Flame Detector Using MWIR and LWIR Optical Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Previous flame detectors are limited to detecting mid wave infra-red (MWIR) light, leading to a high false alarm rate and decreased effectiveness, as they cannot process light outside this range, including long wave infra-red (LWIR) light emitted by objects other than flames.
Innovation Solution
Flame detectors are designed to process both MWIR and LWIR light, using an optical element and a bolometer to detect flames by combining MWIR and LWIR emissions, allowing for the differentiation of flame sources from ambient objects and reducing false alarms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If flame detectors are configured to detect and process only MWIR light, then the detector structure remains simple, but the false alarm rate increases and detection effectiveness decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The optical system is segmented into separate MWIR and LWIR detection channels, each with dedicated optical elements and detectors. This segmentation allows the system to process multiple wavelength ranges simultaneously while maintaining simple individual components, resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and reduced false alarms through multi-spectral detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The detector is designed with multi-functionality to detect both MWIR and LWIR light using a unified processing system. The optical element can transmit both wavelength ranges, and the detection system can process both types of radiation, enabling the device to perform multiple detection functions that reduce false alarms while maintaining manageable complexity.
2Device complexity
If flame detectors detect only MWIR light, then the detection system remains straightforward, but the ability to differentiate flame sources from ambient objects is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The detection system transitions from a single-wavelength (MWIR only) detection dimension to a multi-wavelength detection dimension by incorporating LWIR detection capability. This dimensional expansion allows the system to distinguish flame sources from ambient objects based on their different emission characteristics across multiple wavelength ranges, improving differentiation accuracy without excessive system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the detection parameter from a single MWIR wavelength range to multiple wavelength ranges (MWIR and LWIR). By detecting flames across different wavelength parameters and comparing the spectral signatures, the system achieves improved differentiation accuracy between flame sources and ambient objects while maintaining a relatively straightforward detection architecture.
3Device complexity
If flame detectors use only MWIR light detection, then the optical elements remain simple, but the information available on flame location and scene is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The optical system segments the detection function into separate MWIR and LWIR channels, where the LWIR channel provides information about ambient objects and scene context, while the MWIR channel provides flame-specific information. This segmentation allows the system to recover and process multiple types of information that would be lost in single-wavelength detection, improving the completeness of flame location and scene information.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical elements are designed with multi-functionality to transmit and process both MWIR and LWIR radiation. This universal optical system enables the detector to gather comprehensive information about both flame sources and ambient surroundings, preventing information loss while maintaining relatively simple optical component design through multi-wavelength transmission capability.
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 ability to process LWIR light enhances the accuracy of flame detection, reducing false alarms and providing information on the location and scene of the flame, thereby improving the overall effectiveness of the detector.
Implementation Method 1
an optical element configured to process mid wave infra-red light and long wave infra-red light emitted from an area
Implementation Method 2
a bolometer configured to detect a flame in the area based on the mid wave infra-red light and long wave infra-red light processed by the optical element
Data Source
AI summary
Flame detectors and methods of detecting flames are described herein. One device includes an optical element configured to process mid wave infra-red light and long wave infra-red light emitted from an area, and a bolometer configured to detect a flame in the area based on the mid wave infra-red light and long wave infra-red light processed by the optical element.