IR Spectrometer Non-Contact Temperature Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing IR spectrometers face challenges in reliably measuring the temperature of a sample without contaminating it or introducing systematic errors due to the need for contact sensors and interference from IR radiation, especially when using containers permeable to IR radiation.
Innovation Solution
An IR spectrometer design that uses a non-contact IR sensor to measure the intensity of IR radiation emitted by a sample container opaque in a second wavenumber range, allowing for temperature determination of the sample container surface without interfering with IR spectroscopic measurements, thereby avoiding contamination and errors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a temperature sensor is inserted into the sample, then the temperature measurement precision is improved, but the sample becomes contaminated and additional cleaning steps are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical contact temperature sensor with an optical measurement system. An infrared sensor detects thermal radiation from the sample container wall non-contactly, substituting mechanical insertion with optical detection to avoid sample contamination while maintaining temperature measurement capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces the sample container wall as an intermediary measurement target. Instead of measuring the sample directly, the infrared sensor measures the thermal radiation emitted by the container wall, which serves as a mediator that does not contaminate the sample
2Measurement precision
If the sample container is made permeable to IR radiation for temperature measurement, then the temperature can be measured through the container, but the container material choice is limited and IR radiation from sample and container superimpose
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional approach by making the container opaque to IR radiation rather than permeable. The infrared sensor measures thermal radiation from the outer surface of the container wall, which blocks rather than transmits IR radiation, thereby eliminating the need for special permeable materials and avoiding superposition of radiation from sample and container
3Reliability
If thermal equilibrium is waited for before temperature measurement, then reliable temperature information is obtained, but the measurement time increases and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the sample container wall itself as the measurement target that naturally emits thermal radiation proportional to its temperature. The wall's own thermal properties serve the measurement function without requiring external equilibrium conditions, allowing immediate temperature assessment upon sample insertion
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs temperature measurement immediately upon sample insertion by measuring the container wall temperature, which responds rapidly to temperature changes. This preliminary measurement approach avoids waiting for full thermal equilibrium while still providing reliable temperature information for process control
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 method provides a reliable, quick, and precise temperature measurement of the sample container surface, enabling rapid sample changes and reducing the need to wait for thermal equilibrium, while preventing interference from external IR sources and ensuring accurate temperature control for IR spectroscopic analysis.
Implementation Method 1
the measuring device comprises an IR sensor which measures, without contact, the intensity of the IR radiation emitted by the sample container
Data Source
AI summary
An infrared (IR) spectrometer (20) for IR spectroscopic investigation of a test sample (1) in a first wavenumber range WB1, comprising a sample container (1a) for the test sample (1), wherein the sample container (1a) is transparent to IR radiation in the first wavenumber range WB1, and wherein the IR spectrometer (20) comprises a measuring device for determining the temperature of the test sample (1), is characterized in that the measuring device comprises an IR sensor (2) which measures, without contact, the intensity of the IR radiation emitted by the sample container (1a), and the sample container (1a) is opaque to IR radiation in the second wavenumber range WB2. A simple and reliable measurement of the temperature of a test sample in an IR spectrometer is thereby enabled.