Recursive 3D Particle Tracking Velocimetry Algorithm for Ghost Particle Reduction

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Particle Tracking Velocimetry (PTV) faces challenges in accurately identifying and tracking individual particles in three-dimensional particle laden flows due to errors such as 'ghost' particles and particle image overlap, especially at higher particle densities, which affect the precision of particle positioning and trajectory analysis.

Innovation Solution

A recursive PTV algorithm that enhances particle reconstruction by initializing recursive iterations with information from prior iterations, using particle property data like location, size, and intensity to improve identification and matching of particle images, and triangulating three-dimensional positions to reduce errors and increase accuracy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If particle density is increased to improve measurement coverage, then the quantity of detectable particles increases, but the error rate from ghost particles and image overlap increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveparticle densityVSAvoiderror rate
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the particle identification process into multiple independent stages: initial particle detection, candidate generation, matching across images, and final verification. This segmentation allows the system to handle high particle densities by processing particles in manageable groups through iterative refinement, reducing the impact of ghost particles and overlap errors at each stage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements iterative algorithms where particle positions and properties from one iteration serve as feedback for subsequent iterations. The system continuously refines particle identification by using previously identified particles to guide the detection of nearby particles, correcting errors through feedback loops that adjust detection parameters based on observed patterns and reduce ghost particle formation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Measurement precision

If resolution requirements are increased to improve particle positioning accuracy, then measurement precision improves, but computational complexity and processing time increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveparticle positioning accuracyVSAvoidcomputational complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial action by focusing computational resources on regions with highest particle density and uncertainty rather than uniformly processing the entire field of view at maximum resolution. The system performs coarse initial identification followed by refined analysis only where needed, achieving high precision for critical particles while reducing overall computational burden.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary actions by pre-processing images to identify candidate particle regions and pre-calculating detection parameters before final particle identification. This preliminary processing establishes a framework that guides subsequent high-precision measurements, reducing the computational complexity required for the main analysis while maintaining accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If iterative particle reconstruction is performed to improve accuracy, then particle identification reliability improves, but processing time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveparticle identification reliabilityVSAvoidprocessing time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic action through iterative reconstruction cycles that systematically review and refine particle identifications in regular intervals. Each iteration performs targeted checks on specific particle regions and updates only the necessary parameters, allowing the system to achieve high reliability through multiple passes while minimizing redundant computations compared to continuous refinement approaches.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentUS11393105B2System and method for three dimensional particle imaging velocimetry and particle tracking velocimetry
Publication Date: 2022.07.19 TSI INC
  • US11393105B2 patent drawing
  • US11393105B2 patent drawing
  • US11393105B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A particle velocimetry system and algorithm are provided for executing a particle reconstruction to determine three-dimensional positions of particles in a particle laden fluid flow from two-dimensional flow images generated by two-dimensional image sensors; generate a three-dimensional particle distribution from the three-dimensional position; and execute a recursive loop for performing further iterations of particle reconstruction and generation of three-dimensional particle distributions, with recursive iterations of particle reconstruction executed with the use of particle property data obtained from the prior executed iteration of particle reconstruction.