Automated Cleaning System for Pressure Instrument Cavities
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cleaning systems for pressure gauges, particularly Bourdon tube gauges, face challenges in achieving complete cleanliness due to the formation of air bubbles during the cleaning process, which prevents thorough contact of cleaning fluids with the internal surfaces, and are inefficient with existing equipment and solvents, especially in high cleanliness applications like oxygen service.
Innovation Solution
An automated cleaning system that incorporates a fluid control unit for sequential delivery and evacuation of fluids, agitation through pressure pulsation and angular acceleration, and a self-contained enclosure to enhance cleaning efficacy using a wide range of solvents and aqueous solutions, including heating and controlled soaking times.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If manual cleaning with vacuum pump and solvent filling is used, then the cleaning process can be performed with simple equipment, but air bubbles form in the Bourdon tube preventing complete contact of cleaning fluid with internal surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies mechanical vibration to the cleaning fluid through a pump, creating pulsating flow that breaks air bubbles and forces cleaning fluid into contact with all internal surfaces of the Bourdon tube, eliminating the bubble formation problem while maintaining equipment simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning system uses periodic cycles of filling, vibrating, and evacuating the cleaning fluid. The pump operates in pulses to create periodic pressure changes that move air bubbles out of the tube while maintaining fluid contact with internal surfaces throughout the cleaning process
2Ease of operation
If conventional solvent filling and evacuation is used, then the cleaning process is simple to operate, but the process is time-consuming and requires multiple repetitions
Solution Approach 1:
The pump generates mechanical vibration in the cleaning fluid that accelerates the cleaning process by forcing fluid through the Bourdon tube and breaking up contaminants more rapidly, reducing the number of cleaning cycles needed while maintaining operational simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the physical parameters of the cleaning fluid by controlling temperature, pressure, and flow rate through the pump. These parameter changes optimize cleaning effectiveness and reduce the time required for each cleaning cycle, improving overall productivity
3Manufacturing precision
If CFC 113 solvent is used for cleaning, then effective cleaning is achieved due to low evaporation temperature, but the solvent is banned in many places
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses heated cleaning fluid to replace CFC 113. By controlling the temperature parameter of alternative solvents or aqueous solutions, the system achieves effective cleaning without using banned substances, maintaining cleaning effectiveness while eliminating environmental harm
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses readily available, non-banned cleaning solvents or aqueous solutions that can be easily disposed of, replacing the banned CFC 113. These alternatives are environmentally friendly and can be effectively used with the heated fluid delivery system
4Object-affected harmful factors
If substitute cleaning chemicals like HFE fluids are used, then environmental friendliness is improved, but the cleaning efficiency is reduced and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies heating to substitute cleaning chemicals like HFE fluids to enhance their cleaning performance. By optimizing temperature parameters, the system restores cleaning efficiency to levels comparable with CFC 113 while maintaining the environmental benefits of the substitute chemicals
Solution Approach 2:
The periodic pulsating flow generated by the pump enhances the cleaning action of substitute chemicals by creating turbulence and preventing stagnant zones. This periodic action compensates for the lower inherent cleaning efficiency of environmentally friendly solvents, maintaining productivity
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 automated system improves cleaning efficiency by breaking air bubbles into smaller ones, ensuring thorough contact with internal surfaces, and effectively uses various cleaning solutions to achieve high cleanliness levels, including in oxygen service applications, surpassing the efficiency of existing systems.
Implementation Method 1
a pump, configured to deliver the cleaning fluid into the internal cavity
Implementation Method 2
a vacuum pump, configured to evacuate the cleaning fluid from the internal cavity
Implementation Method 3
including heating and controlled soaking times
Data Source
AI summary
Various automated cleaning systems for internal cavities of pressure instruments are disclosed. The systems comprise a computer controlled fluid flow system that enables the use of various cleaning fluids for cleaning internal cavities of pressure instruments to high cleanliness levels. Various pressure instruments, including complex shapes such as Bourdon tube gauges, are accommodated. The system can include a computerized cleaning cycle selection and a multi-fluid combination of cleaners for efficient and low cost cleaning solution. A servo controlled agitation system can allow for filling, evacuation, and drying of aqueous solutions as well as high performance solvents for Oxygen Clean service.