Fill Tube Pressure Sensor Deformation Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Industrial processes require accurate measurement of line pressure, which is often challenging due to the need for additional pressure sensors and complex communication protocols, especially in differential pressure measurement configurations.
Innovation Solution
A pressure sensor system that utilizes a fill tube to measure line pressure by monitoring deformations in a capillary tube coupled to the process fluid, employing magnetostrictive properties and deformation sensors to correlate changes in the tube's shape with line pressure, allowing for accurate pressure measurement without additional sensors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If an additional pressure sensor is deployed to measure line pressure, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fill tube is designed to serve multiple functions: it transmits process fluid to the differential pressure sensor while simultaneously acting as the sensing element for line pressure measurement. By monitoring deformations in the fill tube, the system obtains line pressure information without requiring a separate pressure sensor, thus achieving multi-functionality with a single component.
Solution Approach 2:
The fill tube acts as an intermediary element that couples the process fluid to the differential pressure sensor. The same fill tube is utilized as a mediator to transmit mechanical deformations caused by line pressure changes, which are then detected by the differential pressure sensor, eliminating the need for a dedicated line pressure sensor.
2Measurement precision
If an additional pressure transmitter is deployed to measure line pressure, then measurement precision is improved, but communication protocol complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The line pressure measurement capability is merged into the existing differential pressure measurement system. The fill tube deformations are detected by the differential pressure sensor, and the line pressure information is derived from the same sensor output that provides differential pressure measurements, thereby combining multiple measurement functions into a single communication channel.
Solution Approach 2:
The differential pressure sensor and its communication interface are designed to provide multiple outputs: differential pressure measurement and line pressure measurement. This multi-functionality allows a single communication protocol to convey both types of pressure information, eliminating the need for separate communication infrastructure.
3Device complexity
If a fill tube is used to measure line pressure through deformation monitoring, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The system monitors changes in physical parameters of the fill tube (deformations, strain, dimensional changes) in response to line pressure variations. By detecting these parameter changes and correlating them with line pressure, the system achieves accurate measurement while using the existing fill tube structure, thus maintaining measurement precision without adding complex sensor systems.
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 accurate measurement of line pressure with enhanced sensitivity and resolution, reducing the need for additional sensors and simplifying communication protocols, while maintaining robustness and reliability in industrial processes.
Implementation Method 1
monitoring deformations in a capillary tube coupled to the process fluid
Implementation Method 2
employing magnetostrictive properties and deformation sensors to correlate changes in the tube's shape with line pressure
Data Source
AI summary
A pressure sensor (56) includes a fill tube (93) which is arranged to couple to a process pressure. A sensor (98) is coupled to the fill tube (93) and is configured to measure pressure of fluid in the fill tube (93) as a function of a change of a physical property of the fill tube (93). Circuitry (74) is provided to measure pressure based upon the change of the physical property of the fill tube (93).