Bubble Detector Adjustable Ultrasonic Elements Tube Deformation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bubble detectors for liquids in tubes face challenges in maintaining tight contact with tubes of varying diameters, leading to potential elliptical deformation and reduced flow rates due to the radial pressure exerted by ultrasonic elements, which can compromise detection accuracy and flow passage area.
Innovation Solution
A bubble detector design featuring adjustable ultrasonic elements and side guides that allow for precise alignment and contact with tubes of different diameters, preventing elliptical deformation and ensuring a rectangular pressure distribution to maintain a required flow rate, utilizing a first distance adjuster for ultrasonic elements and a second adjuster for side guides to accommodate varying tube sizes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the first and second ultrasonic elements press the tube radially to ensure tight contact, then detection accuracy is improved, but the tube is elliptically pressed reducing the flow passage area
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs adjustable distance adjusters that allow the ultrasonic elements and side guides to dynamically adapt their positioning according to different tube diameters. This dynamic adjustment enables the system to maintain optimal contact pressure for detection accuracy while preventing excessive radial compression that would reduce flow passage area and compromise flow rate.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the geometric parameters (distance between ultrasonic elements and side guides) to match different tube diameters. By adjusting these parameters, the system achieves tight contact necessary for accurate bubble detection without applying excessive radial pressure that would elliptically deform the tube and reduce flow capacity.
2Device complexity
If the distance between ultrasonic elements is fixed, then device complexity is reduced, but detection accuracy deteriorates when using tubes of different diameters
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces adjustable distance adjusters that enable the ultrasonic elements to dynamically reposition according to tube diameter variations. This dynamic capability ensures consistent detection accuracy across different tube sizes while maintaining relatively simple adjustment mechanisms through threaded rods and nuts.
Solution Approach 2:
The distance adjustment mechanism serves multiple functions: it accommodates various tube diameters, ensures proper contact between ultrasonic elements and tube surface, and maintains optimal detection geometry. This multi-functionality allows a single device design to handle diverse tube specifications without requiring completely different configurations.
3Device complexity
If side guides are not provided, then device complexity is reduced, but the tube cannot be properly constrained preventing elliptical deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The side guides are equipped with adjustable distance adjusters that allow them to dynamically adapt to different tube diameters. This dynamic positioning enables the side guides to properly constrain the tube and prevent elliptical deformation while maintaining a relatively simple structural design that can be easily adjusted for various tube sizes.
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
This design ensures accurate bubble detection while maintaining a larger flow passage area by preventing elliptical deformation, thus securing the required flow rate and detection precision across different tube diameters.
Implementation Method 1
Ultrasonic waves transmitted from one of the first ultrasonic element and the second ultrasonic element are received by the other ultrasonic element so that existence of bubbles in a liquid flowing through the tube can be detected
Data Source
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AI summary
[Problem to be Solved] To prevent reduction in a flow rate caused by a tube 19 being elliptically pressed when a pair of ultrasonic elements 24, 25 for detecting existence of bubbles in a liquid flowing through the tube 19 are brought into tight contact with the tube 19. [Solution] Provided is a bubble detector for detecting existence of bubbles in a liquid flowing through a tube by bringing a first ultrasonic element 24 disposed on a first support member (sensor block 23) and a second ultrasonic element 25 disposed on a second support member (cover 11B) into tight contact with a tube 19. A pair of side blocks 35 are disposed in a direction intersecting an arrangement direction of ultrasonic elements 24, 25. The distance between the ultrasonic elements 24, 25 is adjusted simultaneously with adjustment of the distance between the paired side blocks 35 in accordance with the diameter of the tube so that the tube is rectangularly pressed. This prevents a flow rate reduction caused by the elliptically pressed tube.