Slotted Disk Gas Inlet for Infrared Sensor Light Loss
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Solution Overview
Problem
Infrared optical gas sensors face issues with light loss and gas entry velocity, affecting measurement accuracy and response time due to the design of perforated plates in existing gas-measuring devices.
Innovation Solution
The use of slotted or perforated disks with specific arrangements and materials in the gas inlet opening of the gas-measuring device, which includes two disks with perforations or slots, allows for improved light passage and gas entry, reducing light loss and optimizing the signal rise time by ensuring nearly complete reflection of infrared light and efficient gas flow into the measuring cell.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a perforated plate is used as the gas inlet opening, then gas can enter the measuring gas cell through multiple perforations, but light is lost through the same perforations to the measuring environment
Solution Approach 1:
The gas inlet opening is divided into two separate disks with perforations, where the first disk allows gas entry and the second disk reflects light back into the measuring gas cell. This segmentation separates the gas entry function from the light reflection function, reducing light loss while maintaining gas flow.
Solution Approach 2:
A reflective layer is introduced as an intermediary between the perforated disks and the measuring environment. This reflective layer redirects light that would otherwise be lost through the perforations back into the measuring gas cell, thereby reducing light loss without affecting gas entry.
2Speed
If the perforated plate allows high gas entry velocity, then the response time of the gas sensor is improved, but light loss through the perforations increases
Solution Approach 1:
The gas inlet opening is segmented into two disks positioned at different locations. The first disk optimizes for gas entry velocity, while the second disk positioned closer to the radiation source optimizes for light reflection, thereby resolving the contradiction between gas entry velocity and light loss.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the gas inlet opening are assigned different functions: the first disk region is optimized for gas entry velocity, while the second disk region is optimized for light reflection. This local differentiation allows simultaneous optimization of both gas entry velocity and light retention.
3Measurement precision
If the measuring gas cell volume is increased to improve measurement accuracy, then the light path length is extended, but the response time increases due to slower gas entry
Solution Approach 1:
The gas inlet opening is segmented into two disks at different positions, allowing optimization of gas flow dynamics independent of the measuring gas cell volume. This enables extended light path length for improved accuracy while maintaining rapid gas entry through the optimized perforation arrangement.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution moves from a single-plane perforated plate to a three-dimensional arrangement of two disks at different positions along the light path. This dimensional change allows independent optimization of gas entry velocity and light path length, resolving the contradiction between measurement accuracy and response time.
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 design enhances the measurement accuracy and response time by minimizing light loss and optimizing gas entry, making the device suitable for detecting gases like methane, carbon dioxide, and carbon monoxide with improved sensitivity and selectivity.
Implementation Method 1
The gas inlet opening is designed by an arrangement of a first, upper slotted or perforated disk and a second, lower slotted or perforated disk... such that the light emitted by the radiation source is reflected back nearly completely from the arrangement of the first and second slotted or perforated disks into the measuring gas cell
Implementation Method 2
An infrared optical gas sensor, in which the gas enters the sensor housing via a perforated plate... A radiation source and an optical detector are arranged in the interior of the gas sensor
Implementation Method 3
The intensity reaching the detector is an indicator of the measured gas concentration based on the optical absorption caused by the gas
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
A gas-measuring device and a gas inlet opening are provided for a gas sensor. A first, upper slotted disk (10) and a second, lower slotted disk (20) are arranged as a gas inlet (11) in a gas-measuring device (1). The first, upper slotted disk (10) and the second, lower slotted disk (20) are connected to one another and to a sensor housing (2) via a spacer element (29). The arrangement of the slotted disks (10,20) in relation to one another is selected to be such that reduced propagation of light of an infrared radiation source (43) through both slotted disks (10,20) into the measuring environment external to the device is achieved.