Particle Counting System with Rolling Memory Controller
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current particle counting systems lack reliable and efficient methods for continuous monitoring and data communication of particle counts in air or liquid environments, particularly in industries requiring stringent cleanliness standards like pharmaceutical and semiconductor manufacturing.
Innovation Solution
A particle counting system with an environmental sensor that includes an inlet, outlet, particle detection portion, and a controller capable of determining and communicating particle counts using a rolling memory count technique, allowing for continuous updating and wireless communication of total particle counts to a remote data acquisition system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If particle counts are continuously monitored and stored in memory, then data accuracy and reliability are improved, but device complexity and memory requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the particle counting system into distinct functional modules: particle detection portion, controller with dedicated memory addresses for different count types, and communication layer. This segmentation allows continuous monitoring without overwhelming complexity by organizing functions into manageable, independent units that can operate and be maintained separately.
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-allocates multiple dedicated memory addresses in the controller for storing different particle count types before actual counting begins. This preliminary preparation enables immediate and continuous particle count storage without requiring complex memory management during operation, thereby improving reliability while keeping the system simple.
2Measurement precision
If total particle count is continuously updated using rolling memory count technique, then data accuracy is improved, but loss of time for processing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rolling memory count technique continuously updates the total particle count by seamlessly integrating counts from multiple time intervals without stopping or pausing the counting process. The controller continuously reads from dedicated memory addresses and updates the total count in real-time, ensuring measurement precision is maintained while minimizing processing delays through uninterrupted operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system divides particle counting into discrete time intervals with periodic updates to the total count. Each interval's particle counts are stored in dedicated memory addresses and periodically integrated into the rolling total, providing accurate measurements while allowing structured, manageable processing cycles that minimize time loss.
3Loss of information
If particle count information is communicated to remote data acquisition system, then data accessibility is improved, but loss of information during transmission increases
Solution Approach 1:
The communication layer implements feedback mechanisms to verify successful transmission of particle count data to the remote data acquisition system. The system checks for proper reception and can request retransmission if data is lost or corrupted, ensuring data communication reliability while maintaining ease of operation through automated error correction.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates and transmits copies of particle count data from the controller's dedicated memory addresses to the remote data acquisition system. This copying approach allows the original data to remain intact in the sensor while providing accessible replicas remotely, improving data accessibility without risking loss of the primary data source.
4Ease of operation
If wireless communication is implemented for particle count data, then ease of operation is improved, but use of energy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The wireless communication transmits particle count data at periodic intervals rather than continuously, reducing energy consumption while maintaining ease of operation. The system schedules transmissions based on accumulated count data or time intervals, allowing the portable device to remain functional with limited power while still providing accessible data to users.
Data Source
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AI summary
An environmental sensor including an inlet and an outlet such that a flow of fluid moves from the inlet to the outlet, a particle detection portion to detect particles in the fluid, and a controller connected to the particle detection portion. The environmental sensor can be in communication with a data acquisition system (e.g., via a wireless access point) to form a particle counting system. Also disclosed are methods of operating the environmental sensor and methods of operating the particle detection system.