Pyranometer Transparent Dome Heating Element Thermal Insulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Pyranometers face reduced measurement accuracy due to dew or frost formation on the transparent dome, which affects solar irradiance measurement, and existing heating solutions introduce temperature offsets.
Innovation Solution
A pyranometer design with a heating element thermally contacting the transparent dome, a thermal insulating element to prevent heat transfer, and a controller to regulate heating based on solar irradiance, ensuring accurate measurement by maintaining a stable dome temperature.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the pyranometer is heated to remove dew or frost from the transparent dome, then the measurement precision is improved, but a temperature offset is introduced that reduces measurement accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The heating element is positioned to provide localized heating only to the transparent dome area where dew or frost formation occurs, rather than heating the entire pyranometer body. This selective local heating removes condensates while minimizing the introduction of temperature offset into the sensor measurement zone.
Solution Approach 2:
A thermal insulating element is introduced as an intermediary between the heating element and the pyranometer body/sensor. This insulator allows heat to reach the transparent dome for defrosting while blocking excessive heat transfer to the sensor and housing, thereby preventing temperature offset and maintaining measurement accuracy.
2Reliability
If a ventilation unit with fan and heating element is used to defrost the dome, then the dew or frost removal is effective, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heating function is extracted from the complex ventilation unit and integrated directly into the dome structure as a simple heating element. This eliminates the need for separate fans and ventilation mechanisms, reducing device complexity while maintaining effective dew and frost removal capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating element is designed to be activated automatically when dew or frost is detected on the dome, allowing the pyranometer to defrost itself without requiring external ventilation systems. This self-service approach simplifies the overall device structure while ensuring reliable operation.
3Reliability
If heating is applied to the pyranometer body, then the dew or frost layer is removed, but the temperature offset increases reducing measurement accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The heating element is positioned to provide localized heating only to the transparent dome area where dew or frost formation occurs, rather than heating the entire pyranometer body. This selective local heating removes condensates while minimizing the introduction of temperature offset into the sensor measurement zone.
Solution Approach 2:
A thermal insulating element is introduced as an intermediary between the heating element and the pyranometer body/sensor. This insulator allows heat to reach the transparent dome for defrosting while blocking excessive heat transfer to the sensor and housing, thereby preventing temperature offset and maintaining measurement accuracy.
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 effectively removes dew and frost, reduces temperature offsets, and enhances measurement accuracy by ensuring that only the necessary amount of heat is applied to the transparent dome, improving the pyranometer's ability to accurately measure solar irradiance.
Implementation Method 1
a heating element arranged to thermally contact at least a portion of the transparent dome
Implementation Method 2
a thermal insulating element arranged to contact at least a portion of the heating element
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The present application relates to a transparent dome for a pyranometer comprising a heating element, wherein the heating element is arranged to thermally contact at least a portion of the transparent dome so as to heat the transparent dome by contact. The arrangement of a heating element to thermally contact at least a portion of the transparent dome allows to efficiently remove any layer of dew and/or frost that may cover the transparent dome, especially in early hours, while preventing the occurrence of temperature offset. Accordingly, the above transparent dome solves the technical problem of enhancing the measurement accuracy of the pyranometer.