Sealed Capsule Sensor Mounting for Pipe Pressure Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies face challenges in efficiently and cost-effectively installing and integrating pressure sensors and hydrophones with pipes, particularly in avoiding stressful conditions and failures, while also ensuring water safety and easy maintenance.
Innovation Solution
The use of a sealed capsule filled with a non-corrosive liquid, such as glycerin, which is fixed or screwed into a pipe using a pipe connector, allowing sensors to measure pressure or pressure transients from the liquid without direct exposure to water.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If sensors are directly installed in water pipes, then measurement capability is achieved, but sensors are exposed to corrosive conditions and stress failures
Solution Approach 1:
A sealed capsule filled with non-corrosive liquid (such as glycerin) serves as an intermediary medium between the water in the pipe and the sensor. The capsule transmits pressure and acoustic waves from the water through its walls to the sensor, allowing the sensor to measure pipe conditions without direct exposure to corrosive water, thereby resolving the contradiction between achieving measurement capability and protecting the sensor from harmful environmental factors
Solution Approach 2:
The capsule is constructed with flexible walls that can transmit pressure and acoustic wave variations from the water to the sensor while maintaining a sealed protective barrier. This flexible shell approach allows the sensor to be isolated from direct water contact while still capturing the dynamic pressure transients and acoustic signals needed for leak and condition detection
2Ease of operation
If traditional sensor installation methods are used, then sensors can be installed on pipes, but installation is complex and maintenance is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor system is segmented into a separate sealed capsule unit that can be independently installed on the pipe using a pipe connector, rather than requiring direct integration with the pipe structure. This segmentation allows the capsule to be a self-contained module that can be easily attached and detached, simplifying both installation and future maintenance operations
Solution Approach 2:
The sealed capsule serves multiple functions simultaneously: it protects the sensor from corrosion, transmits pressure measurements, conducts acoustic waves for leak detection, and provides a sealed environment for the sensor electronics. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate protective and functional components, thereby simplifying the overall installation while maintaining comprehensive sensor operation
3Measurement precision
If sensors are exposed to water, then direct measurement is possible, but water safety and contamination prevention are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The non-corrosive liquid inside the sealed capsule acts as an intermediary transmission medium that carries pressure and acoustic wave information from the water to the sensor without allowing water contact with the sensor. This intermediary approach preserves measurement precision by maintaining accurate pressure and acoustic signal transmission while preventing water contamination of the sensor electronics
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
This solution enables reliable and cost-effective installation of sensors, avoids stressful conditions and failures, ensures water safety by preventing contamination, and allows for easy maintenance and replacement of sensors.
Implementation Method 1
The one or more sensors may be configured to measure pressure or pressure transients or acoustic/pressure waves by hydrophone from a first liquid via the non-corrosive liquid
Implementation Method 2
measuring, by the one or more sensors, pressure or pressure transients or acoustic/pressure waves from a first liquid in the pipe via the non-corrosive liquid
Data Source
AI summary
A device for connecting one or more sensors to a pipe, may include a sealed capsule and a pipe connector. The sealed capsule may include the one or more sensors and a non-corrosive liquid. The pipe connector may be configured to fix the sealed capsule to the pipe. The one or more sensors may be configured to measure pressure or pressure transient from a first liquid via the non-corrosive liquid.