Refractive Beamsplitter for Multi-Channel Gas Sensor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multi-channel radiation sensor assemblies for gas component analysis are prone to mechanical interference and require significant space, leading to inaccuracies in gas proportion determination and inefficient design.
Innovation Solution
A non-dispersive multi-channel radiation sensor assembly with a refractive beam splitter arrangement that distributes measurement radiation into different irradiation areas, allowing for even distribution to band filters and sensors, minimizing interference and space requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a beam splitter arrangement is used to split the measurement radiation into multiple beams for multi-channel detection, then the measurement capability and information extraction are improved, but the device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple beam splitter arrangements into a single integrated unit that distributes measurement radiation to multiple band filters and sensors simultaneously. This merging approach maintains multi-channel detection capability while reducing the overall device complexity compared to separate beam splitters for each channel.
Solution Approach 2:
The beam splitter arrangement utilizes spatial distribution of radiation beams in different directions and planes to achieve multi-channel detection. By organizing the beam paths in a multi-dimensional spatial arrangement, the system increases measurement capability without linearly increasing device complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If mechanical components and filters are arranged in a conventional configuration, then the measurement channels can be established, but mechanical interference and vibrations affect measurement precision
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional mechanical beam routing with an optimized optical arrangement where the beam splitter arrangement distributes radiation through carefully designed optical paths. This substitution minimizes mechanical interference and vibrations that would otherwise affect measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The beam splitter arrangement acts as an intermediary element that distributes measurement radiation to multiple band filters and sensors while isolating the measurement channels from mechanical disturbances. The optical intermediary design protects the measurement paths from direct mechanical interference.
3Measurement precision
If the beam splitter arrangement is designed to distribute radiation evenly to multiple band filters, then measurement uniformity and precision are improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The beam splitter arrangement utilizes controlled parameters such as beam angles, optical path lengths, and filter positions to achieve even radiation distribution. By optimizing these parameters within tolerable manufacturing ranges, the system achieves measurement uniformity without requiring extreme manufacturing precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The design incorporates marginally excessive optical path lengths and beam distribution angles that provide a buffer against manufacturing variations. This partial excess in design parameters ensures measurement uniformity even when manufacturing precision is within standard tolerances, reducing the stringency of precision 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 enhances the insensitivity to interference and reduces the space needed for the sensor assembly, improving the accuracy and reliability of gas component analysis by ensuring uniform radiation distribution across multiple band filters and sensors.
Implementation Method 1
a beam splitter arrangement (84) configured to split a beam of measurement radiation incident on the beam splitter arrangement along a predetermined beam axis
Implementation Method 2
a first bandpass filter (90) reachable by a first part of the measurement radiation with a predetermined first bandwidth and with a transmission maximum at a predetermined first useful signal wavelength
Implementation Method 3
a first measurement radiation-use signal sensor (92) arranged in the beam path behind the first bandpass filter (90), onto which measurement radiation passing through the first bandpass filter (90) is incident
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a non-dispersive multi-channel radiation sensor assembly (54), comprising: a beamsplitter assembly (84), a first band-pass filter (90), which has a predefined first bandwidth and has a transmission maximum at a predefined first useful-signal wavelength, a first measurement-radiation useful-signal sensor (92), which is arranged downstream of the first band-pass filter (90) in the beam path, a second band-pass filter (94), which has a transmission maximum at a predefined first reference-signal wavelength, a first measurement-radiation reference-signal sensor (96), which is arranged downstream of the second band-pass filter (94) in the beam path. According to the invention, the beamsplitter assembly has a first irradiation region (84a) and a second irradiation region (84b), in which irradiation regions the beamsplitter assembly (84) is irradiated with measurement radiation, the first irradiation region (84a) and the second irradiation region (84b) being optically designed in such a way that the beamsplitter assembly (84) deflects, in the first irradiation region (84a), a first part (64a) of the measurement radiation onto the first band-pass filter (90) and a second part (64c) of the measurement radiation onto the second band-pass filter (94) and that the beamsplitter assembly (84) deflects, in the second irradiation region (84b), a first part (64b) of the measurement radiation onto the second band-pass filter (94) and a second part (64d) of the measurement radiation onto the first band-pass filter (90).