Sample Carrier Layout With Defined Heat Flow for Compact DSC
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current thermal sample analysis instruments are bulky, limiting their application and require complex setups for differential thermal analysis (DTA) or differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), often necessitating multiple crucibles and complex constructions, which hinder integration of additional analysis techniques.
Innovation Solution
A compact sample carrier device with a main carrier structure, a reference unit, and a sample carrier unit separated by a defined heat flow element, allowing for DSC without a reference sample, enabling easy calibration and space-saving integration in thermal sample analysis instruments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a compact sample carrier device is used, then the instrument size is reduced and mobility is enabled, but the complexity of maintaining proper heat flow paths and calibration may increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sample carrier device is divided into separate functional modules: a reference unit with a first thermocouple, a sample carrier unit with a second thermocouple, and a defined heat flow element connecting them. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while maintaining compact overall dimensions, resolving the contradiction between small size and heat flow path complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
A defined heat flow element is introduced as an intermediary component between the reference unit and the sample carrier unit. This element provides a controlled thermal coupling that simplifies the heat flow path while enabling accurate DSC measurements, thus reducing the complexity burden that would otherwise be imposed by the compact design.
2Adaptability or versatility
If DTA or DSC measurements are performed with traditional setups, then measurement functionality is achieved, but the construction becomes complex requiring multiple crucibles and reference samples
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the need for a physical reference sample and multiple crucibles by integrating the reference function directly into the reference unit with the first thermocouple. The sample carrier unit with the second thermocouple can measure samples directly, reducing the construction complexity while maintaining full DSC measurement functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The reference unit serves multiple functions: it acts as a thermal reference for DSC measurements, provides a thermocouple for temperature measurement, and can be used for calibration. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components and simplifies the overall construction while maintaining measurement adaptability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If traditional DTA/DSC instruments are used, then differential thermal analysis is possible, but the instrument dimensions become unwieldy and inhibit new field applications
Solution Approach 1:
The reference unit and sample carrier unit are nested within a compact main carrier structure that houses both thermocouple means and the defined heat flow element. This nested arrangement minimizes the overall instrument volume while maintaining all necessary components for differential thermal analysis, making the instrument portable and adaptable to new applications.
4Measurement precision
If a reference sample is used in DSC measurements, then calibration is achieved, but the setup becomes more complex and space-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The reference unit is pre-configured with the first thermocouple and defined heat flow element, enabling calibration to be performed beforehand without requiring a physical reference sample during the measurement process. This preliminary preparation simplifies the setup while maintaining calibration accuracy, as the reference characteristics are built into the device architecture.
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 DSC measurements with simplified calibration and compact design, facilitating integration of multiple analysis methods in a single instrument without losing functionality, and allowing for easy maintenance and component exchange.
Implementation Method 1
a reference unit (5) with a first thermocouple means (11) and a sample carrier unit (6) with a second thermocouple means (12)
Implementation Method 2
a defined heat flow element (14) is arranged between the reference unit (5) and the sample carrier unit (6)
Data Source
AI summary
A sample carrier device for measuring instruments for the thermal sample analysis. This sample carrier device thereby includes a main carrier structure, a reference unit with a first thermocouple means and a sample carrier unit with a second thermocouple means, wherein the main carrier structure is designed to keep the reference unit as well as the sample carrier unit spatially separated from one another. In addition, a defined heat flow element is arranged between reference unit and sample carrier unit. In addition, a measuring instrument for the thermal sample analysis is presented.