Concentric Coils Research Articles

An improved design of high-signal-to-noise ratio spiral-coil EMAT for high-temperature defect detection

ABSTRACT The study introduces an enhanced concentric spiral-coil EMAT to tackle low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) in high-temperature carbon steel forging defect detection. With a non-overlapping concentric coil design, simulations and experiments were conducted, utilizing a finite element model with circuit-field coupling to optimize parameters. Results show the improved EMAT enhances SNR by up to 20.96 dB compared to traditional designs. High-temperature tests demonstrate its capability to detect Ф5 mm holes at 650℃, with SNR increasing by 11.24 dB as temperature rises from 100℃ to 500℃, validating the optimization method’s effectiveness.

Mitigating Singularities in Control of Magnetic Capsule Endoscopes Using a Novel Nested Electromagnetic Coil System

Magnetic actuation systems that utilize external electromagnetic coils present a promising approach for controlling untethered small-scale robots, notably in medical applications. However, these systems frequently experience actuation singularities at which robotic control over the agent is lost or severely diminished. Such singularities may lead to excessively large current or rapid current changes that significantly affect the robots’ stability in specific areas of the workspace. In order to effectively mitigate these actuation singularities, this paper introduces a closed-loop control method using a novel nested electromagnetic coil system, leveraging finite element analysis-based magnetic field data and a novel controller combining a singularity solver and optimal current control method. The electromagnetic system has 12 coils nested in four coil units, each having three concentric coils with different outer radius, surrounding a central workspace. We call the 12-coil system Variable Outer Radius Individually Addressable Coil Stacks (VORIACS). Here, we experimentally evaluate the method for closed-loop trajectory tracking of a soft magnetic capsule endoscope (PillCam™) and a permanent magnet robot inside the VORIACS system at different magnetic field orientations. The results demonstrate that the VORIACS system with a singularity solver reduces root mean square (RMS) position tracking errors of the PillCam™by 46% to 50% and orientation tracking errors by 41% to 42% compared to a standard 4-coil system. Moreover, the system can achieve a notable 60.73% reduction in RMS position error, with sub-millimeter precision control when controlling the permanent magnet robot. We further manipulate the PillCam™for tracking a medical application-inspired complex trajectory, showcasing the system’s potential in precise control of magnetic devices for medical use.

Design of coils for high-power medium-frequency transformers using Grain-Oriented hot cores

This article proposes a design of windings for medium-frequency transformers (MFTs) at the heart of high-power Solid-State Transformers (SSTs). With aluminum interleaved foils of the correct thicknesses, it is possible to obtain low winding losses and a very low leakage inductance well adapted to high-power SSTs able to operate in the medium-voltage grid (5–20 kV). The MFT equivalent resistance and leakage inductance are determined using an analytical model based on Dowell’s hypotheses. Several interleaved winding configurations are analyzed and compared to the standard structure made of two concentric foil coils. The experimental validation is made with short-circuit tests of an MFT fed by a low-level square voltage source at several kHz, which can provide the necessary high current.

Evaluation of the Inductive Coupling between Coplanar Concentric Coils in the Presence of the Ground

An analytical approach is presented that allows deriving an exact series-form representation for the flux linkage between two physically large concentric circular coils located on a lossy soil. The expression comes from a three-step analytical procedure. First, the integral expression for the flux linkage is converted into a double integral consisting of a finite and a semi-infinite integral. Next, the semi-infinite integral is recognized to be a well-known tabulated Sommerfeld integral, which may be analytically evaluated straightforwardly. Finally, applying Lommel’s expansion allows rewriting the remaining finite integral as a sum of elementary integrals amenable to analytical evaluation. As a result, the flux linkage between the two coils is given as a sum of spherical Hankel functions of the wavenumber in the air and in the ground, multiplied by a coefficient depending on the geometrical dimensions of the coils. The accuracy and robustness of the proposed formulation is tested by comparing its outcomes with those generated by numerical integration of the complete integral representation for the flux linkage and with the results provided by previous analytical approaches to the same problem. It is found that the use of the derived expression for the inductance makes it possible to obtain significant time savings as compared to numerical quadrature schemes.

Development of a human-size magnetic particle imaging device for sentinel lymph node biopsy of breast cancer.

In this study, a novel human-size handheld magnetic particle imaging (MPI) system was developed for the high-precision detection of sentinel lymph nodes for breast cancer. The system consisted of a highly sensitive home-made MPI detection probe, a set of concentric coils pair for spatialization, a solenoid coil for uniform excitation at 8kHz@1.5mT, and a full mirrored coil set positioned far away from the scanning area. The mirrored coils formed an extremely effective differential pickup structure which suppressed the system noise as high as 100dB. The different combination of the inner and outer gradient current made the field free point (FFP) move in the Z direction with a uniform intensity of 0.54T/m, while the scanning in the XY direction was implemented mechanically. The third-harmonic signal of the Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles (SPIONs) at the FFP was detected and then reconstructed synchronously with the current changes. Experiment results showed that the tomographic detection limit was 30mm in the Z direction, and the sensitivity was about 10μg Fe SPIONs at 40mm distance with a spatial resolution of about 5mm. In the rat experiment, 54μg intramuscular injected SPIONs were detected successfully in the sentinel lymph node, in which the tracer content was about 1.2% total injected Fe. Additionally, the effective detection time window was confirmed from 4 to 6min after injection. Relevant clinical ethics are already in the application process. Large mammalian SLNB MPI experiments and 3D preoperative SLNB imaging will be performed in the future.

A Rapid and Sensitive Colorimetric Sequential Injection System for Cu(II) ion Determination Using New Azo Reagent

A sensitive and accurate Sequential Injection Analysis technique for determining Cupper (II) ion in different samples, using a new azo derivative reagent of 8-hydroxy quinoline (HQDABA). The reagent and Cu(II) complex diagnosis included Infrared spectroscopy, Ultraviolet-Visual radiation, Elemental Analysis (CHN), Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy 1HNMR and mass spectroscopy techniques. The method depends on the reaction of Cupper (II) with the (Azo derivative of 8-hydroxy Quinoline) reagent in a neutral medium to form a Brown complex which gave a maximum absorbance at 420 nm. The optimum conditions such as flow rate, Copper (II) volume, reagent volume; pH, reagent concentration, and reaction coil length are thoroughly examined. A Copper (II) curve is constructed, and the suggested method obeys Beer's law over ration range of 1-10 mg/ L. The limits of detection (LOD) and on (LOQ) are determined to be (0.361) mg/ L and(1.204) mg/ L, while Sandell's sensitivity and molar absorption coefficient are to be (0.120) µg/ cm2 and (527.05) L/ mol. cm respectively. The recommended method has given good accuracy with recovery rates ranging from (77.82% - 115% ).

Concentric-Coil Distributed Winding Design for Large Direct-Drive Fully Superconducting Machines

Fully superconducting generators (FSCGs) use superconducting wires for both the field and armature windings to reach a high torque density for wind turbine applications. The AC armature winding of an FSCG design mostly employed racetrack tooth-coils to form fractional-slot concentrated windings. This winding type has high leakage flux and excessive harmonics, especially when used in superconducting machines. Other attempts like applying full-pitch racetrack coils can only be with one slot per pole per phase which also has significant slotting harmonics. This paper proposes an innovative concept of double-layer concentric coils to enable distributed windings with a larger integral number of slots per pole per phase. The concept successfully breaks the limitation that racetrack coils cannot be built with such integral slots. This paper then assesses the performance of the proposed winding concept within a context 20 MW FSCG design. The assessment finds out that the proposed concept has balanced three phases but reduces inductance compared to single-layer windings. The force on each concentric coil can significantly be different, thereby complicating the mechanical design of these superconducting coils.

Design of innovated structure of wind energy system with reduced manufacturing cost and optimized efficiency

DC generators have the major drawback of the large number of sliding brush-collar contacts, making this motor structure expensive and requiring a non-negligible maintenance cost. To avoid this problem, an excitation system allowing the excitation current to be reversed after the electromotive force changes polarity is added. The structure of the generator is found by equivalence to a permanent magnet direct current generator structure by changing the magnets by equivalent concentrated coils. A control technique of this type of generator, used in a wind energy production system, is developed to show the efficiency of this type of generator in the field of wind energy production. Related to permanent magnets generators, the studied structure is with reduced production cost since the magnets are replaced by coils. The innovation aspects of the studied generator are the modularity (use of several modules to increase the power delivered by the generator), the elevated efficiency due to the limited number of power chain components, the elevated power to weight ratio, the simplicity of the control and the reduced manufacturing cost. In conclusion, the use of the studied generator in the wind energy system, makes the power chain simple, inexpensive and robust.

Field Study of Novel Storage Tank of Solar Water Heating System

In this paper thermo-hydrodynamic characteristics were investigated experimentally for a new type shell-helical coiled tube heat exchanger used as a storage tank of closed loop solar water heater system. Triple concentric helical coils were made of copper tubes of (12.5mm OD and 10mm ID) with coils diameter of (207, 152.2, 97mm) for outer, middle and inner coils respectively. The experiments were carried out during a clear sky days of (March and April 2012). The parameters studied in this work are: history of average temperature of shell side of the storage tank, collector heat gain, heat rejected from coils to shell side of the storage tank, collector efficiency, thermal effectiveness of the heat exchanger (storage tank), and pressure drop. These parameters were studied at four different circulating mass flow rates of (1.8, 3, 6, 9 l/min) and for two consuming modes of supply water namely no withdrawal, and continuous withdrawal of (1 l/min). The results show that stratification temperature in the storage tank is increased for no withdrawal compared with water withdrawal, also the shell side average temperature increases with increased solar time. Collector efficiency is increased with increasing circulation flow rates, also increases with water withdrawn from storage tank. The pressure drop decreases with the increase of solar radiation .

Novel Multiphysics Design Methodology for Coreless Axial Flux Permanent Magnet Machines

This work is devoted to multiphysics design of coreless axial flux permanent magnet machines with concentrated coils. Recently, these machines have been proposed for the propulsion of civil miniature electric unmanned aerial vehicles, which need very high torque and power densities. Such requirements tend to be in contrast with other important features such as high efficiency and resilience, making the design quite challenging. Among the various geometrical parameters, the rotor poles to stator coils ratio plays a key role in their performance. The main contribution of this paper is the development of an original design method hinging upon the said ratio. The 2D electromagnetic model at the heart of the approach is derived at the average radius and accounts for multi-layer and axially thick stator coils. Additional contributions include the concurrent use of thermal modelling in the preliminary design stage and mechanical analyses in the design refinement stage aimed at optimizing torque density and guaranteeing rotor integrity at maximum speed. Comprehensive experimental tests on a full-scale prototype are reported and help build confidence in the proposed methodology.

Research on Short-Circuit Impedance Analysis Method of Auto-transformer for Side Column Voltage Regulation

In order to realize the accurate analysis of the impedance of transformers with complex connection relations, this paper derives the impedance calculation method of low-voltage excitation side column linear voltage regulating autotransformer by using the power method. The transformer network with different taps is analyzed, and the calculation formulas of transformer HV-MV impedance, HV-LV impedance and MV-LV impedance are derived. The analysis is simplified to the solution of concentric column coil impedance and magnetic potential of each coil. By comparing the calculated data of actual products with the measured data, the calculation deviation of this method is controlled within 2.03%; By using the finite element method, the impedance of the transformer with the measures to control the magnetic shielding is analyzed and calculated. By comparing the impedance of the transformer with different measures, it can be confirmed that the magnetic leakage measures have an impact on the impedance of the transformer.

Analysis and Design of Rotary Wireless Power Transfer System With Dual-Coupled XLC/S Compensation Topology

This paper presents a dynamic wireless power transfer (DWPT) system for rotary equipment. Two concentric coils on the primary side are used to keep the mutual inductance between the primary and secondary constant during the rotation. The dual-coupled XLC/S compensation topology is proposed to enhance the radial misalignment tolerance performance and improve the flexibility in the design of loosely coupled transformers (LCT). The design flow of LCT and optimization process of component parameters are proposed to achieve radial misalignment tolerance. The characteristics of constant current output (CCO) and zero voltage switch (ZVS) are realized. The power flow is analyzed. A 200-W prototype is designed and implemented to validate the proposed design method. The experimental results show that the proposed LCT structure with dual-coupled XLC/S compensation topology can achieve high tangential and radial misalignment tolerance. Therefore, the system proposed in this article is suitable for powering the device that rotates around an axis wirelessly.

Frequency Domain Electromagnetic System Based on Unmanned Aerial Vehicles Platform for Detecting Shallow Subsurface Targets

Due to the advantages of being nondestructive, rapid, and convenient, the electromagnetic detection method has attracted growing interest in the field of shallow subsurface detection. With the rapid development of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technology, the use of the UAV platform for measurement can not only improve work efficiency but also avoid the significant losses that may be caused by humans working in dangerous areas. Therefore, we propose a broadband frequency domain electromagnetic system AFEM-3 based on a UAV platform for shallow subsurface targets detection (within less than 2 m). The sensor head adopts a concentric planar coil structure with a high spatial resolution, and a bucking coil connected in reverse series with the transmitting coil is used to suppress the primary field at the receiving coil. We designed a transmitting module based on unipolar frequency multiplication sinusoidal pulse width modulation technology that can generate multi-frequency arbitrary combination transmitting waveforms with low total harmonic distortion. It can also be matched to a variety of different transmitter coils by using the same hardware circuit. In addition, the global navigation satellite system and inertial measurement unit are integrated on the sensor head. The measurement response value, position, and attitude information can be displayed in real-time through the host computer. Through the static experiment of a standard coil, we verified the consistency between the AFEM-3 system with the theory. The performance of the system was evaluated through field experiments. The experimental results show that the system can effectively detect multiple metal targets in shallow subsurface areas. For different metal targets, the AFEM-3 system can provide obvious frequency domain characteristics.

A high-performance electromagnetic vibration energy harvester based on ring magnets with Halbach configuration

• First contribution to the applicability of Halbach arrays within ring-shaped structures. • Halbach arrays do not ensure improved output power of an electromagnetic harvester. • Optimization of the proposed transducer improved its output power by almost 30%. • Parameters for power maximization are different from those for voltage maximization. • The highest NPD performance compared to other devices with Halbach arrays is reached. This paper proposes and studies a ring-shaped architecture with Halbach configuration for electromagnetic vibration energy harvesters. The proposed transducer consists of three ring magnets with a linear Halbach array that concentrates its magnetic field in the inner space of the mechanism where a single vertically-centered concentric coil has been located. This particular structure allows to increase the resonant mass within a fixed dimensions of the transducer and reduces the coil resistance for the same number of turns, enhancing its power generation capabilities. The ring-shaped architecture has been compared with several ring magnet arrangements, including single magnets, double-magnet arrays, and an alternative linear Halbach array, using numerical simulations to determine their influence on its performance. Consequently, this work is the first contribution to the applicability of Halbach configurations for electromagnetic vibration energy harvesters within ring-shaped architectures. Also, a geometrical optimization of the proposed transducer has been conducted, mainly as a function of the inner radius, the height, and the wire diameter of the coil, to increase its power generation. The maximum simulated output power for the optimized generator reaches 3.61 mW for an input harmonic vibration of 0.03 g at a frequency of 61.7 Hz, corresponding to a 29.08 mW/cm 3 g 2 normalized power density performance, significantly higher than devices described in the literature for similar applications. Besides, a harvester prototype based on the proposed configuration has been fabricated to validate the modeling strategy used and to certify the reliability of the proposed design regarding power generation capabilities. Several experimental tests have been conducted under harmonic excitation with frequencies ranging between 10 Hz to 100 Hz and a vibration amplitude of 0.03 g. The experimentally measured induced voltage and electrical output power have been found in good agreement with their corresponding simulated values, with a difference of about 2.1% and 5%, respectively.

Geometrical Parameter Effects on Solidification/Melting Processes Using Twin Concentric Helical Coil: Experimental Investigations

Moving the load peak to consume electrical power is valuable in air conditioning systems. Consequently, the current study presents an experimental thermal investigation of an ice storage system. For this purpose, a twin concentric helical coil (TCHC) is utilized. The coil is submerged in distilled water in an insulated tank. The main aim is to explore the effect of geometrical/operating conditions for the TCHC on percentage energy stored/regained, solidified/melted mass fraction, and average charging/discharging rate. The main parameters are twin coil pitch and tube diameter while keeping the cold heat transfer fluid (HTF) inlet conditions at −12 °C and 10 L/min. The results disclosed that the discharge time increases by about 79% for total energy gained as the coil pitch rises from 30 to 50 mm at a smaller tube diameter of 9.52 mm. At the same time, the discharge time is doubled when the tube diameter is 15.88 mm. Furthermore, the complete solidification needs half the time (time reduced to 50%) to be achieved as the tube diameter increases from 9.52 mm to 15.88 mm (68% increases in diameter) for lower pitch (P = 30 mm).

Numerically analysis of a Phase-change Material in concentric double-pipe helical coil with turbulent flow as thermal storage unit in solar water heaters

This research investigates a 3-D double-pipe helical coil heat exchanger containing Phase-Change Material (PCM) as a thermal storage system in solar water heaters. A concentric double-pipe follows the helical profile upward and creates a heat storage unit. In the unit, water in turbulent mode flows in the inner pipe as a Heat Transfer Fluid (HTF), and RT-50 is considered PCM placed in the annulus. This heat exchanger with all related conditions is modeled in Ansys Fluent 19 software, and we used the k-ε RNG turbulence model to simulate turbulent flow. For evaluating this novel model of thermal storage unit, the impact of some critical geometrical parameters, like helical pitch, inner and outer pipe diameter, and some flow parameters, such as fluid inlet temperature and Reynolds number, have been analyzed. The most important outcomes of the investigation show that inlet temperature and inner and outer pipe diameter are critical factors for the storage system's design. A 1.5 % change in inlet temperature will enhance the melting rate by 27 %. Also, by increasing the inner pipe diameter by 42 %, the melting process was improved by 92 %, while the outer pipe diameter was inversely related to the melting rate. A 20 % increase in this parameter's value showed a 52 % reduction in the melting. Moreover, the change in the helical pitch could not significantly affect the PCM melting process, and for a 300 % increase in pitch size, the melting process increases only by 0.6 %.

Redesign of the Coils for the 60T Controlled-Waveform Magnet at NHMFL

Driven by the1.4 GW generator, the 60T Controlled Waveform (60 TCW) magnet was the most powerful controlled waveform system in the world and had always been one of most important magnets to the National High Magnetic Field (NHMFL) and high-field research community because of its following unique features: (1) quasi-static field up to 60 T with 100 ms flat-top and total pulse-length of about 2000 ms, (2) variable magnetic field waveforms such as staircase and triangle with flat-top (3) relative large bore (32 mm) and (4) very fast cooling time (20 minutes) between pulses [Boebinger, 2001], [Crooker <italic xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">et al.</i> 2001]. The magnet is composed of nine concentric coils, with each coil consisting of several conductor winding layers reinforced by a high-strength metallic shell. The magnet underwent a catastrophic failure in 2000 and all the coils had to be rebuilt. In late 2014 the second magnet version failed near the mid-plane of coil 7. The simulations afterward that incident indicated that the overall strength of the coil would be increased by replacing a section of the reinforcing shell with Zylon fiber-epoxy composite. This reduces the stress and thus significantly lowers the level of plastic deformation in the windings. The role of the metal and Zylon fiber reinforcing layers in bearing the axial and radial Lorentz forces has been studied to optimize the magnet design. The results of the optimization will be discussed as well as challenges that have been presented in rebuilding the individual coils of the magnet.

Induction-Coil Measurement System for Normal- and Superconducting Solenoids

The magnetic measurement of solenoids relies on different methods to characterize the field quality and locate the magnetic axis. Usually, Hall mappers and stretched-wire systems are used for these tasks. This paper presents an alternative, fluxmetric method to measure the radial field dependence and the magnetic axis with a single instrument. The solenoidal-field transducer is based on a disc-shaped induction-coil array with concentric coils and 90 deg. arc segments mounted on a translation stage. This allows to sample the magnet along its axis and to extract both the longitudinal and transversal field components. The design, development, and validation of the new instrument are described. The induction coil, which is the core of this instrument, is fabricated in printed-circuit board technology, which has become the new standard for these applications. Results of recent measurements of a normal-conducting solenoid magnet are given.

Concentric-Coil Hybrid IPT System With Improved Tolerance to Coupling and Load Variations

Hybrid tuning topologies had been proposed with polarized magnetic couplers to improve the alignment tolerance of inductive power transfer (IPT) systems. However, the technologies are mainly applicable to IPT systems with directional coupling and relatively low inductance variations. This article proposes an IPT system with a dual-concentric-coil transmitting (Tx) and single-coil receiving (Rx) coupling configuration with hybrid tuning networks for improving the output voltage characteristics over a wide range of coupling and load variations. The concentric coils allow free rotation while integrated hybrid tuning networks help reduce the output voltage fluctuation under varying horizontal and spatial misalignments. A design procedure is proposed using finite-element method (FEM) and circuit simulations to select tuning parameters accounting for varying self and mutual inductances. Simulation and experimental results show that the self-inductance of the proposed coil can change by 48%, and the coupling coefficient varies between 0.43 and 0.74 under misalignments, leading to over 100% change of the unregulated output voltage if the system is series–series tuned. In contrast, a laboratory prototype of the proposed system demonstrates a stable output voltage within ±9% of fluctuation around 13.25 VDC.

Geometrical Optimization of Medium-Frequency Air-Core Transformers for DCX Applications

This article analyzes the potential of air-core transformers (ACTs) for realizing medium-voltage high-power isolated dc–dc converters. ACTs, i.e., transformers without magnetic cores, are particularly interesting for their simple construction and reduced weight. However, the reduced magnetizing inductance, the reduced magnetic coupling, and the stray fields are challenging aspects for the design of ACTs. A comprehensive model of the ACT (e.g., magnetic field patterns, skin and proximity losses, shield’s eddy currents, harmonics, insulation constraints, and thermal limit) is proposed and verified with measurements obtained with a prototype. Afterward, a complete multiobjective optimization of a series resonant converter (SRC) operating as a dc transformer (DCX) between two 7 kV buses with a rated power of 166 kW is conducted. Two different geometries are considered for the ACT: concentric cylindrical coils and planar spiral coils. As a result, the optimal ACT (operated at 162 kHz) features extreme power densities of 7.5 kW/dm <sup xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">3</sup> and 31 kW/kg, which confirms the superiority of ACTs regarding the gravimetric power density. The calculated efficiencies are 99.5% and 98.7% for the ACT and the complete dc–dc converter, respectively. Finally, the different tradeoffs are highlighted and analyzed, e.g., mass, volume, efficiency, switching frequency, part-load behavior, and insulation distance.