Longitudinal Cavity Climate Sensing at Multiple Depth Positions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for measuring humidity in concrete structures are limited by the sensitivity of humidity probes due to blocked or misaligned punctured holes, which affect the accuracy of moisture content measurement.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising interconnectable sensor and extension sections is used to measure climate within a longitudinal cavity, allowing multiple measurement positions along the cavity's length, with sensors positioned accurately using extension sections of varying lengths to adapt to different structural thicknesses and layers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a humidity probe is inserted through a punctured hole in the tube to measure humidity at a specific depth, then the measurement can be performed, but the sensitivity is limited due to blocking of the punctured hole or misalignment of the hole away from humid areas
Solution Approach 1:
The measurement system is divided into separate functional components: a positioning mechanism (puncture device) that independently creates access holes, and a sensing mechanism (humidity probe) that independently measures humidity. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the puncture device can precisely position holes at multiple depths while the probe can accurately measure humidity at its location, overcoming the limitation of a single integrated approach where hole positioning and measurement sensitivity were coupled.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from measuring humidity at a single depth position to measuring humidity at multiple depth positions along the longitudinal axis of the structure. By creating multiple punctured holes at different depths and positioning probes accordingly, the measurement capability is extended into the longitudinal dimension, enabling three-dimensional climate monitoring within the structure rather than limited to a single plane.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple measurement positions are required within the longitudinal cavity, then comprehensive climate monitoring can be achieved, but the device complexity increases due to the need for multiple probes and positioning mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The puncture device is designed as a universal tool that can create access holes at multiple different depth positions within the longitudinal cavity. Rather than requiring separate specialized tools for each depth, a single multi-functional puncture device with adjustable positioning capabilities provides access at various longitudinal positions, reducing the overall number of specialized components needed while maintaining measurement flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates dynamic positioning capabilities where the puncture device and probe can be adjusted to different longitudinal positions before measurement. This dynamic repositioning allows the same basic measurement system to adapt to different measurement requirements at various depths without requiring multiple static, specialized measurement configurations, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining versatility.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to measuring climate inside a longitudinal cavity of a structure from two or more measurement positions within the longitudinal cavity. The longitudinal cavity has two ends that may be open ends that are open to a surface of the structure or closed ends inside the structure or a building comprising the structure. The climate is measured by an arrangement that is inserted to the longitudinal cavity e.g. via the open end or a side of the longitudinal cavity. The arrangement comprises a plurality of interconnectable sections. The sections comprise at least one sensor section and one or more extension sections, wherein the at least one sensor section and one or more extension sections are interconnectable in a series for insertion inside the longitudinal cavity e.g. via the open end of the longitudinal cavity or a side of the longitudinal cavity. The at least one sensor section is configured to measure at least one quantity indicating the climate. The one or more extension sections are configured to position the at least one sensor section from at least one of the ends of the longitudinal cavity to a measurement position within the longitudinal cavity.