Flame Detection Device With Identical Detectors and Symmetrical Layout

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing flame detection devices are prone to false alarms due to interference from ambient temperature, interference radiation, and viewing angle, requiring complex calculations and high energy consumption, leading to long response times.

Innovation Solution

A device with at least two identical detectors, each with identical signal processing and symmetrical layout, using upstream filters to minimize electromagnetic interference, and a microcontroller for synchronous signal processing, allowing for simultaneous and energy-efficient detection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If complex calculation methods are used to compensate for disturbance variables, then detection accuracy is improved, but energy consumption increases and response time lengthens

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection accuracyVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the parameter of detector configuration from single or non-identical detectors to at least two identical detectors with symmetrical layout. This structural parameter change enables the system to obtain multiple signals that can be processed through simple comparison or subtraction operations, achieving disturbance compensation without complex calculations, thus reducing energy consumption while maintaining detection accuracy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the harmful effect of disturbance variables (ambient temperature, interference radiation) into a beneficial measurement approach. By using identical detectors in symmetrical positions, the same disturbance affects all detectors equally, allowing the system to subtract or compare signals to eliminate the disturbance. This transforms the previously harmful uniform interference into a useful feature for differential measurement, achieving accurate flame detection without complex compensation algorithms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

2Measurement precision

If complex calculation methods are used to compensate for disturbance variables, then detection accuracy is improved, but response time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection accuracyVSAvoidresponse time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the computational complexity parameter from complex algorithms to simple signal comparison or subtraction operations. By configuring identical detectors symmetrically, the system can use straightforward arithmetic operations to eliminate disturbance variables, dramatically reducing processing time while maintaining detection accuracy for flame identification

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Use of energy by stationary object

If identical detectors with symmetrical layout are used, then disturbance variable compensation is simplified and energy consumption is reduced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoiddetector configuration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the detection system into multiple identical detector units arranged symmetrically, each handling a specific wavelength range. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each detector while maintaining overall system simplicity through repetition of proven modules, reducing total energy consumption through parallel operation while managing complexity through standardized components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses identical detectors that can serve multiple functions: detecting different wavelength ranges through optical filters, providing redundant measurement capabilities, and enabling both absolute intensity measurement and differential disturbance compensation. This universality reduces the need for specialized components, simplifying the overall device architecture despite the increased number of detector elements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Reliability

If upstream filters are used to minimize electromagnetic interference, then detection reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection reliabilityVSAvoidfilter system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies upstream optical filters before the detectors to pre-select specific wavelength ranges of interest. This preliminary action blocks unwanted electromagnetic interference (such as solar radiation or industrial heating sources) before it reaches the detectors, improving detection reliability by ensuring only relevant flame radiation is measured, while keeping the filter system relatively simple through the use of standard optical filter components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary 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

This solution effectively minimizes interference variables, enabling rapid and accurate flame detection without complex algorithms, reducing false alarms and energy consumption.

Implementation Method 1

use a detector to detect the wavelengths of the flames, convert them into an electrical signal

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic radiation detection: Photoelectric Effect

Implementation Method 2

Each of the detectors is located behind an upstream filter, with the filters filtering out different wavelength ranges

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic radiation filtering: Filter (optical)

Data Source

PatentEP2251847B1Device and method for detecting flames with detectors
Publication Date: 2016.02.24 MINIMAX GMBH & CO KG
  • EP2251847B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2251847B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2251847B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5

AI summary

The invention relates to a device for detecting flames by means of detectors with downstream evaluation devices for evaluating the detector signals, in which at least two identical detectors (1, 2, 3) are arranged next to each other and each detector is provided with identical signal processing (amplifier, A/D converter) and a symmetrical and identical layout (conductor routing), wherein each of the detectors (1, 2, 3) detects a different wavelength range (6, 7, 8) via a preceding filter and the signal acquisition takes place simultaneously and synchronously, so that the precise analysis of the received radiation (12) is made possible by simple algorithms independent of interfering influences, and a method for detecting flames.By using identical detectors and signal processing, as well as symmetrical and uniform design of the conductor routing and layout, and simultaneous control of signal acquisition, it is ensured that interference, such as electromagnetic radiation, occurs uniformly on all optical receiving channels. This uniform interference can be compensated for very quickly and efficiently without complex algorithms, thus preventing distortions caused by influencing factors such as ambient temperature, interference radiation, and viewing angle. This allows for simple and energy-efficient signal evaluation and ensures short reaction times for flame detection.