Sensor Cleaning via Pressurized Fluid Jet
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Sensors used in polluted atmospheres, especially thermocouples in hot and dusty environments, face contamination issues that lead to falsified measurement results, and existing cleaning methods like heating are energy-intensive and risky.
Innovation Solution
A method and device utilizing a pressurized liquid or gaseous fluid to clean the sensor's measuring point, allowing for manual or automatic cleaning of thermocouples during operation by supplying fluid through a tube accommodating the sensor, using water, compressed air, or steam to blow or rinse away dirt.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If sensors are cleaned by heating to elevated temperature, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but energy consumption increases and sensor damage risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies pneumatic cleaning by introducing compressed gas through a nozzle positioned near the sensor measuring point. The gas flow creates a jet that mechanically removes contaminants from the sensor surface without requiring thermal energy, thus resolving the contradiction between cleaning effectiveness and energy consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the thermal cleaning mechanism with a mechanical jet cleaning mechanism. Instead of using heat to vaporize or loosen contaminants, a directed gas jet provides mechanical force to remove dirt particles, eliminating the need for elevated temperature and associated energy consumption
2Reliability
If sensors are cleaned by heating to elevated temperature, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but sensor damage risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses compressed gas jet to mechanically clean the sensor surface without exposing it to high temperatures. This pneumatic approach removes contaminants through gas flow pressure and shear forces while keeping the sensor within its safe operating temperature range, eliminating thermal damage risk
Solution Approach 2:
The invention substitutes thermal processing with mechanical jet cleaning. The gas jet provides sufficient mechanical force to remove contaminants while avoiding the thermal stresses that could damage the sensor materials, particularly the measuring point and sensitive internal structures
3Reliability
If fluid streams flow continuously through the pipe system, then the measurement spot remains free, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic or on-demand gas jet activation rather than continuous fluid flow. The cleaning jet is triggered only when contamination is detected or at scheduled intervals, maintaining measurement spot clearance while avoiding the complexity of continuous flow control systems
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates sensors that detect contamination levels and automatically trigger the cleaning jet when needed. This self-monitoring and self-cleaning capability maintains measurement reliability without requiring complex external control systems for continuous fluid management
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
Enables effective and safe cleaning of thermocouples in hot, polluted environments without damaging the sensor, ensuring accurate measurements and reducing energy consumption.
Implementation Method 1
with the aid of the liquid or gaseous fluid supplied under increased pressure, dirt that has deposited on the sensor designed as a thermocouple in the area of its measuring point is cleaned off by blowing or rinsing away
Data Source
AI summary
To clean the measuring point (3) of sensors (1) which are used in hot, dusty atmospheres in order to provide measurement results, the sensor (1) is placed in a tube (5). A connection (9) for supplying liquid or gaseous fluid is associated with the tube (5). By subjecting the tube (5) to pressurized liquid or gaseous fluid such as compressed air or steam, the measuring point (3) of the sensor (1), which is arranged, for example, in a combustion chamber (2), is cleaned.