Wireless Sensor for Closed System Temperature Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for measuring properties of a closed system, such as temperature, are often inaccurate due to inconsistent thermal contact and heat transfer, and may compromise the integrity of the system by requiring probes to be inserted.
Innovation Solution
A wireless sensor that can be fully enclosed within a container, allowing remote monitoring of properties without compromising the system's integrity. The sensor can be integrated into a stir bar device, magnetically manipulated to agitate fluids, and wirelessly transmit data to a control system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a temperature probe is inserted into the container to measure the substance temperature, then measurement accuracy is improved, but the integrity of the closed system is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical probe insertion system with a wireless sensor system that uses electromagnetic fields for communication. The wireless sensor transmits temperature data through the container wall without physical penetration, substituting mechanical contact with field-based interaction, thereby maintaining system integrity while achieving accurate measurement.
Solution Approach 2:
The container wall itself serves as an intermediary medium that allows wireless signal transmission while maintaining physical separation. The wireless sensor communicates through the container wall without breaking the seal, using the wall as a mediator that permits electromagnetic field penetration while preventing physical intrusion.
2Device complexity
If a built-in temperature probe on the hotplate is used, then the system complexity is reduced, but measurement accuracy deteriorates due to inconsistent thermal contact
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the thermal conduction-based measurement system with an electromagnetic field-based wireless measurement system. Instead of relying on thermal contact between the probe and substance, the wireless sensor directly measures temperature parameters and transmits them wirelessly, eliminating the inconsistent thermal contact problem while maintaining relatively simple system architecture.
3Measurement precision
If an external probe is lowered into the sample using a support structure, then measurement accuracy is improved, but ensuring continuous contact with the substance becomes difficult during mixing or agitation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical probe support and contact maintenance system with a wireless sensor system that has no moving parts requiring contact maintenance. The wireless sensor remains stationary or moves with the fluid while continuously transmitting data, eliminating the reliability issues associated with maintaining mechanical contact during agitation.
Solution Approach 2:
The wireless sensor serves multiple functions simultaneously - it measures temperature, transmits data wirelessly, and can be integrated into the stir bar for agitation. This multi-functionality ensures continuous measurement capability regardless of the mixing state, as the sensor adapts to different operational conditions without requiring separate mechanisms for each function.
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 accurate remote monitoring and control of properties within a closed system, maintaining system integrity and improving measurement accuracy by eliminating issues related to probe insertion and thermal contact.
Implementation Method 1
The wireless transmitter can transmit data describing the property of the substance to the wireless receiver
Implementation Method 2
The wireless sensor can be incorporated into a stir bar device, which can be magnetically manipulated by an instrument to agitate a fluid in a container
Implementation Method 3
The instrument can heat the fluid in the container
Data Source
AI summary
A wireless sensor that can measure properties of a substance and transmits the properties to a remote wireless receiver is disclosed. The wireless sensor can be fully enclosed within a container containing the substance, for example, allowing remote monitoring of the properties of the substance without compromising the integrity of the closed system.