Dew-point instrument purging mechanism and dew-point instrument service life prolonging method

By designing a purging mechanism for the dew point meter and using the purging pipeline to remove corrosive substances from the detection tube, the problem of short lifespan of the dew point meter sensor was solved, achieving a long lifespan and high reliability for the instrument.

CN121410045APending Publication Date: 2026-01-27ZHUHAI OBERT MEASUREMENT & CONTROL TECH CO LTD
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Patent Information

Application Number
CN202511689724.6
Authority / Receiving Office
CN · China
Patent Type
Applications(China)
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2025-11-18
Publication Date
2026-01-27

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

During the lithium battery production process, dew point meter sensors have a short lifespan due to contact with corrosive substances in the air, resulting in high replacement costs.

Method used

Design a dew point meter purging mechanism, including an intake pipe, a detection pipe, an exhaust pipe, and a purging pipe. The gas flow direction is controlled by an intake three-way valve, and the purging pipe delivers unpolluted air during non-detection periods to remove residual moisture and contaminants, thus protecting the sensor.

Benefits of technology

It extends the lifespan of the dew point meter, improves the instrument's reliability and stability, and reduces the cost of maintaining and replacing sensors.

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Abstract

The invention discloses a dew-point instrument purging mechanism and a dew-point instrument service life prolonging method. The dew-point instrument purging mechanism comprises a detection gas inlet pipeline, a detection pipe, a gas exhaust pipeline and a purging pipeline, and the detection gas inlet pipeline is used for conveying to-be-detected gas; the input end of the detection pipe is connected with the detection gas inlet pipeline, and a dew point sensor is arranged in the detection pipe; the exhaust pipeline is connected with the output end of the detection pipe, and detected gas enters the exhaust pipeline from the output end of the detection pipe to be exhausted; the purging pipeline is connected with the input end of the detection pipe, the purging pipeline is connected with a pure air source, and the purging pipeline continuously conveys pollution-free air into the detection pipe after detection is completed or during a non-detection period. The purging pipeline continuously conveys pollution-free air to the detection pipe in the non-detection period, residual moisture and pollutants can be effectively removed, the dew point sensor is protected against corrosion or pollution, the service life is prolonged, and the reliability and stability of an instrument are improved.
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Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of dew point meter technology, and in particular to a method for extending the lifespan of a dew point meter purging mechanism. Background Technology

[0002] The production process of lithium batteries requires extremely high control over the dew point of the environment. Therefore, dew point meters are widely used as standard monitoring equipment in lithium battery production environments. However, trace amounts of moisture inside the battery can react with lithium salts (such as LiPF6) to produce highly toxic hydrofluoric acid. Hydrofluoric acid is highly corrosive to most metals and sensor materials, directly damaging the sensor, resulting in a very short sensor lifespan, high replacement costs, and high production costs. Summary of the Invention

[0003] This invention aims to at least solve one of the technical problems existing in the prior art. To this end, this invention proposes a dew point meter purging mechanism that can prevent the dew point meter sensor from being in long-term contact with corrosive substances in the air, thereby extending the life of the dew point meter.

[0004] The present invention also proposes a method for extending the life of a dew point meter having the above-mentioned dew point meter purging mechanism.

[0005] According to a first aspect of the present invention, a dew point meter purging mechanism includes a detection inlet pipe, a detection tube, an exhaust pipe, a purging pipe, and an inlet three-way valve. The detection inlet pipe is used to deliver the gas to be detected. The input end of the detection tube is connected to the detection inlet pipe, and a dew point sensor is disposed inside the detection tube. The detection tube is made of transparent material. The exhaust pipe is connected to the output end of the detection tube, and the detected gas enters the exhaust pipe from the output end of the detection tube and is discharged. The purging pipe is connected to the input end of the detection tube and is connected to a clean gas source. After detection is completed or during non-detection periods, the purging pipe continuously delivers uncontaminated air to the detection tube. The three ports of the inlet three-way valve are respectively connected to the detection inlet pipe, the input end of the detection tube, and the purging pipe. The inlet three-way valve controls the input end of the detection tube to connect to the exhaust pipe or the detection inlet pipe.

[0006] It has at least the following beneficial effects: the exhaust pipe smoothly discharges the detected gas, preventing gas accumulation from affecting subsequent detection; the purging pipe continuously delivers uncontaminated air to the detection tube during non-detection periods, effectively removing residual moisture and contaminants, protecting the dew point sensor from corrosion or contamination, extending its service life, and improving the reliability and stability of the instrument.

[0007] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the detection tube is further provided with color-changing silica gel, which is used to observe the humidity inside the detection tube.

[0008] According to some embodiments of the present invention, an exhaust valve is also included, which is disposed on the exhaust pipe and is capable of closing the exhaust pipe.

[0009] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the detection inlet pipe is further provided with a filter device, which is used to filter liquid and / or particulate matter in the gas to be detected.

[0010] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the filtration device is provided with two output ends, one output end for discharging the filtered liquid and / or particulate matter, and the other output end connected to the input end of the detection tube.

[0011] A method for extending the lifespan of a dew point meter according to a second aspect of the present invention includes a dew point meter purging mechanism according to the first aspect of the present invention described above, and further includes the following steps: Dew point detection: Open the intake three-way valve and the outlet valve to connect the detection intake pipe and the detection tube, so that the ambient air to be detected enters the detection tube through the detection intake pipe. After the detection is completed, the air enters the exhaust pipe through the outlet valve and is discharged. Purging: After the test is completed, adjust the intake three-way valve to connect the purging pipeline and the test tube. Compressed air output from the pure air source continuously purifies the test tube through the purging pipeline, carrying out residual corrosive substances in the test tube.

[0012] It has at least the following beneficial effects: This method for extending the life of a dew point meter has all the beneficial effects brought about by the aforementioned dew point meter purging mechanism, which will not be repeated here.

[0013] According to some embodiments of the present invention, after the purging step is completed, the inlet three-way valve and the outlet valve are adjusted to close the input and output ends of the detection tube, preventing the air in the detection tube from contacting the outside air.

[0014] According to some embodiments of the present invention, an adsorbent layer is provided inside the detection tube, the adsorbent layer being used to adsorb corrosive substances inside the detection tube.

[0015] According to some embodiments of the present invention, before the dew point detection step, the intake three-way valve is adjusted to connect the purge pipeline and the detection tube. Compressed air output from the pure air source purges the detection tube through the purge pipeline, thereby reducing the influence of residual gas in the detection tube on the detection results.

[0016] Additional aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. Attached Figure Description

[0017] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments, wherein: Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] Icon labels: The following components are included: intake pipe 10, test pipe 20, exhaust pipe 30, purge pipe 40, intake three-way valve 50, color-changing silica gel 60, exhaust valve 70, and filter device 80. Detailed Implementation

[0019] In the description of this invention, it should be understood that the orientation descriptions, such as up, down, front, back, left, right, etc., are based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limiting this invention.

[0020] In the description of this invention, the use of "first" and "second" is for the purpose of distinguishing technical features only, and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of technical features indicated or the order of the technical features indicated.

[0021] In the description of this invention, unless otherwise explicitly defined, terms such as "set up," "install," and "connect" should be interpreted broadly, and those skilled in the art can reasonably determine the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention in conjunction with the specific content of the technical solution.

[0022] Reference Figure 1 This invention discloses a dew point meter purging mechanism, including a detection inlet pipe 10, a detection tube 20, an exhaust pipe 30, and a purging pipe 40. The detection inlet pipe 10 is used to transport the gas to be tested. The input end of the detection tube 20 is connected to the detection inlet pipe 10, and a dew point sensor is installed inside the detection tube 20. The exhaust pipe 30 is connected to the output end of the detection tube 20, and the tested gas enters the exhaust pipe 30 from the output end of the detection tube 20 and is discharged. The purging pipe 40 is connected to the input end of the detection tube 20 and is connected to a clean gas source. After the test is completed or during non-test periods, the purging pipe 40 continuously supplies uncontaminated air to the detection tube 20.

[0023] Understandably, by setting up the detection inlet pipe 10, the gas to be tested is stably delivered to the detection tube 20, which facilitates accurate measurement by the dew point sensor; the detection tube 20 houses the dew point sensor, providing a sealed detection environment to ensure detection accuracy; the exhaust pipe 30 smoothly discharges the gas after detection, preventing gas accumulation from affecting subsequent detection; the purging pipe 40 continuously delivers uncontaminated air to the detection tube 20 during non-detection periods, which can effectively remove residual moisture and contaminants, protect the dew point sensor from corrosion or contamination, extend its service life, and improve the reliability and stability of the instrument.

[0024] Reference Figure 1 A dew point meter purging mechanism also includes an intake three-way valve 50. The three valve ports of the intake three-way valve 50 are respectively connected to the detection intake pipeline 10, the input end of the detection pipe 20 and the purging pipeline 40. The intake three-way valve 50 controls the input end of the detection pipe 20 to connect to the exhaust pipeline 30 or the detection intake pipeline 10.

[0025] Understandably, by setting the intake three-way valve 50, flexible switching between the detection intake pipe 10 and the purging pipe 40 is achieved. In detection mode, the input end of the detection pipe 20 is connected to the detection intake pipe 10 to ensure that the gas to be detected enters smoothly; in purging mode, the input end of the detection pipe 20 is connected to the purging pipe 40 to facilitate the delivery of pollution-free air to the detection pipe 20 for cleaning.

[0026] It is worth noting that in some embodiments of the present invention, the detection tube 20 is made of a transparent material, allowing operators to directly observe the internal state of the detection tube 20, such as the operation of the dew point sensor or whether there is condensation, thereby facilitating real-time monitoring and fault diagnosis. The transparent structure also facilitates visual inspection of internal components for cleanliness or damage, improving maintenance efficiency and helping to quickly identify problems during debugging and calibration, ensuring the accuracy and reliability of the test results.

[0027] Reference Figure 1 The detection tube 20 is also equipped with a color-changing silica gel 60, which is used to observe the internal humidity of the detection tube 20.

[0028] It is worth noting that in some embodiments of the present invention, a color-changing silica gel 60 is provided inside the detection tube 20, which can intuitively display the humidity level inside the detection tube 20 through color changes, for example, a change from blue to pink indicates an increase in humidity. This provides operators with a simple visual indication, facilitating rapid assessment of gas dryness or purging effectiveness without relying on complex instruments. The use of the color-changing silica gel 60 enhances the maintainability of the system and the user experience, helps to take timely purging or other measures, prevents humidity-related errors, and extends the lifespan of the dew point sensor.

[0029] Reference Figure 1A dew point meter purging mechanism also includes an exhaust valve 70, which is disposed on the exhaust pipe 30 and can close the exhaust pipe 30.

[0030] Understandably, the exhaust valve 70 is located on the exhaust pipe 30 and can close the exhaust pipe 30 as needed. The exhaust valve 70, in conjunction with the intake three-way valve 50, can isolate the detection pipe 20 from the external environment when purging and testing are not required, preventing the entry of external contaminants or gas leakage. This design improves the system's sealing and safety.

[0031] Reference Figure 1 The detection air intake pipe 10 is also equipped with a filter device 80, which is used to filter liquid and / or particulate matter in the gas to be detected.

[0032] Understandably, the filter device 80, installed on the detection inlet pipe 10, effectively removes liquid and particulate impurities from the gas being tested, preventing these contaminants from entering the detection tube 20 and adhering to the dew point sensor, thus avoiding sensor contamination, clogging, or damage. This filtration function significantly improves detection accuracy and sensor lifespan, reduces maintenance frequency, and ensures the purity of the gas sample, making it suitable for various industrial environments and enhancing the durability and adaptability of the mechanism.

[0033] Reference Figure 1 The filter device 80 has two output ends. One output end is used to discharge the filtered liquid and / or particulate matter, and the other output end is connected to the input end of the detection tube 20.

[0034] Understandably, the filter device 80 has two output ends. One output end is specifically used to discharge the filtered liquid and particulate matter, facilitating centralized treatment of impurities and avoiding secondary pollution. The other output end is connected to the input end of the detection tube 20, ensuring that the filtered clean gas smoothly enters the detection tube 20. This dual-output design improves filtration efficiency, simplifies maintenance procedures, and allows operators to periodically clean impurities without interrupting the detection process, thereby ensuring continuous system operation and stable detection data, while reducing long-term operating costs.

[0035] A method for extending the lifespan of a dew point meter according to a second aspect of the present invention includes a dew point meter purging mechanism according to a first aspect of the present invention, and further includes the following steps: Dew point detection: Open the intake three-way valve 50 and the exhaust valve 70 to connect the detection intake pipe 10 and the detection pipe 20, so that the ambient air to be tested enters the detection pipe 20 through the detection intake pipe 10. After the test is completed, the air enters the exhaust pipe 30 through the exhaust valve 70 and is then discharged. Purging: After the test is completed, adjust the intake three-way valve 50 to connect the purging pipeline 40 and the test tube 20. The compressed air output from the pure air source continuously purifies the test tube 20 through the purging pipeline 40, carrying out the residual corrosive substances in the test tube 20.

[0036] Understandably, during dew point detection, the intake three-way valve 50 and the outlet valve 70 are opened to perform normal dew point detection. After the detection is completed, the pure gas is used to purge most of the corrosive substances remaining in the detection tube 20, reducing the time that the dew point sensor is in contact with the corrosive substances, reducing the content of corrosive substances, and thus improving the service life of the dew point sensor.

[0037] Furthermore, in some embodiments of the present invention, after the purging step is completed, the inlet three-way valve 50 and the outlet valve 70 are adjusted to close the input and output ends of the detection tube 20 to prevent the air inside the detection tube 20 from contacting the outside air.

[0038] By sealing the output and input ends of the detection tube 20, the air inside the detection tube 20 is prevented from circulating, reducing the contact between the dew point sensor and corrosive substances caused by air convection when the device is placed in a polluted environment, thereby extending the lifespan of the dew point meter.

[0039] Furthermore, in some embodiments of the present invention, an adsorbent layer is provided inside the detection tube 20, which is used to adsorb corrosive substances inside the detection tube 20.

[0040] It should be noted that the adsorption layer can adsorb corrosive substances in the gas to be detected in advance, reducing the contact between corrosive substances and the dew point sensor, thereby extending the life of the dew point meter.

[0041] It should be noted that the adsorbent layer can be physically adsorbed using carbon powder, or it can be adsorbed using chemical substances that can react with hydrofluoric acid, such as iron powder or elemental silicon. Those skilled in the art can choose the appropriate material themselves, as long as the water generated after the reaction does not affect the dew point detection results.

[0042] Furthermore, in some embodiments of the present invention, before the dew point detection step, the intake three-way valve 50 is adjusted to connect the purge line 40 and the detection tube 20. The compressed air output from the pure air source purges the detection tube 20 through the purge line 40, thereby reducing the influence of residual gas in the detection tube 20 on the detection results.

[0043] The technical features of the above embodiments can be combined in any way. For the sake of brevity, not all possible combinations of the technical features in the above embodiments are described. However, as long as there is no contradiction in the combination of these technical features, they should be considered to be within the scope of this specification.

[0044] Of course, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. Those skilled in the art can make equivalent modifications or substitutions without departing from the spirit of the present invention. All such equivalent modifications or substitutions are included within the scope defined by the claims of this application.

Claims

1. A dew point meter purging mechanism, characterized in that, include: The detection inlet pipe (10) is used to deliver the gas to be tested; The detection tube (20) is connected to the detection air intake pipe (10) at its input end. A dew point sensor is installed inside the detection tube (20). The detection tube (20) is made of transparent material. An exhaust pipe (30) is connected to the output end of the detection pipe (20). The detected gas enters the exhaust pipe (30) from the output end of the detection pipe (20) and is discharged. A purge line (40) is connected to the input end of the detection tube (20) and a clean air source. After the detection is completed or during non-detection periods, the purge line (40) continuously delivers uncontaminated air to the detection tube (20). An intake three-way valve (50) has three valve ports that are respectively connected to the detection intake pipeline (10), the input end of the detection pipe (20), and the purge pipeline (40). The intake three-way valve (50) controls the input end of the detection pipe (20) to connect to the exhaust pipeline (30) or the detection intake pipeline (10).

2. The dew point meter purging mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that, The detection tube (20) is also equipped with a color-changing silica gel (60), which is used to observe the humidity inside the detection tube (20).

3. The dew point meter purging mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes an exhaust valve (70), which is disposed on the exhaust pipe (30) and is capable of closing the exhaust pipe (30).

4. The dew point meter purging mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that, The detection air inlet pipe (10) is also equipped with a filter device (80), which is used to filter liquid and / or particulate matter in the gas to be detected.

5. A dew point meter purging mechanism according to claim 4, characterized in that, The filter device (80) has two output ends. One output end is used to discharge the filtered liquid and / or particulate matter, and the other output end is connected to the input end of the detection tube (20).

6. A method for extending the lifespan of a dew point meter, comprising using a dew point meter purging mechanism as described in any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that, Includes the following steps: Dew point detection: Open the intake three-way valve (50) and the outlet valve (70) to connect the detection intake pipe (10) and the detection pipe (20), so that the ambient air to be detected enters the detection pipe (20) through the detection intake pipe (10), and after the detection is completed, the air enters the exhaust pipe (30) through the outlet valve (70) and is discharged. Purging: After the test is completed, adjust the intake three-way valve (50) to connect the purging pipeline (40) and the test tube (20). The compressed air output from the pure air source continuously purifies the test tube (20) through the purging pipeline (40) to remove the residual corrosive substances in the test tube (20).

7. The method for extending the lifespan of a dew point meter according to claim 6, characterized in that, After the purging step is completed, adjust the inlet three-way valve (50) and the outlet valve (70) to close the input and output ends of the detection tube (20) to prevent the air in the detection tube (20) from contacting the outside air.

8. A method for extending the lifespan of a dew point meter according to claim 6, characterized in that, An adsorbent layer is provided inside the detection tube (20), which is used to adsorb corrosive substances inside the detection tube (20).

9. A method for extending the lifespan of a dew point meter according to claim 6, characterized in that, Before the dew point detection step, adjust the intake three-way valve (50) to connect the purge line (40) and the detection tube (20). Compressed air output from the pure air source purges the detection tube (20) through the purge line (40) to reduce the influence of residual gas in the detection tube (20) on the detection result.