Adaptive Laser Power Control for Fluid Flow Measurement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing measuring apparatuses face challenges in maintaining accurate measurements when the flow velocity of a fluid changes during measurement, as they often apply high laser light power regardless of fluid flow velocity, potentially applying excessive energy to the fluid.

Innovation Solution

A measuring apparatus with a controlling device that adjusts the light intensity or stops irradiation based on fluid flow velocity information, using a dimming device or threshold values to optimize light application and prevent excessive energy application.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If laser light power is increased to improve signal to noise ratio, then measurement accuracy is improved, but excessive energy is applied to the fluid when flow velocity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal to noise ratioVSAvoidexcessive energy application
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The laser light power is made dynamically adjustable based on real-time fluid flow velocity measurements. The controlling device modifies the irradiation intensity according to the detected flow conditions, transitioning from a static high-power mode to a dynamic adaptive power level that matches the actual measurement needs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

A feedback loop is established where the flow velocity measurement results are fed back to the controlling device, which then adjusts the laser light power accordingly. This closed-loop control ensures that the irradiation intensity is continuously optimized based on the actual fluid flow conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If high laser light power is applied continuously, then measurement signal quality is maintained, but energy waste occurs when fluid flow velocity is low

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement signal qualityVSAvoidlaser energy waste
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The laser light power parameter is changed dynamically based on fluid flow velocity thresholds. When flow velocity exceeds a predetermined threshold, high power is maintained for reliable measurement; when flow velocity drops below the threshold, power is reduced to minimize energy waste while maintaining sufficient signal quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Measurement precision

If laser irradiation is maintained at high power, then measurement accuracy is preserved, but fluid damage risk increases when flow velocity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement accuracyVSAvoidfluid damage from excessive energy
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts laser power levels based on real-time flow velocity detection, transitioning from static high-power irradiation to adaptive power control that preserves measurement accuracy while preventing fluid damage under low-flow conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The controlling device takes preliminary protective action by reducing laser power before potential fluid damage can occur. When flow velocity drops below the threshold, the system proactively lowers irradiation intensity to prevent thermal or photonic damage to the fluid or measurement target.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables accurate and efficient measurement by adjusting light intensity according to fluid flow velocity, preventing excessive energy application and maintaining measurement accuracy across varying flow velocities.

Implementation Method 1

a first light receiving device configured to receive light scattered by the fluid, out of the light applied by the first irradiating device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight scattering: Scattering

Implementation Method 2

configured to correct a blood flow volume, which is calculated from a Doppler shift of the laser light

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDoppler effect: Doppler Effect

Data Source

PatentEP3550270B1Measurement device
Publication Date: 2022.01.05 NIKKISO CO LTD
  • EP3550270B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3550270B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3550270B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A measuring apparatus is provided with: an irradiating device configured to apply light to a fluid; a light receiving device configured to receive light scattered by the fluid; an obtaining device configured to obtain fluid information, which indicates a flow volume or a flow velocity of the fluid; and a controlling device configured or programmed to control the irradiating device, on the basis of the fluid information.