Sample Holder with Integrated Thermocouple for Temperature Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sample holders in material characterization devices, such as electron microscopes and X-ray diffractometers, face challenges in accurately measuring sample temperature due to significant temperature differences between the sample and the thermocouple measurement point, leading to non-reproducible results, especially over a wide range of temperatures.
Innovation Solution
A sample holder design featuring a refractory dielectric material body with a thermocouple measurement junction glued to the reception surface, surrounded by a protective sheath, and guide means to electrically isolate the thermocouple conductors, ensuring precise temperature measurement without external calibration, with an accuracy of ±5°C across a wide temperature range (20°C to 1500°C).
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the thermocouple measurement point is placed on the outer surface of the heating enclosure for temperature regulation, then the temperature control function is achieved, but the temperature measurement precision deteriorates due to large temperature differences (>150°C) between the sample and measurement point
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the temperature measurement function with the sample holder by integrating a thermocouple directly into the sample holder structure. The thermocouple measurement point is positioned in direct thermal contact with the sample through the reception surface, combining the sample support function and temperature measurement function into a single integrated component. This eliminates the temperature gradient issue between separate measurement and sample locations.
Solution Approach 2:
The reception surface acts as an intermediary thermal conductor between the sample and the thermocouple measurement point. The reception surface is specifically designed with high thermal conductivity to efficiently transfer heat from the sample to the thermocouple, ensuring accurate temperature measurement while maintaining electrical isolation between the sample and thermocouple conductors.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the sample position in the heating chamber varies, then different experimental conditions are achieved, but the temperature measurement reproducibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating the thermocouple directly into the sample holder structure, the measurement system moves with the sample. This ensures that regardless of where the sample holder is positioned in the heating chamber, the thermocouple remains in constant thermal contact with the sample, maintaining measurement reproducibility while allowing position flexibility.
3Measurement precision
If external calibration using melting point references is used to improve temperature measurement accuracy, then measurement precision improves at calibration temperature, but the solution becomes complex and limited to narrow temperature ranges
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated thermocouple design allows the system to self-measure temperature without requiring external calibration references or additional measurement devices. The thermocouple directly measures sample temperature through thermal contact, eliminating the need for external melting point references or complex calibration procedures, and maintaining accuracy across wide temperature ranges.
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 provides precise temperature measurement of the sample, minimizing uncertainties and ensuring reproducibility across various temperatures, as demonstrated by calibration curves showing minimal differences between setpoint and measured temperatures, with a maximum deviation of 100°C over the tested range.
Implementation Method 1
a thermocouple for measuring the temperature of the sample, in particular during heating, formed of two conductors of different natures, connected in a measurement junction
Implementation Method 2
a sample holder body made of refractory dielectric material
Data Source
AI summary
The invention concerns a sample holder including: a sample-holding body (10) made of a refractory dielectric material, a thermocouple (13) to measure the temperature of the sample, in particular during heating, formed of two conductors (13.1, 13.2) which are different in nature and connected in a measurement junction (13.0), said sample-holding body comprising a receiving surface (11) on which is adhesively bonded the measurement junction (13.0), said receiving surface being a surface for receiving the sample, a protective sheath (17) for the sample-holding body, which encloses the sample-holding body, forming a rim around the receiving surface (11) in such a way as to define a bowl (18) for receiving the sample, the bottom of which is the receiving surface of the sample (11). Application: sample temperature monitoring.