Retractable Assembly Optical Window for Sensor Inspection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current retractable assemblies for analytical process technology do not allow for early detection of sensor breakage, contamination, or sealing system issues without disassembly, posing safety and process hazards due to undetected wear or defects.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of an optical window in the service chamber of the retractable assembly for visual inspection, enabling early detection of deposits, contamination, and sealing system impairments, as well as verification of sensor cleaning and integrity without removing the sensor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the service chamber is sealed off to prevent medium contamination, then contamination prevention is improved, but detection of internal defects becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
An optical window is introduced as an intermediary element in the housing wall that allows optical access to the service chamber while maintaining the密封 (sealing) integrity. This mediator enables visual inspection without compromising the contamination barrier function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical disassembly requirements with optical inspection methods. Instead of mechanically opening the sealed service chamber to inspect for defects, users can visually inspect through the optical window, substituting a mechanical access system with an optical observation system.
2Productivity
If the sensor remains in the process medium for continuous measurement, then measurement continuity is improved, but early detection of sensor issues becomes impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The optical window enables preliminary visual inspection of the sensor condition while it remains in the process medium. Users can detect potential issues such as deposits, contamination, or damage before they critically affect measurement reliability, allowing proactive maintenance scheduling without interrupting continuous measurement operations.
3Ease of operation
If the optical window is added to the housing wall, then visual inspection capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The housing wall is segmented into functional zones: sealed regions for maintaining the pressure and contamination barrier, and a localized window region for optical access. This segmentation allows the majority of the housing to remain simple and sealed, while only a small portion is modified to accommodate the optical window.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical window is introduced only at the specific location where visual inspection is needed, rather than making the entire housing transparent or complex. The local modification maintains the overall simplicity of the housing structure while providing the necessary inspection capability at the critical service chamber region.
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
Facilitates early detection of potential hazards and maintenance optimization, ensuring prolonged window transparency and increased service life by allowing visual inspection of the sensor and sealing system, and enabling detection of glass breakage and sealing issues before work is performed.
Implementation Method 1
at least one optical window (6) is arranged in the housing wall (2a) in the region of the service chamber (11)
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure discloses a retractable assembly for immersion, flow and mounted measuring systems in analytical process technology for receiving a sensor which is designed to measure at least one measurement variable of a medium in a container, comprising: a substantially hollow-cylindrical housing comprising a housing wall, a service chamber which is formed in the interior in a region of the housing, and a dip tube which is axially movable in the housing between a service position moved out of the medium and a process position moved into the medium, the dip tube being positioned in the service chamber in the service position, the sensor being receivable in the dip tube, wherein at least one optical window is arranged in the housing wall in the region of the service chamber.