Fluid Analysis Sensor Fusion for Corrected In-Line Measurements
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing in-line milk sensors provide lower precision measurements due to their reliance on instantaneous readings and inability to correct for unknown milk attributes, leading to measurement errors that are relatively constant throughout milking, while off-line sensors offer higher precision but require discrete sampling, which may not represent the entire milking process accurately.
Innovation Solution
A system combining an in-line sensor with a sample sensor to determine a representative fluid parameter value by integrating in-line and sample values, using error correction to account for measurement inconsistencies across an event period.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If an in-line sensor is used to continuously measure fluid parameters during flow, then data collection across the entire event period is achieved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to lower precision compared to off-line analysers
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the measurement task into two segments: the in-line sensor performs continuous monitoring throughout the event period to capture temporal variations, while the off-line analyser performs high-precision measurements on discrete samples. This segmentation allows each sensor type to operate in its optimal performance regime, resolving the contradiction between continuous data collection and measurement precision.
2Measurement precision
If a discrete sample is taken for off-line analysis, then measurement precision is improved, but representativeness deteriorates because the sample may not represent the entire event period
Solution Approach 1:
The in-line sensor provides continuous feedback on fluid parameter trends throughout the event period. This feedback information is used to guide the timing and selection of discrete samples for off-line analysis, ensuring that samples are taken at representative moments while maintaining high measurement precision through the off-line analyser.
3Productivity
If an in-line sensor operates throughout the event period, then continuous monitoring is achieved, but measurement accuracy deteriorates due to constant error that cannot be corrected
Solution Approach 1:
The off-line analyser acts as an intermediary reference standard that periodically validates and corrects the in-line sensor measurements. By comparing in-line sensor readings with high-precision off-line measurements at specific points during the event period, the system can identify and correct systematic errors in the in-line sensor, thereby maintaining measurement accuracy while preserving continuous monitoring capability.
Data Source
Figure 1A
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Figure 3
AI summary
A system for analysing a fluid is described, including an in-line sensor configured to analyse a fluid flowing past the in-line sensor to determine at least one in-line value of a fluid parameter of the fluid across an event period, and a sample sensor configured to analyse a sample of fluid extracted from the flow of fluid during the event period, to determine a sample value of the fluid parameter for the sample. At least one processor is provided, configured to determine a representative in-line value of the fluid parameter across the event period based at least in part on the at least one in-line value, and determine an overall representative value of the fluid parameter across the event period based on the representative in-line value, the sample value for the sample, and one or more of the in-line values corresponding to the time of extracting the sample, wherein determination of the overall representative value is based on an error correction value determined for the in-line sensor during the event period.