Transparent Prism Trap Bowl for Optical Liquid Level Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for filtering liquid particles from inspiratory breathing gas flows in ventilator circuits face challenges in detecting liquid levels in traps, ensuring proper trap installation, and adapting to different capacities, leading to potential contamination of gas sampling systems.
Innovation Solution
A filter trap apparatus with a transparent circumferential prism that uses total internal reflection principles to detect liquid levels and ensure proper installation, featuring a light source and receiver to reflect or refract light based on the nature of the content, and includes ingress and egress passages for gas filtration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a filter trap apparatus is used to remove liquid particles from inspiratory breathing gas flow, then contamination of the gas sampling system is prevented, but the complexity of the device increases due to additional components needed for liquid level detection and trap installation verification
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the filter, trap, and liquid level detection system into a single integrated apparatus. The circumferential prism is incorporated as part of the trap structure itself, merging the liquid level detection function with the trap container, thereby preventing contamination while managing device complexity through integration rather than separate components
Solution Approach 2:
The circumferential prism serves multiple functions: it acts as both the container wall for trapping liquid particles and the optical element for liquid level detection and trap installation verification. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, addressing the contamination prevention requirement while controlling overall device complexity
2Measurement precision
If traditional liquid level detection methods are used in traps, then the detection of liquid levels is achieved, but the ability to detect proper trap installation and adapt to different capacities is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The circumferential prism is designed to perform multiple detection functions simultaneously: it detects liquid levels through optical refraction, verifies proper trap installation by detecting the presence of the trap itself, and can adapt to different trap capacities and orientations. This universal detection approach enhances both measurement precision and adaptability
Solution Approach 2:
The system detects liquid levels by monitoring changes in optical parameters (light refraction) that occur when liquid contacts the circumferential prism. This parameter-based detection method is versatile and can adapt to different trap configurations and capacities without requiring mechanical changes to the detection mechanism
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
Effectively removes liquid particles and detects liquid levels in traps, preventing contamination of gas sampling systems and ensuring accurate dosing of therapeutic gases, while allowing for versatile trap installation and capacity adaptation.
Implementation Method 1
The face can provide a first angle of total reflection when the gas is against the circumferential interior surface, and a second angle of total reflection when the liquid content is against the circumferential interior surface
Implementation Method 2
the index of optical refraction of the transparent circumferential prism can be selected such that the angle of incidence provides reflection of the light beam, so as to strike the light receiver, when the face has the first angle of total reflection, and can provide refraction of the light beam, so as to miss the light receiver, when the face has the second angle of total reflection
Data Source
AI summary
A trap bowl is provided to accumulate liquid droplets from a filter, as a liquid content. The trap bowl includes a transparent vertical prism. The transparent vertical prism includes a face that forms a vertical transparent surface facing against a content of the section. The face can provide a first angle of total reflection when content of the section is a type of gas, and a second angle of total reflection when the content of the section is the liquid content. A light source may emit a light beam incident on the face at an angle of incidence. The angle of incidence results in reflection of the light beam, striking the light receiver, when the face has the first angle of total reflection, and results in refraction of the light beam, missing the light receiver, when the face has the second angle of total reflection.