Micro-mirror Gas Sensor with Phase Sensitive Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current gas sensing technologies face limitations in detecting highly diluted gases with high sensitivity due to reduced light intensity from multiple reflections in detection chambers, necessitating larger chamber sizes and volumes.
Innovation Solution
A gas sensing apparatus utilizing a micro-mirror scanner to oscillate laser light within a detection chamber, broadening the sectional dispersion of light and allowing efficient gas detection without increasing chamber length, coupled with a phase sensitive detector for enhanced signal processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple reflections are used to lengthen the light beam path, then gas detection sensitivity is improved, but light intensity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic scanning approach where the light beam is continuously scanned across the detection chamber using a scanner, rather than using static multiple reflections. This dynamic scanning allows the system to cover a larger effective path length without requiring multiple reflections, thereby maintaining light intensity while improving detection sensitivity through spatial diversity in gas molecule interaction
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a one-dimensional path length extension approach (multiple reflections along the same path) to a two-dimensional scanning approach. The light beam scans across the detection chamber in multiple directions, effectively increasing the interaction volume with gas molecules without requiring increased path length through reflections, thus preserving light intensity while enhancing sensitivity
2Illumination intensity
If the number of light reflections is reduced to maintain light intensity, then light intensity is preserved, but chamber length and volume must be substantially increased
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses dynamic scanning to maximize the utilization of the detection chamber volume. By continuously moving the light beam across different regions of the chamber, the effective detection volume is increased without requiring a physically larger chamber, thus maintaining both light intensity and compact chamber size
Solution Approach 2:
The continuous scanning operation ensures that the light beam is constantly interacting with gas molecules throughout the detection chamber. This continuous useful action maximizes the detection efficiency within the available chamber volume, eliminating the need to increase chamber size to compensate for reduced reflection次数
3Area of stationary object
If laser light is scanned through oscillation of micro-mirror, then sectional dispersion of light is widened, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical scanning systems with a compact micro-mirror oscillator. The micro-mirror is driven by simple oscillation at a specific frequency, eliminating the need for complex mechanical linkages, multiple mirrors, and alignment mechanisms. This substitution achieves wide sectional dispersion with minimal added complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The system achieves wide light dispersion by changing the oscillation parameters (frequency and amplitude) of the micro-mirror rather than increasing the physical size of the scanning mechanism. By optimizing the oscillation frequency to match the desired scanning pattern, the system achieves maximum dispersion efficiency with minimal device complexity
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 sensitive gas detection with reduced power consumption and smaller apparatus size, effectively utilizing laser light for detecting diluted gases without the need for extensive chamber lengthening.
Implementation Method 1
a light scanner reflecting and scanning the laser light in the detection chamber
Implementation Method 2
a light sensor disposed at the other end of the detection chamber
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are a gas sensing apparatus and a gas sensing method using the apparatus. The gas sensing apparatus includes a detection chamber, a light source, a light sensor, a gas source, and a controller. The light source is disposed at one end of the detection chamber, and a light sensor is disposed at the other end of the detection chamber. The gas source provides gas to the detection chamber. The controller controls the light source and the light sensor. The light source includes a laser supplying laser light, and a light scanner reflecting and scanning the laser light in the detection chamber. The controller includes a phase sensitive detector electrically connected to the light sensor.