Optical Accessory With Movable Reflectors for Flame Detector Training
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flame detection systems in industrial settings are prone to false alarms due to infrared energy reflection from shiny objects, which can mimic known flames, leading to undesirable alerts.
Innovation Solution
An optical accessory with moveable reflector plates that can switch between reflecting and transmitting infrared waves, coupled with a processor to train the flame detector using machine learning, distinguishing between friendly and unfriendly flames based on wave patterns.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the flame detector uses infrared detection to identify flames, then the detection capability is improved, but false alarms occur due to infrared reflection from shiny objects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs moveable reflector plates that can dynamically change orientation between a first orientation (reflecting infrared waves toward the detector) and a second orientation (allowing linear infrared wave passage). This dynamic reconfiguration enables the system to collect multiple types of infrared data (reflected and direct) from the same flame source, providing varied training data for machine learning algorithms to distinguish genuine flames from reflections, thereby improving detection accuracy while reducing false alarms
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary training actions by collecting infrared wave data in advance using the reflector plates in different orientations. The machine learning model is trained offline using datasets generated with reflector plates positioned in both first and second orientations, enabling the detector to learn the characteristics of genuine flames versus reflections before actual deployment, thus improving reliability without compromising detection capability
2Measurement precision
If the system collects multiple sets of infrared data for training, then the machine learning model accuracy is improved, but the device complexity increases due to moveable reflector plates
Solution Approach 1:
The moveable reflector plates serve multiple functions: they act as infrared wave reflectors during data collection, function as optical path modifiers for different measurement modes, and enable the system to generate diverse training datasets. This multi-functionality allows a single component to address multiple needs (data collection, system calibration, and model training) without requiring separate dedicated devices, thereby limiting the increase in overall device complexity while still improving detection accuracy
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
Enhances the accuracy of flame detection by differentiating between genuine and reflected infrared signals, reducing false alarms and improving safety in industrial environments.
Implementation Method 1
When each reflector plate is positioned in the first orientation, the plurality of reflector plates are configured to receive infrared waves from the first opening of the body and reflect the infrared waves towards the second opening of the body and towards the flame detector
Implementation Method 2
When each reflector plate is positioned in the second orientation, the plurality of reflector plates are configured to allow infrared waves to travel along a linear path from the first opening to the second opening of the body and to the flame detector
Data Source
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Figure 2
Figure 3A
AI summary
An optical accessory (104) for training a flame detector (102) is disclosed. The optical accessory comprises a body (202) defining a first opening (204) and a second opening (206), the first opening and the second opening being positioned at opposite ends of body. Further, a plurality of reflector plates (208) positioned within and moveably coupled to the body, each reflector plate being configured to move from a first orientation (214) to a second orientation (216) relative to the body. When each reflector plate is positioned in the first orientation, the plurality of reflector plates are configured to receive infrared waves (226) from the first opening of the body and reflect the infrared waves towards the second opening of the body. And when each reflector plate is positioned in the second orientation, the plurality of reflector plates are configured to allow infrared waves to travel along a linear path from the first opening to the second opening of the body.