Outer Crucible Separates Sample Crucible from Sensor

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing thermal analysis methods face issues with chemical and physical reactions between sample materials and crucible or sensor materials at high temperatures, leading to damage or destruction of components.

Innovation Solution

A measuring arrangement with an outer crucible that separates the crucible from the sensor, using materials that are compatible with both the crucible and sensor materials to prevent direct contact and reactions, and optionally employing an underlay arrangement with different materials for enhanced compatibility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If direct contact between crucible and sensor is maintained for good thermal contact, then measurement precision is improved, but chemical reactions and physical reactions occur between materials at high temperatures causing damage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesample temperature measurementVSAvoidcomponent integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

An outer crucible is introduced as an intermediary component between the sample crucible and the sensor. This outer crucible is made of a material that is compatible with both the crucible material and the sensor material, preventing direct contact and adverse reactions while maintaining thermal coupling for accurate temperature measurement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Stability of the object's composition

If crucible material is selected for compatibility with sample material, then sample integrity is improved, but reactions with sensor material still occur causing sensor destruction

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesample material stabilityVSAvoidsensor integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The outer crucible serves as a protective intermediary layer between the sample crucible and the sensor. It is specifically designed with material properties that ensure compatibility with both the crucible material and the sensor material, thereby preventing harmful reactions while allowing the inner crucible to maintain optimal compatibility with the sample.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If outer crucible is added to prevent reactions, then component protection is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomponent protectionVSAvoidmeasuring arrangement structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The outer crucible is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it protects the sensor from chemical and physical reactions, maintains thermal coupling with the sample crucible for accurate measurement, and can be easily removed or replaced. This multi-functionality justifies the additional component by providing comprehensive protection without requiring multiple separate systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 effectively reduces the risk of damage by preventing direct contact between crucible and sensor materials, ensuring good thermal contact and reproducibility of measurement conditions, while allowing for the use of a wide range of materials without adverse reactions.

Implementation Method 1

ensuring good thermal contact

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal contact: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentEP3588070B1Measuring assembly and method for thermal analysis of a sample with a sample crucible and a protective outer crucible
Publication Date: 2022.06.01 NETZSCH GERATEBAU GMBH
  • EP3588070B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3588070B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3588070B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The invention relates to a measuring arrangement for the thermal analysis of a sample (P), comprising a crucible (10) for storing the sample (P) in the crucible (10) and a sensor (20) for measuring the sample temperature of the sample (P) when the crucible (10) is positioned on the sensor (20). To reduce the risk of damage to or even destruction of the components used due to chemical or physical reactions, the invention further provides that the measuring arrangement includes an outer crucible (30-1) for storing the crucible (10) within the outer crucible (30-1), wherein the crucible (10) is made of a crucible material and the outer crucible (30-1) is made of a different outer crucible material. Furthermore, the invention proposes a method for the thermal analysis of a sample (P) carried out using such a measuring arrangement.