Fluid Sampling Device Optimizing Particle Load via Dynamic Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid sensor devices face limitations in accurately characterizing particle identity and concentration within fluid flows, particularly due to optical interference from inertial impactor sampling methods, which can lead to under-populated or over-saturated particle samples.
Innovation Solution
A fluid sampling device equipped with a fluid composition sensor and a controller that optimizes sample volume and duration based on particle load conditions, using techniques like lensless holography for particle imaging, to ensure accurate and complete particle sampling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a fixed sample volume is used for particle collection, then the sampling process is simple, but the particle sample may be under-populated or over-saturated leading to data distortion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic sampling by continuously monitoring particle collection rate and adjusting sample volume in real-time. The controller modifies operational characteristics (flow rate, sampling duration) based on detected particle load conditions, transforming a static sampling process into a dynamic adaptive one that maintains optimal particle density throughout collection
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs feedback control where the fluid composition sensor continuously measures particle concentration and provides this information to the controller. The controller then adjusts sampling parameters based on this feedback to maintain optimal particle load conditions, preventing both under-population and over-saturation of the collection media
2Measurement precision
If holographic imaging is used for particle analysis, then particle identity and concentration can be characterized, but optical interference from the inertial impactor sampling method distorts the data
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts particles from the fluid stream using an inertial impactor and deposits them onto collection media, separating the particles from the bulk fluid. This extraction process concentrates particles onto a small area where holographic imaging can capture them without the optical interference present in the original fluid flow
Solution Approach 2:
The collection media acts as an intermediary between the inertial impactor sampling method and the holographic imaging system. By depositing particles onto this intermediate substrate, the system enables optical imaging while minimizing the harmful optical interference that would otherwise be present in the fluid stream during sampling
3Productivity
If sampling continues for a fixed duration, then the operation is straightforward, but the collection media may become over-saturated causing particle crowding and data distortion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic sampling duration control where the sampling process continues or terminates based on real-time particle load monitoring. The controller adjusts the sampling duration dynamically, extending it when particle density is low and terminating it when optimal particle load is reached, thereby preventing over-saturation while maximizing productive sampling time
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from the fluid composition sensor to monitor particle accumulation on the collection media. When the sensor detects that optimal particle load conditions are approaching or exceeded, it provides feedback to the controller to terminate sampling, preventing over-saturation and maintaining data accuracy throughout the sampling process
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 device effectively reduces optical interference, enables precise characterization of particle identity and concentration, and prevents data distortion by dynamically adjusting sampling parameters to maintain optimal particle load conditions.
Implementation Method 1
Fluid sensor devices can use holographic imaging methods to characterize particle identity and concentration of particulate matter that has been collected via inertial impaction
Implementation Method 2
the particle data generated by the fluid composition sensor may comprise a first particle image captured by an imaging device of the fluid composition sensor using lensless holography
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid sampling device, the device having a fluid composition sensor configured to receive a fluid sample and capture a plurality of particles from the fluid sample at a collection media, wherein the fluid composition sensor is further configured to generate particle data associated with the plurality of particles using a particle imaging operation, and a controller, the controller being configured to: determine an optimal sample volume associated with a sample collection operation based at least in part on a particle load condition defined by the plurality of particles captured at the collection media during the sample collection operation, and update one or more operational characteristics of the fluid composition sensor such that the sample collection operation is defined at least in part by the optimal sample volume.