WO2021040540A1 - Devices for analysis of a fluid - Google Patents
Devices for analysis of a fluid Download PDFInfo
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- WO2021040540A1 WO2021040540A1 PCT/NZ2020/050095 NZ2020050095W WO2021040540A1 WO 2021040540 A1 WO2021040540 A1 WO 2021040540A1 NZ 2020050095 W NZ2020050095 W NZ 2020050095W WO 2021040540 A1 WO2021040540 A1 WO 2021040540A1
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- Prior art keywords
- ultrasonic transducer
- layer
- transducer
- ultrasound
- fluid
- Prior art date
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Classifications
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- B06—GENERATING OR TRANSMITTING MECHANICAL VIBRATIONS IN GENERAL
- B06B—METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR GENERATING OR TRANSMITTING MECHANICAL VIBRATIONS OF INFRASONIC, SONIC, OR ULTRASONIC FREQUENCY, e.g. FOR PERFORMING MECHANICAL WORK IN GENERAL
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- B06B1/02—Methods or apparatus for generating mechanical vibrations of infrasonic, sonic, or ultrasonic frequency making use of electrical energy
- B06B1/06—Methods or apparatus for generating mechanical vibrations of infrasonic, sonic, or ultrasonic frequency making use of electrical energy operating with piezoelectric effect or with electrostriction
- B06B1/0644—Methods or apparatus for generating mechanical vibrations of infrasonic, sonic, or ultrasonic frequency making use of electrical energy operating with piezoelectric effect or with electrostriction using a single piezoelectric element
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- B06B1/02—Methods or apparatus for generating mechanical vibrations of infrasonic, sonic, or ultrasonic frequency making use of electrical energy
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- B06B1/0644—Methods or apparatus for generating mechanical vibrations of infrasonic, sonic, or ultrasonic frequency making use of electrical energy operating with piezoelectric effect or with electrostriction using a single piezoelectric element
- B06B1/0662—Methods or apparatus for generating mechanical vibrations of infrasonic, sonic, or ultrasonic frequency making use of electrical energy operating with piezoelectric effect or with electrostriction using a single piezoelectric element with an electrode on the sensitive surface
- B06B1/0677—Methods or apparatus for generating mechanical vibrations of infrasonic, sonic, or ultrasonic frequency making use of electrical energy operating with piezoelectric effect or with electrostriction using a single piezoelectric element with an electrode on the sensitive surface and a high impedance backing
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- B06B1/00—Methods or apparatus for generating mechanical vibrations of infrasonic, sonic, or ultrasonic frequency
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- B06B1/0215—Driving circuits for generating pulses, e.g. bursts of oscillations, envelopes
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- B06B1/02—Methods or apparatus for generating mechanical vibrations of infrasonic, sonic, or ultrasonic frequency making use of electrical energy
- B06B1/06—Methods or apparatus for generating mechanical vibrations of infrasonic, sonic, or ultrasonic frequency making use of electrical energy operating with piezoelectric effect or with electrostriction
- B06B1/0644—Methods or apparatus for generating mechanical vibrations of infrasonic, sonic, or ultrasonic frequency making use of electrical energy operating with piezoelectric effect or with electrostriction using a single piezoelectric element
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- B06B1/067—Methods or apparatus for generating mechanical vibrations of infrasonic, sonic, or ultrasonic frequency making use of electrical energy operating with piezoelectric effect or with electrostriction using a single piezoelectric element with an electrode on the sensitive surface which is used as, or combined with, an impedance matching layer
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- B06B3/00—Methods or apparatus specially adapted for transmitting mechanical vibrations of infrasonic, sonic, or ultrasonic frequency
- B06B3/02—Methods or apparatus specially adapted for transmitting mechanical vibrations of infrasonic, sonic, or ultrasonic frequency involving a change of amplitude
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- G—PHYSICS
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- 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
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- G01N29/222—Constructional or flow details for analysing fluids
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- G01N29/34—Generating the ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves, e.g. electronic circuits specially adapted therefor
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- G01N29/44—Processing the detected response signal, e.g. electronic circuits specially adapted therefor
- G01N29/4409—Processing the detected response signal, e.g. electronic circuits specially adapted therefor by comparison
- G01N29/4436—Processing the detected response signal, e.g. electronic circuits specially adapted therefor by comparison with a reference signal
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
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- B06B2201/00—Indexing scheme associated with B06B1/0207 for details covered by B06B1/0207 but not provided for in any of its subgroups
- B06B2201/70—Specific application
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- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01H—MEASUREMENT OF MECHANICAL VIBRATIONS OR ULTRASONIC, SONIC OR INFRASONIC WAVES
- G01H11/00—Measuring mechanical vibrations or ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves by detecting changes in electric or magnetic properties
- G01H11/06—Measuring mechanical vibrations or ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves by detecting changes in electric or magnetic properties by electric means
- G01H11/08—Measuring mechanical vibrations or ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves by detecting changes in electric or magnetic properties by electric means using piezoelectric devices
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- G01H—MEASUREMENT OF MECHANICAL VIBRATIONS OR ULTRASONIC, SONIC OR INFRASONIC WAVES
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- G01N2291/022—Liquids
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- G—PHYSICS
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- G01N2291/10—Number of transducers
- G01N2291/102—Number of transducers one emitter, one receiver
Definitions
- the present disclosure relates to analysis of a fluid - more particularly ultrasound transducers for use in analysis of milk.
- Numerous portable off-line analysers are known in the art for analysing a sample of milk to determine parameters such as fat, protein, lactose and total solids.
- Examples of such analysers using ultrasound analysis include the LactiCheckTM milk analyser by Page & Pedersen International, Ltd (www.pagepedersen.com); the Master milk analyser by Milkotester Ltd (www.milkotester.com); and the LACTOSCANTM milk analyser by Milkotronic Ltd (www.lactoscan.com).
- off-line analysers are generally capable of relatively high precision measurements in comparison with commercially available in-line sensors. However, they have practical limitations associated with the collection of samples for analysis - requiring an operator to collect and deliver samples to the sensor.
- Sensors of other types are known for use in milking systems whereby samples are automatically extracted from the system for analysis.
- known ultrasound-based analysers are not well suited to this application, i.e. being fluidly connected to the milking system.
- sensor having a measuring cell and one or more transducers needs to be suitable for exposure to milk as well as chemicals commonly used in cleaning milking systems.
- material selection for such an interface needs to be weighed against costs, and the ultrasonic transmission and acoustic impedance characteristics of the material. It is an object of the present invention to address the foregoing problems or at least to provide the public with a useful choice.
- the present disclosure provides ultrasound transducers, ultrasound sensor devices utilising said transducers, and systems for analysing a fluid sample.
- an ultrasonic transducer including a piezoelectric element, a fluid medium contact layer, a matching layer between the piezoelectric element and the fluid medium contact layer, and a backing layer.
- Arrangements and material properties of the elements of the transducer are provided for obtaining desired performance characteristics. Generally, it is envisaged that such arrangements may be used to reduce reflections of acoustic signals at material boundaries, or combinations of boundaries, with the objective of attaining a transducer performance for transmitting signals into, and receiving signals from, the sample with a near ideal damped characteristic as viewed in the time and frequency domains.
- the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure may be used in sensing a characteristic of milk and/or water, where the nominal acoustic impedance of milk is 1.56 Mrayl, while the nominal acoustic impedance of water is 1.49 MRayl.
- the fluid may be non-gaseous.
- the fluid may be a liquid.
- the fluid may be a solution comprising solids suspended in a liquid, such as a slurry.
- Lead metaniobate is a commercially available piezoceramic material that has a relatively low acoustic impedance in comparison with other piezoceramic materials such as lead zirconate titanates (PZT). It is envisaged that this relatively low impedance may assist with reducing the impedance gap between the piezoelectric element, and the fluid medium contact layer. Further, this may assist with provision of a backing layer having a comparable acoustic impedance.
- Other piezoelectric materials are available (e.g. piezocomposites) that have relatively low impedance values and may be used in exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, but it is envisaged that lead metaniobate may have particular application to embodiments in which limiting cost is a high priority consideration.
- the lead metaniobate may be APC 3285 (available from APC International).
- the polymer may be polysulfone.
- Polysulfone is generally characterised by properties well suited to the milking system environment such as chemical inertness, toughness, and thermal stability.
- Polysufone has an acoustic impedance in the order of 2.78 MRayl, being relatively close to that of the fluid medium (e.g. milk or water) in comparison with other materials and thereby reducing reflections at the boundary between the contact layer and the fluid medium.
- Polysufone also has suitable acoustic transmission properties in addition to the aforementioned properties, reducing attenuation in comparison with other materials.
- Polysufone is also considered to be suitable for use in exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure in terms of price point, and ability to be machined or molded.
- the polymer layer consisting of polysulfone is not intended to be limiting to all embodiments of the present disclosure.
- the polymer may be an amorphous polyamide (such as the Grilamid TR 90 product available from EMS Group) - particularly where intended for use in or with milking systems.
- the polymer layer may be a composite material, or a polymer with a non-polymer filler.
- the thickness of the fluid medium contact layer may be configured to delay reflections of an acoustic signal from an interface between the fluid and the fluid medium contact layer by a predetermined number of wavelengths, or part wavelengths, of the acoustic signal.
- Reference to the thickness of the fluid medium contact layer should be understood to mean the dimension in the direction between the piezoelectric element and the fluid and contact layer interface. It is envisaged that there may be some mismatch of acoustic impedance at this interface as the result of other design constraints, resulting in reflections that may have an effect on signal detection and analysis. Delaying the reflections is expected to reduce their influence - i.e. received by the piezoelectric element after the majority of ringing from a pulse signal has died down.
- the number of wavelengths for the delay may be at least four.
- the thickness of the fluid medium contact layer may be at least two wavelengths (such that the total path length is four wavelengths) of the acoustic signal - more particularly two wavelengths at a low frequency cut-off of the design bandwidth.
- the thickness of the fluid medium contact layer may be about one quarter wavelength in length (e.g. between 0.2 to 0.3 wavelength) in order to provide a quarter wave matching effect as described below in relation to the matching layer.
- a matching layer in the context of an ultrasound transducer is intended to mean an intermediate layer provided for reducing energy reflected between two materials in the acoustic path - more particularly, the piezoelectric element and the fluid medium contact layer.
- a matching layer impedance of between 4 to 10 MRayls may be suitable in exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.
- the matching layer may have an acoustic impedance of between 5 to 8 MRayls.
- the matching layer is a circuit board layer
- the matching layer may provide electrical connections to the piezoelectric element - i.e. in addition to its function in matching acoustic impedance between the piezoelectric element and the fluid medium contact layer.
- the hydrocarbon ceramic laminate may be a laminate such as the R04000 series (available from Rogers Corporation), and more particularly R04003C or an equivalent thereof.
- this material is fabricated with a copper layer (by way of electrodeposited copper foil) for PCB applications and has a construction more suitable to use in the present disclosure than other circuit board materials.
- a typical PCB fibreglass construction would tend to scatter the ultrasound signal, with associated losses.
- the R04000 material has a smaller grain size and thinner fibreglass reinforcing, with scattering being reduced as a result.
- the thickness of the matching layer may provide quarter wave matching with the ultrasound signal. More particularly, the thickness of the matching layer may be between 20 to 30 % of the signal wavelength at the centre frequency of the transducer (i.e. between 0.2 to 0.3 wavelengths of the acoustic signal). It should be appreciated that it may be generally desirable for the thickness of the matching material to have low variability in order to achieve this design parameter.
- the R04000 material is considered to have a highly controlled thickness.
- the R04003 material used in exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure is available in a standard thickness of 0.203mm, which approximates a quarter wavelength at a centre frequency of about 3.75 MHz.
- the matching layer may be a single layer of material, in exemplary embodiments the matching layer may include two or more layers. However, control of the thickness of each of the layers becomes particularly important, and consequently the cost for implementing more than one matching layer can be unnecessarily high.
- matching layer in exemplary embodiments - for example, an alumina composite.
- the backing layer forms part of the acoustic path for ultrasound energy directed backwards from the piezoelectric element. It is considered desirable that the acoustic signal that propagates into the backing layer be rapidly absorbed - i.e. any acoustic signal propagating through the piezoelectric element, including that resulting from transmission excitation, does not reverberate for an extended period. More particularly, the ultrasound energy directed backwards from the piezoelectric element should essentially not return, being diminished in magnitude to substantially less than the forward going acoustic energy at that time (for example, by an order of magnitude).
- the tungsten composite may include tungsten particles of a first size, and tungsten particles of a second size. It is envisaged that this may assist with improving the ability of the backing layer to absorb the acoustic signal over a broader range of frequencies in comparison with a single particle size. Further, the relatively high density of tungsten is considered to aid in achieving a suitable acoustic impedance.
- the larger particle may be a granulated tungsten powder - such as that made by crushing of sintered tungsten metal (for example GW-100270 available from Buffalo Tungsten Inc).
- the smaller particle may be a fine tungsten powder (for example C20-491 available from Buffalo Tungsten Inc).
- the ratio of the two particle sizes may be adjusted according to the desired acoustic properties of the backing layer; in an exemplary embodiment the ratio may be in the order of 56:7 of the granulated powder to fine powder.
- the backing layer may include a suspension medium for the tungsten particles - for example, an epoxy resin.
- the backing layer may be manufactured using a centrifuge, such that there is a graduation in the density in the suspended particles due to the forces imparted by the centrifuge. It is believed that this graduation of density, and so a graduation in impedance, along the length of the backing layer may aid attenuation.
- an ultrasound transducer constructed in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure may have one or more of: a centre frequency of between 1 to 10 MHz; a centre frequency of between 3 to 5 MHz; a centre frequency of between 3.5 to 4 MHz; and a centre frequency of about 3.75 MHz.
- Attenuation of ultrasound signals in a medium such as milk increases with frequency. As such, it is considered generally desirable to avoid a higher centre operating frequency, as this would require more energy to achieve a received signal of sufficient strength. It is also believed that higher frequency signals may also complicate the electronics design of associated circuitry of sensors utilizing the transducer(s), with associated issues in terms of cost and reliability. Higher frequencies may also require the design of the piezoelectric element and matching layer to be thinner, where complications in manufacture begin to arise due to the accuracy required, as well as becoming unsuitably fragile for assembly.
- the thickness of the adhesive is much less than a wavelength - at higher frequencies tighter tolerances are required for the surface finish of each of the mating surfaces to reduce discontinuities resulting from adhesive filling voids in the surfaces.
- the axial dimensions of key acoustic components will increase in large part in relation to the wavelength.
- the attenuation of the acoustic signal propagating in the backing layer is significantly sensitive to frequency, as it is in part related to wave scattering. As a result, it is harder to attain backing performance at lower frequency.
- a lower centre frequency will result in a lower resolution in time, and it is desirable to balance this effect against those associated with higher frequencies.
- the centre frequency of the transducer is the cumulative result of the characteristics of the various layers (e.g. the piezoelectric element, fluid contact layer, matching layer and backing layer), and that the centre frequency may be adjusted accordingly by modification of these characteristics.
- an ultrasound transducer constructed in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure may have one or more of:
- Bandwidth may be measured using a standard by which a narrow width pulsatile voltage is applied to the transducer to launch an ultrasonic wave. Either a second transducer may be used to detect this wave, or the transducer configured so the launched wave reflects and is detected by the same transducer. In both instances the received voltage is recorded and used to characterise the transducer performance.
- the ultrasound transducer requires sufficient bandwidth to achieve a desired resolution, more particularly temporal resolution of the acoustic signal propagation time through the fluid sample.
- Ultrasound transducers with a relatively narrow frequency response will produce a pulse containing several cycles, reducing the resolution.
- a relatively wide frequency response provides a higher degree of damping which produces a shorter pulse in the time domain, resulting in higher resolution.
- performance in terms of resolution needs to be weighed against practical constraints such as costs and availability of piezoelectric elements having such characteristics. Manufacturing of such components requires more sophisticated processing techniques, with associated costs which are a significant barrier to their adoption in applications such as sensors for on-farm milk analysis.
- the technology of the present disclosure seeks to strike a balance between a desired level of performance in terms of resolution, and costs which might otherwise prohibit adoption of the technology.
- the ultrasound transducer may include a housing.
- the housing may include a main body.
- a portion of the main body may provide the fluid medium contact layer.
- the main body may include a projection through which the acoustic pathway of the transducer passes.
- the projection may take the form of a solid cylindrical shaft, with a free end of the shaft providing a flat surface intended to face the fluid to be sensed in use.
- the acoustic velocity in the material of the body, and therefore fluid medium contact layer may be temperature dependent. It is contemplated that the temperature of the material may vary between measurements, and also vary more significantly that the fluid being sensed. The effect of this will depend on a number of factors, for example shaping of components of the transducer, insulation, temperature range experienced, and signal power input. However, it is envisaged that the shaft length, from the matching layer to the flat surface, may alter the extent to which ambient temperature effects sound speed measurements of the fluid.
- the fluid medium contact layer is exposed to ambient conditions, and also receives varying heat inputs from the piezoelectric element and other heating sources.
- the temperature of the fluid medium contact layer may take longer to stabilise than the fluid, and may stabilise at different temperatures depending on the ambient conditions. Rather than control the temperature of the fluid medium contact layer, it is envisaged that this influence may be contained by reducing the length of the fluid medium contact layer as a percentage of the overall acoustic path length. In an exemplary embodiment in which two opposing transducers are used in an ultrasound sensor device, the length of the fluid medium contact layer may be less than 15% of the overall path length. Increasing the separation between transducer, or decreasing the length of the fluid medium contact layer, can further reduce the percentage if greater accuracy or wider ambient temperature ranges are required.
- the housing may include a cap, configured to be secured to the main body.
- the cap and main body may include complementary threads - but it should be appreciated that this is not intended to be limiting.
- the cap and main body may be secured using one or more of: an interference fit, clips, fasteners, or any other suitable means known in the art.
- the ultrasound transducer may have a piezoelectric assembly including the piezoelectric element and the matching layer.
- the piezoelectric assembly may include an element holder.
- the element holder may include an aperture in which the piezoelectric element is located.
- the element holder may be made of a circuit board material.
- the matching layer may span the aperture of the element holder.
- the matching layer may provide an electrical contact to the piezoelectric element - for example, where the matching layer is a circuit board.
- the piezoelectric assembly may include an electrical contact on the other side of the piezoelectric element from the matching layer.
- the electrical contact may include a foil strip - for example a copper foil in the order of 35 pm or less in thickness.
- the foil may be arranged to span the aperture of the element holder and contact an entire face of the piezoelectric element. It is envisaged that the foil strip may be soldered to the element holder. It is envisaged that the foil thickness may be selected to provide a degree of robustness during assembly, but not be so thick so as to significantly influence the acoustic path to the backing layer.
- one or more electronic components may be provided on the element holder.
- the housing body and/or piezoelectric assembly may be configured so as to locate the piezoelectric assembly in a desired position and orientation during assembly of the transducer.
- the housing body may include a receiving portion configured to receive the piezoelectric assembly and shaped to restrict movement - particularly rotation or lateral movement.
- an ultrasound sensor device including: a hollow body configured to receive a fluid to be analysed, a first ultrasound transducer, and a second ultrasound transducer.
- the hollow body may be elongate.
- the hollow body may be a tube.
- the first and second ultrasound transducers may be arranged to face each other through the hollow body.
- the transducers may be disposed at distal ends of the hollow body.
- the hollow body may be made of a metal. In an exemplary embodiment the hollow body may be made of a stainless steel.
- the body In ultrasound-based measuring cells used in off-line sensing of milk, the body is typically made of brass, which has a high heat transfer coefficient and can be constructed with a very thin wall, allowing it to quickly and precisely control milk temperature.
- brass is not resistant to the acidic chemicals commonly used in cleaning milking systems.
- the use of stainless steel may assist with providing resistance to such chemicals, enabling cleaning of the device using chemicals already in use within the wider system.
- This has further implications for assembly, as brass material allows the prior art ultrasonic transducer assemblies to be secured together, and to the measuring cell, in a relatively simple and robust way using solder.
- a solder-based assembly method is incompatible with materials such as stainless steel and polysulfone.
- features of the present disclosure are intended to facilitate assembly of the transducer, and the ultrasound sensor device using the transducer, with one or more of the following considerations in mind: repeatability, secure and robust construction, achieving electrical connection to the piezoelectric element with insignificant impact on the acoustic performance, and doing so with the general constraints of cost containment and material suitability for milk contact.
- an ultrasound sensor device including: a hollow body having an acoustically reflective surface and being configured to receive a fluid to be analysed, and a first ultrasound transducer facing the acoustically reflective surface.
- the path length between piezoelectric elements of respective ultrasound transducers, or the total return path length between the piezoelectric element of an ultrasound transducer and the acoustically reflective surface may be one of: greater than about 25 mm; between 25 mm to 100 mm; between 50 mm to 80 mm; greater than about 50 mm; between 60 mm to 75 mm; and about 70 mm. It is envisaged that such embodiments may be particularly applicable to embodiments in which the hollow body is tubular, and for use cases in which the fluid is milk.
- a system for analysing a fluid including: a ultrasound sensor device; a sample delivery device configured to deliver a sample of fluid from a fluid carrying and/or storing system to the ultrasound sensor device; and at least one processor configured to determine a characteristic of the sample of fluid based at least in part on a signal output from the ultrasound sensor device.
- the fluid may be milk extracted from a milking animal. It is envisaged that the present disclosure may have particular application to the analysis of milk during the transfer of milk from the point of extraction to a storage vessel.
- Milking systems typically include individual milk transport conduits from the points of extraction (for example, using a milking cluster including teat cups), joining to a common transport line for delivery to the storage vessel.
- the system may be embodied in a single unit - which may be referred to herein as a sensor.
- a sensor Various configurations of sensors, in terms of how the sensor is exposed to the fluid to be analysed, are known in the art. Terms such as “in-line”, “on-line”, “at-line”, “near-line” and “off line” are used in the art to distinguish between these configurations - however there is a degree of inconsistency in their usage.
- reference to an on-line sensor should be understood to mean a sensor which automatically extracts a sample of fluid from a fluid source (for example, a milk line or jar in the context of milking systems), and analyses the sample of fluid to determine at least one characteristic of the sample.
- the term "on-line” may encompass embodiments in which the sample is returned to the source, or discarded.
- the terms “at-line” and “off-line” may be used in the art to distinguish between the environment in which the sensor is configured to operate. Both at-line and off-line sensors are configured to analyse a discrete sample of the fluid delivered to the sensor by an operator. At-line sensors (which may be referred to as “near-line” sensors) are generally intended to be located within the vicinity of the fluid source - for example, within a milking facility - while off-line sensors are primarily intended for use in a more environmentally controlled environment - for example, in a laboratory.
- off-line should be understood to refer to a sensor configuration in which a sample is collected from the fluid, and delivered to the sensor by an operator rather than an automated system.
- On-line and off-line sensors may be distinguished from in-line sensors by the act of analysing a sample extracted from the fluid rather than analysing the flow itself. As such, on-line and off-line sensors may be referred to in the collective as “sample” sensors.
- FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary livestock management system in which an aspect of the present disclosure may be implemented
- FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary on-line sensor according to one aspect of the present disclosure
- FIG. 3A is a top view of an exemplary ultrasound sensor device according to one aspect of the present disclosure.
- FIG. 3B is a side cross-section view of the ultrasound sensor device
- FIG. 4A is a perspective assembled view of an exemplary ultrasound transducer according to one aspect of the present disclosure
- FIG. 4B is a perspective exploded view of the ultrasound transducer
- FIG. 4C is a side cross-sectional view of the ultrasound transducer
- FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an exemplary piezoelectric assembly of the ultrasound transducer according to one aspect of the present disclosure.
- FIG. 6 is a graph of the frequency response of an exemplary ultrasound transducer according to one aspect of the present disclosure.
- FIG. 1 illustrates a livestock management system 100, within which a local hardware platform 102 manages the collection and transmission of data relating to operation of a milking facility.
- the hardware platform 102 has a processor 104, memory 106, and other components typically present in such computing devices.
- the memory 106 stores information accessible by processor 104, the information including instructions 108 that may be executed by the processor 104 and data 110 that may be retrieved, manipulated or stored by the processor 104.
- the memory 106 may be of any suitable means known in the art, capable of storing information in a manner accessible by the processor 104, including a computer-readable medium, or other medium that stores data that may be read with the aid of an electronic device.
- the processor 104 may be any suitable device known to a person skilled in the art. Although the processor 104 and memory 106 are illustrated as being within a single unit, it should be appreciated that this is not intended to be limiting, and that the functionality of each as herein described may be performed by multiple processors and memories, that may or may not be remote from each other.
- the instructions 108 may include any set of instructions suitable for execution by the processor 104.
- the instructions 108 may be stored as computer code on the computer-readable medium.
- the instructions may be stored in any suitable computer language or format.
- Data 110 may be retrieved, stored or modified by processor 104 in accordance with the instructions 108.
- the data 110 may also be formatted in any suitable computer readable format.
- the data 110 may also include a record 112 of control routines for aspects of the system 100.
- the hardware platform 102 may communicate with various devices associated with the milking facility, for example: in-line sensors 114a to 114n associated with individual milking clusters within the milking facility, and sample sensors in the form of on-line sensors 116a to 116n associated with the individual milking clusters or milk jars collecting milk from same.
- Animal identification devices 118a to 118n are provided for determining an animal identification ("animal ID") of individual animals entering, or within, the milking facility. More particularly, the animal identification devices 118a to 118n may be used to associated an animal ID with each of the milking clusters associated with the in-line sensors 114a to 114n and on-line sensors 116a to 116n, such that the sensor data may be attributed to the individual animals.
- an animal ID for example a radio frequency identification (“RFID”) reader configured to read a RFID tag carried by the animal.
- RFID radio frequency identification
- a user may manually enter (or correct) animal IDs via a user device - examples of which are discussed below.
- the hardware platform 102 may also communicate with user devices, such as touchscreen 120 located within the milking facility for monitoring operation of the system, and a local workstation 122.
- the hardware platform 102 may also communicate over a network 124 with one or more server devices 126 having associated memory 128 for the storage and processing of data collected by the local hardware platform 102.
- server devices 126 and memory 128 may take any suitable form known in the art - for example a "cloud-based" distributed server architecture.
- the network 124 potentially comprises various configurations and protocols including the Internet, intranets, virtual private networks, wide area networks, local networks, private networks using communication protocols proprietary to one or more companies - whether wired or wireless, or a combination thereof.
- the network 124 illustrated may include distinct networks and/or connections: for example a local network over which the user interface may be accessed within the vicinity of the milking facility, and an internet connection via which the cloud server is accessed. Information regarding operation of the system 100 may be communicated to user devices such as a smart phone 130 or a tablet computer 132 over the network 124.
- an exemplary sensor 200 is illustrated, which may be used (for example) as one or more of the on-line sensors 116a to 116n.
- the on-line sensor 200 includes an ultrasound sensor device 300, configured to perform ultrasound-based measurements of milk contained therein.
- the sensor 200 includes sample delivery device 202 configured to be connected to a source of the fluid to be sampled - for example milk tube 204 or milk jar 206 - and deliver a sample of the fluid to the ultrasound sensor device 300.
- a controller 208 is provided to control the operation of the various components described, receive data obtained by the ultrasound sensor device 300, and communicate over a network such as the network 124.
- FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B illustrate an exemplary embodiment of the ultrasound sensor device 300.
- the sensor device 300 includes a hollow body in the form of a stainless steel main tube 302, having a first end 304a and a second end 304b.
- a first port tube 306a is provided proximate the first end 304a, while a second port tube 306b is provided proximate the second end 304b.
- the port tubes 306 extend radially from the main tube 302 in opposing directions. In use, the port tubes 306 function as an inlet / outlet to and from the main tube 302.
- the exterior of the main tube 302 may be wrapped in coiled heating wires, for example an enamelled fine copper winding 308 around the main tube 302, and a larger nichrome wire winding 310 coiled over the copper winding 308. While not illustrated, it is envisaged that at least the copper windings 308 may also be provided on the port tubes 306.
- the respective windings 308 and 310 may be connected in series, and current supplied to control temperature of the sensor device 300 and/or fluid being sensed. Further, the resistance of the windings 308 and/or 310 may be used to determine temperature.
- insulating material may be provided over at least the main tube 302 in order to reduce the influence of ambient temperature and/or to increase efficiency when heating the fluid to measurement temperatures. It is envisaged that the insulating material may not cover the ends of the sensor device 300 to allow for heat dissipation from a first ultrasound transducer 400a at the first end 304a of the main tube 302, and a second ultrasound transducer 400b at the second end 304b.
- the first ultrasound transducer 400a and the second transducer 400b are arranged to face each other along the longitudinal axis of the main tube 302.
- one of the transducers 400 is configured as a transmitter, while the other is configured as a receiver.
- FIG. 4A to 4C illustrate an exemplary embodiment of the ultrasound transducer 400.
- the transducer 400 includes a housing having a main body 402 and a cap 404 configured to be secured to the main body 402.
- the main body 402 includes a first set of threads 406, while the cap 404 includes a second set of threads 408 configured to engage the first set of threads 406.
- the cap 404 includes a tool engaging portion, for example hexagonal head 410.
- the housing is made of polysulfone, as will be discussed further below.
- the main body 402 includes a slotted portion 412 configured to receive components of the transducer 400.
- a piezoelectric element holder (referred to herein as piezo holder 414) is provided, having an aperture 416 configured to receive a piezoelectric element 418.
- the piezoelectric element 418 is a disk-shaped lead metaniobate piezoelectric element.
- the acoustic impedance of the piezoelectric element 418 is between 15 to 22 MRayls, more particularly in the order of 16 MRayls.
- the piezoelectric element is constructed of 0.5mm thick APC3285. When heavily damped in the exemplary transducer design the resulting transducer has a centre frequency around 3.75MHz.
- the piezo holder 414 is made of a circuit board material for ease of forming electrical connections.
- the piezo holder 414 includes a rigid portion for locating the piezoelectric element 418 and an elongate flex portion 504 to act as an electrical connection.
- a piezoelectric contact member (referred to herein as piezo contact 420) is provided beneath the piezo holder 414 to contact the piezoelectric element 418.
- the piezo contact 420 is made of R04003C with a 35 pm electrodeposited copper foil layer, available from Rogers Corporation.
- an electrical contact is provided on the opposing side of the piezo holder 414 (to the piezo contact 420) in the form of a foil strip 422 - for example, a copper foil in the order of 33 pm in thickness.
- the backing element 424 is generally cylindrical in shape, having locating wings 426a and 426b on opposing sides. The locating wings 426 align with the slotted portion 412 of the main body 402, to assist with maintaining the position of the backing element 424 during assembly.
- a PTFE gasket 428 is provided between the backing element 424 and the cap 404.
- the main body 402 includes a cylindrical shaft 430.
- the distal end of the shaft 430 has a flat surface 432, which in use is presented to the interior of the main tube 302 (as shown in FIG. 3B).
- the thickness of the main body 402 from the flat surface 432 to the piezo contact 420 is influenced by several factors. Firstly, the temperature of polysulfone has an effect on acoustic performance (more particularly sound speed), and the main body 402 is subject to heat inputs from the piezoelectric element 418 and windings 308 and 310, as well as fluctuations in the ambient temperature.
- reflections of the acoustic signal will occur at the boundary between the flat surface 432 and the fluid, which if not accounted for will interfere with signal analysis. As such, there is a balance to be struck between reducing the thickness of the polysulfone as a percentage of the overall signal transmission path, and achieving a sufficient thickness so as to delay the reflections.
- the shaft 430 being of a sufficient length for fitting to the main tube 302 of the sensor device 300. It should also be appreciated that the diameter of the shaft 430 may be sized relative to the internal diameter of the main tube 302 to produce a seal, as well as mechanically securing the transducer 400 to the main tube 320.
- the respective piezoelectric elements of the transducers 400a and 400b are spaced apart at 69 mm (comprising a 59 mm gap between end surfaces, and a polysulfone thickness of about 5 mm).
- the thickness of the polysulfone of each transducer 400 is about 5 mm, which in combination represents just under 15% of the total path length. It is also considered desirable for reflections to be delayed by at least four wavelengths - i.e. requiring the thickness of the polysulfone to be at least two wavelengths.
- the wavelength of the signal through the main body 402 is 0.896 mm.
- a 5 mm thickness provides a total path length of eleven wavelengths, which satisfies this design criteria.
- the backing element 424 is made of a tungsten composite, including tungsten particles of a relatively large size (more particularly granulated tungsten powder - such as GW- 100270 available from Buffalo Tungsten Inc), and tungsten particles of a relatively small size (more particularly fine tungsten powder - such as C20-491 available from Buffalo Tungsten Inc).
- the relatively high density of tungsten is considered to aid in achieving a suitable acoustic impedance.
- the tungsten particles are suspended in an epoxy resin, for example EpoTek 301 available from Epoxy Technology Inc.
- EpoTek 301A may be in the order of 56:7:3.5 (with the second part of the epoxy EpoTek 301B later added at 0.875).
- the unset mixture may be spun in a centrifuge so as to promote settling of the tungsten particles towards an end of the backing element 424 which is proximate the piezoelectric element 418 in use.
- the polysulfone of the main body 402 may be Sustason PSU rod stock produced from non UV-stabilised polysulphone resin (available from Rochling Sustaplast SE & Co. KG), which has a nominal acoustic impedance in the order of 2.78 MRayl. Due to the differential in acoustic impedance between the polysulfone and the piezoelectric material it is desirable to include an impedance matching layer.
- the piezo contact 420 is configured for this purpose.
- the ideal acoustic impedance of the piezo contact 420 would be 6.67 MRayls. While it is generally preferable for the acoustic impedance of the matching layer to be as close as possible to the ideal value, in practice the impedance may be within a wider range and still produce a useful result - particularly where other design constraints are present.
- the thickness of the piezo contact 420 is also designed to provide quarter wave matching with the ultrasound signal. More particularly, the thickness of the piezo contact 420 may be between 20 to 30% of the signal wavelength at the centre operating frequency of the transducer 400 (i.e. 3.75 MHz).
- the R04003C piezo contact 420 is considered suitable for impedance matching.
- the R04003C material can be supplied with an electrodeposited copper foil, which is used in the exemplary embodiment to provide electrical contact between the piezo holder 414 and the bottom face of the piezoelectric element 418.
- the electrodeposited foil is 35 pm thick.
- FIG. 5 illustrates a piezoelectric assembly 500, including the piezo holder 414, piezoelectric element 418, piezo contact 420, and foil strip 422 as previously described.
- the piezo contact 420 may be soldered to the piezo holder 414, and one end of the foil strip 422 soldered to the piezo holder 414.
- One or more electronic components 502 may also be soldered to the piezo holder 414.
- the piezo holder 414 also includes a flex portion 504 - which may be used to provide electric connections to associated circuitry. The resulting sub-assembly is used to assist in assembly of the transducer 400.
- the piezoelectric element 418 is inserted into the aperture 416 of the piezo holder 414, beneath the foil strip 422.
- the thickness of the piezo holder 414 is such that the piezoelectric element 418 projects above it, to ensure contact with the foil 422 (and therefore backing element 424).
- the piezoelectric assembly 500 is then inserted into the slotted portion 412 of the main body 402.
- the slotted portion 412 and piezoelectric assembly 500 are shaped such that the piezoelectric element 418 is centred over the shaft 430 of the main body 402.
- an epoxy adhesive for example, Scotch-WeldTM Epoxy Adhesive EC-2216 B/A available from 3M Company
- an epoxy adhesive for example, Scotch-WeldTM Epoxy Adhesive EC-2216 B/A available from 3M Company
- the backing element 424 is inserted into the slotted portion 412, contacting the top of the foil strip 422.
- the cap 404 is then screwed on to the main body 402 until a specified torque is achieved, to squeeze the epoxy from between the various layers and provide a desired pressure as the epoxy sets. It is envisaged that the residual epoxy may be sufficiently thin so as to have a negligible effect on acoustic transmission properties or electrical contact.
- a fillet of epoxy is also applied to cover the electronic component 502 and portions of the piezo holder 414 adjacent the housing, to seal and encapsulate the transducer components.
- FIG. 6 illustrates the frequency response 600 of an exemplary ultrasound transducer 400 constructed in accordance with the description above.
- the ultrasound transducer 600 has a centre frequency 602 of about 3.75 MHz, with a lower -6 dB frequency limit 604 of about 2.5 MHz and an upper -6 dB frequency limit 606 of about 4.9 MHz.
- This provides a -6dB bandwidth of about 2.4 MHz, which may be expressed as a -6dB percentage bandwidth of about 64%.
- variation in the tested bandwidth may be expected between different batches of the transducer, and between individual examples of the transducer design.
- the invention may also be said broadly to consist in the parts, elements and features referred to or indicated in the specification of the application, individually or collectively, in any or all combinations of two or more of said parts, elements or features.
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Abstract
Description
Claims
Priority Applications (6)
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US17/638,828 US20220323995A1 (en) | 2019-08-28 | 2020-08-28 | Devices for analysis of a fluid |
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CA3149451A CA3149451A1 (en) | 2019-08-28 | 2020-08-28 | Devices for analysis of a fluid |
AU2020335853A AU2020335853A1 (en) | 2019-08-28 | 2020-08-28 | Devices for analysis of a fluid |
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IL290876A IL290876A (en) | 2019-08-28 | 2022-02-24 | Devices for analysis of a fluid |
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- 2020-08-28 CA CA3149451A patent/CA3149451A1/en active Pending
- 2020-08-28 EP EP20856262.9A patent/EP4021650A4/en active Pending
- 2020-08-28 AU AU2020335853A patent/AU2020335853A1/en active Pending
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Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
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CN115210005A (en) | 2022-10-18 |
IL290876A (en) | 2022-04-01 |
EP4021650A4 (en) | 2023-09-06 |
AU2020335853A1 (en) | 2022-04-14 |
EP4021650A1 (en) | 2022-07-06 |
CN115210005B (en) | 2024-04-23 |
US20220323995A1 (en) | 2022-10-13 |
CA3149451A1 (en) | 2021-03-04 |
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