Wireless Data Logger for RF Heating Temperature Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current RF heating systems face challenges in accurately measuring internal temperatures of articles being heated due to temperature probes disrupting the RF energy field and absorbing energy, leading to erroneous readings.
Innovation Solution
A wireless data logger with an elongated probe oriented perpendicular to the RF energy field is used to measure temperatures during RF heating, minimizing interactions with the RF field and providing accurate temperature readings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If temperature probes are used to measure internal temperature of articles during RF heating, then temperature measurement capability is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to probe interference with RF energy field and energy absorption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the temperature probe from the article interior and places it on the exterior surface. The probe measures temperature through thermal conduction from the article surface without penetrating into the article, thereby eliminating interference with the RF energy field while maintaining temperature measurement capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a dielectric member that couples the temperature probe to the article. This dielectric intermediary allows thermal energy transfer from the article to the probe while being substantially transparent to RF energy, thus enabling accurate temperature measurement without disrupting the RF heating field.
2Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If temperature probes are inserted into articles during RF heating, then temperature measurement capability is improved, but energy loss increases due to probe absorption of RF energy
Solution Approach 1:
The temperature probe is extracted from the article interior and positioned on the exterior surface. This eliminates the probe's presence within the RF energy field, preventing RF energy absorption by the probe and avoiding disruption to the heating process.
Solution Approach 2:
A dielectric member serves as an intermediary between the probe and the article. This dielectric material allows thermal conduction for temperature sensing while maintaining RF energy transparency, thus preventing energy loss through probe absorption.
3Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If conventional temperature probes are used during RF heating, then temperature measurement is enabled, but reliability deteriorates due to erroneous readings from field perturbation
Solution Approach 1:
The probe is removed from the article interior where it would perturb the RF field. By positioning the probe on the exterior surface and using thermal conduction through the dielectric member, the system eliminates field perturbation and ensures reliable temperature readings.
Solution Approach 2:
The dielectric member acts as a mediator that isolates the probe from the RF energy field while maintaining thermal contact with the article. This intermediary ensures that the probe measures the article's temperature without being influenced by or disrupting the RF heating field, thereby improving measurement reliability.
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
This approach allows for precise temperature measurement and control during RF heating, ensuring accurate thermal processing of articles without interfering with the RF energy field.
Implementation Method 1
heating the plurality of articles using RF energy
Implementation Method 2
the use of RF energy to heat articles can have drawbacks
Implementation Method 3
measuring a temperature of at least one of the articles using a wireless data logger
Implementation Method 4
an electrically conductive material substantially surrounding the temperature sensor. The electrically conductive material has an electrical conductivity greater than 2×106 S/m at 20° C.
Data Source
AI summary
A datalogger with a temperature sensor for measuring the temperature of one or more articles during a radio frequency (RF) heating process. The datalogger may be wireless and may store temperature measurements in an internal memory and/or may wirelessly transmit temperature data in real-time. The datalogger may be specifically designed and oriented to maximize temperature measurement accuracy and minimize interference with the RF heating process.