Microwave Detection of Gas Bubbles via Ultrasonic Modulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems fail to distinguish between foreign bodies and gas bubbles in a medium, particularly when they are similar in size, leading to potential false-positive detections.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the emission of microwave signals, introduction of mechanical vibrations through ultrasound waves, and analysis of microwave signal modulation to differentiate between foreign bodies and gas bubbles based on their response to vibrations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If microwave signals are used to detect objects in the medium, then the presence of foreign bodies or gas bubbles can be detected, but it is impossible to distinguish between foreign bodies and gas bubbles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies mechanical vibration by introducing ultrasonic waves into the medium to excite gas bubbles to vibrate. The vibrating gas bubbles modulate the microwave signals, creating a characteristic modulation pattern that distinguishes them from foreign bodies. Solid foreign bodies do not respond to the mechanical vibrations in the same way, allowing clear differentiation between the two types of objects based on their vibrational response.
2Reliability
If both microwaves and ultrasound waves are emitted into the medium, then the system can detect changes in the medium, but it cannot determine whether the change is caused by a foreign body or a gas bubble
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses mechanical vibration (ultrasound) to selectively excite gas bubbles, which then modulate the microwave signals. This creates a distinctive signature for gas bubbles that foreign bodies cannot replicate, enabling reliable identification of object type.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the microwave signal as an intermediary to detect the mechanical vibrations of gas bubbles. The modulation of microwave signals by vibrating gas bubbles serves as the mediating mechanism that translates the mechanical response into a detectable electrical signal, allowing indirect observation of the gas bubble's vibrational behavior.
3Measurement precision
If gas bubbles are detected using microwave signals, then their presence is identified, but they are falsely identified as foreign bodies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates false positives by introducing mechanical vibrations that selectively excite gas bubbles. The vibrating gas bubbles modulate the microwave signals, providing a positive identification feature that distinguishes them from foreign bodies. This resolves the false-positive problem by adding a discriminative characteristic that only gas bubbles exhibit.
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 reliable differentiation between gas bubbles and foreign bodies, reducing false-positive detections by modulating microwave signals with vibrating gas bubbles while foreign bodies remain essentially unresponsive.
Implementation Method 1
a gas bubble present in the medium is excited to vibrate by means of the mechanical vibrations and a modulation of the microwave signals or the quantity derived therefrom is generated by the vibrating gas bubble
Implementation Method 2
introducing mechanical vibrations into the medium; a gas bubble present in the medium is excited to vibrate by means of the mechanical vibrations
Data Source
Figure 1~2c
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for distinguishing between the presence of a foreign body (22) or a gas bubble (21) in a flowable medium (1) in a pipeline (7) or a container. Received microwave signals (MWE) are evaluated, wherein mechanical vibrations are introduced into the medium, by means of which vibrations a gas bubble (21) present in the medium is set into vibration. A gas bubble (21) is detected only in the event that, when mechanical vibrations are introduced, the received microwave signals (MWE) or the value derived therefrom is/are modulated; otherwise, a foreign body (22) is detected. The invention also relates to a system which is suitable for carrying out the method according to the invention.