Arc-Resistance Evaluation Device Back Surface Temperature Measurement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing arc-resistance performance evaluation devices cannot accurately assess the heat energy input to a worker wearing protective clothing, as they estimate the inside temperature of the clothing rather than measuring the temperature on the inner surface that comes into contact with the skin.

Innovation Solution

A method and device that irradiate a sheet-like test piece with plasma and measure the temperature on its back surface to calculate a temperature rise rate, allowing for the evaluation of arc-resistance performance based on the heat energy input to the worker, using inductively coupled thermal plasma and a thermocouple with a heat conducting part to accurately measure the back surface temperature.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the inside temperature of the test piece is measured or estimated by measuring the surface temperature, then the heat energy input to the test piece can be determined, but the arc-resistance performance cannot be evaluated appropriately based on the heat energy that will be input to the worker wearing the clothing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature measurement accuracyVSAvoidarc-resistance performance evaluation accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of measuring the front surface temperature (conventional approach), the patent measures the back surface temperature of the test piece. This inversion of the measurement location directly addresses the problem by providing data that reflects the heat energy actually transmitted through the protective clothing to the worker's skin, thereby enabling appropriate arc-resistance performance evaluation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Ease of operation

If the temperature inside the test piece is estimated by measuring the surface temperature, then the measurement process is simplified, but the evaluation of heat energy input to the worker becomes inaccurate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement process simplicityVSAvoidheat energy input measurement accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The back surface of the test piece serves as an intermediary measurement point that indirectly reflects the heat energy input to the worker. By measuring temperature at this intermediate location (back surface) rather than directly at the worker's skin, the system maintains operational simplicity while achieving accurate heat energy input assessment for arc-resistance evaluation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

Enables appropriate evaluation of arc-resistance performance of protective clothing based on the heat energy input to the worker, ensuring better protection against arc flash incidents.

Implementation Method 1

irradiating a front surface of a sheet-like test piece with plasma

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPlasma: Plasma

Implementation Method 2

said plasma is inductively coupled thermal plasma

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInductively coupled thermal plasma: Induction Heating

Implementation Method 3

said temperature measurement device includes a thermocouple that detects temperature

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermocouple: Thermocouple

Implementation Method 4

a flat plate-like heat conducting part that supports the back surface of said test piece and conducts heat from the back surface of said test piece to said thermocouple

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentUS10203291B2Method for evaluating arc-resistance performance and arc-resistance performance evaluation device

Publication Date: 2019.02.12 KANEKA CORP

AI summary

An arc-resistance performance evaluation device includes a plasma generator that generates plasma; and a stand on which a sheet-like test piece is placed so that the plasma generated in the plasma generator is irradiated on a front surface of said test piece, the stand includes a temperature measurement device that measures a temperature on a back surface of said test piece.