Air Temperature Sensor with Radiative Error Correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air temperature detection devices in outdoor environments suffer from significant radiative errors due to thermal radiation, leading to inaccurate readings and high costs, as well as large and cumbersome designs.
Innovation Solution
A sensor device system with a cylindrical or parallelepiped-shaped support structure that minimizes air turbulence, equipped with multiple temperature sensors and air speed variation means, such as fans, to detect temperature values at different air speeds, and a data processing logic unit that calculates air temperature corrected for radiative error using predetermined ratios of air speeds and radiant powers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a box-shaped screening body is used to reduce radiative error, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and dimensions increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful thermal radiation effect from the measurement system by using a radiation shield that reflects thermal radiation away from the sensor. Instead of trying to eliminate all radiation through complex screening, the solution extracts only the harmful radiative component while maintaining simple device structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary radiation shield between the external environment and the temperature sensor. This shield acts as a mediator that reflects thermal radiation away from the sensor, reducing radiative error without requiring complex screening structures.
2Measurement precision
If a box-shaped screening body with considerable dimensions is used, then radiative error is reduced, but device dimensions and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a simple, inexpensive radiation shield rather than a complex, large screening structure. The shield is a compact component that provides effective radiation protection without requiring considerable dimensions, thereby reducing both device volume and manufacturing cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The radiation shield is designed with a curved, dome-shaped structure that efficiently reflects thermal radiation away from the sensor. This curved geometry provides effective radiation shielding in a compact form, avoiding the need for large box-shaped screening structures.
3Measurement precision
If thermal radiation screening is implemented, then radiative error is reduced, but response time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The radiation shield is implemented as a thin-walled structure that provides effective radiation protection while maintaining thermal transparency to convective heat transfer. The thin film design allows rapid thermal response by minimizing the thermal mass between the air and the sensor, thus reducing response time while still blocking radiative error.
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 system provides precise, inexpensive, and rapid air temperature calculations with reduced radiative errors, achieving high functionality and compact dimensions.
Implementation Method 1
sensor means 20 arranged inside the seat 12 to detect the temperature values Ts1, Ts2 and possibly Ts3 of the air that traverses the seat 12
Implementation Method 2
means 30 for varying the air speed in the seat 12, in particular at the predetermined position of the sensor 21
Implementation Method 3
Air temperature detection devices designated to be positioned in an outdoor environment generally comprising at least one temperature measuring sensor are known. As known, thermal radiations impact such measuring, which is thus affected by a considerable error which entails a difference between the value indicated by the sensor and the actual air temperature. Such error is known as 'radiative error'.
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 4~5
AI summary
A sensor device for calculating the temperature (T) of the air including a support structure (11) designated to be traversed by the air. The support structure (10) defining a seat (12) having an air inlet (13) and an air outlet (14). Furthermore, the device comprises sensor means (20) arranged inside the seat (12) for detecting said at least one first value (Ts1) and at least one second value (Ts2) of the detected air temperature (E) that traverses it; The sensor device (12) is configured so that upon detecting the value (Ts1) and the value (Ts2) the air traverses inside the seat (12) respectively at a first speed (V1) and at a second speed (V2), at which the sensor means (20) have a respective first and second heat transfer coefficient (H1; H2) and a first and second radiant power (PRad1; PRad2). The ratio (V1/V2) or the ratio (H1/H2) or the ratio (PRad2/PRad1) is predetermined. The sensor device can be used with a data processing logic unit (50) for calculating the air temperature (T) starting from the first value (Ts1), the second value (Ts2), the ratio (V1/V2) and the ratio (PRad2/PRad1).