Vector Magnetometer Array for Current Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for imaging electric current require relative motion between the current flow and sensors, limiting the ability to visualize electric current flow effectively without rastering or motion.
Innovation Solution
An array of vector magnetometers senses magnetic fields in three directions produced by electric current flow, allowing for the reconstruction of electric current flow without the need for rastering or relative motion, using Ampere's Law and Biot-Savart Law to visualize the current as lines or vectors representing both direction and magnitude.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If current imaging methods are used, then electric current can be imaged, but relative motion or rastering is required between sensors and current flow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical scanning system with a magnetic field-based sensing system. Instead of physically moving sensors or rastering through space, the invention uses an array of magnetometers to detect magnetic fields generated by current flow, eliminating the need for mechanical motion while achieving current imaging.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces magnetic fields as an intermediary between the current flow and the sensing system. The magnetometers detect the magnetic fields produced by the current, and these field measurements are then used to reconstruct the current distribution, allowing imaging without direct contact or motion between sensors and current.
2Ease of operation
If magnetic field sensing is used, then electric current can be detected without contact, but measurement precision is challenged by field strength
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the sensing system into multiple discrete magnetometer elements arranged in an array. By segmenting the detection across multiple sensors, the system can measure magnetic field components at different spatial locations, improving overall measurement precision through spatial sampling and enabling reconstruction of current distributions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from scalar field measurements to vector field measurements by using magnetometers that detect magnetic field components in three orthogonal directions. This dimensional expansion from scalar to vector measurements provides more information about the current flow, improving measurement precision and enabling full characterization of current density vectors.
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 the visualization of electric current flow with high resolution, including magnitude and direction, at a distance, using sensitive vector magnetometers and a microprocessor for data reconstruction, facilitating the imaging of electric current in conductors or on circuit boards.
Implementation Method 1
An array of vector magnetometers senses magnetic fields in three directions produced by a flow of electric current
Implementation Method 2
using Ampere's Law and Biot-Savart Law to visualize the current as lines or vectors representing both direction and magnitude
Implementation Method 3
using Ampere's Law and Biot-Savart Law to visualize the current as lines or vectors representing both direction and magnitude
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
AI summary
An electric current imaging system, device, and method includes an array of vector magnetometers that senses one or more magnetic fields in three directions produced by a flow of electric current. Such a system (and devices and methods thereof) can further include a display that displays a visual reconstruction of the original electric current that produced the magnetic fieid(s). The disclosed embodiments image electric current flow (both magnitude and direction) without the need for rastering or relative motion between the sensors and the conductor/device being viewed. Such embodiments can be scaled to fit both large and small applications by using discreet devices or manufacturing a single, miniaturized array with MEMS technologies.