UWB Combustion Sensing for Real-Time Flame Detection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current combustion sensors lack the ability to accurately and efficiently detect combustion reactions in real-time, particularly in high-temperature environments, leading to instability and inefficiency in fuel control and combustion management.
Innovation Solution
An ultra-wideband (UWB) combustion sensor system that includes a pulse generator, transmission and receiving electrodes, a receiver circuit, analog-to-digital converter, and signal processor to transmit and detect electromagnetic pulses, allowing for the determination of combustion state variables and enabling precise control of combustion reactions through a burner controller.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional combustion sensors are used to detect combustion reactions, then the system can monitor combustion presence, but the detection accuracy and real-time performance deteriorate in high-temperature environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical/optical combustion sensors with an electromagnetic pulse-based detection system. The UWB sensor transmits electromagnetic pulses through the combustion zone and measures the reflected/absorbed signals, eliminating the need for physical sensors that must withstand high temperatures. This substitution of detection mechanism resolves the contradiction by maintaining measurement precision without requiring sensor stability in extreme thermal conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces electromagnetic pulses as an intermediary medium to detect combustion reactions. Instead of placing a sensor directly in the high-temperature combustion zone, the system uses electromagnetic waves that can penetrate and interact with the combustion plasma remotely. This intermediary approach allows accurate combustion detection while keeping the physical sensor components outside the harsh thermal environment.
2Productivity
If real-time combustion monitoring is implemented, then combustion control efficiency improves, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The UWB sensor system performs multiple functions using a single integrated platform: it detects combustion presence, measures combustion intensity, provides real-time feedback for control systems, and can operate across different fuel types. This multi-functionality achieves real-time combustion monitoring and improved control efficiency without proportionally increasing system complexity, as one sensor system replaces what would otherwise require multiple specialized sensors and processing systems.
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 UWB combustion sensor system effectively monitors combustion reactions by detecting charged particles, providing real-time feedback for stable fuel control, improving combustion efficiency and safety by accurately distinguishing between combustion presence and absence.
Implementation Method 1
a transmission electrode operatively coupled to the pulse generator and configured to output the voltage pulse into a combustion volume as a transmitted pulse
Implementation Method 2
a receiving electrode configured to receive the transmitted pulse as a received pulse from the combustion volume
Implementation Method 3
detect, at a second separation distance, a received electromagnetic pulse affected by the combustion reaction
Data Source
AI summary
An ultra wideband (UWB) combustion sensor detects presence or absence of combustion corresponding to an effect on a transmitted, time-gated pulse and detection by a presence or absence of charged particles associated with combustion. A combustion system includes a UWB combustion sensor. A method for operating a combustion system includes operation of a UWB combustion sensor.