Sonic Sensor with Reflective Pad for Fluid Density Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for monitoring fluid characteristics, such as density, in dynamic environments like beer fermentation are invasive, inaccurate, and require interruption, lacking a simple, non-invasive, and real-time measurement solution.
Innovation Solution
A sonic sensor system with a transducer, acoustically reflective pad member, and processor that generates and receives ultrasonic pulses to measure sound speed in fluids, determining density and specific gravity, and displaying fermentation activity and completion time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If ultrasonic methods are used to determine fluid density, then non-invasive measurement is achieved, but measurement precision is insufficient for constantly changing fluid properties
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an acoustically reflective pad member as an intermediary element between the transducer and the fluid. This pad member serves as a stable reference surface that reflects ultrasonic pulses back to the transducer, enabling indirect measurement of fluid characteristics without direct contact between the sensor and the dynamic fluid environment, thus maintaining non-invasive measurement while improving precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical density measurement systems (which require physical contact and fluid removal) with an acoustic field-based measurement system. The transducer generates ultrasonic pulses that propagate through the fluid medium, and the reflected pulses carry information about fluid density, allowing non-contact, non-invasive measurement with high precision
2Measurement precision
If traditional density measurement methods are used, then accurate volumetric measurement is achieved, but continuous monitoring without interruption is not possible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous monitoring by having the transducer continuously generate ultrasonic pulses that travel through the fluid and reflect off the pad member. This creates an unbroken measurement cycle that provides real-time fluid characteristic data without interrupting the fermentation process, maintaining both measurement precision and continuous productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The acoustically reflective pad member acts as a stationary intermediary that remains in place while the fluid changes around it. This allows the measurement system to continuously sample fluid characteristics passing through the acoustic field without requiring physical intervention or process interruption
3Ease of operation
If simplified non-invasive approaches are used, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The acoustically reflective pad member serves as a precision-enhancing intermediary that maintains the simplicity of non-invasive operation. The pad provides a stable, known acoustic reference surface that improves measurement precision by creating consistent reflection conditions, while the overall system remains non-invasive and easy to operate
Solution Approach 2:
The patent measures changes in acoustic parameters (pulse travel time, sound speed) rather than directly measuring fluid density. This indirect parameter measurement approach maintains operational simplicity while achieving high precision through the relationship between sound speed and fluid density
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
Enables continuous, non-invasive, and accurate real-time monitoring of fluid characteristics, improving fermentation process control and resource management by providing precise density and activity data without interrupting the process.
Implementation Method 1
generate a signal that will cause the transducer to generate a set of pulses that will be transmitted to the pad member via a fluid
Implementation Method 2
receive, from the transducer, signals indicating when reflected pulses have been received from the pad member
Implementation Method 3
determine a time of generation, and a time at which a corresponding reflected pulse is received at the transduction surface. The processor may use the determined times and a length of the stem to determine a speed of sound in a fluid
Data Source
AI summary
A system for detecting characteristics of a fluid includes a sonic sensor. The sonic sensor includes a transducer, a transduction surface, and an acoustically reflective pad member. The transducer may be contained within a probe body, and the transduction surface may be an element of the probe body. A stem may connect the pad member to the transduction surface. The transducer will generate pulses that are transmitted to the pad member via a fluid when the transduction surface and pad member are immersed in the fluid. The system will detect the pulses when reflected and use that data to determine a speed of sound within the fluid. The system may use the speed of sound to determine density, specific gravity and/or stiffness of the fluid. The system may use that determination to assess a level of processing activity of the fluid, such as fermentation activity.