Fluid monitoring assembly with sensor functionality

A fluid monitoring assembly includes a conduit having a wall defining a lumen for carrying fluid. A sensor mount is integrally formed with the wall of the conduit and extends generally transverse with respect to a longitudinal axis of the conduit, the sensor mount including an aperture defining an inner surface extending to the lumen. The assembly includes a sensor configured to be removably secured within the sensor mount, the sensor having an elongate body terminating at one end thereof in a sensing portion, the elongate body having a male projection on a portion thereof and configured to rest within the inner surface of the sensor mount. The assembly further includes a housing having first and second portions connected to one another, the housing defining an interior portion configured to encapsulate the conduit, at least a portion of the elongate body of the sensor, and the sensor mount.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The field of the invention generally relates to fluid monitoring devices and, in particular segments of conduit or tubing that incorporate sensor functionality. More specifically, the invention pertains to connectors, valves, or interfaces used by pharmaceutical and biological applications or other hygienic process industries that include sensors therein.

BACKGROUND

Many commercial products are produced using chemical as well as biological processes. Pharmaceuticals, for example, are produced in commercial quantities using scaled-up reactors and other equipment. So-called biologics are drugs or other compounds that are produced or isolated from living entities such as cells or tissue. Biologics can be composed of proteins, nucleic acids, or complex combinations of these substances. They may even include living entities such as cells. In order to produce biologics on a commercial scale, sophisticated and expensive equipment is needed. In both pharmaceutical and biologics, for example, various processes need to occur before the final product is obtained. For example, in the case of biologics, cells may be grown in a growth chamber or the like and nutrients may need to be carefully modulated into the growth chamber. Waste products produced by cells may also have to be removed on a controlled basis from the fermentation chamber. As another example, biologic products produced by living cells or other organisms may need to be extracted and concentrated. This process may involve a variety of filtration and separation techniques.

Because there are a number of individual processes required to be produce the final product, various reactants, solutions, and washes are often pumped or otherwise transported to various subsystems using conduits and associated valves. These systems may be quite cumbersome and organizationally complex due to the large numbers of conduits, valves, sensors, and the like that may be needed in such systems. Not only are these systems visually complex (e.g., resembling spaghetti) they also include many components that are required to be sterilized between uses to avoid cross-contamination issues. Indeed, the case of drug and biologic preparation, the Federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is becoming increasingly strict on cleaning, sterilization or bio-burden reduction procedures that are required for drug and pharmaceutical preparations. This is particularly of a concern because many of these products are produced in batches which would require repeated cleaning, sterilization or bio-burden reduction activities on a variety of components.

During the manufacturing process of pharmaceuticals and biologics there often is a need to incorporate sensors into the manufacturing process so that process variables are monitored. For example, the process variables that need to be monitored may include temperature, pressure, pH, conductivity, and the like. In conventional setups, sensors are placed directly along one or more points of the production process whereby the sensors themselves are inserted into the production stream where the sensor makes direct contact with the reactant or product stream. In conventional manufacturing processes, the sensors may need to be changed, for example, due to a malfunction or because the product being manufactured requires a different sensor. In these examples, it can be a time consuming and expensive process to replace these sensors and also ensuring that reactants or products remain uncontaminated.

SciLog BioProcessing Systems, for example, produces a line of single use disposable sensors for use with bioprocessing applications. These include pressure sensors, temperature sensors, and conductivity sensors. In the SciLog sensors, the entire unit is thrown away including the tubing, sensor, and associated housing. U.S. Pat. No. 7,788,047, for example, discloses a disposable, pre-calibrated, pre-validated sensor for use in bio-processing applications. A problem with the SciLog single-use sensors is that the sensors include an integrated segment of conduit. This integrated segment of conduit adds unnecessary dead volume wherein product may reside. Moreover, the SciLog single-use sensors are available only in a few sizes.

SUMMARY

According to one embodiment of the invention, a fluid monitoring assembly includes a conduit having a wall defining a lumen through which the fluid passes and a sensor mount integrally formed with the wall of the conduit and extending generally transverse with respect to a longitudinal axis of the conduit, the sensor mount including and aperture that defines an inner surface that extends into the main lumen of the conduit. The inner surface of the surface mount may include a circumscribing inner recess. The assembly includes a sensor configured to be removably secured within the sensor mount, the sensor having an elongate body terminating at one end thereof in a sensing portion, the elongate body having a male projection on a portion thereof and configured to rest within the inner surface of the sensor mount (or in some embodiments, an inner recess formed on the inner surface) when secured within the sensor mount. The elongate body, in some embodiments, has a flange portion configured to rest within a seat on the sensor mount. The fluid monitoring assembly includes a housing or jacket having first and second portions connected to one another at a hinge, the housing defining an interior portion configured to encapsulate the conduit, at least a portion of the elongate body of the sensor, and the sensor mount. The housing or jacket provides resistance to high fluid pressures contained within the conduit.

In another embodiment of the invention, a fluid monitoring assembly includes a conduit comprising a wall defining a lumen through which the fluid passes and a sensor mount integrally formed with the wall of the conduit and extending generally transverse with respect to a longitudinal axis of the conduit, the sensor mount including an aperture formed therein and an inner surface extending from the aperture to the main lumen. The fluid monitoring assembly includes a sensor configured to be removably secured within the sensor mount, the sensor having an elongate body terminating at one end thereof in a sensing portion, the elongate body having a male projection on a portion thereof and configured to rest within the inner recess when secured within the sensor mount. The fluid monitoring assembly includes a housing having first and second portions, wherein an interior portion of the first and second portions are configured to encapsulate the conduit, at least a portion of the elongate body of the sensor, and the sensor mount. One or more pinch valves are disposed on the housing and configured to selectively pinch the conduit to modulate flow therein. When pinched, fluid flow through the pinch point is prevented. When un-pinched, fluid flows through the conduit unimpeded.

In another embodiment, a method of directing flow in a fluid monitoring assembly that includes a conduit comprising a wall defining a lumen through which the fluid passes, a sensor mount integrally formed with the wall of the conduit and extending generally transverse with respect to a longitudinal axis of the conduit, the sensor mount including an aperture defining an inner surface extending through the sensor mount to the lumen. The sensor is configured to be removably secured within the sensor mount, the sensor having an elongate body terminating at one end thereof in a sensing portion, the elongate body having a male projection on a portion thereof and configured to rest within the inner recess when secured within the sensor mount. The fluid monitoring assembly includes a housing configured to encapsulate the conduit, at least a portion of the elongate body of the sensor, and the sensor mount. The fluid monitoring assembly includes one or more pinch valves disposed on the housing and configured to pinch the conduit. The method includes sensing a parameter with the sensor and detecting when the parameter passes a threshold value, and actuating the one or more pinch valves to adjust flow with the conduit. As one example, the one or more pinch values shunts flow to a bypass conduit.

In another embodiment of the invention, a method of changing a fluid monitoring assembly is disclosed in which the fluid monitoring assembly includes a conduit comprising a wall defining a lumen through which the fluid passes, a sensor mount integrally formed with the wall of the conduit and extending generally transverse with respect to a longitudinal axis of the conduit, the sensor mount including an aperture and inner surface extending from the aperture to the main lumen. The assembly includes a sensor configured to be removably secured within the sensor mount, the sensor having an elongate body terminating at one end thereof in a sensing portion, the elongate body having a male projection on a portion thereof and configured to rest within inner surface of the surface mount. The fluid monitoring assembly further including a housing configured to encapsulate the conduit, at least a portion of the elongate body of the sensor, and the sensor mount. The method includes opening the housing, removing the at least one of the sensor and the conduit, inserting a replacement for the at least one of the sensor and conduit, and closing the housing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1illustrates one embodiment of a fluid monitoring assembly10according to one embodiment. The fluid monitoring assembly10includes a sensor12that can be removably inserted into a conduit14. The conduit14may be designed as a length of unreinforced tubing in which a lumen18is defined by a wall of the conduit14. The fluid monitoring assembly10further includes a two-part housing16that is used to encapsulate the conduit14and at least a portion of the sensor12when the sensor12is mounted therein. The two-part housing16acts as jacket that surrounds the conduit14and part of the sensor12contained therein. The two-part housing or jacket16defines an exoskeleton-type structure that surrounds the unreinforced polymer conduit14and prevents the unreinforced polymer conduit14from failing (e.g., bursting or forming an aneurysm type bulge in the conduit) under high fluid pressures. The fluid monitoring assembly10can handle significant fluid pressures by using the encapsulated construction. For example, the fluid monitoring assembly10can withstand pressures exceeding100psi in some applications without damage or failure.

The conduit14includes the lumen18extending between opposing ends through which fluid passes. For example, one end of the conduit14may be an inlet to the fluid monitoring assembly10while the opposing end of the conduit14may be an outlet to the fluid monitoring assembly10. The conduit14terminates at opposing ends with flanges20,22. In some alternative embodiments, the conduit14may not terminate in flanges as illustrated. In the embodiment ofFIG. 1, the housing16includes respective receiving flange portions24,26that are dimensioned to receive the flanges20,22of the conduit14when the housing16is closed about the conduit14. The conduit14may be formed as a cylindrical segment of tubing although other geometries are contemplated. The receiving flanges24,26are designed to mate with corresponding flanges (not shown) contained in fluid line of a manufacturing process. In this regard, the fluid monitoring assembly10may be inserted at desired locations so that the sensor12may be easily added or removed as necessary. Typically, the respective facing surfaces of the flanges24,26(and opposing ends) are held together via a clamp or the like such as the clamp or collar76that is illustrated, for example, inFIGS. 5A and 5B. An o-ring or other seal (not shown) may be provided in a groove contained in the flanges24,26for sealing purposes.

The conduit14may be made from a polymer material. Examples of materials usable for the conduit14include, by way of example, thermoplastic elastomers (TPE), thermoplastic rubber (TPR), silicone (thermally or UV-cured), or other polymers. Referring toFIG. 1, the conduit14contains a sensor mount28integrally formed with the wall of the conduit14and extending generally transverse with respect to a longitudinal axis of the conduit14. The sensor mount28includes an aperture30that defines and opening to an inner surface of the sensor mount28that receives a portion of the sensor12as explained in more detail herein. The sensor12includes elongate body portion32that extends from a base34. The elongate body portion32may be a shank or the like that extends away from the base34. The elongate body portion32terminates at a sensing end36. The sensing end36includes the various sensing elements37that are used to sense a particular parameter being measured by the sensor12. An aperture is provided in the wall of the conduit14such that that the sensing element(s)37has direct access to the fluid passing through the lumen18of the conduit14. In other embodiments (e.g., pressure sensor12), the sensing element(s)37may not need direct contact with fluid passing through the lumen18of the conduit14. The particular make-up of the sensing element37depends on the sensor12being used. For example, the sensing element37may include electrodes or pins in the case where the sensor12is a conductivity sensor. The sensing element37may include a diaphragm or strain gauge when the sensor12is pressure sensor. The sensing element37may include a thermistor or thermocouple when the sensor12is a temperature sensor. The sensing element37may include a porous glass membrane or the like when the sensor12is a pH sensor. The elongate body portion32includes a male projection or end38located near the sensing end36of the sensor12. The male projection38may include a barbed end as is shown inFIG. 1. Still referring toFIG. 1, the elongate body portion32may also include a flange40that extends radially away from the elongate body portion32. In this particular embodiment, the flange40is located on the elongate body portion32such that when the sensor12is inserted into the conduit14, the flange40rests atop the upper portion of the mount28(e.g., a seat within the upper portion of the sensor mount28that is dimensioned to receive the flange40). As described herein in more detail, the male projection38on the sensor12interfaces with a correspondingly “female” shaped inner recess31that circumscribes an inner surface of the sensor mount28. The base34of the sensor12may include a connector41that connects to cabling or other wiring (not shown) that transmits data from the sensor12to a reading device or transmitter (not shown). The connector41may include a DIN type pin connector as is shown inFIG. 1although other connector types are contemplated.

The housing16includes a reinforced portion42that is oriented generally perpendicular to the long axis of the orientation of the conduit14within the housing16and defines a bore44when the two halves of the housing16are brought together. The bore44is dimensioned and configured to closely encapsulate the mount28as well as a portion of the elongate body portion32of the sensor12. In one preferred embodiment, the housing16is typically made from a polymer material such as plastic materials. Materials include standard thermoplastics and polyolefins such as polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) or a hard plastic such as polyetherimide (PEI) such as ULTEM resins. The housing16may also be formed from fluoropolymers such as polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) or perfluoroalkoxy (PFA), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polycarbonate (which may be more thermally resistant), polysulfone (PSU), and the like. The housing16may also be made of metals. The two-part housing16includes a first half16aand a second half16bthat are connected together via a hinge46. The hinge46may be constructed, for example, as a rod, post, or pin that is contained within an aperture or bore within the housing16that permits the first half16aand second half16bto pivot from a closed state to an open state so that the conduit14and the sensor12can be easily removed and replaced. A fastener48such as a locking knob50and associated hinged, locking arm52can be used to fixedly hold the two-part housing16in the closed state. The locking arm52may be threaded and the locking knob50contains corresponding threads and can be tightened or loosened by rotation of the knob50. To close the housing16, the locking arm52is rotated within a groove contained on the second half16bof the housing16and the knob50is tightened to secure the first half16asecurely to the second half16bof the housing16. Of course, other types of fasteners48can be used in place of or in conjunction with the locking arm52and knob50. These include screws, nuts, clamps, bands, ties, and the like.

Still referring toFIG. 1, the sensor12may optionally have contained therein or integrated therein a memory100. The memory100may include a volatile or non-volatile memory. One example of memory100that may be used in connection therewith includes EEPROM and flash memory. In one embodiment, the memory100is located on or associated with circuitry102that resides in the base34although the particular physical location of the memory100may vary. In one preferred aspect, the memory100stores information related to the individual sensor12and, as explained in more detail below, at least some calibration information relating to the sensor12. The stored information may include a serial number for the sensor, a manufacturing date, lot ID, a calibration date, and a plurality of calibration points. The multiple calibration points are used to ensure that a particular parameter (e.g., pressure, temperature, pH, conductivity) may be measured by the sensor12. The memory100and circuitry102are optional and are illustrated as being incorporated into the embodiments illustrated inFIGS. 2A-2C, 3A-3F, 4A-4D, and 5A-5F.

FIG. 2Aillustrates a side view of a conduit14and a sensor12. Note that the conduit14and the sensor12in this embodiment share similar reference numbers as those used inFIG. 1for common features found in both embodiments. In this example, the sensor12is a conductivity sensor and the sensing elements37include a plurality of electrode pins that project from the sensing end36of the sensor12.FIG. 2Billustrates an end view of the same segment of conduit14and sensor12.FIG. 2Cillustrates a cross-sectional view of the sensor12and the conduit14taken along the line A-A ofFIG. 2B. As best seen inFIG. 2C, the inner surface of the sensor mount28includes “female” shaped inner recess54that circumscribes the entire inner surface. The inner recess54is dimensioned in size and geometry to closely engage with the male projection38of the sensor12. That is to say, in one preferred embodiment, the inner recess54has a profile that closely matches that of the male projection or barb38. The angles or slope of the inner recess54may be the same as the angle or slope of the male projection or barb38. In this configuration, when the sensor12is inserted into the conduit14, the male projection38engages with the female inner recess54and the flange40rests atop the upper surface of the sensor mount28or within a recessed seat of the mount as seen inFIG. 3F, for example. In this embodiment, the sensing elements37(e.g., pins) extend into the lumen18of the conduit14and are in direct contact with fluid passing therein. The sensor12may be removed from the conduit14by pulling the sensor12proximally relative to the conduit14. In this regard, the sensor12may be removably secured to the conduit14. For example, the conduit14may be replaced by pulling the sensor12out of the pre-existing conduit14and inserting this same sensor12into a new segment of conduit14. Alternatively, the sensor12may be pulled out of the pre-existing conduit14and replaced with another sensor12. In still another alternative, both the conduit14and the sensor12may be replaced. While not specifically illustrated inFIGS. 2A-2C, the conduit14and sensor12may include an encapsulating housing16similar to that described in the context ofFIG. 1. The encapsulating housing16would have first and second halves16a,16band be constructed to mate with the geometrical profile of the conduit14and sensor12.

FIGS. 3A-3Cillustrate an embodiment of a sensor12that measures pH. Again, note that the conduit14and the sensor14in this embodiment share similar reference numbers as those used inFIG. 1for common features found in both embodiments. In this embodiment, the sensing element37may include a glass permeable electrode or similar element that is exposed to the lumen18of the conduit14. In this embodiment, the male projection38and the flange40may be part of an insert56that is positioned over the shank58of a pH sensor12. Further, the insert56may include a recess for holding a seal60that is interposed between an inner surface of the insert56and an outer surface of the shank58to prevent fluid infiltration. As seen inFIG. 3C, the upper surface of the sensor mount28may include a circumferential seat62that is dimensioned to receive the flange40of the sensor12. As an alternative to the seat62, the flange40may just rest atop an upper surface of the sensor mount28. In still another alternative, the flange40may be omitted entirely.FIGS. 3D, 3E, and3F illustrate yet another embodiment of a sensor12in the form of a pressure sensor. Again, note that the conduit14and the sensor14in this embodiment share similar reference numbers as those used inFIG. 1for common features found in both embodiments. This sensor12is used to measure pressure. The sensing element37may include a diaphragm or strain gauge or other pressure sensing element. As seen inFIG. 3F, the sensing element37projects somewhat into the lumen18of the conduit14. In this embodiment, the flange40of the sensor12is illustrated as resting within the circumferential seat62on the mount28.FIGS. 3G-3Iillustrate an embodiment wherein the sensor12is a UV sensor that is used to detect and/or measure the concentration of various chemical species contained in the fluid. Features of the conduit14and sensor12in this embodiment share similar reference numbers as those used inFIG. 1for common features found in both embodiments. While not specifically illustrated inFIGS. 3A-3I, the conduit14and sensor12may include an encapsulating housing16similar to that described in the context ofFIG. 1. The encapsulating housing16would have first and second halves16a,16band be constructed to mate with the geometrical profile of the conduit14and sensor12.

The UV sensor12may be used to detect and/or measure constituents within the fluid which may include, by way of example, proteins, enzymes, and the like that have unique UV absorbance characteristics. The UV sensor12may also be used to measure the turbidity of a fluid that runs through the lumen18of the conduit14. In this embodiment, the sensor12is broken into an emitter portion12aand a receiver portion12b.The receiver portion12aemits ultraviolet radiation (e.g., light at a wavelength within the UV spectrum such as 280 nm) that is transmitted transversely through the fluid flowing in the lumen18. The transmitted light is collected at the receiver portion12b.The degree of light transmission is used to detect and/or quantify chemical species contained in the fluid within the lumen18of the conduit14. The emitter portion12aand the receiver portion12bare inserted into the conduit14at opposing locations across a segment of the conduit14. As seen inFIG. 31, both the emitter portion12aand the receiver portion12binclude the male ends38and flanges40that interface with corresponding seats62in the sensor mounts28. It should be understood, however, that in some alternative embodiments, only one of the emitter portion12aor the receiver portion12bmay have the male end38or flange40.

FIGS. 4A-Dillustrates an embodiment of a sensor12in the form of a conductivity sensor that is fully enclosed within a housing16along with the conduit14. Features of the conduit14and sensor12in this embodiment share similar reference numbers as those used inFIG. 1for common features found in both embodiments.FIG. 4Aillustrates a perspective view of the fluid monitoring assembly10where the two-part housing16a,16bis in the closed state. The locking arm52is rotated to slide within a slot51formed within the first half16aand the second half16bof the housing16. The knob50is tightened on the locking arm52to pinch and hold the two halves16a,16btogether around the conduit14and at least a portion of the sensor12. The two halves16a,16bthus serve to jacket the conduit14and enables the conduit14to carry very high pressures of fluid without the need for the conduit14to be reinforced (e.g., braided).FIG. 4Billustrates a side view of the fluid monitoring assembly10. Note that in this embodiment, the conduit14terminates at respective flanges20,22that are contained within corresponding flanges24,26formed in the housing16.FIG. 4Cillustrates a cross-sectional view of the fluid monitoring assembly10taken along the line A-A ofFIG. 4B. As seen inFIG. 4C, the sensing element37projects into the interior of the lumen18such that fluid can contact the sensing element37. As seen inFIG. 4C, a male projection38in the shape of a barb engages with the inner recess54contained in the sensor mount28.FIG. 4Dis a detailed view of detail B ofFIG. 4C. Referring toFIGS. 4C and 4Dnote how the housing portions16a,16bclosely matches the contours of the sensor mount28and the elongate body portion32of the sensor12with parts of the housing portions16a,16bbeing configured with recesses or the like to encapsulate and maintain the position of the sensor12within the conduit14. The sensor12cannot be pushed or pulled out of the conduit14as it is being rigidly held in place by the housing16jacketing the conduit14and a portion of the senor12. Both the male end38of the sensor12and the flange40aid in preventing the sensor12from escaping from the conduit14from, for example, high pressures. Multiple flanges40may be used to add further robustness to the design.

FIGS. 5A-5F and 6illustrate another embodiment of a fluid monitoring assembly10. In this embodiment, similar elements to those described above are given similar reference numbers for sake of clarity. In this embodiment, unlike the prior embodiments, one or more valves70,72are provided as part of the fluid monitoring assembly10. The one or more valves70,72are used to selectively close or open portions of the conduit14. In the embodiment ofFIGS. 5A-5F, and as illustrated inFIG. 5E, the conduit14includes a main conduit line14aand a branch conduit line14b.The ends of the main conduit line14aterminate in flanges20,22as in the prior embodiment although these are not mandatory. The branch conduit line14balso terminates in a flange25which, again, is not mandatory depending on the fluid configuration. Flange25of the branch conduit line14bis encapsulated (when housing16is closed via housing flange27). In this embodiment, one valve72is mounted on one housing half16aat a location such that actuation of the valve72moves an actuating element73as best seen inFIG. 6to extend axially relative to the long axis (arrow A) of the valve72to pinch the underlying main conduit line14a(FIG. 6illustrates the actuating element73for valve70and the same exists for valve72). By pinching the main conduit line14a,fluid does not flow past this pinch point. Of course, the valve72may also be actuated to open fluid flow within the main conduit line14ain which chase the actuating element73retracts in the opposite direction. In this regard, flow can be selectively modulated by actuation of the valve72. The second valve70(seen inFIGS. 5A, 5B, 5C, 5D and 6) is mounted on the opposing housing half16b(not illustrated inFIG. 6) at a location such that that its actuating element73extends axially to pinch the underlying branch conduit line14b.In this manner, fluid may be selectively diverted, for example, into the main conduit line14a.As one example, fluid may flow only in the main conduit line14a.A sensor12as illustrated inFIGS. 5A-5E(or of any of the type described herein) may be used to monitor this fluid. For example, in this example, the sensor12is a conductivity sensor and measures the conductivity of the fluid passing therein. If the fluid conductivity that is measured by the sensor12is abnormal or out of the required range, fluid may be prevented from leaving the main conduit line14aand and/or instead diverted to the branch conduit line14b(e.g., a bypass line) by actuation of the valves70,72. In one example, valve70(for branch conduit14b) may be closed while valve72(for main line conduit14a) is open to prevent flow into the branch conduit line14b.Upon detection of an abnormal conductivity, for example, when a measured parameter crosses a threshold value (e.g., goes above or below a threshold value), valve70may then open and valve72may close. This would then shunt fluid to the branch conduit14b.Conversely, fluid may be diverted to the branch conduit14buntil the conductivity has reached an acceptable level whereby flow to the branch conduit14bis stopped and fluid then passes through the main conduit line14a.It should be understood that a wide variety of flow patterns and configurations may be made depending configuration of the conduit14and the number of valves70,72which may vary.

The valves70,72may be any number of types of valves commonly known to those skilled in the art. For example, the valves70,72may be manual valves whereby a bonnet or the like is rotated manually to advance/retract the actuator44. Alternatively, the valves70,72may be automatically actuated valves such as pneumatically-actuated valves using air ports75,77such as those illustrated inFIGS. 5A-5D, 6. These valves70,72are actuated with the aid of gas lines connected thereto (not shown) that computer-controlled using an electro-pneumatic system incorporated into the valve design. The valves70,72may also include an optional position feedback indicator79as illustrated inFIG. 6that indicates the position or state of the valve70,72(e.g., open or closed). The valves70,72may also be electrically-actuated pinch valves. Such valves may be toggled between on/off states or in other instances may be partially opened or closed for fine modulating control. Other types of valves70,72that may be used in connection with the fluid monitoring assembly10include diaphragm, solenoid, plug, globe, butterfly, gate valves and the like.

FIG. 5Aillustrates a side view of fluid monitoring assembly10with the housing halves16a,16bin a closed state about the conduit14and the sensor. A pair of fasteners48a,48bwith respective locking knobs50a,50band associated hinged, locking arms52a,52bas explained herein can be used to fixedly hold the two-part housing16in the closed state. As seen inFIG. 5B, the housing halves16a,16bare connected via hinge46. The respective valves70,72may be mounted to the housing halves16a,16busing a clamp or collar76. The clamp or collar76may surround matting flanges from adjacent components. Still referring toFIG. 5A, a sensor12in the form of a conductivity sensor (in this particular embodiment) extends through the housing halves16a,16balong a parting line and secured to a sensor mount28as described previously herein.FIGS. 5E and 5Fillustrate the electrode pins of the sensing element37projecting into the lumen18of the main line conduit14a.

FIG. 6illustrates a partial perspective view of the fluid monitoring assembly ofFIG. 5Awith one half of the housing removed to review certain inner components thereof. Actuation of the valve70in this embodiment moves the actuating element73downward (in the direction of arrow A) to pinch and close off fluid flow within the branch line conduit14b.In this embodiment, computer controlled pneumatic lines that interface with air ports75,77are used to trigger movement of actuating element73in the downward or upward directions.

FIG. 7illustrates one example of exemplary calibration data that is stored in the memory100of the sensor12. The calibration data may include, for example, a plurality (two or more) of calibration points. For example, different calibration points may be needed to measure the response of the sensor12over a variety of parameter conditions. Consider, for example, a conductivity sensor12. Multiple calibration points may be provided spanning a range of conductivity values. For example, calibration points may be provided for a low conductivity value, a medium conductivity value, and a high conductivity value. Such as scheme is illustrated inFIG. 7. By storing multiple calibration points in the memory100more accurate sensor readings may be obtained over a larger measured parameter range. In addition, the memory100may also store a function or curve that fits the multiple calibration points. In this regard, a single function may be obtained from the memory100which can readily be used to translate measured readings from a sensor12to accurate results without the need to interpolate. The function or curve may be stored separately or in addition to the plurality of calibration points. The sensor12may be calibrated by exposing the sensor12to a fluid having a known parameter (e.g., temperature, pressure, pH, conductivity, concentration) and measuring the response of the sensor (e.g., voltage output). The response of the sensor12from the true or ideal response may be represented by an offset in the sensor output. As explained herein, multiple calibration points may be used for the sensor12at different parameter values (e.g., low, medium, high). Likewise, rather than a particular offset for one of these ranges, a function or curve may be generated that can be used to generate the output at any reading with the function or curve generated by curve fitting techniques or the like.

FIG. 8illustrates a single sensor12located in a conduit14and housing or jacket16that is connected via a cable64secured to connector41to a sensor reader device66. The connector41may interface with sensor circuitry102that also is associated with or otherwise contains a memory100. This could also be performed wirelessly instead of requiring a direct connection. The sensor reader device66may include circuitry therein that is operatively coupled to the sensing element37of the sensor12and receives data generated by the sensor12when fluid is in the presence of the sensing element37. The sensor reader device66is also able to read the data stored in the memory100if such a memory is used in connection with the sensor12. The sensor reader device66may include an optional display68or the like to display readings from the sensor12. The sensor reader device66may also be incorporated into functionality of a controller device that can be used to control, for example, valves70,72. For instance, the controller device may be able to selectively turn on/off valves70,72in response to measured readings at the sensor12. Note that these valves70,72may be located in the same unit housing the sensor12, for example, as described in the context of the embodiment ofFIGS. 5A-5E and 6. The sensor reader device66is able to compensate raw readings from the sensor12using calibration data stored in the optional memory100. WhileFIG. 8illustrates a sensor reader device66connected via a cable64sensor data may also be transferred wirelessly through a transmitter/receiver combination (not shown). In addition, the sensor reader device66may be able to receive data from multiple sensors12.

While the male projection or barb38is illustrated in the drawings as having a triangular cross-section it should be understood that the male projection or barb38may take on any number of shapes or profiles which may include polygonal or curved aspects. In addition, in some alternative embodiments, the inner recess54of the mount28may be omitted entirely in which case the male projection or barb38may interface with a smooth walled inner surface of the mount28. Further, as another alternative configuration, the male projection or barb38may be located on the inner surface of the mount28and the recess (akin to inner recess54) may be positioned about the exterior of the elongate body portion32. In this alternative configuration, the “female” recess is located on the sensor12while the male projection or barb38is located on the mount28.

While the illustrated embodiments illustrate a single sensor12being located within a conduit14and housing16it should be understood that multiple sensors12may be located within a fluid monitoring assembly10. For example, a UV sensor12may be combined with a conductivity sensor12as one example. Another example would include a temperature sensor12and a conductivity sensor12. Further, multiple sensors12may be located within a housing16with or without valves70,72.

It should be understood that while many different embodiments are discussed herein, different embodiments may incorporate features or elements of other embodiments even though there are not specifically mentioned herein. For example, the feature and constructions of the sensor12, conduit14, and housing16may have features that are interchangeable and usable with other embodiments. While embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. The invention, therefore, should not be limited, except to the following claims and their equivalents.