Thermal Analysis Furnace Cooling Gas Flow Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing thermal analysis apparatuses face issues with rapid temperature changes causing damage to ceramic heating furnaces and difficulties in precise temperature control when cooling beyond 700°C, leading to inaccurate measurements.
Innovation Solution
A thermal analysis apparatus with a temperature detector, program setter, processor, and cooling gas flow rate adjustment system that calculates and adjusts cooling gas flow rates based on temperature programs, ensuring safe cooling rates and precise temperature control by using different operation expressions for higher and lower temperature regions, preventing furnace damage and enabling faster cooling without rapid temperature changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If cooling gas is supplied to rapidly cool the heating furnace from high temperature, then cooling speed is improved, but the heating furnace is damaged due to thermal shock
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling gas flow rate is dynamically adjusted based on the current temperature of the heating furnace. The processor section calculates the appropriate flow rate according to the temperature program, and the flow rate adjustment section implements real-time control. This dynamic adjustment allows rapid cooling when safe and controlled cooling when approaching critical temperatures, resolving the contradiction between cooling speed and thermal shock prevention.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter of cooling gas flow rate according to temperature conditions. Different flow rates are applied at different temperature stages: higher flow rates are used when the furnace is above the predetermined temperature threshold to achieve rapid cooling, while lower flow rates are applied when approaching the threshold to prevent thermal shock damage. This parameter change strategy resolves the contradiction by adapting the cooling intensity to the thermal state of the furnace.
2Loss of time
If cooling gas flow rate is increased to cool faster, then measurement time is reduced, but temperature control precision deteriorates due to rapid temperature changes
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling gas flow rate is dynamically adjusted based on the current temperature of the heating furnace. The processor section calculates the appropriate flow rate according to the temperature program, and the flow rate adjustment section implements real-time control. This dynamic adjustment allows rapid cooling when safe and controlled cooling when approaching critical temperatures, resolving the contradiction between cooling speed and thermal shock prevention.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter of cooling gas flow rate according to temperature conditions. Different flow rates are applied at different temperature stages: higher flow rates are used when the furnace is above the predetermined temperature threshold to achieve rapid cooling, while lower flow rates are applied when approaching the threshold to prevent thermal shock damage. This parameter change strategy resolves the contradiction by adapting the cooling intensity to the thermal state of the furnace.
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 precise temperature control and wider measurement ranges by supplying a suitable cooling gas flow rate, preventing furnace damage and ensuring accurate measurement data across a broader temperature range.
Implementation Method 1
the heating furnace is cooled by a supply of a cooling gas
Data Source
AI summary
A thermal analysis apparatus possesses a temperature sensor measuring a temperature of a heating furnace inside, a temperature program setter which can set a temperature program and outputs a temperature program signal, a temperature control section adjusting a supply electric power to a heater in compliance with a difference between the temperature program signal and a detection signal of the temperature sensor, a processor section calculating an air flow rate corresponding to a program temperature, and a mass flow controller which adjusts an air flow rate supplied to the heating furnace inside in compliance with a signal of the air flow rate calculated by the processor section. In the processor section, operation expressions calculating the air flow rate are set so as to differ respectively in a higher temperature side and a lower temperature side than a predetermined boundary temperature.