Multi-component Velocity Sensor Using Alternating Current Modes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current fluid flow measurement technologies face challenges in accurately measuring multiple components of velocity with sufficient spatial resolution, often requiring complex sensor configurations and calibration techniques, which can lead to errors and signal attenuation due to probe geometry limitations.
Innovation Solution
A multi-component fast response sensor system utilizing a single nanoscale sensing element that alternates current to measure two or more components of velocity, operating as both a hot wire anemometer and an elastic filament velocimeter, with circuitry to differentiate between components and incorporate additional wires for enhanced measurement capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple wires are employed in numerous configurations to measure multiple velocity components, then measurement capability is improved, but device complexity and calibration difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
A single sensing wire is designed to perform multiple measurement functions by alternating between hot wire anemometer mode (measuring streamwise velocity) and elastic filament velocimeter mode (measuring transverse velocity). This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for multiple separate wires and complex calibration procedures while maintaining the capability to measure multiple velocity components.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges two distinct measurement techniques (hot wire anemometry and elastic filament velocimetry) into a single integrated sensing wire system. By combining these functions in one element, the device complexity is reduced compared to using separate wires for each measurement type.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple wires are employed in numerous configurations to measure multiple velocity components, then measurement capability is improved, but calibration complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The single sensing wire is designed to perform multiple measurement functions by alternating between hot wire anemometer mode (measuring streamwise velocity) and elastic filament velocimeter mode (measuring transverse velocity). This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for multiple separate wires and complex calibration procedures while maintaining the capability to measure multiple velocity components.
3Adaptability or versatility
If probe geometry is complex to enable multi-component measurements, then measurement capability is improved, but spatial resolution deteriorates due to signal attenuation
Solution Approach 1:
The measurement process is segmented into two distinct operational modes that are alternated in time: hot wire anemometer mode for streamwise velocity measurement and elastic filament velocimeter mode for transverse velocity measurement. This temporal segmentation allows a single point-sized sensor to capture multiple velocity components without the spatial averaging effects that plague multi-wire probe configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensing wire periodically alternates between two operational states: hot wire mode and elastic filament mode. This periodic switching enables the single sensor to sequentially measure different velocity components, achieving multi-component measurement capability while maintaining the spatial resolution of a point sensor.
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 precise measurement of multiple velocity components with improved spatial resolution and reduced calibration complexity, minimizing errors and signal attenuation, and allowing for simultaneous measurement of turbulence statistics and correlations.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor having a sensing element configured such that its strain can be related to the velocity over it
Implementation Method 2
The system may also be configured to alternate current based on a square wave, sine wave, or other waveform input... operate such that the alternately operates as a hot wire anemometer and an elastic filament velocimeter
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for measuring multiple velocity components with a single wire, by alternating current through the wire at a sufficiently high frequency, where the first current allows measurement of a first velocity component, and the second current allows measurement of a second velocity component. The resolution of the measurements can be adjusted by altering the frequency at which the current is alternated.