Movable Baffle Plate Impactor for Particle Deposition

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing impactors face challenges in maintaining measurement accuracy and efficiency due to the need for frequent replacement or cleaning of mass-sensitive elements, which limits the utilization of the deposition surface and increases maintenance requirements.

Innovation Solution

The impactor design allows for a motor-driven movement of the baffle plate holder relative to the classifying nozzle, enabling the deposition location on the resonantly oscillating mass-sensitive element to be changed, thereby improving surface utilization and reducing maintenance needs. This is achieved through a rotary or pivoting movement that guides the impact point along a line of constant mass sensitivity, allowing for adaptive positioning of the classifying nozzle and efficient surface utilization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the baffle plate is held stationary with a fixed number of classifying nozzles, then the device structure is simple, but the deposition surface utilization is poor and maintenance frequency increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedeposition surface utilizationVSAvoiddevice structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The baffle plate holder is made movable relative to the classifying nozzle through motor-driven rotation or pivoting, allowing the deposition location on the mass-sensitive element to be dynamically changed. This dynamic positioning enables better utilization of the deposition surface area without requiring multiple parallel nozzles, thus improving productivity while maintaining reasonable device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces rotational or pivoting movement to add a dimensional aspect to the deposition process. By moving the baffle plate holder along an arc or circular path, the carrier gas can deposit particles at different locations on the mass-sensitive element, effectively utilizing the surface area in a two-dimensional manner rather than being limited to a single fixed deposition point.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Productivity

If multiple classifying nozzles are arranged in parallel for uniform loading, then the deposition surface utilization improves, but the device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedeposition surface utilizationVSAvoidnumber of nozzles
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of using multiple static nozzles, the invention employs a single classifying nozzle combined with a movable baffle plate holder. The motor-driven rotation or pivoting mechanism allows one nozzle to sequentially access different deposition locations, achieving uniform loading across the mass-sensitive element surface without requiring multiple nozzles, thus reducing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The movable baffle plate holder effectively creates multiple deposition positions over time through its rotational or pivoting motion. A single classifying nozzle serves multiple functions by depositing particles at different locations during different phases of the motion cycle, replacing the need for multiple physical nozzles arranged in parallel.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Measurement precision

If the mass-sensitive element is frequently replaced or cleaned, then measurement accuracy is maintained, but loss of time and productivity decrease

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement accuracyVSAvoidmaintenance time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The motor-driven movement of the baffle plate holder distributes particle deposition across a larger area of the mass-sensitive element. By guiding the impact point along an arc or circular path, the system maximizes the utilization of the available deposition surface, delaying the point at which the element becomes saturated and requires cleaning or replacement, thus reducing maintenance time while maintaining measurement accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Area of stationary object

If the impact point is fixed on the mass-sensitive element, then the device structure is simple, but the area presented by the element is not fully utilized

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedeposition areaVSAvoidmovement mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The baffle plate holder is equipped with a motor-driven rotation or pivoting mechanism that enables the impact point to move relative to the mass-sensitive element. This dynamic positioning system guides the carrier gas to deposit particles at varying locations on the element, fully utilizing the available deposition area without requiring complex mechanical structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces rotational or pivoting motion to transform the fixed one-dimensional impact point into a two-dimensional deposition pattern. By moving the baffle plate holder along an arc or circular path, the system accesses different areas of the mass-sensitive element, effectively expanding the utilized deposition area through dimensional movement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 enhances measurement accuracy and reduces maintenance frequency by optimizing the deposition area on the mass-sensitive element, allowing for longer intervals between replacements and improved performance characteristics.

Implementation Method 1

the resonant frequency of the resonantly oscillating, mass-sensitive element changes when suspended particles are deposited on the surface

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectResonance: Resonance

Implementation Method 2

the baffle plate holder is arranged such that it can be moved relative to the classifying nozzle by means of a motor. The impactor can thus have a motor, with which a movement of the impact plate holder with the resonantly oscillating, mass-sensitive element can be driven

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRotational movement:

Data Source

PatentEP2684023B1Impactor and method for characterizing a carrier gas enriched with suspended particles
Publication Date: 2019.12.25 TESTO SE & CO KGAA
  • EP2684023B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2684023B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2684023B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

In an impactor (1) having a baffle plate (7) and a classifying nozzle (2) aimed at this baffle plate (7), in which the baffle plate (7) is in the form of an electronically readable, resonantly oscillating, mass-sensitive element (7, 33), it is proposed to move the oscillating crystal (7, 33), which is held in a baffle plate holder (8), relative to the static classifying nozzle (2) using a motor (12) during operation of the impactor (1).