Gas Analyzer Beam Diameter Expansion for Vibration Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gas analyzers face challenges in maintaining stable light measurement in vibrating environments, leading to reduced light reception and inaccurate gas concentration readings due to probe vibrations.
Innovation Solution
A gas analyzer with an optical emitter, reflector, optical receiver, and alignment unit that expands the beam diameter of measurement light to ensure consistent light reception, even when the probe vibrates, by using an optical lens and alignment mechanism to adjust the beam diameter and maintain light incidence on the reflector across its vibration range.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a narrow beam diameter is used for measurement light, then measurement precision is improved, but the amount of light received at the optical receiver decreases when the probe vibrates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the beam diameter parameter of the measurement light to be larger than the reflector width, which allows the light beam to cover the entire reflector surface even when the probe vibrates. This parameter change resolves the contradiction by maintaining both measurement precision and light reception stability.
2Reliability
If the beam diameter of measurement light is increased, then light reception stability is improved, but measurement precision may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making the beam diameter larger than the reflector width, ensuring that the light uniformly covers the reflector surface. This creates a localized illumination pattern that maintains stability while preserving measurement precision through the reflector's geometric properties.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the probe is made more rigid to reduce vibration, then vibration resistance is improved, but the probe becomes more susceptible to damage from thermal expansion and mechanical stress
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful effect of probe vibration into a beneficial configuration by designing the beam diameter to be larger than the reflector width. This allows the probe to be made more rigid for vibration resistance without compromising measurement stability, as the oversized beam naturally compensates for any remaining vibrations.
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 configuration ensures stable gas concentration readings by maintaining sufficient light reception and reducing variations in measurements, improving tolerance to probe displacement and vibration-induced noise.
Implementation Method 1
an alignment unit configured to expand a beam diameter of the measurement light at the reflector
Implementation Method 2
a reflector configured to reflect the measurement light irradiated from the optical emitter and to be positioned at an opposite side of the probe from the optical emitter
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A gas analyzer (1) includes an optical emitter (21) configured to irradiate measurement light into a measurement region (Rl) including a gas to be measured (G), a reflector (15) configured to reflect the measurement light irradiated from the optical emitter (21), an optical receiver (22) configured to receive the measurement light reflected by the reflector (15), and an alignment unit (24) configured to expand a beam diameter (W) of the measurement light at the reflector (15).