Sensor Head Bubble Reducer for Fluid Measurement Accuracy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fluid property sensors in vehicles, such as those measuring urea concentration in diesel exhaust fluid tanks, are impaired by air bubbles introduced during fluid recirculation, leading to measurement errors due to high temperature and pressure.
Innovation Solution
A bubble reducer device with a mesh or grid structure is integrated into the sensor head's opening, blocking bubbles in the fluid return line, reducing their collection at the fluid quality sensor and preventing measurement errors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a fluid return line is used to recirculate excessive fluid back to the tank, then sufficient fluid supply to the consumer device is secured, but air bubbles are introduced into the tank causing measurement errors
Solution Approach 1:
A bubble separator device is introduced as an intermediary component in the fluid return line. This device separates air bubbles from the recirculating fluid before it returns to the tank, preventing bubble contamination while maintaining the fluid recirculation function. The separator acts as a mediator between the recirculation system and the tank, eliminating the harmful effect of bubbles without compromising fluid supply.
2Power
If high temperature and pressure are used in the fluid recirculation system, then fluid delivery performance is improved, but air bubbles are generated and stick to sensors
Solution Approach 1:
The bubble separator device converts the harmful effect of air bubbles (generated by high temperature and pressure recirculation) into a manageable separation process. By designing the separator to exploit the compressibility and buoyancy differences between gas and liquid phases under high pressure conditions, the system transforms the bubble contamination problem into an efficient gas-liquid separation opportunity, maintaining high power delivery while eliminating bubbles.
3Measurement precision
If a bubble separator device is added to the sensor head, then measurement accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bubble separator utilizes porous materials or mesh structures with specific pore sizes that allow liquid to pass through while blocking air bubbles. This approach achieves effective bubble separation without requiring complex mechanical components. The porous structure provides a simple, passive separation mechanism that integrates easily into the existing sensor head design, minimizing added complexity while maximizing measurement accuracy.
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 bubble reducer device effectively minimizes air bubbles in the tank and at the fluid quality sensor, ensuring accurate measurements and proper sensor functioning.
Implementation Method 1
A bubble reducer device provided at the opening, and configured to block bubbles in the fluid in the return line while the fluid passes through the bubble reducer device during operation
Data Source
Figure 1A~1C
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AI summary
The invention provides a sensor head for being arranged in an orifice of a fluid tank with a bubble reducer device for blocking bubbles in a fluid in a return line for returning fluid to the fluid tank. Further, a corresponding fluid sensor comprising the sensor head and a selective catalytic reduction system comprising the fluid sensor is provided.