Flexible Strip Pressure Sensor for Pipe Compliance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing non-invasive pressure sensors for pipes face challenges such as high stiffness clamp structures that cannot comply with pipe surfaces, leading to incomplete pressure transfer, calibration complexities, and friction-induced hysteresis due to direct metal-metal contact.

Innovation Solution

A pressure sensor design featuring a flexible strip with strain sensing elements and a tensioning device that wraps around the pipe, providing full compliance with the pipe contour through adjustable tensioning, minimizing friction and eliminating the need for on-site calibration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a stiff clamp structure is used to attach the sensor to the pipe, then the sensor can be securely mounted, but it cannot comply with the pipe surface leading to incomplete pressure transfer

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemounting securityVSAvoidcompliance with pipe surface

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a flexible strip instead of a stiff clamp structure. This flexible strip can conform to the pipe surface while maintaining secure attachment, enabling complete pressure transfer from the pipe to the sensor elements without the compliance issues of rigid clamps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the mechanical parameter of the mounting structure from stiff to flexible. By using a flexible strip with appropriate elastic properties, the structure can adapt to different pipe surfaces while maintaining sufficient mounting security, resolving the contradiction between strength and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Strength

If direct metal-metal contact is used between clamp and pipe, then secure attachment is achieved, but friction-induced hysteresis occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment securityVSAvoidmeasurement accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a flexible strip as an intermediary element between the mounting structure and the pipe. This flexible strip reduces direct metal-to-metal contact, thereby minimizing friction-induced hysteresis while maintaining secure attachment through its elastic properties and conformability to the pipe surface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Measurement precision

If invasive pressure sensors with open ports are used, then pressure measurement is achieved, but installation cost increases and leakage hazards occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepressure measurement capabilityVSAvoidinstallation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the sensor elements from direct contact with the pipe interior by mounting them on the external surface. This non-invasive approach eliminates the need for open ports or holes in the pipe, thereby reducing installation complexity and eliminating leakage hazards while maintaining pressure measurement capability through contactless or minimal-contact methods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Measurement precision

If calibration is performed on-site for each pipe, then measurement accuracy is ensured, but time and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement accuracyVSAvoidcalibration time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent designs the flexible strip with inherent elastic properties that enable it to self-adjust to different pipe surfaces and diameters. This self-compliance characteristic eliminates the need for manual on-site calibration, as the system automatically adapts to each installation, reducing both calibration time and complexity while maintaining measurement accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 and reproducible pressure measurements without calibration, reducing hysteresis and friction-induced errors by ensuring full contact and uniform compliance with the pipe surface, allowing for quantitative pressure determination through the pipe wall without invasive methods.

Implementation Method 1

at least one strain sensing element; wherein the pressure sensor is configured to attach to the pipe

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectStrain sensing: Piezoresistive Effect

Data Source

PatentUS11566956B2Pressure sensor for a pipe

Publication Date: 2023.01.31 ABB (SCHWEIZ) AG

AI summary

A pressure sensor for a pipe includes: a flexible strip; at least one strain sensing element; and a tensioning device. A first end of the flexible strip passes through a second end of the flexible strip. Between the first end of the flexible strip and the second end of the flexible strip, the flexible strip includes the at least one strain sensing element. The pressure sensor is attachable to the pipe. The first end of the flexible strip extends through or past the second end of the flexible strip. The tensioning device tensions the pressure sensor around the pipe.