Remote Measurement Chamber for High-Temperature Liquid Level Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for measuring liquid levels in refrigerating machines face challenges with high temperatures and pressures, leading to unreliable level determination and susceptibility to wave movements.
Innovation Solution
A device with a measuring unit and connecting feature that positions the measurement chamber at a distance from the container, using multiple connecting lines for cooling and fluid exchange, including a collection chamber to dampen wave movements, and a float-based or optical measuring instrument for accurate level detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the measuring instrument is placed directly in the container with hot medium, then the liquid level can be measured, but the high temperature exceeds the permissible temperature for the measuring instrument making reliable determination impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary measurement chamber connected to the container via connecting lines. This chamber acts as a mediator that allows liquid level measurement without direct exposure to high temperatures. The medium is transported through the connecting lines to the measurement chamber where the measuring instrument operates at acceptable temperatures, yet still reflects the liquid level in the container.
Solution Approach 2:
The measuring device is segmented into separate functional components: the measurement chamber is spatially separated from the container, connected through connecting lines. This segmentation allows the measurement function to operate in a favorable thermal environment while still monitoring the container's liquid level, resolving the temperature contradiction.
2Temperature
If the measuring unit is positioned at a distance from the container, then the temperature is reduced for reliable measurement, but wave movements in the medium may affect measurement accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements damping elements within the connecting lines that beforehand cushion and attenuate wave movements before they reach the measurement chamber. This prior cushioning ensures that even though the measurement unit is positioned at a distance for temperature reasons, wave-induced measurement errors are minimized through proactive damping.
Solution Approach 2:
The connecting lines serve as intermediaries that not only transport the medium but also incorporate damping functionality. This intermediary structure allows the measurement chamber to be positioned away from temperature sources while maintaining measurement accuracy through built-in wave damping capabilities.
3Temperature
If connecting lines are used to exchange fluid between container and measurement chamber, then temperature cooling occurs over length, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting lines are designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: they transport the medium between container and measurement chamber, provide thermal cooling through their length, and incorporate damping elements to reduce wave movements. This multi-functionality reduces overall device complexity by combining several necessary functions into single structural elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the transport function, cooling function, and damping function into the connecting lines structure. By combining these functions into unified components rather than separate elements, the overall device complexity is reduced while achieving the desired temperature reduction and measurement reliability.
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 reliable liquid level measurement at high temperatures and pressures, effectively damping wave movements and ensuring accurate level detection, even in high-pressure refrigerating machine environments.
Implementation Method 1
A cooling or lowering of the temperature of the medium takes place over a length of the connecting lines
Implementation Method 2
A collection chamber is arranged between the at least two connecting lines and the measurement chamber... The collection chamber acts as a damper between the container or the at least two connecting lines and the measurement chamber and prevents wave movements of the medium in the container from being transmitted to the measurement chamber
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a device (1) for measuring a liquid level of a medium at a high temperature in a container (5), having a measuring unit (10) with a measurement chamber (15) and a measuring instrument (20) for determining the liquid level in said measurement chamber, and having a connecting feature (30) for connecting said measuring unit (10) with said container (5) at a distance and for transferring the medium from said container (5) into said measurement chamber (15), wherein said connecting feature (30) has an attachment adapter (35) for fastening to said container (5) and a connection adapter (45) for connecting to said measuring unit (10), wherein said attachment adapter (35) and said connection adapter (45) are arranged at a distance by at least two connecting lines (40) along an axis (X). Furthermore, the present invention relates to a refrigerating machine having such a device.