Optical Bubble Sensor for Real-Time Gas Supply Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional carbon dioxide supply devices for aquariums lack real-time monitoring and control mechanisms, making it difficult for users to adjust gas supply amounts in response to changing internal or external conditions, leading to potential malfunctions.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus using an optical sensor to detect bubbles flowing through a tube, coupled with a controller and pressure controlling unit, which adjusts the tube's internal pressure to maintain a target gas supply amount by varying the number of bubbles, ensuring accurate and continuous gas flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional valve-based gas supply devices are used, then the device structure is simple, but real-time monitoring and control of gas supply amount is not possible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control system where an optical sensor detects the actual gas supply amount by measuring light transmission through bubbles in the tube, the controller compares this with the target supply amount, and the motor-driven needle valve automatically adjusts the supply to eliminate any deviation. This closed-loop feedback mechanism enables real-time monitoring and control while maintaining reasonable device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the conventional purely mechanical valve adjustment system with an automated control system that uses optical sensing (light emitting diode and photodetector) to detect bubble flow and a motor to drive the needle valve. This substitution of mechanical manual control with automated sensor-motor control enables real-time monitoring and precise control of gas supply amount.
2Adaptability or versatility
If manual valve adjustment is used, then the device is easy to operate, but cannot respond to changing internal or external conditions in real time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-regulating system where the optical sensor continuously monitors the gas supply state, the controller automatically processes the detected information, and the motor-driven needle valve self-adjusts the supply amount without requiring manual intervention. The system serves itself by automatically detecting deviations from target supply and correcting them, enabling real-time adaptation to changing conditions while reducing operational complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The continuous feedback loop between the optical sensor detecting actual supply, the controller comparing with target supply, and the motor adjusting the needle valve enables the system to automatically adapt to changing internal (aquarium conditions) and external (temperature, pressure) conditions in real time, improving adaptability while automating operation.
3Manufacturing precision
If no real-time monitoring is implemented, then the device complexity is low, but gas supply accuracy cannot be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs an optical sensing system using a light emitting diode and photodetector to detect bubble flow characteristics, replacing mechanical flow measurement methods. This optical detection method provides precise real-time measurement of gas supply amount, enabling accurate control while the motor-driven needle valve provides fine adjustment capability to maintain target supply accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical sensor continuously monitors the actual gas supply by detecting light transmission through bubbles, the controller compares this feedback with the target supply amount, and the motor-driven needle valve automatically adjusts to eliminate deviations. This feedback mechanism ensures continuous maintenance of gas supply accuracy despite variations in operating conditions.
4Stability of the object's composition
If automated pressure control is implemented, then gas supply stability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control system where the optical sensor detects actual gas supply stability, the controller processes this information, and the motor-driven needle valve automatically adjusts pressure to maintain stable target supply. This closed-loop feedback ensures gas supply stability by continuously correcting deviations caused by internal or external condition changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The motor-driven needle valve serves multiple functions: it acts as a pressure control mechanism to stabilize gas supply, functions as an actuator for the feedback control system, and provides fine adjustment capability for precise supply control. This multi-functionality improves gas supply stability while minimizing the increase in device complexity by using a single integrated component.
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 and adjustment of gas supply, preventing malfunctions and maintaining the initial set amount of gas supply by accurately sensing and controlling the flow of carbon dioxide in aquariums.
Implementation Method 1
a sensing unit engaged to the external surface of the tube to sense the number of bubbles of the target gas, which sequentially moves for a predetermined period of setting time in the inner space of the tube, in real time by applying an optical sensor based on signal information of a light emitting diode and a transistor
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to an apparatus for sensing and controlling an amount of gas supply and a method for sensing and controlling an amount of gas supply thereby, which can sense a supply amount of the corresponding gas from an optical sensor in real time on the basis of the number of bubbles generated by any set time difference at the time when a target gas flows in a tube in order to differentiate the supply amount more accurately and whether or not the gas supply state is bad, and which can control pressure of the tube in real time by a series of automated devices in order to precisely realize the target supply amount according to gas supply information obtained from the optical sensor, thereby positively preventing malfunction and continuously maintaining the initial set amount of gas supply.