Pipe-Window Spectroscopy Probe Alignment for Suspension Liquids

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing spectroscopic measurement devices face challenges in accurately measuring components in suspension liquids due to light dispersion and contamination issues, particularly when dealing with pipes of various shapes and materials, and variations in particle size or type, which complicate the design and increase costs.

Innovation Solution

A spectroscopic measurement device with a variable mechanism for adjusting the angle and position of light application and reception relative to a pipe's window portion, allowing for accurate measurements despite varying pipe shapes, materials, and particle sizes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a measurement portion is immersed into suspension liquid for diffuse reflected light measurement, then measurement can be performed on suspension liquids, but the measurement portion becomes complicatedly structured and suspension liquid adheres to and contaminates the measurement portion

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement capability on suspension liquidVSAvoidmeasurement portion structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the measurement function from a complex immersed probe structure and relocates it to a simple external configuration. The light source and detector are positioned outside the suspension liquid flow path, with light passing through the pipe wall to measure the liquid without physical contact, thereby eliminating contamination and structural complexity while maintaining measurement capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Ease of operation

If light is transmitted through window material for measurement, then non-contact measurement is enabled, but light absorption by window material and reflected light at surfaces affect measurement accuracy

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenon-contact measurement capabilityVSAvoidmeasurement accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention introduces a variable mechanism that dynamically adjusts the angle and position of light irradiation and detection relative to the pipe window. This allows the optical system to adapt to different pipe geometries, materials, and suspension liquid properties, optimizing the measurement path to minimize window material absorption and reflection effects while maintaining non-contact measurement capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the parameters of light irradiation (angle, position, wavelength) and detection to optimize measurement conditions. By varying these parameters, the system can compensate for window material effects and adapt to different measurement scenarios, thereby maintaining high measurement accuracy in non-contact configuration

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If probe structure is designed in advance for various pipes and suspension liquids, then comprehensive measurement coverage is achieved, but duration and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement coverageVSAvoiddesign and manufacturing duration
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The invention creates a universal measurement system with adjustable optical parameters that can measure various pipe types, shapes, and suspension liquids using a single standardized probe design. The variable mechanism allows one probe to adapt to multiple measurement conditions, eliminating the need for custom-designed probes for each application and significantly reducing design and manufacturing time and cost

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 accurate spectroscopic measurements in diverse production environments by minimizing light absorption and reflection at the pipe's window material, reducing contamination, and optimizing measurement conditions.

Implementation Method 1

When a component is suspended in a liquid, light is dispersed by the suspending component

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight scattering: Scattering

Implementation Method 2

light absorption by the window material caused according to a distance during transmission through the window material

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 3

irradiation light reflected by the window material is prevented from being measured again

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight reflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP4722694A1Spectroscopic measurement device and adjustment method therefor
Publication Date: 2026.04.08 HITACHI HIGH TECH CORP
  • EP4722694A1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP4722694A1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4722694A1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

To provide: a device which performs spectroscopic measurement on a suspension liquid handled in the field of pharmaceutical products, foods, or chemistry without taking out the suspension liquid from the inside of a pipe, and is capable of accurate measurement even when the device is attached to pipes of various shapes and materials; and a measurement condition adjustment method, the following configuration is adopted. A measurement device for measuring an optical spectrum of a liquid flowing in a pipe provided with a window material includes: a measurement probe having a light irradiation unit and a light reception unit; and a movement mechanism for moving the measurement probe, in which the movement direction of the measurement probe includes a rotation angle for changing the direction of the probe and a direction different from the axial direction of the pipe. The position of the measurement probe is adjusted by using both or one of the S/N ratio and the intensity of the measured values at the wavelength of interest.