Explosion-Proof Gas Sensor Optical Signal Transmission
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing explosion-proof gas sensors require complex and costly pressure-proof cable ducts for electrical connections, which complicate and increase the cost of compliance with explosion protection requirements, as well as the extensive and costly testing associated with these designs.
Innovation Solution
A gas sensor with an explosion-proof housing that uses an optical signal transmission system, including a transparent disk, a light-emitting diode, and an optical light guide for bidirectional optical data transmission, eliminating the need for a complicated pressure-proof cable duct, utilizing a polymethacrylate or polycarbonate light guide and a sapphire disk for infrared communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a pressure-proof cable duct design is used for electrical cable leads, then explosion protection requirements are met, but the design becomes very complicated and cost-intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the electrical cable leads from the pressure-proof housing and replaces them with an optical communication system. The light guide extends through the housing wall to transmit optical signals without requiring electrical connections through the pressure-proof barrier, thereby eliminating the need for complex pressure-proof cable ducts while maintaining explosion protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/electrical cable duct system with an optical transmission system. Instead of conducting electrical signals through complex pressure-proof cable ducts, the system uses a light guide to transmit optical signals through the housing wall, substituting a simpler optical mechanism for the complex mechanical-electrical system.
2Reliability
If a pressure-proof encapsulation of the housing is used, then explosion protection is achieved, but extensive and costly tests are required for approval
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces electrical cable leads penetrating the pressure-proof housing with an optical light guide that extends through the housing wall. This substitution eliminates the need for complex electrical sealing and reduces the scope of required approval tests, as optical connections through the housing wall present fewer safety risks compared to electrical penetrations.
3Device complexity
If optical signal transmission means is used instead of electrical cable leads, then the complexity and cost of pressure-proof design is reduced, but a new transmission medium (light guide) must be integrated into the housing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the light guide with the housing structure by extending the light guide directly through the housing wall. This integration combines the housing and light guide into a unified structure, simplifying manufacturing and assembly while reducing the overall complexity of the pressure-proof design.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing wall serves multiple functions: it provides the pressure-proof barrier for explosion protection and simultaneously serves as the transmission medium for the optical light guide. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate cable duct structures and simplifies the overall design.
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 cost-effective and simplified transmission of operating states and data to the environment, reducing the complexity and expense of explosion-proof designs while maintaining effective gas measurement capabilities for explosive hydrocarbons or gas mixtures.
Implementation Method 1
an optical light guide for coupling in the light of the light-emitting diode. The light guide is arranged in the housing on an outer side of the disk, the optical light guide extending up to the outer surface of the housing
Implementation Method 2
The disk that is transparent to light may consist of sapphire. The gas sensor may be provided for measuring explosive hydrocarbons or gas mixtures containing hydrocarbons
Implementation Method 3
a light-emitting diode arranged in the housing on an inner side of the disk
Implementation Method 4
The light-emitting diode is part of an infrared transceiver, which is used for the bidirectional optical data transmission and contains a photocell acting as a detector
Data Source
AI summary
A gas sensor with a housing (1, 11) has an optical signal transmission to the environment of the gas sensor (10). At least one light-emitting diode (3) is arranged in the housing (1, 11) on the inner side of a disk (4) that is transparent to light. At least one optical light guide (5), for coupling in the light of the light-emitting diode (3), is arranged in the housing (1, 11) on the outer side of the disk (4) that is transparent to light. The optical light guide (5) extends up to the outer surface (6) of the housing (1, 11).