Viscous Gel Electronic Pressure Sensor for Fluid Media
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional oil-filled pressure sensors are expensive to manufacture and prone to damage from flowing fluid media, with prior alternatives being neither practical nor economical, and lacking the ability to simultaneously monitor fluid media temperature and pressure effectively.
Innovation Solution
An electronic pressure sensor design featuring a housing with a viscous gel that separates the pressure and temperature sensors from the fluid media, using an injection molded polymer housing and a passageway to prevent direct contact and erosion, while allowing accurate pressure and temperature measurement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a metallic diaphragm with oil filling is used to shield electronic components from fluid media, then the sensor can measure pressure accurately, but the manufacturing cost increases and the device becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the metallic diaphragm and oil filling from the traditional pressure sensor design. Instead, it uses a simple polymer housing with an opening that allows the viscous gel to directly contact the fluid media, eliminating complex manufacturing steps while maintaining component protection through the gel barrier
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces expensive metallic components with a cost-effective polymer housing and viscous gel combination. The polymer housing serves as a disposable or long-life protective structure that is much cheaper to manufacture than traditional stainless steel constructions
2Reliability
If traditional oil-filled sensors are used, then pressure measurement is possible, but the sensors are damaged by flowing fluid media erosion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a viscous gel as an intermediary substance between the fluid media and the electronic components. This gel acts as a protective barrier that transmits pressure while resisting erosion from flowing fluid media, preventing direct contact and damage to sensitive components
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state and properties of the pressure transmission medium from liquid oil to a viscous gel state. This parameter change increases the medium's resistance to erosion while maintaining its pressure transmission capability, allowing the sensor to withstand flowing fluid media
3Ease of manufacture
If prior art alternatives to oil-filled sensors are used, then manufacturing cost may be reduced, but they are neither practical nor economical for high-volume applications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal pressure sensor design using injection-molded polymer housing and viscous gel that can be applied across multiple applications and industries. This multi-functional approach makes the sensor suitable for high-volume production in various settings including potable water systems, replacing the need for application-specific custom designs
4Measurement precision
If prior art sensors are used, then pressure measurement is possible, but they cannot monitor true fluid media temperature and pressure simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges pressure and temperature sensing capabilities into a single integrated sensor unit. Both sensors are housed together with the viscous gel, allowing simultaneous measurement of both parameters in the same fluid media environment, providing comprehensive monitoring in one device
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 design results in a cost-effective, durable, and environmentally friendly pressure sensor capable of measuring fluids, including liquids and gases, with improved longevity and accuracy in high-volume applications, suitable for use in potable water systems.
Implementation Method 1
a viscous gel disposed within the chamber, the viscous gel separating on a first side both the pressure sensor and the first temperature sensor apart from the passageway on a second side of the viscous gel
Implementation Method 2
the prior art doesn't safeguard against erosion of the pressure transmitting gel against water flow
Implementation Method 3
A pressure sensor disposed within the chamber
Implementation Method 4
a first temperature sensor disposed within the chamber
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic pressure sensor includes a housing having a distal end configured to be exposed to a flow of a fluid media, the distal end opposite a proximal end, wherein the proximal end is configured not to be exposed to the fluid media. A chamber and connected passageway are disposed within the housing. The passageway is connected at one end to the chamber and connected at another end to an opening disposed at the distal end of the housing. The opening is configured to be in fluidic communication with the fluid media. A pressure sensor is disposed within the chamber. A first temperature sensor is disposed within the chamber. A viscous gel is disposed within the chamber, the viscous gel separating on a first side both the pressure sensor and the first temperature sensor apart from the passageway on a second side of the viscous gel.