METHOD AND REMOTELY ADJUSTABLE REACTIVE AND RESISTIVE ELECTRICAL ELEMENTS

• US 20130063319A1
• Filed: 10/30/2012
• Published: 03/14/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 03/06/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Life Services, LLC
• Original Assignee: Life Services, LLC, Regents of The University of Minnesota (University of Minnesota)
• Inventors: Vaughan, John Thomas Jr., Lemaire, Charles A., Snyder, Carl J. Jr.
• Granted Patent: US 8,816,566 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 343/745
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 33/34092 RF coils specially adapted for NMR spectrometers
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 33/3628 Tuning/matching of the transmit/receive coil
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/103 Latching means; ensuring extension or retraction thereof
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 3/02 using mechanical movement of antenna or antenna system as a whole
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 3/44 varying the electric or magnetic characteristics of reflecting, refracting, or diffracting devices associated with the radiating element
• CPC Class Codes: H02N 2/0075 Electrical details, e.g. drive or control circuits or methods
• CPC Class Codes: H02N 2/043 Mechanical transmission means, e.g. for stroke amplification
• CPC Class Codes: H02N 2/046 for conversion into rotary motion
• CPC Class Codes: H10N 30/802 Drive or control circuitry or methods for piezoelectric or electrostrictive devices not otherwise provided for

Abstract

Apparatus and method that includes providing a variable-parameter electrical component in a high-field environment and based on an electrical signal, automatically moving a movable portion of the electrical component in relation to another portion of the electrical component to vary at least one of its parameters. In some embodiments, the moving uses a mechanical movement device (e.g., a linear positioner, rotary motor, or pump). In some embodiments of the method, the electrical component has a variable inductance, capacitance, and/or resistance. Some embodiments include using a computer that controls the moving of the movable portion of the electrical component in order to vary an electrical parameter of the electrical component. Some embodiments include using a feedback signal to provide feedback control in order to adjust and/or maintain the electrical parameter. Some embodiments include a non-magnetic positioner connected to an electrical component configured to have its RLC parameters varied by the positioner.

Claims

1. A computer-readable medium having instructions stored thereon for causing a suitably programmed information processor to execute a method that comprises:

autocontrolling a non-magnetic mechanical-movement device to move a movable portion of an electrical component in relation to another portion of the electrical component in order to vary at least one electrical parameter of the electrical component.

2. The computer-readable medium of claim 1, further comprising instructions such that the method further comprises:

using a feedback signal operatively coupled to the information processor to provide feedback control in order to maintain the at least one electrical parameter of the electrical component.

3. The computer-readable medium of claim 1, further comprising instructions such that the method further comprises:

controlling a resonant frequency and a characteristic impedance of a circuit that includes the electrical component.

4. The computer-readable medium of claim 1, wherein the electrical component has a characteristic impedance at a first frequency, the computer-readable medium further comprising instructions such that, based on an electrical feedback signal, the autocontrolling moves the movable portion of the electrical component in order to adjust the characteristic impedance at the first frequency.

5. The computer-readable medium of claim 1, wherein the electrical component includes an inductor, and wherein the at least one electrical parameter includes an inductance.

6. The computer-readable medium of claim 1, wherein the electrical component includes a capacitor, and wherein the at least one electrical parameter includes a capacitance.

7. The computer-readable medium of claim 1, wherein the electrical component includes a resistor, and wherein the at least one electrical parameter includes a resistance.

8. The computer-readable medium of claim 1, wherein the electrical component includes a first antenna element having an adjustable resonant frequency, the computer-readable medium further comprising instructions such that, based on an electrical signal, the autocontrolling moves the movable portion of the electrical component in order to vary the adjustable resonant frequency.

9. The computer-readable medium of claim 8, wherein the electrical component has an adjustable inductance, the computer-readable medium further comprising instructions such that the autocontrolling moves the movable portion of the electrical component in order to vary the adjustable inductance.

10. The computer-readable medium of claim 8, wherein the electrical component includes a capacitor, the computer-readable medium further comprising instructions such that the autocontrolling moves the movable portion of the electrical component in order to vary a capacitance.

11. A method comprising:

providing an electrical component having a characteristic impedance at a first frequency; and

based on an electrical feedback signal, automatically moving, using a non-magnetic mechanical-movement device, a movable portion of the electrical component in relation to another portion of the electrical component to change both the characteristic impedance and the first frequency.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the moving using the non-magnetic mechanical-movement device comprises moving using a piezo-electric motor.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the electrical component comprises an inductor, and wherein at least one of its parameters includes an inductance.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein the electrical component comprises a capacitor, and wherein at least one of its parameters includes a capacitance.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein the electrical component comprises a resistor, and wherein at least one of its parameters includes a resistance.

16. A computer-readable medium having instructions stored thereon for causing a suitably programmed information processor to execute a method that comprises:

providing an electrical component having a characteristic impedance at a first frequency; and

based on an electrical feedback signal, automatically moving, using a non-magnetic mechanical-movement device, a movable portion of the electrical component in relation to another portion of the electrical component to change both the characteristic impedance and the first frequency.

17. The computer-readable medium of claim 16, wherein the moving using the non-magnetic mechanical-movement device comprises moving using a piezo-electric motor.

18. The computer-readable medium of claim 16, wherein the electrical component comprises an inductor, and wherein at least one of its parameters includes an inductance.

19. The computer-readable medium of claim 16, wherein the electrical component comprises a capacitor, and wherein at least one of its parameters includes a capacitance.

20. The computer-readable medium of claim 16, wherein the electrical component comprises a resistor, and wherein at least one of its parameters includes a resistance.