Publication Date

1996

Document Type

Dissertation/Thesis

First Advisor

Bobis, James P.

Degree Name

M.S. (Master of Science)

Legacy Department

Department of Electrical Engineering

LCSH

Proximity detectors; Electric coils; Finite element method; Ferrite cores

Abstract

In the development of inductive proximity sensors, a great deal of time and effort is spent in the design of the sensor coil, which is typically used with a ferrite core for increased Q (quality factor). Computer simulation of the sensor coil could shorten this design process by eliminating the need for extensive building and testing of prototypes. Analytical solutions require extensive information about the material properties of the ferrite core, which is not readily available. While there are software packages commercially available that use the finite element method to simulate magnetic fields, these packages require extensive user training, and they involve lengthy run times. In this work, a linear minimal node finite element model of a proximity sensor coil is developed, serving as a rapid design simulation tool that requires little operator training. Using this minimal node model, a rapidly converging Pascal program is created to calculate the Q of a coil vs. frequency and vs. temperature. Measured and simulated data are compared for coils having 14.4mm x 7.5mm and 22mm x 6.8mm cores. Because this model is linear and uses a minimal number of nodes, errors do exist between measured and simulated data. The simulated Q curves are still reasonable representations of the measured Q curves, however, indicating that the model can be used as a rapid design tool to reduce the flowtime of new coil designs.

Comments

Includes bibliographical references (pages [93]-94)

Extent

ix, 128 pages

Language

eng

Publisher

Northern Illinois University

Rights Statement

In Copyright

Rights Statement 2

NIU theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from Huskie Commons for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without the written permission of the authors.

Media Type

Text

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