Flexible External Thermometer Mount for Accurate Container Sensing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Non-invasive temperature measurement in containers, such as vessels and pipelines, suffers from reduced measurement accuracy due to heat dissipation to the environment, leading to significant measurement errors.
Innovation Solution
A device with a flexible, thermally conductive support element attached to the container's outer wall, housing a temperature sensor that is thermally coupled to the medium via the support element, and optionally including thermal insulation and a heating element to maintain thermal equilibrium.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If contact thermometers are used to achieve accurate temperature measurement, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to invasive procedure and infection risk
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary device (the noninvasive thermometer with light source and detector) that measures temperature remotely through the skin without direct contact with internal body sites. This mediator enables accurate temperature measurement while avoiding the invasive procedures and infection risks associated with traditional contact thermometers.
2Ease of operation
If noninvasive temperature measurement methods are used to improve ease of operation, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to inability to measure core body temperature accurately
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical contact-based temperature sensing system with an optical system that uses light sources and detectors to measure temperature through noncontact means. This substitution enables the device to obtain core body temperature measurements noninvasively by detecting thermal radiation or other optical signals through the skin, thereby maintaining measurement precision while improving ease of operation.
3Measurement precision
If contact thermometers are used to achieve accurate temperature measurement, then measurement precision is improved, but object-affected harmful factors worsen due to cross-contamination and infection risk
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary device that measures temperature through noncontact means, eliminating the direct contact between the thermometer and the patient's body. This intermediary approach prevents cross-contamination and infection transmission while maintaining accurate temperature measurement capability.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If noninvasive temperature measurement methods are used to eliminate cross-contamination, then object-affected harmful factors are improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to difficulty in measuring core temperature
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical contact-based measurement system with an optical measurement system that can determine core body temperature noninvasively. This substitution enables accurate core temperature measurement without direct contact, thereby preventing cross-contamination while maintaining measurement precision.
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
Enhances measurement accuracy by ensuring the temperature sensor remains in thermal equilibrium with the process, reducing heat dissipation and improving measurement precision.
Implementation Method 1
A noninvasive thermometer includes a light source, a detector, and a processor. The light source passes light through a patient
Implementation Method 2
The detector detects properties of light passing through the patient's tissue to enable temperature measurement
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The invention relates to a device (1) for determining and/or monitoring the temperature (T) of a medium (M) in a container (2), comprising a temperature sensor (5) for detecting the temperature (T) and a flexible heat-conductive support element (7) which can be arranged on an outer wall (W) of the container (2), wherein the temperature sensor (5) is secured on the support element (7).