Fluid Composition Sensor Light Shield Baffles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid sensor devices have limited functionality in accurately characterizing the unique identity and concentration of individual particles within a fluid flow, particularly due to issues with optical reflections and scattering, which degrade image quality and interfere with particle analysis.
Innovation Solution
A fluid composition sensor device equipped with a light shield featuring baffle elements that minimize scattered light by redirecting divergent light beams away from the collection media, allowing unscattered light to directly illuminate particles, and utilizing lensless holography for precise particle imaging and analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If holographic imaging methods are used to characterize particles, then particle identity and concentration can be analyzed, but optical reflections and scattering degrade image quality
Solution Approach 1:
A light shield is introduced as an intermediary component between the illumination source and the collection media. The light shield includes baffle elements that block scattered light and redirect divergent light beams away from the collection media, preventing optical reflections and scattering from degrading the holographic image quality while allowing the imaging process to proceed accurately
Solution Approach 2:
The harmful scattered light is extracted and separated from the useful direct light beams. The light shield with its baffle elements selectively removes scattered light paths from the optical system, allowing only the direct illumination to reach the collection media and be captured by the imaging device, thereby improving image quality
2Illumination intensity
If light beams are emitted to illuminate particles, then particle imaging is enabled, but divergent light beams cause scattering and reduce image quality
Solution Approach 1:
The light shield acts as a mediator that receives the divergent light beams from the illumination source and redirects them through baffle elements. This intermediary structure transforms the divergent light paths into more parallel, directed beams that illuminate the particles uniformly without causing scattering, thereby maintaining high image quality
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of allowing the light beams to diverge naturally from the illumination source, the light shield inverts this behavior by using baffle elements to converge and redirect the light paths. The divergent light beams are reflected and redirected to travel parallel to the optical axis, inverting the expected divergence pattern to achieve focused illumination
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 clear optical output and improved image quality by reducing incoherent interference, enabling accurate identification and classification of particles without the need for secondary analysis, thus enhancing the reliability and efficiency of particle collection and analysis processes.
Implementation Method 1
the light shield may comprise one or more baffle elements disposed within the internal shield portion and configured to reflect at least a divergent portion of the one or more light beams within the internal shield portion
Implementation Method 2
an illumination source configured to emit one or more light beams along a beam axis such that at least a portion of the one or more beams engage the collection media and illuminates the one or more particles received by the collection media
Implementation Method 3
utilizing lensless holography for precise particle imaging and analysis
Data Source
AI summary
Various embodiments are directed to a device for detecting fluid particle characteristics comprising: a fluid composition sensor comprising: an illumination source configured to emit a light beam along a beam axis such that at least a portion of the light beam engages a collection media and illuminates particles disposed within a collection media; an imaging device configured to capture an image of the particles disposed within the collection media; and a light shield comprising: an internal shield portion enclosed within an inner surface of a shield wall; and one or more baffle elements disposed within the internal shield portion and configured to reflect at least a divergent portion of the light beam within the internal shield portion; wherein the light shield extends between the illumination source and the imaging device such that a portion of the light beam emitted along the beam axis passes through the internal shield portion.