Liquid Sensor Containment with Retainment Basin

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing liquid sensors face challenges when immersed in liquids with fluctuating levels, as they can dry out, leading to irreversible changes in sensor properties, and are susceptible to harsh conditions and debris, which can impair their functionality.

Innovation Solution

A system comprising a sensor on an elongated support with a containment device having a liquid-impermeable retainment basin and apertures, allowing the sensor to remain immersed by retaining liquid and exchanging it when necessary, eliminating the need for movable parts that can be affected by harsh conditions or debris.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a pivoting bowl mechanism is used to keep the sensor immersed, then the sensor remains in a wet environment, but the pivoting mechanism can be blocked by deposits, corrosion, or debris

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensor immersion reliabilityVSAvoidimpact of deposits and debris on pivoting mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the pivoting mechanism entirely and replaces it with a fixed containment device. The sensor support is mounted fixedly on the site support, and the containment device is fixedly mounted on the sensor support, eliminating movable parts that could be blocked by deposits or debris while maintaining sensor immersion through the fixed retainment basin structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical pivoting bowl system with a static fixed mounting system. Instead of using a pivoting mechanism to adjust sensor position, the sensor is fixed in position within a containment device that has a retainment basin to hold liquid, substituting mechanical movement with a static structural solution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If the sensor is exposed to ambient conditions when liquid level drops, then the sensor dries out and suffers irreversible changes, but a pivoting mechanism adds complexity and vulnerability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensor wet environment maintenanceVSAvoidpivoting mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the pivoting mechanism entirely and replaces it with a fixed containment device. The sensor support is mounted fixedly on the site support, and the containment device is fixedly mounted on the sensor support, eliminating movable parts that could be blocked by deposits or debris while maintaining sensor immersion through the fixed retainment basin structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical pivoting bowl system with a static fixed mounting system. Instead of using a pivoting mechanism to adjust sensor position, the sensor is fixed in position within a containment device that has a retainment basin to hold liquid, substituting mechanical movement with a static structural solution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If a fixed containment device is used to hold liquid, then the sensor remains immersed without movable parts, but the device must be filled with liquid to function

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensor immersion stabilityVSAvoidinstallation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates a filling aperture in the side wall of the containment device, allowing liquid to be introduced during installation or maintenance. This preliminary action feature enables the device to be filled with liquid to submerge the sensor, ensuring the sensor remains immersed without requiring complex pumping or filling mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The containment device is designed to be self-filling through the aperture in the side wall, allowing liquid to enter and submerge the sensor automatically during installation or maintenance operations, eliminating the need for external filling equipment or complex installation procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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

The system ensures the sensor remains immersed and functional, providing robust operation by maintaining a wet environment and preventing damage from harsh conditions and debris, ensuring accurate measurements.

Implementation Method 1

a bottom section given by a liquid impermeable retainment basin

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhysical containment: Physical Containment

Implementation Method 2

apertures extending through the side wall of the top section

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid flow through apertures:

Data Source

PatentUS12078609B2System and method for measuring a variable of a liquid

Publication Date: 2024.09.03 ENDRESS & HAUSER INC

AI summary

A system for measuring a variable of a liquid and a method operation the system is disclosed. The system comprises: a sensor located on an end section of an elongated sensor support and embodied to measure the variable; a containment device that is open at the top; the containment device including: a bottom section given by a liquid impermeable retainment basin, a top section having a side wall surrounding an interior of the top section and apertures extending through the side wall of the top section; and fasteners embodied to at a measurement site mount the sensor support in a fixed sensor support position in relation to a fixed device position of the containment device such that the sensor is located inside the retainment basin.