Multi-directional open path detector system and method of using the same
Inventors
Tripathy, Janmejaya • Kulkarni, Sumit
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-12656206-B2
Publication Date
2026-06-16
Expiration Date
Abstract
Various embodiments are directed to a multi-directional open path detector system comprising: a plurality of transmitters; a receiver configured to receive, for each transmitter, an incoming beam corresponding to a beam signal emitted by a respective transmitter, the receiver comprising: an optical element; at least one detector; and a reflector element in reflective communication with the optical element, wherein for each transmitter: the reflector element is configured to direct the incoming beam towards the optical element, the optical element is configured to redirect the incoming beam towards the at least one detector, and the at least one detector is configured to generate an output signal based at least in part on the incoming beam; and the system further comprising a controller communicably coupled to the at least one detector to generate a detection signal based at least in part on the output signal.
Core Innovation
A multi-directional open path detector system detects gas using a plurality of transmitters that each emit a beam signal in a different beam path direction. A receiver located in the beam path receives an incoming beam corresponding to each transmitter and comprises an optical element, at least one detector, and a reflector element in reflective communication with the optical element.
The reflector element comprises a plurality of reflector faces, and each transmitter is aligned with a reflector face of the plurality of reflector faces. Each reflector face directs the incoming beam from the corresponding transmitter toward the optical element, and the optical element redirects the incoming beam toward the at least one detector.
The at least one detector generates an output signal based at least in part on the incoming beam, and a controller communicably coupled to the receiver generates a detection signal based at least in part on the output signal. The detection signal is indicative of presence of a detected gas, and the configurations include a pyramid-shaped reflector and concave or flat mirror implementations.
Claims Coverage
The document contains three independent claims: a multi-directional open path detector system, a receiver for the multi-directional open path detector, and a method for detecting gas in a region. The claims center on multiple transmitters with different beam path directions, a receiver with an optical element and a reflector element having multiple reflector faces aligned with transmitters, and generation of a detection signal indicative of presence of a detected gas.
Multi-directional open path detector system with differently directed transmitter beams and a multi-face reflector
A multi-directional open path detector system comprising a plurality of transmitters emitting a beam signal with each transmitter having a different beam path direction; a receiver at a receiver location positioned in each beam path and receiving an incoming beam corresponding to each transmitter; the receiver comprising an optical element, at least one detector, and a reflector element in reflective communication with the optical element; the reflector element comprising a plurality of reflector faces with each transmitter aligned with a reflector face; each reflector face directing the incoming beam from the corresponding transmitter to the optical element; the optical element redirecting the incoming beam toward the at least one detector; the at least one detector generating an output signal based at least in part on the incoming beam; and a controller communicably coupled to the receiver configured to generate a detection signal indicative of presence of a detected gas based at least in part on the output signal.
Receiver for multi-directional open path detector with multi-face reflector aligned to transmitters
A receiver for a multi-directional open path detector comprising at least one detector, a controller communicably coupled to the at least one detector, an optical element, and a reflector element in reflective communication with the optical element; the reflector element comprising a plurality of reflector faces with each reflector face configured for being aligned with a transmitter of a plurality of transmitters; each reflector face configured to direct the incoming beam from the corresponding transmitter to the at least one detector; the optical element redirecting the incoming beam toward the at least one detector; and the controller generating a detection signal indicative of presence of a detected gas based at least in part on the output signal.
Method aligning receiver with multiple transmitters and using optical element and multi-face reflector to generate detection signal
A method for detecting gas in a region comprising aligning a receiver with a plurality of transmitters, receiving incoming beam by the receiver from each transmitter of the plurality of transmitters, wherein the receiver comprises an optical element, at least one detector, and a reflector element in reflective communication with the optical element, the reflector element comprising a plurality of reflector faces with each transmitter aligned with a reflector face, each reflector face directing the incoming beam from the corresponding transmitter to the optical element, and generating a detection signal by the at least one detector based at least in part on the redirected incoming beam received from the optical element.
Across the independent claims, the inventive coverage centers on multiple transmitters with different beam path directions and a receiver that redirects multiple incoming beams using a reflector element with multiple reflector faces aligned to respective transmitters, together with an optical element and at least one detector to generate a detection signal indicative of presence of a detected gas.
Stated Advantages
Improving accuracy over narrow field-of-view detectors while reducing cost, space, and power.
Documented Applications
Gas leakage detection in a gas pipeline environment, including a pipeline leak scenario.
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