Pipe Temperature Sensor Sleeve for Accurate Non-Invasive Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing non-invasive temperature measurement technologies for fluids in pipes face challenges in measurement accuracy, reliability, and ease of assembly, particularly in terms of minimizing thermal conduction resistance and environmental interference.
Innovation Solution
A temperature measuring device with a sleeve housing two temperature sensors, where the sleeve has a closure that contacts the pipe wall to create a defined thermal contact, minimizing disruptive influences and using a section with reduced wall thickness for improved thermal connection, along with a thermal insulator to reduce heat flow and environmental interference, and a detachable holder for easy maintenance and calibration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the sleeve is closed with a closure that contacts the pipe wall to create thermal contact, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sleeve is segmented into different wall thickness regions: a first region with reduced wall thickness at the closure for thermal contact with the pipe wall, and a second region with greater wall thickness for environmental protection. This segmentation allows the sleeve to simultaneously achieve thermal conductivity where needed and thermal insulation where needed, resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The sleeve exhibits local quality variation through its differentiated wall thickness design. The closure region has reduced wall thickness to facilitate thermal contact with the pipe wall for accurate temperature measurement, while the main body maintains greater wall thickness for environmental protection. This local differentiation enables the sleeve to perform multiple functions with a single component, improving measurement precision without proportionally increasing device complexity.
2Measurement precision
If the wall thickness of the sleeve is reduced to improve thermal connection, then measurement precision is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to increased environmental influence
Solution Approach 1:
The sleeve is divided into functional segments: a thin-walled closure region for thermal contact and a thick-walled main body for environmental protection. This segmentation allows the sleeve to simultaneously achieve good thermal connection for measurement precision while maintaining reliability through environmental protection in the thicker regions.
Solution Approach 2:
The sleeve applies local quality differentiation by varying wall thickness across different regions. The closure has reduced wall thickness locally to improve thermal connection with the pipe wall, while the main body maintains sufficient wall thickness for reliability and environmental protection. This localized optimization resolves the contradiction between measurement precision and reliability.
3Measurement precision
If a thermal insulator is added to reduce heat flow and environmental interference, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The thermal insulator is merged with the sleeve structure, forming an integrated component rather than a separate assembly. The insulator is positioned within the sleeve's hollow space, combining the protective and insulating functions into a unified structure. This merging approach improves measurement precision by reducing environmental interference while minimizing the increase in device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The sleeve structure is designed to serve multiple functions simultaneously: it provides mechanical protection for the temperature sensors, creates a defined thermal contact path through its closure, and incorporates thermal insulation to reduce environmental interference. This multi-functionality approach improves measurement precision without proportionally increasing device complexity, as the same structural elements perform multiple roles.
4Measurement precision
If the closure has a reduced surface area to minimize disruptive influences on heat transfer, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to reduced contact area
Solution Approach 1:
The closure is designed with local quality optimization: it has a reduced surface area to minimize disruptive thermal influences and improve measurement precision, while its geometry is specifically optimized to ensure reliable contact with the pipe wall. The closure's design balances the need for minimal thermal mass with the need for sufficient contact area, resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and ease of operation.
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 solution enables precise, non-invasive temperature measurement with reduced delay and increased accuracy, while simplifying maintenance and calibration, and allowing for a wide range of pipe applications without sacrificing measurement quality.
Implementation Method 1
a thermal contact between the sleeve and the wall of the pipe is produced via the closure
Implementation Method 2
The sleeve has a thermal insulator, by which a heat flow between the first and/or second temperature sensor and the sleeve is minimized
Data Source
AI summary
A method for calibrating a temperature measuring device, a computer program product for simulating an operating behavior of the temperature measuring device and a temperature measuring device for non-invasively measuring a temperature of a medium in a tube, wherein the temperature measuring device includes first and second temperature sensors that are accommodated in a sleeve that has a closure for contacting a wall of the tube.