Air duct airflow sensor with internal low-pressure detector
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional airflow sensors in air ducts are dependent on airflow orientation and prone to clogging, limiting their placement and accuracy, especially near bends in the duct.
Innovation Solution
An airflow sensor assembly featuring a hollow ring with apertures orthogonal to airflow direction, coupled with pressure sensors and a gasket system, which allows for independent pressure measurement and reduces clogging risk by diverting airflow over apertures, enabling placement closer to duct bends without disrupting pressure measurements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional airflow sensors are used in air ducts, then airflow measurement can be achieved, but the sensors are dependent on airflow orientation and prone to clogging, limiting their placement and accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor divides airflow detection into two separate pressure measurement points: a high-pressure detection device positioned upstream and a low-pressure detection device positioned downstream. This segmentation allows independent measurement of pressure differences without requiring the sensor to directly intercept airflow, thereby improving measurement accuracy while reducing clogging susceptibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces pressure sensors as intermediary devices that indirectly measure airflow by detecting pressure differences rather than directly measuring airflow velocity. This intermediary approach eliminates the need for the sensor to be in the direct airflow path, preventing clogging while maintaining measurement precision through pressure differential calculations.
2Adaptability or versatility
If pressure sensors are incorporated to detect air pressure in the air duct, then airflow determination can be achieved, but the sensors must be positioned away from duct bends, limiting placement flexibility
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the pressure detection into upstream and downstream separate locations, the system can accommodate various duct configurations including bends. The high-pressure detection device is positioned in one location while the low-pressure detection device is positioned downstream, allowing flexible installation near duct transitions without compromising measurement accuracy through proper pressure differential capture.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the sensor is placed closer to a bend in the air duct, then placement flexibility is improved, but measurement accuracy deteriorates due to disrupted airflow patterns
Solution Approach 1:
Pressure sensors serve as intermediary measurement devices that detect static pressure rather than directly measuring dynamic airflow. This allows the sensor system to be positioned near duct bends where airflow patterns are disrupted, as pressure sensors can accurately capture static pressure differences without being affected by turbulent flow conditions that would compromise velocity-based measurements.
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
The solution provides accurate airflow velocity measurement independent of airflow orientation, reduces clogging, and allows for flexible placement near duct transitions, maintaining high airflow velocity with minimal obstruction and ease of maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
a pressure sensor fluidly coupled to the high pressure detection device and the low pressure detection device
Data Source
AI summary
An airflow sensor assembly for an air duct is provided. The airflow sensor assembly includes an air duct having an interior wall and an exterior wall, a high pressure detection device, and a low pressure detection device. The low pressure detection device includes a hollow ring disposed within the interior wall of the air duct. The hollow ring includes an inner periphery portion, an outer periphery portion, and a first set of apertures defined therein. The first set of apertures is spaced around the inner periphery portion of the hollow ring. The airflow sensor assembly further includes a pressure sensor fluidly coupled to the high pressure detection device and the low pressure detection device.