Sensor Attachment Assembly for Leak-Safe Fluid Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
The conventional method of attaching temperature and pressure sensors to heat exchangers requires time-consuming preparation work, such as creating through-holes and filling gaps with sealant, which can lead to leaks and measurement errors.
Innovation Solution
An attachment for fluid characteristic measurement sensors is interposed between cut metal tubes, comprising a body with sensors pre-attached and connection members that join the body flow path to the metal tube flow path, allowing for efficient and accurate measurement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a through-hole is provided in the wall portion of the tube body and a sealant is filled in the gap between the sensor and the through-hole, then the sensor can be attached to the heat exchanger, but the preparation work takes 10 hours or more
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment performs preliminary actions by pre-forming the through-hole and pre-filling the sealant in the attachment itself before installation. The body portion already contains the through-hole structure and the sealant is pre-positioned, so no on-site drilling or sealant application is needed during sensor installation, dramatically reducing preparation time
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment serves as an intermediary component between the sensor and the tube body. Instead of directly attaching the sensor to the tube body (which requires drilling and sealant application), the attachment pre-integrates these functions and simply needs to be inserted into the tube body, simplifying the installation process
2Productivity
If a sufficient amount of sealant is not filled in the gap between the through-hole and the sensor, then the attachment process is faster, but the sealant peels off due to heat medium pressure and causes leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The sealant is pre-filled in the attachment during manufacturing, ensuring the correct amount and proper distribution before installation. This eliminates the risk of insufficient sealant application during installation and ensures reliable sealing without requiring excessive sealant that would slow down the process
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment acts as an intermediary that pre-integrates the sealant in the correct position and amount. The sealant is already positioned in the groove of the attachment, ensuring proper sealing contact with both the tube body and the sensor, preventing peeling off under heat medium pressure
Data Source
AI summary
A metal tube (10) constituting a fluid flow path (12) is cut, and an attachment (14A) for a fluid characteristic measurement sensor is interposed between end portions of the cut metal tubes (10). The attachment (14A) includes a body (16A) through which a body flow path (1606) extends through and to which a temperature sensor (18) and a pressure sensor (20) are attached in advance and a pair of connection members (22) that connect a fluid flow path (12) and the body flow path (1606). Joint fittings (24A) are allowed to be used as a pair of connection members (22). The attachment improves workability 10 when measuring a characteristic of a fluid and reliably reducing a leakage of the fluid.