Combined Chemical Velocity Sensors for Source Localization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Locating the source of drifting chemical vapors or fluids is challenging due to increased downstream flow irregularity caused by turbulence, making it difficult for instantaneous chemical sensors to accurately detect time-varying concentrations.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a combined chemical and velocity sensor system that measures chemical concentration and fluid velocity at multiple positions, cross-correlating measurements to determine an average velocity vector and identify a convergence region for source localization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If instantaneous chemical sensors are used to detect chemical concentration, then the detection response is fast, but the measurement precision deteriorates due to turbulence-induced time-varying concentrations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines chemical sensors with velocity sensors into an integrated measurement system. The chemical sensors detect concentration while velocity sensors measure fluid flow characteristics. By merging these different sensor types, the system compensates for turbulence effects through velocity data, maintaining fast response while improving measurement precision in turbulent conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces velocity measurements as an intermediary parameter to mediate between chemical concentration detection and turbulence effects. By measuring fluid velocity and using it to correct or interpret chemical sensor data, the system achieves accurate concentration measurements despite turbulent flow conditions that would otherwise corrupt instantaneous readings.
2Measurement precision
If multiple sensors are deployed to improve source localization accuracy, then the measurement precision improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs sensor nodes that perform multiple functions: chemical concentration detection, velocity measurement, and spatial positioning. Each sensor node is a multi-functional unit that contributes to both concentration mapping and source localization. This universal design reduces overall system complexity compared to having separate specialized systems for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from single-point chemical sensing to distributed spatial sensing by deploying sensors at multiple positions. By adding the spatial dimension to measurements and using cross-correlation of signals from different locations, the system achieves source localization without requiring overly complex individual sensor nodes. The complexity is distributed across the network rather than concentrated.
3Measurement precision
If cross-correlation of multiple sensor measurements is performed to determine average velocity vectors, then the source localization accuracy improves, but the loss of time increases due to processing requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary processing of sensor data by calculating cross-correlations and average velocity vectors at intermediate stages rather than waiting for complete datasets. By progressively building velocity vector information from available measurements and using it for early source localization estimates, the system reduces total processing time while maintaining accuracy.
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 approach effectively localizes chemical sources by averaging velocity vectors from multiple sensors, providing accurate detection and localization of chemical leaks in complex structures and fluid environments, even in turbulent conditions.
Implementation Method 1
chemical concentration sensors configured to measure a concentration of a predetermined chemical
Implementation Method 2
A sensor control module includes a processor configured to cross-correlate measurements from pairs of chemical concentration sensors and to determine an average velocity vector
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems for locating a chemical source include measuring chemical concentration with sensors at a plurality of different positions. Measurements from pairs of positions are cross-correlated to determine an average velocity vector for a group of positions. A convergence region is determined based on a plurality of average velocity vectors to determine a chemical source location.