Calibration Sleeve with Segmented Thermal Conductivity
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing block calibrators for temperature sensors face challenges in achieving uniform temperature distribution, leading to temperature inhomogeneities and increased production costs due to complex structural requirements for high calibration accuracy.
Innovation Solution
A calibration sleeve with sections of different thermal conductivities, where a high thermal conductivity section is used for calibration and a lower thermal conductivity section is used to minimize heat dissipation and maintain temperature homogeneity, potentially utilizing materials like aluminum for the calibration section and stainless steel or metal foam for the connection section.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single-piece calibration sleeve is used, then the structure is simple, but temperature inhomogeneities occur due to heat flow along the longitudinal axis
Solution Approach 1:
The calibration sleeve is divided into multiple sections along its longitudinal axis, each with different thermal conductivities. The first section (calibration section) has high thermal conductivity for temperature homogeneity, while the second section (connecting section) has low thermal conductivity to minimize heat loss. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by creating temperature homogeneity where needed without requiring the entire sleeve to be complex.
Solution Approach 2:
Different sections of the calibration sleeve are assigned different thermal conductivity properties based on their specific functional requirements. The calibration section uses material with high thermal conductivity (λ1) to ensure temperature homogeneity, while the connecting section uses material with low thermal conductivity (λ2) to reduce heat loss. This local differentiation of material properties achieves temperature homogeneity in the critical calibration area without compromising structural simplicity.
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple heating elements and temperature sensors are integrated into the heating block, then temperature homogeneity is improved, but structural complexity and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the temperature homogeneity function from the heating block structure and relocates it to the calibration sleeve itself. Instead of adding multiple heating elements and sensors to the heating block, the solution places a high thermal conductivity section within the calibration sleeve that actively distributes heat uniformly. This extracts the complexity from the heating block while maintaining temperature homogeneity.
Solution Approach 2:
The calibration sleeve with its high thermal conductivity first section acts as an intermediary between the heating block and the temperature sensor. It receives heat from the heating block and redistributes it uniformly along its length, mediating the temperature distribution without requiring multiple heating elements or sensors in the heating block itself.
3Manufacturing precision
If the calibration section has high thermal conductivity, then temperature homogeneity is achieved, but heat loss occurs through the connecting section
Solution Approach 1:
The calibration sleeve is segmented into a first section with high thermal conductivity for heat distribution and a second section with low thermal conductivity for heat retention. This segmentation allows the system to achieve temperature homogeneity in the calibration section while the connecting section acts as a thermal barrier to minimize heat loss to the environment.
Solution Approach 2:
The connecting section is specifically designed with low thermal conductivity material to provide thermal insulation at the critical interface where heat loss occurs. This local quality differentiation ensures that heat is retained in the calibration section while still allowing the structure to function as a unified component.
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
This design enhances temperature homogeneity within the calibration section, reducing measurement errors and production costs by minimizing heat dissipation and maintaining a uniform temperature profile, even when the temperature sensor measures over a larger longitudinal section.
Implementation Method 1
the body of the calibration sleeve has at least two sections with different thermal conductivities, wherein a first section with a higher thermal conductivity forms a calibration section and that a second section connects longitudinally to the calibration section and forms a connecting section which has a lower thermal conductivity
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
The invention relates to a calibration sleeve (1) for a block calibrator (100) for calibrating a temperature sensor (10) and to a block calibrator (100) with such a calibration sleeve (1), wherein the calibration sleeve (1) has at least one sensor bore (11) into which the temperature sensor (10) can be inserted along a longitudinal direction (L). According to the invention, the body of the calibration sleeve (1) has at least two sections with different thermal conductivities (λ1, λ2, λ2').