Digital Multipoint Temperature Acquisition System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multipoint temperature sensing systems face challenges in harsh outdoor, underground, and underwater conditions, particularly at low temperatures, due to mechanical stress and high conductor requirements, leading to increased manufacturing costs, weight, and inflexibility, as well as unreliable seals and frequent cold temperature failures.
Innovation Solution
A digital communication protocol-based temperature acquisition system with encapsulated sensor modules and a specialized signal cable that reduces the number of conductors, providing enhanced mechanical protection, flexibility, and reliability, using a digital temperature sensor IC capable of deriving power from the data transmission conductor and incorporating strain relief and environmental sealing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a separate conductor is allocated to each analog sensor in the signal cable, then temperature measurement capability is improved, but cable weight and inflexibility increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional analog electrical measurement system with a digital measurement system. Instead of using separate analog conductors for each temperature sensor, the invention employs a single digital data bus that carries digitized temperature readings from multiple sensors. This substitution of mechanical/electrical analog signals with digital signals reduces the number of conductors required in the cable, thereby reducing cable weight and improving flexibility while maintaining full temperature measurement capability across all sensor points.
2Measurement precision
If a separate conductor is allocated to each analog sensor in the signal cable, then temperature measurement capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the complex analog signal transmission system with a simplified digital communication system. Instead of requiring multiple separate conductors and complex analog signal routing, the invention uses a single digital data bus that can carry multiple sensor readings simultaneously. This digital substitution simplifies the cable structure and reduces overall system complexity while preserving the ability to measure temperatures at multiple points.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple separate sensor signal lines into a single digital data bus. Instead of having individual conductors for each temperature sensor, the invention combines all sensor data transmission into one unified digital communication channel. This merging of multiple functions into a single conduit reduces device complexity and simplifies the overall system architecture.
3Ease of manufacture
If heat sensitive shrink materials are used to complete sensor installation in the cable, then sensor integration is achieved, but seal reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite sealing materials that combine the ease of installation properties of shrink materials with the reliability of metal seals. The sealing system uses a composite structure that maintains effective seals at low temperatures without the cold flow and leakage problems associated with traditional heat-sensitive shrink materials. This composite approach preserves sensor integration capabilities while dramatically improving seal reliability in harsh cold environments.
4Measurement precision
If specialty signal cable with high numbers of conductors is used, then temperature measurement capability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the expensive multi-conductor analog cable system with a simpler digital cable system. By converting sensor readings to digital signals, the invention reduces the number of conductors required in the cable from multiple individual wires to a single digital data bus. This substitution dramatically reduces manufacturing costs while maintaining the ability to measure temperatures at multiple points simultaneously.
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 system achieves improved reliability and performance in extreme low temperatures, reduces manufacturing and maintenance costs, and increases flexibility, while maintaining accurate temperature data acquisition with reduced conductor requirements, thus addressing the limitations of prior art.
Implementation Method 1
a digital temperature sensor IC capable of deriving power from the data transmission conductor
Data Source
AI summary
A digitally based system is designed to sense temperatures at a plurality of places and transmit temperature data along a hard-wire cable or distributed (wireless) network to an integrated data collection and control appliance. The system can perform single “spot” measurements or arrange multiple readings in a database for later use. Semiconductor-based sensors with digital output and data transmission capabilities allow large numbers of sensors to be placed along extended lengths of signal cable consisting of only three or four wires. The device incorporates electrical insulating materials, encapsulants, and mechanical strain relief designed to protect the sensors and transmission lines from failures related to exposure to extreme cold. Though described here for cold region applications, the embodiment of this invention encompasses moderate and tropical environments as well, or temperatures ranging from −40 C to +85 C.