Freeze-Resistant Pressure Sensing Assembly With Isolation Liquid
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sensors are prone to damage and produce inaccurate readings when the temperature drops below freezing, as water inside the system freezes and causes stress overload, leading to degradation and fluid leakage.
Innovation Solution
A pressure sensing assembly with a protection diaphragm and isolation liquid that absorbs and reduces the expansion force during fluid solidification, preventing damage to the sensing diaphragm and maintaining accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the sensor is exposed to freezing conditions, then the sensor can detect pressure in cold environments, but the water inside the system freezes and causes stress overload damaging the sensor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary substance (isolation liquid or flexible membrane) between the fluid substance and the sensing diaphragm. This intermediary absorbs the expansion force when water freezes, preventing direct transmission of stress to the sensing diaphragm. The isolation liquid fills the cavity and accommodates volume expansion, while the flexible membrane can deform to absorb expansion forces, both acting as mediators that protect the sensor from freezing damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements beforehand cushioning by providing a protection cavity and isolation liquid before freezing occurs. The isolation liquid is pre-filled in the cavity to a specific level that allows it to absorb expansion forces when freezing occurs. This preparatory measure ensures that when water freezes and expands, the cushioning effect is already in place to prevent damage.
2Temperature
If water freezes inside the sensor system, then the sensor remains operational in cold temperatures, but the expansion force causes stress overload and fluid leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The isolation liquid serves as an intermediary that absorbs expansion forces. When water freezes and expands, the isolation liquid accommodates this expansion within the protection cavity, preventing the expansion force from being transmitted to critical sensor components. This mediator approach allows the sensor to operate in cold temperatures while protecting against the harmful effects of freezing expansion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a flexible membrane as a thin film that can deform to absorb expansion forces. This flexible membrane is positioned between the fluid substance and the sensing diaphragm, allowing it to bend and expand when freezing occurs, thereby containing the expansion force and preventing it from damaging the sensor while maintaining operational capability in cold temperatures.
3Device complexity
If the sensing diaphragm is directly exposed to the fluid substance, then the sensor structure is simple, but the sensing diaphragm is vulnerable to damage from freezing expansion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the sensor structure by separating the sensing diaphragm from direct contact with the fluid substance. This is achieved by dividing the internal space into distinct regions: the protection cavity containing the fluid substance and the sensing cavity containing the sensing diaphragm. The isolation liquid or flexible membrane creates a boundary between these segments, allowing the sensing diaphragm to be protected from expansion forces while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
An intermediary element (isolation liquid or flexible membrane) is introduced between the fluid substance and the sensing diaphragm. This intermediary protects the sensing diaphragm from the harmful expansion forces of freezing water while allowing the sensor to maintain its structural simplicity. The intermediary absorbs the stress that would otherwise directly damage the sensing diaphragm.
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 solution effectively prevents damage to the sensing diaphragm and maintains sensor reliability and accuracy by absorbing the expansion force, reducing maintenance costs and ensuring consistent performance in freezing conditions.
Implementation Method 1
A pressure sensing assembly with a protection diaphragm and isolation liquid that absorbs and reduces the expansion force during fluid solidification
Implementation Method 2
The at least one spring-loaded component reduces a force from the fluid substance when the fluid substance solidifies
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2~3
AI summary
Methods and apparatuses related to freeze resistant sensing assemblies are provided. An example pressure sensing assembly may include: a first member defining an aperture, the aperture comprising an inner opening disposed on an inner surface of the first member and an outer opening disposed on an outer surface of the first member; a protection diaphragm disposed on the inner surface of the first member; and a sensing diaphragm disposed in a second member fastened to the first member.