Adapter Housing for Oil Mist Sensor Ambient Air Analysis

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing devices for determining oil mist or aerosol quantities in gas samples are limited to pressurized gas sources and cannot detect these substances in ambient air.

Innovation Solution

A device with a measuring sensor and adapter housing that uses a gas delivery pump to create a test gas flow, allowing the measuring sensor to be used for both compressed air and ambient air analysis by drawing in ambient air through a micronozzle and depositing aerosol or oil particles on a deflector, which can be observed through a window.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a measuring sensor with micronozzles is used for gas analysis, then oil mist or aerosol particles can be collected on a deflector, but the device can only operate with pressurized gas sources and not with ambient air

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegas source compatibilityVSAvoidsystem configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The adapter housing enables the measuring sensor to function with multiple gas source types (pressurized sources and ambient air) by providing an interchangeable interface that adapts the sensor to different operating conditions without requiring modification of the sensor itself

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The adapter housing acts as an intermediary component between the measuring sensor and different gas sources. It provides the necessary flow connection and pressure regulation interface, allowing the sensor to operate with ambient air through a pump while maintaining compatibility with pressurized sources

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables the detection of oil mist or aerosols in ambient air without modifying the existing measuring sensor, allowing for analysis of both compressed air and ambient air samples using a vacuum source.

Implementation Method 1

generate a test gas flow through the measuring sensor by means of a vacuum source

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVacuum: Vacuum

Implementation Method 2

The test gas is drawn through the measuring sensor with the gas delivery pump

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSuction: Suction

Implementation Method 3

micronozzle for dispensing a predetermined sample gas flow

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure Gradient: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 4

deflector downstream of the micronozzle for depositing aerosol or oil particles

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectImpact Force: Impact Force

Data Source

PatentUS8365577B2Device for selectively determining the quantity of oil mist or aerosols

Publication Date: 2013.02.05 DRAGER SAFETY AG & CO KAAA

AI summary

A measuring sensor (1) for the selective determination of oil mist or aerosols makes possible gas analysis in the ambient air. The measuring sensor (1) is inserted into an adapter housing (11), and a vacuum, by which ambient air is drawn in via the gas inlet duct (8) of the measuring sensor (1), is generated in the adapter housing (11) by means of a gas delivery pump (15).