Humidity Detection on Metal Strip via Impinging Air Flow
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Humidity on metallic strips, whether bare or coated, poses a challenge as it can lead to degradation of the coating or reduction in the properties of the metal, often resulting in downgraded products during processing and transportation, necessitating an effective method for humidity detection to ensure product quality.
Innovation Solution
A method involving an impinging air flow that is blown onto the metal strip surface, with the humidity content of the air flow being measured before and after deflection, allowing for the detection of humidity presence by comparing the two, utilizing an equipment with a double-walled hollow body and air guiding means to create a continuous gas curtain and direct deflected air to a humidity measuring device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional humidity detection methods are used, then the detection process is simple, but the detection precision and reliability are insufficient to accurately detect humidity on metal strip surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces air flow as an intermediary medium to indirectly detect humidity on the metal strip surface. Instead of directly measuring humidity on the surface, the air flow carries humidity information from the surface to the detection device, enabling precise detection while maintaining reasonable device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces direct contact mechanical or electrical humidity sensors with a non-contact optical detection system. The humidity measurement means uses optical absorption principles to detect humidity in the air flow, eliminating the need for complex mechanical sensor systems that would require direct surface contact
2Measurement precision
If air flow parameters are increased to enhance humidity absorption, then the detection sensitivity improves, but the energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes air flow parameters (velocity, temperature, humidity content) to achieve the minimum effective values needed for accurate detection. By carefully controlling these parameters, the system maintains high detection sensitivity while minimizing energy consumption. The air flow velocity is specifically optimized to be sufficient for carrying humidity information but not excessively high to waste energy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements continuous air flow through the detection system, ensuring that humidity information is constantly carried from the metal strip surface to the measurement device. This continuous action maintains detection sensitivity without requiring periodic high-energy pulses, thereby reducing overall energy consumption while preserving detection capability
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 method enables qualitative detection of humidity on metal strips, ensuring product quality by preventing degradation and allowing for controlled process steps like strip drying, with optimal air flow parameters like speed and temperature enhancing humidity absorption efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
blowing on said surface an impinging air flow producing an air flow deflected by said surface... said impinging air flow not being saturated... the impinging air flow reaching the metal strip surface picks up at least a portion of the humidity presents on said surface
Implementation Method 2
the humidity pick up depends on numerous factors... smaller is the humidity content of the impinging air, better air can absorb humidity
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The present invention relates to a method for detecting the presence of humidity on a surface of a flat strip, in particular a bare metal strip or of a coated metal strip comprising the following steps: - blowing on said surface an impinging air flow producing an air flow deflected by said surface, said impinging air flow not being saturated, - measuring a humidity content of at least a portion of said deflected air flow, - comparing the humidity content of said impinging air flow and said deflected air flow. - if said humidity content of said deflected air flow is superior to said humidity content of said impinging air flow, the presence of humidity on said surface of said bare metal strip or of said coated metal strip is detected.