Multi-Waveflow Sensor Arrays for Flow Noise Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current electronic test systems for measuring flow-induced loading on structures are inefficient and costly, particularly in aerodynamic or hydrodynamic environments, as they require extensive wind tunnel testing and struggle to concurrently measure multiple properties of the operating environment effectively.
Innovation Solution
A sensing arrangement with multiple sensor arrays on a flexible substrate, including a lower wavenumber array for global measurements and higher wavenumber sub-arrays for local variations, integrated with random-access memory (RAM) for direct data storage and synchronized data acquisition, allowing for efficient data collection and minimization of electrical noise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple sensor arrays are integrated on a single substrate to concurrently measure multiple flow properties, then measurement efficiency and productivity improve, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple sensor arrays (first sensor array for low wavenumber measurements, second sensor array for high wavenumber measurements) are integrated on a single substrate, allowing concurrent measurement of multiple flow properties. This merging approach enables simultaneous data collection for different measurement objectives, significantly improving measurement efficiency and productivity while reducing the need for multiple separate testing setups.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor arrays are segmented into specialized sub-arrays with different spatial distributions optimized for specific measurement types. The first sensor array uses a distribution pattern optimized for low wavenumber (global) measurements, while the second sensor array uses a different distribution pattern for high wavenumber (local) measurements. This segmentation allows each sub-array to excel at its specific measurement function while working together on a unified platform.
2Measurement precision
If sensor arrays with different spatial distributions are used to measure different wavenumber components, then measurement precision improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the substrate are equipped with sensor arrays having locally optimized spatial distributions. The first sensor array employs a spatial distribution pattern specifically optimized for capturing low wavenumber (global) flow characteristics, while the second sensor array uses a different spatial distribution pattern optimized for high wavenumber (local) flow characteristics. This local quality approach ensures that each sensor array is precisely tuned to its measurement objective, maximizing measurement precision for different flow scales.
3Speed
If direct RAM storage is implemented for sensor data, then data acquisition speed improves and latency is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Random Access Memory (RAM) is introduced as an intermediary storage component between the sensor arrays and the external data processing system. The RAM provides high-speed temporary storage for sensor data, enabling rapid data acquisition and reducing latency. This intermediary buffer allows the sensor arrays to operate at their full sampling rates without being bottlenecked by external data transfer speeds, while the added complexity of RAM integration is offset by the significant performance gains in data acquisition speed.
Data Source
AI summary
Sensor devices, systems, and methods for measuring different components of a flow are provided. A sensing arrangement includes a substrate and first and second sensor arrays on the substrate. The first sensor array sensing elements are distributed to obtain measurement data indicative of a first property of an operating environment, such as a turbulent component of a fluid flow. The second sensor array sensing elements are interspersed amongst the first sensor array and distributed to obtain measurement data indicative of a second property of the operating environment, such as an acoustic component of the fluid flow.