Optical Measurement Flow Cell With Diffuser Section

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional measuring cells for fluid flow are limited in their ability to prevent crystal precipitation or sedimentation, which impairs measurement accuracy, especially during crystallization processes.

Innovation Solution

A measuring cell design featuring a channel with an inlet section, a diffuser section, and a measuring section, where the cross-sectional area increases, and viewing windows that allow for rectilinear fluid flow, preventing dead spaces and sediment formation, along with a temperature control device to maintain optimal conditions for measurement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If conventional measuring cells are used for fluid flow measurement, then the measurement structure is simple, but crystal precipitation and sedimentation occur which impairs measurement accuracy

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement accuracyVSAvoidcrystal precipitation and sedimentation
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The channel is divided into distinct functional sections: inlet section, diffuser section, and measuring section. This segmentation allows each section to perform its specific function - the diffuser section prevents sedimentation while the measuring section provides accurate measurement, thereby resolving the contradiction between measurement accuracy and harmful precipitation effects

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The diffuser section acts as an intermediary element between the inlet and measuring sections. It mediates the fluid flow by gradually expanding the cross-sectional area, which prevents direct sedimentation into the measuring section while maintaining measurement accuracy, thus resolving the contradiction

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-generated harmful factors

If the channel cross-sectional area is increased to prevent sedimentation, then sedimentation is reduced, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesedimentationVSAvoidchannel structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The channel cross-sectional area is not uniformly increased throughout, but only in the diffuser section where it is needed to prevent sedimentation. The measuring section maintains its original dimensions for accurate measurement. This localized modification reduces device complexity while still preventing sedimentation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Measurement precision

If viewing windows are positioned to allow light beam passage, then optical measurement is enabled, but dead spaces may form causing fluid flow disturbances

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoptical measurement capabilityVSAvoidfluid flow uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The diffuser section is positioned upstream of the measuring section to preliminarily condition the fluid flow before it reaches the measurement area. By preventing sedimentation and establishing uniform flow in advance, the diffuser section ensures that the viewing windows can be positioned for optimal optical measurement without creating dead spaces that would disturb flow uniformity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 design ensures accurate and unfalsified measurements by maintaining a uniform flow profile and preventing unwanted precipitation, while the temperature control device helps in maintaining conditions that prevent particle precipitation, thereby enhancing measurement reliability.

Implementation Method 1

the light source generates a light beam through the viewing windows of the measuring cell and this beam is detected by the camera module after passing through the viewing windows

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight propagation: Light

Implementation Method 2

The cross-sectional area of the channel increases in the diffuser section towards the measuring section

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid flow:

Data Source

PatentEP3775844B1Optical measurement flow cell and measurement device comprising said flow cell
Publication Date: 2023.06.07 MAX PLANCK GESELLSCHAFT ZUR FOERDERUNG DER WISSENSCHAFTEN EV
  • EP3775844B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3775844B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3775844B1 patent drawingFigure 3~7

AI summary

The invention relates to a measuring cell for analysing a fluid flow, wherein the measuring cell has a channel for conducting the fluid flow, which channel is divided into different sections and the cross section thereof is perpendicular to a longitudinal axis. The invention also relates to a measuring device comprising such a measuring cell.