Radiometer Shield Soiling Detection Using Light Scattering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Radiometers face accuracy issues due to unpredictable soiling of protective windows, leading to frequent and costly cleaning, as pollutants deposit on the windows, affecting transparency and measurement accuracy.
Innovation Solution
A device with a housing, detector, and a shield that uses light sources and sensors to detect light scattering by pollutants on the shield, generating signals for processing units to determine soiling levels and transmission factors, providing warning signals and compensation for measurement accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If cleaning is done frequently to maintain transparency, then measurement accuracy is improved, but operational cost and time loss increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by implementing a soiling detection system that monitors the shield condition in advance before significant transparency loss occurs. The light sensor detects scattered light from pollutants and generates warning signals, allowing cleaning to be performed only when necessary, thus reducing unnecessary cleaning operations while maintaining measurement accuracy.
2Measurement precision
If cleaning is done frequently to maintain transparency, then measurement accuracy is improved, but operational cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by using a light sensor to continuously monitor the shield condition and provide information about pollutant accumulation. The processing unit compares sensor signals to reference values and generates warning signals when soiling exceeds thresholds. This feedback loop enables condition-based cleaning decisions, reducing unnecessary cleaning operations and associated operational costs while maintaining measurement accuracy.
3Measurement precision
If shield transparency is monitored continuously, then measurement accuracy is maintained, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses an intermediary approach by introducing a light sensor and processing unit that indirectly measure shield transparency through detecting scattered light from pollutants. Instead of directly measuring transparency, the system uses light scattering as an intermediary indicator of soiling level, which simplifies the monitoring mechanism while maintaining accurate detection capability.
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 device effectively determines soiling levels and transmission factors, reducing unnecessary cleaning and improving measurement accuracy by providing precise data on pollution and its impact on radiation detection.
Implementation Method 1
particles, either solid or liquid—or both—will scatter light and reflect light back in to the detector space. The reflected light may be received by the light sensor.
Data Source
AI summary
A device comprises a housing, a detector for receiving solar irradiance and for providing a detector signal providing an indication of an amount of solar irradiance received by the detector and a shield transparent to at least part of the solar irradiance to be detected, the shield and the housing providing a detector space for housing at least part of the detector. The device further comprises a first light source for emitting light to the shield and a first light sensor arranged to receive light from the first light source, arranged to provide a first signal providing an indication for an amount of light received by the first light sensor. Particles will and reflect light back to the detector space. The reflected light is received by the light sensor. Hence, a signal generated by the sensor is an indication for pollution of the shield.