In-Line Gas Sensor With Flow-Through Carriers for Low-Concentration Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gas sensors face challenges in accurately measuring low concentrations of target gases due to blockages or impediments that disrupt the optical paths between the light source and detector, necessitating improved design to minimize obstructions and enhance optical path control.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus includes an illumination carrier and a detector carrier, each with a substrate that has flow apertures, allowing gas to pass through, and a sample chamber positioned between them, with ports fluidly coupled to the carriers to control the geometry and minimize obstructions, using a non-dispersive infrared detector and optical filter to measure gas concentration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional gas sensor design is used, then device simplicity is maintained, but measurement precision deteriorates due to blockages in optical paths
Solution Approach 1:
The sample chamber is divided into multiple segments with distinct geometric features (first sample chamber portion, second sample chamber portion, reference chamber) that separately optimize optical paths for different measurement functions, reducing blockages while maintaining precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a reference chamber dimension that is optically separated from the main sample chamber, allowing independent optical path control and providing a baseline for detecting blockages or impediments in the primary measurement path
2Measurement precision
If optical path length is increased to detect low concentrations, then measurement precision improves, but reliability worsens due to increased blockage probability
Solution Approach 1:
Different portions of the sample chamber have different geometric characteristics optimized for specific functions: the first portion maximizes optical path length for low concentration detection, while the second portion and reference chamber are designed to minimize blockages and provide reliable baseline measurements
Solution Approach 2:
The reference chamber acts as an intermediary element that provides a controlled optical path without the same blockage risks as the main sample chamber, allowing the system to compensate for potential impediments in the primary measurement path
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
This design enables accurate measurement of low gas concentrations by ensuring controlled optical paths and minimizing obstructions, enhancing the sensitivity and reliability of gas concentration detection.
Implementation Method 1
Spectroscopy offers a useful approach for sensing the concentration of a chosen target gas, as it can be specific to a target gas even in a mix of other gases
Implementation Method 2
The apparatus may be a non-dispersive infrared detector
Implementation Method 3
The apparatus may include an optical filter positioned between the sample chamber and the detector
Implementation Method 4
The illumination circuit board may include at least one flow aperture which allows passage of fluid through a thickness of the illumination circuit board
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatuses, systems, and methods for in-line gas sensor. The gas sensor includes a first circuit board which supports an illumination source and a second circuit board which supports a detector with a sample chamber positioned between the first and the second circuit board. A gas sample passes through the first circuit board and the second circuit board to enter/exit the sample chamber. Each circuit board may have one or more flow apertures which allow the gas sample to pass through the circuit board to get to/from an interior of the sample chamber.