Optical Flow Sensor for Leakage-Free Pipeline Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional magneto-inductive flow measuring devices require openings in the pipeline for measuring electrodes, leading to potential leakage and wear, and are limited in detecting the smallest magnetic field changes caused by flowing media.
Innovation Solution
A device with a magnetic-field-generating unit and a magnetic-field-sensitive assembly that uses optically excitable materials to detect fluorescence signals correlated with the magnetic fields generated by moving charge carriers, eliminating the need for direct contact with the medium and allowing for non-invasive attachment to existing pipelines.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If measuring electrodes are inserted into the pipeline through openings, then flow measurement can be performed, but leakage points and wear occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the conventional electrical contact-based measurement system with an optical detection system. Instead of using measuring electrodes that physically contact the medium and require openings in the pipeline, the invention uses optically excitable materials that detect magnetic field changes caused by moving charge carriers. This substitution of mechanical/electrical contact with optical detection eliminates the need for pipeline openings, thereby preventing leakage points and wear while maintaining flow measurement capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces optically excitable materials as an intermediary between the magnetic field generated by moving charge carriers and the detection system. These materials convert magnetic field changes into optical signals (fluorescence) that can be detected without physical contact with the medium. This intermediary mechanism allows flow measurement to be performed through the pipeline wall without requiring direct access to the medium, thus preserving pipeline integrity.
2Measurement precision
If conventional magneto-inductive flow measuring devices are used, then flow measurement is possible, but the smallest magnetic field changes cannot be detected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the detection parameter from direct electrical voltage measurement to optical signal detection. By using optically excitable materials that respond to magnetic field changes with fluorescence intensity variations, the system achieves higher sensitivity in detecting small magnetic field changes. The optical detection method provides a different measurement parameter that is more sensitive to subtle magnetic field variations compared to conventional electrical measurement techniques.
3Ease of operation
If measuring electrodes are in direct contact with the medium, then measurement voltage can be tapped, but wear and leakage occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the direct electrical contact measurement method with an indirect optical detection method. Instead of tapping measurement voltage through electrodes in direct contact with the medium, the system uses optically excitable materials that detect magnetic field changes caused by moving charge carriers. This substitution eliminates the need for physical contact between measuring components and the medium, thereby preventing wear and leakage while maintaining the ability to obtain measurement signals.
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 accurate determination of flow-velocity-dependent variables without leakage points and reduced wear, while detecting even small magnetic field changes, thus providing precise flow measurements without interrupting existing processes.
Implementation Method 1
a magnetic-field-generating device for generating a first magnetic field which separates movable charge carriers in the medium
Implementation Method 2
a magnetic-field-sensitive measuring assembly, which is designed to provide a measurement signal, in particular a fluorescence signal, which correlates with a change in and/or a strength of a second magnetic field generated by the movable charge carriers
Implementation Method 3
the magnetic-field-sensitive measuring assembly has an optical excitation unit for optically exciting the magnetic-field-sensitive measuring device, in particular the optically excitable material
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a device for determining a flow-velocity-dependent variable of a medium in a guide body, where the guide body includes a magnetic-field-generating device generating a first magnetic field separating movable charge carriers in the medium, and a magnetic-field-sensitive measuring assembly designed to provide a measurement signal and which correlates with a change in and/or a strength of a second magnetic field generated by the movable charge carriers. The magnetic field-sensitive measuring assembly comprises a magnetic-field-sensitive measuring device that comprises an optically excitable material. The magnetic-field-sensitive measuring assembly has an optical excitation unit for optically exciting the magnetic-field-sensitive measuring device and an optical detection unit for detecting the measurement signal. An evaluation unit is designed to determine the flow-velocity-dependent variable of the medium at least the measurement signal provided by the magnetic-field-sensitive assembly and the conductivity of the medium.