Hydraulic Diaphragm Seal With Integrated Temperature Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hydraulic diaphragm seals and pressure transducers face challenges in real-time temperature detection due to the inertia of transmitting fluids, leading to inaccurate pressure measurements and the need for additional space for temperature sensors, which complicates the measurement of rapid temperature changes and additional variables.
Innovation Solution
A diaphragm seal with a planar separating membrane secured by a single peripheral weld seam, incorporating a temperature transducer in the central region of the separating membrane, isolated from the transmitting fluid, using a thermally conductive layer for accurate temperature measurement, and a central recess for the temperature transducer with thermal insulation, allowing for real-time temperature detection without contaminating the process medium.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a temperature transducer is arranged next to the separating membrane or introduced into the main body, then temperature measurement is possible, but the thermal mass of the main body prevents immediate adaptation to temperature changes and additional space is required
Solution Approach 1:
The temperature transducer is positioned on the rear side of the separating membrane in the middle region, utilizing the third dimension (depth/thickness direction) rather than placing it laterally next to the membrane. This allows temperature measurement without requiring additional lateral space on the rim of the main body.
Solution Approach 2:
A thermally conductive adhesive layer is introduced as an intermediary between the temperature transducer and the separating membrane. This layer provides efficient thermal coupling for real-time temperature detection while simultaneously serving as a thermal barrier that prevents the transmitting fluid from contacting the temperature transducer.
2Temperature
If a temperature transducer is introduced from the rear into the main body, then temperature measurement is possible, but an additional opening in the media container or media-carrying line is required
Solution Approach 1:
The separating membrane serves multiple functions: it separates the process medium from the transmitting fluid, transmits pressure, and acts as a thermal coupling element for the temperature transducer. The middle region of the membrane is utilized as a mounting location that requires no additional openings in the media container or lines.
3Ease of operation
If the separating membrane area is enlarged to accommodate a temperature transducer on the rim, then space for mounting is provided, but the device dimensions increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of enlarging the radial dimensions of the main body to accommodate the temperature transducer on the rim, the invention utilizes the axial dimension by positioning the transducer on the rear side of the separating membrane in the middle region, thereby maintaining compact device dimensions.
4Productivity
If the transmitting fluid is used for temperature detection, then real-time detection is possible, but the fluid inertia prevents accurate measurement of rapid temperature changes
Solution Approach 1:
The temperature transducer is extracted from direct contact with the transmitting fluid and positioned on the rear side of the separating membrane. This eliminates the thermal inertia effect of the fluid while the thermally conductive adhesive layer ensures rapid heat transfer from the membrane to the transducer for accurate real-time temperature measurement.
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
Enables precise, real-time temperature measurement of the process medium, reducing errors in pressure measurements and allowing for simultaneous detection of multiple variables without additional space requirements, suitable for hygienic and aggressive chemical applications.
Implementation Method 1
The temperature transducer is joined in the middle region on the second separating membrane side to the separating membrane by means of a thermally conductive layer
Data Source
AI summary
A diaphragm seal for transmitting the pressure of a process medium includes a main body having a surface and a separating membrane secured to the surface, thereby forming between the separating membrane and the surface a pressure chamber which communicates, via an opening in the surface, with a hydraulic path. The separating membrane can be exposed to the process medium on a first side, and the separating membrane has a central middle region. The diaphragm seal further includes a temperature transducer for determining a temperature measurement variable of the process medium, which is secured in the middle region on a second side of the separating membrane, and the main body is joined to the separating membrane such that a transmitting fluid, which fills the pressure chamber and the hydraulic path, does not come into contact with the temperature transducer.