Tactile feedback techniques to limit temperature runaway in boiler systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional temperature sensors in boilers are often improperly positioned, leading to inaccurate temperature measurements and potential overheating, which can cause damage to the boiler and pose safety risks.
Innovation Solution
A sensor probe kit with a seating mechanism that ensures proper positioning and maintains electrical connection, providing tactile feedback during installation and ensuring accurate fluid level and temperature monitoring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional temperature sensors are installed in boiler wells, then temperature monitoring is achieved, but the sensors can be inadvertently moved or improperly positioned, leading to inaccurate measurements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by providing a pre-configured sensor probe assembly with a well coupling member that includes receiving elements and resilient arms positioned before installation. The resilient arms are pre-biased to engage with the boiler well structure, ensuring proper positioning is established in advance rather than requiring adjustment after installation. This preliminary configuration prevents subsequent displacement and maintains measurement accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary well coupling member that mediates between the sensor probe and the boiler well. This coupling member includes resilient arms that act as intermediaries to transmit tactile feedback to the installer during installation and to maintain electrical connection. The intermediary structure ensures proper sensor positioning without requiring direct complex interaction between the sensor and well, thereby improving both installation ease and positioning reliability.
2Measurement precision
If a seating mechanism with tactile feedback is added to ensure proper sensor positioning, then measurement accuracy improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service through the resilient arms that automatically engage with the boiler well structure during installation. The tactile feedback mechanism requires no additional tools or complex adjustment procedures - the installer simply inserts the probe and the resilient arms self-adjust to the correct position, providing immediate tactile confirmation. This self-service approach achieves precise positioning without adding significant operational complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback through tactile signals provided by the resilient arms during installation. When the sensor probe is properly positioned, the resilient arms engage with the boiler well structure and provide immediate tactile feedback to the installer. This feedback loop ensures correct positioning without requiring complex electronic sensors or multiple adjustment steps, thereby achieving high measurement precision with minimal added complexity.
3Reliability
If the sensor probe is securely connected to maintain electrical connection, then reliability of monitoring improves, but ease of installation and removal deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics through the resilient arms that can dynamically adjust their state during installation and operation. The arms are designed to be flexible during installation, allowing easy insertion and positioning, but maintain stable electrical connection during operation. The dynamic nature of the resilient arms enables them to accommodate slight movements while maintaining reliable contact, thus balancing ease of operation with connection stability.
Data Source
AI summary
Some aspects of the present disclosure relate to a sensor probe kit that has an electrical connection that ensures a sensor probe has been properly positioned in a boiler well. In some embodiments, the sensor probe kit has a seating mechanism that positively positions a sensor probe at a predetermined position within a boiler well. In many instances, the seating mechanism provides tactile feedback to an installer when the sensor probe is properly positioned within the boiler well. These features can help ensure the sensor probe is properly installed, and helps keep the sensor probe electrically connected to the well at all times after installation.