Gas Measuring Device Ignition Point Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing gas measuring devices, such as those described in Published Japanese Translation No. 2020-523182, are limited in their ability to distinguish between different types of combustible gases as they can only screen gases that react with a metal salt, and they combust the gas before it can be detected, making it difficult to accurately identify the gas present.

Innovation Solution

A gas measuring device that includes a filter capable of generating resistance heat and combusting combustible gases, with a control unit that adjusts the filter's temperature to match the ignition point of the gas, allowing the gas sensor to differentiate between gases based on their ignition points, and a signal generation and acquisition unit to associate detection values with control signals for accurate gas type determination.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a filter containing metal salt is used to screen gases by chemical reaction, then corrosive sulfur compounds can be removed, but only specific gases that react with metal salt can be screened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegas screening capabilityVSAvoidfilter composition complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the parameter of the filter from chemical reactivity (metal salt-based chemical reaction) to thermal property (ignition point-based combustion). By controlling the filter temperature to match the ignition point of target combustible gases, the system achieves universal screening capability for different gas types without changing filter composition.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If the filter combusts the combustible gas, then the gas can be screened by ignition point, but the combusted gas cannot be detected by the gas sensor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegas type identification accuracyVSAvoidgas detection information
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by controlling the filter temperature to combust specific combustible gases before they reach the gas sensor. By setting the filter temperature to match the ignition point of the target gas, the system preliminarily processes the gas stream to remove combustibles, enabling identification of non-combustible gases that pass through unchanged.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Measurement precision

If the temperature of the filter is raised to the ignition point of combustible gas, then the combustible gas can be combusted for screening, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecombustible gas screening accuracyVSAvoidfilter heating energy
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the temperature parameter of the filter to match the specific ignition point of the target combustible gas. Rather than using excessively high temperatures, the system precisely controls the filter temperature to the minimum required for combustion of the target gas, reducing energy consumption while maintaining screening accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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

Enables proper screening and identification of combustible gases by controlling the filter's temperature to match the ignition point of the gas, allowing the gas sensor to accurately detect and differentiate between various combustible gases, thereby improving the device's ability to determine the gas type present.

Implementation Method 1

A power supply that applies a voltage or current is connected to the filter. The filter generates resistance heat and combusts a combustible gas in contact therewith.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Implementation Method 2

When the temperature of the filter rises to the ignition point of the combustible gas, the combustible gas in contact with the filter is combusted.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCombustion: Combustion

Data Source

PatentEP4257963A1Gas measuring device
Publication Date: 2023.10.11 SINTOKOGIO LTD
  • EP4257963A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4257963A1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP4257963A1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3C

AI summary

A gas measuring device includes: a filter to which a power supply that applies a voltage or current is connected, which generates resistance heat, and which combusts a predetermined combustible gas in contact therewith; and a gas sensor configured to detect the combustible gas that has passed through the filter.