Inductive Heating Device for Test Fluid Temperature Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional test devices for tempering a test fluid face challenges such as slow heating, temperature control lag, hygiene issues due to water baths, and indirect temperature measurement, leading to inaccuracies and inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of direct inductive heating within a removable container for the test fluid, combined with contact-less temperature sensing using electromagnetic radiation, eliminates the need for water baths and reduces time lag in heating and temperature control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a water bath is used to heat the test fluid, then the test fluid can be heated to the desired temperature, but the heating process is slow and temperature control has considerable time lag
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the test fluid from the water bath environment and places it in a container with direct inductive heating capability. The heating element is integrated into the container base, eliminating the need for water bath as the heating medium, thereby reducing thermal mass and heating time.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the mechanical thermal conduction system (heating element → water bath → test fluid) with an electromagnetic induction system (induction coil → container base → test fluid). This substitution enables direct and rapid heating with better temperature control response.
2Temperature
If a water bath is used for heating, then temperature control can be achieved, but regular emptying, cleaning and re-filling are necessary for hygiene reasons
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the test fluid system from the water bath environment, eliminating the shared water medium that requires cleaning. The container with integrated heating can be easily removed, emptied, and cleaned independently without affecting other components.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention segments the heating system into a separate, removable container unit with integrated heating element. This modular design allows the container to be easily detached for cleaning and maintenance, improving hygiene management.
3Temperature
If a heating sleeve surrounding the container is used, then heating can be achieved without a water bath, but significant time lag occurs due to heat transfer through the glass container
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies heating locally at the base of the container where thermal contact is most efficient. The induction heating element is integrated into the container base, creating a localized high-efficiency heating zone that rapidly heats the test fluid without requiring heat transfer through the entire container wall.
4Temperature
If a heating sleeve is used for heating, then no water bath is needed, but the heating sleeve has a negative effect on the ability to inspect the test fluid
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the heating function from an external sleeve and integrates it into the container base. This eliminates the opaque heating sleeve that blocked visual inspection, allowing transparent containers to be used while maintaining effective heating capability.
5Measurement precision
If the temperature sensor is arranged in the region of the heating plate, then temperature measurement can be achieved, but the measured temperature does not correspond to the temperature of the test fluid
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses the container base as an intermediary between the induction heating system and the test fluid. The temperature sensor is integrated into the base structure, measuring the temperature at the heating interface, which serves as a reliable indicator of the test fluid temperature without requiring direct immersion in the fluid.
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 approach enables rapid and accurate temperature control of the test fluid with minimal time lag, improving the efficiency and accuracy of temperature management in test devices, particularly in the pharmaceutical industry.
Implementation Method 1
heating is effected by means of a heating sleeve surrounding the container for the test fluid
Implementation Method 2
The implementation of direct inductive heating within a removable container for the test fluid
Implementation Method 3
contact-less temperature sensing using electromagnetic radiation
Data Source
AI summary
A device for tempering a test fluid includes an electric heating device for heating the test fluid, a sensor for detecting a measuring value associated with the temperature of the test fluid, and an electronic control device for controlling the heating device in dependence upon the measuring value. The heating device includes an induction generator, connected to a power supply, for the inductive heating of a heating element which is connected, in a heat-conducting manner, to the test fluid and/or to a container for the test fluid, and the sensor is a sensor measuring in a contact-less manner.