Piezoelectric Oscillator Pressure Gauge for High-Pressure Gas Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional pressure gauges are vulnerable to high pressures and environmental factors, leading to damage or failure when exposed to excessive pressure, particularly in high-pressure gas systems, and require replacement, posing risks with flammable or combustible gases.
Innovation Solution
A piezoelectric oscillator-based pressure gauge that is solid-state, resistant to high pressures and environmental factors, with a quartz crystal oscillator immersed in the gas, allowing it to operate accurately and safely under high-pressure conditions without a pressure gradient, and integrated with a temperature sensor and drive circuit for precise pressure measurement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional pressure gauges (elastic diaphragm or Bourdon gauge) are used to measure pressure, then the device complexity is relatively simple and manufacturing cost is low, but the reliability deteriorates when exposed to high pressures (200 bar or higher) causing damage or failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional mechanical pressure sensing elements (elastic diaphragms, Bourdon tubes) with a piezoelectric oscillator that converts pressure directly into frequency signals. This substitution of mechanical systems with piezoelectric sensing eliminates the mechanical components that are vulnerable to high pressure damage, thereby improving reliability in high-pressure environments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operating parameter range of the pressure gauge by designing the piezoelectric oscillator to operate stably across a wide pressure range (0-5 bar to over 200 bar). The oscillator's resonant frequency changes with pressure, and this parameter change is measured to determine pressure, allowing the device to function reliably across previously incompatible pressure ranges.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional pressure gauges are designed for low pressure operation (0-5 bar), then the manufacturing cost is low and ease of manufacture is high, but the adaptability deteriorates when exposed to significantly greater pressures requiring replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal pressure gauge design using a piezoelectric oscillator that can measure pressure across multiple ranges (from 0-5 bar to over 200 bar) with a single device. The same basic oscillator circuit and sensing element adapt to different pressure ranges, eliminating the need for multiple specialized gauges and simplifying manufacturing while expanding adaptability.
3Reliability
If conventional pressure gauges with mechanical structures are used, then the device complexity is relatively low, but the reliability deteriorates due to vulnerable delicate components that may fail dangerously with flammable or combustible gases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces vulnerable mechanical components (diaphragms, tubes, linkages) with a piezoelectric oscillator that has no moving parts. This eliminates mechanical failure modes that could lead to dangerous leaks with flammable gases, improving safety reliability while reducing mechanical structure complexity.
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 solution provides an over-pressure proof and accurate pressure measurement system that is resistant to sudden pressure changes and environmental factors, ensuring reliable operation and safety in high-pressure gas systems, while protecting sensitive components from damage.
Implementation Method 1
a piezoelectric device such as a quartz crystal... Quartz crystals demonstrate piezoelectric behaviour, i.e. the application of voltage to them results in slight squeezing or stretching of the solid, and vice versa.
Implementation Method 2
the resonant frequency of an enclosed, reference tuning fork crystal oscillator with the resonant frequency of a detector tuning fork crystal oscillator exposed to the surrounding gas
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a pressure gauge for measuring the pressure of a gas. The pressure gauge comprises a housing connectable to the gas source and comprising an interior which is, in use, in communication with said gas. The pressure gauge further comprising a sensor assembly located within said housing and including a piezoelectric oscillator which, in use, is located in contact with said gas, said sensor assembly being arranged to measure the oscillation frequency of said piezoelectric oscillator in said gas and configured to determine, from the frequency measurement and the known temperature and known molecular weight of the gas, the pressure of the gas. By providing such an arrangement, an over-pressure proof yet accurate pressure gauge can be provided. This is in contrast to conventional gauges which are damaged permanently by overpressure situations.