Series-Connected Measuring Heads for Spectral Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
In larger industrial systems, the existing measuring arrangements for spatially distributed spectrum acquisition require extensive and costly optical waveguides due to the distance between measuring heads and a central spectrometer, leading to high investment costs and limited versatility.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves arranging measuring heads in a series circuit with a multiplexer behind the coupling point to switch output signals and using data communication units for control signals, allowing for a single continuous optical fiber strand to connect multiple heads to the spectrometer, reducing the need for extensive fiber optic cables and enabling flexible head arrangements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If measuring heads are distributed over large areas in industrial systems, then coverage area is improved, but the quantity and cost of optical waveguides increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple optical communication channels into a single waveguide by implementing a series circuit topology where measuring heads share common waveguide segments. Multiple measuring heads are connected in sequence along a single optical waveguide, allowing them to communicate with the evaluation device through shared communication paths, thereby reducing the total quantity of optical waveguides required.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical waveguide serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as both a communication channel for spectral data transmission and as a reference path for calibration signals. The waveguide is used universally across all measuring heads in the series circuit, eliminating the need for separate dedicated waveguides for each measuring head while maintaining signal integrity and measurement accuracy.
2Reliability
If a star-shaped network with dedicated optical waveguides is used for each measuring head, then signal transmission reliability is improved, but investment costs increase enormously
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple dedicated waveguide connections into a shared series circuit topology. Instead of each measuring head having its own independent waveguide connection to the evaluation device, measuring heads are connected in sequence along a single waveguide, combining multiple communication paths into one physical medium while maintaining reliable signal transmission through proper optical coupling and isolation mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces optical isolators and directional couplers as intermediary components in the series circuit. These intermediaries ensure that signals from different measuring heads do not interfere with each other while traveling through the shared waveguide, maintaining signal transmission reliability comparable to dedicated waveguides. The intermediaries act as mediators that manage signal flow direction and prevent back-reflections between measuring heads.
3Quantity of substance
If measuring heads are connected in series using optical multiplexers, then the quantity of optical fibers is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple measuring head outputs into a single optical waveguide using series connection topology with optical multiplexing. The measuring heads are arranged in sequence along the waveguide, with each head's output coupled to the next segment of the waveguide. This merging approach reduces the total number of optical fibers from one per measuring head to a single shared waveguide, while the increased device complexity is managed through standardized coupling interfaces and automated configuration protocols.
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 configuration significantly reduces the need for optical fibers, achieves cost savings, and allows for flexible and efficient monitoring of larger areas with a single spectrometer, while maintaining signal integrity and control over the measurement process.
Implementation Method 1
Glass fiber cables are used as optical waveguides, which are particularly suitable for the transmission of light signals and thus also for the evaluation of spectra
Implementation Method 2
this was light in the near-infrared range, which is suitable for NIR spectroscopy
Implementation Method 3
a multiplexer is arranged behind the coupling point, which switches an output signal of a second measuring head connected in series further back to a common output power
Data Source
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AI summary
Known measurement setups for the spatially distributed acquisition of spectra employ a centrally located spectrometer with which measuring heads positioned at various locations communicate via fiber optic cables. In larger systems, the cost of the required fiber optic cables, which must be laid directly from each measuring head to the spectrometer, represents a significant investment. The present invention presents a way to considerably reduce these costs. This is achieved through a measuring head with a multiplexer that enables the series connection of several measuring heads. This eliminates the need for parallel routing of expensive fiber optic cables, and instead, only a single connection between each measuring head needs to be bridged by the fiber optic cables.