Flexible Phase Separation Sensor for Leak Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional leak sensors face challenges such as high costs, limited flexibility, difficulty in installation, and inability to detect leaks in narrow spaces or with viscous chemicals, and require corner connectors for direction changes, making them unsuitable for outdoor environments and maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A phase separation sensor with flexible detection lines and insulation films, featuring detection holes and adhesive layers, allowing for direction changes without corner connectors and effective detection of water and chemical solutions in confined spaces, and easy maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a cable type leak sensor is used, then detection precision is improved, but device complexity and installation difficulty increase due to required brackets and fixed cable length
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor is divided into modular segments with detection lines separated by insulation films with detection holes. This segmentation allows flexible installation without requiring complex bracket systems while maintaining detection precision through the distributed detection line configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor cable length is made changeable rather than fixed, allowing dynamic adaptation to different installation scenarios. The flexible strip-type structure enables easy routing and positioning without requiring pre-installed brackets or complex mounting hardware.
2Ease of manufacture
If a module type leak sensor is used, then cost is reduced, but adaptability decreases due to fixed detection position and inability to detect leaks at different locations
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor is divided into modular segments with detection lines separated by insulation films with detection holes. This segmentation allows flexible installation without requiring complex bracket systems while maintaining detection precision through the distributed detection line configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor design allows a single product to serve multiple detection positions and orientations. The flexible strip structure can be installed in various locations and configurations, making the sensor universal for different leakage scenarios while maintaining cost-effectiveness.
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional leak sensors are used in narrow spaces, then direction coverage is limited, but device complexity increases due to requirement of corner connectors for direction changes
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor uses a flexible strip-type structure with thin insulation films that can be easily bent and routed around corners and through narrow spaces. This flexibility eliminates the need for rigid corner connectors while maintaining directional coverage in confined areas.
4Ease of manufacture
If hole point leak sensor is used, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but detection capability decreases for viscous chemicals due to difficulty of permeation into holes
Solution Approach 1:
The insulation films contain detection holes that allow liquid permeation for detection. The hole configuration and film material are optimized to enable effective permeation of various liquids including viscous chemicals, maintaining detection reliability while keeping manufacturing costs low.
5Measurement precision
If leak sensor is exposed to acid for leak detection, then detection capability is improved, but durability decreases due to corrosion of metal components and melting of synthetic resin
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor uses composite material construction with acid-resistant insulation films and corrosion-resistant metal components. This composite structure maintains detection capability for acid leaks while significantly improving overall durability and resistance to chemical degradation.
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 sensor effectively detects water and chemical leaks in outdoor environments, maintains stability and durability, and simplifies storage and installation by being a strip-type product that can be easily cut to required lengths, preventing exfoliation and ensuring long-term use.
Implementation Method 1
a cable type leak sensor is capable of sensing an electric potential difference of electric current flowing along a leading wire by means of resistance of leaked water or oil
Implementation Method 2
a leak sensor having a hole point
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a phase separation sensor which can easily change its direction due to its flexible feature without using a corner connector even at a position limited in space or at a narrow space, and can separate and sense water and chemical solution so as to be easily used in outdoor environment exposed to rain, snow, hail or others. The phase separation sensor includes: a detection part (100) having a pair of detection lines (110, 120) spaced apart from each other in a width direction to be arranged side by side; and an insulation part (200) having insulation films (210, 220), which have detection holes (210a, 220a) formed at equal intervals in a longitudinal direction to be opposed to the detection part (100) and adhesive layers (211, 221) formed at areas of the insulation films (210, 220), which touch the detection lines (110, 120).