Multiplexed Light Beam Gas Analysis System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional gas analysis systems face challenges in accurately detecting and characterizing gas plumes due to low signal-to-noise ratios, requiring longer scan times and struggling to identify gas sources over large, spread-out gas infrastructure.
Innovation Solution
A gas analysis system that uses a spectroscopy assembly coupled with an unmanned aerial vehicle, emitting multiplexed light beams to detect gas plumes, determining spectral intensity, and capable of scanning multiple types of gases simultaneously, providing faster and more accurate detection with enhanced scanning capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional gas analysis systems use single light beam detection, then the system structure is simple, but the detection accuracy and signal-to-noise ratio are low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple light beams into a multiplexed light beam that simultaneously probes different gas components. By merging multiple detection channels into a single integrated system, the patent achieves higher detection accuracy for multiple gas types while avoiding the complexity of operating separate detection systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The multiplexed light beam system serves multiple detection functions simultaneously, enabling the detection of various gas components (CO2, CH4, N2O, etc.) with a single integrated detection mechanism rather than requiring separate specialized detectors for each gas type.
2Productivity
If traditional systems perform sequential scanning of gas components, then the device complexity is low, but the detection time is long
Solution Approach 1:
The multiplexed light beam enables continuous simultaneous detection of multiple gas components rather than sequential scanning. All gas components are detected in parallel during a single scan cycle, eliminating the time delay inherent in sequential measurement approaches.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses periodic modulation of the multiplexed light beam at different frequencies to encode information from multiple gas components, allowing simultaneous detection through frequency-domain separation while maintaining continuous operation.
3Measurement precision
If traditional systems use broad area scanning, then the coverage area is large, but the gas source identification capability is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the detection process by using multiple targeted light beams that can be directed at specific locations within the scan area. Each light beam can be focused on particular regions to identify gas sources, while the overall system maintains broad coverage capabilities.
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
The system achieves quicker and more accurate detection of gas plumes, determining gas concentration profiles and flow rates, while scanning larger areas and identifying gas shapes, thus improving operational efficiency in gas infrastructure maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
a multiplexer configured to combine a plurality of light beams into a multiplexed light beam
Implementation Method 2
a collection optic configured to receive a reflected multiplexed light beam from the target surface
Implementation Method 3
a controller configured to de-multiplex the multiplexed light beam into a plurality of reflected light beams and determine a spectral intensity of the plurality of reflected light beams
Data Source
AI summary
A gas analysis system includes a spectroscopy assembly coupled to a vehicle. The spectroscopy assembly includes a multiplexer configured to combine a plurality of light beams into a multiplexed light beam, wherein the multiplexer is configured to direct the multiplexed light beam toward a target surface. Additionally, the spectroscopy assembly includes a collection optic configured to receive a reflected multiplexed light beam from the target surface. Further, the spectroscopy assembly includes a controller configured to de-multiplex the multiplexed light beam into a plurality of reflected light beams and determine a spectral intensity of the plurality of reflected light beams.