Enhanced Fluid Flow System for Bubble and Fluid Detection

Publication ID: 24-11857775_0001_PTD
Published: October 28, 2025
Category:Direct Improvements & Enhancements

Legal Citation

pr1or.art Inc., “Enhanced Fluid Flow System for Bubble and Fluid Detection,” Published Technical Disclosure No. 24-11857775_0001_PTD, Published October 28, 2025, available at https://archive.pr1or.art/24-11857775_0001_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. 11,857,775.

Summary of the Inventive Concept

The present inventive concept relates to an improved fluid flow system for detecting air bubbles or liquids in a flow tube, offering enhanced sensitivity, reliability, and efficiency.

Background and Problem Solved

The original patent, 'Fluid flow system for bubble and fluid detection,' had limitations in detecting air bubbles or liquids in a flow tube, particularly in terms of accuracy, speed, and safety. The new inventive concept addresses these limitations by introducing innovative design elements and operational methods to improve the overall performance of the fluid flow system.

Detailed Description of the Inventive Concept

The enhanced fluid flow system features a flow tube with a tapered inner surface, reducing the likelihood of air bubble formation. Additionally, the system employs a controlled pressure pulse to facilitate bubble removal, ensuring efficient detection. The force sensor is integrated with a heating element to maintain a consistent temperature within the flow tube, further enhancing detection accuracy. Furthermore, machine learning algorithms are utilized to analyze the output signal of the force sensor, predicting the likelihood of bubble formation. The flow tube may also be equipped with an integrated acoustic resonator, generating ultrasonic signals at a frequency range of 1-5 MHz to enhance bubble detection.

Novelty and Inventive Step

The new inventive concept's novelty lies in the combination of the tapered flow tube, controlled pressure pulse, integrated heating element, machine learning algorithms, and acoustic resonator, which collectively provide a significant improvement over the original patent. The inventive step is the recognition of the need for a more efficient, reliable, and accurate fluid flow system, and the provision of a comprehensive solution addressing these needs.

Alternative Embodiments and Variations

Alternative embodiments of the inventive concept may include varying the shape and material of the flow tube, using different types of sensors, or incorporating additional features such as temperature control or fluid flow rate monitoring. Variations of the controlled pressure pulse, machine learning algorithms, and acoustic resonator may also be explored to further optimize the system's performance.

Potential Commercial Applications and Market

The enhanced fluid flow system has significant commercial potential in industries such as healthcare, biotechnology, and chemical processing, where accurate and efficient detection of air bubbles or liquids is crucial. The system's improved performance and reliability make it an attractive solution for companies seeking to optimize their fluid flow systems and improve overall product quality.

Field of Art

Medical fluid delivery systems and sensor technologies, specifically focusing on bubble detection and fluid flow monitoring in medical devices such as infusion systems, with expertise in ultrasonic sensing, force sensors, and signal processing

Person of Ordinary Skill (PHOSITA) Profile

A skilled engineer with a background in biomedical engineering or medical device design, possessing knowledge of fluid dynamics, sensor integration, signal analysis, and medical device safety protocols

Obviousness Rationale

A person having ordinary skill in the art would recognize that the published technical disclosure represents predictable variations and combinations of known techniques in fluid flow detection systems. The proposed modifications leverage standard engineering approaches to enhance bubble detection sensitivity and reliability by integrating known sensor technologies and signal processing methods. The incremental improvements represent logical extensions of the source patent's core technological concepts.

Obvious Combinations & Variations

Source Patent Element
Force sensor monitoring output signals for bubble detection in a flow tube
PTD Variation
Integrating machine learning algorithms to analyze force sensor output signals and predict bubble formation
Obviousness Reasoning
Applying machine learning to sensor data analysis is a well-established technique in signal processing, representing a predictable optimization of existing bubble detection methods
Source Patent Element
Ultrasonic signal transmission at 20 KHz to 1 MHz frequency range
PTD Variation
Introducing an integrated acoustic resonator generating ultrasonic signals at 1-5 MHz frequency range
Obviousness Reasoning
Modifying ultrasonic frequency parameters is a routine design choice for enhancing sensor sensitivity, with predictable results in bubble detection performance
Source Patent Element
Flow tube positioned within a channel with tube compression
PTD Variation
Implementing a tapered inner surface flow tube to reduce air bubble formation
Obviousness Reasoning
Geometric modifications to fluid flow channels to improve fluid dynamics represent a standard engineering approach for addressing fluid management challenges
Source Patent Element
Basic force sensor for detecting fluid characteristics
PTD Variation
Integrating a heating element with the force sensor to maintain consistent temperature
Obviousness Reasoning
Temperature control is a known technique for improving sensor performance and signal stability in precision measurement systems
Source Patent Element
Basic bubble detection method using sensor signals
PTD Variation
Applying a controlled pressure pulse to facilitate bubble removal
Obviousness Reasoning
Utilizing pressure manipulation techniques for fluid management is a standard approach in fluid flow systems, representing an obvious solution to bubble-related challenges
35 U.S.C. § 103 Summary: Pursuant to 35 U.S.C. ยง 103, the variations disclosed in this published technical disclosure would have been obvious to a person having ordinary skill in the art at the time of invention, as they represent predictable combinations and modifications of the technological teachings found in US Patent 11857775, specifically extending the fundamental bubble detection methodology through routine engineering optimization techniques.

Original Patent Information

Patent NumberUS 11,857,775
TitleFluid flow system for bubble and fluid detection
Assignee(s)HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.