Optical Probe Solid Bar Design for Flow Measurement
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical probes for measuring physical and chemical characteristics of transparent fluid media during flow are costly, complex, prone to alignment errors, sensitive to vibrations, and limited in spatial resolution, causing disturbances that alter measurement results and are susceptible to corrosion from the fluid medium.
Innovation Solution
An optical probe with a simplified structure featuring solid, optically transparent bars with projecting corners for minimizing flow disturbances, where the light beam propagates rectilinearly within the bars and is refracted at the corners to reduce turbulence and shockwave effects, minimizing the path through disturbed medium regions, and using total internal reflections for enhanced accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If hollow tubes with multiple optical components (mirrors, prisms, lenses) are used in each finger, then the light beam can be propagated and measured, but the device becomes complex, costly, and sensitive to vibrations and alignment errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the light propagation function directly into the finger structure itself. Instead of using separate hollow tubes with internal optical components, the finger material itself serves as the light guide, eliminating the need for mirrors, prisms, and lenses. This integration simplifies the device while maintaining measurement reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the optical function from separate components and embeds it within the finger structure. The light propagation path is taken out of complex assemblies and integrated directly into the solid bar geometry, removing vulnerable components while preserving the essential measurement capability.
2Measurement precision
If the upstream end of each finger is shaped with a projecting corner to split the flow, then flow disturbances are reduced, but the probe still causes turbulence and shockwaves that affect measurement accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a projecting corner only at the upstream end of each finger, while keeping the rest of the finger as a simple solid bar. This localized geometric modification specifically targets the flow separation issue at the front of the probe, reducing turbulence and shockwaves without requiring complex modifications throughout the entire finger structure.
3Measurement precision
If the light beam path is positioned far from the upstream end face to avoid disturbed regions, then measurement accuracy improves, but the probe dimensions increase and spatial resolution is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the spatial arrangement by positioning the optical window on the side of the finger rather than at the downstream end. This lateral placement allows the light beam to exit through the side region, enabling the measurement path to be positioned closer to the upstream end while still avoiding the most disturbed flow regions, thus reducing probe length.
4Device complexity
If solid bars with optical quality surfaces are used instead of hollow tubes, then the device is simplified and miniaturized, but the light beam must undergo refraction and reflection at multiple interfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by having the solid bar structure itself perform the optical functions of light guidance and transmission. The bar's geometry and material properties automatically provide the necessary refraction and reflection at its surfaces, eliminating the need for separate optical components and simplifying manufacturing while maintaining optical performance.
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 probe provides more representative measurement results with improved spatial resolution, reduced sensitivity to alignment defects and corrosion, and increased accuracy due to its miniaturized design and reduced disturbance in the flow, allowing for precise characterization of fluid media without the probe's presence.
Implementation Method 1
the side region of optical quality of each finger is situated in the projecting corner of this finger... the light beam is refracted at the corners to reduce turbulence and shockwave effects
Implementation Method 2
using total internal reflections for enhanced accuracy
Implementation Method 3
The Doppler effect which affects the detection of spectroscopic absorption bands of the medium allows obtaining a measurement of the velocity of the flow
Data Source
AI summary
An optical probe for measuring physical and chemical characteristics of a transparent fluid medium during flow comprises two fingers parallel to one another and to the flow. Each finger consists of a solid bar of transparent material, in which a light beam propagates and is reflected on an end face of the bar, said face being situated upstream in the flow. Such an optical probe may be reduced in size, and provides results which are less sensitive to disturbances of the flow that are caused by the probe itself.