Integrated Temperature Calibrator for Stable Multi-Protocol Calibration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing temperature dry blocks face instability due to unreliable mains voltage and require multiple devices for different calibration tasks, leading to safety hazards and inconvenience in industrial environments, especially when calibrating instruments with various fieldbus protocols.
Innovation Solution
An integrated arrangement combining a multifunctional process calibrator and a dry block with heating/cooling capabilities, supporting multiple fieldbus protocols, and equipped with a rechargeable battery for portable operation, allowing for simultaneous temperature and pressure calibration with enhanced safety features.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a temperature dry block is used for calibration, then temperature calibration capability is provided, but safety hazards arise from high temperatures that can ignite fires or hurt users
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary cooling system that acts as a mediator between the heating element and the external environment. A Peltier element or liquid cooling system is used to actively cool the block surface, creating a thermal barrier that protects users while maintaining calibration temperatures internally. This resolves the contradiction by allowing high temperature calibration functionality while eliminating the harmful heat transfer to users.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different thermal properties to different parts of the device. The internal calibration block maintains high temperatures for calibration purposes, while the external surface is actively cooled to safe temperatures. This local differentiation of thermal quality allows the device to simultaneously provide temperature calibration capability and safety protection in different spatial zones.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate devices are used for different calibration tasks, then each device can be optimized for its specific function, but device complexity and the number of devices required increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple calibration functions (temperature calibration via dry block, pressure calibration via pressure chamber, and electrical calibration via integrated multimeter) into a single integrated device. This merging eliminates the need for multiple separate devices while maintaining all necessary calibration capabilities, thus reducing device complexity and improving versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal calibration device that can perform multiple types of calibrations (temperature, pressure, electrical measurements) through a single unit. The device incorporates interchangeable inserts for different sensor types and integrates multiple measurement functions, allowing one device to replace several specialized devices while maintaining optimized performance for each function.
3Power
If mains voltage is used to power heating elements, then sufficient power is available for heating, but voltage instability in industrial environments causes temperature instability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control system with temperature sensors that continuously monitor the block temperature and adjust the heating element power accordingly. This closed-loop feedback mechanism compensates for mains voltage fluctuations by dynamically adjusting heating power to maintain stable temperature, thus resolving the contradiction between having sufficient heating power and maintaining temperature stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operating parameters of the heating system by using pulse-width modulation (PWM) or variable resistance control to adjust heating element power dynamically. This allows the system to maintain optimal heating power while compensating for voltage instability, ensuring stable temperature output despite variations in mains voltage in industrial environments.
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 solution reduces the need for multiple devices, enhances safety by minimizing heat-related hazards, and provides a compact, versatile tool for convenient and accurate calibration across various industrial environments, supporting multiple fieldbus protocols and enabling efficient temperature and pressure measurements.
Implementation Method 1
In a high-temperature dry block, resistive heaters are typically used to heat the calibrator block
Implementation Method 2
a fan is used cool down the calibrator block
Implementation Method 3
In a low-temperature (staying below +150° C.) dry block, Peltier elements (i.e. thermoelectric coolers, TECs) can be used to heat and cool the dry block
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention combines the functionalities of a multifunctional process calibrator with a heating and/or cooling unit (also called as a dry block). The heating and/or cooling unit and the process calibrator are integrated in a single housing forming the arrangement. The arrangement allows using several digital communication protocols i.e. fieldbus protocols. Temperature sensor simulation is possible as well. Pressure measurement and/or calibration is also enabled. The arrangement is supplied with internal rechargeable battery, which enables all other functionalities without mains power, except the use of the heating and/or cooling unit, where the mains power is required.