Pivoting Contact Temperature Sensor for Fast-Moving Saw Blades

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing temperature sensors are unable to provide accurate readings at high speeds and are not suitable for harsh environments, such as saw mills, where they may be exposed to water and dust, which affects their performance.

Innovation Solution

A temperature sensor device with a sensor body that includes a biasing mechanism to maintain contact with a moving surface, allowing it to pivot with the surface when it deflects, and an electronics module for transmitting temperature data to an external device, designed to operate effectively in high-speed environments and harsh conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If contact-based sensors are used to measure temperature of a moving surface, then the sensor can provide direct contact measurement, but the sensor can only measure surfaces moving up to 200 meters/minute and cannot survive in harsh environments

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurface speed measurement capabilityVSAvoidsensor survival in harsh environments

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor body is designed to pivot and move dynamically with the deflecting saw blade, allowing the engagement surface to maintain contact with the blade even during high-speed operation and deflection. This dynamic adaptation enables the sensor to reliably measure temperatures at speeds up to 20,000 feet per minute while surviving harsh conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If infra-red sensors are used for temperature measurement, then the sensor can measure without contact, but the sensor does not work well in wet environments because water absorbs IR radiation and in dirty or dusty environments because the sensor may become blocked

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenon-contact measurement capabilityVSAvoidtemperature reading accuracy in wet and dirty environments

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces infra-red optical measurement with direct mechanical contact measurement. The engagement surface makes physical contact with the saw blade to transfer heat to the temperature sensor, eliminating the problems of IR absorption by water and blockage by dust while maintaining measurement capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Measurement precision

If existing temperature sensors are used in saw mills, then the sensors can measure blade temperature, but the sensors cannot provide accurate readings at high speeds and are not suitable for harsh environments with water and dust

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature reading accuracyVSAvoidsuitability for harsh environments and high speeds

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The engagement surface is specifically designed with localized properties - it is positioned and oriented to make direct contact with the deflecting saw blade at the precise location where temperature measurement is needed. This localized adaptation ensures accurate temperature readings while the sensor body pivots to accommodate blade deflection during high-speed operation in harsh environments.

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 device provides accurate temperature readings at high speeds, up to 20,000 feet per minute, and withstands harsh conditions, optimizing water and oil usage in saw mills, reducing costs and environmental impact.

Implementation Method 1

a biasing mechanism coupled to the sensor body for providing pressure to maintain the engagement surface in contact with the moving surface and for allowing the engagement surface to pivot with the moving surface when the moving surface deflects

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

a sensor body comprising a temperature sensor for measuring temperature of the moving surface, the sensor body having an engagement surface for contacting the moving surface

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentUS11333561B2Temperature sensor for fast moving surface

Publication Date: 2022.05.17 FPINNOVATIONS INC

AI summary

A temperature sensor device and a system for measuring temperature of a fast moving surface are described herein. A sensor body comprising a temperature sensor for measuring temperature of the moving surface. The sensor body has an engagement surface for contacting the moving surface. A biasing mechanism is coupled to the sensor body for providing pressure to maintain the engagement surface in contact with moving surface and for allowing the engagement surface to pivot with the moving surface when the moving surface deflects. An electronics module is connected to the temperature sensor for determining temperature data indicative of the temperature of the moving surface and for transmitting the temperature data to an external device. The temperature sensor device and/or the system may be used for measuring temperature of a saw blade.