Sensor Apparatus Waveguide Thermal Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sensor apparatuses for interrogating mechanical structures, such as vessels or conduits, lack the necessary flexibility and durability to effectively measure structural characteristics and integrity in harsh environments, particularly in offshore settings where pressure and corrosion are significant concerns.
Innovation Solution
A sensor apparatus with a transducer arrangement that includes a waveguide with free distal ends for exciting and receiving acoustic Lamb waves, allowing for selective mode switching and steering, and featuring elements that can operate in harsh conditions, including high temperatures and ionizing radiation, with optional Bragg grating sensors for chemical parameter measurement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If transducers are mounted directly on the pipe wall, then acoustic coupling is improved, but thermal isolation is reduced and transducers are exposed to high temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
A waveguide made of thermally isolating material (such as plastic or composite) is introduced as an intermediary between the transducer and the pipe wall. The waveguide includes a coupling portion that contacts the pipe wall for acoustic coupling, while the transducer is mounted on a portion of the waveguide spaced from the pipe wall, providing thermal isolation while maintaining acoustic functionality.
2Temperature
If transducers are mounted remotely from the pipe wall, then thermal isolation is improved, but acoustic coupling is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The waveguide serves as an intermediary structure that bridges the gap between thermal isolation requirements and acoustic coupling needs. The coupling portion of the waveguide is in direct contact with the pipe wall to ensure good acoustic coupling, while the transducer is positioned on the waveguide at a distance from the pipe wall to achieve thermal isolation.
3Reliability
If a waveguide is used for thermal isolation, then transducer durability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The waveguide structure performs multiple functions simultaneously: it provides thermal isolation to protect the transducer from high temperatures, maintains acoustic coupling to the pipe wall through its coupling portion, and serves as the mounting substrate for the transducer. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components and simplifies the overall assembly.
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 apparatus provides thorough and flexible interrogation of mechanical structures, enabling accurate measurement of structural integrity, corrosion, and chemical parameters, even in challenging environments, with improved durability and operational flexibility.
Implementation Method 1
the one or more driver elements are operable to excite an acoustic Lamb wave propagation within the wall of the structure for providing information indicative of properties of the wall and/or material present in a vicinity of the wall
Implementation Method 2
the transducer arrangement is operable, when interrogating the structure to perform at least one of: switching between selected acoustic wave modes present in an acoustic wave propagation
Implementation Method 3
steering an acoustic propagation direction of the acoustic wave propagation
Implementation Method 4
with optional Bragg grating sensors for chemical parameter measurement
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 1C
AI summary
A sensor apparatus (180) is provided for measuring characteristics of a wall of a structure (100) and/or a medium in contact with the structure (100), wherein the sensor apparatus (180) includes a transducer arrangement (200, 300, 510, 540) disposed at least partially around a planar or curved surface of a wall of the structure (100), or disposed over a region of a planar or curved surface of a wall of the structure (100). The sensor apparatus (180) includes a transducer waveguide including at least one free distal end whereat one or more driver and/or receiver elements are mounted on one or more sides of the at least one free distal end. Moreover, the transducer arrangement (200, 300, 510, 540) is operable, when interrogating the structure (100) to perform at least one of: switching between selected acoustic wave modes present in an acoustic wave propagation, steering an acoustic propagation direction of the acoustic wave propagation. The one or more driver elements are operable to excite the acoustic wave propagation within the wall of the structure (100) for providing information indicative of properties of the wall and/or material present in a vicinity of the wall which interacts with the acoustic wave propagation. The wall (100) pertains, for example, to a pipe, a conduit, a vessel, a chamber, a planar sheet, but is not limited thereto.