Rotating Sensor Flush Mounting for Fluid Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fluid sensing apparatuses in vehicles require frequent maintenance and are costly due to exposure of sensors to dust and particles, necessitating air filtration systems, which complicate design and increase production costs.
Innovation Solution
Integrating sensors onto the rotating parts of a conveying device, such as a fan or rotor, with the sensors mounted flush to the surface of the conveying members, reducing exposure to particles and eliminating the need for air filters, while using emitter-sensor or reflector-sensor arrangements for enhanced sensing capabilities and power supply systems like electromagnetic induction for energy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If sensors are arranged in a fixed position where fluid passes through them, then sensing results can represent fluid properties within a space, but sensors are exposed to dust and particles requiring air filters
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by mounting sensors on rotating parts of the conveying device (such as fan blades or rotor surfaces) rather than in fixed positions. As the rotating part moves through the fluid flow, the sensor continuously samples fluid properties while the rotation itself helps shed particles and prevents dust accumulation. This dynamic positioning resolves the contradiction by maintaining sensing accuracy without requiring protective filters.
2Reliability
If air filters are installed to protect sensors from dust and particles, then sensor reliability improves, but device complexity and production costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the air filter component from the system by using a different sensor positioning approach. Instead of protecting sensors with filters, the invention mounts sensors on rotating conveying device parts where the motion naturally prevents particle adherence. This extraction of the filter component reduces device complexity and production costs while maintaining sensor reliability through the alternative protective mechanism of rotational motion.
3Ease of manufacture
If sensors are mounted on rotating parts of conveying devices, then maintenance costs reduce and design simplifies, but sensor positioning and power supply become more challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the sensor mounting with the existing rotating structure of the conveying device. Sensors are integrated directly onto rotating parts such as fan blades or rotor surfaces, combining the sensing function with the fluid conveyance structure. This merging eliminates separate mounting mechanisms and simplifies the overall design, making the system easier to manufacture while maintaining effective fluid property monitoring.
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
The solution reduces maintenance costs, simplifies design, and enhances sensing accuracy by minimizing particle adherence and eliminating the need for filters, while maintaining effective fluid property monitoring across a vehicle's space.
Implementation Method 1
A sensor (160) is arranged on a rotating part of the conveying device (110) and is adapted to sense one or more properties of the conveyed fluid during rotation
Implementation Method 2
power supply systems like electromagnetic induction for energy
Data Source
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AI summary
An apparatus (100), in particular for use in an aircraft, for sensing one or more properties of a fluid comprises a conveying device (110) configured for conveying the fluid. Further, the apparatus (100) comprises at least one sensor (160) arranged on the conveying device and being configured for sensing the one or more properties of the conveyed fluid.