Retractable Sensor Armature With Service Chamber and Scraper Seal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing retractable armatures for sensors in analytical measurement technology face mechanical stress and frequent seal replacement due to long travel paths and adhesion issues, especially with caking and crystallizing media, which can lead to glass breakage and increased maintenance costs.
Innovation Solution
A ball or plug valve armature design with a hollow cylindrical housing, a rotationally movable closing element, and a sensor holder with a quick-release connector, allowing for axial movement between measuring and service positions, minimizing mechanical stress and enabling high immersion depths while using seals and a scraper seal to manage medium flow and prevent adhesion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of stationary object
If a long travel path is used to achieve high immersion depths, then the sensor can reach deeper positions in the container, but mechanical stress on the sensor and armature increases and seal wear accelerates
Solution Approach 1:
The armature is divided into distinct functional segments: a stationary housing with service chamber, a movable sensor holder, and a closing element. This segmentation allows the sensor holder to move independently within a controlled range while the housing remains stable, achieving high immersion depth without proportionally increasing stress on the entire armature structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The service chamber is pre-configured with sealing elements and flushing connections before the sensor needs service. The closing element can be rotated to block medium flow in advance, creating a safe environment for sensor maintenance without requiring complete system shutdown or draining, thereby reducing mechanical stress during maintenance operations.
2Reliability
If frequent seal replacement is performed to maintain sealing performance, then sealing reliability is improved, but maintenance time and operational interruption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The service chamber is designed with pre-positioned sealing elements and flushing connections that allow maintenance operations to be prepared in advance. The closing element can be rotated to isolate the service chamber before maintenance begins, and flushing connections are ready to immediately clean seals after replacement, minimizing maintenance time and avoiding operational interruption.
Solution Approach 2:
The flushing connections enable the service chamber to be cleaned and sealed surfaces to be refreshed automatically through medium flow without requiring complete disassembly or external cleaning equipment. This self-service capability extends seal life and reduces maintenance frequency.
3Ease of operation
If the sensor holder is moved axially between measuring and service positions, then sensor accessibility for maintenance is improved, but mechanical stress on the sensor increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor holder is designed as a separate movable component that can be axially displaced independent of the sensor itself. This segmentation allows the holder to bear the mechanical stress of movement while the sensor remains relatively protected, achieving easy accessibility without proportionally increasing sensor stress.
Solution Approach 2:
The closing element is rotated to block medium flow and create a safe service environment before the sensor holder is moved to the service position. This preliminary action prevents medium-related stress on the sensor during the movement and maintenance operations, allowing easy accessibility while protecting sensor integrity.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is an armature for receiving a sensor for measuring a medium in a container. The armature includes a hollow cylindrical housing designed to connect the armature to the container at least sectionally in the container. The housing includes first and second openings through which medium flows in or out; a service chamber formed in the interior of the housing between the first and second openings; a rotationally movable closing element in the housing, which, in a first position, opens the first and second openings to the medium and, in a second position, blocks a flow through the first and second openings; a sensor holder; and the sensor arranged on or in the sensor holder. The sensor holder is designed such that the sensitive element is arranged in the service chamber in the measuring/service position.