Dual Waveband Temperature Detector for Low-Temp Accuracy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional two-color pyrometers face challenges in accurately measuring low temperatures due to high variability in emissivity of metal surfaces, leading to significant temperature errors and engineering difficulties such as parallax errors in installation and use, especially for industrial applications below 500°F (260°C).
Innovation Solution
A dual waveband temperature detector system using a beam splitter to superimpose the optical axes of both sensors, employing wide bandwidth components to capture more thermal energy, and integrating sensors to compute the ratio of detected radiation, thereby reducing costs and improving ease of installation and accuracy for low temperature industrial applications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional two-color pyrometers use narrow spectral bands, then they are successful at measuring high temperature targets with strong radiance, but they receive insufficient photo signals for low temperature targets
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the spectral bandwidth parameter from narrow to wide, allowing the detector to capture more thermal radiation energy across a broader wavelength range. This increases the photo signal strength for low temperature targets while maintaining temperature measurement capability through ratio pyrometry calculations.
2Adaptability or versatility
If side-by-side placement of thermocouples is used, then two separate measurements can be taken, but parallax errors and engineering difficulties arise in installation and use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the optical paths of two thermocouples by superimposing them onto a common target area using a beam splitter. This eliminates parallax errors between separate measurement points while maintaining the capability to take two separate spectral measurements simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a beam splitter as an intermediary optical component that directs radiation from a single target area to two separate thermocouples. This mediator enables simultaneous dual-wavelength measurement from the same location without the mechanical complexity of side-by-side placement.
3Quantity of substance
If wide bandwidth components are used, then more thermal energy can be captured for low temperature measurement, but system costs may increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the optical components serve multiple functions: the beam splitter both divides the optical path for dual thermocouple measurement and enables superimposition for parallax elimination, while the wide bandwidth optics simultaneously capture more thermal energy and work across temperature ranges. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate specialized components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs ratio pyrometry calculations that use the relative measurements from two wavelengths to determine temperature. This self-service approach allows the system to compensate for variations in absolute signal strength and component characteristics, reducing the need for expensive high-precision components while maintaining measurement accuracy.
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 system achieves accurate non-contact temperature detection for low temperature targets with reduced costs and simplified installation, minimizing errors from emissivity variations and parallax issues, while using less expensive optical and electronic components without compromising performance.
Implementation Method 1
A dual waveband temperature detector apparatus includes a beam splitter, first and second sensors
Implementation Method 2
A pyrometer is a device that intercepts and measures thermal radiation in a non-contact temperature sensing process known as pyrometry
Implementation Method 3
The detector produces an output signal, typically a voltage, which is related to thermal radiation
Implementation Method 4
Temperature can be determined by taking the ratio of the detected radiation
Data Source
AI summary
There are many industrial applications in which non-contact temperature sensing is useful for increasing production speed and quality, such as printing, laminating, extrusion, and metal forming. Disclosed is a non-contact temperature determining apparatus which uses two wide wavelength bands integrating sensors to determine the radiance ratio of a target and thereby determine a corresponding temperature of the target. Also disclosed is a non-contact temperature determining apparatus in which a beam splitter passes one wide wavelength band to a sensor and reflects another distinct wide wavelength band to another sensor from which temperature can be determined. A disclosed embodiment of the dual waveband temperature detector improves upon traditional and currently available ratio pyrometers by further reducing the cost of the system, making installation and use easier, and improving temperature detection for low temperature industrial applications.