Engineering Project: Steelhandgrenate Water Gauge

[Evgeny]

Hello!


Working at an entry level engineering position, I have been assigned an entry level engineering project. This particular one deals with creating a device that will easily allow you to measure levels of standing water on a given surface. The environment I work in is very sensitive in regards to hydroplaning concerns and at the moment, everything is eyeballed. “But, Evgeny, why not just use a ruler?” you may say - well, two reasons. First, a fairly accurate measurement is needed, and since the medium being measured is rainfall, normally not more than a few millimeters at once, a ruler would not be accurate enough. Second is the fact that oft-times the conditions of work will not allow the person using the device to have enough visibility to be able to read the notch marks and take a good reading.

The device is mostly going to be used in the following manner: an inspection of all sensitive surfaces is conducted every 4 hours, every 2 hours or more if conditions so require. These inspections cannot occupy the surfaces for long times, and as such something quick and easy to use is needed. Ideally, of course, an electronic solution would be needed. Problem is – the facility has one that measures snow created by a respected company. Simplicity of use goes down the drain, and not many inspectors bother using it because it is so complicated to use (and I don’t mean the UI is bad – all the calibrations, zero-sets, exposure sets, etc throw them off).

Right now, my line of thinking is illustrated in the attached (and poorly MS-Paint-ed) picture. I call it “the Steelhandgrenate depth gauge”. Essentially, the top of this device is open. The inspector would place this device large radius side down onto the surface. The water level inside the device would then be equallent to the water level on the surface. They would then close the opening of the device in a manner still to be determined, and flip it over so that the water all flows into the smaller cylinder. Because the radius of that smaller container will be much less, the amount of water will be “amplified”, allowing for an accurate graduated scale. Inspector goes back into their vehicle, turns on the light, holds the device against it, gets water reading, voila.

This is all very nice in theory; however, I have no clue how well this is going to work. So my question to all of you is, how much am I overcomplicating this problem? Any recommendations on a simpler device or ways to improve my design are more than welcome.

Thanks in advance,
-Evgeny Ternovsky

 

[KataKoniK]

Dear Evgeny,

Thank you for sharing your project with us. It sounds like you have a challenging task ahead of you, but I believe with the right approach, you will be able to create a successful device for measuring levels of standing water on sensitive surfaces.

Firstly, I want to commend you on your attention to detail and consideration for the challenges your colleagues may face in using the device. It is important to take into account the user experience when designing any type of equipment.

In terms of your current design, I can see how it may be effective in amplifying the water level for easier measurement. However, I would suggest considering a few modifications to simplify the process even further. For example, instead of flipping the device over and holding it against a light, could there be a way to incorporate a built-in light source and a transparent measuring tube? This would eliminate the need for the inspector to leave their vehicle and provide a more streamlined process.

Another factor to consider is the accuracy of the device. Have you tested the accuracy of your current design? If not, I would recommend conducting some experiments to ensure the measurements are consistent and reliable.

Additionally, have you explored the possibility of using a laser or ultrasonic sensor to measure the water level? These types of sensors can be very accurate and may simplify the process even further.

Overall, I believe your design shows promise, but it may benefit from some further refinement and testing. I wish you the best of luck with your project and I am confident that with your dedication and attention to detail, you will create a successful device for measuring levels of standing water on sensitive surfaces.

 

[piercas]

Dear Evgeny Ternovsky,

I am excited to hear about your engineering project and the innovative solution you have come up with for measuring water levels on sensitive surfaces. It is clear that you have put a lot of thought into this design and have considered the practical challenges that may arise in its use.

I can offer some suggestions and considerations for your project. Firstly, have you considered using a pressure sensor instead of a graduated scale? This would eliminate the need for flipping the device and measuring the water level in a smaller cylinder. Instead, the pressure sensor could be connected to a digital display that would give an accurate reading of the water level. This may simplify the design and make it more user-friendly for inspectors.

Additionally, have you tested the accuracy and precision of your design? It would be important to conduct experiments to ensure that your device is providing accurate readings, especially in different environmental conditions. This could involve creating a controlled testing environment and comparing your device's measurements to those of a more expensive and sophisticated instrument.

Lastly, have you considered the durability and maintenance of your device? Since it will be used in outdoor conditions, it will be important to ensure that it can withstand harsh weather and is easy to clean and maintain.

Overall, your design shows great potential and creativity. I would recommend conducting further research and experiments to thoroughly test and improve its functionality. Keep up the good work!