Multi-Range Pressure Sensor for Cost Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Pressure-dependent processes require multiple pressure switches for monitoring, leading to high hardware and installation costs.
Innovation Solution
A method and pressure sensor that measure and process pressure over time, generating a monitoring signal with defined statuses for pressure ranges, allowing for reduced hardware and installation costs by eliminating the need for individual pressure switches.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple pressure switches are used to monitor different pressure levels, then pressure monitoring coverage is improved, but hardware costs and installation complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
A single pressure sensor is designed to perform multiple monitoring functions by evaluating pressure values against multiple stored pressure ranges (first, second, and third pressure ranges). The sensor can identify different pressure conditions (first pressure condition, second pressure condition, third pressure condition) using one device, replacing the need for multiple dedicated pressure switches for different pressure levels.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressure sensor compares the measured pressure value against multiple stored pressure ranges with different lower and upper limits. By changing the parameter thresholds (pressure range limits) stored in memory, the same hardware can monitor different pressure conditions and generate different output signals, enabling multi-level monitoring without additional hardware.
2Measurement precision
If multiple pressure switches are installed for different pressure levels, then monitoring accuracy is improved, but installation time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
One pressure sensor unit is configured to detect multiple pressure levels by storing multiple pressure ranges in its memory. The single device can identify whether pressure falls within a first pressure range, second pressure range, or third pressure range, providing accurate multi-level detection without requiring installation of multiple separate switches.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the functions of multiple pressure switches into a single integrated pressure sensor. The sensor includes a pressure sensing element, a signal processing unit, and memory storage, all merged into one device that can evaluate pressure against multiple thresholds and generate appropriate output signals, thereby reducing installation time and complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Method for pressure monitoring a pressure-dependent process comprising the following steps: Measuring over time a pressure of the pressure-dependent process. Processing the measured pressure by determining if the measured pressure (10, 20) or a filtered pressure obtained from the measured pressure is inside or outside defined pressure ranges (11, 12, 13, 14), each pressure range being defined by a respective lower limit (A, C, E, G) and by a respective upper limit (B, D, F, H). Generating a pressure monitoring signal in such a way that the pressure monitoring signal has a first value or first status if the measured pressure or the filtered pressure is inside a respective pressure range (11, 12, 13, 14), that the pressure monitoring signal has a second value or second status if the measured pressure or the filtered pressure is outside a respective pressure range (11, 12, 13, 14) violating a safety relevant limit (A), and that the pressure monitoring signal has a third value or third status if the measured pressure or the filtered pressure is outside a respective pressure range violating a nonsafety relevant limit (B, C, D, E, F, G, H).