Sniffing Gas Leak Detector Sensor Placement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gas leak detectors with hand-held sniffing probes and solid state semiconductor sensors face accuracy issues due to sensor movement affecting measurement signals, particularly with metal oxide sensors, as the sensor is typically integrated within the probe.
Innovation Solution
The gas sensor is relocated to the vacuum pump's low-pressure inlet side, connected to the sniffing probe via a gas conducting line, allowing simultaneous analysis of tracer gas components without being affected by probe movements, with a shorter gas conducting line to reduce response time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the gas sensor is integrated within the hand-held sniffing probe, then fast reaction times are achieved, but measurement accuracy deteriorates due to sensor movement affecting the measurement signal
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into two separate parts: the hand-held sniffing probe for gas sampling and the stationary vacuum pump unit containing the gas sensor. This segmentation allows the sensor to remain stationary for accurate measurements while the probe moves freely for detection, resolving the contradiction between fast reaction time and measurement accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
A gas conducting line acts as an intermediary connecting the moving sniffing probe to the stationary gas sensor. This intermediary allows gas samples to be transported from the probe to the sensor without requiring the sensor itself to move, maintaining both fast reaction capability and measurement precision
2Measurement precision
If the gas sensor is arranged at a remote distance from the vacuum pump, then the sensor is isolated from probe movements, but response time increases due to longer gas transport distance
Solution Approach 1:
The vacuum pressure parameter is optimized to create sufficient suction force that overcomes the resistance of the gas conducting line. This allows the sensor to be positioned remotely for stability while maintaining fast gas transport and short response times, resolving the contradiction between signal integrity 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 configuration enhances measurement accuracy and response time by isolating the sensor from probe movements, maintaining signal integrity and improving detection of short gas pulses.
Implementation Method 1
the vacuum pump generates a vacuum pressure resulting in a gas flow into the suction inlet of the sniffing probe and through the gas conducting line into the vacuum pump
Implementation Method 2
the gas sensor analyses the gas sucked in through the suction inlet during leak detection. In particular, the gas sensor directly analyses tracer gas components in the gas flow
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
Gas leak detector with a hand-held sniffing probe (30), a vacuum pump (36), a gas conducting line (44) connecting the sniffing probe (30) and the vacuum pump (36), and a solid state semiconductor gas sensor (46) for directly and simultaneously analysing tracer gas components in the gas flow sucked in by the sniffing probe (30) during leak detection, wherein the gas sensor (46) is connected to the gas conducting line (44) such that a first portion (54) of the gas conducting line (44) extends from the sensor (46) to the sniffing probe (30) and a second portion (52) of the gas conducting line (44) extends from the gas sensor (46) to the vacuum pump (36), wherein the sniffing probe (30) comprises an orifice forming a suction inlet into the gas conducting line (44), and wherein the second portion (52) of the gas conducting line (44) connects the gas sensor (46) to a low pressure inlet (42) of the vacuum pump (36), while an outlet (56) of the vacuum pump (36) is connected to atmosphere characterized in that the gas sensor (46) is arranged at the location of the vacuum pump (36) such that the length of the first portion (54) of the gas conducting line (44) is larger than the length of the second portion (52) of the gas conducting line (44), and the second portion (52) of the gas conducting line (44) connects the gas sensor (46) to a low pressure inlet (42) of the vacuum pump (36), while an outlet (56) of the vacuum pump (36) is connected to atmosphere.