Contactless Temperature Measurement of Moving Metal Wires

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for contactlessly measuring the temperature of moving metal wires with unknown emission properties, such as those used in electrical cables, face challenges due to alignment issues and lack of precision, especially when the objects are small or vibrating, leading to incorrect measurements.

Innovation Solution

A method and device that surround the moving object with a radiation source and use a spatially-resolved thermal radiation measurement to determine temperature, employing a cavity radiator as a black body to compensate for the object's reflection and emission, allowing precise temperature determination even for small diameters and vibrating objects.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a stationary pyrometer is used to measure moving metal wires, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision deteriorates due to alignment issues and the object moving out of the measuring field

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice complexityVSAvoidmeasurement precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of keeping the temperature sensor stationary and moving the object through it, the patent inverts the approach by moving the temperature sensor together with the object along the longitudinal axis. This ensures the measuring point remains constantly aligned with the object, eliminating alignment errors while maintaining relatively simple device structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The temperature sensor is integrated into the guide apparatus that conveys the metal wire, creating a nested arrangement where the measurement device is part of the transportation system. This ensures synchronized movement and constant alignment without requiring separate complex alignment mechanisms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Ease of operation

If the measuring spot is made larger to accommodate moving objects, then the ease of operation is improved, but the measurement precision deteriorates when the measuring spot exceeds the object diameter

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of operationVSAvoidmeasurement precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs dynamic adjustment of the measuring spot size that adapts to the object diameter. The measuring spot size is not fixed but can be adjusted to match the actual object being measured, ensuring optimal precision for each measurement scenario while maintaining ease of operation through automated adaptation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If external irradiation is used to measure objects with unknown emission properties, then the adaptability is improved, but the measurement precision deteriorates due to incorrect compensation of reflection and emission

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveadaptabilityVSAvoidmeasurement precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent measures thermal radiation at multiple different wavelengths and uses the variation in radiation intensity across these wavelengths to determine both temperature and emission properties simultaneously. By changing the measurement parameter (wavelength) and analyzing the pattern of changes, the system can accurately measure objects with unknown emission properties without requiring external irradiation or complex compensation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 reliable and precise contactless temperature measurement of moving metal wires by creating a defined measuring environment, ensuring accurate temperature regulation and determination regardless of the object's emission properties or movement.

Implementation Method 1

the object is guided through at least one radiation source emitting thermal radiation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal radiation: Thermal Radiation

Implementation Method 2

with at least one radiation detector, a spatially-resolved thermal radiation measurement is performed

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal radiation detection: Thermal Radiation

Data Source

PatentUS9804030B2Method and device for contactlessly determining the temperature of a moving object having an unknown degree of emission

Publication Date: 2017.10.31 SIKORA AG

AI summary

A method for contactlessly determining the temperature of a moving object having an unknown degree of emission, especially a metal wire conveyed along its longitudinal axis, is described. The object is guided through at least one radiation source emitting thermal radiation, wherein the object is mostly or completely surrounded by the at least one radiation source. With at least one radiation detector, a spatially-resolved thermal radiation measurement is performed in a region through which the object passes when it is guided through the radiation source. The temperature of the moving object is determined on the basis of the spatially-resolved thermal radiation measurement. A corresponding device is also described.