WO2006084263A2 - Detecteurs de fluide multi-position et procédés - Google Patents

Detecteurs de fluide multi-position et procédés Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2006084263A2
WO2006084263A2 PCT/US2006/004231 US2006004231W WO2006084263A2 WO 2006084263 A2 WO2006084263 A2 WO 2006084263A2 US 2006004231 W US2006004231 W US 2006004231W WO 2006084263 A2 WO2006084263 A2 WO 2006084263A2
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WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
resonator
signal
fluid
response
resonators
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PCT/US2006/004231
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English (en)
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WO2006084263A3 (fr
Inventor
Oleg Kolosov
Mikhail Spitkovsky
James Bennett
Leonid Matseiv
Vladimir Gammer
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Visyx Technologies, Inc.
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Publication of WO2006084263A2 publication Critical patent/WO2006084263A2/fr
Publication of WO2006084263A3 publication Critical patent/WO2006084263A3/fr

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01F—MEASURING VOLUME, VOLUME FLOW, MASS FLOW OR LIQUID LEVEL; METERING BY VOLUME
    • G01F23/00—Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm
    • G01F23/22—Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm by measuring physical variables, other than linear dimensions, pressure or weight, dependent on the level to be measured, e.g. by difference of heat transfer of steam or water
    • G01F23/28—Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm by measuring physical variables, other than linear dimensions, pressure or weight, dependent on the level to be measured, e.g. by difference of heat transfer of steam or water by measuring the variations of parameters of electromagnetic or acoustic waves applied directly to the liquid or fluent solid material
    • G01F23/296—Acoustic waves
    • G01F23/2966—Acoustic waves making use of acoustical resonance or standing waves
    • G01F23/2967—Acoustic waves making use of acoustical resonance or standing waves for discrete levels
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01F—MEASURING VOLUME, VOLUME FLOW, MASS FLOW OR LIQUID LEVEL; METERING BY VOLUME
    • G01F23/00—Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm
    • G01F23/22—Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm by measuring physical variables, other than linear dimensions, pressure or weight, dependent on the level to be measured, e.g. by difference of heat transfer of steam or water
    • G01F23/28—Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm by measuring physical variables, other than linear dimensions, pressure or weight, dependent on the level to be measured, e.g. by difference of heat transfer of steam or water by measuring the variations of parameters of electromagnetic or acoustic waves applied directly to the liquid or fluent solid material
    • G01F23/296—Acoustic waves
    • G01F23/2966—Acoustic waves making use of acoustical resonance or standing waves
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01H—MEASUREMENT OF MECHANICAL VIBRATIONS OR ULTRASONIC, SONIC OR INFRASONIC WAVES
    • G01H13/00—Measuring resonant frequency
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
    • G01N29/00—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves; Visualisation of the interior of objects by transmitting ultrasonic or sonic waves through the object
    • G01N29/02—Analysing fluids
    • G01N29/022—Fluid sensors based on microsensors, e.g. quartz crystal-microbalance [QCM], surface acoustic wave [SAW] devices, tuning forks, cantilevers, flexural plate wave [FPW] devices
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
    • G01N29/00—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves; Visualisation of the interior of objects by transmitting ultrasonic or sonic waves through the object
    • G01N29/02—Analysing fluids
    • G01N29/036—Analysing fluids by measuring frequency or resonance of acoustic waves
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
    • G01N29/00—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves; Visualisation of the interior of objects by transmitting ultrasonic or sonic waves through the object
    • G01N29/22—Details, e.g. general constructional or apparatus details
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
    • H01R13/648—Protective earth or shield arrangements on coupling devices, e.g. anti-static shielding  
    • H01R13/658—High frequency shielding arrangements, e.g. against EMI [Electro-Magnetic Interference] or EMP [Electro-Magnetic Pulse]
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
    • G01N2291/00—Indexing codes associated with group G01N29/00
    • G01N2291/02—Indexing codes associated with the analysed material
    • G01N2291/022—Liquids
    • G01N2291/0226—Oils, e.g. engine oils
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
    • G01N2291/00—Indexing codes associated with group G01N29/00
    • G01N2291/02—Indexing codes associated with the analysed material
    • G01N2291/028—Material parameters
    • G01N2291/02818—Density, viscosity
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
    • G01N2291/00—Indexing codes associated with group G01N29/00
    • G01N2291/02—Indexing codes associated with the analysed material
    • G01N2291/028—Material parameters
    • G01N2291/02836—Flow rate, liquid level
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
    • G01N2291/00—Indexing codes associated with group G01N29/00
    • G01N2291/04—Wave modes and trajectories
    • G01N2291/042—Wave modes
    • G01N2291/0422—Shear waves, transverse waves, horizontally polarised waves
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
    • G01N2291/00—Indexing codes associated with group G01N29/00
    • G01N2291/04—Wave modes and trajectories
    • G01N2291/042—Wave modes
    • G01N2291/0423—Surface waves, e.g. Rayleigh waves, Love waves
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
    • G01N2291/00—Indexing codes associated with group G01N29/00
    • G01N2291/04—Wave modes and trajectories
    • G01N2291/042—Wave modes
    • G01N2291/0426—Bulk waves, e.g. quartz crystal microbalance, torsional waves
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
    • G01N2291/00—Indexing codes associated with group G01N29/00
    • G01N2291/04—Wave modes and trajectories
    • G01N2291/042—Wave modes
    • G01N2291/0427—Flexural waves, plate waves, e.g. Lamb waves, tuning fork, cantilever
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
    • G01N2291/00—Indexing codes associated with group G01N29/00
    • G01N2291/10—Number of transducers
    • G01N2291/106—Number of transducers one or more transducer arrays

Definitions

  • the fluid- contacted first resonator is stimulated to generate a first signal associated with a response of the first resonator (to the stimulus or stimuli).
  • the fluid-contacted second-resonator is stimulated to generate a second signal associated with a response of the second resonator (to the stimulus or stimuli).
  • the first resonator and the second resonator are preferably stimulated while their respective sensing elements are in physical contact with the fluid being sensed. In some embodiments, however, the sensing elements may be contacted with fluid, removed from contact with the fluid, and thereafter, stimulated (with the sensing element outside of the fluid environment).
  • the invention is directed to a method for sensing or identifying a position of a fluid or fluidic interface. More specifically, for example, the position of a fluidic interface defined between a first fluid and a second fluid can be sensed or identified in a fluidic system comprising a first mechanical resonator positioned at a first position, P 1 , and a second mechanical resonator positioned at a second position, P 2 (in spatial relation to the first position, P 1 ).
  • the first resonator and the second resonator are stimulated during the sensing period to generate both a first signal associated with a response of the first resonator and a second signal associated with a response of the second resonator, hi either case, any generated first signal and second signal are communicated over a common communication path.
  • the signals are communicated from each of the first resonator and second resonator, respectively, to a signal processing circuit over the common communication path. Any communicated first signal and second signal are processed (e.g., in a signal processing circuit) to characterize the response of the first resonator and the response of the second resonator, respectively.
  • the position of the fluidic interface is identified to be between the first position, P 1 , and the second position, P 2 , based on a fluid-dependent difference between the characterized response of the first resonator and the characterized response of the second resonator, hi some embodiments of this second approach for this aspect of the invention, the fluid-dependent difference can be the presence or essential absence of a response, or a difference in amplitude of a response, in each case for example at a particular frequency or over a particular range of frequencies.
  • the various approaches and embodiments of the methods and systems of the invention as summarized hereinbefore and described in further detail hereinafter are particularly advantageous with respect to many diverse types of fluids in many diverse types of applications.
  • the various methods and systems are generally advantageous with respect to sensing, monitoring and/or evaluating (e.g., determining one or more properties) fluids, as well as particularly in connection with process control applications, of one or more fluids in one or more fluidic systems.
  • commercial benefit is realized by relative simplicity and lower costs with respect to sensor deployment, sensor operation, sensor maintenance, sensor repair and/or replacement. Further advantages are also realized with respect to particular applications, some of which are described herein and in the Detailed Description of the invention.
  • the present invention also offers the advantage for servicing fluidic systems where such fluidic systems comprise heat- sensitive fluids, comprise ignitable fluids, are spatially expansive fluidic systems and/or are spatially constrained fluidic systems.
  • fluidic systems comprise heat- sensitive fluids, comprise ignitable fluids, are spatially expansive fluidic systems and/or are spatially constrained fluidic systems.
  • the present invention offers substantial advantage over conventional sensor systems, in that not only can fluid position be determined (e.g., fluid level), but also fluid properties - using the same sensor.
  • FIG.'s 9A through 9H illustrate sensors suitable for use in connection with the general methods and systems of the invention, including schematic representations illustrating: an embodiment in which a sensor comprises multiple mechanical resonators (designated by circled numbers 1, 2, 3 and 4) arranged in a linear array, linked in communication with one or more circuits through a common communication path (Fig. 04231
  • FIG' s 12A through 121 are schematic representations of a fluidic system (Fig. 12A) and of several configurations for flexural resonator sensing elements (Fig. 12B through 121).
  • FIG.' s 17 A through 17F are photos, schematic representations and graphs relating to experiments employing the methods and systems of the invention for measuring the level of liquid hexane in a container, including: a photograph depicting a portion of a sensor comprising five tuning-fork resonators arranged in a linear array linked through a common communication path and supported by a support rod (Fig. 17A); a photo of an oscilloscope showing the data representing the characterized responses of the five tuning fork sensors when positioned in the gas-phase above the hexane liquid phase (Fig. 17B); a schematic representation of the experimental set-up (Fig.
  • decoupling of the multiple signals being communicated is generally based (typically a priori) knowledge about either (i) the mechanical resonators (e.g., design characteristics thereof), or (ii) the configuration of the resonators with respect to a particular fluidic system, or (iii) both of the above items (i) and (ii).
  • decoupling is effected by processing the signals received over the common communication path (typically using signal processing Express Mail Label No.: EV 186632755US Symyx Docket No.: 2003-090PCT circuitry) to characterize the responses of the mechanical resonators. The characterized responses are then associated with position.
  • the observed characterized responses can be used to identify the level of fluid A by inference where fluid A is known to substantially completely damp the resonator response (without generating a detectable signal, at least in the electronic circuits as tuned) whereas fluid B provides a detectable response and where the sensor as deployed in this fiuidic system has four mechanical resonators 40. Based on this information, one can infer that three of the four resonators 40-1, 40-2, 40-3 and 40-4 are in contact with fluid B (the lighter fluid) and that one of the four resonators 40-1, 40-2, 40-3 and 40-4 is in contact with fluid A.
  • the methods and systems of the invention typically involve applications of a sensor (as generally and specifically described herein) in association with one or more fluidic systems.
  • the fluidic system can be an open fluidic system or a closed fluidic system.
  • An open fluidic system can comprise one or more fluids and having one or more fluidic surfaces that are exposed to an open uncontrolled atmosphere.
  • an open fluidic system can be an open container such as an open-top tank or an open well of a reactor or of a parallel reactor (e.g., microtiter plate).
  • the fluidic system can be a closed fluidic system.
  • a closed fluidic system can comprise one or more fluids that are generally bounded by a barrier so that the fluids are constrained.
  • methods and systems of the invention can comprise a sensor 10 applied in association with two or more fluidic systems 100-1, 100- II where the two fluidic systems comprise a single fluid / phase of a same type of fluid (e.g., same composition) in each fluidic system (Fig. 2A), a single fluid / phase of a different type of fluid (e.g., different composition) in each fluidic system (Fig. 2B), a single fluid / phase in a first of the two fluidic systems, and multiple fluids / phases in the second of the two fluidic systems, one of the multiple fluids / phases in the second system being of the same type as the fluid in the first system (Fig.
  • the process region (e.g., tank, reactor) comprises a first fluid / phase A (e.g., a liquid first fluid) and a second fluid / phase B (e.g., a vapor space above the liquid first fluid).
  • the process region can also include a single fluid, as a homogeneous or a non-homogeneous fluid (comprising e.g,. slurry, fluidized partices or static particles).
  • the level of the fluid A (or fluid B) may be sensed based on an associated set of characterized responses of the mechanical resonators 40, as shown in Figure 5B.
  • determining a fluid property at various multiple times, typically defined by various multiple discrete sensing periods (separated in time by non-sensing periods).
  • Such sensing, monitoring and/or evaluating may be applied in connection with process control systems, for example.
  • it may be of commercial or industrial or research interest to evaluate one or more fluidic systems at multiple positions at several discrete sensing periods in order to evaluate the change in one or more fluids or in a process comprising such one or more fluids.
  • This aspect of the methods and systems of the invention is illustrated in FIG.'s 8 A through 8D, for example, in connection with a fluidic system (e.g., a settling tank) having a process region.
  • a fluidic system e.g., a settling tank having a process region.
  • Gaseous fluids can, for example, generally have viscosities ranging from about 0.001 to about 0.1 cP , and/or can have densities ranging from about 0.0005 to about 0.1 g/cc A 3 and/or can have a dielectric Symyx Docket No.: 2003-090PCT constant ranging from about 1 to about 1.1.
  • the fluids can be ionic fluids or nonionic fluids.
  • ionic fluids can have a conductivity ranging from about 1 Ohnxcm to about 1 GOhm cm.
  • the fluidic interface can be a distinct interface (e.g., comprising a substantial step-change from one phase to the next phase), or a more gradual interface (e.g, comprising a gradient change from one phase to the next phase).
  • the fluidic interface can have a substantially narrow volume with respect to the corresponding volumes of the adjacent fluid phases (e.g., preferably not more than about 40%, more preferably not more than about 25% and most preferably not more than about 15%, by volume, relative to the volumes of the adjacent fluid phases).
  • the particular sensing element of the sensor of the methods and systems and apparatus of the present invention is not limited.
  • the sensing elements useful in connection with this invention are adapted to monitor one or more properties of a fluid - that is, to generate data associated with one or more properties of the fluid.
  • the data association with a property means data (typically obtained or collected as a data stream over some time period such as a sensing period), including both raw data (directly sensed data) or processed data, can be directly informative of or related to (e.g., through correlation and/or calibration) an absolute value of a property and/or a relative value of a property (e.g., a change in a property value over time).
  • the one or more conductive paths can each have corresponding end terminals preferably exposed at one or more surfaces of the body, and adapted for providing electrical connection across the barrier 110 between the mechanical resonators 40 (and other sensing element 51) and signal processing circuitry and/or data retrieval circuitry .
  • the terminals can comprise, for example, contact pins or contact pads.
  • Data display circuit 34 as shown in Figure 11C can configured to be effective for displaying data associated with one or more properties of a fluid, or for displaying a status of the fluid, where such status is based on data associated with a property of the fluid.
  • data display circuit 34 can include a display device, and can typically comprise: signal input circuitry 34a (e.g., for receiving raw data or a raw data Syrnyx Docket No.: 2003-090PCT stream from the sensing element, and/or for receiving conditioned data or a conditioned data stream from one or more signal conditioning circuits 24, and/or for receiving derived data or a derived data stream from one or more data derivation circuits 26, and/or for receiving stored data or stored data stream from one or more data storage circuits 32); a data-display memory 34b (e.g., such as non-volatile memory (e.g., ROM, PROM, EE- PROM, FLASH memory, etc., or random access memory (RAM), in either case typically
  • This embodiment further comprise, an installed memory media, preferably such as a signal-processing memory as an accessible portion of a signal conditioning circuit 24 (not shown) and/or as an accessible portion of a data derivation circuit 26 (as shown) and/or as data storage circuit 32 (not shown),
  • the memory media can comprise electronic data storage media, such as non- volatile memory (e.g., ROM, PROM, EE-PROM, FLASH memory etc.), and can typically be pre-loaded with and/or accessible for loading user-defined data (e.g., calibration data, correlation data, data defining approximated fluid properties) as well as pre-loaded and/or accessible for loading user defined data that is system-specific information and/or sensing-element specific information, in each case such as an identifying indicia.
  • user-defined data e.g., calibration data, correlation data, data defining approximated fluid properties
  • the fluid property can be monitored in real time, in near real time, or in time-delayed modes of operation. Further details of preferred fluidic systems, fluids, properties, sensors and monitoring, including specific methodology approaches and apparatus features thereof are described herein (above and below), and each of the herein-described details are specifically considered in various combinations and permutations with the generally described aspects in this subsection of the specification.
  • Such user-defined identifying indicia can be particularly useful in combination with user-defined calibration, correlation and/or signal Express Mail Label No.: EV 186632755US Symyx Docket No.: 2003-090PCT conditioning data since such data can be specific to the fluidic system, the location, the fluid type; the sensor (type or individual sensor) and/or the particular sensing elements (including sensing element types (e.g., tuning fork flexural resonator), sensing element lot numbers for a set of co-manufactured sensing elements, and specific particular individual sensing elements).
  • sensing element types e.g., tuning fork flexural resonator
  • sensing element lot numbers for a set of co-manufactured sensing elements, and specific particular individual sensing elements.
  • the user-defined data can be fluid-property (e.g., temperature dependent), and therefore, there can be interaction between one or more sensing elements (e.g., temperature sensing element) and a user-defined data (e.g., calibration data) for a particular fluid in a particular system using a particular resonator.
  • the user-defined data can generally be pre-defined data or can be concurrently-defined data, and the defining can be done by a person and/or by a computer.
  • the level of specificity of any particular user-defined data to any particular fluidic system, fluid, sensor or sensor element will depend on the particular user-application, the property of interest, the sensor type, the required degree of accuracy, etc.
  • a signal-processing memory module for storing user-defined data for data derivation can be included within the ported sensor subassembly.
  • the data can be a standard data set with a set of varying corrections for particular sensors or fluids or fluid conditions.
  • Some sort of identifying indicia is preferably available at the site of the interfaced sensor for identifying it with particularity.
  • the sensor resonators 40 are included along with (and optionally integrated therewith) a condition monitoring device such as a temperature measurement device, a pressure measurement device, a mass flow meter, or combinations of two or more of such devices.
  • a condition monitoring device such as a temperature measurement device, a pressure measurement device, a mass flow meter, or combinations of two or more of such devices.
  • a combined pressure and temperature sensor is discussed in U.S. Patent No. 5,586,445 (incorporated by reference).
  • a fluid e.g., the simultaneous monitoring of viscosity and density.
  • Data generated from the sensor, along with other data (e.g., temperature, pressure, flow rate, or combinations thereof), for example, from the condition monitoring device 1120, can be sent to the processing unit 1100.
  • a device may be pre-program certain expected values into a device, which then compares the real-time values obtained. Moreover, it is possible that no comparisons are made, but rather upon obtaining a certain threshold response, an output signal is generated for triggering a user notification, for triggering a system control unit to alter one or more functions of the system or a combination thereof. It is also contemplated that a sensor in a controlled fluid sample may be employed as an internal reference. [00147] It is also possible that the response obtained from the monitoring is stored in a memory, with or without communicating the response to the user. In this manner, a service technician can later retrieve the data for analysis.
  • the resonator element 1140 preferably includes a base 1160 that has at least two tines 1180 having tips 1200 that project from the base.
  • the shape of the tines and their orientation relative to each other on the base may vary depending upon the particular needs of an application.
  • the tines 1180 are generally parallel to each other.
  • the tines diverge away from each other as the tips are approached.
  • the tines converge toward each other.
  • the tines may be generally straight, curved, or a combination thereof. They may be of constant cross sectional thickness, of varying thickness progressing along the length of the tine, or a combination thereof.
  • Resonator sensing element(s) are suitably positioned in an element holder.
  • the elements may be securably attached to a wall or barrier or other surface defining one of the fluidic systems or passages into which it is placed, hi yet another embodiment, the element is suitably suspended within a passage such as by a wire, screen, or other suitable structure.
  • Element holders may partially or fully surround the sensing elements as desired. Suitable protective shields, baffles, sheath or the like may also be employed, as desired, for protection of the elements from sudden changes in fluid flow rate, pressure or velocity, electrical or mechanical bombardment or the like to help locate an element relative to a fluid or combinations thereof. It should be appreciated that resonator elements may be fabricated from suitable materials or in a suitable manner such that may be employed to be re-useable or disposable.
  • the resonator is such that one or a combination of the following features (and in one highly preferred embodiment, a combination of all features) is present: a coating, if placed upon the resonator in a thickness greater than about 0.1 micron, will not substantially detract from resonance performance; the resonator is operable and is operated at a frequency of less than about 1 MHz, and more preferably less than about 100 kH z ; the resonator is substantially resistant to contaminants proximate to the sensor surface; the resonator operates to displace at least a portion of its body through a fluid; or the resonator responses are capable of de- convolution for measuring one or more individual properties of density, viscosity, viscosity/density product, conductivity or dielectric constant.
  • a coating if placed upon the resonator in a thickness greater than about 0.1 micron, will not substantially detract from resonance performance
  • the resonator is operable and is operated at a frequency of less than about 1 MHz
  • the resonator may be uncoated or coated or otherwise surface treated over some or all of its exterior surface.
  • a preferred coating is a metal (e.g., a conductive metal similar to what may be employed for electrodes for the sensor, such as silver, gold, copper, aluminum or the like), plastic, ceramic or composite thereof, in which the coating material is substantially resistant to degradation from the fluid to which it is to be exposed or to surface build-up, over a broad temperature range.
  • a base resonator material and a performance-tuning material.
  • the base material is generally thermally stable.
  • Cs, Ro, Lo are equivalent characteristics of a preferred resonator in a vacuum
  • Cp is the equivalent parallel capacitance in a particular fluid under-test
  • p is the fluid density
  • ⁇ is fluid viscosity
  • ⁇ oscillation frequency
  • Cp is a function of k, as shown in equations (6) through (10).
  • the constant "k” is, in one embodiment, a function of the tuning fork's geometry, and in one embodiment, defines the slope of a curve plotting (Cpmeasured, Cpcal, and Cpvaccum) verses ( ⁇ measured, ⁇ cal, and ⁇ vacuum), respectively.
  • the constant "k” is a function of the tuning fork's geometry, the geometry of the tuning fork's electrode geometry, the tuning fork's packaging (e.g., holder) geometry, the material properties of the tuning fork, or a combination of any of the above factors.
  • the resulting value of Cp will be used to determine the dielectric constant ⁇ as shown by the equations. [00163] Further, it can be appreciated that that viscosity and density can be de- convoluted based on the equations defined in Figure 13 C. For some sensors, the value of Cp m e asur ed is typically on the order of about 1 to 3 orders of magnitude greater than the value of C s .
  • the tuning fork response over the frequency range is then monitored to determine the physical and electrical properties of the fluid under-test.
  • the response from the tuning fork 11116 is provided to a signal conditioning circuitry block 11132, by way of a communication line 11158.
  • the tuning fork 11116 will also include a capacitor 11316, which will be described in greater detail below.
  • the capacitor 11316 is also coupled to the signal conditioning circuitry 11132.
  • the signal conditioning circuitry 11132 is provided to receive the analog form of the signal from the tuning fork 11116 and condition it so that more efficient signal processing may be performed before further processing.
  • Signal detection circuitry (SDC) 11134 is also provided, and it is coupled to the signal conditioning circuitry 11132.
  • Signal detection circuitry 11134 will include, in one embodiment, a root mean squared (RMS) to DC converter, that is designed to 04231
  • the digital signal provided by the analog-to-digital converter 11136 is then forwarded to a digital processor 11138.
  • the digital processor 11138 is coupled to memory storage 11140 by way of a databus 11150 and a logic bus 11152.
  • Logic bus 11152 is also shown connected to each of the frequency generator 11130, the signal conditioning circuitry 11132, the signal detection circuitry 11134, and the analog-to- digital converter 11136.
  • a digital logic control 11142 is directly coupled to the logic bus 11152. The digital logic control 11142 will thus communicate with each of the blocks of the ASIC 11118 to synchronize when operation should take place by each one, of the blocks.
  • the digital processor 11138 will receive the sensed data from the tuning fork 11116 in digital form, and then apply an algorithm to identify characteristics of the fluid under-test 11114. 2006/004231
  • the algorithm is designed to quickly identify variables that are unknown in the fluid under-test.
  • the unknown variables may include, for example, density, viscosity, the dielectric constant, and other variables (if needed, and depending on the fluid).
  • the memory storage 11140 will have a database of known variables for specific calibrated tuning forks. In one embodiment, the memory storage 11140 may also hold variables for approximation of variables associated with particular fluids. In another embodiment, the memory storage 11140 will store serial numbers (or some type of identifier) to allow particular sets of data to be associated with particular tuning forks, hi such a serial number configuration, the storage memory can hold unique data sets for a multitude of unique tuning forks.
  • the engine control unit 11121 may set a different threshold for when the fluid under-test 11114 (i.e., engine oil), has degraded.
  • the fluid under-test 11114 i.e., engine oil
  • different car manufacturers, and therefore, different engine control units for each car will Jbxpress Mail Laoei JNo.: cv IOODJZ IJJUO Symyx Docket No.: 2003-090PCT define a particular viscosity, density and dielectric constant (or one or a combination thereof) that may be indicative of a need to change the oil.
  • this programmable threshold level setting will differ among cars.
  • the engine control unit 11121 will provide the local machine user interface 11122 the appropriate signals depending on the programming of the particular automobile or engine in which the engine control unit 11121 is resident.
  • the ASIC 11118 has been shown to include a number of component blocks, however, it should be understood that not all components need be included in the ASIC as will be discussed below.
  • the digital processor 11138 may be physically outside of the ASIC 11118, and represented in terms of a general processor. If the digital processor 11138 is located outside of the ASIC 11118, the digital logic control 142 will take the form of glue logic that will be able to communicate between the digital processor 11138 that is located outside of the ASIC 11118, and the remaining components within the ASIC 11118. In the automobile example, if the processor 11138 is outside of the ASIC, the processor will still be in communication with the engine control unit 11121.
  • FIG 14B illustrates an example when the digital processor 11138 is outside of the ASIC 11118.
  • the digital processor 11138 may be integrated into a printed circuit board that is alongside of the ASIC 11118, or on a separate printed circuit board, hi either case, the ASIC 11118 will be in communication with the tuning fork 11116 to provide stimulus and to process the received analog signals from the tuning fork 11116.
  • the ASIC will therefore convert the analog signals coming from the tuning fork 11116 and convert them to a digital form before being passed to the digital processor 11138.
  • the ASIC 11118 will include a memory storage 11140 for storing calibration data, and in some embodiments, storing approximated characteristics for fluids that may undergo sensing by tuning fork 11116.

Abstract

Cette invention concerne des procédés, détecteurs et systèmes de surveillance de niveaux de fluide. Dans des modes de réalisation préférés, on trouve deux résonateurs mécaniques, de préférence deux résonateurs à flexure ou plus conçus pour détecter, surveiller ou évaluer un ou plusieurs fluides dans des postions multiples à l'intérieur d'un ou de plusieurs systèmes fluidiques. Selon ces procédés, les détecteurs et systèmes de l'invention sont mis en communication par multiplexage via un chemin de communication commun, puis soumis à une déconvolution par rapport à la position des résonateurs.
PCT/US2006/004231 2005-02-04 2006-02-03 Detecteurs de fluide multi-position et procédés WO2006084263A2 (fr)

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DE102010014572A1 (de) * 2010-04-10 2011-10-13 Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft Vorrichtung zur Erfassung eines Schmiermittelniveaus für eine Brennkraftmaschine
US9739546B2 (en) 2010-10-22 2017-08-22 Alfa Laval Corporate Ab Heat exchanger plate and a plate heat exchanger with insulated sensor internal to heat exchange area
US9441997B2 (en) 2012-05-24 2016-09-13 Air Products And Chemicals, Inc. Method of, and apparatus for, measuring the physical properties of two-phase fluids
TWI482965B (zh) * 2012-05-24 2015-05-01 Air Prod & Chem 用於測量兩相流體的物理性質的方法及設備
WO2013174959A1 (fr) * 2012-05-24 2013-11-28 Air Products And Chemicals, Inc. Procédé et appareil de mesure des propriétés physiques d'un flux de fluide à deux phases
EP2667164A1 (fr) * 2012-05-24 2013-11-27 Air Products And Chemicals, Inc. Procédé et dispositif pour mesurer les propriétés physiques d'un fluide cryogénique
EP2667162A1 (fr) * 2012-05-24 2013-11-27 Air Products And Chemicals, Inc. Procédé et dispositif pour mesurer les propriétés physiques des fluides diphasiques
US10281269B2 (en) 2012-07-17 2019-05-07 Ihc Holland Ie B.V. Method and device for determining a height of a settled bed in a mixture in a loading space
CN113405632A (zh) * 2013-04-29 2021-09-17 高准公司 砂分离器界面检测
US9410904B2 (en) 2013-12-23 2016-08-09 Rosmount Tank Radar Ab System and method for determining density of a medium in a tank
WO2015097039A1 (fr) 2013-12-23 2015-07-02 Rosemount Tank Radar Ab Système et procédé pour déterminer la masse volumique d'un milieu dans une cuve
EP2889589A1 (fr) * 2013-12-24 2015-07-01 Honeywell International Inc. Capteurs d'onde acoustique en volume (BAW) pour des mesures de niveau de liquide
US10168198B2 (en) * 2013-12-24 2019-01-01 Honeywell International Inc. Bulk acoustic wave (BAW) sensors for liquid level measurements
AU2014274657B9 (en) * 2013-12-24 2019-11-21 Honeywell International Inc. Bulk acoustic wave (BAW) sensors for liquid level measurements
AU2014274657B2 (en) * 2013-12-24 2019-10-31 Honeywell International Inc. Bulk acoustic wave (BAW) sensors for liquid level measurements
CN104729633A (zh) * 2013-12-24 2015-06-24 霍尼韦尔国际公司 用于液体水平面测量的体声波(baw)传感器
GB2544878B (en) * 2014-06-12 2021-03-10 Halliburton Energy Services Inc Determination of substance presence, identity and/or level in vessels
RU2578749C1 (ru) * 2014-12-24 2016-03-27 Федеральное государственное бюджетное учреждение науки Институт проблем управления им. В.А. Трапезникова РАН Способ определения положения границы раздела двух веществ в емкости
US9891092B2 (en) 2015-01-13 2018-02-13 Krohne Messtechnik Gmbh Device for determining the fill level of a medium in a container
DE102015100417A1 (de) * 2015-01-13 2016-07-14 Krohne Messtechnik Gmbh Verfahren zur Bestimmung des Füllstands eines Mediums in einem Behälter
DE102015100414A1 (de) * 2015-01-13 2016-07-14 Krohne Messtechnik Gmbh Vorrichtung zur Bestimmung des Füllstands eines Mediums in einem Behälter
US10012525B2 (en) 2015-01-13 2018-07-03 Krohne Messtechnik Gmbh Device for determining the fill level of a medium in a container
US20180136030A1 (en) * 2015-05-08 2018-05-17 Rosemount Measurement Limited Improvements in or relating to level switches
CN107660267A (zh) * 2015-05-08 2018-02-02 罗斯蒙特测量有限公司 物位开关的或与物位开关有关的改进
WO2016181115A1 (fr) * 2015-05-08 2016-11-17 Rosemount Measurement Limited Améliorations apportées ou liées à des contacteurs de niveau
US10571329B2 (en) 2015-05-08 2020-02-25 Rosemount Measurement Limited Level switches
CN107660267B (zh) * 2015-05-08 2020-10-02 罗斯蒙特测量有限公司 物位开关的或与物位开关有关的改进
US11084293B2 (en) 2017-10-18 2021-08-10 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. Container for fluid
US10697846B2 (en) 2018-05-04 2020-06-30 Ademco Inc. Capacitive leak and flammable vapor detection system
WO2020178544A1 (fr) * 2019-03-07 2020-09-10 Johnson Matthey Public Limited Company Appareil de mesure de niveaux de matières
US11639867B2 (en) 2019-03-07 2023-05-02 Johnson Matthey Public Limited Company Apparatus for measuring levels of materials
CN113661379A (zh) * 2019-04-05 2021-11-16 惠普发展公司，有限责任合伙企业 流体特性传感器

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