Gas Diffusion Liquid Level Detection in Sealed Containers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for determining the internal liquid level in sealed containers are costly, unstable, inconvenient, and often require disassembly, especially when the material inside is heated, and struggle with real-time measurements.
Innovation Solution
A method and system using a detection system with valves and tubes connected to a pressure sensor, where gas is diffused into the container to measure pressure changes, allowing for calculation of the liquid volume without disassembly, utilizing Boyle's Law to determine the instantaneous volume of liquid.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If weight measurement methods are used to determine liquid level, then measurement precision can be achieved, but device complexity and cost increase due to high precision sensor requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical weight measurement systems with a pneumatic pressure-based detection system. Instead of using high-precision weight sensors to measure container weight variations, the invention uses gas diffusion and pressure measurement to determine liquid level, thereby eliminating the need for complex and expensive high-precision mechanical sensors.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs pneumatic principles by introducing gas into the container and measuring pressure changes resulting from gas diffusion. The system uses pressure sensors to detect the amount of gas diffused into the liquid, which correlates to liquid level, providing a simpler and more cost-effective alternative to mechanical weight measurement.
2Measurement precision
If traditional detection methods are used in sealed containers, then liquid level can be measured, but ease of operation deteriorates due to assembly requirements and container disassembly needs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal detection system that can measure liquid levels in various sealed containers without requiring disassembly. The detection device is designed to interface with different container types through sealed connections, providing multi-functional capability across different container configurations while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces gas as an intermediary medium to transmit measurement information from the liquid inside the sealed container to the external pressure sensor. This intermediary approach allows measurement without direct contact or disassembly of the container, maintaining both measurement precision and ease of operation.
3Productivity
If real-time detection is required for heated materials, then productivity can be improved, but reliability decreases due to restrictions on existing liquid detection methods
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the detection parameter from weight-based or direct contact methods to pressure-based measurement of gas diffusion. This parameter change allows the system to operate reliably under heating conditions where traditional methods fail, as pressure measurement is not affected by thermal expansion or material property changes in the same way weight or direct contact methods are.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical detection methods that are sensitive to heating conditions with a pneumatic-pressure-based system. This substitution provides reliability under thermal conditions while maintaining real-time detection capability, as the pressure measurement system is thermally stable and responds quickly to changes in liquid level.
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 provides a reliable, quick, and precise method for determining liquid levels in sealed containers, suitable for heated materials, without the need for disassembly, offering high precision and convenience.
Implementation Method 1
closing the first valve and opening the second valve, such that the supply of gas diffuses to the container through a second tube attached to the second valve and the container
Implementation Method 2
utilizing Boyle's Law to determine the instantaneous volume of liquid
Data Source
AI summary
A method and detection system for determining volumetric parameters of liquid within a container using the diffusion of a reference amount of gas are described The method includes filling a first tube with gas to a reference pressure, allowing the gas to diffuse to the container, and measuring a first stable pressure of the gas. The container is then filled with an amount of the liquid and the first tube is filled with gas to the reference pressure. The supply of gas diffuses to the container and a second stable pressure of the gas is measured. Then, a portion of the amount of the liquid is discharged from the container and the first tube is filled with gas to the reference pressure. The supply of gas diffuses to the container, an instantaneous pressure of the supply of gas is detected, and an instantaneous volume of the liquid within the container is calculated.