Probe Arrangement with Sealing Chamber for Fluid Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing probe devices for measuring physical-chemical parameters in fluids face issues with incomplete rinsing and calibration of measuring tips due to radial inflow and outflow openings, leading to turbulence and contamination risks, and have long protective cylinder heads that increase the stroke requirement and risk of sealing element wear.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of an intermediate sealing element adjacent to the outflow opening, which seals the calibration chamber during probe holder movement, allowing for direct fluid connection and eliminating the need for separate shut-off, and configuring inflow and outflow openings as peripheral ring channels for improved flow properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If radial inflow and outflow openings are used in the calibration chamber, then the structure is simple, but the rinsing and calibration of the measuring tip is incomplete due to turbulence and shadow effects
Solution Approach 1:
The single radial opening is segmented into multiple distributed openings (first opening, second opening, third opening, fourth opening) arranged at different positions around the calibration chamber. This segmentation allows rinsing liquid to reach the measuring tip from multiple directions, eliminating shadow effects and ensuring complete coverage of the measuring tip surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The opening configuration transitions from a simple radial arrangement to a three-dimensional distributed arrangement at different heights and angular positions. The first and second openings are positioned at different axial levels, as are the third and fourth openings, creating a multi-dimensional flow pattern that eliminates turbulence and ensures comprehensive rinsing.
2Reliability
If the protective cylinder head is made long to ensure sealing, then sealing reliability is improved, but the stroke requirement increases and immersion depth is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing mechanism is nested within the calibration chamber structure itself. The calibration chamber is positioned such that its ceiling serves as the sealing surface, with the first and second openings penetrating through it. This nested arrangement eliminates the need for a separate long protective cylinder head, as the sealing function is integrated into the existing chamber structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing approach shifts from axial sealing (requiring long cylindrical heads) to radial/circular sealing through the calibration chamber ceiling. The distributed openings arrangement in multiple dimensions provides sealing functionality without increasing the axial length of the probe holder.
3Reliability
If additional sealing rings are added on the probe holder head, then sealing is improved, but the risk of wear increases in aggressive media
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing function is extracted from the probe holder head and relocated to the calibration chamber structure. By positioning the calibration chamber ceiling as the sealing surface and using distributed openings, the design eliminates the need for additional sealing rings on the probe holder head that would be exposed to aggressive process media and subject to wear.
Solution Approach 2:
The calibration chamber ceiling acts as an intermediary sealing surface between the process fluid and the internal chamber. The distributed openings penetrate this intermediary surface, providing sealing functionality without requiring additional sealing elements that would be directly exposed to wear-prone conditions.
4Reliability
If the calibration chamber is sealed at the head end during retraction, then contamination is prevented, but separate shut-off is required for outflow opening
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing and flow control functions are merged into the calibration chamber structure. The ceiling of the calibration chamber with its distributed openings serves both as a sealing surface and as the flow distribution mechanism. This integration eliminates the need for separate shut-off mechanisms for the outflow opening, as the chamber structure itself provides the necessary flow control during extension and retraction.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
Sliding on-axis in a probe body's (1) guiding channel (2) between an intercalated calibrating position and extrapolated sensor position, a probe mounting (3) has a protective cylinder (6) at its front end (5) immersed in a processing fluid (4). Held in the probe mounting, a measurement sensor (7) has its measuring tip (8) inside an area of the protective cylinder.