Combinational Sensor System with Elastomeric Seals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current sensor systems lack efficient and accurate methods for simultaneously measuring multiple measurands, such as flow, pressure, humidity, and temperature, requiring additional signal conditioning and calibration, which increases installation and development costs and prolongs design cycles.
Innovation Solution
A combinational sensor system incorporating a flow sensor, pressure sensor, and humidity sensor with independent access to media, utilizing elastomeric seals and an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) for signal conditioning, along with a piezoresistive material-based pressure transducing silicon die and humidity sensor, optimized for accuracy and response time, and capable of handling liquid media and temperature compensation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple independent sensors are used to measure multiple measurands simultaneously, then measurement capability is improved, but device complexity and installation cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple independent sensors (pressure sensor, flow sensor, temperature sensor, humidity sensor) into a single integrated sensor package with a common housing and shared electronics platform. This merging approach maintains the measurement capabilities of individual sensors while reducing overall system complexity and installation requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor package implements a universal platform that can simultaneously perform multiple sensing functions through integrated electronics that process signals from different sensor types. The single package design provides multi-functionality for measuring pressure, flow, temperature, and humidity without requiring separate independent devices.
2Measurement precision
If signal conditioning and calibration are performed externally, then sensor accuracy can be maintained, but installation cost and development time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates signal conditioning circuits and calibration functionality directly within the sensor package housing, combining these previously external functions with the sensing elements. This integration eliminates the need for separate external signal conditioning devices and simplifies the overall system architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor package incorporates self-contained signal conditioning and calibration capabilities that operate autonomously within the package. The electronics perform signal processing and calibration functions internally without requiring external intervention or additional equipment, enabling the sensor to serve itself.
3Adaptability or versatility
If analog output signals are used from transducers, then signal conditioning is required, but this increases system complexity and user burden
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical/electrical signal conditioning chain with an integrated electronic processing system. Instead of using analog signals that require external conditioning circuits, the system uses integrated electronics to directly process and output sensor signals in a standardized digital format.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the output signal parameter from analog to digital format through integrated ADC (analog-to-digital conversion) and processing. This parameter change eliminates the need for external analog signal conditioning and allows direct interface with digital systems, reducing overall system complexity.
4Manufacturing precision
If multiple sensors are packaged separately, then each sensor can be optimized independently, but manufacturing cost and installation time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple separately optimized sensors into a single integrated package that maintains individual sensor optimization while enabling combined manufacturing. The housing and electronics platform are designed to accommodate different sensor types in a unified structure that can be manufactured as a single assembly unit.
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 enables cost-effective, accurate, and efficient measurement of multiple measurands, reducing installation and development costs, and shortening design cycles by integrating signal conditioning and calibration within the sensor system, while maintaining high accuracy and response time.
Implementation Method 1
A combinational sensor system incorporating a flow sensor, pressure sensor, and humidity sensor with independent access to media, utilizing elastomeric seals and an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) for signal conditioning, along with a piezoresistive material-based pressure transducing silicon die
Data Source
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AI summary
A combinational sensor system for measuring multiple measurands includes a flow transducer, a pressure transducer and a humidity transducer. The pressure and humidity transducers are provided with independent access to sensed media and are ratiometric to a supply voltage, whereas the flow sensor is sensitive to openings to the flow path. The combinational sensor system utilizes elastomeric seals that include patterned electrically conductive and non-conductive seals. An ASIC is generally associated with the combinational sensor, and is located on a patterned electrically conductive substrate lead frame or for signal conditioning in order to detect any of the sensed measurands. The transducers can be arranged in a manner that distributes the transducers to optimize the accuracy and response time of the combinational sensor system.