Laser Spectroscopy Pressure Measurement for High-Speed Packaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current laser spectroscopy-based pressure measurement systems in filling and packaging plants are inefficient at high speeds, struggling to provide precise and repeatable measurements due to external factors and the variability of commercial container materials, leading to inaccurate pressure readings and potential product quality issues.
Innovation Solution
A system that includes a laser source and detector with mechanical adjustment elements, position sensors for precise signal acquisition time determination, and flushing devices to isolate relevant gas signals, combined with signal conditioning to eliminate noise and distortions, allowing for precise measurement of pressure in optically transparent containers moving at high speeds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If laser spectroscopy measurement is performed on containers moving at high speed, then productivity is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to reduced acquisition time and increased external factor interference
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-determines the signal acquisition time period based on the container position detected by sensors and the known container dimensions. This preliminary timing setup allows the measurement system to be ready exactly when the container passes through the inspection area, maximizing the use of available acquisition time without requiring slower production speeds.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical contact-based pressure measurement systems with laser spectroscopy technology. This substitution enables contactless measurement that can operate at high speeds while maintaining precision, as the laser measurement process itself is extremely fast and not limited by mechanical response times.
2Adaptability or versatility
If measurement is performed on commercial containers with variable materials, then adaptability is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to material variability affecting laser beam transmission
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses feedback from position sensors and container detection to dynamically adjust the signal acquisition timing. By continuously monitoring container position and using this feedback to determine the exact acquisition window, the system compensates for variations in container materials and dimensions, maintaining measurement precision across different container types.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs tunable laser sources that can adjust their wavelength parameters to optimize penetration and measurement accuracy for different container materials. By changing laser parameters dynamically, the system maintains effective measurement across glass, plastic, and other optically transparent materials with varying optical properties.
3Measurement precision
If signal acquisition time is extended to improve measurement accuracy, then measurement precision is improved, but productivity deteriorates due to slower measurement cycle
Solution Approach 1:
The system maintains continuous operation by performing measurements without stopping or slowing the container flow. The laser spectroscopy measurement and signal acquisition occur continuously as containers pass through the inspection area, eliminating idle time between measurements and maintaining full production speed while gathering sufficient measurement data.
Solution Approach 2:
The measurement system uses periodic pulsed laser emission synchronized with container passage. By emitting laser pulses at optimal intervals during the container's transit through the inspection area, the system accumulates multiple measurement contributions within the available time window, improving precision without requiring the container to move slower.
4Reliability
If position sensors and signal conditioning are added to improve measurement reliability, then measurement reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The position sensors serve multiple functions: they detect container presence, determine container position for timing synchronization, and provide feedback for the signal acquisition window. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components for each function, thereby limiting the increase in overall system complexity while improving reliability.
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 precise, repeatable, and reliable pressure measurements in high-speed packaging plants by identifying useful measurement contributions and compensating for external factors, improving the accuracy and reliability of pressure readings in commercial containers.
Implementation Method 1
laser spectroscopy measuring instruments detect the absorption of a laser beam of suitable wavelength shot into the top space of the closed container
Implementation Method 2
detect the absorption of a laser beam of suitable wavelength shot into the top space of the closed container
Implementation Method 3
a laser source (11) having an optical axis (A) for emitting a laser beam
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 1a~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The present invention concerns a group (10) and method for measuring the pressure in closed containers (30) made from optically transparent material at least at a portion of a top space (31) thereof, and a filling and/or packaging plant (100) using the measuring group. In particular the present invention concerns a group and a method for contactlessly measuring the pressure in closed containers, able to be used directly in automatic filling and/or packaging plants operating at high speed, without the need to stop or slow down such plants or in any case to pick up the containers from the same. The measuring group for measuring the pressure in closed containers (30) made from optically transparent material at least at a portion of a top space (31) thereof, comprises at least one inspection area (20) adapted for the passage of at least one portion of a top space (31) of a closed container (30) of said closed containers; at least one laser source (11) with optical axis (A) for the emission of a laser beam at a wavelength tunable with an absorption wavelength of a gas contained in the top space (31) of the closed container (30), the at least one laser source (11) being positioned so as to direct the laser beam towards the at least one inspection area (20); at least one detector (12) positioned so as to detect at least one portion of the laser beam emitted by the laser source (11) once it has travelled through the inspection area (20) and to provide in output data representative of an absorption spectrum of said gas as a consequence of the passage of the laser beam through the inspection area (20); at least one device (14,14') for detecting the signal acquisition time period corresponding to the passage of said at least one portion of a top space (31) of a closed container (30) through the inspection area; and is characterised in that it comprises means (41) for identifying signal contributions useful for the pressure measurement amongst the data representative of an absorption spectrum acquired during the signal acquisition time period.