Float Sensor for Remote Fluid Property Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solutions for detecting fluid properties in containers are influenced by ambient conditions, require physical attachments or wiring, and often provide localized measurements that are not representative of the overall fluid properties, making them unsuitable for industrial needs.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising a float with a sensor array and a transmitter that remotely detects and reports fluid properties, using a combination of a thermally conductive core and thermochromic coating for visual temperature indication, along with a ballast and gas bladder for buoyancy control, allowing contact-less and wireless communication of multiple fluid properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a sensor is attached to the container to measure fluid properties, then the measurement can be obtained, but the sensor is influenced by ambient conditions and fails to report the actual properties within the fluid
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a float as an intermediary element that transfers fluid properties to the sensor. The float is made of thermally conductive material that equilibrates with the fluid temperature, then transfers this information to the sensor mounted on the container exterior. This mediator approach isolates the sensor from direct ambient influence while maintaining measurement accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces direct thermal contact between sensor and fluid with a mechanical transmission system using the float. Instead of the sensor directly measuring fluid temperature, the float mechanically transmits thermal information from the fluid to the sensor through thermal conduction, eliminating the need for the sensor to be in direct contact with the fluid.
2Measurement precision
If sensors are attached inside containers to measure fluid properties, then the measurement location is within the fluid, but wiring is required to transmit information which imposes physical limitations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces electrical wiring with optical communication using LEDs. The float contains LEDs that optically transmit fluid property information to external photodetectors, eliminating the need for electrical wiring through the container wall and associated physical limitations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces light as an intermediary medium to transmit information from the float to external observers. Instead of electrical signals requiring wiring, the float uses LED light emission to communicate fluid properties through the container wall optically.
3Measurement precision
If probes are inserted into the fluid to detect properties, then direct fluid contact is achieved, but high maintenance requirements arise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the float as a mediator that indirectly measures fluid properties through thermal equilibration rather than direct probe insertion. The float's thermal conduction to the sensor provides sufficient measurement accuracy without requiring probe insertion, thereby eliminating the high maintenance associated with probe cleaning and calibration.
4Adaptability or versatility
If sensors are used to detect multiple fluid properties, then comprehensive fluid characterization is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a multi-functional sensor array where a single integrated float structure performs multiple measurement functions. The float simultaneously measures temperature through thermal conduction, density through buoyancy, and other fluid properties, eliminating the need for separate specialized sensors for each property.
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, remote detection and reporting of fluid properties without complex installation or physical connections, providing stable and representative measurements of temperature, density, and other properties, suitable for industrial applications.
Implementation Method 1
The float, the side arms, and the lower arm are made of a thermally conductive material core, preferably a thermally conductive plastic capable of sensing and propagating the fluid temperature
Implementation Method 2
The entire float, the side arms, the lower arms, and the ballast are coated with a thermochromic compound that is in direct contact with the thermally conductive core, preferably thermochromic silicone calibrated to visually transmit the temperature of the fluid as detected by the float
Implementation Method 3
a ballast and/or a gas bladder for controlling the buoyancy of the device within the fluid
Data Source
AI summary
A remote detection and reporting of fluid properties device. A float has a sensor array for detecting at least one property of a fluid and transmitting the fluid properties. The float has at least one side arm and at least one lower arm for detection of fluid properties, where the lower arm has a ballast and a gas bladder for orienting and stabilizing the float. The float, the side arms, and the lower arm are made of a thermally conductive plastic and coated with a thermochromic compound optimized for visually reporting the temperature of a fluid via change in color.In a different embodiment of the float has an electronic sensor array detects multiple properties of a fluid. The float has an electronic transmitter, a battery, and a wire harness, and floats in a fluid. The device transmits the fluid properties to a remote receiver.