Gas Analyzer Optical Alignment with Multi-Axis Adjustment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional gas analyzers face difficulties in easily facilitating the alignment of the optical axis of the light emitting element with the light receiving element.

Innovation Solution

The gas analyzer employs a configuration with independently adjustable optical axes, including a plurality of light emitters and a reflector that allows for angular and positional adjustments along multiple axes, enabling easy alignment of the optical path.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a conventional gas analyzer uses a fixed light emitting element position, then the device structure is simple, but the alignment of the optical axis between the light emitting element and light receiving element is difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvealignment easeVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The holding member is designed to be angularly adjustable around at least two axes that are not parallel to the optical axis, allowing dynamic adjustment of the light emitting element's orientation to facilitate alignment with the light receiving element

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The adjustment mechanism is divided into multiple independent axes of rotation, allowing separate adjustment of different angular parameters to achieve precise alignment

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Measurement precision

If the optical path length in the measurement gas is increased, then the measurement accuracy is improved, but the device structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement accuracyVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The reflector is mounted separately on the channel wall at a position distant from the light emitter, creating a folded optical path that extends the measurement path length without increasing the linear dimensions of the device

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The reflector and light emitter are integrated into a single measurement system mounted on the channel wall, allowing the light to travel back and forth in the measurement gas and effectively doubling the optical path length

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 enhances measurement accuracy by doubling the optical path length and simplifies the alignment process, allowing for precise measurement of multiple components in the measurement gas.

Implementation Method 1

a laser gas analyzer using Tunable Diode Laser Absorption Spectroscopy (TDLAS)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAbsorption Spectroscopy: Absorption Spectroscopy

Implementation Method 2

a reflector configured to reflect the light irradiated by the light emitting element so that the light travels back and forth in the measurement gas

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP4067876B1Gas analyzer
Publication Date: 2025.10.08 YOKOGAWA ELECTRIC CORP
  • EP4067876B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4067876B1 patent drawingFigure 2A
  • EP4067876B1 patent drawingFigure 2B

AI summary

A gas analyzer (1) that easily facilitates alignment is provided. The gas analyzer (1) is a gas analyzer for measuring a predetermined component in a measurement gas (3) by irradiating light on the measurement gas from a light emitting element (2) and receiving light that passes through the measurement gas. The gas analyzer includes a base member (12) configured to be adjustable in position along at least one axis that is not parallel to the optical axis of the light emitting element, and a holding member (13) configured to hold the light emitting element (2) and to be held to the base member (12) in an angularly adjustable manner around at least one axis that is not parallel to the optical axis.