Optical Fiber Liquid Level Sensing for Ignition-Safe Containers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid level sensing methods for containers, such as fuel tanks, often introduce safety hazards due to the use of electrical devices and require complex design and maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a container with a liquid level sensor using optical fibers and a control unit that determines the liquid level and status of the sensing elements based on optical signals, allowing for safe and efficient operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If electrical devices such as capacitors, resistors, or ultrasonic transducers are used for sensing liquid level, then liquid level can be measured, but safety hazards are introduced due to potential ignition sources in hazardous liquid environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces electrical sensing devices with optical sensing elements (optical fibers) that transmit light signals through the liquid to detect level. This substitution eliminates electrical components that could create ignition sparks in hazardous environments, while maintaining measurement capability through optical reflection principles
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces optical fibers as intermediary elements that transmit measurement information without direct electrical contact with the hazardous liquid environment. The optical fibers act as a safe mediator between the measurement field and the external control system, eliminating ignition risks while preserving sensing functionality
2Measurement precision
If electrical sensing devices are used for liquid level sensing, then measurement can be performed, but design and maintenance complexity increases due to safety management requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex electrical sensing systems with simpler optical fiber-based sensing elements. The optical fibers require no electrical power, have no moving parts, and eliminate the need for complex safety management protocols, thereby reducing overall system design and maintenance complexity while maintaining measurement precision
3Measurement precision
If multiple sensing elements are used to improve measurement accuracy, then measurement precision increases, but device complexity and maintenance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the sensing function into multiple discrete optical sensing elements positioned at different heights within the container. Each element independently detects liquid presence at its specific location, and the control system integrates these discrete measurements to determine overall liquid level, thereby achieving high precision measurement while maintaining simple individual component design
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs the optical sensing elements to be identical and interchangeable, with each element serving the same sensing function. This universal design allows multiple elements to be used for enhanced measurement accuracy without proportionally increasing system complexity, as all elements follow the same simple optical principle and can be easily replaced or calibrated
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
The system effectively and safely senses the liquid level within containers, reducing safety risks and maintenance complexities while providing accurate and reliable measurements.
Implementation Method 1
The sensing elements are optical fibers
Implementation Method 2
The control unit is configured to determine the status based on reflectivity of the signals received from the sensing elements
Data Source
AI summary
A system and a method include a container configured to retain one or more liquids. A liquid level sensor is disposed within the container. The liquid level sensor includes sensing elements configured to sense a level of the one or more liquids within the container. A control unit is in communication with the liquid level sensor. The control unit is configured to determine a status of each of the sensing elements based on signals received from the sensing elements.