Automated Flat Membrane Formation in Glass Electrodes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for manufacturing electrochemical sensors, such as glass electrodes, are not suitable for producing flat membranes, which are required for certain measuring tasks, and require skilled craftsmanship or manual glassblowing techniques.
Innovation Solution
An automated method involving a dip pipe that is lowered into a glass melt, with pressure control and image capture to form a flat membrane by creating a gas bubble and adjusting pressure to minimize curvature, allowing for the production of flat membranes with precise geometry.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If manual glassblowing techniques are used to manufacture glass assemblies, then spherical or spherical cap membranes can be produced, but the process requires skilled craftsmanship and cannot produce flat membranes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual glassblowing mechanics with an automated dip pipe system that uses controlled gas pressure and automated lowering/lifting mechanisms to form membranes, eliminating the need for skilled craftsmen while achieving precise geometric control through automated parameters
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental parameters of membrane formation by controlling gas pressure, dip pipe immersion depth, and lifting speed to transition from traditional spherical membrane formation to flat membrane formation, enabling geometric control through parameter adjustment rather than manual skill
2Adaptability or versatility
If traditional dip pipe methods are used to absorb molten glass, then spherical membranes are formed, but flat membranes cannot be produced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic pressure control during the membrane formation process, adjusting gas pressure in real-time during different stages (immersion, holding, lifting) to control membrane geometry, transforming a static absorption process into a dynamic controllable process that can produce various shapes including flat membranes
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses pneumatic pressure control through a gas supply system connected to the dip pipe to control membrane formation, replacing manual glassblowing air input with a controlled pneumatic system that can precisely regulate pressure to achieve flat membrane geometry
3Productivity
If automated apparatus is introduced to replace manual glassblowing, then productivity increases, but the ability to produce flat membranes is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback control by detecting the moment the dip pipe touches the glass melt surface through pressure increase detection, automatically adjusting the process based on this feedback signal to ensure precise and repeatable flat membrane formation in automated production
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 the automated and efficient manufacture of glass assemblies with flat membranes, improving the production process and quality control by ensuring the membrane geometry meets specific criteria, suitable for use in electrochemical sensors.
Implementation Method 1
determining when the surface of the glass melt is encountered by the dip pipe end showing towards the glass melt by detecting an increase of the gas pressure found inside the dip pipe
Implementation Method 2
obtaining a predetermined pressure inside the dip pipe while the dip pipe first stays at the given immersion depth for the given duration and after the predetermined duration is completed, is lifted with a given speed vertically to the surface of the glass melt, thus creating a gas bubble in the glass melt whose walls are attached to the end of the dip pipe
Implementation Method 3
continued lifting of the dip pipe vertically to the surface of the glass melt until the gas bubble is separated from the glass melt, with the wall of the gas bubble remaining at the dip pipe end as a closing film
Data Source
AI summary
A method for manufacturing a glass assembly comprises the steps: lowering of a dip pipe that gas may flow through vertically to the surface of a glass melt; determining when the surface of the glass melt is encountered by the dip pipe end showing towards the glass melt by detecting an increase of the gas pressure found inside the dip pipe; continued lowering of the dip pipe until a predetermined depth of entry of the dip pipe end showing towards the glass melt is reached; obtaining a predetermined pressure inside the dip pipe while the dip pipe first stays at the given immersion depth for the given duration and after the predetermined duration is completed, is lifted with a given speed vertically to the surface of the glass melt, thus creating a gas bubble in the glass melt whose walls are attached to the end of the dip pipe; continued lifting of the dip pipe vertically to the surface of the glass melt until the gas bubble is separated from the glass melt, with the wall of the gas bubble remaining at the dip pipe end as a closing film; and setting, especially controlling and/or adjusting of the pressure inside the dip pipe based on the geometry of the film closing the end of the dip pipe as determined by an image capturing device.