Modulatable Magnetic Flux Source for Paramagnetic Gas Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current gas measurement devices struggle to selectively measure oxygen concentration in complex gas mixtures, such as those used in anesthesia, due to cross-sensitivities and non-linearities caused by other gases, and are often expensive and prone to errors in dynamic concentration changes.
Innovation Solution
A device with a modulatable magnetic flux source and multiple heat conductivity measuring points, each with a controllable heating structure, operates at different working points to isolate and accurately measure oxygen concentration, allowing for continuous and linear determination of oxygen and other gas concentrations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single heat conductivity measuring device is used to measure oxygen concentration in complex gas mixtures, then the device complexity is reduced, but cross-sensitivities and non-linearities occur due to other gases affecting the measurement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the measurement task into multiple independent measuring points (at least two), each operating at different working conditions. This segmentation allows each sensor to capture specific aspects of the gas mixture, and through evaluation of multiple measured values, the system achieves accurate oxygen concentration measurement while compensating for cross-sensitivities from other gases.
2Measurement precision
If multiple independent sensors optimized for specific target gases are used to detect various gas concentrations, then the measurement precision for individual gases is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal measuring device that can determine concentrations of multiple gases (oxygen, carbon dioxide, anesthetics, noble gases) using a single multi-functional sensor system. The same sensor structure with multiple measuring points operating at different working conditions can identify various gas components, eliminating the need for separate specialized sensors for each gas type.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operating parameters (working conditions) of the measuring points to enable detection of different gas components. By evaluating measured values from multiple measuring points operating at different parameters, the system can identify and quantify various gas concentrations without requiring separate sensors optimized for each specific gas.
3Device complexity
If conventional heat conductivity measuring devices are used in dynamic gas concentration changes, then the device simplicity is maintained, but non-linearities occur in the measurement results
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamic measurement by operating multiple measuring points at different working conditions and continuously evaluating their measured values. This dynamic approach allows the system to track and compensate for non-linear effects in real-time, maintaining measurement accuracy even during dynamic gas concentration changes such as during patient expiration phases in anesthesia monitoring.
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 selective and continuous measurement of oxygen concentration with reduced cross-sensitivities and non-linearities, providing accurate and cost-effective analysis of gas mixtures, even in the presence of multiple components like nitrogen, carbon dioxide, and anesthetics.
Implementation Method 1
the heat conductivity changes in paramagnetic gases (for example, O2 and NO) under the effect of magnetic fields
Implementation Method 2
a sufficiently strong external magnetic field ensures that the magnetic dipole moments of the individual molecules are aligned
Implementation Method 3
oxygen molecules are paramagnetic based on their permanent magnetic dipole moment
Implementation Method 4
a thin measuring wire heated to a working temperature is arranged
Implementation Method 5
this brings about a change in the resistance of the measuring wire
Data Source
AI summary
A device for measuring the concentrations of paramagnetic gases in a gas sample has at least one modulatable magnetic flux source, which has an air gap, to which a gas sample can be fed. A controllable power source, for generating current and voltage signals, is coupled with the modulatable magnetic flux source in order to generate a modulatable magnetic flux within the air gap. Two measuring points are arranged at least partly within the air gap. Each measuring point has an electrically controllable heating device and a heat conduction-measuring unit or resistive measuring device. Each measuring point is coupled with a variable power source to heat the heating device to a working temperature. Each measuring point is coupled with a measuring circuit to measure heat conduction measured signals generated by the heat conduction-measuring unit, from which the concentrations of paramagnetic gases, which are contained in the gas sample, can be derived.