Gas Sensor Non-Equilibrium Measurement via Periodic Stimulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional gas sensors require a long time to reach equilibrium, leading to slow and energy-intensive gas concentration measurements, which is not suitable for mobile applications and lacks efficient calibration methods.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that utilize a gas-sensitive element to determine the rate of change of a parameter outside equilibrium state through stimulation, allowing for quick and economical gas concentration measurement using a power-law relationship, reducing power consumption and measurement time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the sensor waits for equilibrium state to determine gas concentration, then measurement accuracy is improved, but measurement time increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing stimulation cycles before the final measurement. The gas-sensitive element is stimulated multiple times to accelerate gas absorption and reach a stable state faster, so that when the actual measurement begins, the element is already in a favorable state for quick and accurate concentration determination.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic action through repeated stimulation cycles. The gas-sensitive element is periodically stimulated with the gas sample, allowing the system to build up sufficient gas concentration in the element through multiple cycles, thereby achieving accurate measurement without requiring long equilibrium times.
2Measurement precision
If thermal stimulation is applied continuously to maintain sensitivity, then measurement accuracy is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by implementing intermittent thermal stimulation instead of continuous heating. The stimulation unit activates the gas-sensitive element only during specific measurement cycles or when gas concentration changes are detected, thereby maintaining sensor sensitivity while significantly reducing overall power consumption compared to continuous thermal stimulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by making the thermal stimulation adaptive and variable. The stimulation parameters (temperature, duration, intensity) are dynamically adjusted based on the detected gas concentration and measurement requirements, allowing the system to optimize between sensitivity maintenance and power consumption reduction in real-time.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the sensor operates in mobile devices with limited power, then portability is improved, but measurement frequency and speed are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by implementing efficient measurement cycles that alternate between low-power standby mode and active measurement mode. During active cycles, rapid stimulation and measurement are performed to capture gas concentration changes, then the system returns to low-power mode, achieving frequent measurements overall while maintaining low average power consumption suitable for mobile devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements skipping by using rapid stimulation techniques that quickly drive the gas-sensitive element through the measurement process. The stimulation unit applies intense but brief thermal or chemical stimulation to accelerate gas absorption and reaction, allowing the system to complete measurements faster and reduce the time spent in high-power states, thereby increasing measurement frequency within power constraints.
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 faster, more accurate, and cost-effective gas concentration determination with reduced power consumption, suitable for mobile devices, by maintaining the gas-sensitive element in a non-equilibrium state and using a simple calibration method.
Implementation Method 1
a gas-sensitive element (110) for absorption of a gas (105) from a surrounding atmosphere
Implementation Method 2
a stimulation unit (120) for stimulating the element (110), in order to accelerate desorption of the gas (105) out of the element (110)
Data Source
AI summary
A measuring device for determining a gas concentration includes a gas-sensitive element, a sensing device, a stimulation unit, and a processing unit. The gas-sensitive element is configured to absorb a gas. The sensing device is configured to determine a parameter of the gas-sensitive element in a predetermined time period, where the parameter depends on an absorbed quantity of the gas. The stimulation unit is configured to stimulate the gas-sensitive element and accelerate desorption of the gas out of the gas-sensitive element. The processing unit is configured to determine a rate of change of the parameter, to control the stimulation such that a concentration of the gas in the gas-sensitive element lies outside of an equilibrium state, and to determine the gas concentration based on the rate of change.