Soil Pressure Sensor with Antimicrobial Cavity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Microbial lifeforms within the water in soil pressure sensing devices can develop and produce gas bubbles, disrupting pressure measurements due to the compressibility of gases, which affects the accuracy of pore-water pressure monitoring.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating an antimicrobial substance, such as a metal-based coating, within the sensor cavity to prevent microbial growth by using a selective passage and ensuring the pressure sensor remains free from mechanical contact with the antimicrobial substance, thereby reducing gas production and maintaining measurement accuracy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a filter permeable to water is used to allow water entry while blocking solid particles, then solid particle intrusion is prevented, but microbial lifeforms can still pass through and develop in the sensor cavity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprevention of solid particle intrusionVSAvoidmicrobial growth and gas production

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different functional properties to different parts of the filtering system. The outer filter blocks solid particles while being permeable to water, and the inner antimicrobial coating specifically targets microbial growth. This local differentiation of filtering properties allows the system to address multiple harmful factors (solids and microbes) through specialized zones rather than a single universal filter.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Ease of operation

If the sensor cavity is left untreated to maintain measurement functionality, then the pressure sensor can operate normally, but microbial lifeforms can develop and produce gas bubbles that disturb measurements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepressure sensor functionalityVSAvoidpressure measurement accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The antimicrobial coating is applied in advance to the sensor cavity surfaces before the device is deployed. This preliminary protective action prevents microbial colonization before it can occur, eliminating the source of gas bubble formation and ensuring that measurements remain accurate throughout the device's operational life without requiring later intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Object-generated harmful factors

If gas bubbles are present in the sensor cavity, then microbial activity is evidenced, but the compressibility of gas disturbs the measured pressure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemicrobial activity indicationVSAvoidpressure measurement disturbance

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-generated harmful factorsVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The antimicrobial coating performs a preliminary counter-action against microbial growth by creating a biocidal environment on all wetted surfaces within the sensor cavity. This preemptive measure neutralizes the potential for microbial metabolism that would otherwise produce gas bubbles, thereby preventing the harmful effect (measurement disturbance) before it can manifest.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-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

The antimicrobial substance effectively reduces microbial activity, minimizing gas presence in the sensor cavity, ensuring accurate and reliable water pressure measurements by eliminating compressible substances that could interfere with the pressure sensor.

Implementation Method 1

at least one metal component of the metal-based coating having antimicrobial properties... the water within the sensor cavity contains some dissolved antimicrobial substance (or a product thereof) which prevents or strongly slows down the development of any microbial lifeform in the sensor cavity

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAntimicrobial properties of metal components:

Implementation Method 2

a selective passage for water between an outer surface of the sensor housing and the sensor cavity... a filter that is permeable to water but blocks entrance of solid particles from the soil into the sensor cavity

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPermeability filtering: Filter (physical)

Data Source

PatentUS11150155B2Pressure sensing device for measuring water pressure in a soil medium

Publication Date: 2021.10.19 FUGRO NV

AI summary

A pressure sensing device is configured for measuring water pressure in a soil medium, and includes a sensor housing and a pressure sensor. The sensor housing is adapted with a sensor cavity delimited by an enveloping surface. The sensor housing is provided with a selective passage for water between an outer surface of the sensor housing and the sensor cavity. The pressure sensor is arranged within the sensor cavity for measurement of a water pressure within the sensor cavity. The pressure sensing device includes an antimicrobial substance for preventing microbial gas production in the sensor cavity.