Remote Emissions Sensor Array Eliminates Rotating Filters
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing remote exhaust emissions measurement systems face challenges such as the need for complex and error-prone rotating devices, inability to measure multiple gas components concurrently, transient operation of vehicle engines, and difficulties in self-calibration, leading to inaccurate readings and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
A compact remote vehicle emissions measurement system using a radiation source, adaptable radiation detection unit, and processing unit that allows concurrent measurement of multiple gas components without rotating devices, with embedded power and wireless communication for self-calibration and accurate data processing, including speed and acceleration detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If rotating devices (reflecting wheel, movable filter) are used to enable detectors to receive different wavelength bands, then multiple gas components can be analyzed, but the system complexity increases with many parts requiring manufacturing, assembly, alignment, maintenance, and calibration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the rotating mechanical components (filter wheel, reflecting wheel, movable mirrors) from the system. Instead of using mechanical rotation to present different filters to a single detector, the invention uses a fixed detector array where each detector is paired with its own dedicated filter, removing the need for rotating parts while maintaining the capability to measure multiple gas components.
Solution Approach 2:
The system segments the detection function by dividing it into multiple independent detector-filter pairs. Rather than one detector serving multiple wavelengths through rotation, each wavelength band has its own dedicated detector and filter combination, allowing simultaneous measurement without mechanical movement.
2Adaptability or versatility
If rotating devices with multiple filters and detectors are used, then various gas components can be monitored, but measurement accuracy decreases due to light-bleed from filter edges and different detector responses to ambient conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the rotating mechanical components that cause alignment errors and light-bleed problems. By using a fixed detector array with dedicated filters for each detector, the system eliminates the sources of measurement error associated with moving parts while maintaining multi-component detection capability.
3Device complexity
If sequential detection with rotating filter wheel is used, then a single detector can measure multiple wavelengths, but time lapse exists between responses for different gas components leading to errors in calculating concentrations
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the detection function across multiple fixed detectors instead of using sequential detection with a single rotating detector. Each detector simultaneously measures a specific wavelength band, eliminating time lapses between measurements and enabling accurate concentration calculations for multiple gas components at the same instant.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces periodic action (rotating filter wheel presenting different filters sequentially) with simultaneous action (multiple fixed filters presenting different wavelength bands at the same time). This eliminates the time delays inherent in sequential measurement systems.
4Adaptability or versatility
If rotating devices with multiple components are used, then various emission components can be detected, but the system bulk and complexity increase considerably
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the bulky rotating mechanical components (filter wheel, reflecting wheel, movable mirrors, and associated drive mechanisms) from the system. The fixed detector array configuration achieves the same multi-component detection capability with significantly reduced system volume and no moving parts.
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 system provides accurate, instantaneous measurements of multiple gas components, reduces errors from transient engine operations, and enables self-calibration, enhancing measurement accuracy and reducing costs by eliminating the need for complex setups and rotating parts.
Implementation Method 1
a remote sensing system, wherein a rotating device, such as a reflecting wheel or a movable filter is incorporated for allowing one or more detectors to receive a beam with different wavelength bands passing through the emission plume, whereby various gas components of the plume can be analyzed and monitored
Data Source
AI summary
A remote vehicle emissions measurement system including a radiation source, an adaptable radiation detection unit and a processing unit, characterized in that the radiation source includes an infrared source, an ultraviolet source or a combination thereof; the radiation detection unit includes one or more detachable and expandable detecting elements for receiving the set of predetermined wavelength bands and producing a plurality of corresponding responses concurrently at any one time instant; and the processing unit includes one or more specific software and hardware for calculating the concentrations of various gas components thereof, the relative ratio of one gas component to the others, or the absolute emission values of each of the gas components thereof in an accurate and practicable manner.