Sintered Glass-Ceramic Measuring Cell for High-Pressure Infrared Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing measuring cells for infrared analysis of fluids face challenges in maintaining operational reliability under high operating pressures and ensuring precise infrared transmission measurements, especially in oils used for technical systems where oil aging and fouling occur.
Innovation Solution
A measuring cell design featuring a flow channel between two transparent elements connected by a sintered glass-ceramic material, allowing for high mechanical strength and fluid-tight sealing, with a nanostructured surface for enhanced infrared transmission and adhesion, capable of operating at pressures over 20 bar, and a production method involving a connecting layer that matches thermal expansion coefficients and allows for precise structuring of the flow channel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If thick transparent elements are used to withstand high pressure, then mechanical strength is improved, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to difficulty in achieving pore-free connections
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by controlling the sintering process parameters (temperature, pressure, time) to sinter the connecting layer at optimized conditions. This allows thick transparent elements to be connected with high mechanical strength while achieving pore-free connections through precise control of sintering parameters, resolving the contradiction between strength and manufacturing precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a composite material approach by employing a connecting layer of glass-containing material that combines glass particles with organic binders. This composite structure allows the connecting layer to provide both mechanical strength for high-pressure applications and appropriate viscosity for precise application and sintering, enabling pore-free connections between thick elements.
2Reliability
If a connecting layer is applied to connect thick elements, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional production steps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functions into the connecting layer: it serves as both the bonding agent connecting the transparent elements and as the structural component providing mechanical strength for high-pressure operation. This integration improves reliability while avoiding the need for separate bonding and structural components, thereby reducing overall production complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The connecting layer performs self-service by automatically equalizing surface topography and ripple during the sintering process through material flow and densification. This self-equalizing property eliminates the need for additional surface preparation steps or complex alignment mechanisms, improving reliability while keeping the production process relatively simple.
3Manufacturing precision
If the connecting layer material is brought into contact with element surfaces under pressure in the unsintered state, then manufacturing precision is improved by equalizing surface topography, but ease of manufacture deteriorates due to additional processing steps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by bringing the connecting layer into contact with the element surfaces under pressure in the unsintered state before final sintering. This preliminary contact equalizes surface topography and ripple, ensuring precise surface contact and pore-free connections. The organic binders in the unsintered state provide appropriate viscosity for this preliminary shaping action.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by exploiting the temperature-dependent viscosity changes of the organic binders in the connecting layer. At application temperature (below sintering temperature), the binders provide appropriate viscosity for pressure application and surface equalization. During subsequent sintering, temperature increase causes binder removal and material densification, achieving the desired precision without permanent complexity in the manufacturing process.
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 solution provides a measuring cell with improved mechanical strength and operational reliability at high pressures, ensuring accurate infrared analysis by maintaining low thermal stresses and increasing signal levels through optimized infrared transmission and adhesion, thus enabling effective monitoring of fluid quality.
Implementation Method 1
The two elements are connected fluid-tight to one another with high mechanical strength by a connecting layer of glass-containing material, especially of a sintered glass-ceramic material
Implementation Method 2
Each element is transparent at least in sections to infrared radiation. The infrared radiation can be irradiated into the flow channel via the first element and can exit from the flow channel via the second element
Implementation Method 3
In the still unsintered state, by applying a corresponding pressure, the material of the connecting layer can be brought into contact with the surfaces of the two elements such that a topography or ripple of the surfaces of the two elements that may be present is equalized in this way
Data Source
AI summary
A measuring cell (1) for the infrared analysis of fluids, in particular a measuring cell (1) having a permissible operating pressure of more than 20 bar and preferably more than 50 bar, has a flow channel (10) for the fluid formed between first and second elements (2, 4). Each element is transparent to infrared radiation at least in some sections. The infrared radiation can be radiated into the flow channel (10) by the first element (2) and can exit the flow channel (10) by the second element (4). The two elements (2, 4) are connected to each other in a fluid-tight and mechanically high-strength manner by a connecting layer (6) arranged between them and made of a glass-containing material, in particular a sintered glass-ceramic material. A measuring system (8) has that measuring cell (1). A method produces that measuring cell (1).