Fluid Sensors for Industrial Process Control

Publication ID: 24-11857760_0007_PTD
Published: November 07, 2025
Category:New Applications & Use Cases

Legal Citation

pr1or.art Inc., “Fluid Sensors for Industrial Process Control,” Published Technical Disclosure No. 24-11857760_0007_PTD, Published November 07, 2025, available at https://archive.pr1or.art/24-11857760_0007_PTD
This technical disclosure describes improvements that would be readily apparent to a Person Having Ordinary Skill In The Art (PHOSITA) when considered in combination with the foundational architecture disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 11,857,760.

Summary of the Inventive Concept

The inventive concept applies the core technology of the original fluid sensor patent to new industrial process control applications, enabling real-time monitoring and control of fluid flow, pressure, and quality in various industries.

Background and Problem Solved

The original fluid sensor patent addressed the need for accurate fluid characterization in medical applications. However, there exists a broader need for fluid sensors in industrial process control, where real-time monitoring and control of fluid flow, pressure, and quality are critical. The inventive concept solves this problem by adapting the core technology to new applications, such as brewery fluid quality monitoring, water treatment contamination detection, chemical processing fluid flow monitoring, hydraulic system pressure monitoring, and compressed air system leak detection.

Detailed Description of the Inventive Concept

The inventive concept comprises a fluid sensor configured to detect air bubbles, pressure changes, and fluid flow rates in various industrial process control applications. The fluid sensor includes an ultrasonic transmitter and a pressure sensor, which work in tandem to provide accurate and real-time measurements. The system can be integrated with controllers to shut off fluid transfer lines, generate alarm signals, or adjust fluid pressure in response to detected anomalies. The inventive concept can be implemented in various industries, including brewery, water treatment, chemical processing, hydraulic systems, and compressed air systems.

Novelty and Inventive Step

The inventive concept's novelty lies in its application of the original fluid sensor technology to new industrial process control applications, which were not contemplated in the original patent. The inventive step is the recognition of the potential for the fluid sensor technology to be adapted to these new applications, and the development of specific configurations and systems to address the unique challenges of each industry.

Alternative Embodiments and Variations

Alternative embodiments of the inventive concept could include different sensor configurations, such as using optical or capacitive sensors instead of ultrasonic and pressure sensors. Variations could also include different system architectures, such as wireless or cloud-based systems, to enable remote monitoring and control.

Potential Commercial Applications and Market

The inventive concept has significant commercial potential in various industries, including brewery, water treatment, chemical processing, hydraulic systems, and compressed air systems. The market for industrial process control sensors is growing rapidly, driven by the need for increased efficiency, safety, and quality control. The inventive concept is well-positioned to capture a significant share of this market, with potential applications in manufacturing, oil and gas, and other industries.

CPC Classifications

SectionClassGroup
A A61 A61M5/16854
A A61 A61M5/365
A A61 A61M39/08
G G01 G01N29/02
G G01 G01N29/222
A A61 A61M2005/16863
A A61 A61M2205/332
A A61 A61M2205/3331

Field of Art

Fluid sensing and monitoring technologies, spanning medical device sensors, industrial process control, and fluid flow measurement systems. Requires expertise in ultrasonic sensing, pressure detection, signal processing, and interdisciplinary sensor integration

Person of Ordinary Skill (PHOSITA) Profile

A technical professional with advanced engineering degree, expertise in sensor technologies, signal processing, and cross-domain application of sensing principles. Capable of adapting sensor configurations across different industrial and medical contexts

Obviousness Rationale

A PHOSITA would recognize the fundamental ultrasonic and pressure sensing principles disclosed in the source patent are readily transferable to diverse industrial applications. The core sensing methodology remains consistent across domains, with modifications primarily involving system integration and specific use-case adaptations. The PTD demonstrates predictable extensions of the original sensor technology by applying known sensing techniques to alternative fluid monitoring scenarios.

Obvious Combinations & Variations

Source Patent Element
Ultrasonic transmitter configured to emit signals through an emitting face, with a pressure sensor receiving signals through a receiving face
PTD Variation
Applying the ultrasonic/pressure sensing configuration to brewery, water treatment, chemical processing, and hydraulic system monitoring
Obviousness Reasoning
Known sensor technique applied to predictable alternative domains with expected results of fluid quality and flow monitoring
Source Patent Element
Fluid delivery conduit monitoring using integrated sensors
PTD Variation
Extending conduit monitoring to industrial process control with automated shutdown and alarm generation capabilities
Obviousness Reasoning
Logical extension of safety monitoring principles from medical to industrial contexts, representing a straightforward design adaptation
Source Patent Element
Pressure change detection mechanism
PTD Variation
Implementing pressure change detection across compressed air systems, hydraulic systems, and chemical processing environments
Obviousness Reasoning
Transferring a fundamental sensing technique across domains represents a predictable application of established sensor technology
Source Patent Element
Gap configuration for receiving fluid delivery conduit
PTD Variation
Adapting sensor housing design for various industrial fluid transfer line configurations
Obviousness Reasoning
Modular sensor design principles allow straightforward geometric adaptation across different fluid transfer contexts
Source Patent Element
Signal processing for detecting fluid anomalies
PTD Variation
Expanding anomaly detection to include air bubbles, pressure variations, and flow rate measurements in diverse industrial settings
Obviousness Reasoning
Signal processing techniques are universally applicable, with variations representing routine engineering design choices
35 U.S.C. § 103 Summary: Based on US Patent 11857760's disclosure of fluid sensing technologies, the present publication demonstrates that the claimed variations represent obvious extensions of prior art, applying well-established ultrasonic and pressure sensing principles across predictable industrial domains. A person having ordinary skill in the art would find the disclosed configurations and methods to be straightforward adaptations of known sensor technologies, lacking non-obvious inventive characteristics.

Original Patent Information

Patent NumberUS 11,857,760
TitleFluid sensor
Assignee(s)HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.