Movable Sensor Enclosure for Gas Analyte Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current protective enclosures for gas sensors are often fixed and require optimal orientation to achieve optimal response time and water rejection, which can be compromised by deviations in orientation and are hindered by large internal volumes affecting response time and water rejection.
Innovation Solution
A protective enclosure formed in multiple movable sections, allowing for adjustable placement and orientation around the sensor, with an indirect pathway to minimize internal volume and reduce sensitivity to orientation, featuring hinged connections and barrier members to restrict contaminants while allowing gas entry.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a protective enclosure is designed with a fixed structure and optimal orientation to achieve water rejection, then water rejection is improved, but response time deteriorates due to large internal volumes
Solution Approach 1:
The protective enclosure transitions from a fixed structure to a dynamic deployable structure that can change its configuration between operational and transport states. During operation, the enclosure deploys to provide water rejection while minimizing internal volume for fast response. During transport, it retracts to a compact form, eliminating the trade-off between protection and response time.
Solution Approach 2:
The enclosure is divided into multiple deployable sections or panels that can be selectively positioned. This segmentation allows the structure to provide water rejection only where needed while minimizing the overall internal volume that would otherwise slow sensor response time.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a protective enclosure is designed with optimal orientation for water rejection, then water rejection is improved, but device complexity increases due to built-in orientation constraints
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of building complex fixed orientation constraints into the sensor housing, the solution uses a dynamic deployable enclosure that achieves water rejection through its deployed configuration rather than through complex built-in constraints. This reduces device complexity while maintaining effective water rejection.
Solution Approach 2:
The deployable enclosure structure serves multiple functions: it provides water rejection, defines the analytical volume, and can be deployed or retracted as needed. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate orientation constraint mechanisms, reducing overall device complexity.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a protective enclosure uses a fixed structure to maintain optimal orientation, then water rejection is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to manual orientation requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The deployable enclosure automatically achieves its water-rejection configuration when deployed, eliminating the need for manual orientation adjustments. The structure self-configures to provide optimal protection while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The enclosure structure itself provides the orientation function through its deployable design. When deployed, the panels automatically position themselves to create the water-rejection barrier, eliminating the need for external manual orientation constraints or adjustments by the user.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If a protective enclosure is designed with large internal volume to encompass the sensor, then protection is improved, but response time deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The protective enclosure dynamically adjusts its internal volume based on operational needs. When deployed, it provides sufficient protection while minimizing the internal volume to ensure fast sensor response. The ability to retract or collapse the enclosure further reduces internal volume during non-operational phases, resolving the contradiction between protection and response time.
Solution Approach 2:
The enclosure is segmented into multiple panels or sections that can be positioned to provide protection only where required. This segmentation allows the structure to maintain adequate protection while minimizing the overall internal volume that would otherwise slow down sensor response time.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method of protecting a sensor (300) for use in an environment in¬ cludes: providing a protective enclosure formed in a plurality of sec¬ tions (110a, 110b), at least a first section (110a) of the plurality of sections being movable relative to a second section (110b) of the plurality of sections so that the protective enclosure can be placed around at least a portion of the sensor (300); placing the first section (110a) adjacent the sensor (300) while the first section (110a) and the second section (110b) are in an open state; and moving the second section (110b) to place the first section (110a) and the second sec¬ tion (110b) in a closed state in which the first section (110a) and the second section (110b) encompass the at least a portion of the sensor (300).