Non-Invasive Fluid Conduit Detection Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fluid flow sensors require invasive techniques to detect flow and provide limited information, often requiring modifications to fluid conduits and posing risks of leakage, pressure fluctuations, and contamination.
Innovation Solution
Non-invasive detection devices equipped with hoop stress sensors, acoustic sensors, and thermal flow condition sensors that attach to the exterior of pipes to monitor pressure, flow, and pipe conditions without breaching the pipe's interior, using sensors like strain gauges and microphones to detect hoop stress and acoustic signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If invasive fluid flow sensors are used to detect flow, then measurement precision is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to risks of leakage, pressure fluctuations, and contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The detection device is segmented into separate functional components: acoustic sensors mounted on the exterior of the conduit, hoop stress sensors attached to the outer surface, and thermal flow condition sensors positioned externally. This segmentation allows each sensor type to independently monitor specific parameters without requiring invasive installation, thereby maintaining system reliability while achieving comprehensive flow detection capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses acoustic waves and stress field distributions as intermediary mechanisms to transmit flow information from the fluid inside the conduit to external sensors. The acoustic sensors detect sound waves generated by fluid flow through the conduit wall, while hoop stress sensors measure stress variations caused by internal pressure, enabling non-invasive measurement without direct fluid-sensor contact
2Measurement precision
If invasive sensors are installed in fluid conduits, then measurement precision is improved, but object-generated harmful factors increase due to contamination and leakage risks
Solution Approach 1:
The sensing functionality is extracted from the fluid stream and relocated to the exterior of the conduit. Acoustic sensors, hoop stress sensors, and thermal sensors are all positioned outside the conduit, extracting the measurement function from direct fluid contact. This extraction eliminates the source of contamination and leakage problems while preserving the ability to monitor flow conditions through physical field interactions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical flow sensors that require direct fluid contact with field-based sensing mechanisms. Acoustic sensors detect flow through sound wave propagation, hoop stress sensors measure pressure through elastic deformation of the conduit wall, and thermal sensors detect flow through temperature field variations. This substitution eliminates mechanical intrusion into the fluid stream while maintaining measurement capability
3Loss of information
If multiple sensor types are integrated for comprehensive monitoring, then loss of information is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The detection device is designed as a multi-functional integrated unit that simultaneously performs acoustic monitoring, stress measurement, and thermal flow detection. The housing structure accommodates multiple sensor types and electronic components, enabling a single device to provide comprehensive flow condition information including flow rate, temperature, pressure, and anomaly detection, thereby reducing information loss without requiring multiple separate devices
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges acoustic sensors, hoop stress sensors, thermal flow condition sensors, and electronic processing components into a single integrated detection device. The housing combines mechanical mounting structures, electrical connections, and signal processing elements, consolidating multiple measurement functions into one unified system that reduces installation complexity and improves data correlation
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 real-time monitoring of fluid flow and pipe conditions without invasive methods, reducing the risk of contamination and leakage, and providing comprehensive data on flow rates, leaks, and pipe integrity.
Implementation Method 1
a first acoustic sensor indirectly connected to the housing and configured to receive acoustic signals from the housing
Implementation Method 2
Non-invasive detection devices equipped with hoop stress sensors, acoustic sensors, and thermal flow condition sensors that attach to the exterior of pipes to monitor pressure, flow, and pipe conditions
Implementation Method 3
thermal flow condition sensors that attach to the exterior of pipes to monitor pressure, flow, and pipe conditions
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems, and apparatuses are provided for detecting and determining conditions of and conditions within a fluid conduit.