Integrated Probe Housing for Multi-Analyte Process Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing measurement technologies face challenges in accurately and efficiently determining multiple analytes in process media due to interference from temperature fluctuations and the need for multiple sensors, which can be space-intensive and prone to errors, especially in pharmaceutical and biotechnological processes where space is limited.
Innovation Solution
A compact measuring apparatus integrating a radiation source, optics, and additional physical or chemical sensors within a probe housing, allowing for simultaneous measurement of multiple analytes through radiation interaction and data processing by an electronic unit, providing direct analysis values and reducing the need for separate sensors and complex data consolidation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate sensors are used to detect multiple measurands, then measurement coverage is improved, but device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple measurement functions (optical spectrometric measurement and additional physical/chemical sensing) into a single integrated probe housing. The probe housing contains both the measurement window for optical radiation and additional sensors, allowing multiple measurands to be detected through one unified device rather than multiple separate sensors, thereby reducing complexity and space requirements while maintaining comprehensive measurement coverage
Solution Approach 2:
The probe housing is designed as a universal platform that can accommodate both optical measurement components and additional physical or chemical sensors. This multi-functional design allows the same probe to perform multiple measurement tasks simultaneously, eliminating the need for separate specialized sensors for each type of measurement and reducing the overall number of connections required to the process system
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate sensors are used to detect multiple measurands, then measurement coverage is improved, but installation space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple measurement functions (optical spectrometric measurement and additional physical/chemical sensing) into a single integrated probe housing. The probe housing contains both the measurement window for optical radiation and additional sensors, allowing multiple measurands to be detected through one unified device rather than multiple separate sensors, thereby reducing complexity and space requirements while maintaining comprehensive measurement coverage
Solution Approach 2:
The additional sensors are integrated within the probe housing structure, effectively nesting multiple sensing functions within a compact enclosure. This nested arrangement allows the optical measurement path and additional sensor elements to coexist in a confined space, maximizing measurement capability while minimizing the installation footprint in the process system
3Ease of operation
If sensors are arranged remotely from each other for lack of space, then installation is simplified, but measurement accuracy decreases due to medium inhomogeneity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple measurement functions (optical spectrometric measurement and additional physical/chemical sensing) into a single integrated probe housing. The probe housing contains both the measurement window for optical radiation and additional sensors, allowing multiple measurands to be detected through one unified device rather than multiple separate sensors, thereby reducing complexity and space requirements while maintaining comprehensive measurement coverage
Solution Approach 2:
The integration of multiple sensors within the same probe housing ensures that all sensing elements are located at the same local position in the process medium. This local co-location guarantees that all sensors experience identical local conditions (temperature, pressure, composition, flow characteristics), thereby ensuring measurement consistency and eliminating errors that would arise from spatial separation in inhomogeneous media
4Reliability
If samples are taken for laboratory analysis in addition to in-line measurements, then comprehensive quality control is achieved, but time consumption and error risk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple measurement functions (optical spectrometric measurement and additional physical/chemical sensing) into a single integrated probe housing. The probe housing contains both the measurement window for optical radiation and additional sensors, allowing multiple measurands to be detected through one unified device rather than multiple separate sensors, thereby reducing complexity and space requirements while maintaining comprehensive measurement coverage
Solution Approach 2:
The probe housing is designed as a universal platform that can accommodate both optical measurement components and additional physical or chemical sensors. This multi-functional design allows the same probe to perform multiple measurement tasks simultaneously, eliminating the need for separate specialized sensors for each type of measurement and reducing the overall number of connections required to the process system
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
Enables simplified and reliable determination of analytes, improving process control and quality assessment by providing immediate meaningful analysis values, reducing errors, and optimizing resource usage in space-constrained environments.
Implementation Method 1
a radiation source (7), and coupling and decoupling optics (3). The optics have a measurement window (4) in the probe housing (2) to direct radiation of the radiation source (7) into a measuring region outside the probe housing (2) and including the measuring medium, and to block measuring radiation from the measuring region. Via the optics, a receiving device (12) detects measuring radiation
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a measuring apparatus for analyzing a measuring medium. The measuring apparatus includes a probe housing, a radiation source, and coupling and decoupling optics. The optics have a measurement window in the probe housing to direct radiation of the radiation source into a measuring region outside the probe housing and including the measuring medium, and to block measuring radiation from the measuring region. Via the optics, a receiving device detects measuring radiation and generates output data. An additional physical or chemical sensor is integrated into the probe housing and is designed to detect a measurand of the measuring medium and output measurement signals. An electronic measurement unit is configured to collect and process the output data of the receiving device and the measurement signals of the additional physical or chemical sensor.