Gas Concentration Measurement Using Dynamic Radiation Path Biasing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Measuring gas concentrations in containers with deformable walls is challenging due to variability in container dimensions and radiation path length, leading to inaccurate and non-reproducible results, especially for low gas concentrations and short radiation path lengths.
Innovation Solution
The method involves biasing the deformable portion of the container wall between positioning surfaces to establish a constant radiation path length, allowing for simultaneous transmission and reception of electromagnetic radiation while moving the positioning surfaces to maintain this length, thereby averaging out disturbing effects and improving measurement precision.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If infrared radiation is transmitted through containers with deformable walls to measure gas concentration, then non-invasive measurement is achieved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to variability in radiation path length
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the radiation path length adaptable to container deformation. The measuring device moves the radiation source and detector synchronously with container wall movement, maintaining a constant effective path length through dynamic adjustment rather than fixed positioning. This resolves the contradiction by allowing non-invasive measurement while compensating for path length variations caused by deformable walls.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of radiation path length from fixed to dynamically adjustable. By synchronizing the movement of radiation source and detector with container deformation, the effective path length remains constant despite container shape changes. This parameter adaptation enables precise gas concentration measurement in deformable containers while maintaining non-invasive measurement capabilities.
2Measurement precision
If the radiation path length is increased to improve measurement sensitivity, then detection capability improves, but measurement precision deteriorates due to greater variability in path length with deformable walls
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses dynamics to maintain a constant effective radiation path length by synchronously moving the source and detector with container deformation. This dynamic compensation allows the use of longer path lengths for improved sensitivity while preventing path length variability from compromising measurement reproducibility. The system adapts to container changes in real-time, ensuring reliable measurements.
3Adaptability or versatility
If containers with deformable walls are used to package sensitive products, then packaging flexibility improves, but measurement precision deteriorates due to variability in container dimensions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by synchronizing the movement of radiation source and detector with container wall deformation. This allows the measuring device to adapt to any container shape or size while maintaining a constant effective radiation path length. Consequently, packaging flexibility with deformable walls is preserved while measurement precision remains high regardless of container dimensional variability.
4Productivity
If the container contents volume changes during filling, then packaging process flexibility improves, but measurement precision deteriorates due to changing radiation path length
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses dynamics to compensate for changing container dimensions during the filling process. By synchronously moving the radiation source and detector with container deformation, the effective path length remains constant even as contents volume changes. This enables continuous monitoring during filling operations without sacrificing measurement precision, maintaining both productivity and accuracy.
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 approach enables precise and reproducible gas concentration measurements, particularly for low concentrations, by maintaining a constant radiation path length and reducing errors from reflections and scattering, ensuring accurate results even with highly coherent radiation like laser light.
Implementation Method 1
biasing the deformable portion and a further portion of the wall opposite said deformable portion between first and second opposite positioning surfaces, thereby forming a biased volume of the container between said first and second opposite positioning surfaces and defining a length of a radiation path inside said biased volume
Implementation Method 2
infrared absorption spectroscopy is a known method, which is suitable to determine the concentration of specific monitored gases in a container and which allows determining a concentration of a gas in a non-invasive way... The radiation intensity of the infrared radiation is reduced in absorption bands specific for different species of gas
Implementation Method 3
transmitting electromagnetic radiation into the biased volume between said first and second opposite positioning surfaces and receiving transmitted or reflected radiation of the transmitted radiation from the biased volume along said length of said radiation path
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4.c
Figure 5~6.c
AI summary
Method 100 for measuring a concentration of a gas in a container 20 having a wall with at least one deformable portion, the gas absorbing electromagnetic radiation at least in a specific spectral range, wherein the method comprises the steps of: - biasing 101 said deformable portion and a further portion of said wall opposite said deformable portion between opposite positioning surfaces, thereby forming a biased volume of the container between the opposite positioning surfaces, - during a measuring time 110, transmitting 102 electromagnetic radiation into said biased volume and receiving 103 transmitted or reflected radiation of said transmitted radiation from said biased volume along respective radiation paths, - relatively moving 104, during said measuring time, at least one of said deformable portion and of said further portion and at least one of said radiation paths, and - determining 105 said concentration of said gas from the radiation received. Further in the scope of this invention are a method of producing a sealed container containing a filling gas volume having a concentration of a monitored gas, an apparatus 10 for performing the methods and a filling facility for filling containers.