Sample Holder Assembly for Pebble-Bed Thermal Conductivity

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for measuring thermal conductivity, such as the laser flash method, are limited in their ability to accurately and efficiently measure thermal conductivity of pebble-beds, as they require specific sample shapes and are costly due to the need for large samples and high measurement times.

Innovation Solution

A sample holder assembly for a laser flash apparatus that includes a tubular sample container with open top and bottom, a bottom disc for delivering laser energy, a top disc for heat transfer, and optional components like a tubular load ring and side ring to pack and hold the pebble-bed in a disc shape, ensuring uniform light and heat transfer.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the laser flash method is used to measure thermal conductivity, then measurement accuracy and speed are improved, but the sample must be in a specific solid circular disc shape which limits applicability to pebble-beds

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethermal conductivity measurement accuracyVSAvoidsample shape adaptability

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces discs (bottom disc and top disc) as intermediary components between the laser flash apparatus and the pebble-bed sample. These discs serve as mediators that convert the irregular pebble-bed into a disc-shaped configuration suitable for laser flash measurement, while the pebbles are packed between the discs to maintain the desired shape without altering the sample's intrinsic properties

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The sample holder assembly is divided into separate functional components: a tubular sample container, bottom disc, top disc, and optional load ring. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function (container for holding, discs for shaping and heat transfer, load ring for compression) while collectively enabling the measurement of irregularly shaped pebble-bed samples

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If conventional methods (hot wire, hot disc) are used to measure thermal conductivity of pebble-beds, then sample shape flexibility is maintained, but measurement time increases and sample quantity requirements are high

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesample shape flexibilityVSAvoidmeasurement time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The sample holder assembly provides a universal solution that can accommodate pebble-beds with irregular shapes while enabling the use of the laser flash method. The combination of tubular container, bottom disc, top disc, and load ring creates a multi-functional system that simultaneously holds irregular samples, shapes them for measurement, and facilitates rapid thermal conductivity determination

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

Enables accurate and efficient measurement of thermal conductivity of pebble-beds using the laser flash method, reducing measurement time and cost by allowing for the use of irregularly shaped samples and improving the uniformity of light and heat transfer.

Implementation Method 1

a bottom disc disposed in the sample container to block the open bottom of the sample container and configured for delivering a laser from a laser flash unit of the apparatus to a pebble-bed

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLaser: Laser

Implementation Method 2

The bottom disc is preferably a flat substrate having durability against high temperature and capable of absorbing laser light energy

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 3

a top disc disposed on the pebble-bed and in the sample container to block the open top of the sample container and configured for receiving heat from the pebble-bed to transfer the heat upward

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 4

Flash method of determining thermal diffusivity, heat capacity, and thermal conductivity

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal diffusivity measurement:

Implementation Method 5

Measurement of a thermal conductivity, especially a thermal diffusivity, of a particle bed

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conductivity measurement:

Data Source

PatentUS10928338B2Sample holder assembly for effective thermal conductivity measurement of pebble-bed in laser flash apparatus

Publication Date: 2021.02.23 KOREA INST OF FUSION ENERGY

AI summary

The present disclosure provides a sample holder assembly for a laser flash apparatus for measuring a thermal conductivity of a pebble-bed, the assembly comprising: a tubular sample container configured to be mounted on a sample carrier tube for the laser flash apparatus, wherein the sample container has open top and bottom; a bottom disc disposed in the sample container to block the open bottom of the sample container and configured for delivering a laser from a laser flash unit of the apparatus to a pebble-bed; the pebble-bed packed on the bottom disc to a predetermined thickness; and a top disc disposed on the pebble-bed and in the sample container to block the open top of the sample container and configured for receiving heat from the pebble-bed to transfer the heat upward.