Temperature Measuring Instrument Insulating Tube Displacement Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing temperature measuring instruments for high-temperature and pressure furnaces, such as thermocouple thermometers, face issues with reduced lifespan due to chemical reactions between thermocouple wires and insulating tubes, and suffer from relative displacement problems that lead to contact and further reactions, compromising accuracy and longevity.

Innovation Solution

A temperature measuring instrument featuring a pair of metal bodies with different materials, an insulating tube with larger inner diameters, and connecting members with engaging portions to prevent relative displacement, ensuring the insulating tube remains locked and preventing contact with the metal bodies, thus suppressing chemical reactions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the insulating tube is designed with a larger inner diameter to prevent contact with the thermocouple rod member, then the risk of chemical reaction is reduced, but the insulating tube may deviate from its normal position and contact the thermocouple rod member

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprevention of chemical reactionVSAvoidpositional stability of insulating tube

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

A circumferential restricting member is introduced as an intermediary component between the insulating tube and the thermocouple rod member. This restricting member prevents the insulating tube from deviating circumferentially while maintaining the designed gap, thus preventing chemical reaction without compromising positional stability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The circumferential restricting member is pre-installed on the thermocouple rod member before inserting the insulating tube. This preliminary action ensures that the insulating tube is guided into the correct position and prevented from circumferential deviation from the outset

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of manufacture

If the insulating tube is not restrained in the circumferential direction to allow free movement, then assembly is easier, but the insulating tube may rotate or displace relative to the thermocouple rod member causing contact

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of assemblyVSAvoidprevention of relative displacement

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The circumferential restricting member acts as a mediator that provides circumferential restraint to the insulating tube. It allows the insulating tube to be easily assembled while preventing unwanted rotation or displacement that would lead to contact with the thermocouple rod member

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The circumferential restricting member is designed to be self-aligning, where its cylindrical shape and fit on the thermocouple rod member automatically guide the insulating tube into the correct position during assembly, eliminating the need for complex alignment procedures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 solution effectively restricts relative displacement and contact between the insulating tube and metal bodies, enhancing the lifespan of the instrument by preventing chemical reactions and maintaining accuracy over extended use.

Implementation Method 1

thermoelectromotive force of the thermocouple thermometer may be lowered by a chemical reaction between a material component of a thermocouple wire and a material component of the insulating tube

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermoelectromotive force: Seebeck Effect

Data Source

PatentUS11346607B2Temperature measuring instrument for high temperature and pressure furnace

Publication Date: 2022.05.31 KOBE STEEL LTD

AI summary

Provided is a temperature measuring instrument 7 for a high temperature and pressure furnace having a structure capable of preventing relative displacement of an insulating tube 10 with respect to a pair of metal bodies 8a and 8b. A distal end engaging portion 22 is provided in an axial direction end portion of the insulating tube 10. The temperature measuring instrument 7 is additionally provided with connecting members 15 and 17 which connect distal end portions of the pair of metal bodies 8a and 8b to one another. The insulating tube 10 is locked to the connecting members 15 and 17 at the distal end engaging portion 22 in such a way as to restrict relative displacement in the circumferential direction with respect to the pair of metal bodies 8a and 8b.