Level measuring device with a cooling compress, use of a cooling compress, and method of controlling the temperature of a detector with the help of a cooling compress
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing temperature control systems for devices, such as filling level measuring devices, require complex and costly adaptations due to their irregular surface structures, which complicates effective cooling or heating processes.
Innovation Solution
A deformable cooling compress with a heat sink that adapts to the device's surface, using a cooling fluid under pressure to enhance thermal contact and featuring a fastening mechanism for secure attachment, allowing for both cooling and heating capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a conventional temperature control system is used with irregular surface structures, then thermal contact is poor, but the device complexity and cost increase due to complex adaptations
Solution Approach 1:
The heat sink is made deformable rather than rigid, allowing it to dynamically adapt its shape to match irregular surface contours. This dynamic adaptation enables the heat sink to conform to complex geometries without requiring complex rigid structural adaptations, thereby improving thermal contact while maintaining system simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical state of the heat sink from rigid to deformable, fundamentally altering its mechanical properties. This parameter change allows the heat sink to passively adapt to surface irregularities through material deformation rather than requiring complex mechanical adjustments or custom-fitted rigid structures
2Ease of manufacture
If the heat sink is made rigid for structural stability, then manufacturing is easier, but thermal contact with irregular surfaces deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The heat sink material properties are changed from rigid to deformable, allowing it to naturally conform to surface irregularities. This single parameter change simultaneously improves thermal contact quality while maintaining manufacturing simplicity, as the deformable material can be produced using standard fabrication processes without complex assembly requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The heat sink is designed as a deformable structure that can flex and conform to irregular surfaces. This flexible design approach maintains ease of manufacture through simple geometric forms while dramatically improving thermal contact area and quality on complex surface geometries
3Temperature
If cooling fluid pressure is increased to improve thermal contact, then heat transfer efficiency improves, but the risk of damaging the detector increases
Solution Approach 1:
The deformable heat sink provides a compliant interface that dynamically adapts to the detector surface, distributing cooling fluid pressure evenly across the contact area. This dynamic adaptation prevents localized pressure concentration that could damage the detector, while still achieving high heat transfer efficiency through improved contact area
Solution Approach 2:
The deformable heat sink material acts as a cushioning element between the high-pressure cooling fluid and the detector surface. This cushioning effect absorbs and distributes the mechanical stress from pressurized cooling fluid, protecting the detector from damage while maintaining effective thermal contact
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 deformable cooling compress improves thermal conductivity and contact pressure, enabling efficient temperature control with reduced complexity and cost by adapting to irregular surfaces and maintaining access to functional elements.
Implementation Method 1
the thermal energy is transported using a suitable medium, such as a fluid
Implementation Method 2
This can significantly increase the thermal conductivity between the housing surface and the heat sink
Data Source
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AI summary
The compress (200) has a cooling body made of a deformable material and attached to a detector of a level measuring device. The cooling body is configured for through-flow of a cooling fluid (205). A region of an inner wall (204) of the cooling body moves toward a corresponding region of an outer surface of the detector to form a thermal contact with the corresponding region, when the compress is attached to the detector and when the fluid flows through the cooling body. A fastening device e.g. strap, holds the cooling compress on a detector housing (201). Independent claims are also included for the following: (1) a level measuring device (2) a method for controlling temperature of a detector using a cooling compress.