Fluxmeter including squid and pickup coil with flux guiding core and method for sensing degree of deterioration of an object

Claim 2

A fluxmeter comprising: means for applying a magnetic field to an element of a plant; a superconducting quantum interference element for measuring a change in at least one magnetic characteristic selected from a group of magnetic characteristics of said element of a plant, said group of magnetic characteristics includes a residual flux density, a coercive force, a magnetic hysteresis loop area and a magnetic hysteresis figure; and a flux transmitting circuit including: a pickup coil opposingly arranged with said element of a plant for detecting a magnetic flux generated at said element of a plant by said means for applying a magnetic field, a second coil, connected to said pickup coil through a plurality of leads, for transmitting a signal indicative of said magnetic flux detected by said pickup coil to said superconducting quantum interference element by magnetic coupling, wherein said pickup coil includes a core for guiding said magnet flux generated at said element of a plant to increase an intensity of said signal indicative of said magnetic flux detected by said pickup coil; wherein said pickup coil is disposed at a distance ranging from 100 μm to 5 mm from said element of a plant; and wherein said pickup coil includes a print coil made of a superconducting material.

Claim 3

A fluxmeter according to claim 1, wherein the pickup coil is formed by sputtering.

Claim 4

A fluxmeter according to claim 1, wherein the pickup coil is formed by laser sputtering deposition.

Claim 5

A fluxmeter according to claim 1, wherein the pickup coil is formed by MBE deposition.

Claim 6

A fluxmeter according to claim 1, wherein the pickup coil is formed by MOCVD.

Claim 7

A fluxmeter according to claim 1, wherein the pickup coil is formed by spray pyrolysis deposition.

Claim 8

A fluxmeter according to claim 1, further comprising: means disposed between said pickup coil and said element of a plant for defining a distance between the element of a plant and said pickup coil.

Claim 9

A flux meter comprising: means for applying a magnetic field to an element of a plant; a superconducting quantum interference element for measuring a change in at least one magnetic characteristic selected from a group of magnetic characteristics of said element of a plant, said group of magnetic characteristics includes a residual flux density a coercive force, a magnetic hysteresis loop area and a magnetic hysteresis figure; and a flux transmitting circuit including: a pickup coil opposingly arranged with said element of a plant for detecting a magnetic flux generated at said element of a plant by said means for applying a magnetic field, a second coil, connected to said pickup coil through a plurality of leads, for transmitting a signal indicative of said magnetic flux detected by said pickup coil to said superconducting quantum interference element by magnetic coupling, wherein said pickup coil includes a core for guiding said magnetic flux generated at said element of a plant to increase an intensity of said signal indicative of said magnetic flux detected by said pickup coil.

Claim 10

A flux meter comprising: means for applying a magnetic field to an element of a plant; a superconducting quantum interference element for measuring a change in at least one magnetic characteristic selected from a group of magnetic characteristics of said element of a plant, said group of magnetic characteristics includes a residual flux density a coercive force, a magnetic hysteresis loop area and a magnetic hysteresis figure; and a flux transmitting circuit including: a pickup coil opposingly arranged with said element of a plant for detecting a magnetic flux generated at said element of a plant by said means for applying a magnetic field, a second coil, connected to said pickup coil through a plurality of leads, for transmitting a signal indicative of said magnetic flux detected by said pickup coil to said superconducting quantum interference element by magnetic coupling, wherein said pickup coil includes a core for guiding said magnetic flux generated at said element of a plant to increase an intensity of said signal indicative of said magnetic flux detected by said pickup coil.

Claim 11

A fluxmeter according to claim 8 further comprising: means disposed between said pickup coil and said element of a plant for defining a distance between the element of a plant and said pickup coil.

Claim 12

A fluxmeter according to claim 9, wherein said distance is 100 μm-5 mm.

Claim 13

A fluxmeter according to claim 8, wherein the flux transmitting circuit further; includes two pickup coils connected in series and disposed so as to cancel magnetic flux from each other.

Claim 14

A fluxmeter according to claim 8, further comprising: a magnetic shielding plate for magnetically shielding the superconducting quantum interference element, the plurality of leads of the flux transmitting circuit and said second coil.

Claim 15

A fluxmeter according to claim 8, further comprising: a magnetic shielding plate for magnetically shielding the whole fluxmeter except on a side thereof which receives the magnetic flux from the element of a plant.

Claim 16

A fluxmeter according to claim 8, further comprising: a magnetic shielding plate for magnetically shielding the whole fluxmeter except on a side where said pickup coil is located.

Claim 17

A fluxmeter according to claim 8, wherein said pickup coil is formed in a spiral shape and said core is surrounded by a conducting line of said pickup coil formed in spiral shape.

Claim 18

A fluxmeter according to claim 8, wherein said core includes a portion which is disposed closer to said element of a plant than said pickup coil.

Claim 19

A fluxmeter comprising: means for applying a magnetic field to an element of a plant; a superconducting quantum interference element for measuring a change in at least one magnetic characteristic selected from a group of magnetic characteristics of said element of a plant, said group of magnetic characteristics includes a residual flux density, a coercive force, a magnetic hysteresis loop area and a magnetic hysteresis figure; and flux transmitting circuit including: a pickup coil opposingly arranged with said element of a plant for detecting a magnetic flux generated at said element of a plant by said means for applying a magnetic field, a second coil, connected to said pickup coil through a plurality of leads, for transmitting a signal indicative of said magnetic flux detected by said pickup coil to said superconducting quantum interference element by magnetic coupling, wherein said pickup coil includes a core, a portion of which is disposed closer to said element of a plant than said pickup coil, for guiding said magnetic flux generated at said element of a plant so as to increase an intensity of said signal indicative of said magnetic flux detected by said pickup coil; wherein said pickup coil is disposed at a distance ranging from 100 μm to 5 mm from said element of a plant.

Claim 20

A fluxmeter comprising: means for applying a magnetic field to an element of a plant; a superconducting quantum interference element for measuring a change in at least one magnetic characteristic selected from a group of magnetic characteristics of said element of a plant, said group of magnetic characteristics includes a residual flux density, a coercive force, a magnetic hysteresis loop area and a magnetic hysteresis figure; and flux transmitting circuit including: a pickup coil opposingly arranged with said element of a plant for detecting a magnetic flux generated at said element of a plant by said means for applying a magnetic field, a second coil, connected to said pickup coil through a plurality of leads, for transmitting a signal indicative of said magnetic flux detected by said pickup coil to said superconducting quantum interference element by magnetic coupling, wherein said pickup coil includes a core, a portion of which is disposed closer to said element of a plant than said pickup coil, for guiding said magnetic flux generated at said element of a plant so as to increase an intensity of said signal indicative of said magnetic flux detected by said pickup coil; wherein said pickup coil is disposed at a distance ranging from 100 μm to 5 mm from said element of a plant.

Claim 21

A fluxmeter comprising: means for applying a magnetic field to an element of a plant; a superconducting quantum interference element for measuring a change in at least one magnetic characteristic selected from a group of magnetic characteristics of said element of a plant, said group of magnetic characteristics includes a residual flux density, a coercive force, a magnetic hysteresis loop area and a magnetic hysteresis figure; and a flux transmitting circuit including: a pickup coil opposingly arranged with said element of a plant for detecting a magnetic flux generated at said element of a plant by said means for applying a magnetic field, a second coil, connected to said pickup coil through a plurality of leads, for transmitting a signal indicative of said magnetic flux detected by said pickup coil to said superconducting quantum interference element by magnetic coupling, wherein said pickup coil includes a core, a portion of which is disposed closer to said element of a plant than said pickup coil, for guiding said magnetic flux generated at said element of a plant so as to increase an intensity of said signal indicative of said magnetic flux detected by said pickup coil.

Claim 22

A fluxmeter comprising: means for applying a magnetic field to an element of a plant; a superconducting quantum interference element for measuring a change in at least one magnetic characteristic selected from a group of magnetic characteristics of said element of a plant, said group of magnetic characteristics includes a residual flux density, a coercive force, a magnetic hysteresis loop area and a magnetic hysteresis figure; and a flux transmitting circuit including: a pickup coil opposingly arranged with said element of a plant for detecting a magnetic flux generated at said element of a plant by said means for applying a magnetic field, a second coil, connected to said pickup coil through a plurality of leads, for transmitting a signal indicative of said magnetic flux detected by said pickup coil to said superconducting quantum interference element by magnetic coupling, wherein said pickup coil includes a core, a portion of which is disposed closer to said element of a plant than said pickup coil, for guiding said magnetic flux generated at said element of a plant so as to increase an intensity of said signal indicative of said magnetic flux detected by said pickup coil.

Claim 23

A fluxmeter comprising: application means for applying a magnetic field to an element of a plant; a pickup coil opposingly arranged with said element of a plant for detecting a magnetic flux generated at said element of a plant by said application means for applying a magnetic field; a core, provided with said pickup coil, a portion of said core disposed closer to said element of a plant than said pickup coil, for guiding said magnetic flux generated at said element of a plant to increase an intensity of a signal indicative of said magnetic flux detected by said pickup coil; a second coil, connected to said pickup coil through a plurality of leads, for transmitting said signal indicative of said magnetic flux detected by said pickup coil; a superconducting quantum interference element for measuring, from said signal indicative of said magnetic flux transmitted from said second coil by magnetic coupling, at least one magnetic characteristic selected from a group of magnetic characteristics of said element of a plant, said group of magnetic characteristics includes a residual flux density, a coercive force, a magnetic hysteresis loop area and a magnetic hysteresis figure; storage means for storing data regarding at least said magnetic characteristic of said element of a plant in a virgin unused state or a material in a virgin unused state constituting said element of a plant; and determination means for determining degree of deterioration of said element of a plant by comparing at least said magnetic characteristic of said element of a plant measured by said superconducting quantum interference element to said data regarding said element of a plant or said material in a virgin state.

Claim 24

A fluxmeter comprising: application means for applying a magnetic field to an element of a plant; a pickup coil opposingly arranged with said element of a plant for detecting a magnetic flux generated at said element of a plant by said application means for applying a magnetic field; a core, provided with said pickup coil, a portion of said core disposed closer to said element of a plant than said pickup coil, for guiding said magnetic flux generated at said element of a plant to increase an intensity of a signal indicative of said magnetic flux detected by said pickup coil; a second coil, connected to said pickup coil through a plurality of leads, for transmitting said signal indicative of said magnetic flux detected by said pickup coil; a superconducting quantum interference element for measuring, from said signal indicative of said magnetic flux transmitted from said second coil by magnetic coupling, at least one magnetic characteristic selected from a group of magnetic characteristics of said element of a plant, said group of magnetic characteristics includes a residual flux density, a coercive force, a magnetic hysteresis loop area and a magnetic hysteresis figure; storage means for storing data regarding at least said magnetic characteristic of said element of a plant in a virgin unused state or a material in a virgin unused state constituting said element of a plant; and determination means for determining degree of deterioration of said element of a plant by comparing at least said magnetic characteristic of said element of a plant measured by said superconducting quantum interference element to said data regarding said element of a plant or said material in a virgin state.

Claim 27

A fluxmeter comprising: means for applying a magnetic field to an element of a plant; a superconducting quantum interference element for measuring a change in at least one magnetic characteristic selected from a group of magnetic characteristics of said element of a plant, said group of magnetic characteristics includes a residual flux density, a coercive force, a magnetic hysteresis loop area and a magnetic hysteresis figure; and a flux transmitting circuit including: a pickup coil opposingly arranged with said element of a plant for detecting a magnetic flux generated at said element of a plant by said means for applying a magnetic field, a second coil, connected to said pickup coil through a plurality of leads, for transmitting a signal indicative of said magnetic flux detected by said pickup coil to said superconducting quantum interference element by magnetic coupling, wherein said pickup coil includes a core for guiding said magnet flux generated at said object to increase an intensity of said signal indicative of said magnetic flux detected by said pickup coil; wherein said pickup coil is disposed at a distance ranging from 100 μm to 5 mm from said element of a plant; and wherein said pickup coil includes a print coil made of a superconducting material by powdering and mixing a mixture of a superconducting material and a binder, cold working the mixture to form a line-like material, working the line-like material into a coil-like material, working the coil-like material into a print coil-like material in a doctor blade process and sintering the print coil-like material.

Claim 28

A fluxmeter comprising: means for applying a magnetic field to an element of a plant; a superconducting quantum interference element for measuring a change in at least one magnetic characteristic selected from a group of magnetic characteristics of said element of a plant, said group of magnetic characteristics includes a residual flux density, a coercive force, a magnetic hysteresis loop area and a magnetic hysteresis figure; and a flux transmitting circuit including: a pickup coil opposingly arranged with said element of a plant for detecting a magnetic flux generated at said element of a plant by said means for applying a magnetic field, a second coil, connected to said pickup coil through a plurality of leads, for transmitting a signal indicative of said magnetic flux detected by said pickup coil to said superconducting quantum interference element by magnetic coupling, wherein said pickup coil includes a core for guiding said magnet flux generated at said object to increase an intensity of said signal indicative of said magnetic flux detected by said pickup coil; wherein said pickup coil is disposed at a distance ranging from 100 μm to 5 mm from said element of a plant; and wherein said pickup coil includes a print coil made of a superconducting material by powdering and mixing a mixture of a superconducting material and a binder, cold working the mixture to form a line-like material, working the line-like material into a coil-like material, working the coil-like material into a print coil-like material in a doctor blade process and sintering the print coil-like material.

Claim 29

A fluxmeter comprising: means for applying a magnetic field to an element of a plant; a superconducting quantum interference element for measuring a change in at least one magnetic characteristic selected from a group of magnetic characteristics of said element of a plant, said group of magnetic characteristics includes a residual flux density, a coercive force, a magnetic hysteresis loop area and a magnetic hysteresis figure; and a flux transmitting circuit including: a pickup coil opposingly arranged with said element of a plant for detecting a magnetic flux generated at said element of a plant by said means for applying a magnetic field, a second coil, connected to said pickup coil through a plurality of leads, for transmitting a signal indicative of said magnetic flux detected by said pickup coil to said superconducting quantum interference element by magnetic coupling, wherein said pickup coil includes a core for guiding said magnet flux generated at said element of a plant to increase an intensity of said signal indicative of said magnetic flux detected by said pickup coil.; wherein said pickup coil is disposed at a distance ranging from 100 μm to 5 mm from said element of a plant; and wherein said pickup coil includes a print coil made of a superconducting material by forming a thin film negative pattern of a print coil with a photosensitive resin on a substrate, depositing a superconducting thin film on the entire surface of the substrate with the negative pattern thin film, removing the thin film constituting the negative pattern and the superconducting thin film using a solvent.

Claim 30

A fluxmeter comprising: means for applying a magnetic field to an element of a plant; a superconducting quantum interference element for measuring a change in at least one magnetic characteristic selected from a group of magnetic characteristics of said element of a plant, said group of magnetic characteristics includes a residual flux density, a coercive force, a magnetic hysteresis loop area and a magnetic hysteresis figure; and a flux transmitting circuit including: a pickup coil opposingly arranged with said element of a plant for detecting a magnetic flux generated at said element of a plant by said means for applying a magnetic field, a second coil, connected to said pickup coil through a plurality of leads, for transmitting a signal indicative of said magnetic flux detected by said pickup coil to said superconducting quantum interference element by magnetic coupling, wherein said pickup coil includes a core for guiding said magnet flux generated at said element of a plant to increase an intensity of said signal indicative of said magnetic flux detected by said pickup coil.; wherein said pickup coil is disposed at a distance ranging from 100 μm to 5 mm from said element of a plant; and wherein said pickup coil includes a print coil made of a superconducting material by forming a thin film negative pattern of a print coil with a photosensitive resin on a substrate, depositing a superconducting thin film on the entire surface of the substrate with the negative pattern thin film, removing the thin film constituting the negative pattern and the superconducting thin film using a solvent.

Claim 31

A fluxmeter comprising: means for applying a magnetic field to an element of a plant; a superconducting quantum interference element for measuring a change in at least one magnetic characteristic selected from a group of magnetic characteristics of said element of a plant, said group of magnetic characteristics includes a residual flux density, a coercive force, a magnetic hysteresis loop area and a magnetic hysteresis figure; and a flux transmitting circuit including: a pickup coil opposingly arranged with said element of a plant for detecting a magnetic flux generated at said element of a plant by said means for applying a magnetic field, a second coil, connected to said pickup coil through a plurality of leads, for transmitting a signal indicative of said magnetic flux detected by said pickup coil to said superconducting quantum interference element by magnetic coupling, wherein said pickup coil includes a core for guiding said magnet flux generated at said element of a plant to increase an intensity of said signal indicative of said magnetic flux detected by said pickup coil; wherein said pickup coil is disposed at a distance ranging from 100 μm to 5 mm from said element of a plant; and wherein said pickup coil includes a print coil made of a superconducting material by forming a superconducting thin film on a substrate, forming a positive pattern of a print coil on the superconducting thin film with a photosensitive resin, etching away a negative pattern portion of the superconducting thin film, and removing with a solvent the photosensitive resin remaining on the positive pattern.

Claim 32

A fluxmeter comprising: means for applying a magnetic field to an element of a plant; a superconducting quantum interference element for measuring a change in at least one magnetic characteristic selected from a group of magnetic characteristics of said element of a plant, said group of magnetic characteristics includes a residual flux density, a coercive force, a magnetic hysteresis loop area and a magnetic hysteresis figure; and a flux transmitting circuit including: a pickup coil opposingly arranged with said element of a plant for detecting a magnetic flux generated at said element of a plant by said means for applying a magnetic field, a second coil, connected to said pickup coil through a plurality of leads, for transmitting a signal indicative of said magnetic flux detected by said pickup coil to said superconducting quantum interference element by magnetic coupling, wherein said pickup coil includes a core for guiding said magnet flux generated at said element of a plant to increase an intensity of said signal indicative of said magnetic flux detected by said pickup coil; wherein said pickup coil is disposed at a distance ranging from 100 μm to 5 mm from said element of a plant; and wherein said pickup coil includes a print coil made of a superconducting material by forming a superconducting thin film on a substrate, forming a positive pattern of a print coil on the superconducting thin film with a photosensitive resin, etching away a negative pattern portion of the superconducting thin film, and removing with a solvent the photosensitive resin remaining on the positive pattern.

Claim 33

A flux meter comprising: means for applying a magnetic field to an element of a plant; a superconducting quantum interference element for measuring a change in at least one magnetic characteristic selected from a group of magnetic characteristics of said element of a plant, said group of magnetic characteristics includes a residual flux density a coercive force, a magnetic hysteresis loop area and a magnetic hysteresis figure; and a flux transmitting circuit including: a pickup coil opposingly arranged with said element of a plant for detecting a magnetic flux generated at said element of a plant by said means for applying a magnetic field, a second coil, connected to said pickup coil through a plurality of leads, for transmitting a signal indicative of said magnetic flux detected by said pickup coil to said superconducting quantum interference element by magnetic coupling, wherein said pickup coil includes a core for guiding said magnetic flux generated at said element of a plant to increase an intensity of said signal indicative of said magnetic flux detected by said pickup coil and a print coil made of a superconducting material by powdering and mixing a mixture of a superconducting material and a binder, cold working the mixture to form a line-like material, working the line-like material into a coil-like material, working the coil-like material into a print coil-like material in a doctor blade process and sintering the print coil-like material.

Claim 34

A flux meter comprising: means for applying a magnetic field to an element of a plant; a superconducting quantum interference element for measuring a change in at least one magnetic characteristic selected from a group of magnetic characteristics of said element of a plant, said group of magnetic characteristics includes a residual flux density a coercive force, a magnetic hysteresis loop area and a magnetic hysteresis figure; and a flux transmitting circuit including: a pickup coil opposingly arranged with said element of a plant for detecting a magnetic flux generated at said element of a plant by said means for applying a magnetic field, a second coil, connected to said pickup coil through a plurality of leads, for transmitting a signal indicative of said magnetic flux detected by said pickup coil to said superconducting quantum interference element by magnetic coupling, wherein said pickup coil includes a core for guiding said magnetic flux generated at said element of a plant to increase an intensity of said signal indicative of said magnetic flux detected by said pickup coil and a print coil made of a superconducting material by powdering and mixing a mixture of a superconducting material and a binder, cold working the mixture to form a line-like material, working the line-like material into a coil-like material, working the coil-like material into a print coil-like material in a doctor blade process and sintering the print coil-like material.

Claim 35

A flux meter comprising: means for applying a magnetic field to an element of a plant; a superconducting quantum interference element for measuring a change in at least one magnetic characteristic selected from a group of magnetic characteristics of said element of a plant, said group of magnetic characteristics includes a residual flux density a coercive force, a magnetic hysteresis loop area and a magnetic hysteresis figure; and a flux transmitting circuit including: a pickup coil opposingly arranged with said object for detecting a magnetic flux generated at said object by said means for applying a magnetic field, a second coil, connected to said pickup coil through a plurality of leads, for transmitting a signal indicative of said magnetic flux detected by said pickup coil to said superconducting quantum interference element by magnetic coupling, wherein said pickup coil includes a core for guiding said magnetic flux generated at said object to increase an intensity of said signal indicative of said magnetic flux detected by said pickup coil and a print coil made of a superconducting material by forming a thin film negative pattern of a print coil with a photosensitive resin on a substrate, depositing a superconducting thin film on the entire surface of the substrate with the negative pattern thin film, removing the thin film constituting the negative pattern and the superconducting thin film using a solvent.

Claim 36

A flux meter comprising: means for applying a magnetic field to an element of a plant; a superconducting quantum interference element for measuring a change in at least one magnetic characteristic selected from a group of magnetic characteristics of said element of a plant, said group of magnetic characteristics includes a residual flux density a coercive force, a magnetic hysteresis loop area and a magnetic hysteresis figure; and a flux transmitting circuit including: a pickup coil opposingly arranged with said object for detecting a magnetic flux generated at said object by said means for applying a magnetic field, a second coil, connected to said pickup coil through a plurality of leads, for transmitting a signal indicative of said magnetic flux detected by said pickup coil to said superconducting quantum interference element by magnetic coupling, wherein said pickup coil includes a core for guiding said magnetic flux generated at said object to increase an intensity of said signal indicative of said magnetic flux detected by said pickup coil and a print coil made of a superconducting material by forming a thin film negative pattern of a print coil with a photosensitive resin on a substrate, depositing a superconducting thin film on the entire surface of the substrate with the negative pattern thin film, removing the thin film constituting the negative pattern and the superconducting thin film using a solvent.

Claim 37

A flux meter comprising: means for applying a magnetic field to an object; a superconducting quantum interference element for measuring a change in at least one magnetic characteristic selected from a group of magnetic characteristics of said object, said group of magnetic characteristics includes a residual flux density a coercive force, a magnetic hysteresis loop area and a magnetic hysteresis figure; and a flux transmitting circuit including: a pickup coil opposingly arranged with said element of a plant for detecting a magnetic flux generated at said element of a plant by said means for applying a magnetic field, a second coil, connected to said pickup coil through a plurality of leads, for transmitting a signal indicative of said magnetic flux detected by said pickup coil to said superconducting quantum interference element by magnetic coupling, wherein said pickup coil includes a core for guiding said magnetic flux generated at said element of a plant to increase an intensity of said signal indicative of said magnetic flux detected by said pickup coil and a print coil made of a superconducting material by forming a superconducting thin film on a substrate, forming a positive pattern of a print coil on the superconducting thin film with a photosensitive resin, etching away a negative pattern portion of the superconducting thin film and removing with a solvent the photosensitive resin remaining on the positive pattern.

Claim 38

A flux meter comprising: means for applying a magnetic field to an object; a superconducting quantum interference element for measuring a change in at least one magnetic characteristic selected from a group of magnetic characteristics of said object, said group of magnetic characteristics includes a residual flux density a coercive force, a magnetic hysteresis loop area and a magnetic hysteresis figure; and a flux transmitting circuit including: a pickup coil opposingly arranged with said element of a plant for detecting a magnetic flux generated at said element of a plant by said means for applying a magnetic field, a second coil, connected to said pickup coil through a plurality of leads, for transmitting a signal indicative of said magnetic flux detected by said pickup coil to said superconducting quantum interference element by magnetic coupling, wherein said pickup coil includes a core for guiding said magnetic flux generated at said element of a plant to increase an intensity of said signal indicative of said magnetic flux detected by said pickup coil and a print coil made of a superconducting material by forming a superconducting thin film on a substrate, forming a positive pattern of a print coil on the superconducting thin film with a photosensitive resin, etching away a negative pattern portion of the superconducting thin film and removing with a solvent the photosensitive resin remaining on the positive pattern.

Claim 39

A fluxmeter comprising: means for applying a magnetic field to an element of a plant; a superconducting quantum interference element for measuring a change in at least one magnetic characteristic selected from a group of magnetic characteristics of said element of a plant, said group of magnetic characteristics includes a residual flux density, a coercive force, a magnetic hysteresis loop area and a magnetic hysteresis figure; and flux transmitting circuit including: a pickup coil opposingly arranged with said element of a plant for detecting a magnetic flux generated at said element of a plant by said means for applying a magnetic field, a second coil, connected to said pickup coil through a plurality of leads, for transmitting a signal indicative of said magnetic flux detected by said pickup coil to said superconducting quantum interference element by magnetic coupling, wherein said pickup coil includes a core, a portion of which is disposed closer to said element of a plant than said pickup coil, for guiding said magnetic flux generated at said element of a plant so as to increase an intensity of said signal indicative of said magnetic flux detected by said pickup coil; wherein said pickup coil is disposed at a distance ranging from 100 μm to 5 mm from said element of a plant; and wherein said pickup coil includes a print coil made of a superconducting material by powdering and mixing a mixture of a superconducting material and a binder, cold working the mixture to form a line-like material, working the line-like material into a coil-like material, working the coil-like material into a print coil-like material in a doctor blade process and sintering the print coil-like material.

Claim 40

A fluxmeter comprising: means for applying a magnetic field to an element of a plant; a superconducting quantum interference element for measuring a change in at least one magnetic characteristic selected from a group of magnetic characteristics of said element of a plant, said group of magnetic characteristics includes a residual flux density, a coercive force, a magnetic hysteresis loop area and a magnetic hysteresis figure; and flux transmitting circuit including: a pickup coil opposingly arranged with said element of a plant for detecting a magnetic flux generated at said element of a plant by said means for applying a magnetic field, a second coil, connected to said pickup coil through a plurality of leads, for transmitting a signal indicative of said magnetic flux detected by said pickup coil to said superconducting quantum interference element by magnetic coupling, wherein said pickup coil includes a core, a portion of which is disposed closer to said element of a plant than said pickup coil, for guiding said magnetic flux generated at said element of a plant so as to increase an intensity of said signal indicative of said magnetic flux detected by said pickup coil; wherein said pickup coil is disposed at a distance ranging from 100 μm to 5 mm from said element of a plant; and wherein said pickup coil includes a print coil made of a superconducting material by powdering and mixing a mixture of a superconducting material and a binder, cold working the mixture to form a line-like material, working the line-like material into a coil-like material, working the coil-like material into a print coil-like material in a doctor blade process and sintering the print coil-like material.

Claim 41

A fluxmeter comprising: means for applying a magnetic field to an element of a plant; a superconducting quantum interference element for measuring a change in at least one magnetic characteristic selected from a group of magnetic characteristics of said element of a plant, said group of magnetic characteristics includes a residual flux density, a coercive force, a magnetic hysteresis loop area and a magnetic hysteresis figure; and flux transmitting circuit including: a pickup coil opposingly arranged with said element of a plant for detecting a magnetic flux generated at said element of a plant by said means for applying a magnetic field, a second coil, connected to said pickup coil through a plurality of leads, for transmitting a signal indicative of said magnetic flux detected by said pickup coil to said superconducting quantum interference element by magnetic coupling, wherein said pickup coil includes a core, a portion of which is disposed closer to said element of a plant than said pickup coil, for guiding said magnetic flux generated at said element of a plant so as to increase an intensity of said signal indicative of said magnetic flux detected by said pickup coil; wherein said pickup coil is disposed at a distance ranging from 100 μm to 5 mm from said element of a plant; and wherein said pickup coil includes a print coil made of a superconducting material by forming a thin film negative pattern of a print coil with a photosensitive resin on a substrate, depositing a superconducting thin film on the entire surface of the substrate with the negative pattern thin film, removing the thin film constituting the negative pattern and the superconducting thin film using a solvent.

Claim 42

A fluxmeter comprising: means for applying a magnetic field to an element of a plant; a superconducting quantum interference element for measuring a change in at least one magnetic characteristic selected from a group of magnetic characteristics of said element of a plant, said group of magnetic characteristics includes a residual flux density, a coercive force, a magnetic hysteresis loop area and a magnetic hysteresis figure; and flux transmitting circuit including: a pickup coil opposingly arranged with said element of a plant for detecting a magnetic flux generated at said element of a plant by said means for applying a magnetic field, a second coil, connected to said pickup coil through a plurality of leads, for transmitting a signal indicative of said magnetic flux detected by said pickup coil to said superconducting quantum interference element by magnetic coupling, wherein said pickup coil includes a core, a portion of which is disposed closer to said element of a plant than said pickup coil, for guiding said magnetic flux generated at said element of a plant so as to increase an intensity of said signal indicative of said magnetic flux detected by said pickup coil; wherein said pickup coil is disposed at a distance ranging from 100 μm to 5 mm from said element of a plant; and wherein said pickup coil includes a print coil made of a superconducting material by forming a thin film negative pattern of a print coil with a photosensitive resin on a substrate, depositing a superconducting thin film on the entire surface of the substrate with the negative pattern thin film, removing the thin film constituting the negative pattern and the superconducting thin film using a solvent.

Claim 43

A fluxmeter comprising: means for applying a magnetic field to an element of a plant; a superconducting quantum interference element for measuring a change in at least one magnetic characteristic selected from a group of magnetic characteristics of said element of a plant, said group of magnetic characteristics includes a residual flux density, a coercive force, a magnetic hysteresis loop area and a magnetic hysteresis figure; and flux transmitting circuit including: a pickup coil opposingly arranged with said element of a plant for detecting a magnetic flux generated at said element of a plant by said means for applying a magnetic field, a second coil, connected to said pickup coil through a plurality of leads, for transmitting a signal indicative of said magnetic flux detected by said pickup coil to said superconducting quantum interference element by magnetic coupling, wherein said pickup coil includes a core, a portion of which is disposed closer to said element of a plant than said pickup coil, for guiding said magnetic flux generated at said element of a plant so as to increase an intensity of said signal indicative of said magnetic flux detected by said pickup coil; wherein said pickup coil is disposed at a distance ranging from 100 μm to 5 mm from said element of a plant; and wherein said pickup coil includes a print coil made of a superconducting material by forming a superconducting thin film on a substrate, forming a positive pattern of a print coil on the superconducting thin film with a photosensitive resin, etching away a negative pattern portion of the superconducting thin film and removing with a solvent the photosensitive resin remaining on the positive pattern.

Claim 44

A fluxmeter comprising: means for applying a magnetic field to an element of a plant; a superconducting quantum interference element for measuring a change in at least one magnetic characteristic selected from a group of magnetic characteristics of said element of a plant, said group of magnetic characteristics includes a residual flux density, a coercive force, a magnetic hysteresis loop area and a magnetic hysteresis figure; and flux transmitting circuit including: a pickup coil opposingly arranged with said element of a plant for detecting a magnetic flux generated at said element of a plant by said means for applying a magnetic field, a second coil, connected to said pickup coil through a plurality of leads, for transmitting a signal indicative of said magnetic flux detected by said pickup coil to said superconducting quantum interference element by magnetic coupling, wherein said pickup coil includes a core, a portion of which is disposed closer to said element of a plant than said pickup coil, for guiding said magnetic flux generated at said element of a plant so as to increase an intensity of said signal indicative of said magnetic flux detected by said pickup coil; wherein said pickup coil is disposed at a distance ranging from 100 μm to 5 mm from said element of a plant; and wherein said pickup coil includes a print coil made of a superconducting material by forming a superconducting thin film on a substrate, forming a positive pattern of a print coil on the superconducting thin film with a photosensitive resin, etching away a negative pattern portion of the superconducting thin film and removing with a solvent the photosensitive resin remaining on the positive pattern.

Claim 45

A fluxmeter comprising: means for applying a magnetic field to an element of a plant; a superconducting quantum interference element for measuring a change in at least one magnetic characteristic selected from a group of magnetic characteristics of said element of a plant, said group of magnetic characteristics includes a residual flux density, a coercive force, a magnetic hysteresis loop area and a magnetic hysteresis figure; and a flux transmitting circuit including: a pickup coil opposingly arranged with said element of a plant for detecting a magnetic flux generated at said element of a plant by said means for applying a magnetic field, a second coil, connected to said pickup coil through a plurality of leads, for transmitting a signal indicative of said magnetic flux detected by said pickup coil to said superconducting quantum interference element by magnetic coupling, wherein said pickup coil includes a core, a portion of which is disposed closer to said element of a plant than said pickup coil, for guiding said magnetic flux generated at said element of a plant so as to increase an intensity of said signal indicative of said magnetic flux detected by said pickup coil and a print coil made of a superconducting material by powdering and mixing a mixture of a superconducting material and a binder, cold working the mixture to form a line-like material, working the line-like material into a coil-like material, working the coil-like material into a print coil-like material in a doctor blade process and sintering the print coil-like material.

Claim 46

A fluxmeter comprising: means for applying a magnetic field to an element of a plant; a superconducting quantum interference element for measuring a change in at least one magnetic characteristic selected from a group of magnetic characteristics of said element of a plant, said group of magnetic characteristics includes a residual flux density, a coercive force, a magnetic hysteresis loop area and a magnetic hysteresis figure; and a flux transmitting circuit including: a pickup coil opposingly arranged with said element of a plant for detecting a magnetic flux generated at said element of a plant by said means for applying a magnetic field, a second coil, connected to said pickup coil through a plurality of leads, for transmitting a signal indicative of said magnetic flux detected by said pickup coil to said superconducting quantum interference element by magnetic coupling, wherein said pickup coil includes a core, a portion of which is disposed closer to said element of a plant than said pickup coil, for guiding said magnetic flux generated at said element of a plant so as to increase an intensity of said signal indicative of said magnetic flux detected by said pickup coil and a print coil made of a superconducting material by powdering and mixing a mixture of a superconducting material and a binder, cold working the mixture to form a line-like material, working the line-like material into a coil-like material, working the coil-like material into a print coil-like material in a doctor blade process and sintering the print coil-like material.

Claim 47

A fluxmeter comprising: means for applying a magnetic field to an element of a plant; a superconducting quantum interference element for measuring a change in at least one magnetic characteristic selected from a group of magnetic characteristics of said element of a plant, said group of magnetic characteristics includes a residual flux density, a coercive force, a magnetic hysteresis loop area and a magnetic hysteresis figure; and a flux transmitting circuit including: a pickup coil opposingly arranged with said element of a plant for detecting a magnetic flux generated at said element of a plant by said means for applying a magnetic field, a second coil, connected to said pickup coil through a plurality of leads, for transmitting a signal indicative of said magnetic flux detected by said pickup coil to said superconducting quantum interference element by magnetic coupling, wherein said pickup coil includes a core, a portion of which is disposed closer to said element of a plant than said pickup coil, for guiding said magnetic flux generated at said element of a plant so as to increase an intensity of said signal indicative of said magnetic flux detected by said pickup coil and a print coil made of a superconducting material by forming a thin film negative pattern of a print coil with a photosensitive resin on a substrate, depositing a superconducting thin film on the entire surface of the substrate with the negative pattern thin film, removing the thin film constituting the negative pattern and the superconducting thin film using a solvent.

Claim 48

A fluxmeter comprising: means for applying a magnetic field to an element of a plant; a superconducting quantum interference element for measuring a change in at least one magnetic characteristic selected from a group of magnetic characteristics of said element of a plant, said group of magnetic characteristics includes a residual flux density, a coercive force, a magnetic hysteresis loop area and a magnetic hysteresis figure; and a flux transmitting circuit including: a pickup coil opposingly arranged with said element of a plant for detecting a magnetic flux generated at said element of a plant by said means for applying a magnetic field, a second coil, connected to said pickup coil through a plurality of leads, for transmitting a signal indicative of said magnetic flux detected by said pickup coil to said superconducting quantum interference element by magnetic coupling, wherein said pickup coil includes a core, a portion of which is disposed closer to said element of a plant than said pickup coil, for guiding said magnetic flux generated at said element of a plant so as to increase an intensity of said signal indicative of said magnetic flux detected by said pickup coil and a print coil made of a superconducting material by forming a thin film negative pattern of a print coil with a photosensitive resin on a substrate, depositing a superconducting thin film on the entire surface of the substrate with the negative pattern thin film, removing the thin film constituting the negative pattern and the superconducting thin film using a solvent.

Claim 49

A fluxmeter comprising: means for applying a magnetic field to an element of a plant; a superconducting quantum interference element for measuring a change in at least one magnetic characteristic selected from a group of magnetic characteristics of said element of a plant, said group of magnetic characteristics includes a residual flux density, a coercive force, a magnetic hysteresis loop area and a magnetic hysteresis figure; and a flux transmitting circuit including: a pickup coil opposingly arranged with said element of a plant for detecting a magnetic flux generated at said element of a plant by said means for applying a magnetic field, a second coil, connected to said pickup coil through a plurality of leads, for transmitting a signal indicative of said magnetic flux detected by said pickup coil to said superconducting quantum interference element by magnetic coupling, wherein said pickup coil includes a core, a portion of which is disposed closer to said element of a plant than said pickup coil, for guiding said magnetic flux generated at said element of a plant so as to increase an intensity of said signal indicative of said magnetic flux detected by said pickup coil and a print coil made of a superconducting material by forming a superconducting thin film on a substrate, forming a positive pattern of a print coil on the superconducting thin film with a photosensitive resin, etching away a negative pattern portion of the superconducting thin film and removing with a solvent the photosensitive resin remaining on the positive pattern.

Claim 50

A fluxmeter comprising: means for applying a magnetic field to an element of a plant; a superconducting quantum interference element for measuring a change in at least one magnetic characteristic selected from a group of magnetic characteristics of said element of a plant, said group of magnetic characteristics includes a residual flux density, a coercive force, a magnetic hysteresis loop area and a magnetic hysteresis figure; and a flux transmitting circuit including: a pickup coil opposingly arranged with said element of a plant for detecting a magnetic flux generated at said element of a plant by said means for applying a magnetic field, a second coil, connected to said pickup coil through a plurality of leads, for transmitting a signal indicative of said magnetic flux detected by said pickup coil to said superconducting quantum interference element by magnetic coupling, wherein said pickup coil includes a core, a portion of which is disposed closer to said element of a plant than said pickup coil, for guiding said magnetic flux generated at said element of a plant so as to increase an intensity of said signal indicative of said magnetic flux detected by said pickup coil and a print coil made of a superconducting material by forming a superconducting thin film on a substrate, forming a positive pattern of a print coil on the superconducting thin film with a photosensitive resin, etching away a negative pattern portion of the superconducting thin film and removing with a solvent the photosensitive resin remaining on the positive pattern.

Claim 51

A fluxmeter comprising: application means for applying a magnetic field to an element of a plant; a pickup coil opposingly arranged with said element of a plant for detecting a magnetic flux generated at said element of a plant by said application means for applying a magnetic field; a core, provided with said pickup coil, a portion of said core disposed closer to said element of a plant than said pickup coil, for guiding said magnetic flux generated at said element of a plant to increase an intensity of a signal indicative of said magnetic flux detected by said pickup coil; a second coil, connected to said pickup coil through a plurality of leads, for transmitting said signal indicative of said magnetic flux detected by said pickup coil; a superconducting quantum interference element for measuring, from said signal indicative of said magnetic flux transmitted from said second coil by magnetic coupling, at least one magnetic characteristic selected from a group of magnetic characteristics of said element of a plant, said group of magnetic characteristics includes a residual flux density, a coercive force, a magnetic hysteresis loop area and a magnetic hysteresis figure; storage means for storing data regarding at least said magnetic characteristic of said element of a plant in a virgin unused state or a material in a virgin unused state constituting said element of a plant; and determination means for determining degree of deterioration of said element of a plant by comparing at least said magnetic characteristic of said element of a plant measured by said superconducting quantum interference element to said data regarding said element of a plant or said material in a virgin state; wherein said pickup coil includes a print coil made of a superconducting material by powdering and mixing a mixture of a superconducting material and a binder, cold working the mixture to form a line-like material, working the line-like material into a coil-like material, working the coil-like material into a print coil-like material in a doctor blade process, and sintering the print coil-like material.

Claim 52

A fluxmeter comprising: application means for applying a magnetic field to an element of a plant; a pickup coil opposingly arranged with said element of a plant for detecting a magnetic flux generated at said element of a plant by said application means for applying a magnetic field; a core, provided with said pickup coil, a portion of said core disposed closer to said element of a plant than said pickup coil, for guiding said magnetic flux generated at said element of a plant to increase an intensity of a signal indicative of said magnetic flux detected by said pickup coil; a second coil, connected to said pickup coil through a plurality of leads, for transmitting said signal indicative of said magnetic flux detected by said pickup coil; a superconducting quantum interference element for measuring, from said signal indicative of said magnetic flux transmitted from said second coil by magnetic coupling, at least one magnetic characteristic selected from a group of magnetic characteristics of said element of a plant, said group of magnetic characteristics includes a residual flux density, a coercive force, a magnetic hysteresis loop area and a magnetic hysteresis figure; storage means for storing data regarding at least said magnetic characteristic of said element of a plant in a virgin unused state or a material in a virgin unused state constituting said element of a plant; and determination means for determining degree of deterioration of said element of a plant by comparing at least said magnetic characteristic of said element of a plant measured by said superconducting quantum interference element to said data regarding said element of a plant or said material in a virgin state; wherein said pickup coil includes a print coil made of a superconducting material by powdering and mixing a mixture of a superconducting material and a binder, cold working the mixture to form a line-like material, working the line-like material into a coil-like material, working the coil-like material into a print coil-like material in a doctor blade process, and sintering the print coil-like material.

Claim 53

A fluxmeter comprising: application means for applying a magnetic field to an element of a plant; a pickup coil opposingly arranged with said element of a plant for detecting a magnetic flux generated at said element of a plant by said application means for applying a magnetic field; a core, provided with said pickup coil, a portion of said core disposed closer to said element of a plant than said pickup coil, for guiding said magnetic flux generated at said element of a plant to increase an intensity of a signal indicative of said magnetic flux detected by said pickup coil; a second coil, connected to said pickup coil through a plurality of leads, for transmitting said signal indicative of said magnetic flux detected by said pickup coil; a superconducting quantum interference element for measuring, from said signal indicative of said magnetic flux transmitted from said second coil by magnetic coupling, at least one magnetic characteristic selected from a group of magnetic characteristics of said element of a plant, said group of magnetic characteristics includes a residual flux density, a coercive force, a magnetic hysteresis loop area and a magnetic hysteresis figure; storage means for storing data regarding at least said magnetic characteristic of said element of a plant in a virgin unused state or a material in a virgin unused state constituting said element of a plant; and determination means for determining degree of deterioration of said element of a plant by comparing at least said magnetic characteristic of said element of a plant measured by said superconducting quantum interference element to said data regarding said element of a plant or said material in a virgin state; wherein said pickup coil includes a print coil made of a superconducting material by forming a thin film negative pattern of a print coil with a photosensitive resin on a substrate, depositing a superconducting thin film on the entire surface of the substrate with the negative pattern thin film, removing the thin film constituting the negative pattern and the superconducting thin film using a solvent.

Claim 54

A fluxmeter comprising: application means for applying a magnetic field to an element of a plant; a pickup coil opposingly arranged with said element of a plant for detecting a magnetic flux generated at said element of a plant by said application means for applying a magnetic field; a core, provided with said pickup coil, a portion of said core disposed closer to said element of a plant than said pickup coil, for guiding said magnetic flux generated at said element of a plant to increase an intensity of a signal indicative of said magnetic flux detected by said pickup coil; a second coil, connected to said pickup coil through a plurality of leads, for transmitting said signal indicative of said magnetic flux detected by said pickup coil; a superconducting quantum interference element for measuring, from said signal indicative of said magnetic flux transmitted from said second coil by magnetic coupling, at least one magnetic characteristic selected from a group of magnetic characteristics of said element of a plant, said group of magnetic characteristics includes a residual flux density, a coercive force, a magnetic hysteresis loop area and a magnetic hysteresis figure; storage means for storing data regarding at least said magnetic characteristic of said element of a plant in a virgin unused state or a material in a virgin unused state constituting said element of a plant; and determination means for determining degree of deterioration of said element of a plant by comparing at least said magnetic characteristic of said element of a plant measured by said superconducting quantum interference element to said data regarding said element of a plant or said material in a virgin state; wherein said pickup coil includes a print coil made of a superconducting material by forming a thin film negative pattern of a print coil with a photosensitive resin on a substrate, depositing a superconducting thin film on the entire surface of the substrate with the negative pattern thin film, removing the thin film constituting the negative pattern and the superconducting thin film using a solvent.

Claim 55

A fluxmeter comprising: application means for applying a magnetic field to an element of a plant; a pickup coil opposingly arranged with said element of a plant for detecting a magnetic flux generated at said element of a plant by said application means for applying a magnetic field; a core, provided with said pickup coil, a portion of said core disposed closer to said element of a plant than said pickup coil, for guiding said magnetic flux generated at said element of a plant to increase an intensity of a signal indicative of said magnetic flux detected by said pickup coil; a second coil, connected to said pickup coil through a plurality of leads, for transmitting said signal indicative of said magnetic flux detected by said pickup coil; a superconducting quantum interference element for measuring, from said signal indicative of said magnetic flux transmitted from said second coil by magnetic coupling, at least one magnetic characteristic selected from a group of magnetic characteristics of said element of a plant, said group of magnetic characteristics includes a residual flux density, a coercive force, a magnetic hysteresis loop area and a magnetic hysteresis figure; storage means for storing data regarding at least said magnetic characteristic of said element of a plant in a virgin unused state or a material in a virgin unused state constituting said element of a plant; and determination means for determining degree of deterioration of said element of a plant by comparing at least said magnetic characteristic of said element of a plant measured by said superconducting quantum interference element to said data regarding said element of a plant or said material in a virgin state; wherein said pickup coil includes a print coil made of a superconducting material by forming a superconducting thin film on a substrate, forming a positive pattern of a print coil on the superconducting thin film with a photosensitive resin, etching away a negative pattern portion of the superconducting thin film; and removing with a solvent the photosensitive resin remaining on the positive pattern.

Claim 56

A fluxmeter comprising: application means for applying a magnetic field to an element of a plant; a pickup coil opposingly arranged with said element of a plant for detecting a magnetic flux generated at said element of a plant by said application means for applying a magnetic field; a core, provided with said pickup coil, a portion of said core disposed closer to said element of a plant than said pickup coil, for guiding said magnetic flux generated at said element of a plant to increase an intensity of a signal indicative of said magnetic flux detected by said pickup coil; a second coil, connected to said pickup coil through a plurality of leads, for transmitting said signal indicative of said magnetic flux detected by said pickup coil; a superconducting quantum interference element for measuring, from said signal indicative of said magnetic flux transmitted from said second coil by magnetic coupling, at least one magnetic characteristic selected from a group of magnetic characteristics of said element of a plant, said group of magnetic characteristics includes a residual flux density, a coercive force, a magnetic hysteresis loop area and a magnetic hysteresis figure; storage means for storing data regarding at least said magnetic characteristic of said element of a plant in a virgin unused state or a material in a virgin unused state constituting said element of a plant; and determination means for determining degree of deterioration of said element of a plant by comparing at least said magnetic characteristic of said element of a plant measured by said superconducting quantum interference element to said data regarding said element of a plant or said material in a virgin state; wherein said pickup coil includes a print coil made of a superconducting material by forming a superconducting thin film on a substrate, forming a positive pattern of a print coil on the superconducting thin film with a photosensitive resin, etching away a negative pattern portion of the superconducting thin film; and removing with a solvent the photosensitive resin remaining on the positive pattern.