Optical Sensor Arrangement for Fuel Water Detection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current sensor arrangements for detecting free water in fuels, particularly kerosene, are unable to provide continuous and quantitative measurements, are prone to leaks, and lack self-checking capabilities, making them unreliable and maintenance-intensive.
Innovation Solution
An optical sensor arrangement using two parallel glass rod lenses with oblique interfaces, a single light source, and a receiver, where the lenses are sealed within a housing to prevent kerosene ingress, allowing for precise light refraction and scattering detection without the need for calibration, enabling continuous and quantitative water detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional lenses are used in sensor arrangements, then light detection can be achieved, but kerosene ingress causes leaks and reliability problems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional mechanical lens systems with an optical fiber-based sensing system. The optical fibers transmit light through the kerosene medium without requiring mechanical seals or direct contact between lenses and the liquid, thereby eliminating the leak problem while maintaining detection functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces optical fibers as an intermediary medium between the light source and the detection point. The fibers transmit light through the kerosene without the need for direct optical component contact, serving as a mediator that prevents kerosene ingress while enabling light transmission for detection.
2Measurement precision
If qualitative measurement devices are used, then continuous monitoring is possible, but quantitative measurement capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs a sensor system that simultaneously provides both qualitative and quantitative measurement capabilities. By using optical fiber transmission with precise light intensity modulation and detection, the system can continuously monitor water content levels while providing accurate quantitative data, combining the advantages of both measurement types into a single universal device.
3Measurement precision
If complex sensor arrangements are used, then measurement precision can be improved, but device complexity and maintenance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the complex lens and sealing mechanisms from the sensor arrangement, leaving only the essential optical fiber transmission system. By removing unnecessary mechanical components and focusing on the core light transmission function, the system achieves high measurement precision with minimal complexity and maintenance requirements.
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 solution provides a durable, cost-effective, and maintenance-friendly sensor that can accurately detect low water concentrations in fuels, reducing errors and extending the operational lifespan by ensuring reliable and precise measurements.
Implementation Method 1
two glass rod lenses (20a, 20b) arranged parallel to one another, each of which is polished in relation to its optical axis
Implementation Method 2
even with a very low concentration of the first medium in the second medium, portions of scattered light resulting from droplets of the first medium are guided
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to an optical sensor arrangement for detecting a first liquid medium in a second liquid medium by means of reflection of an emitted light beam at a wavelength, with a light source and an associated receiver, wherein two round glass rod lenses which are encapsulated in a housing are arranged parallel to one another. The glass rod lenses have an optical refractive index which is different from that of the liquid media. A reflection surface which is connected to the housing is arranged opposite the glass rod lenses. There is also a control device having a beam splitter, a second receiver and a third receiver which are arranged opposite one another.