Condensing Lens Stabilizes Gas Analyzer Light Path
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Solution Overview
Problem
In gas analyzing apparatuses, the thermal lens effect caused by temperature differences between sample gases and purge air leads to refractive changes, resulting in unstable measurement light paths and inaccurate analysis, as the measurement light may not be properly received within the light receiving plane of the sensor.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a condensing lens in the optical path of the measurement light, which is designed to stabilize the light path and ensure proper reception within the light receiving plane, even when thermal lens effects occur, along with a purge air introducing unit to protect optical components and maintain accurate analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If purge air is introduced to protect optical components from contamination, then the reliability of the measurement system is improved, but the thermal lens effect causes refraction of measurement light leading to deterioration of measurement precision
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the measurement chamber into multiple regions: a sample gas introduction region where measurement light passes through, and a purge air introduction region separated from the measurement path. This segmentation allows purge air to protect optical components without interfering with the measurement light path, thereby eliminating the thermal lens effect while maintaining component protection
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the purge air function from the measurement region by providing a dedicated purge air introduction region that is spatially separated from the sample gas region. This extraction allows the purge air to perform its protective function without causing temperature differences in the measurement path that would lead to refraction
2Ease of operation
If optical components are fixed in a single casing to simplify positioning, then the ease of operation is improved, but the thermal lens effect from purge air causes instability in the measurement light path
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the internal space of the casing into distinct functional regions: a sample gas introduction region for measurement and a purge air introduction region for protection. This spatial segmentation allows both functions to coexist within a single fixed casing without the purge air interfering with the measurement light path, thereby maintaining light path stability while preserving ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a spatial intermediary structure (separated regions within the casing) between the purge air and the measurement light path. This intermediary arrangement allows the purge air to protect optical components without directly contacting or thermally affecting the measurement region, thus maintaining both operational simplicity and measurement stability
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 enables stable and accurate analysis of gas components by ensuring the measurement light is consistently received within the light receiving plane, reducing fluctuations and maintaining signal integrity despite thermal lens effects.
Implementation Method 1
the propagation path of the measurement light is variable due to a thermal lens effect caused by a temperature difference between the sample gas and the purge air
Implementation Method 2
the propagation path of the measurement light is variable due to a thermal lens effect caused by a temperature difference between the sample gas and the purge air
Implementation Method 3
a gas analyzing apparatus that analyzes a concentration of a predetermined component in a sample gas using a light absorption technique
Data Source
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AI summary
A measurement unit (1) used in an analyzing apparatus for measuring concentrations of component gases in a sample gas comprises an light emitting unit (21) configured to emit a measurement light to the sample gas, a light receiving unit (24) configured to receive the measurement light on a light receiving plane, a purge air introducing unit (14) configured to introduce a purge air into a vicinity of at least one of the light emitting unit (21) and/or the light receiving unit (24), and a condensing lens (23) arranged in an optical path of the measurement light from the light emitting unit (21) to the light receiving unit (24), the condensing lens (23) being configured to condense the measurement light within the light receiving plane of the light receiving unit (24), a propagation path of the measurement light being varied by a thermal lens effect caused by a temperature difference between the sample gas and the purge air.