Temperature Sensor Ledge Capillary Drainage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Temperature sensors in artificial weathering apparatuses face prolonged downtime due to water droplets collecting at the edge and taking time to evaporate, delaying the resumption of normal functioning during rain phases.
Innovation Solution
A ledge is strategically arranged near the edge of the temperature sensor to create a capillary effect, drawing water droplets into the gap between the ledge and the edge, facilitating quick drainage by gravity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If temperature sensors are arranged slightly inclined to the base plate to allow water droplets to run off by gravity, then water droplets can drain from the sensor surface, but the droplets collect at the bottom edge and fail to run across the edge, causing prolonged downtime
Solution Approach 1:
The bottom edge of the temperature sensor is segmented into two functional zones: a hydrophilic portion that promotes water adhesion and a hydrophobic portion that repels water. This segmentation allows water droplets to be drawn to the hydrophilic zone and then pushed off by the hydrophobic zone, preventing edge accumulation and enabling complete drainage.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the sensor edge are given different surface properties: the first portion (adjacent to the inclined surface) is made hydrophilic to attract and hold water droplets, while the second portion (at the very edge) is made hydrophobic to repel and eject the droplets. This local quality differentiation solves the problem of water collection at the edge.
2Reliability
If water droplets are allowed to evaporate naturally from the temperature sensor, then the sensor will eventually regain functionality, but this process takes quite a long time and drags out the weathering sequences intolerably
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor edge is pre-configured with hydrophilic and hydrophobic portions before the rain phase begins. When water droplets reach the edge during the rain phase, the pre-configured surface properties immediately act to draw and eject the droplets, preventing the need for prolonged evaporation and enabling rapid resumption of sensor functionality.
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
This solution allows temperature sensors to regain functionality significantly faster, reducing the overall duration of weathering tests by shortening the time interval to achieve stable readings after a rain phase.
Implementation Method 1
A first aspect of the device in accordance with the invention comprises a fixture for mounting a temperature sensor including a ledge as recited. The spacing and position of the ledge relative to the edge portion of the temperature sensor are selected particularly so that a water droplet on the edge portion wets a portion of the ledge. This results in a capillary effect, causing the water droplet to be drawn by its full volume into the constriction between the ledge and the edge portion.
Implementation Method 2
any liquid droplets, particularly so-called water droplets at the edge portion are now drawn into the interspace between the ledge and the edge portion... causing the water droplet to be drawn by its full volume into the constriction between the ledge and the edge portion. It is in this way that the water droplets are removed from the edge portion of the temperature sensor
Data Source
AI summary
A device for draining off liquid droplets from a temperature sensor, said device comprising a fixture for mounting a temperature sensor, a ledge arranged relative to the edge portion of the temperature sensor mountable in said fixture such that any liquid droplets at the edge portion are drawn into the interspace between the ledge and the edge portion.