Microwave Probe for Phase Transition Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current sensors, such as conductivity and turbidity sensors, face limitations in detecting phase transitions in industrial processes, especially in the food industry, due to soiling issues, incompatibility with clear liquids, and high costs, and are not suitable for organic solvents, making them inefficient and costly for monitoring media changes and product quality.
Innovation Solution
A non-invasive microwave probe with a housing containing a microwave chip and antenna for transmitting and receiving microwaves, coupled with a data processing unit to detect phase transitions, operates within a frequency range of 100 to 10,000 MHz, and features a hermetically sealed design with a diaphragm to prevent external contamination, allowing for the detection of phase boundaries and homogeneity of media without direct contact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conductivity sensors are used for detecting phase transitions, then detection capability is improved, but cost increases and compatibility with organic solvents is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conductivity-based detection with microwave-based detection. The microwave sensor measures dielectric properties and conductivity non-contactly through the tube wall, eliminating the need for electrical contacts in the process medium. This substitution enables universal applicability across water-based and organic media while maintaining detection precision for phase transitions.
2Measurement precision
If optical sensors are used for detecting phase transitions, then detection capability is improved, but reliability decreases due to window soiling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces the tube wall as an intermediary medium through which microwaves pass. The sensor is positioned outside the tube, and microwaves transmit through the tube wall to interact with the process medium. This intermediary arrangement eliminates direct contact between the sensor and medium, preventing soiling issues while maintaining detection capability through dielectric property measurements.
3Measurement precision
If sensors are installed inside the tube cross-section, then detection capability is improved, but device complexity increases and piggability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the sensor from the internal tube cross-section and positions it externally. The microwave sensor is mounted on the outside of the tube, utilizing the tube wall as a transmission medium. This extraction simplifies the device structure, eliminates the need for internal mounting complexities, and restores piggability by removing obstructions from the tube interior.
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 microwave probe provides a simple, cost-effective, and universally applicable solution for rapid detection of phase changes in various media, including foods, by analyzing dielectric properties and conductivity, while preventing contamination and adhering to hygienic standards, thus optimizing industrial processes.
Implementation Method 1
the housing (5) comprising at least one microwave chip (13) for generating microwaves
Implementation Method 2
by analyzing dielectric properties and conductivity
Data Source
AI summary
The invention discloses a probe for detecting changes of a medium in a container, comprising: a process connection for connecting the probe to the container, wherein the process connection is part of a housing, especially, an integral part of a housing; the housing comprising at least one microwave chip for generating microwaves, which chip is connected to at least one antenna, wherein the antenna transmits and receives the microwaves in the direction of the medium; an interface for connecting the probe to a higher-level unit; and a data processing unit which is designed to receive data, especially, measurement data, from the higher-level unit via the interface and to transmit data to the higher-level unit, to activate the microwave chip, and to process signals that are dependent on the received microwaves.