Echogenic Ultrasonic Waveguides for Spatial Temperature Mapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sensing technologies for extreme environments suffer from errors, complexity, and large form factors, limiting their utility and introducing undue risk, particularly in environments with large thermal gradients and harsh conditions, where insertion sensors face breach risks and noninvasive methods struggle with spatial resolution and line-of-sight issues.
Innovation Solution
The use of echogenically segmented ultrasonic waveguides with multiple echoes to noninvasively measure spatially distributed properties by encoding temperature distributions through time-of-flight measurements, utilizing echogenic features to reflect ultrasonic pulses and constrain temperature distributions with heat transport models.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If insertion sensors are used to measure temperature in extreme environments, then direct temperature measurements can be obtained, but the sensors are subject to breach risks and require protective sheaths that add complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses ultrasonic waveguides as an intermediary medium to transmit temperature information from the extreme environment to the measurement system. Instead of placing sensors directly in the harsh environment, the waveguide acts as a mediator that carries acoustic signals through the extreme conditions, eliminating the need for protective sheaths and reducing breach risks while maintaining measurement capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical insertion sensors with an ultrasonic acoustic field-based measurement system. By using ultrasonic waves to probe temperature distributions and converting thermal information into acoustic signal variations, the system eliminates the need for physical sensor insertion into extreme environments, thereby improving reliability while maintaining measurement precision.
2Reliability
If noninvasive measurement modalities are used, then safety from harsh conditions is improved, but spatial resolution and line-of-sight requirements deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the ultrasonic measurement path into multiple discrete segments by introducing echogenic features at known positions along the waveguide. These features create distinct acoustic reflections that allow the system to resolve temperature distributions at different locations along the waveguide, achieving high spatial resolution without requiring line-of-sight optical access or risking sensor breach.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from traditional two-dimensional optical imaging to three-dimensional acoustic field penetration. By using ultrasonic waves that can propagate through opaque and harsh environments, the system achieves measurement capability in dimensions and locations that are inaccessible to optical methods, improving both safety and spatial resolution simultaneously.
3Reliability
If acoustic pyrometry is used for noninvasive thermometry, then safety is improved, but attenuation of acoustic signals limits frequency and spatial resolution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the frequency parameter of the acoustic signals to optimize penetration and resolution. By selecting appropriate ultrasonic frequencies and using waveguides to constrain the acoustic field, the system achieves sufficient signal attenuation resistance while maintaining high spatial resolution through the echogenic feature segmentation method.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces ultrasonic waveguides as intermediaries that channel and constrain the acoustic signals. The waveguides act as mediators that prevent signal attenuation by confining the ultrasonic energy along specific paths, enabling high-frequency measurements with improved spatial resolution while maintaining noninvasive safety.
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 high-density, nondestructive, and real-time measurements of internal and surface temperatures, as well as other intensive properties, in extreme environments, overcoming the limitations of previous methods by providing precise spatial resolution and safety from harsh conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a transducer for sending and receiving an ultrasonic pulse; and a longitudinally elongate fiber in ultrasonic communication with the transducer
Implementation Method 2
each echogenic feature being configured to reflect a respective portion of the ultrasonic pulse back to the transducer
Implementation Method 3
encoding temperature distributions through time-of-flight measurements
Implementation Method 4
longitudinally elongate fiber in ultrasonic communication with the transducer
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for monitoring intensive properties in an extreme environment, such as a boiler or other hostile temperature. The intensive properties include temperature, temperature, elasticity, density, strength, and any other properties which effect changes in the ultrasound propagation velocity. The system has one or more fibers ultrasonically communicating with a transducer which emits ultrasonic pulses throughout the fiber. The fibers are circumscribed by echogenic features, each of which returns ultrasonic echo pulses to the transducer at discernable propagation velocities. Changes in the propagation velocities/times correspond to changes in the intensive property under consideration.