Multi-sensor system for fluid monitoring with selective exposure of sensors

• US 20050247114A1
• Filed: 05/07/2004
• Published: 11/10/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 05/07/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GE Analytical Instruments, Inc. (General Electric Company)
• Original Assignee: Sensicore, Inc. (Veolia Environnement SA)
• Inventors: Martin, Glenn, Man, Piu Francis, Kahn, Malcolm R.
• Granted Patent: US 7,100,427 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 73/53.10
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/0031 comprising two or more sensors, e.g. a sensor array
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/18 Water

Abstract

Various sensor unit configurations are disclosed within the context of a fluid quality monitoring system. The distribution of sensor units can be accomplished using existing product distribution channels to sell, distribute and install sensor units so that a fluid distribution monitoring system can be established at relatively low cost, on a wider basis, and by locating sensor units at the most desirable location from problem detection standpoint, the location of the end user.

Claims

1. A multi-sensor apparatus for monitoring a fluid, comprising:

a plurality of sensors, each sensor being configured to be exposed to a fluid; and

means for selectively exposing a particular sensor of the plurality of sensors to the fluid.

2. The multi-sensor apparatus of claim 1, wherein said fluid is water.

3. The multi-sensor apparatus of claim 1, further comprising multiple substrates, the plurality of sensors being attached to the multiple substrates.

4. The multi-sensor apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a substrate wherein the plurality of sensors are attached to the substrate.

5. The multi-sensor apparatus of claim 4, wherein at least one of said sensors comprises a plurality of sensing elements.

6. The multi-sensor apparatus of claim 4, wherein at least one of said sensors comprises an at least one of an ion-selective sensing element, an amperometric sensing element, a potentiometric sensing element, a conductivity sensing element, a temperature sensing element, an oxidation-reduction potential sensing element, a chlorine sensing element, an oxygen sensing element, an immunosensor, a DNA probe and an optical sensor.

7. The multi-sensor apparatus of claim 4, wherein the sensors are recessed from a surface of the substrate.

8. The multi-sensor apparatus of claim 4, wherein the plurality of sensors are lithographically produced on a recessed surface the substrate.

9. The multi-sensor apparatus of claim 4, wherein said substrate is a first substrate comprising a plurality of apertures extending therethrough, and wherein each sensor is disposed on a surface of a separate substrate, each separate substrate being bonded to the first substrate such that each sensor faces a respective aperture of the first substrate.

10. The multi-sensor apparatus of claim 9, wherein the separate substrates are bonded to the first substrate using a flip-chip process.

11. A multi-sensor apparatus for monitoring a fluid, comprising:

a plurality of sensors, each sensor being configured to be exposed to a fluid;

at least one cover membrane that covers the plurality of sensors; and

a plurality of heating elements attached to the at least one cover membrane, a given heating element being positioned proximate to a given sensor,

wherein each heating element is selectively operable to generate an opening in the at least one membrane, thereby allowing a particular sensor positioned proximate to the opening to be exposed to the fluid.

12. The multi-sensor apparatus of claim 11, wherein said fluid is water.

13. The multi-sensor apparatus of claim 11, further comprising multiple substrates, the plurality of sensors being attached to the multiple substrate.

14. The multi-sensor apparatus of claim 11, further comprising a substrate, wherein the plurality of sensors are attached to the substrate, and wherein the at least one membrane is attached to the surface of the substrate.

15. The multi-sensor apparatus of claim 14, wherein at least one of said sensors comprises a plurality of sensing elements.

16. The multi-sensor apparatus of claim 14, wherein at least one of said sensors comprises at least one of an ion-selective sensing element, an amperometric sensing element, a potentiometric sensing element, a conductivity sensing element, a temperature sensing element, an oxidation-reduction potential sensing element, a chlorine sensing element, an oxygen sensing element, an immunosensor, a DNA probe and an optical sensor.

17. The multi-sensor apparatus of claim 14, wherein the sensors are recessed from a surface of the substrate.

18. The multi-sensor apparatus of claim 14, wherein the membrane comprises a polymer material.

19. The multi-sensor apparatus of claim 18, wherein the polymer material comprises polyester or polyimide.

20. The multi-sensor apparatus of claim 14, wherein the membrane is attached to the substrate via an adhesive.

21. The multi-sensor apparatus of claim 14, wherein the membrane is attached to the substrate by a heated lamination process.

22. The multi-sensor apparatus of claim 14, wherein the plurality of sensors are lithographically produced on a recessed surface the substrate.

23. The multi-sensor apparatus of claim 14, wherein said substrate is a first substrate comprising a plurality of apertures extending therethrough, and wherein each sensor is disposed on a surface of a separate substrate, each separate substrate being bonded to the first substrate such that each sensor faces a respective aperture of the first substrate.

24. The multi-sensor apparatus of claim 23, wherein the separate substrates are bonded to the first substrate using a flip-chip process.

25. A multi-sensor apparatus for monitoring a fluid, comprising:

a substrate;

a plurality of sensors attached to the substrate, each sensor being configured to be exposed to a fluid;

a housing member adjacent which the substrate is disposed, the housing member having an aperture in a wall thereof configured to allow a sensor to be exposed to the fluid;

a seal arranged adjacent to the aperture and positioned between a surface of the substrate and a surface of the housing member, thereby sealing the substrate against the housing member; and

an actuator for moving the substrate to selectively locate a particular sensor to a region of the window such that the particular sensor is exposed to the fluid.

26. The multi-sensor apparatus of claim 25, wherein said fluid is water.

27. The multi-sensor apparatus of claim 25, wherein at least one of said sensors comprises a plurality of sensing elements.

28. The multi-sensor apparatus of claim 25, wherein at least one of said sensors comprises at least one of an ion-selective sensing element, an amperometric sensing element, a potentiometric sensing element, a conductivity sensing element, a temperature sensing element, an oxidation-reduction potential sensing element, a chlorine sensing element, an oxygen sensing element, an immunosensor, a DNA probe and an optical sensor.

29. The multi-sensor apparatus of claim 25, wherein the sensors are recessed from a surface of the substrate.

30. The multi-sensor apparatus of claim 25, wherein the plurality of sensors are lithographically produced on a recessed surface the substrate.

31. The multi-sensor apparatus of claim 25, wherein said substrate is a first substrate comprising a plurality of apertures extending therethrough, and wherein each sensor is disposed on a surface of a separate substrate, each separate substrate being bonded to the first substrate such that each sensor faces a respective aperture of the first substrate.

32. The multi-sensor apparatus of claim 31, wherein the separate substrates are bonded to the first substrate using a flip-chip process.

33. The multi-sensor apparatus of claim 25, wherein the seal is an o-ring.

34. The multi-sensor apparatus of claim 25, wherein the sensors are disposed at a circumference of a circle.

35. The multi-sensor apparatus of claim 34, wherein the actuator provides rotational motion of the substrate.

36. The multi-sensor apparatus of claim 25, wherein the sensors are disposed along a line.

37. The multi-sensor apparatus of claim 36, wherein the actuator provides linear motion of the substrate.

38. A multi-sensor apparatus for monitoring a fluid, comprising:

a plurality of sensors, each sensor being configured to be exposed to a fluid;

at least one membrane attached to a surface of a substrate, the at least one membrane covering the plurality of sensors; and

a mechanical member for selectively displacing the at least one membrane in a region proximate to a particular sensor to allow the particular sensor to be exposed to the fluid; and

an actuator for providing relative motion between the substrate and the mechanical member to allow the mechanical member to selectively displace the at least one membrane.

39. The multi-sensor apparatus of claim 38, wherein said fluid is water.

40. The multi-sensor apparatus of claim 38, wherein at least one of said sensors comprises a plurality of sensing elements.

41. The multi-sensor apparatus of claim 38, wherein at least one of said sensors comprises at least one of an ion-selective sensing element, an amperometric sensing element, a potentiometric sensing element, a conductivity sensing element, a temperature sensing element, an oxidation-reduction potential sensing element, a chlorine sensing element, an oxygen sensing element, an immunosensor, a DNA probe and an optical sensor.

42. The multi-sensor apparatus of claim 38, wherein the sensors are recessed from a surface of the substrate.

43. The multi-sensor apparatus of claim 38, wherein the at least one membrane comprises a polymer material.

44. The multi-sensor apparatus of claim 43, wherein the polymer material comprises polyester or polyimide.

45. The multi-sensor apparatus of claim 38, wherein the at least one membrane is attached to the substrate via an adhesive.

46. The multi-sensor apparatus of claim 38, wherein the at least one membrane is attached to the substrate by a heated lamination process.

47. The multi-sensor apparatus of claim 38, wherein the plurality of sensors are lithographically produced on a recessed surface the substrate.

48. The multi-sensor apparatus of claim 38, wherein said substrate is a first substrate comprising a plurality of apertures extending therethrough, and wherein each sensor is disposed on a surface of a separate substrate, each separate substrate being bonded to the first substrate such that each sensor faces a respective aperture of the first substrate.

49. The multi-sensor apparatus of claim 48, wherein the separate substrates are bonded to the first substrate using a flip-chip process.

50. The multi-sensor apparatus of claim 38, wherein the mechanical member perforates the at least on membrane.

51. The multi-sensor apparatus of claim 38, wherein the mechanical member mechanically removes the at least one membrane.

52. A method of monitoring a fluid with a plurality of sensors, comprising:

arranging a plurality of sensors proximate to a fluid; and

selectively exposing a particular sensor of the plurality of sensors to the fluid.

53. The method of claim 52, wherein said fluid is water.

54. The method of claim 52, further comprising providing the plurality of sensors respectively on a plurality of substrates.

55. The method of claim 52, further comprising providing the plurality of sensors on a single substrate.

56. The method of claim 52, wherein at least one of said sensors comprises a plurality of sensing elements.

57. The method of claim 52, further comprising measuring at least one of an ion content, a chlorine content, an oxygen content, an electrical conductivity, a temperature, and an oxidation-reduction potential.