Sensor Insert for Accurate Glycol Temperature Readings

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing temperature sensing probes encased in glycol bottles can provide inaccurate readings due to contact with the container walls, leading to false or less accurate temperature measurements, especially when the container is moved or handled.

Innovation Solution

A sensor insert with a tapered body and inner support structure that positions the sensor element above the bottle's bottom, maintaining fluid communication and preventing contact with the bottle's sides or bottom, ensuring accurate temperature readings by keeping the sensor away from the container walls.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the sensor element is placed directly in the glycol bottle, then the sensor can track product temperature accurately through thermal mass matching, but the sensor may contact the container walls causing false or less accurate temperature readings

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature reading accuracyVSAvoidcontact with container walls

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary structure (the insert body with cavity) between the sensor element and the glycol bottle. This intermediary allows the sensor to be suspended in the glycol without contacting the bottle walls, eliminating the harmful thermal conduction path while maintaining thermal coupling with the glycol through the fluid medium.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The sensor assembly is segmented into distinct functional components: the sensor element, the insert body with cavity, and the suspension mechanism. This segmentation allows the sensor to be isolated from direct contact with the container walls while maintaining thermal contact with the glycol through the cavity space.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If the sensor is positioned away from the bottle walls to prevent contact, then false readings are reduced, but the sensor may not maintain optimal thermal contact with the glycol

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereading stability during handlingVSAvoidtemperature tracking accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The glycol-filled cavity acts as an intermediary thermal medium that transfers heat between the bottle walls and the sensor element. This allows the sensor to be thermally coupled to the glycol (which tracks product temperature) while being physically isolated from the bottle walls, resolving the contradiction between thermal contact and wall contact prevention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses the hydraulic properties of the glycol fluid to establish thermal coupling. The fluid fills the cavity and provides both thermal conduction pathways to the sensor element and physical suspension to prevent wall contact, leveraging fluid mechanics to solve the thermal contact problem.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

3Device complexity

If a simple probe design is used, then the device complexity is low, but the probe cannot prevent sensor contact with bottle walls

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinsert structure complexityVSAvoidsensor contact with container

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The probe is segmented into the insert body and the sensor element, with the insert body providing structural support and the cavity providing sensor suspension. This segmentation adds minimal complexity while effectively preventing sensor contact with the bottle walls.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The insert body with its cavity creates a flexible suspension system that allows the sensor to be positioned away from rigid surfaces. The cavity space provides a buffer zone that prevents contact while maintaining thermal coupling through the glycol medium.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 sensor insert provides more accurate temperature readings by maintaining the sensor element in fluid contact with the glycol while preventing contact with the bottle's interior, reducing erroneous readings and ensuring stability during handling and movement.

Implementation Method 1

using a probe encased in a fluid such as glycol having a similar thermal mass will more closely track the actual product temperature

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

The sensor insert may also have one, or a plurality of fluid openings in the insert body positioned between the first end and the second end

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid flow:

Data Source

PatentUS10895508B1Sensor insert

Publication Date: 2021.01.19 DICKSONUNIGAGE

AI summary

A sensor insert for positioning a temperature sensor within a glycol bottle. The sensor insert may be transparent and in the general shape of a tube, and is adapted for insertion in a bottle having an upper opening and a bottom. The sensor insert can also comprise an insert body having a first end, a second end and an inner surface. The insert body may be tapered from the first end toward the second end, for easy insertion into the bottle. The sensor insert can hold a temperature sensor away from the bottom and sides of the bottle to enable more accurate temperature readings. The insert also allows fluid within the bottle to be in contact with the temperature sensor due to fluid openings in the insert body.