DESC:FIELD
The present disclosure relates to the field of optical gas monitoring systems to monitor optical gas pollutants like dust, smoke, and other industrial pollutants released into the atmosphere through the stack or chimney.
BACKGROUND
The background information herein below relates to the present disclosure but is not necessarily prior art.
The optical elements of an optical gas analyzer unit (windows and/or lenses) get contaminated due to continuous exposure to the pollutant. In a typical cross stack opacity monitor, the transmitter and receiver are placed on the same side, window/lens contamination is generally checked by placing a reflector just after the optical window/lens. The signal attenuation directly corresponds to the amount of contamination. Alternatively, it may not be possible or practical to periodically stop the process and monitor the contamination.
Conventionally, contamination check is driven by a mechanism including a ball valve or a shutter plate operated either by a pneumatic actuator or an electric motor with a drive mechanism like a gearbox, or a belt-pulley arrangement. This method of contamination check is costly and requires a large number of components and does not show repeatability in maintaining the reflector position.
However, the pneumatic actuator consumes a significant amount of power to drive the ball, which increases the operation costs involved therein. Moreover, the ball valve needs accurate machining for constructing a passage of optical rays, which is difficult to achieve. Additionally, the repeatability of measurements while performing the contamination check is compromised, as the orientation of a reflecting element fitted inside the passage of the ball valve needs to be accurate. This is because optical rays emitted by optical elements are reflected back of the surface of the reflecting element. Thus, the mechanism is disadvantageous.
There is, therefore felt a need for a mechanism for closing an aperture of an optical gas analyzer unit, which alleviates the aforementioned drawbacks.
OBJECTS
Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfies, are as follows:
An object of the present disclosure is to provide a mechanism for closing an aperture of an optical gas analyzer unit that is less costly in operation.
Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a mechanism for closing an aperture of an optical gas analyzer unit that eliminates the need of accurate machining.
Still another object of the present disclosure is to provide a mechanism for closing an aperture of an optical gas analyzer unit that offers repeatability of its operation.
Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide a mechanism for closing an aperture of an optical gas analyzer unit that eliminates complex ball valve mechanism.
Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a mechanism for closing an aperture of an optical gas analyzer unit that conducts automatic contamination checks.
Still another object of the present disclosure is to provide a mechanism for closing an aperture of an optical gas analyzer unit that makes the assembly of the components easy for maintenance and reduces assembly time.
Other objects and advantages of the present disclosure will be more apparent from the following description, which is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.
SUMMARY
The present disclosure envisages a mechanism for closing an aperture of an optical gas analyzer unit configured to receive a flue gas mixture flowing through a stack. The mechanism comprises an arm configured to be mounted on an operative outer side of the optical gas analyzer unit, and further configured to be pivotably displaced by a plunger of a solenoid, the arm configured to be displaced in predetermined positions with respect to the aperture. A seal plate is configured to be attached to a first end of the arm to cover the aperture in an operative closed position of the predetermined positions of the arm to prevent flow of the flue gas mixture through the aperture into the optical gas analyzer unit. A groove path is configured on a path guiding device mounted on the operative outer side of the optical gas analyzer unit. A flexible link having a first end configured to be attached to the first end of the arm. A second end of the flexible link is configured to follow the groove path for locking the position of the arm in its predetermined positions.
In another embodiment, the present disclosure envisages a mechanism for closing an aperture of an optical gas analyzer unit configured to receive a flue gas mixture flowing through a stack. The mechanism comprises an arm configured to be mounted on an operative outer side of the optical gas analyzer unit, and further configured to be pivotably displaced by a plunger of a solenoid, the arm configured to be displaced in predetermined positions with respect to the aperture. A seal plate is configured to be attached to a first end of the arm to cover the aperture in an operative closed position of the predetermined positions of the arm to prevent flow of the flue gas mixture through the aperture into the optical gas analyzer unit. A groove path is configured on the first end of the arm. A flexible link having a first end is configured to follow the groove path, and a second end of the flexible link is configured to be attached to the operative outer side of the optical gas analyzer unit for locking the position of the arm in its predetermined positions.
In a preferred embodiment, the mechanism has a mounting flange configured to be attached to the stack.
In a preferred embodiment, the arm has a second end pivotably attached about a hinge pin mounted on an operative outer side of the optical gas analyzer unit.
In a preferred embodiment, the mechanism includes a groove path configured on a path guiding device mounted on the operative outer side of the optical gas analyzer unit. A flexible link having a first end is configured to be attached to the first end of the arm. A second end of the flexible link is configured to follow the groove path for locking the position of the arm in its predetermined positions.
In a preferred embodiment, the groove path is configured on the first end of the arm, and the first end of the flexible link is configured to follow the groove path. The second end of the flexible link is configured to be attached to the operative outer side of the optical gas analyzer unit.
In a preferred embodiment, the seal plate is attached with a reflecting element on an operative surface facing the aperture of the optical gas analyzer unit.
In a preferred embodiment, a calibration check cell is configured to be attached to the first end of the arm to perform a calibration check of the optical gas analyzer unit.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWING
A mechanism for closing an aperture of an optical gas analyzer unit of the present disclosure will now be described with the help of the accompanying drawing, in which:
Figure 1 shows a schematic of the conventional mechanism, when the ball valve is in an open position;
Figure 2 shows a schematic of the conventional mechanism, when the ball valve is in a closed position;
Figure 3 shows a schematic of the mechanism of the present disclosure, when the arm is in an open position;
Figure 4 shows a side view of the mechanism of figure 3 of the present disclosure, when the arm is in an open position;
Figure 5 shows a detail of the mechanism of figure 4 of the present disclosure, when the flexible link is in a position that corresponds to the open position of the arm;
Figure 6 shows the mechanism of figure 3 of the present disclosure, when the arm is in a closed position;
Figure 7 shows a side view of the mechanism of figure 6 of the present disclosure, when the arm is in a closed position;
Figure 8 shows a detail of the mechanism of figure 6 of the present disclosure, when the flexible link is in a position that corresponds to the closed position of the arm;
Figure 9 shows another embodiment of the mechanism of the present disclosure in which the grooves are configured on the arm, with the arm in an open position;
Figure 10 shows a detail of Figure 9 in which the arm is in an open position;
Figure 11 shows a detail of Figure 9 in which the arm is in a closed position;
Figure 12 shows yet another embodiment of the mechanism of the present disclosure in which the arm is configured with a calibration check cell, and with the arm in an open position; and
Figure 13 shows the groove path of Figure 12.
LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS
1 - transmitter
1’- transmitter of prior art
2 - transmitted signal
2’- transmitted signal of prior art
3 - receiver
3’- receiver of prior art
4 – splitter window
4’- splitter window of prior art
5 - optical element
5’- optical element of prior art
6A, 6B- housing
6A’, 6B’- housing of prior art
7 - body
7’- body of prior art
8 - seal
9 - arm
10 - solenoid
11- plunger
11’- plunger of the prior art
12 - hinge pin
12’- hinge pin of the prior art
13 - mounting flange
13’- mounting flange of the prior art
41’ – ball valve assembly of the prior art
42’ – ball of the prior art
43’ – actuator of the prior art
44’ – passage of the ball valve of the prior art
14B, 14B’- groove
15 - flexible link
16 - rubber/plastic bush
17 - reflector
18 – flue gas mixture
20 - screw
21 - groove return path
22’ – aperture of the prior art
22 – aperture
23 – first end of flexible link
24 – second end of flexible link
25 – first end of arm
26 - second end of arm
27 – path guiding device
28 – calibration check cell
50 – optical gas analyzer unit
100’ – mechanism of the prior art
100 – mechanism
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Embodiments, of the present disclosure, will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing.
Embodiments are provided so as to thoroughly and fully convey the scope of the present disclosure to the person skilled in the art. Numerous details are set forth relating to specific components, and methods, to provide a complete understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to the person skilled in the art that the details provided in the embodiments should not be construed to limit the scope of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, well-known processes, well-known apparatus structures, and well-known techniques are not described in detail.
The terminology used, in the present disclosure, is only for the purpose of explaining a particular embodiment and such terminology shall not be considered to limit the scope of the present disclosure. As used in the present disclosure, the forms "a,” "an," and "the" may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly suggests otherwise. The terms "comprises," "comprising," “including,” and “having,” are open ended transitional phrases and therefore specify the presence of stated features, elements, modules, units and/or components, but do not forbid the presence or addition of one or more other features, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.
Referring to the figures 1 and 2, a conventional mechanism 100’ for closing an aperture 22’ of an optical gas analyzer unit 50’ is shown. It must be noted that all the elements of the conventional mechanism 100’ are denoted by dashes. The conventional mechanism 100’ includes a ball valve assembly 41’ and a pneumatic actuator 43’ that actuates the ball 42’ of the ball valve assembly 41’. The ball 42’ is configured to be displaced about its operative axis to attain predefined positions thereof. The ball 42’ has a through passage 44’ configured in its central portion for passing the optical rays therethrough. This facilitates performing the gas analysis function. The ball on one of its side has a reflecting element 17‘configured for facilitating contamination check of an optical element 5’ of the optical gas analyzer unit 50’. In one of the predefined positions of the ball, the contamination check of the optical element 5’ is carried out as shown in figure 2, while in the other predefined position, the gas analysis function of a flue gas mixture 18’ flowing through a stack is performed as shown in figure 1. The contamination of the optical element 5’ is a consequence of the flue gases 18’ getting deposited on the optical element 5’. The contamination check of the optical element 5 is performed for a few minutes in a 24 hour operation cycle during which the reflecting element 17’ is brought into position by the angular displacement of the ball 42’ of the ball valve assembly 41’, as shown in figure 2. The angular displacement of the ball is realized by a pneumatic actuator 43’ coupled to the ball. However, the pneumatic actuator 43’ consumes a significant amount of power to drive the ball 42’, which increases the costs involved therein. Moreover, the passage 44’ configured in the ball 42’ needs accurate machining which is difficult to maintain over an extended period of time. Additionally, the repeatability of measurements while performing the contamination check is compromised, as the orientation of the reflecting element 17’ need to be accurate. This is because optical rays of the optical gas analyzer unit 50’ are reflected back of the surface of the reflecting element 17’, when the reflecting element 17’ is brought into position facing an aperture 22’ by displacing the ball 42’. Hence, there is a need to overcome the drawbacks discussed above and offer a solution.
Referring to the figures 3-13, a mechanism 100 for closing an aperture 22 of an optical gas analyzer unit 50 will now be described. The reference numerals for the features of the present disclosure are denoted without dashes. For ease of explanation, only one side of the mechanism 100 is explained hereafter. However, it must be noted by referring to the figure 3, an identical mechanism 100 and an identical optical gas analyzer unit 50 is shown that has the exact same functioning. The optical gas analyzer unit 50 is configured to receive a flue gas mixture 18 flowing through a stack. The mechanism 100 comprises an arm 9 and a seal plate 8. The mechanism 100 has a mounting flange 13 configured to be attached to the stack. The components of the gas analyzer unit 50 and the stack carrying flue gas mixture 18 of the present disclosure and the prior art shown in figures 1 and 2 are exactly the same. The difference lies solely in the mechanism 100 of the present disclosure.
The arm 9 is configured to be mounted on an operative outer side of the optical gas analyzer unit 50. The arm 9 is further configured to be pivotably displaced by a plunger 11 of a solenoid 10. The arm 9 is configured to be displaced in predetermined positions with respect to the aperture 22. The arm 9 has a first end 25 and a second end 26. The second end 26 of the arm 9 is pivotably attached about a hinge pin 12 mounted on the operative outer side of the optical gas analyzer unit 50.
The seal plate 8 is configured to be attached to a first end 25 of the arm 9 to cover the aperture 22 in an operative closed position of the predetermined positions of the arm 9. This prevents flow of the flue gas mixture 18 through the aperture 22 into the optical gas analyzer unit 100. This is depicted by the figures 6,7,8 and 11 in various embodiments of the mechanism 100. The seal plate 8 is attached with a reflecting element 17 on an operative surface facing the aperture 22 of the optical gas analyzer unit 50, in the operative closed position of the arm 9.
The mechanism 100 further includes a groove path 14A and a flexible link 15. The groove path 14A facilitates locking the position of the arm 9 in its predetermined positions. The groove path 14A is configured on a path guiding device 27 mounted on the operative outer side of the optical gas analyzer unit 50. This is shown in various embodiments of the mechanism 100 depicted in the figures 3,4,6,7,8,12. The flexible link 15 having a first end 23 is configured to be attached to the first end 25 of the arm 9. The second end 24 of the flexible link 15 is configured to follow the groove path 14A for locking the position of the arm 9 in its predetermined positions.
In another embodiment as shown in the figures 9-11, the groove path 14A is configured on the first end 25 of the arm 9. The first end 23 of the flexible link 15 is configured to follow the groove path 14A and the second end 24 of the flexible link 15 is configured to be attached to the operative outer side of the optical gas analyzer unit 50. This results in simplicity construction of the mechanism 100.
The mechanism 100 further includes a calibration check cell 28 that is configured to be attached to the first end 25 of the arm 9 to perform a calibration check of the optical gas analyzer unit 50, in the operative closed position of the arm 9. This is shown in the embodiment of the figure 12. As shown in the figure 12, the reflecting element 17 and the calibration check cell 28 are both mounted on the first end 25 of the arm 9. Thus, further angular displacement of the arm 9 past its operative closed position facilitates the calibration check function of the optical analyzer unit 50. The calibration-check operation of the optical analyzer unit 50 is performed with no contamination present on the optical element 17 of the optical analyzer unit 50. This is used as a reference measurement to calculate the actual amount of contamination happening on the optical element 5.
The mechanism 100 is configured to be attached between the gas analyzer unit 50 located on the one side and the stack on the other side, as shown in figures 3 and 6. The gas analyzer unit 50 includes a transmitter 1, receiver 3, a splitter window 4, the optical element 5, and a housing 6A.
In an embodiment, the transmitter 1 and receiver 3 are positioned at the first end of the housing 6A. The transmitted signal 2 passes through the optical element 5 and enters the stack where it interacts with the flue gas mixture 18. The transmitted signal 2 is attenuated and enters the optical element 5 on the other end of the housing 6B where the transmitted signal is diverted on the receiver 3 by the splitter window 4 or reflected back to the housing 6A on the first end 6A through the reflecting element 17.
When the solenoid 10 is actuated, the arm 9 is displaced into its locked position. The displacement of the arm 9 in its locked position, aligns the reflecting element 17 in the path of the transmitted signal 2 and at the same time. The reflecting element 17 being fixed with respect to the moving arm 9 reflects the transmitted signal 2 back to the splitter window 17 onto the receiver 3 through the optical element 5. The second end of the flexible link 15 is displaced over a crest of the groove 14A towards a trough, during the displacement of the arm 9 in its locked position. This is shown in figure 7. As the arm attains the locked position, the power supply to the solenoid 10 is discontinued. Thus, the arm 9 is maintained in its locked position, as the second end of the flexible link 15 is locked into a trough of the groove path, as shown in figure 7. The contamination check of the optical element 5 is now initiated, as the aperture 22 is closed and the reflecting element 17 attached to the seal plate 8 is ready to reflect the transmitted signal 2. The input power to the solenoid 10 can be kept off for an indefinite time till the contamination check cycle gets completed. When the input power is turned off, the flexible link 15 follows an operative downward path of the groove 14A, as the arm 9 gets pulled in the operative downward direction either by gravity or by a spring, thus allowing transmitted signal 2 to measure pollutant gas properties. The curved contour of the groove 14A is constructed to reduce mechanical stress on the flexible link 15 and mechanical load on the actuator 10 which results in making it low power and low cost. Thus, the cost of operation of the mechanism 100 is reduced due to the guide path 14A and the flexible element 15, as the arm 9 is held in its closed position without requiring any power supply as long as the arm 9 is held in its closed position. Thus power is saved.
After completion of the contamination check, the solenoid 10 is driven to cause rotation of the arm 9, which is the open position of the arm 9 (as shown in figures 4 and 5). The arm 9 displaces the flexible link 15 and pushes the stopper pin 19 over a second crest of the groove 14A. A return path of the groove 21 (shown in figures 5 and 8) is raised above the level of the rest of the groove 14A such that there is a step formed where the return path 21 (shown in figures 5 and 8) merges with the initial path of the groove 14A. The groove 14A can be a set of linear or non-linear paths and can be modified depending on the path of the arm 9.
In an embodiment, a single solenoid 10 is used to align the reflecting element 17 and the calibration check cell 28 in the path of the transmitted signal 2 one by one by using an additional groove which has two troughs along the path of the groove 14A. The groove 14A can be modified to have a plurality of troughs along the path to increase the number of predefined positions of the arm 9 along the path for various other types of calibration checks.
In another embodiment, the solenoid 10 is selected from the group consisting of a linear actuator, a rotary actuator.
In another embodiment, the arm 9 is configured to be displaced by an electric motor.
In an embodiment, the solenoid 10 is programmed to facilitate operation of the mechanism 100 in a scheduled manner.
The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for purposes of illustration and not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Individual components of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but are interchangeable. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the present disclosure, and all such modifications are considered to be within the scope of the present disclosure.
TECHNICAL ADVANCEMENT
The present disclosure described herein above has several technical advantages including, but not limited to, a mechanism for closing an aperture of an optical gas analyzer unit that:
? reduces strict machining requirements;
? offers repeatability in performing contamination checks by an optical gas analyzer unit;
? reduces necessity of complex ball valve assemblies actuated by pneumatic actuators;
? is cost effective, as requires less power to operate the solenoid actuator;
? is compact in size and less in weight;
? is user friendly and requires less maintenance; and
? reduces manufacturing and assembly time of the apparatus.
The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained with reference to the non-limiting embodiments in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.
The foregoing description of the specific embodiments so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.
The use of the expression “at least” or “at least one” suggests the use of one or more elements or ingredients or quantities, as the use may be in the embodiment of the disclosure to achieve one or more of the desired objects or results.
Any discussion of devices, articles or the like that has been included in this specification is solely for the purpose of providing a context for the disclosure. It is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters form a part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the disclosure as it existed anywhere before the priority date of this application.
While considerable emphasis has been placed herein on the components and component parts of the preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated that many embodiments can be made and that many changes can be made in the preferred embodiments without departing from the principles of the disclosure. These and other changes in the preferred embodiment as well as other embodiments of the disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein, whereby it is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the disclosure and not as a limitation. ,CLAIMS:WE CLAIM:
1. A mechanism (100) for closing an aperture (22) of an optical gas analyzer unit (50) configured to receive a flue gas mixture (18) flowing through a stack, said mechanism (100) comprising:
• an arm (9) configured to be mounted on an operative outer side of the optical gas analyzer unit (50), and further configured to be pivotably displaced by a plunger (11) of a solenoid (10), said arm (9) configured to be displaced in predetermined positions with respect to the aperture (22);
• a seal plate (8) configured to be attached to a first end (25) of said arm (9) to cover the aperture (22) in an operative closed position of the predetermined positions of said arm (9) to prevent flow of the flue gas mixture (18) through the aperture (22) into the optical gas analyzer unit (100);
• a groove path (14A) configured on a path guiding device (27) mounted on the operative outer side of the optical gas analyzer unit (50); and
• a flexible link (15) having a first end (23) configured to be attached to the first end (25) of said arm (9), and a second end (24) configured to follow the groove path (14A) for locking the position of said arm (9) in its predetermined positions.
2. A mechanism (100) for closing an aperture (22) of an optical gas analyzer unit (50) configured to receive a flue gas mixture (18) flowing through a stack, said mechanism (100) comprising:
• an arm (9) configured to be mounted on an operative outer side of the optical gas analyzer unit (50), and further configured to be pivotably displaced by a plunger (11) of a solenoid (10), said arm (9) configured to be displaced in predetermined positions with respect to the aperture (22);
• a seal plate (8) configured to be attached to a first end (25) of said arm (9) to cover the aperture (22) in an operative closed position of the predetermined positions of said arm (9) to prevent flow of the flue gas mixture (18) through the aperture (22) into the optical gas analyzer unit (100);
• a groove path (14A) configured on the first end (25) of said arm (9); and
• a flexible link (15) having a first end (23) configured to follow said groove path (14A), and a second end (24) of said flexible link (15) being configured to be attached to the operative outer side of the optical gas analyzer unit (50) for locking the position of said arm (9) in its predetermined positions.
3. The mechanism (100) as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein said mechanism (100) has a mounting flange (13) configured to be attached to the stack.
4. The mechanism (100) as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein said arm (9) has a second end (26) pivotably attached about a hinge pin (12) mounted on an operative outer side of the optical gas analyzer unit (50).
5. The mechanism (100) as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein said seal plate (8) is attached with a reflecting element (17) on an operative surface facing the aperture (22) of the optical gas analyzer unit (50).
6. The mechanism (100) as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein a calibration check cell (28) is configured to be attached to the first end (25) of said arm (9) to perform a calibration check of the optical gas analyzer unit (50).
Dated this 13th day of March, 2024

_______________________________
MOHAN RAJKUMAR DEWAN, IN/PA – 25
OF R. K. DEWAN & CO.
AUTHORIZED AGENT OF APPLICANT