A flow sensor based on optical properties of graphene

Abstract

The utility model discloses a flow sensor based on graphene optical characteristic relates to flow sensor technical field, including the encapsulation layer, the encapsulation layer installs on the flow pipeline, still be equipped with the water gauge on the flow pipeline, be equipped with the flexible carrier and graphene sensing element and light detector in the encapsulation layer, the flexible carrier is wrapped in the both ends of graphene sensing element and the outside surface of graphene sensing element, the flexible carrier is attached on the inner wall of encapsulation layer with graphene sensing element. The utility model provides flow sensor's sensitivity is higher phase, is more suitable for the detection of small flow, and graphene has very high chemical stability and biocompatibility, will not cause the pollution of water quality in the application, deduces the flow velocity change in the pipeline through the change of light, and calculates flow from this further, can correspond to the real -time change of flow velocity with pressure change and carry out flow detection, accurate and efficient.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of flow sensor technology, specifically to a flow sensor based on the optical properties of graphene. Background Technology

[0002] With the rapid development of the smart water industry, the accuracy of water metering remains a crucial basis for water companies and users to calculate water fees. Various innovations have been made in metering methods, and flow sensors are currently widely used in many fields. Common flow sensors include ultrasonic flow sensors and electromagnetic flow sensors. Ultrasonic flow sensors calculate flow rate by measuring the time difference of ultrasonic waves propagating in a fluid. They have advantages such as non-contact measurement and wide applicability, but they suffer from insufficient sensitivity in detecting small flow rates and are relatively expensive. Electromagnetic flow sensors, based on Faraday's law of electromagnetic induction, are more accurate in measuring conductive fluids, but they have certain requirements regarding the conductivity of the fluid, and their accuracy decreases when measuring low-conductivity fluids. Utility Model Content

[0003] Purpose of the utility model: The technical problem to be solved by this utility model is to provide a flow sensor based on the optical properties of graphene, which solves the problem of insufficient sensitivity of existing flow sensors in detecting small flow rates.

[0004] Technical solution

[0005] To solve the above problems, the technical solution provided by this utility model is as follows:

[0006] A flow sensor based on the optical properties of graphene includes an encapsulation layer, which is installed on a flow pipe. A water meter is also installed on the flow pipe. The encapsulation layer contains a flexible carrier, a graphene sensing element, and a photodetector. The flexible carrier wraps around both ends of the graphene sensing element and the outer surface of the graphene sensing element. The flexible carrier and the graphene sensing element are attached to the inner wall of the encapsulation layer.

[0007] Furthermore, the graphene sensing element is circular or rectangular, and the photodetector is disposed at the axial center of the flow channel.

[0008] Furthermore, the graphene sensing element is rectangular, and the photodetector is disposed on the inner wall of the encapsulation layer and is disposed opposite to the graphene sensing element.

[0009] Furthermore, the graphene sensing element has a microporous structure.

[0010] Furthermore, a light source is provided on the encapsulation layer.

[0011] Furthermore, the light emitted by the light source passes through the flexible carrier and the graphene sensing element and is projected onto the photodetector.

[0012] Furthermore, the interior of the encapsulation layer is a pipe structure corresponding to the flow channel, and the inner diameter of the pipe in the encapsulation layer corresponds to the inner diameter of the flow channel.

[0013] Furthermore, the photodetector has wires leading out from both ends, and the wires are connected to the water meter.

[0014] Furthermore, the water meter is equipped with a processor.

[0015] Furthermore, the wire is electrically connected to the processor inside the water meter via an analog-to-digital converter and a signal amplifier.

[0016] Beneficial effects

[0017] Compared with the prior art, the technical solution provided by this utility model has the following advantages:

[0018] The flow sensor provided by this invention has higher sensitivity and is more suitable for detecting small flow rates, extending its service life to over eight years. Furthermore, graphene possesses extremely high chemical stability and biocompatibility, ensuring it will not pollute water quality during application. It deduces changes in flow velocity within the pipe by analyzing changes in light, and further calculates the flow rate accordingly. Flow detection based on pressure changes allows for real-time correspondence with flow velocity changes, ensuring accuracy and efficiency. Attached Figure Description

[0019] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the five encapsulation layers in Embodiment 1 of this utility model;

[0020] Figure 2 This is an exploded view of Embodiment 1 of this utility model;

[0021] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the workflow of Embodiment 1 of this utility model.

[0022] 1. Circulation pipeline; 2. Sealing layer; 3. Water meter; 4. Light source;

[0023] 5. Flexible carrier; 6. Graphene sensing element; 7. Photodetector; 8. Wire; Detailed Implementation

[0024] To make the technical solution of this utility model clearer, the present utility model will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0025] Example 1

[0026] Combined with appendix Figure 1-3A flow sensor based on the optical properties of graphene includes an encapsulation layer 2, which is installed on a flow pipe 1 where the internal liquid flow needs to be detected. The encapsulation layer 2 contains sensor-related components. A water meter 3 is installed on the flow pipe 1 to display the sensor's detection results. The encapsulation layer 2 is installed in the liquid flow path of the flow pipe 1, so that the liquid in the flow pipe 1 passes directly through the encapsulation layer 2. The encapsulation layer 2 is installed close to the water meter 3 to facilitate the connection between the sensor inside the encapsulation layer 2 and the water meter 3.

[0027] The encapsulation layer 2 contains a flexible carrier 5 and a graphene sensing element 6. The flexible carrier 5 covers both ends of the graphene sensing element 6 and the outer surface of the graphene sensing element 6. The flexible carrier 5 protects the graphene sensing element 6 and prevents water flow from impacting the graphene sensing element 6 and causing it to deform. At the same time, as a supporting structure for the graphene sensing element 6, the flexible carrier 5 can help the graphene sensing element 6 adapt to flow channels 1 with different inner diameters.

[0028] The graphene sensing element 6 is a ring-shaped or rectangular sheet. The graphene is attached to the inner wall of the encapsulation layer 2. When the graphene sensing element 6 is ring-shaped, it is attached to the entire interior of the encapsulation layer 2. When the graphene sensing element 6 is rectangular, it is attached to only a portion of the inner wall of the encapsulation layer 2. When the graphene sensing element 6 is ring-shaped, the light source 4 used for emitting light can be placed at any position on the encapsulation layer 2. When the graphene sensing element 6 is rectangular, the light source 4 is placed in the encapsulation layer 2 at the position where only the graphene sensing element 6 is attached. The light emitted by the light source 4 passes through the flexible carrier 5 and the graphene sensing element 6 in sequence.

[0029] Both the flexible carrier 5 and the graphene sensing element 6 have light-transmitting properties. The flexible carrier 5 completely wraps around both ends and the outer side of the graphene sensing element 6. The flexible carrier 5 wraps around the two ends of the graphene sensing element 6 in the same direction as the water flow, which can greatly protect the graphene sensing element 6 and prevent its ends from being damaged by the long-term impact of the water flow. The flexible carrier 5 wraps around the outer side of the graphene sensing element 6, which can support the graphene sensing element 6 and prevent it from bending excessively due to the water flow in winter.

[0030] A photodetector 7 is also provided at the axial center of the flow channel 1 in the encapsulation layer 2. The photodetector 7 can be fixed by the flexible carrier 5. By setting connecting ribs at both ends of the flexible carrier 5, the photodetector 7 is fixed at the axial center of the liquid flow. When the flexible carrier 5 follows the graphene sensing element 6 in a ring structure, the photodetector 7 is located at the center of the flow channel 1. At this time, the light source 4 can be placed at any position on the encapsulation layer 2, and the light emitted by the light source 4 can reach the photodetector 7. The connecting ribs on the flexible carrier 5 will not affect the liquid flow in the flow channel 1 and the encapsulation layer 2.

[0031] In other embodiments, when the flexible carrier 5 is disposed on only one side of the encapsulation layer 2 along with the graphene sensing element 6, the photodetector 7 can be fixedly disposed on the inner wall of the encapsulation layer 2 on the other side that is symmetrical with respect to the flow channel 1 to the flexible carrier 5 and the graphene sensing element 6. The light source 4 is disposed on one side of the flexible carrier 5 and the graphene sensing element 6. At this time, the light emitted by the light source 4 is routed from one side of the encapsulation layer 2 to the other side. The light emitted by the light source 4 passes through the flexible carrier 5 and the graphene sensing element 6 and reaches the photodetector 7.

[0032] The light source 4 is fixed on the encapsulation layer 2. The light source 4 emits a light beam of a specific wavelength. The light source 4 can be a laser emitter or an LED. The photodetector 7 can receive the light signal passing through the graphene.

[0033] The graphene sensing element 6 is made of graphene material. Graphene has the property that its interference or absorption of light changes when a fluid flows over its surface at different speeds. By detecting these changes, the fluid velocity can be calculated, and thus the fluid flow rate can be further calculated.

[0034] Furthermore, due to the high wear resistance, high corrosion resistance, and high stability of graphene material, the graphene sensing element 6 will not affect the liquid in the flow pipe 1 even when it is in prolonged contact with it. At the same time, graphene sensors also have a longer lifespan.

[0035] The flexible carrier 5 is fixed to the encapsulation layer 2 with an adhesive. The encapsulation layer 2 has an optical window for the light source 4 to illuminate the interior of the encapsulation layer 2. The optical window area is made of a transparent material, such as glass or PMMA. The fluid interacts with the light path emitted by the light source 4, and the fluid flow direction is perpendicular to the light path direction to ensure that the light and fluid interact fully.

[0036] The actual working process is as follows: the light source 4 is turned on and emits light. The light passes through the flexible carrier 5 and the graphene sensing element 6 in sequence and shines on the photodetector 7. The photodetector 7 detects the light intensity emitted by the light source 4 and thus calculates the flow rate of the fluid between the graphene sensing element 6 and the photodetector 7.

[0037] A wire 8 is connected to the photodetector 7. The wire 8 transmits the light intensity signal detected by the photodetector 7. The wire 8 is electrically connected to the external circuit. The wire 8 is led out from both ends of the photodetector 7 to extract the light signal detected by the photodetector 7 and to supply power to the photodetector 7. A shielding layer is added to the outer layer of the wire 8 to prevent electromagnetic interference.

[0038] After the wire 8 is led out, it is connected to the analog-to-digital conversion circuit and the signal amplifier in sequence. The water meter 3 is equipped with a processor. The processor can compare the detected light signal with the preset light signal, thereby obtaining the flow rate of the liquid in the encapsulation layer 2 through the difference of the comparison, and further obtaining the flow rate of the liquid.

[0039] The analog-to-digital converter converts the optical signal into an electrical signal and transmits it to the signal amplifier. The signal amplifier amplifies the electrical signal and transmits it to the processor located inside the water meter 3. The processor uses a pre-stored algorithm to calculate the liquid flow rate and velocity to obtain the liquid flow rate or velocity. The water meter 3 then directly displays the liquid flow rate.

[0040] The graphene sensing element 6 has a microporous structure, such as nanopores or folds, on its surface to enhance the interference or absorption of light.

[0041] The analog-to-digital converter and signal amplifier can be integrated into the water meter 3, or they can be integrated into a single connector mounted on the encapsulation layer 2. In practical use, the sensor is suitable for working environments where the flow pipe 1 is filled with liquid, allowing the graphene sensing element 6 to be in complete contact with the liquid, thus making the detection results more accurate.

[0042] The interior of the encapsulation layer 2 is a pipe structure corresponding to the flow channel 1. The inner diameter of the pipe in the encapsulation layer 2 corresponds to the inner diameter of the flow channel 1, thereby preventing the flow rate of the liquid in the flow channel 1 from changing when it flows to the encapsulation layer 2.

[0043] The embodiments described above are merely illustrative of several implementations of this utility model, and while the descriptions are relatively specific and detailed, they should not be construed as limiting the scope of this utility model patent. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various modifications and improvements without departing from the concept of this utility model, and these all fall within the protection scope of this utility model. Therefore, the protection scope of this utility model patent should be determined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A flow sensor based on the optical properties of graphene, characterized in that, The device includes an encapsulation layer, which is installed on a flow pipe. A water meter is also installed on the flow pipe. The encapsulation layer contains a flexible carrier, a graphene sensing element, and a photodetector. The flexible carrier wraps around both ends of the graphene sensing element and the outer surface of the graphene sensing element. The flexible carrier and the graphene sensing element are attached to the inner wall of the encapsulation layer.

2. A flow sensor based on the optical properties of graphene according to claim 1, characterized in that, The graphene sensing element is circular or rectangular, and the photodetector is located at the axial center of the flow channel.

3. A flow sensor based on the optical properties of graphene according to claim 2, characterized in that, The graphene sensing element is rectangular, and the photodetector is disposed on the inner wall of the encapsulation layer and is disposed opposite to the graphene sensing element.

4. A flow sensor based on the optical properties of graphene according to claim 1, characterized in that, Graphene sensing elements have microporous structures.

5. A flow sensor based on the optical properties of graphene according to claim 1, characterized in that, The encapsulation layer is equipped with a light source.

6. A flow sensor based on the optical properties of graphene according to claim 5, characterized in that, The light emitted by the light source passes through the flexible carrier and the graphene sensing element and is projected onto the photodetector.

7. A flow sensor based on the optical properties of graphene according to claim 1, characterized in that, The interior of the encapsulation layer is a pipe structure corresponding to the flow channel, and the inner diameter of the pipe in the encapsulation layer corresponds to the inner diameter of the flow channel.

8. A flow sensor based on the optical properties of graphene according to claim 1, characterized in that, The photodetector has wires leading out from both ends, and the wires are connected to the water meter.

9. A flow sensor based on the optical properties of graphene according to claim 8, characterized in that, The water meter is equipped with a processor.

10. A flow sensor based on the optical properties of graphene according to claim 9, characterized in that, The wire is electrically connected to the processor inside the water meter via an analog-to-digital converter and a signal amplifier.

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