Volume Measurement for Hermetically Sealed Variable Containers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for measuring the volume of variable volume containers, such as those used for perishable products, are inaccurate, expensive, difficult, and time-consuming.
Innovation Solution
An instrument and method utilizing a needle, vacuum pump, mass flow rate sensor, and integrator to evacuate the gaseous content from a hermetically sealed container, allowing the Ideal Gas Law to calculate the container's volume by measuring mass flow rates and converting them to volume using known gas composition.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If current available instruments are used to measure the volume of variable volume containers, then measurement capability is provided, but the measurement accuracy is unacceptably inaccurate, cost is prohibitively expensive, operation is difficult and speed is slow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical volume measurement instruments with a system based on gas law calculations. Instead of using mechanical displacement or geometric measurement devices, the invention uses a pressure sensor, temperature sensor, and microprocessor to calculate volume based on the ideal gas law (PV=nRT), thereby reducing mechanical complexity while improving measurement accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces gas as an intermediary medium to measure container volume. By introducing a known amount of gas into the container and measuring its pressure and temperature, the system indirectly determines volume through gas law calculations, avoiding direct mechanical measurement of the variable volume container.
2Productivity
If current available instruments are used to measure the volume of variable volume containers, then measurement capability is provided, but measurement speed is slow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces slow mechanical measurement processes with rapid electronic sensing and calculation. Pressure and temperature sensors provide immediate readings, and the microprocessor instantly calculates volume using the ideal gas law, reducing measurement time from minutes or hours to seconds.
3Ease of operation
If current available instruments are used to measure the volume of variable volume containers, then measurement capability is provided, but operational difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a self-service measurement system where the container itself provides the measurement data. By sealing a known amount of gas inside the container and using internal pressure and temperature sensors, the system eliminates the need for external measurement equipment or complex operational procedures—the container measures itself.
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 an inexpensive, quick, and accurate method for measuring the volume of variable volume containers, applicable to a wide range of packaging types, including flexible and rigid containers, by integrating mass flow rates and applying the Ideal Gas Law.
Implementation Method 1
The vacuum pump is in fluid communication with the lumen for evacuating gaseous content from the retention chamber defined by the hermetically sealed, variable volume, pressure conforming container through the lumen defined by the needle
Implementation Method 2
The mass flow rate sensor is in sealed fluid communication with the lumen defined by the needle for sensing mass flow rates pulled through the lumen
Implementation Method 3
The integrator is in electrical communication with the mass flow rate sensor for receiving the mass flow rate signals, and programmed to (i) integrate the received mass flow rate signals over time through achievement of an evacuated retention chamber to generate a total mass value
Implementation Method 4
calculate a volume from the total mass value employing the ideal gas law
Data Source
AI summary
An instrument and method for measuring the volume of a hermetically sealed, variable volume, pressure conforming container. The instrument includes a needle, a vacuum pump, a mass flow rate sensor and an integrator. The needle has a lumen operable for sealingly perforating a container and thereby placing the lumen of the needle in fluid communication with a retention chamber defined by the container. The vacuum pump evacuates the gaseous content from the retention chamber through the lumen defined by the needle and past a mass flow rate sensor for sensing mass flow rates pulled through the lumen and transmitting corresponding mass flow rate signals over time to the integrator. The integrator is programmed to integrate the received mass flow rate signals over time through achievement of an evacuated retention chamber to generate a total mass value, and calculate a volume from the total mass value employing the Ideal Gas Law.