Colorimetric Tube Scale Wings for Visual and Electronic Reading
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional gas detector tubes face challenges in providing accurate and objective readings due to obstructions on the tube surface, limited resolution, and sensitivity to environmental conditions like temperature, humidity, and altitude, which affect the measurement of gas concentrations.
Innovation Solution
The development of gas detector tubes with scale wings for visual and electronic reading, featuring a transparent tube with markings on extensions that do not obstruct optical reading, and an optic-electronic reader capable of compensating for environmental factors to provide accurate gas concentration measurements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If concentration lines and markings are printed directly on the tube surface, then visual reading is enabled, but electronic reading is blocked because the markings obstruct optical measurement of the reagent
Solution Approach 1:
The tube is divided into two functional zones: the reagent zone (inner surface where color change occurs) and the indicia zone (outer surface where markings are printed). This segmentation allows markings to be placed on the outer surface without obstructing the reagent's optical properties, enabling both visual and electronic reading capabilities simultaneously
Solution Approach 2:
The markings are moved from the inner surface (where they would obstruct the reagent) to the outer surface of the tube. This dimensional relocation allows the markings to be visible for reading while the inner reagent remains optically accessible for electronic measurement
2Ease of operation
If scale divisions are printed as rings around the tube with numbers in close proximity, then visual reading is provided, but resolution is poor and channeling effects cause different lengths to be visible on each side
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of printing scale markings directly on the curved tube surface, the patent uses a separate scale chart or chart paper that is placed adjacent to the tube. This copying approach allows for precise, high-resolution scale divisions without the distortion and channeling effects inherent in direct tube printing
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical printing system (direct printing on tube) with an optical reading system using a chart and electronic sensor. This substitution eliminates the physical limitations of printing on curved surfaces and enables precise measurement without channeling effects
3Loss of information
If the tube surface has markings and shading, then visual information is provided, but optical reading of the reagent is obstructed
Solution Approach 1:
The tube surface is segmented into distinct regions: the inner reagent zone remains clear and unobstructed for optical reading, while the outer indicia zone contains all necessary markings and visual information. This segmentation prevents any obstruction of the reagent's optical properties while preserving visual information availability
4Device complexity
If conventional tubes are used without environmental compensation, then the device remains simple, but measurement accuracy is affected by temperature, humidity, and altitude variations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates sensors that continuously monitor environmental conditions (temperature, humidity, altitude) and feed this information back to the measurement system. This feedback enables real-time compensation for environmental effects on the reagent's colorimetric response, maintaining measurement accuracy without significantly increasing device complexity
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 both visual and electronic reading of gas concentrations with improved accuracy and flexibility, effectively addressing the limitations of conventional tubes by providing clear indicia on extensions and compensating for environmental conditions to enhance measurement precision.
Implementation Method 1
a chemical reagent that is capable of reacting with a target chemical compound resulting in a color change of the reagent
Implementation Method 2
The resulting color change may be optically measured as a length-of-stain that is proportional to the reacted quantity of the target gas or as a level of color difference between unchanged and changed by chemical reaction color
Data Source
AI summary
A gas detector tubes reader can read and interpret a length of stain as an estimated gas detector tube reader. The gas detector tube reader may then compare the estimated concentration of target gas, the margin of error for the estimated concentration of target gas, and alarm limits for the target gas to determine whether and alarm should be initiated.