Piezoelectric Diaphragm Pressure Resonator for Remote Sensing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing passive pressure and acoustic sensors lack effective means for remote interrogation in hazardous or inaccessible environments, limiting their application in covert surveillance and measurement of phenomena where direct physical access is not possible.

Innovation Solution

A pressure-sensitive acoustic resonator is developed, comprising a nonconductive substrate with an interdigital conductor pattern and a piezoelectric diaphragm that flexes in response to air pressure, allowing for wireless interrogation using a microwave signal to excite acoustic waves and modify electric fields, thereby changing admittance and enabling remote sensing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a passive pressure sensor is used for remote measurement, then direct physical access is not required, but existing sensors lack effective means for remote interrogation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveremote interrogation capabilityVSAvoideffectiveness of remote sensing

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces direct mechanical contact and wired connections with microwave electromagnetic field-based interrogation. The pressure sensor uses microwave signals to excite acoustic waves in the piezoelectric diaphragm, eliminating the need for physical access or direct electrical connections while maintaining reliable measurement capability through remote admittance detection

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces microwave signals as an intermediary medium to transfer information between the remote interrogator and the pressure sensor. The microwave signals interact with the piezoelectric diaphragm to excite acoustic waves, serving as a non-contact mediator that enables reliable remote interrogation without direct physical contact

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If a piezoelectric diaphragm is used to sense pressure, then pressure changes can be converted into electrical signals, but the sensor requires direct physical contact for measurement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepressure detection accuracyVSAvoidphysical access requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces direct mechanical contact measurement with microwave-based excitation and detection. Microwave signals remotely excite acoustic waves in the piezoelectric diaphragm, which converts pressure changes into electrical signals detectable through admittance changes, eliminating the need for physical access while preserving measurement precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses microwave-induced acoustic vibrations in the piezoelectric diaphragm to enable remote pressure sensing. The acoustic waves excited by microwave signals cause the diaphragm to vibrate in response to pressure changes, allowing precise measurement without direct physical contact through detection of the resulting admittance variations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #18Mechanical vibration

3Adaptability or versatility

If existing passive sensors are deployed in hazardous environments, then measurement of inaccessible phenomena is limited, but direct physical access exposes measurement devices to harmful conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveapplication in hazardous environmentsVSAvoidexposure to hazardous conditions

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses microwave electromagnetic fields as an intermediary to enable sensing in hazardous environments. The microwave signals penetrate or interact with the target area remotely, allowing the pressure sensor to measure phenomena in hazardous or inaccessible environments without exposing the sensor or operator to harmful conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces mechanical deployment and physical presence in hazardous areas with remote microwave-based interrogation. This allows the pressure sensor to adapt to hazardous environment applications by eliminating direct physical exposure while maintaining measurement capability through non-contact electromagnetic field interaction

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 enables remote, efficient measurement of pressure variations and acoustic vibrations, facilitating covert surveillance and data collection in hazardous environments by converting pressure changes into readable signals without direct physical contact.

Implementation Method 1

a piezoelectric diaphragm that flexes in response to air pressure

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPiezoelectric effect: Piezoelectric Effect

Implementation Method 2

allowing for wireless interrogation using a microwave signal to excite acoustic waves

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAcoustic wave excitation: Acoustic Radiation Pressure

Data Source

PatentUS11835414B2Passive pressure sensor with a piezoelectric diaphragm and a non-piezoelectric substrate

Publication Date: 2023.12.05 MURATA MFG CO LTD

AI summary

There are disclosed pressure-sensitive acoustic resonators and remote pressure sensing systems and methods. A pressure-sensitive acoustic resonator includes a conductor pattern formed on a planar surface of a non-piezoelectric substrate, the conductor pattern including an interdigital conductor pattern (ICP); and a diaphragm, the diaphragm being a portion of a plate of single-crystal piezoelectric material, the diaphragm having a front surface exposed to an environment and a back surface facing, but not contacting, the ICP.