CTE Measurement Using Temperature-Controlled Chamber and Reference Gauge
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for measuring the coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) of dimension reference gauges, such as step gauges, face challenges in achieving accurate and efficient measurements due to uneven temperature distribution and long stabilization times, which affect the precision of CTE calculations.
Innovation Solution
A CTE measurement method and device that utilize a temperature-controlled chamber and measurement-target temperature adjusters to directly and evenly change the temperature of the gauge, combined with a reference gauge for accurate length measurement, allowing for rapid stabilization and precise CTE calculation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a soaking plate is used to heat the measurement target, then the measurement target can be heated, but only the surface in contact with the soaking plate is locally heated causing uneven temperature distribution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a temperature-controlled chamber as an intermediary medium to heat the measurement target. Instead of direct contact heating with a soaking plate, the chamber controls the ambient temperature uniformly, allowing the measurement target to heat up evenly without localized hot spots, thus resolving the temperature distribution issue while maintaining measurement accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical soaking plate heating system with a temperature-controlled chamber system that uses environmental temperature control. This substitution eliminates the direct contact heating mechanism that caused uneven temperature distribution, achieving uniform heating through controlled ambient conditions
2Temperature
If a temperature-controlled chamber is used to indirectly change the temperature via gas, then the temperature can be evenly distributed, but the temperature changes gradually requiring long stabilization time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-heating or pre-cooling the temperature-controlled chamber before placing the measurement target inside. This allows the chamber to reach the desired temperature condition in advance, so when the measurement target is introduced, the temperature is already stabilized and uniform, significantly reducing the stabilization time required
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic temperature control by adjusting the heating or cooling rate based on real-time temperature monitoring. The system can accelerate temperature changes when uniformity is achieved and slow down during stabilization phases, optimizing both the speed of temperature change and the uniformity of distribution, thereby reducing overall stabilization time
3Speed
If direct contact heating with soaking plate is used, then heating can be applied, but thermal expansion becomes uneven causing measurement error
Solution Approach 1:
The temperature-controlled chamber serves as an intermediary that provides uniform thermal environment to the measurement target. This eliminates the direct contact heating mechanism that caused uneven thermal expansion, allowing the target to expand uniformly in response to controlled temperature changes, thus maintaining measurement accuracy while still achieving efficient heating
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the heating parameter from direct contact (soaking plate) to ambient temperature control (chamber environment). This parameter change transforms the heating mechanism from localized and uneven to uniform and controlled, preventing uneven thermal expansion while maintaining heating efficiency through optimized chamber temperature control
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 highly accurate and efficient measurement of CTE by directly heating or cooling the measurement target while using a temperature-controlled chamber, reducing measurement time and improving precision.
Implementation Method 1
a measurement-target temperature adjuster placed in the temperature-controlled chamber and configured to heat or cool the measurement target
Implementation Method 2
the temperature of the step gauge is indirectly changed with the gas
Implementation Method 3
measuring a length variation of the object due to the temperature change... ΔL=L−Lo (L: a length of the object at the current temperature T, Lo: a length of the object at the reference temperature To) represents the length variation (thermal expansion)
Data Source
AI summary
A step gauge and a reference gauge block are placed in a temperature-controlled chamber in parallel with each other. A temperature of the step gauge is changed to a first temperature and a second temperature using a measurement-target temperature adjuster and the temperature-controlled chamber. A distance between a first surface and a second surface of the step gauge is relatively measured at each of the first and second temperatures with reference to a distance between a first reference surface and a second reference surface of the reference gauge block. A coefficient of thermal expansion of the measurement target is calculated from the length of the measurement target at the first temperature and the length of the measurement target at the second temperature.