Liquid Density Oscillator with Web Decoupling for Thermal Mass Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid density measurement oscillators face challenges with large counter masses, inaccurate temperature control, and slow thermal equilibration, leading to measurement inaccuracies and prolonged measurement times, especially when made of metal and dealing with varying liquid densities and temperature dependencies.
Innovation Solution
The oscillator design incorporates a web between the counter mass and connecting tube to allow diametrically opposite oscillation of resonator tubes, reducing thermal mass and enabling precise temperature measurement on the connecting tube, which is decoupled from resonance oscillations, allowing for quicker and more accurate density determination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a large counter mass is used to reduce measuring error for different liquid densities, then measurement accuracy is improved, but the device weight increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The oscillator is divided into two identical resonator tubes oscillating in opposite directions, with a central pivot point serving as the rotation axis. This segmentation allows the counter mass to be reduced to a minimal pivot structure rather than requiring a large balancing mass, while maintaining measurement accuracy through the differential oscillation of the two tubes.
Solution Approach 2:
The two resonator tubes are configured to oscillate in opposite directions (one moves left, the other right), creating a balanced system where the masses counterbalance each other automatically. This anti-weight configuration eliminates the need for a large external counter mass to achieve density measurement across different liquid densities.
2Measurement precision
If a rigid connecting piece is used to eliminate soft junction points and improve manufacturing precision, then measurement accuracy is improved, but thermal mass increases leading to slower temperature equilibration
Solution Approach 1:
The rigid connecting piece is completely removed from the system. Instead of connecting the two resonator tubes with a rigid structure, the invention uses a central pivot point where the tubes oscillate independently in opposite directions. This extraction eliminates the thermal mass of the connecting piece while maintaining structural integrity and measurement accuracy through the pivot-based oscillation mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The oscillator is segmented into two independent resonator tubes that oscillate separately around a central pivot. This segmentation removes the need for a connecting piece that would add thermal mass, while the pivot point provides sufficient structural support to maintain measurement precision without slowing thermal equilibration.
3Measurement precision
If temperature control is implemented to account for temperature-dependent density variations, then measurement accuracy is improved, but measurement time increases due to thermal equilibration requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The rigid connecting piece that caused thermal mass accumulation is removed, allowing the resonator tubes to reach thermal equilibrium with the liquid much faster. This extraction enables temperature control to be implemented effectively without significantly increasing measurement time, as the lightweight structure equilibrates thermally almost immediately.
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 design reduces thermal mass, enables faster temperature equilibration, and improves measurement accuracy by allowing direct temperature measurement on the container, facilitating quicker repeat measurements and reducing the need for extensive temperature control, while maintaining robustness and precision.
Implementation Method 1
the resonator tubes can be set into a resonance oscillation in which the common centre of gravity of the resonator tubes remains at rest during the resonance oscillation
Implementation Method 2
the oscillator is made of metal... reduces thermal mass, enables faster temperature equilibration
Data Source
AI summary
An oscillator for density measurement of a liquid, including a counter mass and a container for the liquid. The oscillator is made of metal and the container has two identical resonator tubes, which are clamped into the counter mass in parallel to each other, and a connecting tube connecting the resonator tubes. The resonator tubes can be set into a resonance oscillation in which a common centre of gravity of the resonator tubes remains at rest during the resonance oscillation. The oscillator also includes a web located between the counter mass and the connecting tube, which web spaces the resonator tubes from each other in such a way that the lengths (L) of the resonator tubes enclosed between the counter mass and the web can be set into a diametrically opposite oscillation on the basis of which the density of the liquid located in the oscillator can be determined.