Sensor Assembly Transformer for High Temperature Signal Noise
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Capacitance probes in high temperature environments suffer from signal noise due to cable impedance, reducing sensitivity and accuracy, and existing solutions complicate the system with electronic signal conditioning.
Innovation Solution
A sensor assembly with a transformer, including a ceramic substrate and electrically conductive lines forming windings, is used to amplify the signal-to-noise ratio, employing axial or planar transformer configurations suitable for high temperature environments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a cable is used to connect the capacitance probe to the signal processing unit in high temperature environments, then the signal can be transmitted to the processing unit, but the cable impedance introduces noise that reduces measurement accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the signal conditioning function from the remote signal processing unit and relocates it to the probe assembly itself. The transformer is integrated directly into the probe, eliminating the need for long cables and remote electronic signal conditioning. This extraction of the noise-generating cable and conditioning electronics from the high-temperature measurement environment resolves the contradiction by maintaining signal transmission while eliminating the primary noise source.
Solution Approach 2:
The transformer acts as an intermediary device that couples the high-impedance probe output to the low-impedance transmission line. By introducing this impedance-matching intermediary at the probe output, the patent eliminates the need for long cables that would otherwise introduce noise. The transformer mediates between the probe and the transmission medium, providing signal transmission while preventing noise coupling.
2Measurement precision
If electronic signal conditioning is employed to compensate for signal losses due to noise, then measurement accuracy can be improved, but the system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the transformer with the probe assembly into a single integrated unit. Rather than having separate probe, cable, and signal conditioning components, the transformer is directly coupled to the probe sensing element, forming an integrated sensor assembly. This merging eliminates the need for complex remote signal conditioning electronics while maintaining measurement accuracy, thereby reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The probe assembly becomes self-sufficient by incorporating the transformer directly into its structure. The probe performs its own signal conditioning function through the integrated transformer, eliminating the need for external signal processing equipment. This self-service capability reduces system complexity while maintaining the ability to compensate for signal losses and reject noise.
3Reliability
If the signal processing unit is located at a distance from the probe in high temperature environments, then the processing unit can operate in ambient conditions, but the long cable acts as an antenna for electromagnetic noise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the signal transformation function from the remote processing unit and places it at the probe location. By taking out the transformer and integrating it with the probe, the design eliminates the long cable that would otherwise act as an electromagnetic antenna. The signal processing unit can remain in the ambient environment, but the cable length is dramatically reduced since the transformer is now co-located with the probe.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a distributed architecture (probe separated from processing unit by long cable) to a localized architecture (transformer integrated with probe). This dimensional change in system architecture—moving the signal conditioning function from the remote dimension to the local probe dimension—eliminates the long cable antenna effect while maintaining the ability to process signals in ambient conditions.
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 assembly provides accurate measurements with a high signal-to-noise ratio at a remote signal processing unit, enhancing sensitivity and accuracy while maintaining system simplicity.
Implementation Method 1
a transformer coupled to the sensor. The transformer includes at least one ceramic substrate and at least one electrically conductive line disposed on the ceramic substrate to form at least one winding
Data Source
AI summary
A sensor assembly is provided. The sensor assembly includes a sensor configured to measure an impedance value representative of a sensed parameter and a transformer coupled to the sensor. The transformer includes at least one ceramic substrate and at least one electrically conductive line disposed on the ceramic substrate to form at least one winding. The electrically conductive line includes an electrically conductive material.