Peltier Heating Plate with Optical Channel for Rheometry

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing rheometric systems face limitations in temperature control and optical measurement flexibility due to mechanical disturbances, temperature gradients, and opaque heating elements that obstruct optical access to heated fluid samples.

Innovation Solution

An optical rheometer system incorporating a Peltier heating plate with a channel region that allows light to pass through, enabling simultaneous accurate heating and temperature measurement of fluid samples while permitting optical measurements, using a rotating transparent optical plate to introduce shear stress and a detector to record transmitted light.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If direct resistive heating or Peltier heating with opaque metallic elements is used, then heating capability is improved, but optical measurement access is blocked

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheating capabilityVSAvoidoptical measurement access

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The heating plate is segmented into multiple Peltier elements arranged in an array, with optical channels created between adjacent elements. This segmentation allows light to pass through the gaps between elements while each element independently provides heating capability, resolving the contradiction between opaque heating and optical access.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Optical channels act as intermediary pathways between the light source and the sample. These channels are positioned between Peltier elements and allow light to reach the sample without being blocked by opaque metallic heating elements, while the Peltier elements provide thermal control through the plate structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Temperature

If forced convection heating is used, then heating efficiency is improved, but mechanical disturbances are introduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheating efficiencyVSAvoidmechanical disturbances

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces forced convection (mechanical air movement) with direct thermal conduction through the Peltier plate. The Peltier elements conduct heat directly to the sample through thermal contact, eliminating the need for mechanical air circulation and thus avoiding mechanical disturbances to the sample while maintaining efficient heating.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Temperature

If radiant heating is used, then heating coverage is improved, but temperature gradients are introduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheating coverageVSAvoidtemperature uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The Peltier elements are arranged in a distributed array across the plate, providing localized heating zones that collectively cover the entire sample area. Each element can be independently controlled to provide uniform heat distribution across the sample surface, eliminating temperature gradients while maintaining comprehensive heating coverage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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

The system achieves precise temperature control (±0.01°C) and uniform heating, allowing for concurrent optical and viscoelastic property measurements of fluid samples over a wide temperature range without mechanical interference, enhancing measurement flexibility and accuracy.

Implementation Method 1

A Peltier heating plate is provided that has a channel region located within the heating plate

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPeltier effect: Peltier Effect

Implementation Method 2

The channel region is configured to substantially transmit a light beam emitted from the light source and incident on the Peltier heating plate

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight transmission: Light

Data Source

PatentUS7500385B2System for in-situ optical measurement and sample heating during rheometric measurements

Publication Date: 2009.03.10 WATERS TECHNOLOGY CORP

AI summary

An optical rheometer system includes a rheometer chamber that can retain a fluid sample to be measured. A light source is provided that creates a light beam incident on the fluid sample. A Peltier heating plate is provided that has a channel region located within the plate. The channel region is configured to substantially transmit a light beam emitted from the light source and incident on the Peltier heating plate. In one embodiment, a rotating optical plate is provided opposed to a first surface of the Peltier plate. The rotating optical plate is substantially transparent such that light from a light beam emerging from the channel region of the Peltier plate can pass through the optical plate and be recorded at a detector. Peltier elements in the Peltier heating plate are arranged to provide uniform heating of sample fluid located on the first surface of the Peltier heating plate. The Peltier elements are further arranged to permit light to pass through the channel substantially unattenuated.