Bubble Measurement System for Accurate Bubble Size Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bubble generator calibration systems are inaccurate, labor-intensive, and unable to reliably measure the size of individual air bubbles or control their release rates, velocities, and sizes effectively.
Innovation Solution
A bubble measurement system that includes an imaging device and controller to measure the size of air bubbles and provide feedback for controlling the bubble generator, ensuring accurate calibration by processing images of air bubbles and adjusting the bubble generator's operation to achieve consistent bubble sizes and flow rates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If an aggregated collection of air bubbles in a graduated cylinder is used to determine average size, then the calibration process can be completed, but the measurement precision is poor and only average size is obtained without individual bubble size validation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/manual calibration method (using graduated cylinder and manual counting) with an automated imaging system. The imaging device captures images of bubbles, and image processing algorithms automatically measure individual bubble sizes, eliminating the need for manual aggregation and calculation while providing precise individual bubble measurements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates visual copies of bubbles through imaging. Instead of directly measuring physical bubbles in a graduated cylinder, the system captures images of bubbles and processes these visual copies to determine bubble sizes. This allows for non-contact, automated measurement of individual bubbles with high precision.
2Productivity
If manual calibration methods are used to determine average bubble size, then the process can be completed, but the productivity is low due to labor intensity and time consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging system performs calibration automatically without requiring manual intervention. The system self-captures bubble images, self-processes the images to measure bubble sizes, and self-generates calibration data, eliminating the need for operators to manually collect, count, and calculate bubble measurements.
Solution Approach 2:
The imaging system continuously captures and processes bubble images as they pass through the measurement area, enabling continuous calibration data collection. This eliminates the discontinuous, batch-based manual calibration process and significantly increases calibration productivity.
3Reliability
If known calibration systems are used, then bubble generation can be tested, but the reliability is insufficient because individual bubble sizes and velocities cannot be measured or controlled
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an imaging system as an intermediary between the bubble generator and the measurement process. The imaging device captures detailed visual information of individual bubbles, and image processing algorithms extract precise measurements of bubble sizes and velocities, enabling reliable control and validation of bubble generation parameters.
Data Source
AI summary
A bubble measurement system includes a bubble detector including a vessel having a flow path configured to receive a flow of fluid includes air bubbles from a bubble generator. The bubble measurement system includes an imaging system having an imaging device for imaging the fluid and air bubbles in the flow path of the vessel of the bubble detector. The imaging system has an imaging controller coupled to the imaging device and receiving images from the imaging device. The imaging controller processes the images to measure bubble size of each air bubble passing through the bubble detector.