Device for analyzing a fluid comprising a portion of pipe

Abstract

The invention relates to a fluid analysis device comprising a pipe portion. The device comprises a pipe portion (110) having a wall of generally elongated shape along a main axis, the pipe portion being configured to allow a fluid to pass inside said pipe portion; at least one detection surface (125) arranged on at least a portion of the inner face (113) of the wall of the pipe portion (110), configured to come into contact with the fluid and comprising an arrangement of electrodes (123), the electrodes being configured to be sensitive to parameters of the fluid by contact with the fluid; and an analog interface card (130), electrically connected to the arrangements of electrodes (123) of said at least one detection surface (125) and configured to exchange electrical signals with the arrangements of electrodes (123). The invention also relates to a system comprising the device.Figure for abstract: Fig. 1.

Description

Title of the invention: Device for analyzing a fluid comprising a portion of pipe Background of the invention

[0001] The present description relates to a device for fluid analysis. In particular, the present description relates to a device for water analysis.

[0002] Fluid analysis is important in many situations, particularly in the field of quality control of water circulating in distribution networks. In particular, it is often necessary to carry out a set of different tests within the same water flow, for example to detect several physical or chemical parameters (pH, conductivity, temperature, chlorine concentration).

[0003] For this purpose, it has been proposed to assemble several sensors within the same device in order to measure different parameters of a fluid. In particular, [REF 1] proposes an analysis device whose sensitive part comprises several electrodes deposited on a rigid substrate provided with electrodes allowing various measurements of parameters in the water.

[0004] Furthermore, [REF 2] proposes a biological fluid analysis device comprising several electrochemical sensors deposited on a polycarbonate substrate.

[0005] However, the integration of a large number of electrodes in the sensor involves increasing the surface area of ​​the sensitive part of the sensor and therefore generally increasing the size of the sensor, which is not preferable.

[0006] There is therefore a need to address the problems of the state of the art. References

[0007] [REF 1] US 2021 / 0123875 Al [REF 2] RITTER, Christoph, HEIKE, Frebel, HERBERT, Kroneis, et al. Multiparameter miniaturized sensor arrays for multiple uses. Sensors and Actuators B: Chemical, 2001, vol. 76, no. 1-3, p. 220-225. [REF 3] US 2021 / 0130540 Al [REF 4] CN208847726U [REF 5] US 11668622 B2 Subject matter and summary of the invention

[0008] The present description aims to remedy at least in part these drawbacks. To this end, the present description relates to a device for analyzing a fluid, comprising a portion of pipe having a wall of general shape elongated along a main axis, the portion of pipe being configured to allow flow a fluid (within said pipe portion); at least one sensing surface arranged on at least a portion of the inner face of the wall of the pipe portion, configured to come into contact with the fluid and comprising an arrangement of electrodes, the electrodes being configured to be sensitive to parameters of the fluid by contact with the fluid; and an analog interface card, electrically connected to the electrode arrangements of said at least one sensing surface and configured to exchange electrical signals with the electrode arrangements.

[0009] In the present description, the analog interface card is a printed electronic circuit configured to interface with the electrodes of the analysis device. Such an interface is also sometimes called by its English name: “analog front-end” or “analog front-end board”.

[0010] In the present description, an electrode arrangement is a set of sensitive elements each comprising at least one conductive element called an electrode, optionally coupled with one or more other conductive, semi-conductive or insulating materials. These electrode arrangements, optionally coupled to materials, are configured so that, in contact with a fluid, their electrical or electromagnetic properties change depending on the physical or chemical properties of the fluid.

[0011] With the present invention, it is possible to obtain a high sensor density inside a pipe portion in which a fluid to be analyzed can flow. In addition, the detection surfaces are arranged on the wall of the pipe portion by conforming to the shape of the wall so that the flow is not hindered.

[0012] The pipe portion can be directly inserted into a main circuit or into a branch circuit of a fluid distribution network. In particular, the device can be inserted into an existing water distribution network without requiring additional bulky elements. In addition, the analog interface card can be directly made in a flexible substrate and integrated inside the pipe (in the same way as the detection surface). Thus, it is possible to avoid having an analog interface card external to the pipe. In this case, the analog interface card can advantageously be wireless and self-powered so that it is possible to do without any wired connection between the analog interface card and the outside of the pipe.

[0013] This is particularly advantageous compared to state-of-the-art devices which partially impede the flow of the fluid [REF 4] and / or which require the installation of bulky elements around the existing pipes, such as for example the devices described in [REF 5]. In particular, in the state-of-the-art devices, the sensors do not conform to the shape of the pipe wall.

[0014] According to some examples, the detection surface is an integral part of the wall of the pipe portion. Thus, the electrode arrangements are directly integrated into the wall of the pipe portion.

[0015] Such an arrangement makes it possible to facilitate the manufacture of the analysis device by avoiding the need to deposit a detection surface on the inner face of the wall of the pipe portion. In particular, it is then possible to avoid a step of positioning and fixing this detection surface on the wall. This also makes it possible to improve the robustness of the analysis device.

[0016] According to certain examples, the detection surface is distinct from the wall and forms one face of a detection element comprising two opposite faces, said detection element being configured to conform to the shape of the wall so that the face of the detection element which is opposite the detection surface comes into contact with the inner face of the wall of the pipe portion.

[0017] According to some examples, the device further comprises a second detection surface similar to the first detection surface.

[0018] According to some examples, the first and second detection surfaces are arranged side by side along the inner face of the pipe portion, for example in a direction parallel to the main axis of the pipe portion.

[0019] According to certain examples, the first detection surface and the second detection surface are arranged on the inner face of the wall of the pipe portion at the same given axial position along the axis of the pipe portion, so that the two detection surfaces are arranged face to face.

[0020] In some examples, the analog interface board is arranged outside the pipe portion; and the sensing surfaces are connected to the analog interface board via one or more connecting elements passing through the wall of the pipe portion at a single opening. The opening is, for example, a slot. A polymer resin may be used to make the slot impermeable when the device is in operation.

[0021] According to some examples, the analog interface card is arranged outside the pipe portion; and the detection surfaces are connected to the analog interface card via one or more connection elements passing through the wall of the pipe portion in several distinct openings. The openings are for example slots.

[0022] According to some examples, the analog interface board is arranged within the pipe portion; and the sensing surfaces are connected to the analog interface board via one or more connection elements arranged within the pipe portion.

[0023] This configuration advantageously makes it possible to avoid the presence of a slot in the wall of the pipe portion, which facilitates the manufacture of the device, in particular by reducing the production cost. In addition, this improves the reliability of the device over time, in particular by avoiding the possibility of fluid leakage at the slot.

[0024] According to some examples, the analog interface card is electrically connected to the electrode arrangements via conductive tracks arranged on the connection elements.

[0025] According to certain examples, the analog interface card is electrically connected to the conductive tracks of several connection elements by means of connectors into which the ends of the connection elements are directly inserted.

[0026] In some examples, the connectors are arranged in an interfacing circuit serving as an intermediary between the connection elements and the analog interface board. The interfacing circuit may multiplex the signals from the electrode arrangements of the sensing surfaces to the analog interface board.

[0027] According to some examples, the analog interface card is configured to produce electrical excitation signals transmitted to the electrode arrangements.

[0028] According to some examples, at least one of said excitation electrical signals comprises a continuous signal (DC signal) and / or an oscillating signal (AC signal). The continuous signal and / or the oscillating signal may comprise an electrical voltage or an electrical current.

[0029] According to some examples, at least one of said electrical excitation signals comprises a combination of a direct voltage or current component and an alternating voltage or current component.

[0030] According to some examples, at least one of said electrical excitation signals comprises a square signal alternating between two constant values ​​at a predetermined frequency. In the present description, a square signal may have a duty cycle of any value, in particular a duty cycle value other than 50%.

[0031] According to some examples, at least one of said excitation electrical signals comprises a combination of alternating electrical signals at several different frequencies.

[0032] According to some examples, at least one of said electrical excitation signals comprises a Dirac pulse.

[0033] According to certain examples, at least one of said excitation electrical signals comprises several time-multiplexed or frequency-multiplexed electrical signals.

[0034] According to some examples, the electrode arrangements comprise at least one of: a temperature sensor, a water conductivity sensor, a pressure sensor; a fluid flow rate sensor, a sensor for detecting chemical or biological species based on at least one active material coupled to at least one electrode, a sensor sensitive to radiofrequency signals or generating radiofrequency signals, a sensor sensitive to mechanical vibration signals or generating mechanical vibration signals. According to some examples, the conductivity sensor and / or the pressure sensor are based on a capacitive measurement. According to some examples, the temperature sensor is based on a resistive measurement.

[0035] In the present description, an active material is defined as a material whose properties are modified by the presence of certain target species (biological or chemical).

[0036] According to certain examples, the pipe portion comprises two half-pipes cooperating with each other to form the pipe portion; at least one of the pipe portions being provided with at least one detection surface.

[0037] In some examples, the analog interface board is arranged outside the pipe portion; and the sensing surfaces are connected to the analog interface board via one or more connecting elements passing through the wall of the pipe portion at one or more openings formed by one or more notches in the half-pipes at the interface between the half-pipes.

[0038] The present disclosure also relates to a system for fluid analysis comprising the analysis device according to the present description; and - an external signal processing unit, coupled to the electrode arrangements of the probe head via one or more analog interface cards, configured to generate analysis data from electrical signals generated by the one or more analog interface cards.

[0039] According to some examples, the system further comprises a communication unit, in communication with the external signal processing unit, being configured to transmit the fluid analysis data to a remote external device.

[0040] According to some examples, the communication unit is configured to transmit the fluid analysis data to a remote external device in response to a request from the external device. Brief description of the drawings

[0041] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge from the following description of embodiments of the invention, given as non-limiting examples, with reference to the appended figures, in which: • [Fig-1] [Fig. 1] is a diagram comprising a perspective view of an analysis device according to a first example; • [Fig.2] [Fig.2] is a diagram comprising two sectional views of the analysis device according to the first example; • [Fig.3] [Fig.3] is a diagram comprising a perspective view of an analysis device according to a second example; • [Fig.4] [Fig.4] is a diagram comprising a sectional view of the analysis device according to the second example; and • [Fig.5] [Fig.5] is a diagram comprising a perspective view of an analysis device according to a third example; and • [Fig.6] [Fig.6] is a diagram comprising two sectional views of the analysis device according to the third example. Detailed description of the invention

[0042] The fluid analysis device according to the present description can adopt several configurations as described in particular below with reference to Figures 1-6.

[0043] Generally, the fluid analysis device comprises a pipe portion 110 having a wall of generally elongated shape along a main axis. The pipe portion 110 is configured to allow a fluid to pass through. At least one detection surface 125 is arranged on at least a portion of the inner face 113 of the wall of the pipe portion 110. The detection surface 125 is configured to come into contact with the fluid and comprises an arrangement of electrodes 123 sensitive to parameters of the fluid when they are in contact with the fluid.

[0044] Generally, the device comprises one or more analog interface cards 130, 131 configured to receive the electrical signals from the electrode arrangements 123 and, optionally, transmit them to a processing system external to the device (not shown in the figures). The electrical signals emanating from the electrodes 123 can be transmitted to the analog interface card 130 via a connection element 120 provided with conductive tracks 129.

[0045] Generally, the analog interface card 130 comprises a connector 131 into which a part of the connection element 120 is inserted, comprising conductive tracks 129, in order to allow the electrical connection between the analog interface card 130 and the electrode arrangements 123. In certain examples, such as those illustrated in the figures, the connector is an FFC or FPC type connector allowing the insertion of the end of the substrate 125.

[0046] According to certain examples, a single analog interface card 130 is connected to several detection surfaces 125, 126 and therefore to several electrode arrangements. 123. This is a so-called multi-sensor configuration. In the multi-sensor configuration, it is particularly easy to increase the number of sensors in the device by adding detection surfaces 125, 126 which are connected to the analog interface card 130.

[0047] In this configuration, the connection between the connection elements 120, 121 connected to the electrode arrangements 123 and the analog interface card 130 can be made via several connectors 135, 136 arranged on the same analog interface card 130. In particular, it is possible to provide the analog interface card 130 with one or more connectors on each of these faces (see for example the connectors 135, 136). In certain examples (not illustrated in the figures) it is also possible to arrange several connectors side by side along one end of the analog interface card.

[0048] This connection can also be made via an interfacing circuit (not shown in the figures) configured to multiplex the electrical signals coming from the detection surfaces 125, 126 into a single combined signal which is transmitted to the analog interface card 130. The use of an interfacing circuit facilitates the increase in the number of sensors in the device because it is then sufficient to size the multiplexing capacity of the interfacing circuit according to the number of detection surfaces in the analysis device.

[0049] In some examples, the interfacing circuit may contain at least one interface module, each interface module enabling electrical connection with at least one detection surface, and a routing module enabling successive interrogation of each detection surface. The interface module contains at least one connector and a sufficient number of multiplexers to connect all the electrodes of the detection surface. The routing module contains a multiplexer that enables connection of all the interface modules, a microcontroller enabling control of all the multiplexers of the interfacing circuit, and a connector enabling connection of the interfacing circuit to the analog interface card.

[0050] The size and / or complexity of the analog interface card can be increased according to the requirements of the device. For example, in the case of an analog card connected to several detection surfaces, it is possible to increase the number of microprocessors included in the analog interface card in order to process in parallel the signals coming from the different detection surfaces, the electronic processing circuits associated with the microprocessor can then also be multiplied.

[0051] In some examples, each microprocessor communicates with an external processing unit via, for example, an I2C type computer bus (according to the English expression "Inter-Integrated Circuit"). This is particularly advantageous in the case of communication with an arbitrary number of devices.

[0052] In some examples, the analog interface card includes shielding to prevent electromagnetic interference with other electronic systems. In particular, in the case of a device comprising several analog interface cards, shielding the analog interface cards prevents mutual interference between these cards.

[0053] The analog interface card 130 may be held outside or inside the conduit portion 110.

[0054] In certain examples where the electronics of the device, including the analog interface card 130, are outside the pipe portion 110, the connection element(s) 120 making the electrical connection between the detection surfaces 125 and the analog interface card 130 pass(s) through the pipe 110 through a slot 115 or through several slots 115, 116. The sides of this slot are preferably covered with a seal in order to avoid abrasion of the connection elements. In one embodiment, to minimize the bulk around the pipe, the analog interface card can be laid flat along the pipe (and not perpendicularly as in the examples illustrated in the figures).

[0055] A pipe adapter (clamp or pipe clamp) may be mounted on the pipe at the slot so as to secure and enclose the electrical connections passing through the slot while containing the fluid. The interface between the adapter and the pipe may in particular be covered with a seal to prevent fluid leakage at the slot.

[0056] In order to facilitate the placement of the detection surface inside the conduit 110, the complete detection system may consist of two half-conduits clamped together by a clamping flange. According to certain examples, the detection surfaces may be easily positioned in one or both of the half-conduits, with their cable correctly passing through the slot(s). The slots of each half-conduit may then be easily sealed by gaskets. Finally, the two half-conduits are assembled and held by a clamping flange. The junction between the two half-conduits may itself be sealed by a gasket or by an ad-hoc coating (for example, a quick-setting silicone-based coating).

[0057] In some examples, the analog interface card is not permanently connected to the detection surface but is removable. In this way, the analog interface card can be connected to the detection surface at specific times, for example during data collection.

[0058] In some examples, the device has passive behavior. In this case, the device transmits data to an external system only when the device is interrogated by an external system. This example is particularly advantageous when the interface card is inside the pipe, because in this case it is easier to make the interface card completely wireless, which avoids the need for a slot.

[0059] In other examples, the device has an active behavior. In this case, the device may comprise, for example, reading electronics, a processing unit, communication means, power supply means and transmits the information to an external system according to its programming.

[0060] Generally, the electrodes are intended to be in contact with the fluid in order to generate electrical signals representative of parameters of the fluid. For example, the electrodes may be pairs of electrodes covered with a layer of functionalized carbon nanotubes to detect specific chemical species, such as the sensing elements disclosed in [REF 3].

[0061] In some examples, the electrode arrangements 123 may include physical sensors, including: - resistive temperature sensors, in particular composed of a metal coil whose resistance variation depends on the temperature; - water conductivity sensors, formed by a pair of electrodes parallel to each other; - capacitive pressure sensors, for example composed of a stack of two electrodes on either side of a deformable dielectric, piezo-resistive or piezoelectric material. If the material is piezoelectric, the same stack can be used as an ultrasonic transducer to explore the acoustic response of the environment; - flow sensors, for example anemometric sensors, consisting of the combination of a heating wire and a temperature sensor, the water being linked to the electrical capacity between the two electrodes.

[0062] The electrode arrangements 123 may also include chemical sensors, including: - pairs of electrodes, in particular interdigitated ones, on which a sensitive material or a combination of sensitive materials is deposited; - combinations of two or three conductive surfaces of variable shape forming a reference electrode, a working electrode and, optionally, a counter electrode of an electrochemical system. These electrodes may in particular be spherical, rectangular or polygonal in shape. These electrodes are provided with an active material or a combination of sensitive materials.

[0063] The electrode arrangements 123 may also include sensors such as: - surface acoustic wave sensors (also called “SAW” sensors from the English term “surface acoustic wave”), in which electrode pairs and a sensitive material are combined with a piezoelectric material to generate surface acoustic waves; - radiofrequency or resonant sensors comprising an electrode, covered or not with a sensitive material, the shape of which is optimized to transmit or reflect an electromagnetic wave, particularly in the GHz range.

[0064] The sensitive materials used in the electrode arrangements may include: nanomaterials, including carbon nanotubes, graphene, graphene oxide, 2D thin-film materials (oxidized or non-oxidized), conductive nanoparticles (e.g., gold). The sensitive materials may also include combinations of these materials with functionalizing species to provide selectivity, such as, for example, the species described in [REF 3], as well as biological species such as RNA, DNA, and aptmers.

[0065] Figures 1-2 illustrate a fluid analysis device according to a first example. In particular, [Fig. 1] represents a perspective view of the analysis device and [Fig. 2] represents two views of the same device according to two section planes, respectively longitudinal (view along section AA) and transverse (view along section BB) relative to a main axis along which a fluid flows passing through the analysis device.

[0066] In the first example, the analysis device comprises a single detection surface 125 provided with an electrode arrangement 123. The electrode arrangement 123 is electrically connected to an analog interface card 130 arranged outside the pipe portion 110. The electrical connection between the electrode arrangement 123 and the analog interface card 130 is ensured by means of a connection element 120 which passes through the pipe portion in a slot 115 provided in the wall of the pipe portion 110.

[0067] According to certain examples, the connection element 120 may comprise the same material as the detection surface 125. In particular, the detection surface 125 and the connection element 120 may be formed in the same flexible substrate, one end of which is inserted into a connector of the analog interface card 110.

[0068] Figures 3-4 illustrate a fluid analysis device according to a second example. In particular, [Fig.3] represents a perspective view of the analysis device according to the second example and [Fig.4] represents a view of the same device according to a transverse section plane (view according to section BB).

[0069] In the second example, the device comprises two detection surfaces 125, 126 arranged on the inner face 113 of the wall of the pipe portion 110. The two detection surfaces 125, 126 are arranged so as to face each other.

[0070] The detection surfaces 125, 126 (and the electrode arrangements 123 which they contain) are electrically connected to the same analog interface card 130 by means of two connection elements 120, 121 passing through two slots 115, 116 provided in the wall of the conduit portion 110.

[0071] The connection elements 120, 121 are arranged so that their ends are inserted into two connectors 135, 136 arranged on either side of the same electronic card 130.

[0072] Figures 5-6 illustrate a fluid analysis device according to a third example. In particular, [Fig.5] represents a perspective view of the analysis device according to the third example and [Fig.6] represents two views of the same device according to two section planes, respectively longitudinal (view along section AA) and transverse (view along section BB) relative to a main axis along which a fluid flows passing through the analysis device.

[0073] In the third example, the device comprises two detection surfaces 125, 127 each provided with electrode arrangements 123. The detection surfaces 125, 127 are arranged on the inner face 113 of the pipe portion 110 and arranged side by side in the direction of the main axis of the pipe portion 110.

[0074] The two detection surfaces 125, 127 are electrically connected to two analog interface cards 130, 131 by means of two connection elements 120, 122 passing through a common slot 117. Ends of the connection elements 120, 122 are inserted into connectors 135, 136 provided on the two analog interface cards 130, 131.

[0075] In the example illustrated in Figures 5-6, the two side-by-side connection elements 120, 122 are connected to two separate analog cards 130, 131. However, in variants not shown, the two connection elements 120, 122 may be connected to the same analog interface card 130 via an interfacing circuit. In this case, the interfacing circuit may comprise specific connectors into which ends of the connection elements 120, 122 are inserted.

[0076] In the examples illustrated in the figures, the detection surfaces are deposited on a flexible substrate which is arranged on the inner face of the pipe wall conforming to the shape of the wall. However, in other examples not illustrated, the detection surfaces may be directly integrated into the pipe wall. This may be achieved, for example, by directly writing the conductive tracks into the pipe wall.

[0077] In examples comprising devices comprising two half-pipes closed by a flange, it is possible to produce the sensors on at least one of the half-pipes. For example, spray deposition of a conductive ink through a deposition mask is used. This deposition mask may for example be of a semi-cylindrical shape and of a dimension allowing it to be inserted inside the half-pipe for the time of deposition and drying of the conductive ink.

[0078] Generally, the analog interface card is configured to acquire electrical data from the electrode arrangements to which the analog interface card is connected. The electrical signals transmitted from the electrodes to the analog interface card may be potential differences or electrical currents.

[0079] The acquired data can be processed by Fourier transform or by wavelet transform of the data. Alternatively or successively, the acquisition of the data can be followed by a calculation of the maximum or an average on the acquired data.

[0080] Furthermore, the acquisition of electrical data may consist of the acquisition of a complete signal coming from the electrodes or simply of the acquisition of a portion of this signal, for example in order to save energy and / or computing power for the microprocessor processing the signals.

[0081] In some examples, the analog interface card generates electrical excitation signals which are transmitted to the electrode arrangements. The electrodes are generally excited successively for a duration ranging from 100ms to 10s. The voltage of the electrical excitation signal should preferably not exceed 1.2V to avoid electrolysis of the water which can disturb the measurements.

[0082] In one variant, some of the electrodes are excited by an alternating electrical signal (AC), for example an electrical signal with a frequency greater than 100 Hz. The frequency may be different between the different types of electrodes. This makes it possible to capture phenomena with dynamics associated with different time scales and to overcome electromagnetic noise due to the environment.

[0083] In a second variant, an electrode can be excited successively with electrical signals of different frequencies, thus making it possible, for example, to obtain an impedance spectroscopy of the excited electrode.

[0084] In a third variant, the electrodes are excited by a square signal (also called a square wave), that is to say a signal consisting of an alternation between constant voltage or current values ​​of different levels (also called alternating DC in the present description). The low level of the square signal may be equal to 0V or to a negative value opposite (or not) to the high level of the square signal. The frequency of the square signal is from 0.1 to 10 kHz, and the duty cycle is for example equal to 50%. In other variants, the square signal can alternate between more than two levels.

[0085] The use of a square signal (with two or more levels) is particularly advantageous, because it makes it possible to approach an oscillating signal such as a sinusoidal signal (AC signal) while being easy to generate and acquire without requiring a complex electronic architecture. It is possible to use a symmetrical alternating DC signal, that is to say a signal for which the minimum value is the opposite of the maximum value. It is also possible to use a positive signal, which further simplifies the required electronic architecture.

[0086] In some examples, the duty cycle is 5% or less, simulating a Dirac pulse. In some examples, the signal is a single Dirac pulse, i.e., a constant signal with a duration between 10 ms and 100 ms.

[0087] In the case of excitation by an alternating signal (such as an AC signal or a square signal), the acquisition of the data transmitted by the electrodes may consist of the successive acquisition of two measurement points per period of the alternating signal. Preferably, this may consist of the acquisition of 5 measurement points or even 100 measurement points per period of the alternating signal.

[0088] In addition, the acquisition may be followed by signal processing such as, for example, averaging the data over several excitations, in particular quadratic averaging. The signal processing may also include the detection of a phase shift or the detection of a maximum.

[0089] In the case of a square excitation signal, the acquisition of the signals can be temporally limited to the end of each level, or to the end of a single level of the square signal.

[0090] In the case of excitation by a signal comprising a Dirac pulse, the acquisition of the data may consist of the acquisition of at least 5 points during the Dirac pulse, preferably 10 to 20 points. In addition, this may comprise a succession of acquisition of measurement points during the Dirac pulse and after the Dirac pulse, over a total duration which may be equal to 5 times or even 10 times the duration of the Dirac pulse.

[0091] In some examples, the excitation signal, in particular AC or square, can be multiplexed in time or frequency in order to maximize the number of sensors that can be read at the same time.

[0092] This configuration is particularly advantageous because, in the case of a large number of electrodes to be interrogated, the successive interrogation of the electrodes could lead to a total interrogation time of all the sensors which becomes too long compared to the constraints of the application, which is resolved by the use of multiplexing of the excitation signals.

[0093] Although the present disclosure has been described with reference to a specific exemplary embodiment, it is obvious that various modifications and changes may be made to these examples without departing from the general scope of the invention as defined by the claims. Furthermore, individual features of the various embodiments recited may be combined in additional embodiments. Therefore, the description and drawings should be considered in an illustrative rather than restrictive sense.

Claims

Claims

1. Device for analyzing a fluid, comprising: - a pipe portion (110) having a wall of generally elongated shape along a main axis, the pipe portion being configured to allow a fluid to flow; - at least one detection surface (125) arranged on at least a portion of the inner face (113) of the wall of the pipe portion (110), configured to come into contact with the fluid and comprising an arrangement of electrodes (123), the electrodes being configured to be sensitive to parameters of the fluid by contact with the fluid; and - an analog interface card (130), electrically connected to the electrode arrangements (123) of said at least one detection surface (125) and configured to exchange electrical signals with the electrode arrangements.

2. Device according to claim 1, in which the detection surface (125) is an integral part of the wall of the pipe portion (120).

3. Device according to claim 1, in which the detection surface (125) is distinct from the wall (120) and forms one face of a detection element comprising two opposite faces, said detection element being configured to conform to the shape of the wall so that the face of the detection element which is opposite the detection surface comes into contact with the inner face (113) of the wall of the pipe portion (110).

4. A device according to any preceding claim, further comprising a second sensing surface (126, 127) similar to the first sensing surface (125).

5. A device according to claim 4, wherein the first detection surface (125) and the second detection surface (127) are arranged side by side along the inner face (113) of the pipe portion (110).

6. Device according to claim 4, in which the first detection surface (125) and the second detection surface (126) are arranged on the inner face (113) of the wall of the pipe portion (110) at the same given axial position along the axis of the pipe portion, so that ... detection (125) and the second detection surface (126) are arranged face to face.

7. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein - the analog interface card (130) is arranged outside the pipe portion (110); and - the detection surfaces (125, 127) are connected to the analog interface card (130) via one or more connection elements (120, 122) passing through the wall of the pipe portion (110) in a single opening (117).

8. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein - the analog interface card (130) is arranged outside the pipe portion (110); and - the detection surfaces (125, 126) are connected to the analog interface card (130) via one or more connection elements (120, 121) passing through the wall of the pipe portion (110) in several separate openings (115, 116).

9. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein - the analog interface card (130, 131) is arranged inside the pipe portion (110); and - the detection surfaces (125, 126, 127) are connected to the analog interface card (130, 131) via one or more connection elements (120, 121, 122) arranged inside the pipe portion (110).

10. Device according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the analog interface card (130) is electrically connected to the electrode arrangements (123) via conductive tracks (129) arranged on the connection elements (120, 121, 122).

11. Device according to claim 10, in which the analog interface card (130) is electrically connected to the conductive tracks (129) of several connection elements (120, 121, 122) by means of connectors (135, 136) into which the ends of the connection elements (120, 121, 122) are directly inserted.

12. A device according to claim 10, wherein the connectors are arranged in an interfacing circuit serving as an intermediary between the connection elements (120, 121, 122) and the analog interface card (130), the interfacing circuit being configured to perform multiplexing of signals from the electrode arrangements to the analog interface card.

13. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the analog interface card (130) is configured to produce electrical excitation signals transmitted to the electrode arrangements (123).

14. A device according to claim 13, wherein at least one of said electrical excitation signals comprises a continuous signal and / or an oscillating signal.

15. A device according to claim 13, wherein at least one of said electrical excitation signals comprises a square signal oscillating between two constant values ​​at a predetermined frequency.

16. A device according to claim 13, wherein at least one of said excitation electrical signals comprises a combination of alternating electrical signals at several different frequencies.

17. A device according to claim 13, wherein at least one of said electrical excitation signals comprises a Dirac pulse.

18. A device according to claim 13, wherein at least one of said excitation electrical signals comprises a plurality of time-division multiplexed or frequency-division multiplexed electrical signals.

19. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the electrode arrangements (123) comprise at least one of: a temperature sensor, a water conductivity sensor, a pressure sensor; a fluid flow rate sensor, a sensor for detecting chemical or biological species based on at least one active material coupled to at least one electrode, a sensor sensitive to radiofrequency signals or generating radiofrequency signals, a sensor sensitive to mechanical vibration signals or generating mechanical vibration signals.

20. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the pipe portion (110) comprises two half-pipes cooperating with each other to form the pipe portion (110); at least one of the pipe portions being provided with at least one detection surface.

21. Device according to claim 20, wherein - the analog interface card (130) is arranged outside the pipe portion (110); and - the detection surfaces (125, 126) are connected to the analog interface card (130) via one or more connection elements (120, 121) passing through the wall of the pipe portion (110) in one or more separate openings (115, 116) formed by one or more notches in the half-pipes at the interface between the half-pipes.

22. System for fluid analysis comprising - the analysis device according to any one of the preceding claims; and - an external signal processing unit, coupled to the electrode arrangements (123) via one or more analog interface cards (130, 131), configured to generate analysis data from electrical signals generated by the one or more analog interface cards (130, 131).

23. The system of claim 22, further comprising - a communication unit, in communication with the external signal processing unit, and configured to transmit the fluid analysis data to a remote external device.

24. The system of claim 23, wherein the communication unit is configured to transmit the fluid analysis data to a remote external device in response to a request from the external device.

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