Embedded Temperature Probe Self-Verification via Phase Transition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing temperature measurement devices prone to drift over time, making it difficult to correct measurements, especially in inaccessible probes embedded in structures where physical access is impossible.
Innovation Solution
A device for local temperature measurement that includes a thermally conductive base with materials of predetermined state-change temperatures, a thermal energy transfer device, and a local temperature measurement probe, allowing for metrological verification and correction of drifts without physical access, using a protective sheath for embedding and thermal insulating means to maintain uniformity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a temperature measurement probe is embedded in a structure to remain inaccessible during its service life, then the probe can continuously monitor temperatures in hard-to-reach locations, but it becomes impossible to perform physical access for drift assessment and correction operations
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-verification by using the measurement probe itself to detect the phase transition temperature of the reference material, automatically assessing its own drift without requiring external calibration equipment or physical access. The probe measures the temperature at which the reference material changes phase, compares this to the known fixed point temperature, and determines drift automatically.
Solution Approach 2:
A reference material with a known fixed phase transition temperature is introduced as an intermediary standard. This reference material serves as a stable temperature benchmark that the measurement probe can continuously compare against, enabling drift detection without requiring physical access to calibration equipment or removal of the probe from its installed location.
2Measurement precision
If physical access is required to perform drift assessment and correction operations on temperature measurement devices, then accurate drift correction can be achieved, but the device must be accessible which limits its application in embedded or remote locations
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-verification by using the measurement probe itself to detect the phase transition temperature of the reference material, automatically assessing its own drift without requiring external calibration equipment or physical access. This maintains measurement precision through continuous self-diagnosis while eliminating the need for physical access.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention utilizes the well-defined phase transition temperatures of reference materials (such as melting or freezing points) as stable temperature benchmarks. By monitoring the temperature at which the reference material changes phase, the system can detect probe drift with high precision without requiring physical access to calibration equipment, thereby maintaining both accuracy and application flexibility.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If temperature measurement probes are made inaccessible for long-term monitoring, then they can be deployed in remote or embedded locations, but drift cannot be tracked over time without physical access
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables continuous drift monitoring throughout the probe's service life by constantly comparing the probe's measurements against the reference material's fixed phase transition temperature. This continuous verification process maintains temperature measurement accuracy over extended periods without requiring periodic physical access for calibration, thus preserving drift information throughout the entire operational lifespan.
Solution Approach 2:
A reference material with a known fixed phase transition temperature serves as a stable intermediary standard that enables continuous drift tracking. The measurement probe continuously monitors the temperature at which the reference material changes phase, providing ongoing drift information without requiring physical access to external calibration equipment or removal of the probe from its installed location.
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 tracking and correction of temperature probe drifts without accessing the device, ensuring accurate measurements over the service life of inaccessible probes.
Implementation Method 1
the thermal energy transfer device being adapted to cause a change of state of the first material in order to carry out at least one metrological verification of the local temperature measurement probe
Implementation Method 2
the device comprises a heating module comprising a resistive wire wound around the cell
Implementation Method 3
a thermal energy transfer device thermally connected to the base and to the at least first material
Data Source
AI summary
A device for local temperature measurement that is suitable for taking temperature measurements of an immediate vicinity of said device. The device comprises: a cell comprising a heat-conductive base and at least one first material having a predetermined fixed state-change temperature and arranged in said base; a heat-energy transfer device thermally connected to said base and said at least one first material; a local temperature measurement probe received in said base and in thermal contact with said at least one first material, the heat-energy transfer device being suitable for causing a change of state of said first material in order to carry out at least one metrological verification of the local temperature measurement probe. An associated cell and method for use are also provided.