Remote Emission Sensing via Swept Light Beam
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current remote emission sensing systems are limited in measuring absolute amounts of vehicle emissions, struggle with precision due to varying exhaust plume positions, and cannot detect multiple vehicles simultaneously, leading to incomplete and relative measurements of pollutant concentrations.
Innovation Solution
The method and device utilize EDAR technology with a Galvanometer to sweep a beam of light through the exhaust plume, calculating absolute values by comparing absorption spectra and using optical masses to quantify non-methane hydrocarbons, allowing for precise measurement of the entire plume and absolute emission components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a beam of light is directed across the road to measure emissions, then the system can detect exhaust plumes, but it cannot measure absolute amounts of emissions and can only determine relative concentrations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the exhaust plume into multiple measurement zones by directing multiple discrete beams of light at different positions across the plume. Each beam measures absorption at a specific location, and these segmented measurements are integrated to calculate the total absolute emission amount. This resolves the contradiction by transforming a single relative measurement into multiple measurements that collectively provide absolute quantification.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from measuring only the optical depth (one dimension) to measuring optical mass by integrating across the plume's cross-sectional area (adding spatial dimension). By sweeping the light beam across the entire plume width and integrating the absorption signals, the system moves from relative concentration measurement to absolute emission quantification in grams per mile.
2Measurement precision
If the light source and detector are positioned on both sides of the road, then the beam passes through the exhaust plume, but the system cannot detect multiple vehicles simultaneously and struggles with varying plume positions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic sweeping mechanism that moves the light beam across the road width in real-time. This dynamic approach allows the system to track and measure multiple exhaust plumes as vehicles pass by, adapting to varying plume positions and enabling simultaneous detection of multiple vehicles. The sweeping motion transforms a static single-point measurement into a dynamic multi-point measurement system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal measurement system that can handle multiple vehicles, varying plume positions, and different emission scenarios through a single sweeping beam configuration. The system universally measures absolute emissions for any vehicle passing through the measurement zone, regardless of position or speed, making it adaptable to diverse traffic conditions.
3Loss of information
If traditional emission inspection systems are used, then baseline emission information can be obtained, but the systems are expensive, require vast labor and skill, and do not represent real-world driving conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical emission testing equipment with an optical measurement system. Instead of using expensive laboratory-grade analyzers and controlled testing environments, the system uses optical absorption measurement with swept light beams to detect emissions in real-world driving conditions. This substitution dramatically reduces system complexity, cost, and labor requirements while maintaining measurement capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables the system to automatically measure and calculate absolute emission amounts without requiring manual intervention, skilled operators, or controlled testing conditions. The sweeping beam automatically scans across the plume, the system automatically integrates the absorption signals, and the processor automatically calculates emissions in grams per mile, making the system self-sufficient and eliminating the need for vast labor and skill.
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 the remote detection of absolute emission amounts and concentrations, improving precision and capability to measure multiple vehicles simultaneously, providing accurate data on pollutant levels without the need for complex and costly systems.
Implementation Method 1
a beam of light 1115 generated from the source 1110 passes through an exhaust plume 1140 emitted from a vehicle 1105 driven on the road 1101, thereby carrying an absorption signal associated with components and concentrations of the exhaust plume 1140
Implementation Method 2
The controller 101 is further adapted to direct a beam of light 106 emitted from the coherent sources 103 through positioning optics 107, such as a Galvanometer
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Method and device for quantifying ingredients of a plume. In one embodiment, the method includes sweepingly directing a beam of light through the plume to a surface on which the beam of light is scattered, acquiring the scattered light scattered from the surface, and processing the acquired scattered light to determine an amount of ingredients of the plume. In one embodiment, the height of the back of the vehicle is measured as the top of the plume for calculating the total mass-per-distance of the plume. In another embodiment, by comparing the absorption spectrum of the plume and the background absorption spectrum of which no plume exists, the non-methane hydrocarbons (NMHC) of the plume emitted from a vehicle can be quantified.