Non-Invasive Pressure Measurement via Wall Deformation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional pressure measurement technologies in pressure vessels require direct contact with the fluid, leading to design complexities, compatibility issues, and potential contamination, making them expensive and difficult to standardize.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising a strain gauge and temperature sensor affixed to the outer surface of the pressure vessel wall, generating deformation and temperature output signals that a processing unit uses to calculate the pressure inside the vessel without physical contact with the fluid, allowing for non-invasive pressure measurement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a pressure sensor is installed in direct contact with the fluid inside the pressure vessel, then the pressure can be measured, but the sensor design becomes complex and expensive due to compatibility requirements, and there is risk of fluid contamination or leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the pressure vessel wall as an intermediary medium to transmit pressure information from the fluid to the sensors. The strain gauge and temperature sensor are mounted on the outer surface of the wall, which acts as a mediator that transmits the pressure-induced deformation and temperature to the sensors without requiring them to be in direct contact with the fluid. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining measurement capability while eliminating the need for complex fluid-compatible sensor designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the conventional mechanical pressure sensor (that requires direct fluid contact) with a strain gauge-based measurement system. Instead of using a mechanical pressure sensor that must be compatible with the fluid, the system uses strain gauges mounted on the vessel wall to measure pressure-induced deformation. This substitution eliminates the need for complex sensor designs while maintaining measurement precision.
2Measurement precision
If a pressure sensor is installed in direct contact with the fluid, then pressure measurement is possible, but the sensor materials must be immune to the fluid which increases manufacturing cost and reduces adaptability
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure vessel wall serves as an intermediary that decouples the sensor from the fluid environment. The strain gauge and temperature sensor only need to be compatible with the wall material (typically metal or composite), not with the fluid itself. This allows the same sensor design to be used across different fluid types (gas, liquid, corrosive, non-corrosive), significantly improving adaptability while maintaining measurement precision.
3Measurement precision
If a pressure sensor is installed on the fluid outlet of the vessel, then pressure can be measured, but tight fixation is required to avoid leakages and the sensor installation requires vessel design changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the vessel wall as an intermediary mounting surface for the sensors. The strain gauge and temperature sensor are affixed to the outer surface of the wall, which provides a stable mounting base without requiring modifications to the vessel interior or fluid outlet. This eliminates the need for tight fixation to prevent leakage and simplifies both manufacturing and installation, while maintaining accurate pressure measurement capability.
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
Enables accurate pressure measurement without contacting the fluid, eliminating the need for valve opening and design changes to the vessel, and allowing for retrofitting of existing vessels, while maintaining sensor purity and avoiding leakage.
Implementation Method 1
a strain gauge affixable to an outer surface of a wall defining the interior chamber, the strain gauge being configured to sense pressure-induced deformation of the wall and to generate a deformation output signal that corresponds to the sensed deformation
Implementation Method 2
a temperature sensor affixable to the outer surface of the wall defining the interior chamber, the temperature sensor being configured to sense the temperature of the wall and to generate a temperature output signal
Implementation Method 3
the processing unit comprises computational means being configured to generate a pressure signal based on the deformation output signal and the temperature output signal
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
A device (10) for measuring a pressure (P) in an interior chamber (7) of a pressure vessel (1) comprises a strain gauge (11) and a temperature sensor (12) affixable to an outer surface (2a) of a wall (2) defining the interior chamber (7). The strain gauge (11) senses pressure-induced deformation of the wall (2) and generates a deformation output signal (11a). The temperature sensor (12) senses the temperature of the wall (2) and generates a temperature output signal (12a). A processing (13) unit receives the deformation output signal (11a) and the temperature output signal (12a) and comprises computational means (14) configured to generate a pressure signal (20) based on the deformation output signal (11a) and the temperature output signal (12a). A pressure vessel (1) is equipped with the device (10) for measuring a pressure (P) in the interior chamber (7).