Rolling Display for Ultrasonic Leak Detectors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Measurement instrumentation, such as ultrasonic leak detectors, face challenges in displaying a large dynamic range of sensor readings due to size and resolution limitations in portable devices, making it difficult to detect low intensity signals and prevent saturation at high intensity readings.
Innovation Solution
A rolling display system that divides the dynamic range into sub-ranges, using one to N display elements at a time, with visual or audible indicators for sub-range transitions and a peak-hold feature, allowing for effective representation of sensor readings across a wide range without saturating the display.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a large dynamic range is displayed using a limited-size display array, then the device remains portable and compact, but the resolution and detectability of low-intensity signals deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The display array is segmented into multiple sub-ranges, where each sub-range displays a specific portion of the dynamic range. The system divides the full dynamic range into N sub-ranges and uses a rolling display mechanism to cycle through them, allowing each sub-range to be displayed with sufficient resolution using fewer display elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The display system dynamically adapts its behavior based on the input signal level. When a low-intensity signal is detected, the system adjusts the sub-range assignment to provide finer resolution for that signal level, whereas high-intensity signals use coarser sub-ranges. This dynamic adaptation allows the limited display array to effectively resolve signals across the entire dynamic range.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the display covers the entire dynamic range simultaneously, then all signal intensities are visible, but saturation occurs at high intensities and low-intensity signals become undetectable
Solution Approach 1:
The display system dynamically adjusts the mapping between sensor readings and display elements based on the current signal level. The processor monitors the input signal and automatically selects appropriate sub-ranges and display configurations to optimize visibility for the current signal intensity, preventing both saturation and loss of low-intensity signals.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the display parameters (sub-range assignments, element activation patterns) based on the detected signal level. By adjusting which sub-ranges are active and how display elements are allocated, the system adapts its measurement and display characteristics to match the current operating conditions, ensuring reliable detection across the full dynamic range.
3Measurement precision
If more display elements are used to increase resolution, then low-intensity signals become detectable, but the device size and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a large number of display elements simultaneously, the system segments the dynamic range into multiple sub-ranges and uses a rolling display mechanism to cycle through them. This allows a small number of display elements to effectively represent a much larger dynamic range by displaying different sub-ranges at different times, achieving high resolution without requiring a large physical display array.
Solution Approach 2:
The rolling display operates periodically, cycling through different sub-ranges in sequence. Each sub-range is displayed for a predetermined time period, allowing the limited display elements to sequentially represent different portions of the dynamic range. This periodic operation creates the effect of high resolution across the full range while using only a small number of physical display elements.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for displaying sensor readings in a measurement instrument having an array of display elements initially divides the range of interest of the sensor reading into a plurality of consecutive sub-ranges and determines a scaling function for displaying sensor readings for each sub-range. For each sensor reading, the appropriate sub-range is determined into which the sensor reading falls (where N is the number of this sub-range). The scaling function for the Nth sub-range is applied to display the sensor reading using N consecutive display elements. Optionally, the system may include a visual or audible indicator for the use when the display rolls from one sub-range to another. The display may also include feature indicating the peak sensor reading encountered.