A protective and switching device for the sensitive film of a fiber optic gas sensor probe.

Abstract

This invention discloses a protective and switching device for the sensitive film of a fiber optic gas sensor probe, comprising a fiber optic receiver, a lifting device housing, a reflective substrate, a protective cover, and a tension / compression rod. The fiber optic receiver has micro-vent holes and an open detection gas chamber. The reflective substrate is disposed within the receiving chamber, and several sensitive films are uniformly distributed circumferentially on the reflective substrate with its center as the center. The protective cover is used to cover the reflective substrate. The beneficial effects of this invention are: the protective cover ensures that only one sensitive film on the reflective substrate is exposed to the detection gas and coupled with the optical signal at any given time, while the remaining sensitive films are contained within the protective chamber. This greatly reduces the oxidation and aging of the sensitive films, thereby increasing the service life of a single reflective substrate several times while maintaining normal coupling between the sensitive films and the optical signal; simultaneously, the detachable design allows for individual replacement of the reflective substrate, facilitating sensor maintenance and reducing operating costs.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of fiber optic gas sensor technology, and in particular to a device for protecting and switching the sensitive film of a fiber optic gas sensor probe. Background Technology

[0002] Existing fiber optic gas sensors based on sensitive materials (such as the Chinese invention patent with application number CN201480074189.7) generally suffer from defects such as easy aging and oxidation of sensitive materials, resulting in a short service life. Furthermore, they require disassembly during replacement, which greatly increases the cost in actual use and is not conducive to the commercial development of fiber optic gas sensors. Summary of the Invention

[0003] In view of this, it is necessary to provide a protective and switching device for the sensitive film of a fiber optic gas sensor probe, in order to solve the technical problems of existing fiber optic gas sensors based on sensitive materials, such as easy aging and oxidation of sensitive materials, short service life, and the need for disassembly during replacement, which greatly increases the cost in actual use.

[0004] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides a protective and switching device for the sensitive film of an optical fiber gas sensor probe, comprising an optical fiber receiver, a lifting device housing, a reflective substrate, a protective cover, and a tension / compression rod.

[0005] The optical fiber receiver has a micro-vent hole and an open detection chamber. One end of the optical fiber receiver is provided with an optical fiber interface, which is connected to the detection chamber.

[0006] The lifting device housing has a receiving cavity, and the lifting device housing is threadedly connected to the optical fiber receiving end, which facilitates the installation and disassembly of the lifting device housing. An insertion hole is provided at the end of the lifting device housing away from the optical fiber receiving end.

[0007] The reflective substrate is disposed in the receiving cavity, and a plurality of sensitive films are uniformly deposited on the reflective substrate with the center of the reflective substrate as the center and along the circumference.

[0008] The protective cover is disposed in the receiving cavity, fixed to the housing of the lifting device by screws, and used to cover the reflective substrate to form a sealed protective cavity between the protective cover and the reflective substrate, with one and only one of the sensitive films located outside the protective cavity;

[0009] The tension rod passes through the insertion hole, is inserted into the receiving cavity, and is threadedly connected to the reflective substrate.

[0010] In some embodiments, the extension direction of the optical fiber interface is perpendicular to the sensitive film located outside the protective cover, so as to ensure that the optical signal is perpendicularly irradiated and the reflected light is received.

[0011] In some embodiments, the fiber optic gas sensor probe sensitive film protection and switching device further includes a one-way rotation limiting component. The one-way rotation limiting component includes a ratchet, a locking block, and a spring. The ratchet is coaxially fixedly sleeved on the tension rod. The locking block has a mounting hole in its center. The locking block is rotatably sleeved on the tension rod via the mounting block. The locking block engages with the inner wall of the lifting device housing. One end of the spring is fixed to the locking block, and the other end of the spring abuts between two adjacent teeth of the ratchet.

[0012] In some embodiments, a guide groove parallel to the tension rod is provided on the inner wall of the lifting device housing, and one end of the locking block is slidably disposed in the guide groove.

[0013] In some embodiments, the fiber optic gas sensor probe sensitive film protection and switching device further includes an elastic element, which is sleeved on the tension rod. One end of the elastic element abuts against the ratchet, and the other end of the elastic element abuts against the inner wall of the lifting device housing.

[0014] In some embodiments, a central screw hole is provided at the center of the reflective substrate, and the tension / compression rod is threaded into the central screw hole.

[0015] In some embodiments, the protective cover has a first threaded hole, and the lifting device housing has a second threaded hole that mates with the first threaded hole. The screw is threaded into the first threaded hole and the second threaded hole to achieve a fixed connection between the protective cover and the lifting device housing.

[0016] In some embodiments, the inner wall of the protective cover is coated with a deoxidizing material.

[0017] In some embodiments, the deoxidizing material is a metal-organic framework material.

[0018] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the technical solution proposed in this invention are as follows: the protective cover ensures that only one sensitive film on the reflective substrate is exposed to the detection gas and coupled with the optical signal at a time, while the remaining sensitive films are in the protective cavity, which greatly reduces the oxidation and aging of the sensitive films. Thus, while maintaining the normal coupling between the sensitive films and the optical signal, the service life of a reflective substrate is increased several times. At the same time, the detachable design allows for the individual replacement of the reflective substrate, which is convenient for sensor maintenance and reduces the cost of use. Attached Figure Description

[0019] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional structural schematic diagram of an embodiment of the fiber optic gas sensor probe sensitive film protection and switching device provided by the present invention;

[0020] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 The main view;

[0021] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 Sectional view of section AA;

[0022] Figure 4 yes Figure 1 Exploded view of the sensitive film protection and switching device for the fiber optic gas sensor probe;

[0023] Figure 5 yes Figure 1 Another exploded view of the sensitive film protection and switching device for the fiber optic gas sensor probe;

[0024] Figure 6 yes Figure 1 A three-dimensional structural diagram of the lifting device housing;

[0025] In the diagram: 1-Fiber optic receiver, 11-Detection chamber, 12-Connecting port, 13-Fiber optic interface, 14-Micro-vent, 2-Lifting device housing, 21-Insertion hole, 22-Guide groove, 23-Second threaded hole, 3-Reflective substrate, 31-Sensitive film, 4-Protective cover, 41-Protective cavity, 42-Light transmission notch, 43-First threaded hole, 5-Pull-and-press rod, 6-One-way rotation limit assembly, 61-Ratchet, 62-Clock, 63-Spring, 7-Elastic element, 8-Screw. Detailed Implementation

[0026] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, which form part of this application and are used together with the embodiments of the present invention to illustrate the principles of the present invention, but are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

[0027] Please refer to Figures 1-5 The present invention provides a protective and switching device for the sensitive film of an optical fiber gas sensor probe, including an optical fiber receiver 1, a lifting device housing 2, a reflective substrate 3, a protective cover 4, and a tension rod 5.

[0028] The optical fiber receiver 1 has a micro-ventilation hole 14 and an open detection air chamber 11. One end of the optical fiber receiver 1 is provided with an optical fiber interface 13, which is connected to the detection air chamber 11.

[0029] The optical fiber receiver 1 has a sealed detection chamber 11 inside, and one end of the optical fiber receiver 1 has a communication port 12 that communicates with the detection chamber 11.

[0030] The lifting device housing 2 has a receiving cavity. The lifting device housing 2 is threadedly connected to the optical fiber receiving end 1, which facilitates the installation and disassembly of the lifting device housing 2. An insertion hole 21 is provided at the end of the lifting device housing 2 away from the optical fiber receiving end 1.

[0031] The reflective substrate 3 is disposed within the receiving cavity. A plurality of sensitive films 31 are uniformly distributed on the reflective substrate 3 around its center along the circumference. In this embodiment, there are 6 sensitive films 31, all of which are fan-shaped, so that only one is used each time. The sensitive film 31 is a gold core palladium shell nanoparticle film for reacting with hydrogen. In other embodiments, the sensitive film 31 may be of other types, and the present invention does not limit this.

[0032] The protective cover 4 is disposed within the receiving cavity and is fixed to the lifting device housing 2 by multiple screws 8. It is used to cover the reflective substrate 3, thereby forming a sealed protective cavity 41 between the protective cover 4 and the reflective substrate 3. Only one sensitive film 31 is located outside the protective cavity 41. In this embodiment, the protective cover 4 has a fan-shaped light-transmitting notch 42. The sensitive film 31 outside the protective cavity 41 is aligned with the light-transmitting notch, thereby facilitating the laser beam to irradiate the sensitive film 31.

[0033] The tension rod 5 passes through the insertion hole 21, is inserted into the receiving cavity, and is threadedly connected to the reflective substrate 3.

[0034] In use, the gas to be detected is introduced into the detection chamber 11, and a laser beam is emitted by a laser emitter and irradiated onto the sensitive film 31 outside the protective cavity 41. The sensitive film 31 reacts with the gas and undergoes a phase change, thereby changing the characteristics of the reflected light beam (such as wavelength, light intensity, etc.). The reflected light beam is received by a receiver, thereby obtaining the concentration of a specific gas in the gas to be detected.

[0035] When the sensitive film 31 at the working position (outside the protective cavity 41) fails and a new sensitive film 31 needs to be replaced, the specific operation steps are as follows: pull the pull rod 5 outward to separate the reflective substrate 3 from the protective cover 4, then rotate the pull rod 5 clockwise to align the next sensitive film 31 with the light transmission notch 42 of the protective cover 4, and then push the pull rod 5 inward to make the reflective substrate 3 and the protective cover 4 fasten together.

[0036] When all the sensitive films 31 on the reflective substrate 3 fail, the specific operating steps for replacing the reflective substrate 3 are as follows: Remove the lifting device housing 2 from the optical fiber receiver 1, remove all screws 8, then press the pulling rod 5 inward to push the protective cover 4 to move, so that the protective cover 4 leaves the lifting device housing 2, exposing the failed reflective substrate 3. Then remove and replace the new reflective substrate 3; retract the pulling rod 5, and the pulling rod 5 returns to its original position; reassemble the protective cover 4 into the lifting device housing 2 and attach it to the new reflective substrate 3, and then install the lifting device housing 2 onto the optical fiber receiver 1.

[0037] In this invention, the protective cover 4 ensures that only one sensitive film 31 on the reflective substrate 3 is exposed to the detection gas and coupled with the optical signal at any given time, while the remaining sensitive films 31 are in the protective cavity 41. This greatly reduces the oxidation and aging of the sensitive films 31, thereby increasing the service life of a reflective substrate 3 by several times while maintaining normal coupling between the sensitive films 31 and the optical signal. At the same time, the detachable design allows for individual replacement of the reflective substrate 3, facilitating sensor maintenance and reducing operating costs.

[0038] For easier laser beam introduction, please refer to... Figures 1-4 In a preferred embodiment, the extension direction of the optical fiber interface 13 is perpendicular to the sensitive film 31 located outside the protective cover 4, so as to ensure that the optical signal is vertically irradiated and the reflected light is received. In use, the optical fiber interface 13 is connected to the laser transmitter, so that the laser beam emitted by the laser transmitter can enter the detection gas chamber 11 through the optical fiber interface 13 and irradiate the sensitive film 31 located outside the protective cover 4.

[0039] To facilitate the entry of the gas to be detected, please refer to... Figures 1-4 The pore size of the microporous pore 14 is smaller than the particle size of dust particles in the air, thereby preventing dust particles from entering the detection chamber 11.

[0040] To prevent the incorrect replacement of a faulty sensitive film 31 during switching, please refer to... Figures 4-6In a preferred embodiment, the fiber optic gas sensor probe sensitive film protection and switching device further includes a one-way rotation limiting component 6. The one-way rotation limiting component 6 includes a ratchet 61, a locking block 62, and a spring piece 63. The ratchet 61 is coaxially fixedly sleeved on the tension rod 5. Preferably, the ratchet 61 is rotatably sleeved on the tension rod 5 via a bearing. The locking block 62 has a central mounting hole and is rotatably sleeved on the tension rod 5 via the mounting block. The locking block 62 engages with the inner wall of the lifting device housing 2. One end of the spring piece 63 is fixed to the locking block 62, and the other end of the spring piece 63... When the sensitive film 31 at the working position (outside the protective cavity 41) fails and a new sensitive film 31 needs to be replaced, the specific operation steps are as follows: pull the pull rod 5 outward to separate the reflective substrate 3 from the protective cover 4. The pull rod 5 drives the ratchet 61, the locking block 62 and the spring piece 63 to move outward together. Since the spring piece 63 abuts between two adjacent teeth of the ratchet 61, the pull rod 5 can only rotate clockwise and cannot rotate counterclockwise. This ensures that each time the sensitive film 31 is replaced, it will only rotate in the same direction, preventing the previously used sensitive film 31 from being rotated to the working position. Meanwhile, another beneficial effect of setting up the ratchet 61 and the spring 63 is that the rotation angle can be quantified. Specifically, whenever the ratchet 61 rotates a certain number of teeth, the spring 63 slides into the next tooth space. When the spring slides into the tooth space, due to the elastic force of the spring, the operator can clearly feel the change in rotational resistance, thus determining the number of teeth rotated by the ratchet 61. In this embodiment, the ratchet 61 has 12 teeth, so each time it is replaced, it only needs to be rotated clockwise by 2 teeth. In other embodiments, the number of teeth of the ratchet 61 can also be other numbers, and the present invention does not limit this.

[0041] To specifically achieve the engagement between the locking block 62 and the inner wall of the lifting device housing 2, please refer to... Figures 4-6 In a preferred embodiment, a guide groove 22 parallel to the pull rod 5 is provided on the inner wall of the lifting device housing 2. One end of the locking block 62 is slidably disposed in the guide groove 22. The locking block 62 is limited by the guide groove 22 and cannot rotate. It can only move with the movement of the pull rod 5. When the pull rod 5 rotates, the locking block 62 will not rotate with it, so the spring 63 will not rotate, while the ratchet 61 will rotate with the pull rod 5. Therefore, there will be relative movement between the spring 63 and the ratchet 61. When the ratchet 61 rotates, one end of the spring 63 will move to the next tooth of the ratchet 61. Thus, the spring 63 can prevent the ratchet 61 from reversing and allow the operator to determine the number of teeth rotated.

[0042] To improve the sealing between the reflective substrate 3 and the protective cover 4, please refer to... Figures 4-6In a preferred embodiment, the fiber optic gas sensor probe sensitive film protection and switching device further includes an elastic element 7, which is sleeved on the pull rod 5. One end of the elastic element 7 abuts against the ratchet 61, and the other end of the elastic element 7 abuts against the inner wall of the lifting device housing 2. In this embodiment, the elastic element 7 is a spring. When assembled, the elastic element 7 is in a compressed state and applies pressure to the ratchet 61, thereby pushing the pull rod 5 to move inward, thereby pushing the reflective substrate 3 to move towards the protective cover 4, so that there is a certain pressure between the reflective substrate 3 and the protective cover 4, so that the reflective substrate 3 and the protective cover 4 are sealed. In a preferred embodiment, a rubber gasket can also be provided between the reflective substrate 3 and the protective cover 4 to further improve the sealing effect.

[0043] For easy replacement of reflective substrate 3, please refer to... Figures 4-6 In a preferred embodiment, the reflective substrate 3 has a central screw hole at its center, and the tension rod 5 is threaded into the central screw hole.

[0044] To achieve a secure connection between the protective cover 4 and the lifting device housing 2, please refer to... Figures 3-5 In a preferred embodiment, the protective cover 4 has a first threaded hole 43, and the lifting device housing 2 has a second threaded hole 23 that mates with the first threaded hole 43. The screw 8 is threadedly connected to the first threaded hole 43 and the second threaded hole 23 to achieve a fixed connection between the protective cover 4 and the lifting device housing 2.

[0045] To remove residual oxygen in the protective cavity 41 after switching the sensitive membrane 31 and to prevent oxidation of the sensitive membrane 31 within the protective cavity 41, please refer to... Figure 3 In a preferred embodiment, the inner wall of the protective cover 4 is coated with a deoxidizing material.

[0046] To understand the specific functions of deoxidizing materials, please refer to [the relevant documentation / reference]. Figure 3 In a preferred embodiment, the deoxygenating material is a metal-organic framework (MOF). In other embodiments, the deoxygenating material may also be other materials that can absorb oxygen, and the present invention does not limit this.

[0047] To better understand this invention, the following is combined with... Figures 1-6The working process of the fiber optic gas sensor probe sensitive film protection and switching device provided by the present invention will be described in detail as follows: When the sensitive film 31 at the working position (outside the protective cavity 41) fails and a new sensitive film 31 needs to be switched, the specific operation steps are as follows: pull the pull rod 5 outward to separate the reflective substrate 3 from the protective cover 4, then rotate the pull rod 5 clockwise to align the next sensitive film 31 with the light transmission notch 42 of the protective cover 4, and then push the pull rod 5 inward to make the reflective substrate 3 and the protective cover 4 fasten together.

[0048] When all the sensitive films 31 on the reflective substrate 3 fail, the specific operating steps for replacing the reflective substrate 3 are as follows: Remove the lifting device housing 2 from the optical fiber receiver 1, remove all screws 8, then press the pull rod 5 inward to push the protective cover 4 to move, so that the protective cover 4 leaves the lifting device housing 2, exposing the failed reflective substrate 3. Then remove and replace the new reflective substrate 3; retract the pull rod 5, which returns to its original position under the action of the spring; reassemble the protective cover 4 into the lifting device housing 2 and attach it to the new reflective substrate 3, and then install the lifting device housing 2 onto the optical fiber receiver 1.

[0049] In summary, in this invention, the protective cover 4 ensures that only one sensitive film 31 on the reflective substrate 3 is exposed to the detection gas and coupled with the optical signal at any given time, while the remaining sensitive films 31 are in the protective cavity 41. This greatly reduces the oxidation and aging of the sensitive films 31, thereby increasing the service life of a reflective substrate 3 by several times while maintaining normal coupling between the sensitive films 31 and the optical signal. At the same time, the detachable design allows for individual replacement of the reflective substrate 3, facilitating sensor maintenance and reducing operating costs.

[0050] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention, but the scope of protection of the present invention is not limited thereto. Any changes or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technology disclosed in the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A protective and switching device for the sensitive thin film of a fiber optic gas sensor probe, characterized in that, Includes the fiber optic receiver, lifting device housing, reflective substrate, protective cover, and tension / compression rod; The optical fiber receiver has a micro-vent hole and a sealed detection chamber. One end of the optical fiber receiver is provided with an optical fiber interface, which is connected to the detection chamber. The lifting device housing has a receiving cavity, and the lifting device housing is threadedly connected to the optical fiber receiving end, which facilitates the installation and disassembly of the lifting device housing. An insertion hole is provided at the end of the lifting device housing away from the optical fiber receiving end. The reflective substrate is disposed in the receiving cavity, and a plurality of sensitive films are uniformly deposited on the reflective substrate with the center of the reflective substrate as the center and along the circumference. The protective cover is disposed in the receiving cavity, fixed to the housing of the lifting device by screws, and used to cover the reflective substrate to form a sealed protective cavity between the protective cover and the reflective substrate, with one and only one of the sensitive films located outside the protective cavity; The tension rod passes through the insertion hole, is inserted into the receiving cavity, and is threadedly connected to the reflective substrate. The protective cover has a fan-shaped light-transmitting notch, and the sensitive film outside the protective cavity is aligned with the light-transmitting notch, so that the laser beam can irradiate the sensitive film.

2. The fiber optic gas sensor probe sensitive film protection and switching device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The fiber optic interface extends perpendicularly to the sensitive film located outside the protective cover to ensure that the optical signal is perpendicularly incident and to receive reflected light.

3. The fiber optic gas sensor probe sensitive film protection and switching device according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a one-way rotation limiting component, which includes a ratchet, a locking block, and a spring. The ratchet is coaxially fixedly sleeved on the tension rod. The locking block has a mounting hole in its center. The locking block is rotatably sleeved on the tension rod through the mounting hole. The locking block engages with the inner wall of the lifting device housing. One end of the spring is fixed to the locking block, and the other end of the spring abuts between two adjacent teeth of the ratchet.

4. The fiber optic gas sensor probe sensitive film protection and switching device according to claim 3, characterized in that, The inner wall of the lifting device housing is provided with a guide groove parallel to the tension rod, and one end of the locking block is slidably disposed in the guide groove.

5. The fiber optic gas sensor probe sensitive film protection and switching device according to claim 3, characterized in that, The fiber optic gas sensor probe sensitive film protection and switching device also includes an elastic element, which is sleeved on the tension rod. One end of the elastic element abuts against the ratchet, and the other end of the elastic element abuts against the inner wall of the lifting device housing.

6. The fiber optic gas sensor probe sensitive film protection and switching device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The reflective substrate has a central screw hole, and the tension rod is threaded into the central screw hole.

7. The fiber optic gas sensor probe sensitive film protection and switching device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The protective cover has a first threaded hole, and the lifting device housing has a second threaded hole that mates with the first threaded hole. The screw is threaded into the first threaded hole and the second threaded hole to achieve a fixed connection between the protective cover and the lifting device housing.

8. The fiber optic gas sensor probe sensitive film protection and switching device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The inner wall of the protective cover is coated with a deoxidizing material.

9. The fiber optic gas sensor probe sensitive film protection and switching device according to claim 8, characterized in that, The deoxidizing material is a metal-organic framework material.

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