Pressure Sensor Secondary Seal for Fluid Migration Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Pressure sensors used in hazardous fluid environments face safety issues due to fluid migration between conductor wires and insulating jackets, potentially leading to unsafe conditions and equipment damage, as existing technologies lack effective sealing mechanisms to prevent fluid leakage and protection for electrical components.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus incorporates a housing with a pressure sensor and a secondary seal, where the secondary seal acts as a backup to the primary seal, using potted material to create a dense seal around conductive paths and prevent fluid migration, ensuring the integrity of electrical components and preventing fluid ejection from the conduit system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a pressure sensor is used in hazardous fluid environments, then pressure sensing capability is achieved, but fluid migration between conductor wires and insulating jackets causes safety issues and equipment damage
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing system is divided into two independent segments: a primary seal formed by the pressure sensor itself, and a secondary seal formed by the potted material. This segmentation ensures that if one seal fails, the other provides backup protection, preventing fluid migration and enhancing safety in hazardous environments.
Solution Approach 2:
The secondary seal with potted material is installed in advance as a backup protective measure. This pre-established secondary barrier cushions against the harmful effects of fluid migration that might occur if the primary seal fails, thereby preventing equipment damage and maintaining safety.
2Reliability
If existing pressure sensors are used without secondary sealing, then device complexity is low, but they lack effective sealing mechanisms to prevent fluid leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The secondary seal is merged with the existing pressure sensor assembly by potting the conductive paths directly within the sensor housing. This integration approach provides enhanced sealing effectiveness while minimizing additional complexity, as the secondary seal becomes part of the overall sensor structure rather than a separate external system.
3Reliability
If conductor wires are exposed in hazardous environments, then electrical connectivity is maintained, but fluid can migrate between wires and insulating jackets causing equipment damage
Solution Approach 1:
The potted material acts as an intermediary substance that fills the space around conductor wires and insulating jackets. This intermediary material prevents fluid migration pathways while maintaining electrical connectivity, thereby protecting equipment without requiring complex external sealing mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for sensing pressure is provided comprising a housing, electronics, a pressure sensor and a secondary seal. The housing comprises an interior bore and a first end, with the interior bore forming an opening at the first end. The electronics may be disposed in the interior bore. The pressure sensor is mounted at the first end of the interior bore. The pressure sensor may be operatively connected to send signals to the electronics in response to external fluid pressure. The pressure sensor may, at least in part, form a primary seal at the first end of the interior bore. The secondary seal may be disposed in the interior bore in between the pressure sensor and the electronics. The secondary seal may be configured to act as a backup seal to the primary seal. The secondary seal provides an added degree of safety from high pressure pipeline contents. The secondary seal also ensures that the important interior electrical components of the apparatus are not damaged upon failure of any component located at the first end. If the pressure sensor or primary seal is damaged, for example, a new pressure sensor or primary seal may be installed without having to replace the entire apparatus. The secondary seal also prevents fluid from a high pressure pipeline that has compromised the primary seal from being ejected from the pipeline. The secondary seal also prevents pipeline media from migrating through the electrical cable to a non-hazardous location.