US 12,392,719 B2
Device for detecting a gas or a multicomponent gas mixture
Max Bergau, Freiburg (DE); and Benjamin Scherer, Oberried (DE)
Assigned to Endress+Hauser Group Services AG, Reinach (CH)
Filed by Endress+Hauser Group Services AG, Reinach (CH)
Filed on Nov. 30, 2022, as Appl. No. 18/060,046.
Claims priority of application No. 10 2021 131 832.7 (DE), filed on Dec. 2, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2023/0204505 A1, Jun. 29, 2023
Int. Cl. G01N 21/39 (2006.01); G01N 21/33 (2006.01); G01N 21/3504 (2014.01); G01N 21/359 (2014.01); G01N 33/00 (2006.01)
CPC G01N 21/39 (2013.01) [G01N 33/0004 (2013.01); G01N 33/0027 (2013.01); G01N 21/33 (2013.01); G01N 2021/3513 (2013.01); G01N 21/359 (2013.01); G01N 2021/399 (2013.01)] 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A device for detection of a gas or of a multi-component gas mixture, the device comprising:
an optical capture unit configured to record images of a field of view of the optical capture unit;
a first light source configured to emit light at more than one wavelength, which can be set within a first wavelength range,
wherein the first light source is configured to be selectively switched on and off, and
wherein the first light source is arranged in relation to the optical capture unit such that the light emitted by the first light source impinges on the field of view of the optical capture unit;
a first optical filter arranged in the field of view of the optical capture unit and between the optical capture unit and the first light source,
wherein the first optical filter is configured to be selectively applied, and
wherein the first optical filter enables only those wavelengths of the emitted light within a first filter wavelength range to pass therethrough,
wherein the first wavelength range of the first light source is within the first filter wavelength range; and
a control/evaluation unit configured to determine, based on at least one image recorded by the optical capture unit, at least one of:
the presence of the gas or the gas mixture;
the distribution of the gas or the gas mixture in the field of view of the optical capture unit;
a composition of the gas or the gas mixture; and
a concentration of the components of the gas mixture,
wherein the control/evaluation unit is further configured to:
operate the device in a passive detection mode, in which the first light source is switched off, and the optical capture unit captures a first image;
evaluate the captured first image and determine the position of a gas or a gas mixture in the field of view of the optical capture unit;
operate the device in an active detection mode, in which:
the first light source is switched on and emits light within a first current wavelength;
the device with the optical capture unit is directed toward the determined position and a second image is captured using the optical capture unit at the first current wavelength;
the first light source emits a second current wavelength different from the first current wavelength; and
a third image is captured at the second current wavelength at the determined position using the optical capture unit; and
determine the composition of the gas or the gas mixture, or identify the gas or the gas mixture, by evaluating the second image and the third image.