Alignment Flange Optical Window for Laser Gas Analyzer Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laser gas analyzers face challenges in maintaining a sealed environment during offline calibration, maintenance, or replacement of units, leading to potential leaks of substances within the chamber, which can be corrosive or dirty.
Innovation Solution
An alignment unit with an optical window and sealing member is introduced, allowing for removable and adjustable connection of the launch and detect units to the chamber, ensuring the chamber remains sealed and enabling inspection without exposing the substance, using alignment studs and quick connect mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of repair
If the launch unit or detect unit is removed from the chamber for maintenance or replacement, then the unit can be serviced, but the chamber becomes unsealed and substance leakage occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment unit serves as an intermediary component between the chamber and the launch/detect units. It includes a first alignment flange that attaches to the chamber and a second alignment flange that attaches to the launch or detect unit, enabling removable connection while maintaining sealing through the optical window and sealing member assembly
2Ease of repair
If the launch unit or detect unit is removed from the chamber, then maintenance can be performed, but inspection of the chamber interior becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The optical window in the alignment unit serves as an intermediary viewing interface. It allows inspection of the chamber interior through the sealing member and optical window assembly while maintaining the sealed environment, eliminating the need to open the chamber for inspection
3Reliability
If a permanent sealed connection is used between the launch unit and chamber, then sealing integrity is maintained, but alignment adjustment and maintenance become difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment unit provides dynamic adjustability through alignment studs that allow horizontal and vertical alignment adjustment of the second alignment flange relative to the first alignment flange. This enables precise optical alignment while maintaining a sealed connection through the optical window and sealing member when the unit is installed
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
The solution prevents substance leakage during unit removal or replacement, facilitates maintenance, and allows for efficient inspection and troubleshooting, maintaining a sealed environment and optimizing signal alignment for accurate measurements.
Implementation Method 1
an alignment stud for adjusting horizontal and vertical alignment of the second alignment flange
Implementation Method 2
a sealing member provided between the second alignment flange and the optical window
Implementation Method 3
an optical window that keeps the chamber closed when the one of the launch unit or detect unit is removed from the chamber
Implementation Method 4
a launch unit with a diode laser that irradiates the substance with laser light
Implementation Method 5
a detect unit with a light receiving element that detects the laser light having passed through the substance
Data Source
AI summary
An alignment unit for a laser analyzer that performs measurements on a substance inside a chamber includes a first alignment flange that attaches to the chamber, a second alignment flange that attaches one of a launch unit or detect unit of the laser analyzer to the chamber, an alignment stud for adjusting horizontal and vertical alignment of the second alignment flange, an optical window that keeps the chamber closed when the one of the launch unit or detect unit is removed from the chamber, and a sealing member provided between the second alignment flange and the optical window.