Double-Layer Flexible Tube for Liquid Level Sensing in Hazardous Environments

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing liquid level sensing devices face challenges in hazardous environments due to issues with static electricity, incomplete water tightness, corrosion, and limited measurement range, especially in turbulent flows and explosive locations.

Innovation Solution

A double-layer flexible tube design featuring a conductive outer tube and a fluorine-containing plastic inner tube provides grounding and enhanced air and water tightness, while a packing structure with a storage box and reel facilitates safe handling and deployment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a plastic tube is used for the flexible probe, then air tightness and water tightness are improved, but static electricity accumulation occurs making it unsuitable for explosible places

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveair tightness and water tightnessVSAvoidstatic electricity accumulation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The probe adopts a composite structure with an inner plastic tube (providing air and water tightness) and an outer conductive rubber tube (providing static electricity dissipation). This composite material approach allows simultaneous achievement of sealing performance and electrostatic safety for use in explosible environments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a rubber tube is used for the flexible probe, then conductivity is improved preventing static electricity, but porosity prevents complete water tightness

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestatic electricity preventionVSAvoidwater tightness

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Strength

If a rigid metal probe is used, then structural strength is improved for turbulent flows, but adaptability to different environments is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidenvironmental adaptability

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The probe uses a flexible tube structure that can adapt to various tank shapes and turbulent flow environments, unlike rigid metal probes. The flexible material allows the probe to conform to different geometries while maintaining functionality in diverse industrial settings.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

4Reliability

If oily gas contacts the flexible tube in petrochemical fields, then corrosion and infiltration occur damaging circuit boards and sensors

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection against corrosionVSAvoidoily gas infiltration

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The double-layer tube structure with plastic inner layer and rubber outer layer provides both chemical corrosion resistance and oil/gas infiltration prevention, protecting internal circuit boards and sensors in petrochemical environments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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 safe and reliable long-distance liquid level measurement in hazardous environments, reduces failure rates by preventing oily gas infiltration and charge accumulation, and enhances usability and safety during transportation.

Implementation Method 1

Plastic tubes possess great air tightness and water tightness

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMaterial porosity: Porosity

Implementation Method 2

The flexible conductive outer tube is made of a conductive flexible material to form a grounding layer... Accumulated charges will be drained out along the flexible conductive outer tube

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Implementation Method 3

The magnetic floater is assembled outside the double-layer flexible tube

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic field interaction: Magnetic Field

Data Source

PatentUS11073418B2Liquid level sensing device with double-layer flexible tube and packing structure thereof

Publication Date: 2021.07.27 FINETEK CO LTD

AI summary

A liquid level sensing device and a packing structure are provided. An outer tube fastener is connected to a signal module. A protective soft tube is connected to the outer tube fastener. An end of a double-layer flexible tube is connected to the protective soft tube. The double-layer flexible tube includes a flexible conductive outer tube and a fluorine-containing plastic inner tube coaxially attached in the flexible conductive outer tube. The fluorine-containing plastic inner tube is made of a flexible material. The flexible conductive outer tube is made of a conductive flexible material to form a grounding layer. A sensing module is disposed in the fluorine-containing plastic inner tube. A magnetic floater is assembled outside the double-layer flexible tube. A hanger is connected to another end of the double-layer flexible tube.