Dry Block Calibrator Stability Control Under Mains Voltage Fluctuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Temperature calibrators, particularly dry block calibrators, face instability issues due to fluctuations in mains voltage and surrounding air interference, which affect the accuracy and stability of temperature calibration processes.
Innovation Solution
The integration of a power metering integrated circuit to measure and compensate for input power fluctuations to the heating elements, combined with orientation sensing to detect and prevent leaning, which enhances stability by reducing temperature fluctuations and minimizing air interference through strategic fan placement and the use of back draft dampers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If heating elements are powered by mains voltage, then the heating function is achieved, but temperature stability deteriorates due to voltage fluctuations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism by measuring the actual mains voltage with a power metering integrated circuit and using this information to adjust the heating power dynamically. The controller modifies the power delivered to heating elements based on real-time voltage measurements, compensating for fluctuations and maintaining stable temperature despite variations in mains voltage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operating parameters of the heating system by adjusting the power delivery based on measured mains voltage conditions. When voltage fluctuates, the system modifies heating power parameters to compensate, ensuring temperature stability is maintained despite changes in the electrical supply environment.
2Temperature
If a fan is used for cooling, then cooling function is achieved, but temperature stability deteriorates due to air inlet/outlet causing surrounding air interference
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts or removes the harmful effect of surrounding air interference by using backdraft dampers to block unwanted air inflow through the fan air inlet. This separates the necessary cooling air flow from the harmful surrounding air that would cause temperature instability, allowing the fan to provide cooling without introducing destabilizing air currents into the calibration chamber.
3Stability of the object's composition
If back draft dampers are added to block air inlet, then air interference is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The backdraft dampers serve multiple functions: they block harmful surrounding air from entering through the fan inlet, they can be integrated with the existing fan housing structure, and they work passively without requiring additional active control systems. This multi-functionality reduces the overall complexity increase despite adding the damper 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 solution significantly reduces temperature instability, ensuring accurate and stable calibrations by compensating for voltage fluctuations and isolating the calibrator from surrounding air disturbances, resulting in more reliable and efficient temperature measurement processes.
Implementation Method 1
a power metering integrated circuit configured to measure an applied input power to the heating elements of the heating and cooling device (33), the applied input power originating from mains voltage of the dry block (30)
Implementation Method 2
In a high-temperature dry block, resistive heaters are typically used to heat the calibrator block
Implementation Method 3
a fan is used cool down the calibrator block
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The present invention discloses methods for detecting and improving temperature stability in measurements performed by a dry block (30), i.e. a temperature calibrator. The dry block (30) comprises a heating and cooling device (33). An energy metering integrated circuit measures an applied input power to the heating elements of the heating and cooling device (33). Additionally, a real-time compensation algorithm uses measurement results obtained by the energy metering integrated circuit, and outputs a control signal to the heating elements. The arrangement may comprise a back draft damper adjacent to a fan. The fan position may be selected. Stability criteria may be set. Leaning of the dry block (30) can be tracked. Different sensors (31, 34) are used for the temperature control and for the temperature stability indication.