Shuttle Valve Friction Reduction in Pressure Measurement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional pressure measurement systems face challenges in efficiently scanning and accurately monitoring multiple air streams across various channels, particularly in environments like wind tunnels, due to issues with friction, wear, and inconsistent pressure application in valve designs, leading to reduced precision and increased maintenance needs.

Innovation Solution

The pressure measurement apparatus employs a valve assembly with a shuttle/slider design that uses ball bearings and toroids to minimize friction and wear, allowing precise linear motion and reducing the forces on sealing members, along with a processing circuitry that enables high-speed data acquisition and switching of excitation signal polarity to correct for sensor drift.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional valve designs are used for scanning multiple air streams, then the device can monitor pressures across various channels, but friction and wear increase leading to reduced precision and increased maintenance needs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to scan multiple air streamsVSAvoidprecision of pressure measurements

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces conventional mechanical valve designs with a shuttle/slider mechanism that uses ball bearings to minimize friction and wear. This substitution of mechanical components reduces friction and wear, thereby maintaining precision over time while enabling scanning of multiple air streams across various channels

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a shuttle/slider assembly with ball bearings as an intermediary mechanism between the control system and the pressure sensing system. This intermediary component facilitates smooth transitions between different measurement channels while minimizing friction and wear, thus maintaining measurement precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If conventional valve designs are used, then the device can switch between channels, but wear and friction increase requiring more maintenance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespeed of scanning multiple channelsVSAvoidmaintenance requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces conventional mechanical valve designs with a shuttle/slider mechanism that uses ball bearings to minimize friction and wear. This substitution reduces maintenance requirements while enabling high-speed scanning across multiple channels

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a dynamic shuttle/slider assembly that can quickly transition between different positions to switch between measurement channels. This dynamic mechanism, supported by ball bearings, enables high-speed scanning while minimizing wear, thus reducing maintenance needs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Speed

If pressure sensors are exposed to air streams continuously, then real-time measurement is possible, but sensor drift occurs due to inconsistent pressure application

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata acquisition speedVSAvoidaccuracy of pressure readings

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism through processing circuitry that monitors sensor output and applies correction factors to compensate for sensor drift. This feedback system maintains measurement precision while enabling high-speed data acquisition by continuously correcting for inconsistencies in pressure application

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs periodic switching of excitation signal polarity to correct for sensor drift. This periodic action, combined with high-speed data acquisition, maintains measurement accuracy by regularly compensating for sensor drift while continuing to monitor pressures in real-time

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

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 design enhances the accuracy and reliability of pressure measurements across multiple channels by reducing wear and friction, improving frequency response, and minimizing maintenance, while enabling high-speed data acquisition and correction for sensor drift.

Implementation Method 1

uses ball bearings and toroids to minimize friction and wear, allowing precise linear motion

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 2

uses ball bearings and toroids to minimize friction and wear, allowing precise linear motion and reducing the forces on sealing members

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectForce: Force

Data Source

PatentUS9841340B1Pressure measurement apparatus, assemblies and methods

Publication Date: 2017.12.12 SCANIVALVE CORP

AI summary

Pressure measurement apparatus, assemblies and methods are described. According to one aspect, a pressure sensor assembly includes a substrate, a first adhesive member adhered to the substrate, a sensor support adhered to the first adhesive member, a second adhesive member adhered to the sensor support, and a pressure sensor adhered to the second adhesive member and aligned with apertures of the substrate, first adhesive member, and second adhesive member, and the pressure sensor is configured to vary an output signal as a result of changes in pressure of a received air stream, and the output signal is indicative of the changes in pressure of the air stream.