External Strain Sensor for Non-Invasive Pressure Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for measuring fluid-borne acoustic signatures and pressures in elastic bodies require invasive modifications, are costly, and face challenges with installation and compatibility across varying structures and sizes, necessitating a non-invasive, externally mounted strain sensor system capable of measuring static and dynamic pressures without damaging the elastic containers.
Innovation Solution
An externally-mounted strain sensor system utilizing flexible piezoelectric polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) wire or printed strain gauges wrapped around elastic pressure vessels, combined with signal conditioning electronics, installation tools, and cloud-based software for data analysis, allowing for non-invasive measurement of internal fluid-borne acoustic signatures and pressures in various elastic containers without penetration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If invasive measurement methods are used to measure fluid-borne acoustic signatures and pressures, then measurement precision is improved, but the structural integrity deteriorates and manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the elastic body's own wall as an intermediary medium. Strain sensors are mounted on the external surface of the elastic body, and the wall itself transmits the internal pressure and acoustic signatures to the sensors. This eliminates the need for invasive penetration while maintaining measurement capability, as the wall acts as a natural transducer between the internal fluid and external sensors.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces invasive mechanical penetration with non-invasive external mounting. Instead of physically breaking into the elastic body to place sensors inside, the system uses external strain sensors that detect mechanical strains on the outer surface, which correspond to internal pressure and acoustic conditions through the elastic properties of the wall.
2Measurement precision
If invasive measurement methods are used, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and installation difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic body wall serves as an intermediary that naturally transmits internal measurements to external sensors. This eliminates the need for complex installation procedures involving penetration, sealing, and internal sensor placement, reducing installation complexity while maintaining measurement precision through the wall's elastic properties.
3Strength
If non-invasive external mounting is used, then structural integrity is maintained and ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent leverages the elastic wall of the body as a flexible transmission medium. The wall's elasticity allows it to deform in response to internal pressure and acoustic signatures, and these deformations are directly transmitted to the external strain sensors. By properly selecting and calibrating sensors that match the wall's mechanical properties, measurement precision is maintained despite the non-invasive approach.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent accounts for and utilizes the elastic parameters of the wall in the measurement model. By incorporating the wall's elastic properties into the calibration and data interpretation process, the system compensates for any signal attenuation or transformation, thereby maintaining measurement precision while benefiting from non-invasive external mounting.
4Measurement precision
If invasive measurement tools are used, then measurement capability is improved, but ease of manufacture and maintenance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic body wall acts as a natural intermediary that eliminates the need for complex manufacturing and installation procedures. External strain sensors can be mounted on the surface without requiring penetration, sealing, or internal modifications, significantly simplifying both manufacturing and maintenance while maintaining measurement capability through the wall's elastic transmission properties.
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 scalable, non-invasive measurement of internal pressures and fluid-borne acoustic signatures across different materials and shapes, reducing installation difficulties and maintenance costs while maintaining structural integrity, with advanced data processing for predictive analytics and visualization.
Implementation Method 1
sensors, having either a flexible piezoelectric polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) wire/strip (101) wrapped around elastic pressure vessel (r) walls to measure internal fluid-borne acoustic signatures to measure dynamic pressure
Implementation Method 2
a short/extended strain gauge wire/printed strain gauge transducers (401) to measure static pressure
Implementation Method 3
wrapped around elastic pressure vessel (r) walls to measure internal fluid-borne acoustic signatures
Data Source
AI summary
A sensor system comprises flexible piezoelectric polyvinylidene fluoride wire/strip and/or a short/extended strain gauge wire/printed strain gauge transducers to measure both static and dynamic pressure, conditioning electronics, installation/adherence tool, calibration tool, electronic devices for measuring pressure outputs, and wireless transmission of sensor signal through a data acquisition system to a smart device. A software application for reading the output of the strain gauges remotely is included. Individual system components include distributed strain sensors, custom printed strain gauges, strain gauge wires, calibration rig, slotted ring clamp, strain measuring devices, and software application for visualization of pressure readings.