Sensor and system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sensors fail to accurately measure the temperature distribution within a vessel, which is crucial for determining the useful volume of heating or cooling fluid, leading to inefficiencies and safety issues, such as exposure to unsanitary water due to incomplete sterilization.
Innovation Solution
A sensor array with temperature-dependent elements, such as thermistors, is used to measure the temperature profile within a vessel, employing a unique cut-off frequency or resonant frequency to determine thermal energy content, and a controller processes these signals to calculate the useful volume of fluid and adjust thermal inputs or outputs accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single temperature sensor is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision of temperature distribution is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor system is segmented into multiple temperature-sensitive elements (first, second, and third sensors) positioned at different heights within the vessel. Each sensor measures temperature at its specific location, and the controller integrates these individual measurements to determine the overall temperature distribution and calculate useful fluid volume above the threshold temperature.
2Measurement precision
If multiple temperature sensors are used to measure temperature distribution, then the measurement precision is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor system is segmented into multiple temperature-sensitive elements (first, second, and third sensors) positioned at different heights within the vessel. Each sensor measures temperature at its specific location, and the controller integrates these individual measurements to determine the overall temperature distribution and calculate useful fluid volume above the threshold temperature.
3Device complexity
If the thermocline position is not monitored, then the device complexity is reduced, but harmful factors increase due to exposure to unsanitary water
Solution Approach 1:
The controller continuously receives temperature measurements from multiple sensors and calculates the thermocline position based on where the temperature drops below the threshold. This feedback mechanism enables real-time monitoring of the thermocline position, allowing the system to alert users or automatically adjust operations to prevent exposure to unsanitary water below the thermocline.
4Ease of operation
If thermal energy is not optimized based on temperature distribution, then the ease of operation is improved, but the loss of energy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller continuously receives temperature measurements from multiple sensors and calculates the thermocline position based on where the temperature drops below the threshold. This feedback mechanism enables real-time monitoring of the thermocline position, allowing the system to alert users or automatically adjust operations to prevent exposure to unsanitary water below the thermocline.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses temperature-dependent parameters from multiple sensors to dynamically calculate the useful volume of fluid above the threshold temperature. By monitoring changes in temperature distribution and thermocline position, the system can adjust thermal energy input or output parameters to optimize energy efficiency while maintaining required temperature levels.
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 provides accurate measurement of thermal energy content and useful volume, ensuring efficient use of thermal energy and minimizing the risk of unsanitary water exposure by maintaining a safe distance between the hot water outlet and thermocline.
Implementation Method 1
an array of temperature-sensitive elements deployed within or adjacent the vessel, each element having a temperature-dependent parameter
Implementation Method 2
determine an aggregate value of the temperature-dependent parameter, the aggregate value being indicative of a thermal energy content of the fluid in the vessel
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3a~4b
AI summary
The present invention relates to a sensor (104) for measuring temperature of a fluid within a vessel (106), the vessel (106) having a first region and a second region and the fluid having a temperature profile extending between the first region and the second region, the sensor (104) comprising an array of elements (300), each element (300) having a temperature-dependent parameter, the array being capable of deployment within or adjacent the vessel (106) such that the array extends along the vessel (106) for measuring the temperature profile, the elements (300) of the array being coupled together between an input and an output, the input being coupled or capable of being coupled to a driving source for driving the sensors (104), and the output being coupled or capable of being coupled to a detector for measuring an aggregate of the temperature-dependent parameter from the array of elements (300). The invention further relates to a fluid temperature controller (100) comprising a first input for receiving a first signal (102) indicating a measurement of an aggregate of a temperature-dependent parameter from a sensor according to any preceding claim deployed within or adjacent a vessel containing a fluid having a temperature profile, a second input (108) for receiving a second signal indicating a (preferably absolute) temperature of the fluid in the vessel (106) and a processor (110) configured to calculate a total thermal energy of the fluid in the vessel (106) based on the first and second signals. The invention also relates to a combination comprising a sensing arrangement and a controller; a device; and a system.