Compact Optical Probe with Direct Laser Guidance for Molten Metal Spectroscopy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional laser emission spectroscopic analysis devices for molten metals are large and heavy, making them labor-intensive to move and attach, and they may have restrictions on placement due to their size, limiting their versatility in monitoring molten metal baths.
Innovation Solution
A compact and lightweight optical device for laser emission spectroscopic analysis is designed by omitting unnecessary optical systems, using a diode-pumped laser oscillator, and aligning the laser oscillation axis with the cylindrical probe, allowing direct laser light guidance without mirrors, and receiving plasma light without condensation to maintain precision.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional optical systems with multiple components are used for laser emission spectroscopic analysis, then measurement precision can be maintained, but device size and weight become large, making it labor-intensive to move and attach
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes unnecessary optical components from the conventional system. Specifically, it eliminates complex light guiding systems with multiple mirrors and lenses, retaining only the essential condenser lens for focusing laser light and a simple light receiver for detecting plasma emission. This extraction of non-essential components directly reduces device weight while preserving the core measurement function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the optical system into minimal functional units: a laser oscillator, a condenser lens for light focusing, and a light receiver for detection. By dividing the system into these discrete, essential segments and removing intermediate optical components, the device achieves weight reduction while maintaining analytical precision through the preserved core functions.
2Measurement precision
If conventional optical systems with multiple components are used for laser emission spectroscopic analysis, then measurement precision can be maintained, but device complexity increases, requiring multiple optical components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates complex optical components including multiple mirrors, lenses for light guiding, and intermediate optical systems. Only the essential condenser lens and light receiver are retained, dramatically simplifying the optical system architecture while preserving the fundamental measurement capability through direct laser-to-sample interaction and plasma emission detection.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a conventional approach with complex light guiding systems that transmit laser light through multiple optical components to the sample, the patent inverts the approach by using a simple condenser lens to focus laser light directly onto the molten metal surface. This inverted simplification reduces optical path complexity while maintaining measurement precision.
3Ease of operation
If device size is reduced for better maneuverability, then ease of operation improves, but placement restrictions may increase due to configuration constraints
Solution Approach 1:
By extracting and removing bulky optical components and light guiding systems, the patent creates a compact device that is easy to maneuver and reposition. The simplified structure with minimal components reduces the device footprint while maintaining functional versatility for analyzing molten metal baths in various industrial settings.
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 device achieves sufficient analytical precision while being easy to maneuver and attach, reducing size and weight, enabling analysis in various positions within molten metal baths.
Implementation Method 1
a laser oscillator oscillating laser light
Implementation Method 2
a condenser lens condensing the laser light
Implementation Method 3
receiving light emitted from plasma generated by irradiating the laser light onto the molten metal
Implementation Method 4
an optical fiber light receiver receiving light emitted from plasma
Data Source
AI summary
To enable lightweight, compact, and sufficient analytical precision.An optical device for laser emission spectroscopic analysis of the present invention includes: a casing unit that has a laser oscillator oscillating laser light, a condenser lens condensing the laser light and on which the laser light emitted from the laser oscillator is directly incident, and an optical fiber light receiver receiving light emitted from plasma generated by irradiating the laser light onto molten metal at a light-receiving end surface and guiding the light to an exit-side end surface; and a cylindrical probe that is connected to the casing unit so that a center axis is parallel to an oscillation axis of the laser light in the laser oscillator, supplies inert gas to an opening end located downstream of the laser light traveling direction, and guides the laser light toward the opening end to irradiate on the molten metal, wherein a surface normal direction at the light-receiving end surface of the optical fiber light receiver is parallel to the oscillation axis of the laser light.