Component Concentration Measurement with Segmented Optical Paths
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gas analysis methods, such as chromatography, mass spectroscopy, and electrochemical-based systems, are expensive, complex, and unsuitable for real-time analysis, while optical gas analyzers face limitations in detecting small concentrations due to limited optical beam length and beam divergence issues.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing a series of electronically linked light sensors and sources within a container to pass light through a sample multiple times, measuring cumulative light intensity diminishment to determine adsorption and concentration, allowing for extended optical length without physical constraints.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a single light source and sensor are used in current optical gas analyzers, then the device structure is simple, but the optical beam length is limited and beam divergence reduces measurement precision for small gas concentrations
Solution Approach 1:
The optical path is segmented into multiple sections, each with its own light source and sensor pair. The first light source and first sensor measure light intensity at an initial position, while the second light source and second sensor measure light intensity at a different position along the optical path. This segmentation allows the system to effectively extend the measurement optical length without requiring a single extremely long optical path, thereby improving detection precision for small gas concentrations while avoiding beam divergence issues associated with long single-pass optical paths.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces control circuitry as an intermediary that receives signals from multiple sensors and coordinates multiple light sources. This intermediary component processes the light intensity measurements from different positions and calculates the gas concentration based on the differential absorption along the optical path. The control circuitry enables the system to combine information from multiple measurement points, effectively extending the optical path length and improving measurement precision without requiring a physically long single optical path.
2Measurement precision
If multiple light sources and sensors are added to extend optical path length, then detection precision for small concentrations improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each light source-sensor pair in the system serves multiple functions: they individually measure light intensity at their specific position for direct concentration measurement, and simultaneously contribute to the differential measurement that effectively extends the optical path length. The control circuitry integrates signals from all pairs to calculate the final concentration, making each component multi-functional and reducing the need for additional dedicated components solely for path extension.
Solution Approach 2:
The control circuitry receives light intensity signals from multiple sensors and uses this feedback information to calculate gas concentration. The system processes the differential absorption measurements from multiple positions along the optical path, using the feedback from each sensor to contribute to the overall concentration determination. This feedback mechanism allows the system to achieve extended effective optical path length while maintaining manageable device complexity through intelligent signal processing.
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 and stable detection of small gas concentrations with quick response times, overcoming space limitations and beam divergence issues, providing reliable gas analysis with minimal maintenance needs.
Implementation Method 1
direct optical measurement of gas components by adsorption of light at various wavelengths
Implementation Method 2
determine an adsorption level based on a difference in intensity from the light emitted from the first light source and the light received at the second light sensor
Data Source
AI summary
A method for measuring component concentration in a sample, the method constituted of: passing light through a sample from a first light source to a first light sensor; measuring a first light intensity of light received at the first light sensor; passing light through the sample from a second light source to a second light sensor at the first light intensity; measuring a second light intensity of light received at the second light sensor; determining an adsorption level based on a difference in intensity from light emitted from the first light source and the second light intensity; and calculating a component concentration in the sample based on the adsorption level and a total optical length of light passed between the first light source and sensor and the second light source and sensor.