Sonde Orientation Compensation for Depth Accuracy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Compact submersible sondes with a small diameter face challenges in accurately measuring depth when the pressure sensor is positioned away from the sensor plane, leading to significant errors due to orientation changes, especially in shallow water applications.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating an orientation sensor, such as an accelerometer, to determine the sonde's vertical orientation and calculate the actual depth by adjusting the depth measurement from a pressure sensor positioned within the sonde body, allowing for accurate depth calculation even when the sonde is not vertically aligned.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the pressure sensor is positioned away from the sensor plane to maximize the number of water parameters measured at the sensor plane, then the number of sensors at the sensor plane is increased, but the measurement precision of depth is degraded due to orientation changes
Solution Approach 1:
An orientation sensor (accelerometer) is introduced as an intermediary device to measure the sonde's orientation angle. This orientation information serves as a mediator to correct the depth measurement error caused by the separation between the pressure sensor and sensor plane, thereby resolving the contradiction between having more sensors at the sensor plane and maintaining depth measurement accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by using the orientation sensor to continuously monitor the sonde's orientation and feed this information back to correct the depth measurement. The correction formula D = Dp + Ds*cos(θ) applies this feedback to compensate for orientation-induced errors, maintaining measurement precision while allowing the pressure sensor to be positioned away from the sensor plane
2Device complexity
If the pressure sensor is positioned within the sonde body to free up space for other sensors, then the compactness and sensor capacity are improved, but the depth measurement accuracy deteriorates when the sonde is not vertically aligned
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the parameter of orientation angle (θ) measurement and uses it to dynamically adjust the depth calculation. By incorporating the orientation parameter into the depth calculation formula D = Dp + Ds*cos(θ), the system compensates for the positional separation between the pressure sensor and sensor plane, maintaining measurement precision while allowing flexible sensor positioning within the compact sonde body
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 approach enables more sensors to be placed at the sensor plane, providing accurate and reliable depth information in compact sondes, improving measurement accuracy by up to 0.25 inches in water, and maintaining accuracy across various orientations.
Implementation Method 1
measuring a pressure (P) with a pressure sensor of the submersible sonde submersed in a fluid
Implementation Method 2
measuring an orientation angle (θ) of the submersible sonde immersed in a fluid, wherein the orientation angle is determined by a 3-axis accelerometer positioned in the submersible sonde
Data Source
AI summary
Provided herein are sondes having a pressure sensor that is separated from active sensing portions of the other sonde sensor or sensors by a longitudinal distance along the sonde. The pressure sensor may be positioned in the base portion of the sonde, with removable sensors connected thereto with a sensor plane at a distal end of the sensors that measures any number of parameters associated with the liquid in which the sonde is immersed. An orientation sensor positioned in the base portion determines an orientation angle of the sonde that, in combination with the depth determined at the pressure sensor location by the pressure sensor, provides the ability to determine the actual depth of the sensor plane, irrespective of orientation angle. Accordingly, improved depth measurement is achieved, without having to confine placement of the pressure sensor at the sensor plane.