Portable Gas Sensor With Integrated Pump and Chopper Rotor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing portable gas detectors face challenges in detecting small gas concentrations quickly and reliably, often requiring reagents and having complex mechanical designs that are not robust or energy-efficient, and lack sufficient mobility for handheld use.
Innovation Solution
A portable gas sensor device utilizing a side channel compressor with an impeller that serves as both a pump and a rotating perforated disk, combined with an infrared light source and detector, to create a compact, energy-efficient, and robust system for gas detection, using infrared spectroscopy to analyze gas concentrations without reagents.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a portable gas detector uses conventional pump and chopper mechanisms, then gas analysis can be performed, but the device becomes mechanically complex and less robust
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the pump function and chopper function into a single integrated rotor assembly. The rotor serves dual purposes: it pumps gas through the detection chamber while simultaneously acting as the chopper that modulates the infrared beam. This eliminates the need for separate mechanical components, reducing complexity and improving reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotor is designed as a multi-functional component that performs both pumping and chopping operations. By making the rotor universal for both functions, the patent reduces the total number of moving parts and mechanical subsystems, thereby simplifying the overall device architecture and enhancing robustness for portable use.
2Use of energy by moving object
If a portable gas detector uses separate pump and chopper drive units, then both functions can be performed, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the drive units for the pump and chopper into a single motor that drives the rotor. This single drive unit eliminates the energy waste associated with multiple separate motors and their control systems, while also reducing the overall power requirements for portable operation.
Solution Approach 2:
A single drive unit is designed to power both the pumping and chopping functions through the rotor. This universal drive approach reduces total energy consumption compared to using separate dedicated motors for each function, thereby improving the energy efficiency and mobility of the portable gas detector.
3Measurement precision
If a portable gas detector uses reagent-based gas analysis, then gas concentrations can be measured, but the device requires additional components and reagents
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces reagent-based chemical analysis with infrared spectroscopy. Instead of using chemical reagents that require dispensing, storage, and waste management systems, the device uses infrared light absorption measurements to detect and quantify gas concentrations. This substitution eliminates all reagent-related components and simplifies the device architecture while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and eliminates the reagent system from the gas detection process. By using infrared spectroscopy, the device removes the need for chemical reagents, reagent storage containers, dispensing mechanisms, and waste collection systems, thereby significantly reducing device complexity while preserving the ability to measure gas concentrations accurately.
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
The device achieves rapid and reliable detection of gas concentrations with low energy consumption, is insensitive to mechanical interference, and can be used anywhere, offering a simple and robust mechanical construction suitable for handheld use.
Implementation Method 1
Non-dispersive infrared (NDIR) sensors... a source of infrared radiation, a detection room for the gas to be analyzed, through which the infrared radiation passes, and an infrared detector... The gas to be analyzed is pumped or diffused into the detection chamber where IR radiation of specific wavelengths are absorbed by appropriate gas molecules. From the wavelength-dependent absorption detected by the infrared detector, conclusions can be drawn about the concentration of the gas absorbing at a given wavelength.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention provides a mobile, portable gas sensor device comprising an infrared light source (3), a detection chamber (4), and an infrared detector (2), wherein the infrared light source (3) and the infrared detector (2) are arranged at opposite ends of the detection chamber (4), and the gas sensor device includes a rotating perforated disk (1) upstream of the infrared detector (2), driven by a drive unit (17), and a gas flow regulator, wherein the gas flow regulator is a pump device combined with the rotating perforated disk (1), and the drive unit (17) for driving the rotating perforated disk (1) is the only drive unit (17) of the gas sensor device. Furthermore, the invention discloses a gas measurement method and the use of the mobile, portable gas sensor device.