Dual Temperature Sensor Air Bubble Detection in Fluid Flow

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional fluid flow systems face challenges in accurately detecting air bubbles, which can lead to equipment damage and incorrect dosages in medical applications, due to the reliance on separate air bubble detection modules that often result in false alarms.

Innovation Solution

A temperature sensor configuration that uses moving average temperature data from two thermally coupled sensors to detect air bubbles within the fluid flow system, employing multiple air presence parameters and calibrated thresholds to determine the presence and volume of air bubbles, thereby modifying the fluid concentration rate or generating an alert signal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If separate air bubble detection modules using ultrasonic sensing technology are used, then air bubble detection capability is provided, but false alarms increase and measurement precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveair bubble detection accuracyVSAvoiddetection accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines air bubble detection functionality with the existing temperature sensing system by adding temperature sensors to the fluid flow system. The controller uses temperature data from these sensors to detect air bubbles through thermal conductivity differences, merging detection capabilities into an existing component rather than using separate ultrasonic detection modules.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces ultrasonic sensing technology with a thermal-based detection method. Instead of using acoustic waves to detect air bubbles, the system uses temperature sensors to measure thermal conductivity changes caused by air bubbles, substituting a mechanical/acoustic system with a thermal field-based system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If multiple temperature sensors and processing logic are added to detect air bubbles, then detection reliability improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveair bubble detection reliabilityVSAvoidsensor configuration complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The temperature sensors in the fluid flow system serve dual purposes: monitoring fluid temperature for process control and detecting air bubbles through thermal conductivity measurements. This multi-functionality allows the system to gain air bubble detection capability without adding dedicated detection hardware, thereby avoiding increased device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The existing temperature sensing infrastructure serves the additional function of air bubble detection. The system uses its own temperature sensors and processing capabilities to detect air bubbles, rather than relying on external or separate detection systems, allowing the system to self-serve multiple functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 integrated solution reliably detects air bubbles without additional detection components, reducing false alarms and ensuring accurate fluid delivery by modifying the fluid concentration rate or generating alerts based on detected air bubble volume.

Implementation Method 1

a heating element, a first temperature sensor configured to generate first temperature data, and a second temperature sensor configured to generate second temperature data. The heating element, the first temperature sensor, and the second temperature sensor may be thermally coupled with a fluid flow system

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Implementation Method 2

The controller may be configured to determine a first moving average for a first period of time based upon the first temperature data generated by the first temperature sensor during the first period of time and determine a second moving average for the first period of time based upon the second temperature data generated by the second temperature sensor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentUS11860042B2Sensors, methods, and computer program products for air bubble detection

Publication Date: 2024.01.02 HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC

AI summary

Sensors, methods, and computer program products for air bubble detection are provided. An example method includes determining a first moving average for a first period of time based upon first temperature data and determining a second moving average for the first period of time based upon second temperature data. The method includes determining a first air presence parameter based upon a comparison between the first temperature data and the first moving average and a comparison between the second temperature data and the second moving average. The method includes determining a second air presence parameter based upon a comparison between the first temperature data, the second temperature data, and calibrated air thresholds. The method includes determining a third air presence parameter based upon a comparison between a first temperature data entry and each second temperature data entry. An air bubble within a fluid flow system is detected based upon the parameters.