Modular Optical Alignment Device for Multi-Component Spectroscopy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical analyzers for multi-component measurements face challenges such as non-equivalent optical beam paths, increased installation and maintenance costs, exposure to harsh environmental conditions, and inflexibility in detecting different chemical components, leading to synchronization issues and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
A modular attachment and alignment device with multiple attachment points and beam splitters allows for independent alignment and connection of light sources and detectors along a single or closely aligned optical path, enabling flexible measurement of multiple species without requiring multiple entrance and exit holes, thus reducing installation complexity and maintenance costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple independent analysers are mounted at separate positions on the stack, then multiple chemical components can be measured, but the optical beam paths become non-equivalent leading to synchronization issues and measurement errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple light sources and detectors into a single integrated housing unit, allowing multiple optical paths to share a common physical mounting structure and flange connection point. This merging approach ensures that all optical paths originate from and return to the same location on the stack, maintaining equivalent beam paths while enabling simultaneous measurement of multiple chemical components through different wavelengths
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal housing design that can accommodate multiple types of light sources (e.g., diode lasers, QCLs) and detectors simultaneously, with each component configured for different wavelength ranges. This multi-functional housing allows a single device to perform multiple measurement functions while maintaining a single optical connection point to the measurement volume
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple independent analysers are installed at different locations, then multiple measurements can be performed, but installation and maintenance costs increase due to multiple access points
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple analyser functions into a single housing unit with one flange connection, reducing the number of installation access points from multiple separate locations to a single location on the stack. This consolidation significantly reduces installation complexity and maintenance costs while preserving the ability to measure multiple chemical components simultaneously
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate analyser housings are mounted on the stack, then multiple measurements can be taken, but the system becomes more complex and harder to align optically
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple optical components within a single housing that mounts to the stack through one flange, internally managing the alignment of multiple light sources and detectors. This internal integration eliminates the need for complex external alignment procedures between multiple separate housings, while still providing the functionality to measure multiple chemical components through different optical paths within the same physical unit
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 solution enables efficient and flexible measurement of multiple chemical species along a single optical path, reducing installation and maintenance costs, and allowing for quick upgrades or replacements without disrupting operations, while maintaining accurate and reliable data collection.
Implementation Method 1
beam splitters allows for independent alignment and connection of light sources and detectors along a single or closely aligned optical path
Implementation Method 2
at least one optical alignment device for mounting on the mount, the optical alignment device being configured to provide optical alignment through the measurement volume of light that passes along said distinct optical paths
Implementation Method 3
The light source used may be a diode laser, a quantum cascade laser (QCL), an inter-band cascade laser (ICL), an external cavity laser diode, an external cavity QCL, an external cavity ICL, a light emitting diode (LED) or an incandescent (black or grey body radiation) source
Implementation Method 4
the optical detectors may be photodiodes, photomultiplier tubes (PMT), photoresistors or thermal devices such as pyroelectric, thermopile or bolometer detectors
Implementation Method 5
measuring how much light at a particular wavelength or across a wavelength range is absorbed by the chemical component of interest along a particular optical path-length. This is known as absorption spectroscopy
Data Source
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AI summary
A device is provided for combining two or more separate components of an optical analysis system, to use common entrance and exit apertures for optical measurements across a measurement space such as a stack, combustion chamber, duct or pipeline, in such way that the optical paths from the respective light sources to detectors are substantially the same, enabling multiple optical measurements over a single optical path or closely aligned optical paths with equivalent ambient conditions such as temperature and pressure distribution and background substance concentrations. The device and a set of interconnectable devices forming a modular system are useful, for example, in absorption spectroscopy, such as for measuring the amount fraction of the chemical constituents of a fluid in a measurement volume.