Ultrasonic Sensor Device Bubble Venting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sensor devices for detecting liquid media properties in pipeline systems are complex, costly, and prone to errors due to air or gas bubbles, which disrupt ultrasonic signal propagation and reduce measurement accuracy.

Innovation Solution

A compact sensor device with a simple structure, featuring a measuring space enclosed by connection elements with reflection surfaces, allowing ultrasonic signals to propagate through the liquid medium with minimal interference from bubbles, ensuring accurate and reliable detection by positioning openings above the reflection surfaces and promoting a venting effect to remove gas bubbles.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If ultrasonic transducers are arranged at both ends of the measuring space with complex calibration paths, then measurement accuracy is improved, but device complexity and calibration cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegas concentration measurement accuracyVSAvoidcalibration and reference path complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates the complex calibration reference path from the measurement system. By using a single ultrasonic transducer and measuring the round-trip time of sound waves through the gas sample chamber, the system achieves accurate gas concentration measurement without requiring separate calibration paths or multiple transducers, thus simplifying the device while maintaining measurement precision

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The single ultrasonic transducer serves multiple functions: it acts as both the sound source and the receiver, performs both transmission and detection, and eliminates the need for separate calibration mechanisms. This multi-functional design reduces device complexity while maintaining measurement accuracy through the time-of-flight measurement principle

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Volume of moving object

If the measuring space is made compact to reduce dimensions, then device size is reduced, but bubble interference and measurement reliability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensor device sizeVSAvoidmeasurement reliability due to bubble interference
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system employs periodic ultrasonic signal transmission through the gas sample chamber. By sending ultrasonic pulses at regular intervals and measuring the time of flight for each pulse, the system can detect and account for bubble interference patterns, maintaining reliable measurements in a compact measuring space where bubbles are more likely to form

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The measurement system incorporates feedback mechanisms that continuously monitor the ultrasonic signal characteristics. When bubble interference is detected through changes in signal transmission time or intensity, the system can adjust measurement parameters or trigger alerts, ensuring reliable operation despite the compact measuring space that is more susceptible to bubble formation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Difficulty of detecting and measuring

If multiple reflection surfaces are arranged at angles to guide ultrasonic signals, then signal path control is improved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveultrasonic signal path controlVSAvoidhousing and reflection surface manufacturing
Core Design Contradiction:
Difficulty of detecting and measuringVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of using complex angled reflection surfaces to guide ultrasonic signals, the patent inverts the approach by using a single transducer that emits signals directly through the gas sample chamber and receives the reflected signals. The measurement is based on the time of flight of the sound waves traveling through the gas, eliminating the need for manufactured reflection surfaces while maintaining precise signal path control

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical system of angled reflection surfaces and multi-transducer arrangements with an acoustic field-based measurement approach. By measuring the time of flight of ultrasonic waves traveling directly through the gas sample, the system achieves accurate gas concentration measurement without requiring complex mechanical housing features for signal guidance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 device provides reliable and accurate detection of liquid medium properties with reduced susceptibility to bubble interference, enabling continuous monitoring and cost-effective production for applications like exhaust gas cleaning systems.

Implementation Method 1

an ultrasonic module, which transmits ultrasonic signals into the measuring space and receives reflected ultrasonic signals from the measuring space

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectUltrasonic signal propagation: Ultrasound

Implementation Method 2

the connection elements having respective reflection surfaces for predetermined reflection of the ultrasonic signals in the measuring space

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectUltrasonic reflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP2863215B1Sensor device for measuring characteristics of fluid media
Publication Date: 2020.01.15 ROBERT SEUFFER
  • EP2863215B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2863215B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2863215B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The present invention relates to a sensor device for detecting the properties of a fluid medium (3) by means of ultrasonic signals, comprising a first connection element (11) and a second connection element (12) spaced apart therefrom, and a measuring chamber (14) arranged between the connection elements, which is closed by means of the connection elements (11, 12) and is filled with and flows through the fluid medium (3), and an ultrasonic module (15) which sends ultrasonic signals into the measuring chamber (14) and receives reflected ultrasonic signals from the measuring chamber (14), wherein the connection elements (11, 12) have respective reflective surfaces (21, 22) for the predetermined reflection of the ultrasonic signals in the measuring chamber (14), and the connection elements (11, 12) have respective openings (23, 25) for the fluid medium (3) to flow into and out of the measuring chamber (14), and the openings (23, 25) are located above the reflective surfaces (21, 22). 22) are trained.