Yarn-Wrapped Sensor Housing for High-Pressure Transducers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional measuring transducers face a significant increase in mass and manufacturing costs when scaling to withstand high internal pressures over 100 bar, making them unsuitable for applications with media under high static pressure.

Innovation Solution

A measuring transducer design featuring a metal measuring tube and a sensor housing with a partially prestressed yarn outer shell, composed of glass, carbon, or aramid fibers, which provides enhanced pressure resistance with minimal additional mass by wrapping the yarn around the inner shell multiple times and embedding it in a plastic matrix.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If the sensor housing is scaled to withstand high internal pressures over 100 bar using conventional designs, then the pressure resistance is improved, but the mass and manufacturing costs increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepressure resistanceVSAvoidmass of sensor housing
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies composite materials by combining a metallic inner shell with a polymer outer shell containing reinforcing fibers (glass, carbon, or aramid). This composite structure achieves high pressure resistance exceeding 100 bar while maintaining low mass, as the fiber-reinforced polymer provides exceptional strength-to-weight ratio compared to conventional solid metal housings

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements local quality by distributing fiber orientation and density strategically within the polymer matrix. The fibers are arranged to provide enhanced strength specifically in regions subjected to highest stress during pressure loading, while maintaining thinner wall sections in less critical areas, thus optimizing the overall mass-strength balance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Strength

If the sensor housing is scaled to withstand high internal pressures over 100 bar using conventional designs, then the pressure resistance is improved, but the manufacturing costs increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepressure resistanceVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes parameter changes by varying the fiber type (glass, carbon, aramid), fiber orientation angles, and fiber volume fraction to achieve the required pressure resistance. This allows optimization of manufacturing cost by selecting appropriate fiber materials and processing parameters for different application requirements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The composite construction enables cost-effective manufacturing of high-pressure housings by combining relatively inexpensive metallic inner shells with fiber-reinforced polymer outer shells. The layered composite structure can be manufactured using established processes like filament winding or pultrusion, avoiding the need for expensive thick-walled metal fabrication

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Strength

If the yarn outer shell is wrapped around the inner shell multiple times, then the pressure resistance is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepressure resistanceVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-tensioning the yarn during the wrapping process before final curing. This pre-tensioning establishes the required fiber orientation and density in advance, ensuring optimal pressure resistance is achieved without requiring complex post-processing or adjustment mechanisms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The yarn-wrapped polymer shell functions as a flexible yet strong containment structure that conformally fits around the inner shell. This flexible composite layer provides pressure resistance through its tensile strength rather than rigid structural support, simplifying the overall design compared to thick-walled rigid metal housings

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 solution achieves compressive strengths exceeding 100 bar with a significant reduction in installation mass and volume, allowing conventional transducers to be easily modified for higher pressure resistance while maintaining a compact design.

Implementation Method 1

an outer shell (102), formed at least partially by means of a yarn (102), for example under mechanical pretension and/or monofilament, which surrounds the inner shell

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectComposite materials: Composite Materials

Implementation Method 2

the yarn is elastically stretched, and thus pre-tensioned

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP2771655B1Measuring transducer and measuring system comprising same
Publication Date: 2021.06.23 ENDRESS HAUSER FLOWTEC AG
  • EP2771655B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1b
  • EP2771655B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2771655B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3c

AI summary

The invention relates to a measuring transducer comprising at least one measuring tube (10) for conducting a flowing medium and comprising a sensor housing (100) which is mechanically coupled to the at least one measuring tube (10). The sensor housing (100) has an inner envelope (101), namely an envelope which forms a cavity (100') that receives the at least one measuring tube, and an outer envelope (102), namely an envelope which is placed outside of the cavity, said outer envelope being at least partly constituted of a thread (102#) and surrounding the inner envelope.