Separating Pressure Transducer With Pollutant-Isolating Hollow Member

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Solution Overview

Problem

Pressure sensing devices in polluted environments suffer from reduced efficiency and operational lifetime due to the detrimental effects of chemicals and particles, leading to frequent repairs and replacements.

Innovation Solution

A pressure sensing device with a specific configuration that includes an elongated hollow member with controlled openings to atmospheric pressure, protecting the sensing element from pollutants by using an aperture with a diameter of 0.4 to 1.2 mm, and optimizing the length and diameter of the hollow member to maintain high measurement accuracy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the pressure sensing device is directly exposed to the polluted environment, then the pressure measurement is direct and simple, but the sensing element suffers from reduced operational lifetime due to chemical and particle damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational lifetimeVSAvoiddevice structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The device is divided into separate functional sections: a pollution-exposed inlet section and a protected sensing section. The hollow member acts as a barrier separating the sensing element from the polluted environment, allowing the sensor to remain isolated while still measuring pressure through the structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The hollow member serves as an intermediary structure that transmits pressure information from the polluted environment to the protected sensing element. It acts as a mediator that allows pressure measurement while blocking harmful chemicals and particles from reaching the sensor.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the pressure sensing device is encapsulated or protected, then the resistance against chemicals and particles increases, but the measuring efficiency and response time may be reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresistance to chemicals and particlesVSAvoidmeasuring efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The hollow member functions as a protective shell that encloses the sensing element. This shell provides chemical and particle resistance while maintaining pressure transmission capability, effectively protecting the sensor without significantly impeding pressure measurement efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Reliability

If a long hollow member is used to isolate the sensor, then the protection from pollutants improves, but the pressure measurement accuracy may be affected by pressure drops along the length

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveisolation from pollutantsVSAvoidpressure measurement accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The design optimizes geometric parameters of the hollow member, specifically the ratio of length to diameter. By controlling these dimensions, the system achieves adequate pollution isolation while minimizing pressure drops that would affect measurement accuracy. The parameters are tuned to balance protection and measurement fidelity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 device achieves high measurement accuracy and extended operational lifetime by effectively isolating the sensing element from pollutants, ensuring reliable pressure readings in polluted environments.

Implementation Method 1

a second opening located at a second end opposite to the first end of the elongated hollow member, the second opening allowing for an equalisation of pressure between an inside of the elongated hollow member and outside of the elongated hollow member

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure equalization: Pascal's Law

Implementation Method 2

a pressure sensing element being connected to the other one of the free end of the second elongated member or the third opening

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure sensing: Piezoresistive Effect

Data Source

PatentEP4067853B1Separating pressure transducer for measuring pressure in a polluted environment

Publication Date: 2025.08.20 PITTWAY SARL

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AI summary

There is provided a pressure sensing device comprising a first elongated hollow member comprising a first opening located at a first end of the first elongated hollow member; a second opening located at a second end opposite to the first end of the elongated hollow member; a third opening located at between the first and the second end of the first elongated hollow member. The pressure sensing device further comprises a second elongated hollow member, the second elongated hollow member being connected to the first elongated hollow member via the third opening, wherein the first opening being configured to connect the inside of the second elongated member to the inside of a third hollow member; one of the free end of the second elongated member or third opening configured to open out to external atmospheric pressure through an aperture; and a pressure sensing element being connected to the other one of the free end of the second elongated member or the third opening. There is also provided a method for measuring pressure using the pressure sensing device.