Multi-Channel Optical Gas Sensor with Focusing Optics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional gas sensors are limited in their ability to simultaneously detect multiple gases and particulates, requiring separate sensors for each gas and lacking a compact and cost-effective solution for multi-gas monitoring, especially for gases like oxygen where NDIR technology is not applicable.
Innovation Solution
A novel optical sensor design that utilizes a single gas chamber with multiple optopairs, each with a radiation source and detector, and focusing optics to form images, allowing for concurrent detection of multiple gases and particulates using different optical measurement principles such as NDIR, fluorescent probes, and scattering, without the need for dedicated components for each gas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If separate sensors are used for each gas, then detection accuracy for each gas is maintained, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple separate gas detection channels are merged into a single integrated sensor unit. Each gas detection channel includes its own optopair (radiation source and detector) but they share common components including the gas chamber, focusing optics, and housing structure. This merging reduces the total number of discrete components while maintaining the ability to detect multiple gases simultaneously with individualized measurement paths.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor design implements multi-functionality by enabling a single device to detect multiple different gases (such as methane, carbon monoxide, and oxygen) through multiple optical measurement channels. Each channel is configured with specific optical parameters for different gases, allowing the universal sensor platform to perform specialized detection functions for various gas types without requiring separate dedicated sensors for each gas.
2Reliability
If separate sensors are used for each gas, then each gas can be detected independently, but the system becomes less compact and more expensive
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple independent detection channels are combined within a single compact housing. Each channel maintains its independent optical path from radiation source through the gas chamber to the detector, ensuring independent detection capability. The channels share common infrastructure including the gas chamber volume, focusing optics, and structural components, achieving space-efficient integration while preserving functional independence for simultaneous multi-gas detection.
3Measurement precision
If NDIR technology is used, then accurate detection of combustible gases is achieved, but detection of other gases like oxygen is not possible
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor system achieves universality by incorporating multiple optopairs with different optical configurations within the same device. One or more channels use NDIR technology with infrared sources and detectors optimized for combustible gases like methane and carbon monoxide. Additional channels use different optical principles such as paramagnetic detection for oxygen or fluorescent probe detection for other gases. This multi-principle approach allows a single sensor platform to detect a broad range of gas types including both combustible and non-combustible gases.
Solution Approach 2:
The detection system is segmented into multiple independent measurement channels, each optimized for specific gas types. The segmentation allows each channel to use the most appropriate detection principle for its target gas while maintaining physical integration. For example, one channel is segmented for NDIR detection of hydrocarbons, another for paramagnetic detection of oxygen, and potentially additional channels for other gas types, with each segment operating independently but sharing common structural resources.
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
Enables simultaneous, accurate, and cost-effective detection of multiple gases and particulates within the same physical volume, improving the compactness and reliability of gas monitoring systems by sharing optical components and reducing the impact of ambient light.
Implementation Method 1
the radiation received from the radiation source by the radiation detector is modified by the first target gas or particulate present in the gas sample
Implementation Method 2
focusing optics able to form an image of an object
Implementation Method 3
focusing optics able to form an image of an object
Implementation Method 4
a radiation detector adapted to output a signal in response to detected radiation
Data Source
AI summary
A gas or particulate sensor is provided for the detection of at least two target gases and/or particulates. The sensor comprises: a chamber for containing a gas sample under test; a first optical measurement channel configured for the detection of a first target gas or particulate within the gas sample, and a second optical measurement channel configured for the detection of a second target gas or particulate within the gas sample, each optical measurement channel comprising a respective optopair which comprises a radiation source adapted to emit radiation and a radiation detector adapted to output a signal in response to detected radiation; and focusing optics able to form an image of an object. At least the first optical measurement channel is configured such that the radiation detector of the respective optopair receives via the focusing optics an image of the corresponding radiation source, whereby the radiation received from the radiation source by the radiation detector is modified by the first target gas or particulate present in the gas sample such that the output signal from the radiation detector provides information as to the presence of the first target gas or particulate in the gas sample.