Cleaning of sensor surfaces
AssigneeABB Kent Plc
InventorHuvin Thompson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
In a sensor such as a pH sensor, a bundle of relatively long, thin and soft cleaning filaments is anchored next to the pH electrode. A bluff body, which may be the reference electrode is positioned upstream of the bundle so as to create liquid vortices which move the free ends of the fibres in an effective cleaning action over the sensing surface of the pH electrode.
Claims29
A sensor for determining parameters of a flowing liquid, comprising a flow chamber having an inlet port and outlet port;
- a sensing element positioned in the flow chamber and having a sensor surface which in use contacts liquid flowing through the flow chamber and cleaning means for maintaining the cleanliness of the sensor surface, wherein said cleaning means comprises a plurality of cleaning filaments anchored at respective first ends in fixed position relative to said sensor surface and movable at respective second ends by the action of turbulence in the flowing liquid acting on said second ends, said movement of the respective second ends of the filaments providing a cleaning action over at least part of the sensor surface.
A sensor for determining parameters of a flowing liquid, in the form of a probe which in use is inserted in a liquid flow path, the sensor comprising;
- a sensing element which in use is positioned in the liquid flow path and having a sensor surface which in use contacts the flowing liquid and cleaning means for maintaining the cleanliness of the sensor surface, wherein said cleaning means comprises a plurality of cleaning filaments anchored at respective first ends in fixed position relative to said sensor surface and movable at respective second ends by the action of turbulence in the flowing liquid acting on said second ends, said movement of the respective second ends of the filaments providing a cleaning action over at least part of the sensor surface.
A sensor for determining flow parameters of a liquid in combination with a sensor surface cleaning element, the sensor having a sensing surface contacted in operation by a flow of liquid, the cleaning element comprising an anchorage positionable in fixed relation to the sensing surface and a plurality of cleaning filaments having respective first ends secured to the anchorage and respective second ends free to move in operation in cleaning action over the sensing surface, said second ends being moved by the action of turbulence in the flow of liquid acting on said second ends, each filament having a length to thickness ratio of at least 500:1.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.