Self-Powered Sensor Unit for Composite Pressure Vessel Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing monitoring systems for composite pressure vessels, such as LPG or oxygen tanks, face challenges due to the risk of explosion and limitations in energy supply, making it difficult to track gas levels and vessel conditions safely and reliably.
Innovation Solution
A sensor unit with a capacitive gas level sensor, temperature sensor, shock sensor, and energy harvester chip is placed on the pressure vessel to monitor gas levels, temperature, and shocks, using Bluetooth communication and an energy harvester to maintain power without recharging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a battery-powered sensor system is used to monitor gas levels in a pressure vessel, then the monitoring function can be implemented, but the system requires regular charging or battery replacement which increases maintenance complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor system harvests energy from the pressure vessel's own operations (pressure changes, temperature variations) to power itself, eliminating the need for external charging or battery replacement. The system serves its own power needs through energy harvesting from the environment it monitors.
Solution Approach 2:
An energy harvesting intermediary component converts environmental energy (pressure, temperature) into electrical energy to power the sensor system. This intermediary enables the system to operate without direct user intervention for power supply.
2Reliability
If traditional monitoring equipment is installed on a free-standing gas tank, then gas level monitoring is possible, but the explosion risk increases due to additional energy sources in a potentially hazardous environment
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses minimal energy from the pressure vessel's own operations rather than introducing external power sources. This self-powered approach reduces the introduction of ignition sources into potentially hazardous environments.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces traditional mechanical/electrical power sources with energy harvesting from environmental parameters (pressure, temperature), reducing the need for batteries or external power connections that could pose explosion risks.
3Loss of information
If comprehensive sensors are installed to monitor all vessel conditions, then complete condition tracking is achieved, but the device complexity and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor system is designed to monitor multiple parameters (pressure, temperature, gas level) using integrated sensors that can operate from the same energy harvesting source, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining comprehensive monitoring capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple sensing functions are combined into a single integrated sensor unit that harvests energy from the same environmental sources, consolidating the system architecture and reducing the number of separate power sources needed.
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
Provides safe, maintenance-free monitoring of gas levels and vessel conditions, enabling real-time tracking and alerting of overfilling or leaks, with integrated energy harvesting ensuring continuous operation.
Implementation Method 1
at least one energy harvester chip for supplying power to the sensors and the communication unit
Implementation Method 2
a capacitive gas level sensor
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a
Figure 2b
AI summary
System and method for digitally monitoring a pressure vessel (19) for holding compressed gas, wherein the system comprises a sensor unit (5) placeable on the pressure vessel (19) for gathering information regarding the condition of the pressure vessel (19), a communication unit for wirelessly communicating the gathered information to a receiver wherein the sensor unit (5) comprises: • a temperature sensor for measuring the temperature of the pressure vessel (19), • a gas pressure sensor, • at least one power unit for supplying power to the sensors and the communication unit.