Optoelectric measuring device for monitoring combustion processes

• US 6,320,184 B1
• Filed: 07/09/1999
• Issued: 11/20/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 07/09/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: AVL List GmbH (List Privatstiftung)
• Original Assignee: AVL List GmbH (List Privatstiftung)
• Inventors: Philipp, Harald Arnulf, Kreitel, Michael, Winklhofer, Ernst
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee, John R.
• Application Number:
  US09/350,280
• Time in Patent Office: 865 Days
• Field of Search: 250/227.11, 250/227.2, 250/227.24, 250/227.28, 250/231.1, 250/554, 250/330, 250/338.1, 250/339.15, 250/339.14, 356/213, 356/218, 356/477, 356/478, 356/479, 374/120, 374/121, 374/130, 374/131
• US Class Current: 250/227.11
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 77/08 Safety, indicating, or supervising devices thermal insulation F02B77/11; monitoring or diagnostic devices for exhaust-gas treatment apparatus F01N11/00
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 35/022 using an optical sensor, e.g. in-cylinder light probe
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 15/10 by monitoring exhaust gases or combustion flame

Abstract

An optoelectronic measuring device for monitoring combustion processes in a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine during operation is provided with optical sensors which are connected to an evaluation unit. The optical sensors may be located in a seal element bounding the combustion chamber. To obtain high measuring quality in a simple manner, the optical sensors each include a lens assembly having a focusing lens whose flat end opposite the combustion chamber is coincident with the focal plane of the focusing lens and is abutted by an end of at least one optical fiber.

Claims

1. Optoelectronic measuring device for monitoring combustion processes in a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine during operation, with optical sensors being assigned to said combustion chamber each defining a point of entrance, which optical sensors are connected to an evaluation unit, each of said sensors being provided with a lens assembly at said point of entrance into said combustion chamber, which lens assembly is in optical contact with at least one optical fiber and includes a plano-convex lens as focusing lens, and an end of at least one optical fiber being positioned in a focal plane of said focusing lens, wherein said focal plane of said focusing lens coincides with a plane face of said plano-convex lens, and said end of said at least one optical fiber is in direct contact with said plane face.

2. Measuring device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said optical sensors are positioned in a seal element bounding said combustion chamber, and said seal element is located in a cutting plane going through said combustion chamber.

3. Measuring device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the ends of at least two of said optical fibers are situated in said cutting plane of said seal element.

4. Measuring device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the ends of at least two of said optical fibers are situated in a plane normal to said cutting plane of said seal element.

5. Measuring device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the ends of several optical fibers are located as a fiber bundle in said focal plane of said focusing lens.

6. Measuring device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the ends of several optical fibers are arranged in a line, each at substantially the same distance from the other, and wherein the individual viewing angles combine to form a fan β

.

7. Measuring device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said optical fibers of each of said optical sensors are coated and said focusing lens and said optical fibers are integrated in a sensor jacket.

8. Measuring device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said focusing lens of said lens assembly is made of quartz glass.

9. Measuring device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said focusing lens is a sapphire lens.

10. Measuring device as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of said optical fibers is constituted by at least one fiber made of quartz glass .

11. Measuring device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said optical fibers are provided with a coating material of a group consisting of polymer, silicone materials, polyamide and metal.

12. Measuring device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said optical fibers are permanently attached to said focusing lens by means of an adhesive.

13. Measuring device as claimed in claim 12, wherein said adhesive is an epoxy adhesive.

14. Measuring device as claimed in claim 12, wherein said adhesive is glass ceramic.

15. Measuring device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said focusing lens and said optical fibers are integrated in a high-temperature-resistant body of quartz glass by diffusion welding or laser welding techniques.

16. Measuring device as claimed in claim 15, wherein a sensor jacket is also integrated in said high-temperature-resistant body of quartz glass.

17. A combination of an internal combustion engine defining a combustion chamber and an optoelectric measuring device for monitoring combustion processes within said combustion chamber, said optoelectric measuring device comprising:

an evaluation unit,

a lens assembly positioned at an entrance to said combustion chamber, said lens assembly including

a cylindrical plano-convex lens which defines a convex end facing said combustion chamber so as to directly view an interior of said combustion chamber and an opposite flat end, said flat end coinciding with a focal plane of said lens, and

an optical fiber which extends between said lens and said evaluation unit and includes an end in direct contact with said flat end of said plano-convex lens.