Hermetic Fluorescence Sensor Head With Offset-Tolerant Feedthrough
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical measurement systems face challenges in maintaining signal quality and preventing fluid escape when measuring through walls, while minimizing disruption to the fluid volume.
Innovation Solution
A light transmission component with a feed-through coupling element that is designed to be fluid-tight, gas-tight, and hermetic, allowing for divergence-free transmission of electromagnetic radiation through walls, while tolerating positional offsets and maintaining high signal integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a measurement system is set up to be resistant and impervious to fluid escape, then fluid integrity is improved, but signal quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The measurement system is divided into separate functional components: a fluid-tight seal assembly for maintaining fluid integrity and an optical measurement assembly for signal transmission. The seal assembly includes a seal element that can be selectively positioned to seal against the vessel wall, while the optical components are arranged to transmit light through designated openings without requiring complete fluid isolation, thus resolving the contradiction between fluid integrity and signal quality.
Solution Approach 2:
A seal element acts as an intermediary component between the measurement system and the fluid volume. This seal element can be selectively activated to provide fluid-tight sealing when needed, while allowing optical transmission paths to remain open for signal quality maintenance. The intermediary seal element enables independent optimization of both fluid integrity and signal transmission without requiring compromise between the two functions.
2Reliability
If the light transmission component is made fluid-tight and hermetic, then fluid escape is prevented, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple functions are merged into a single integrated light transmission component. The component combines fluid-tight sealing, optical transmission, and hermetic sealing capabilities in one unified structure rather than requiring separate assemblies. The seal element is integrated with the light transmission path, allowing both sealing and optical functions to be achieved simultaneously without increasing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The light transmission component is designed as a multi-functional element that simultaneously provides fluid-tight sealing, hermetic protection, and optical signal transmission. This universal component eliminates the need for separate sealing mechanisms and optical assemblies, reducing device complexity while maintaining reliability. The same component structure serves multiple purposes: preventing fluid escape, maintaining sterility, and enabling optical measurement.
3Measurement precision
If the feed-through coupling element is designed for divergence-free transmission, then signal strength is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The optical transmission characteristics are optimized by changing geometric parameters of the feed-through coupling element. The component is designed with specific aperture sizes, curvature radii, and transmission angles that enable divergence-free light transmission. By adjusting these geometric parameters, the system achieves high signal strength while the manufacturing tolerances remain manageable through standardized optical design principles.
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 solution enhances signal strength and quality by ensuring minimal fluid escape and disruption, even with significant positional offsets, while maintaining sterility and integrity.
Implementation Method 1
The feed-through coupling element has, for example, one or more light-guiding bodies, especially one or more glass bodies, in order preferably to conduct the electromagnetic radiation such as light, an optical measurement signal or an optical pulse through the wall
Implementation Method 2
The analysis and observation of fluids such as liquids that are hidden behind a wall is the subject of constant further development... the possibilities of optical measurement
Data Source
AI summary
A light transmitting component, in particular for a sensor head or for connection to a coupling light guide is provided, for transmitting electromagnetic radiation, in particular through a wall. The component includes a feed-through coupling element, which is configured for being arranged in a main body or in a wall opening, for incoupling and transmitting the electromagnetic radiation through the feed-through coupling element, in particular through the wall, without divergence. The feed-through coupling element includes a multi core fiber rod (MCR) and is designed with positional offset tolerance so that a lateral positional offset between the feed-through coupling element and a light transmitting component coupled thereto, such as a coupling light guide, of 10 μm or more, results in a relative signal loss of 10% or less.