Multi-compartment Sensor Assembly with Selective Actuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Remote sensors in fluid conduits, such as those in sewage systems, face challenges in extended operation and maintenance due to difficult access, leading to frequent calibration and replacement needs, especially for monitoring gaseous contaminants like hydrogen sulfide, which requires continuous monitoring but has short service intervals.
Innovation Solution
A sensor assembly with a housing containing multiple compartments and an actuator that can selectively hermetically seal or fluidly connect sensors, allowing for extended operation by activating a second sensor when the first is trending to expiration, along with a transmitter for data transmission to an external controller for monitoring and maintenance scheduling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a single sensor is used for continuous monitoring, then measurement precision is maintained, but the duration of action is limited due to short service intervals
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor assembly is divided into multiple sensor units (first sensor, second sensor, third sensor) that can be independently activated. Each sensor has its own compartment and can be selectively fluidly connected to the fluid source, allowing one sensor to be replaced by another when it reaches the end of its service interval, thereby extending the overall monitoring duration while maintaining continuous measurement precision.
2Reliability
If sensors are frequently replaced in remote locations, then reliability is maintained, but loss of time increases due to difficult access
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple sensors are pre-installed in the sensor assembly during manufacturing, each in its own compartment. The actuator is pre-configured to selectively fluidly connect any sensor to the fluid source. When a sensor nears the end of its service interval, the system can automatically or manually switch to a备用 sensor without requiring physical access to the remote location, thus maintaining reliability while eliminating the time loss associated with frequent replacements.
3Duration of action of moving object
If multiple sensors are installed with selective activation capability, then duration of action is extended, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator is designed as a multi-functional component that can selectively fluidly connect any of the multiple sensors to the fluid source based on control signals. This universal actuator replaces the need for separate control mechanisms for each sensor, managing the complexity of multiple sensors through a single, versatile component while still enabling extended operational duration through sensor rotation.
Data Source
AI summary
A sensor assembly having a housing including a plurality of compartments, an actuator for selectively hermetically sealing or fluidly connecting the plurality of compartments, a plurality of sensors each positioned in a corresponding compartment, and a receiver is disclosed. A method of monitoring a parameter of a fluid in a remote location is also disclosed. The method includes deploying the sensor assembly to the remote location, fluidly connecting a first sensor to the fluid, transmitting to an external controller data including values for the measured parameter of the fluid, and operating the actuator to fluidly connect a second sensor responsive to the operating interval of the first sensor trending to expiration. A sensing system having a sensor assembly and an external controller is also disclosed. A method of facilitating monitoring a parameter of the fluid in a remote location by providing the sensor assembly is also disclosed.