magnetic fields and radiofrequency pulses as intermediary detection means that can penetrate the substance without causing contamination or alteration, allowing representative measurement while protecting substance quality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple separate testing systems are used to monitor different production parameters, then comprehensive monitoring can be achieved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemonitoring comprehensivenessVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal MRI-based detection system that can monitor multiple production parameters (water content, acidity, contamination, etc.) through a single integrated platform, eliminating the need for multiple separate testing systems while maintaining comprehensive monitoring capabilities

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system merges multiple detection functions into a single MRI detection platform that can simultaneously or sequentially measure different substance characteristics, reducing system complexity while achieving comprehensive production parameter monitoring

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

Enables real-time, non-destructive monitoring and optimization of food production processes by accurately determining substance properties and controlling production parameters, ensuring compliance with standards and minimizing contamination, thereby improving process efficiency and product quality.

Implementation Method 1

generating RF frequency-dependent MRI (or MRI-free) signals within a frequency range of the resonant frequency of the substance

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic resonance: Resonance

Implementation Method 2

The generated MRI signals are processed and analyzed to optimize and improve the production process of the substance by determining therefrom, reactances and inductances of samples of substances

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS10371654B2System and method for a nondestructive on-line testing of samples

Publication Date: 2019.08.06 ASPECT AI

AI summary

An MRI-free non-destructive on-line system for detecting a presence of a material in a sample. The system includes a flow conduit encompassed by a tunable RF coil and having an input duct and an output duct; a flow of the sample through the flow conduit; a signal detector that detects frequency-dependent output signals as a function of a frequency variation of the RF tunable coil within a frequency range of an RF resonant frequency of a standard sample of the substance; and a processing unit.