Dual-Sensor Fluid Monitoring for Drift-Free Calibration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid monitoring systems face challenges in maintaining accuracy and precision of sensor measurements over time due to sensor drift and contamination, particularly in continuous monitoring applications such as extracorporeal blood circuits and bioprocessing, where calibration often requires interruptions and is labor-intensive.
Innovation Solution
A fluid monitoring system with a primary sensor set and a secondary sensor set for calibration, allowing selective interaction of the secondary sensor with the test fluid to reduce drift and contamination, enabling continuous monitoring without interruptions by comparing measurements to determine an adjustment for improved accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a primary sensor set continuously monitors fluid properties, then continuous monitoring capability is achieved, but sensor drift and contamination occur over time reducing measurement accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a secondary sensor set that serves as a backup or reference to the primary sensor set. The secondary sensors can be used to validate, compare, or replace primary sensor measurements, thereby maintaining measurement accuracy over time without interrupting continuous monitoring. This copying approach allows the system to detect and correct drift or contamination issues in the primary sensors.
2Measurement precision
If calibration is performed frequently to maintain sensor accuracy, then measurement precision is improved, but system interruptions and labor requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables continuous calibration or validation by having both primary and secondary sensor sets operational simultaneously. The system can continuously compare measurements from both sensor sets or switch between them without stopping the monitoring process. This eliminates the need for periodic system interruptions that would otherwise be required for calibration, maintaining continuous useful action throughout operation.
3Device complexity
If a single sensor set is used for monitoring, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability over extended periods decreases due to drift and contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent assigns different roles to different sensor sets: primary sensors handle continuous monitoring while secondary sensors provide reference measurements or backup capability. This local differentiation of sensor functions allows the system to maintain high reliability through redundancy and cross-validation, while keeping each individual sensor set relatively simple in design and operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid monitoring system for determining a property of a test fluid comprises a main fluid flow path through which a test fluid can flow; a primary sensor set comprising a primary sensor configured to provide a primary measurement signal indicative of a first property of a test fluid flowing through the main fluid flow path; a secondary sensor set for use in calibrating the primary sensor set, the secondary sensor set comprising a secondary sensor configured to provide a secondary measurement signal indicative of the first property of the test fluid, wherein the system is configured such that the secondary sensor set can selectively interact with test fluid; and a control unit configured to: acquire a first measurement based on the primary measurement signal and acquire a second measurement based on the secondary measurement signal; compare the first measurement and the second measurement in a calibration operation to determine an adjustment for calibrating the primary sensor set based on the secondary sensor set; and determine a first property of the test fluid based on a primary measurement signal of the primary sensor and the adjustment.