Particle Temperature Trend Monitoring via Spectral Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems for monitoring temperature trends of particles in transit fail to accurately assess risk due to differences in ignition temperatures and energies among various particle types, leading to false alarms or missed warnings, as they rely solely on signal strength from heat radiation detectors without considering specific particle characteristics.

Innovation Solution

A sensor arrangement with multiple sensing elements, each detecting radiation within specific wavelength ranges, is used to determine the temperature and energy content of particles, analyzing trends to assess risk levels and send alerts before reaching ignition temperatures, allowing for precise monitoring and optimization of processes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If signal strength from heat radiation detectors is used to determine risk level, then detection capability is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to inability to differentiate between particle types with different ignition temperatures and energies

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection capabilityVSAvoidtemperature measurement precision
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor arrangement is divided into multiple sensing elements, each sensitive to different wavelength ranges. This segmentation allows the system to measure different aspects of radiation emitted by particles, enabling differentiation between particle types based on their spectral characteristics rather than relying on a single overall signal strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Each sensing element is assigned a specific wavelength sensitivity profile tailored to detect characteristics of particular particle types. This local quality assignment allows the system to optimize detection for specific particle characteristics (ignition temperature, energy content) while maintaining overall system reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Device complexity

If a single threshold is used for signal strength comparison, then system simplicity is maintained, but reliability deteriorates due to false alarms and missed warnings for different particle types

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem complexityVSAvoidrisk assessment accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts evaluation criteria based on the detected particle type and its specific ignition characteristics. Rather than using a static single threshold, the system adapts its risk assessment parameters according to the spectral signature identified, improving reliability while managing complexity through algorithmic adaptation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the evaluation parameters based on the detected wavelength distribution characteristics. By identifying which wavelength ranges show highest sensitivity, the system adjusts the threshold and risk assessment parameters accordingly, allowing accurate risk evaluation for different particle types without requiring multiple fixed thresholds.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Speed

If temperature monitoring is performed without considering particle type characteristics, then monitoring speed is maintained, but measurement precision deteriorates due to inability to assess actual ignition risk

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemonitoring speedVSAvoidignition risk assessment precision
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary identification of particle type characteristics through spectral analysis of the radiation signal. By determining the wavelength distribution pattern early in the monitoring process, the system can immediately apply appropriate ignition risk criteria, maintaining fast monitoring while achieving precise risk assessment through preliminary characterization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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

This approach enables accurate detection of temperature trends and energy content changes, providing timely alerts and optimizing processes by differentiating between particle types and their ignition characteristics, thereby reducing the risk of fires or explosions.

Implementation Method 1

a set of at least two sensing elements (140), each set comprising at least two sensing elements (140) arranged to co-operate with mutually separated sensing zones along the path of movement of the particles (160)... detecting radiation emitted from the particles (160)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal radiation: Thermal Radiation

Data Source

PatentEP3755980B1Monitoring of particle temperature trends
Publication Date: 2024.09.11 FIREFLY AB
  • EP3755980B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3755980B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3755980B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

In accordance with one or more embodiments herein, a system (100) for monitoring of temperature trends for particles (160) moving along a path (150) of movement from a first position to a second position is provided. The system (100) comprises a sensor arrangement (120), a field-of-view of which is arranged in the path (150) of movement of the particles (160) to detect a signal related to the temperature of particles (160) moving through said field-of-view. The sensor arrangement comprises at least one set of sensing elements (140) detecting radiation emitted from the particles (160), each set comprising at least two sensing elements arranged to cooperate with mutually separated sensing zones along the path (150) of movement of the particles (160). The system further comprises at least one processing device (180), which is arranged to: receive signals from the sensor arrangement (120); form signals from the at least one set of sensing elements (140) into at least one pulse train when a particle (160) moves through the field-of-view of the sensor arrangement (120); and based on this at least one pulse train monitor changes over time in the temperature of particles (160) moving through the field-of-view of the sensor arrangement (120) by monitoring changes over time in the wavelength distribution of the radiation emitted from the particles (160).