Partial Pressure Gas Sensor with Intermediate Pressure Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Accurate measurement of partial pressures of gases in high-pressure breathing gas mixtures is challenging due to the need for sensors to operate under elevated pressures, leading to reduced accuracy and sensitivity, especially at deep diving depths where gas proportions are very small.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a gas analysis sensor coupled to a pressure vessel, where a portion of the gas mixture is reduced to a pressure below the vessel pressure but above atmospheric pressure for analysis, allowing for improved sensitivity and accuracy by maintaining some pressure above atmospheric at the sensor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If sensors operate under elevated pressures to measure partial pressures in high-pressure gas mixtures, then measurement capability is achieved, but accuracy and sensitivity are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The measurement system is divided into two functional segments: a pressure reduction stage that lowers the high-pressure gas mixture to a lower pressure level, and a sensor stage that operates at this reduced pressure. This segmentation allows the sensor to operate in a favorable pressure environment while still measuring the partial pressures of gases in the original high-pressure mixture, thereby resolving the contradiction between achieving measurement capability under pressure and maintaining accuracy.
2Ease of operation
If gas mixture is reduced to atmospheric pressure for sensor analysis, then sensor operation is enabled, but sensitivity and accuracy are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of reducing the gas mixture pressure to atmospheric level, the system changes the pressure parameter to an intermediate level that is below the vessel pressure but above atmospheric pressure. This optimized pressure parameter enables sensor operation while maintaining enhanced sensitivity and accuracy compared to atmospheric pressure operation, effectively resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and measurement precision.
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 enhances the accuracy and sensitivity of partial pressure measurement, enabling precise control of gas proportions in breathing mixtures, even at high pressures, thereby ensuring diver safety and efficient decompression processes.
Implementation Method 1
reducing the pressure of the portion of the mixture which is to be analysed by the sensor to a level which is below the pressure in the vessel but above local atmospheric pressure
Data Source
AI summary
There is disclosed a method and system for determining the partial pressure of at least one gas in a mixture of gasses contained in a pressure vessel, in particular a pressure vessel in the form of a life support pressure chamber/decompression chamber, or a diving gas storage cylinder. The method comprises the steps of: coupling a gas analysis sensor (14) to a pressure vessel (10); directing a portion of the mixture of gasses in the pressure vessel to the sensor for analysis; reducing the pressure of the portion of the mixture which is to be analysed by the sensor to a level which is below the pressure in the vessel but above local atmospheric pressure; operating the sensor to measure the partial pressure of the at least one gas at the reduced pressure level; and using the partial pressure of the at least one gas, measured at the reduced pressure level, to determine the actual partial pressure of said gas in the mixture contained in the vessel.