Enclosure Sensor Suspension for Hazardous Monitoring

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for monitoring environmental parameters in enclosures are costly, pose safety risks, require wired communications and continuous power, and are difficult to install, move, and position effectively.

Innovation Solution

A system comprising a power source and communication device attached to an enclosure cover, with sensors suspended away from the cover via a cable, allowing for flexible attachment and wireless communication of environmental parameter data, enabling real-time monitoring and easy repositioning of sensors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If access to enclosure requires entry into the enclosure for monitoring, then measurement accuracy is improved, but safety risk and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenvironmental parameter monitoring accuracyVSAvoidsafety risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses an enclosure cover as an intermediary carrier to hold monitoring devices outside the hazardous enclosure space. The cover acts as a mediator that allows sensors to measure environmental parameters (temperature, humidity, gas composition) without requiring personnel to enter the dangerous enclosure, thus maintaining measurement accuracy while eliminating safety risks associated with direct entry.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If wired communications and continuous power are used for monitoring systems, then reliability is improved, but installation complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemonitoring system reliabilityVSAvoidinstallation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces wired mechanical connections with wireless communication technology. Monitoring devices attached to the enclosure cover communicate environmental data wirelessly to external receivers, eliminating the need for complex wiring installations, trenches, and continuous power cable routing while maintaining reliable data transmission and power supply through battery or energy harvesting solutions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Stability of the object's composition

If monitoring equipment is permanently installed and attached to existing structures, then stability is improved, but adaptability and mobility decrease

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemonitoring system stabilityVSAvoidrepositioning flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs dynamic attachment mechanisms that allow monitoring devices to be easily attached to, detached from, and repositioned on enclosure covers. The devices can be securely mounted when needed for stable monitoring, then easily removed and relocated to different enclosures or positions as required, providing both operational stability during monitoring and high adaptability for reconfiguration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Measurement precision

If sensors are attached directly to hazardous locations within enclosures, then measurement accuracy is improved, but safety risk and installation difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenvironmental parameter sensing accuracyVSAvoidinstallation ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses the enclosure cover as an intermediary platform that positions sensors in close proximity to the enclosure environment without requiring direct attachment to hazardous internal structures. This approach maintains measurement accuracy by keeping sensors near the monitoring zone while dramatically simplifying installation, as devices can be attached to the accessible cover rather than reaching into dangerous enclosed spaces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS7598858B2Methods, apparatuses, and systems for monitoring environmental parameters within an enclosure
Publication Date: 2009.10.06 HADRONEX LLC
  • US7598858B2 patent drawing
  • US7598858B2 patent drawing
  • US7598858B2 patent drawing

AI summary

An apparatus for monitoring environmental parameters within an enclosure includes a power source; a communication device electrically connected to the power source and attachable to a cover of the enclosure; and a sensor suspended away from the cover of the enclosure. A method for providing a monitor of environmental parameters within an enclosure includes attaching a communication device to a cover of the enclosure, connecting the communication device to a power source; and suspending a sensor away from the cover of the enclosure. A method for monitoring environmental parameters within an enclosure includes monitoring one or more environmental parameters with a sensor suspended by a cable within an enclosure, and transmitting data representing one or more monitored environmental parameters from a communication device to a second communication device.