Fluid Sensor Using Dual Acoustic Waves
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for monitoring fluid properties are complex and limited in the types of properties they can measure effectively.
Innovation Solution
A method using both high-power through-fluid acoustic waves and low-power reflective acoustic waves to determine fluid properties, such as density and bubble size, by converting the waves into electrical signals and processing them to obtain accurate measurements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If high-power through-fluid acoustic waves are used to measure fluid properties, then the measurement range and penetration depth are improved, but the temperature stability and circuit reliability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The measurement system is segmented into two distinct functional components: a high-power through-fluid wave generation path for deep penetration and a low-power reflective wave generation path for stable reference measurements. This segmentation allows each path to be optimized for its specific function without compromise.
Solution Approach 2:
The reflective acoustic wave acts as an intermediary reference signal that does not penetrate into the fluid but provides a stable temperature-dependent baseline. This intermediary signal allows the system to compensate for temperature effects on the high-power measurement path.
2Reliability
If low-power reflective acoustic waves are used to ensure circuit stability, then the temperature dependence is reduced, but the penetration depth and measurement range are limited
Solution Approach 1:
Different power levels are applied locally to different measurement paths: low power for the reflective path where temperature stability is critical, and high power for the through-fluid path where penetration depth is critical. Each path has its own optimized quality characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The low-power reflective wave performs a partial measurement function (providing reference data at the boundary) rather than a complete measurement, allowing the high-power wave to handle the excessive penetration requirement separately.
3Device complexity
If only single acoustic wave methods are used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement versatility and property range are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The transducer system is designed with multi-functionality, capable of generating both high-power through-fluid waves and low-power reflective waves using the same hardware platform. This universality provides diverse measurement capabilities without proportionally increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system merges two different acoustic measurement approaches (through-fluid and reflective wave methods) into a single integrated system that shares common transducers and signal processing infrastructure, achieving versatility while controlling complexity.
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
This approach allows for the measurement of a wide range of fluid properties with improved accuracy and reliability, overcoming the limitations of existing methods.
Implementation Method 1
driving one or more transducers to generate i) a through-fluid acoustic wave having sufficiently high power to traverse into the volume of fluid, and ii) a reflective acoustic wave
Implementation Method 2
receiving, by the one or more transducers, both of the through-fluid acoustic wave and the reflective acoustic wave; converting the received waves into one or more corresponding electrical signals
Data Source
AI summary
A method for determining a property of a volume of fluid. The method comprises driving one or more transducers to generate i) a through-fluid acoustic wave having sufficiently high power to traverse into the volume of fluid, and ii) a reflective acoustic wave having sufficiently low power to be reflected at a reflection location located in between the volume of fluid and the one or more transducers generating the reflective acoustic wave. The method further comprises receiving, by the one or more transducers, both of the through-fluid acoustic wave and the reflective acoustic wave; converting the received waves into one or more corresponding electrical signals; and processing the one or more electrical signals to determine a property of the fluid.