Liquid Leakage Detection via Color-Changing Agents
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid leakage detection methods face challenges in selectively detecting oil or water leaks from hydraulic machines or pipes, as external contaminants can cause false positives and make it difficult to accurately determine the source of leakage.
Innovation Solution
A liquid leakage detection system that uses color-changing agents to visually distinguish leaked liquids, combined with image analysis and correction factors for distance and importance, allowing for accurate unmanned monitoring and early warning of leaks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a black powdery layer on a fabric tape is used to detect liquid leakage, then the detection method is simple, but false positives occur due to capillary action from water drops or other contaminants
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies color-changing agents that specifically react with oil to produce a distinct color change, allowing the detection system to distinguish between oil leakage and other liquids like water. This resolves the false positive problem by making the detection response specific to the target substance rather than reacting to any liquid contact.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the detection parameter from simple presence/absence of any liquid to specific colorimetric response to oil. By using oil-specific reagents that produce measurable color changes only in the presence of oil, the system maintains simplicity while improving reliability through selective chemical response.
2Measurement precision
If color changing agents are used to detect liquid leakage, then detection accuracy improves, but the system complexity increases due to additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces color-changing agents as intermediary substances that mediate between the oil leakage and the detection system. These agents chemically interact with the oil to produce visual signals that can be captured by standard imaging devices, thereby improving detection accuracy without requiring complex specialized sensors.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces complex mechanical or electronic detection systems with a chemical-based colorimetric detection method. By using oil-specific reagents that produce visible color changes, the system achieves high measurement precision using simple imaging equipment rather than sophisticated mechanical sensors.
3Productivity
If the pixel count is used directly for leakage detection, then the processing is simple, but detection accuracy is affected by distance from the image-capturing device
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the detection system continuously monitors the pixel count of color changes and compares it against threshold values. This feedback loop allows for real-time detection decisions while maintaining simple processing, as the system only needs to count pixels and compare against predetermined thresholds rather than performing complex analysis.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention addresses the distance effect by introducing correction factors or calibration parameters that adjust the pixel count based on the distance from the image-capturing device. This allows the system to maintain simple processing while improving measurement precision by compensating for geometric effects through parameter adjustments.
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 system enables precise detection of liquid leaks, reduces false alarms, and allows for real-time monitoring, improving accuracy and enabling prompt action with automatic warnings.
Implementation Method 1
A leakage liquid that is leaking or that has leaked from the device changes its color to a particular color by making contact with a variety of color changing agents
Data Source
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AI summary
A liquid leakage detection system for detecting liquid leakage from a device includes: an image-capturing device for capturing an image of a leakage liquid from the device; and a controller for detecting occurrence of the liquid leakage by using image data obtained by the image-capturing device. The controller is configured to: determine whether, in the image data, a pixel count corresponding to a color of the leakage liquid discolored by contact with a color changing agent outside the device is not smaller than a threshold; and determine that the liquid leakage is occurring if the pixel count is not smaller than the threshold.