Spark Emission Spectrometer Sealing Element Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
In optical emission spectrometers, air inclusions between the spark head and UV optics can absorb UV radiation, leading to inaccurate measuring results due to the absence of a gas-tight seal between these components.
Innovation Solution
A gas-tight seal is achieved by directly connecting the spark chamber to the window holder via a sealing element, such as an O-ring, ensuring that both the spark chamber and coupling unit are purged with inert gas, preventing air inclusions and using materials like MgF2 or quartz for the window and brass for the window holder to minimize spectral interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the spark chamber and UV optics are separated by a window with an air gap to allow modular accessibility and purification, then the ease of operation and maintenance is improved, but air inclusions form that absorb UV radiation and deteriorate measurement precision
Solution Approach 1:
A sealing element is introduced as an intermediary component between the spark chamber and window holder to eliminate air inclusions while preserving modular design. The sealing element creates a gas-tight connection that prevents air from entering the optical path, thereby maintaining UV transmission while allowing separate purification of the spark chamber.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent maintains an inert gas atmosphere (argon) throughout the optical path by creating a gas-tight seal. This prevents air inclusions from forming in the gap between components, ensuring that UV radiation is not absorbed and measurement precision is maintained while still allowing modular assembly and purification.
2Measurement precision
If a sealing element is introduced to connect the spark chamber and window holder gas-tightly, then measurement precision is improved by preventing air inclusions, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing element is implemented as a flexible sealing ring that can be easily installed in the gap between the spark chamber and window holder. This flexible membrane approach provides an effective gas-tight seal without requiring complex mechanical structures, thereby minimizing the increase in device complexity while achieving the goal of eliminating air inclusions.
3Reliability
If the window holder is pressed against the spark chamber with elastic means, then gas-tight sealing is improved, but the force applied may affect the window alignment
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic means are designed to provide a controlled pressing force that accommodates thermal expansion and contraction of the components. The elastic material's compliance allows it to maintain gas-tight sealing while adapting to dimensional changes, thereby preventing misalignment of the window without requiring excessive force that would affect manufacturing precision.
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 prevents air inclusions, ensuring accurate measurements by maintaining a gas-tight environment and reducing spectral interference, thereby enhancing the reliability of the spectrometer's results.
Implementation Method 1
Between spark chamber and window holder a sealing element is provided which ensures a gas-tight seal
Implementation Method 2
The coupling unit comprises at least one elastic means which is arranged such that it presses the window holder against the spark chamber
Implementation Method 3
using materials like MgF2 or quartz for the window and brass for the window holder to minimize spectral interference
Implementation Method 4
a unipolar medium voltage spark discharge with spark sequence frequencies of up to 1000 Hz
Implementation Method 5
an emission spectrum is the electromagnetic spectrum which is emitted from atoms, molecules and/or materials without irradiation of electromagnetic radiation of the same frequency
Implementation Method 6
at least a part of the optical system, the so-called UV optics, is often purged with argon or another inert gas for making the UV optics transparent
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to an optical emission spectrometer with a spark chamber (10) which comprises a spark stand opening (14) and an oblong electrode (11) being arranged inside thereof for generating a spark and a beam of light originating therefrom. Furthermore, a coupling unit (20) is provided which comprises at least one window being arranged on a window holder and a channel. The spark chamber (10) and the coupling unit (20) are arranged with respect to each other such that the beam of light falls through the window (30) into the channel (21). In addition, the spark chamber (10) and the coupling unit (20) comprise means for purging with an inert gas.The spark chamber (10) is directly connected with a window holder (31) and via the window holder (31) with the coupling unit (20), wherein between spark chamber (10) and window holder (31) a sealing element (33) is provided. The coupling unit (20) comprises at least one elastic means which is arranged such that it presses the window holder (31) against the spark chamber (10).