Plastic Flow-through Measuring Cell with Transverse Radiation Sensor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Flow-to-flow measurement cells in biotechnology and food technology require high accuracy, quick response, and efficient cleaning and sterilization, with a focus on minimizing volume to conserve expensive fluids, while existing cells are often made from high-quality materials and are not easily disposable.
Innovation Solution
A flow-to-flow measurement cell made predominantly of plastic, optimized for minimal volume with integrated radiation, conductivity, and pH measurements, allowing for gamma disinfection and easy integration into existing systems, featuring a tubular design with parallel entrances and exits for efficient fluid flow and reduced material consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If the measuring cell volume is reduced to minimize material consumption and carryover, then expensive fluid conservation is improved, but the beam path length for radiation measurement is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the radiation measuring area transversely to the measuring channel, creating a separate measurement dimension that does not consume longitudinal space. The beam path runs perpendicular to the fluid flow direction, allowing sufficient beam path length within a compact measuring chamber volume.
2Device complexity
If multiple measurement functions are integrated into one measuring cell, then the number of measuring cells is reduced, but the measuring chamber volume increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates radiation measurement, conductivity measurement, and pH measurement into a single measuring cell. The radiation measuring area is positioned transversely while conductivity and pH sensors are arranged longitudinally, allowing multiple measurement functions to coexist in a compact configuration that minimizes overall chamber volume.
3Measurement precision
If the measuring cell is made of high-quality materials like stainless steel for accuracy and durability, then measurement precision is improved, but cleaning and sterilization complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from traditional stainless steel to plastic materials that are compatible with gamma radiation sterilization. This material substitution maintains measurement precision through proper material selection while enabling simplified sterilization processes and disposable use, reducing cleaning complexity.
4Ease of operation
If the measuring cell is designed for disposable use to simplify cleaning and sterilization, then ease of operation is improved, but the cost of replacing measuring instruments increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a disposable measuring cell design where the entire cell is made of plastic materials suitable for gamma sterilization. This allows the cell to be sterilized and reused multiple times at low cost, or discarded after use, eliminating expensive cleaning procedures and instrument replacement while maintaining operational simplicity.
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 precise, efficient, and cost-effective measurement with reduced material usage, simplified production, and easy sterilization, minimizing contamination and storage costs while maintaining high measurement accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
a radiation measuring area (6) for measuring the interaction of the fluid with electromagnetic radiation
Implementation Method 2
a conductivity measurement sensor (7) for measuring a conductivity of the fluid
Implementation Method 3
a pH measurement sensor (8) for measuring a pH value of the fluid
Implementation Method 4
a temperature sensor for measuring a temperature of the fluid
Implementation Method 5
allowing for gamma disinfection
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a flow-through measuring cell for receiving measuring means for measuring chemical and/or physical properties of a fluid flowing through the measuring cell (1), comprising: - an inlet opening (2) for the fluid inlet, - an outlet opening (3) for the fluid outlet, - a measuring chamber (4), in particular a single measuring chamber, arranged between the inlet opening (2) and the outlet opening (3), - a radiation measuring area (6) for measuring the interaction of the fluid in the measuring cell (1) with electromagnetic radiation from outside the measuring cell (1), and - a conductivity measuring chamber (7) for receiving conductivity measuring means for measuring the conductivity of the fluid in the measuring cell (1), and/or a pH measuring chamber (8) for receiving pH measuring means for measuring the pH value of the fluid in the measuring cell (1).The present invention also relates to a system comprising a measuring cell according to one of the preceding claims and a radiation measuring area (6) which can be attached to the radiation measuring area and the conductivity measuring medium which can be attached to the conductivity sensor (7) and/or the pH measuring medium which can be attached to the pH measuring sensor (8).