Thermistor Flow Path for Accurate Pump Fluid Temperature Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fluid pumps lack effective temperature sensing mechanisms that provide accurate, real-time temperature measurements of the fluid, especially when submerged, due to limited fluid movement and potential interference from motor heat.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating an accessory fluid path with a thermistor that directs excess fluid flow through a low-restriction return path, maintaining similar temperature to the primary flow, allowing real-time temperature monitoring by a thermistor positioned within the circuit board housing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a thermistor is placed directly in the primary fluid path to measure temperature, then temperature measurement accuracy is improved, but pump performance is diminished due to restricted fluid flow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the fluid path into two separate paths: a primary fluid path for main fluid flow and pump operation, and an accessory fluid path for temperature sensing. This segmentation allows the thermistor to be accessed by fluid without restricting the primary flow, thereby maintaining pump performance while enabling accurate temperature measurement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary accessory fluid path that acts as a mediator between the primary fluid path and the thermistor. Excess fluid from the primary path is diverted through this intermediary path to the thermistor, allowing temperature sensing without direct interference with the primary flow. The low-restriction return path ensures this intermediary process does not impede overall system performance.
2Measurement precision
If excess fluid is diverted through an accessory fluid path to the thermistor, then temperature measurement is enabled, but additional flow restriction is introduced
Solution Approach 1:
The accessory fluid path serves multiple functions: it provides temperature sensing flow, acts as a return path for excess fluid, and maintains system pressure balance. The low-restriction return path is designed to minimize flow resistance while enabling these multiple functions, thereby reducing the overall impact of the additional path on system complexity.
3Productivity
If the thermistor is positioned away from the primary fluid path, then pump performance is maintained, but temperature measurement accuracy deteriorates due to temperature differences between paths
Solution Approach 1:
The patent ensures continuous flow of excess fluid from the primary path through the accessory path to the thermistor via the low-restriction return path. This continuous fluid movement maintains thermal equilibrium between the two paths, ensuring the thermistor accurately reflects primary path temperature despite being positioned separately, thus preserving measurement accuracy while maintaining pump performance.
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
Provides accurate, real-time temperature measurements of the fluid flow without diminishing pump performance, facilitating efficient operation and maintenance by minimizing additional electrical components and allowing for interchangeable circuit board assemblies.
Implementation Method 1
The low-restriction return path is configured to maintain a temperature of the continuous flow of the fluid within the contoured portion of the accessory fluid path to be similar to a temperature of the fluid in the fluid path
Implementation Method 2
A thermistor is positioned in communication with the contoured portion to simultaneously monitor, in real time, the temperature of the continuous flow of the fluid in the accessory fluid path and the temperature of the primary flow of the fluid in the fluid path
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid pump includes a pump element where rotation of the pump element generates suction at the inlet and pressure at the outlet to move fluid through a fluid path. An inlet orifice directs a portion of the fluid through the accessory fluid path that includes a low-restriction return path providing a continuous flow of the fluid through the accessory fluid path and to an outlet orifice. A circuit board housing includes a contoured portion and a PCB with a thermistor in communication with contoured portion. The continuous flow is directed between the contoured portion and the outlet orifice between a rotor and the outer wall. The low-restriction return path maintains a temperature of the continuous flow of the fluid within the contoured portion of the accessory fluid path to be similar to a temperature of the fluid in the fluid path.