Optical Particle Identification System for Harsh Environments

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing particle identification systems are not compact or rugged enough to operate in harsh environments, such as gas turbine engines, where extreme temperatures, pressures, and electromagnetic interference (EMI) are present, and they fail to effectively identify particle composition and provide particle statistics in both gaseous and liquid media.

Innovation Solution

A particle identification system using optical sensors with sensor probes connected via optical fibers to isolated electro-optical units, employing light scattering techniques like multi-angular, multi-wavelength, and Raman scattering spectroscopy, which separates passive optical components from temperature-sensitive components and electronics, making it resistant to harsh conditions and EMI.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional particle identification systems are used, then particle composition can be identified, but the systems are not compact or rugged enough for harsh environments

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem ruggednessVSAvoidsystem compactness

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system is divided into separate modules: a compact sensor probe for harsh environments and a separate processing unit for data analysis. This segmentation allows the probe to be rugged and compact while the processing unit can be more complex but located remotely, resolving the contradiction between system ruggedness and compactness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Optical fibers serve as an intermediary between the sensor probe and the processing unit, transmitting light and data without requiring direct physical connection. This allows the probe to be isolated in harsh environments while the processing unit remains protected, achieving both ruggedness and compactness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If sensor probes are exposed to harsh environments, then real-time particle detection is possible, but temperature-sensitive components and electronics fail

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereal-time detection capabilityVSAvoidcomponent survival

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Temperature-sensitive components and electronics are extracted from the sensor probe and placed in a protected environment. Only the optical sensing elements remain in the harsh environment, allowing real-time detection while protecting sensitive components from thermal damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Electrical connections are replaced with optical fiber connections between the probe and processing unit. This substitution eliminates the need for electrical components in the harsh environment, as optical fibers are immune to electromagnetic interference and thermal effects that would damage electronics.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Measurement precision

If optical sensors are used in corrosive liquids, then particle characterization is achieved, but the sensors are damaged by corrosion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveparticle characterization accuracyVSAvoidsensor durability

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The optical sensor probe is enclosed in a protective housing or window material that is resistant to corrosion from the liquid environment. This protective barrier allows the optical sensing to occur while the sensor components remain protected from corrosive damage, maintaining both measurement precision and sensor durability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 effectively identifies particle composition and provides size, size distribution, and mass concentration in both benign and harsh environments, including high temperatures, high pressures, and corrosive liquids, while minimizing interference from EMI.

Implementation Method 1

uses light scattering to make such measurements

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight scattering: Scattering

Implementation Method 2

employing light scattering techniques like multi-angular, multi-wavelength, and Raman scattering spectroscopy

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRaman scattering spectroscopy:

Data Source

PatentUS11237089B2Method and system for particle characterization and identification

Publication Date: 2022.02.01 THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AS REPRESENTED BY THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY

AI summary

Disclosed herein is a novel, compact, real time optical particle identification and characterization system and method of use within both gaseous and liquid media. The system can implement elastic and/or inelastic light scattering techniques simultaneously and complimentarily under the same sensor platform. By separating the sensing components from the electro-optical unit and using optical fibers for interconnection, only the sensing components need to be exposed to the environmental conditions. This reduces the design constraints on the electro-optical unit and permits the incorporation of optical components into the sensor probe that can withstand high-temperature, high-pressure, and corrosive environments. Thus, the system can be used in benign, moderate, and harsh environments.