Flexible Calibration Suspension Unit for Air-Free Turbidity Meter Mixing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Turbidity measurements are compromised by air bubbles introduced during the mixing and filling of calibration suspensions in turbidity meters, leading to inaccurate calibrations and potential settling of colloidal particles, which can result in contaminated measurements.
Innovation Solution
A flexible, gas-tight calibration suspension unit with a deformable container made of materials like plastic or metal foil, allowing for air-free mixing and transport of the suspension using a hose line system to prevent air bubble formation, ensuring homogeneous mixing and accurate measurement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the calibration suspension is mixed by shaking or stirring in a rigid container, then the suspension is homogenized, but air bubbles are introduced into the suspension
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible bag made of elastomeric material to contain the calibration suspension. This flexible container allows the suspension to be mixed by deforming the bag itself, eliminating the need for rigid containers and external mixing devices that introduce air bubbles. The flexible nature of the bag enables direct manual manipulation for homogenization without air entrapment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the mixing function from the container structure itself. Instead of using a separate rigid container with a lid that requires opening and closing (introducing air), the flexible bag allows the user to mix the suspension by directly deforming the bag containing the suspension, thereby taking out the air introduction step from the mixing process.
2Measurement precision
If air bubbles are allowed to escape from the calibration suspension, then measurement accuracy improves, but colloidal particles settle at the bottom
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by removing air bubbles from the calibration suspension before it is introduced into the turbidity meter. The flexible bag system allows air bubbles to be eliminated during the filling process or before measurement, ensuring that the suspension is bubble-free when introduced to the instrument, thereby avoiding measurement interference without requiring extended waiting periods that would cause particle settling.
3Strength
If the calibration suspension is stored in a rigid container, then the container provides structural stability, but the suspension cannot be mixed without introducing air bubbles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the rigid container with a flexible bag made of elastomeric material. This flexible container provides sufficient strength to hold and transport the calibration suspension while enabling direct manual manipulation for mixing. The user can deform the flexible bag by hand to homogenize the suspension without introducing air bubbles, combining structural adequacy with ease of operation.
4Measurement precision
If the calibration suspension is diluted and transferred to the turbidity meter, then calibration can be performed, but air bubbles are introduced during filling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the air introduction step from the filling process by using a flexible bag system. The calibration suspension can be transferred from the flexible bag to the turbidity meter in a controlled manner that minimizes air bubble formation. The flexible nature of the bag allows for smooth pouring or direct connection without the air entrapment that occurs with rigid containers and their seals.
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
The solution ensures air-free calibration suspensions are introduced into turbidity meters, reducing measurement errors and improving the quality and reliability of turbidity measurements by preventing air bubble interference and maintaining the stability of colloidal particles.
Implementation Method 1
The container (16) is mechanically deformed shortly before use in order to mix the calibration suspension (18) homogeneously
Implementation Method 2
Over time, the colloidal particles settle at the bottom of the storage container
Implementation Method 3
allowing for air-free mixing and transport of the suspension using a hose line system
Implementation Method 4
A flexible, gas-tight calibration suspension unit with a deformable container made of materials like plastic or metal foil, allowing for air-free mixing and transport of the suspension
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2c
Figure 3
AI summary
A calibration suspension unit (10) comprises a container (16) made of a flexible material, which is filled without air supernatant with a calibration suspension (18) for calibrating a turbidity meter (14). Furthermore, a method for manufacturing such a calibration suspension unit (10) is provided, and its use for calibrating a turbidity meter (14) is described.