Inclined Gas Curtain Protects Pyrometer Optics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for measuring parameters of distant elements in environments with dust particles and water droplets, such as pyrometers in hot strip mills, face contamination issues due to inadequate protection of their optical parts, leading to erroneous measurements and frequent maintenance needs, which are complex and costly.
Innovation Solution
A protecting device with a coaxial design featuring a pressurized gas curtain projected at an inclined angle through a curvilinear canal, tangentially to a bevelled edge, creating a sealed internal space that prevents dust and water from reaching the optical part, combined with additive manufacturing for robust construction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If pressurized gas is injected at an angle of 30° into the hollow body to protect the optical part, then dust particles and water droplets are partially prevented from reaching the optical part, but some particles still enter and reach the optical part causing measurement errors
Solution Approach 1:
The device creates a pressurized gas curtain in advance before dust particles and water droplets can reach the optical part. The gas projection means projects the pressurized gas tangentially along the bevelled edge, forming a protective barrier that prevents contaminants from reaching the optical part, thereby ensuring measurement reliability.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a grid is set inside the hollow body before the optical part to improve protection, then particle protection is enhanced, but the holes of the grid become gradually obstructed preventing parameter measurements
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the grid structure from the hollow body and replaces it with a gas curtain projection system. The gas projection means projects pressurized gas tangentially along the bevelled edge to create a protective barrier without any physical obstacles that could obstruct the optical path, thus maintaining both protection and measurement precision.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If shutters are added to the hollow body to protect the optical part, then particle protection is improved, but device complexity and fragility increase due to mechanical parts and control means
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the mechanical shutter system with a gas-based protection mechanism. The gas projection means uses pressurized gas flow to create a protective curtain without any moving mechanical parts or complex control systems, thereby reducing device complexity and fragility while maintaining effective protection of the optical part.
4Ease of operation
If the optical part is exposed to the environment to enable measurement, then measurement function is maintained, but dust particles and water droplets reach the optical part causing contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces pressurized gas as an intermediary substance between the contaminated environment and the optical part. The gas projection means projects this intermediary gas flow tangentially along the bevelled edge to form a protective curtain that allows the optical part to remain exposed for measurement while preventing dust particles and water droplets from reaching it.
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 solution effectively prevents contamination of the optical parts, ensuring accurate measurements and reducing maintenance needs by maintaining a clean environment for the measuring devices, thus improving the reliability and longevity of the equipment.
Implementation Method 1
a pressurized gas curtain projected at an inclined angle through a curvilinear canal, tangentially to a bevelled edge
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention mainly relates to a device for protecting a means for measuring a parameter of a distant element (2a), said device (1) comprising a measuring means piece (6) comprising at least an optical element (O), and a protection piece (3) for protecting said optical element (O), wherein said protection piece (3) comprises a hollow body (9) and extends longitudinally from a first extremity (4) coupled to the measuring means piece (6), to a second extremity (5) intended for facing said element (2a), wherein said protection piece (3) further comprises an inlet (12) of pressurized gas in fluidic communication with gas projection means (16) which are located along an active part of the periphery (20) of the second extremity (5) and configured to project an inclined pressurized gas curtain (26) delimiting a protected internal space (11) inside of the protection piece (3).