Container Resonance Measurement for Non-Invasive Fluid Mass Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for determining the mass of fluids in containers, such as gases or liquids, are intrusive and unreliable, especially for compressed fluids, as they require direct contact and fail to accurately measure fill levels based on pressure or volume alone.
Innovation Solution
A non-invasive method using vibration techniques to determine fluid mass by vibrating the container surface with specific frequencies, analyzing the resonance frequencies, and combining this data with temperature and pressure measurements to estimate the fluid's mass.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If pressure or volume measurements are used to determine fluid level, then the measurement can be performed, but the method requires intrusive access to the fluid and fails for compressed fluids
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces intrusive mechanical pressure/volume measurement systems with a non-contact vibration-based detection system. The system uses a vibration generator to create mechanical vibrations in the container wall and sensors to detect these vibrations, allowing fluid mass determination without direct fluid contact. This substitution eliminates the need for intrusive sensors while maintaining measurement capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces the container wall as an intermediary medium to transfer vibration information about the fluid to external sensors. Instead of sensors directly contacting the fluid, the vibrations travel through the container wall structure, allowing indirect measurement of fluid mass. This intermediary approach enables non-intrusive measurement while preserving the ability to detect fluid properties.
2Measurement precision
If pressure measurements are used for compressed fluids, then the system can measure pressure, but the pressure reading does not indicate fill level due to saturation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs mechanical vibration of the container wall as the primary measurement mechanism. By generating vibrations and analyzing their characteristics (amplitude, frequency, decay rate), the system can determine fluid mass independent of pressure saturation effects. The vibration method directly probes the fluid's mass and damping characteristics rather than relying on pressure equilibrium that saturates for compressed gases.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the measurement parameter from pressure (which saturates for compressed fluids) to vibration characteristics (amplitude, frequency, decay). By measuring how the container wall vibrates in response to excitation and how the fluid dampens these vibrations, the system obtains a parameter that monotonically reflects fluid mass without saturation limitations.
3Ease of operation
If vibration techniques are used to measure fluid mass, then non-contact measurement is achieved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the vibration-based system to serve multiple functions: the same vibration generator and sensors used for mass measurement can also detect fluid level, identify fluid type, and monitor container integrity. This multi-functionality justifies the added complexity by providing multiple measurement capabilities through a single integrated system rather than requiring separate systems for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback control where sensors continuously monitor vibration characteristics and the system adjusts the vibration generator accordingly. This feedback mechanism enables real-time adaptation to changing fluid conditions, improving measurement reliability and allowing the system to compensate for variations in container properties, fluid temperature, and other interfering factors.
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
Accurately measures the mass of fluids without direct contact, providing precise and efficient fluid level detection in containers, even for compressed gases, by focusing on targeted resonance frequencies and ambient temperature considerations.
Implementation Method 1
vibrating a surface (such as an external surface) of a container containing a fluid with a range of predetermined frequencies; determining at least one resonance frequency
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method are disclosed, that allow for the determination of a mass of a fluid within a container by first vibrating an external surface of a container, where the container contains a fluid (such as a compressed fluid, a gas, a liquid, a mixture of a gas and liquid, or a supercritical fluid). Then, vibration data is received at the external surface of the container, and the vibration data is then converted into one or more frequencies. The mass of the fluid in the container is then estimated based on the one or more frequencies.