Industrial Consultancy & Sponsored Research (IC&SR) , IIT Madras
Integrated Thermocouple Waveguide Sensor System and Method to Measure Physical Properties of Waveguide Material and Surroundings
Categories for this Invention
Technology: Integrated Thermocouple Waveguide Sensor ;
Industry & Application: NDT, Level & measurement, Automotive, robotics & etc.
Market: The global Industrial Ultrasonic Transducer market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 11% during the forecast period (2024-31).
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Problem Statement
- The problem statement discussed in the present invention is how to provide a simplified waveguide based integrated sensor system that measures both temperature & physical properties of waveguide and surrounding materials by coupling both ultrasonic effect and thermo-electric effect without providing separate material and design for creating sensor element at the hot junction.
- Hence, there is a need to address the issue & said invention provides the solution efficiently.
Technology
- Present patent describes an integrated sensor system for simultaneously measuring the wave propagation medium for its physical properties, rheology measurement & condition monitoring of surrounding media.
- System comprises a
- one or more of compatible wave propagation mediums linked to an ultrasonic energy transducer at one end as cold junction
- the other ends of the wave propagation mediums are joined together to form a closed end, i.e. a hot junction made by one or more of twisting, bending, bonding, extended welding, spot welding to provide ultrasonic damped junctions, electrical potential and mechanical strength;
- wave propagation mediums between the open end & closed end is characterized with one or more of reflectors such as bends, notches, coatings, the hot junction and gratings, along the length to obtain ultrasonic reflections;and
- the ultrasonic-thermoelectric hot junction/ultrasonic sensor’s gage length measures the physical properties of the wave propagation medium and its surrounding medium properties including rheology and strain parameters using ultrasonic waves propagating in the waveguide(s) in addition to temperature
Key Features / Value Proposition
Technical Perspective:
Specimen Testing Process:
- The integrated sensor is pasted (using spot welds or high temp glues) to the specimen for measuring the longitudinal strain, lateral strain, resultant strains and thermal expansion, while heating the sample.
Transducer:
- Transducer is selected from PZT, electro-magnetic, thermal means, or combination thereof.
Active Ultrasonic Sensors:
- A few temperature sensor will function simultaneously and are characterized to self-calibrate with respect to each other, upon failure of hot junction, either one of the leads or both leads will become active ultrasonic sensors.
Other Features:
- Said surrounding media properties are viscosity, density, temperature, humidity, ice formation, flow, level, etc.
- Said wave propagation medium properties are elastic moduli, longitudinal, lateral, radial strains, diagonal strains, etc., wherein said wave propagation mediums are selected from two dissimilar metals Chromel & Alumal.
- The means of ultrasonic energy transduction method is selected from piezo-electric, electromagnetic, magneto strictive, thermo-elastic, opto-mechanical, electro-mechanical.
- The temperature tolerance for sensing ranges from -100°C to 2000°C.
Questions about this Technology?
Contact For Licensing
sm-marketing@imail.iitm.ac.in
ipoffice2@iitm.ac.in
Research Lab
Prof. Krishnan Balasubramanian
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Intellectual Property
- IITM IDF Ref. 1803;
- IN Patent No. 394597 (Granted)
- PCT Application No. PCT/IN2020/050592
- US Publication No. US 2022-0291171 A1
Technology Readiness Level
TRL- 4
Experimentally validated in Lab