Optical Flow Sensor with Particle-Based Reaction Carrier
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gas measurement systems require separate sensors for detecting gas flow and chemical reactions, which complicates the measurement process and may lead to malfunction detection issues when the component to be measured is below the detection limit.
Innovation Solution
A reaction carrier with a flow channel filled with particles that change position in response to gas flow, allowing optical detection of both the reaction and flow, eliminating the need for a separate mass flow sensor and enabling repeated or continuous measurements through mechanical, electric, or magnetic restoring forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If separate sensors are used for detecting gas flow and chemical reactions, then measurement functions are comprehensive, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the gas flow detection function and chemical reaction detection function into a single optical sensor system. The reaction carrier contains particles that change their optical properties (reflection, absorption, or emission) in response to gas flow, while also containing a reactant that undergoes optically detectable chemical reactions. This allows one optical sensor to simultaneously detect both gas flow and chemical reaction products, eliminating the need for separate sensors and reducing system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical sensor system is designed to perform multiple functions: detecting gas flow rate through particle response and detecting chemical reaction products through optical changes. This multi-functional approach allows a single sensor system to replace what would traditionally require multiple specialized sensors, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining comprehensive measurement capabilities.
2Adaptability or versatility
If separate sensors are used for gas flow and reaction detection, then measurement coverage is complete, but ease of operation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
By merging gas flow detection and chemical reaction detection into a single optical measurement process, the system simplifies operation. The optical sensor simultaneously captures information about gas flow rate and reaction products in one measurement cycle, eliminating the need for operators to coordinate multiple sensors and interpret separate measurements, thereby improving ease of operation while maintaining complete measurement coverage.
3Device complexity
If particles are used to detect gas flow optically, then sensor system is simplified, but measurement precision may be affected when component is below detection limit
Solution Approach 1:
The reaction carrier contains a reactant that chemically amplifies the detection of target components. When gas flows through the carrier, the reactant undergoes a chemical reaction with the target component, producing reaction products that cause significant optical changes. This preliminary chemical action enhances the optical signal, improving measurement precision for low concentrations while the particle-based optical detection system maintains its simplicity.
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
Simplifies the sensor system by allowing optical detection of gas flow and reaction, enhancing measurement accuracy and enabling continuous operation by distinguishing between particle positions, thus improving the reliability of gas concentration measurements.
Implementation Method 1
The flow channel is filled at least partially with particles... which are brought into a flow position by an admitted gas flow through the flow channel
Implementation Method 2
the reactant... is designed to react with at least one component to be measured in the gas mixture or with a reaction product of the component to be measured in an optically detectable manner
Implementation Method 3
The particles may have mechanical, electric and/or magnetic properties in order to be moved back into a restored position by a mechanical, electric and/or magnetic restoring force acting on the particles
Implementation Method 4
The particles may have mechanical, electric and/or magnetic properties in order to be moved back into a restored position by a mechanical, electric and/or magnetic restoring force acting on the particles
Implementation Method 5
The particles may have mechanical, electric and/or magnetic properties in order to be moved back into a restored position by a mechanical, electric and/or magnetic restoring force acting on the particles
Data Source
AI summary
A measuring system (10) and method measure a concentration of components of a gas mixture of gas/aerosol. A reaction support (14) has a flow channel (42) that forms a reaction chamber (46) with an optically detectable reactant (48) that reacts with at least one component or with a reaction product of the component. The flow channel (42) is at least partially filled with particles (100, 102, 104, 110) which have a pre-flow starting position and to which a gas flow is applied through the flow channel (42) in a flow position. The particles (100, 102, 104, 110) are designed (configured) in such a manner that the particles (100, 102, 104, 110) in the starting position and the particles (100, 102, 104, 110) in the flow position can be optically distinguished. The invention also relates to an optical flow sensor (109) for determining a flow of a fluid.