Hydrogen Sensor Using Dual-Mode Resistance and Optical Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current hydrogen concentration measuring devices face challenges in achieving high accuracy across an extensive concentration range due to low detection sensitivity in low concentration ranges and complexity in device configuration when combining different types of sensors.
Innovation Solution
A hydrogen concentration measuring device utilizing a metal oxide film with both electric resistance and transmitted light intensity detection methods, where a controller performs measurement value correction to minimize differences between the two methods, allowing for accurate hydrogen concentration measurement across a wide range using a single sensing film.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If an optical hydrogen sensor is used to measure hydrogen concentration, then the measurement range can be extended to high concentration ranges, but the detection sensitivity decreases in low concentration ranges and the measurement time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines two measurement methods (optical measurement and electric resistance measurement) into a single hydrogen concentration measuring device. The controller selects appropriate measurement results from both methods based on hydrogen concentration ranges, thereby achieving both extended measurement range and maintained detection sensitivity across different concentration levels.
Solution Approach 2:
The device dynamically switches between different measurement methods based on the detected hydrogen concentration range. When hydrogen concentration is high, the optical measurement method is used; when it is low, the electric resistance measurement method is used. This dynamic adaptation allows the device to optimize detection sensitivity for each concentration range while maintaining an extensive overall measurement range.
2Adaptability or versatility
If different types of hydrogen sensors are combined to measure extensive concentration ranges, then the measurement capability is improved, but the device configuration becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes a single sensing film serve multiple functions by enabling it to be measured by both optical measurement and electric resistance measurement methods. This multi-functionality allows the device to measure extensive hydrogen concentration ranges without requiring multiple different sensor types, thereby simplifying the device configuration while maintaining broad measurement capability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If different types of hydrogen sensors are used to measure hydrogen concentration, then extensive concentration ranges can be covered, but differences in measured concentration values occur when switching between sensor types
Solution Approach 1:
The controller compares measurement results from both the optical measurement method and the electric resistance measurement method, and selects the appropriate result based on the detected hydrogen concentration range. This feedback mechanism ensures that the most accurate measurement is selected for each concentration level, eliminating discrepancies that would occur when simply switching between independent sensor types.
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 high accuracy in measuring hydrogen concentrations over an extensive range with a simple configuration by using a single sensing film for both electric resistance and transmitted light intensity measurements, reducing differences in measurement values and minimizing power consumption.
Implementation Method 1
an electric resistance detector which detects an electric resistance of the sensing film
Implementation Method 2
the exposure of the sensing film to a hydrogen gas changes the optical characteristics of the sensing film, thereby enabling the hydrogen gas to be detected from the attenuation of transmitted light or reflected light (optical loss)
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a hydrogen concentration measuring device capable of measuring with high accuracy a hydrogen concentration over an extensive range by a simple configuration. The device includes: a sensor chip which detects the electric resistance of a sensing film; an optical measurement unit which detects the transmitted light intensity of the film; and a controller. The controller performs measurement processing such that a hydrogen concentration in the gas atmosphere is measured based on the detected electric resistance in a first measurement range and based on the detected transmitted light intensity in a second measurement range and is determined so as to reduce a difference between the hydrogen concentration based on the detected electric resistance and the hydrogen concentration based on the detected transmitted light intensity in the overlap of the first measurement range and the second measurement range.