Impedance-based measurement device with a two-dimensional array of coils
AssigneeProceq SA
InventorPeter Stierli
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The device for the impedance-based probing of materials described herein comprises a two-dimensional array of coils (1) and a measurement unit (4) adapted to determine, for each coil (1), a parameter indicative of its impedance. A pulse generator (3) is able to generate current pulses in each coil (1). The circuitry drives and senses the coil array through row and column lines (rp1 . . . rpN1, cp1 . . . cpN2, c21 . . . csN2) in order to minimize the number of required components. The device can, in particular, be used for probing concrete.
Claims16
A device for an impedance-based probing of materials comprising:
- at least one coil,
- a pulse generator for generating current pulses in said coil;
- and
- a measurement unit for determining a parameter indicative of an impedance of said coil,
- wherein said device comprises a two-dimensional array of coils arranged in rows and columns,
- wherein said measurement unit is adapted to determine said parameter for individual ones of said coils,
- wherein said pulse generator is adapted to feed individual current pulses to each of said coils, and
- wherein said pulse generator comprises:
- row pulse lines, with one row pulse line arranged along each row,
- column pulse lines, with one column pulse line arranged along each column,
- first semiconductor switches,
- wherein one first semiconductor switch is attributed to each coil and each first semiconductor switch comprises a first and a second current terminal and a control terminal,
- wherein a conductivity between said first and said second current terminal is controlled by a voltage at said control terminal, and
- wherein said coils and said row pulse lines are connected to said current terminals and said column pulse lines are connected to said control terminals.
A device for an impedance-based probing of materials having
- a two-dimensional array of coils arranged in rows and columns,
- a pulse generator for generating current pulses in said coil and
- a measurement unit for determining a parameter indicative of an impedance of said coil, wherein said measurement unit is adapted to determine said parameter for individual ones of said coils,
- wherein said pulse generator comprises
- row pulse lines, with one row pulse line arranged along each row,
- column pulse lines, with one column pulse line arranged along each column,
- first semiconductor switches, wherein one first semiconductor switch is attributed to each coil and wherein each first semiconductor switch comprises a first and a second current terminal and a control terminal, wherein a conductivity between said first and said second current terminal is controlled by a voltage at said control terminal,
- wherein said coils and said row pulse lines are connected to said current terminals and said column pulse lines are connected to said control terminals.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.