Temperature Sensor Terminal Areas for Thermal Contact
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing temperature measurement sensors face challenges in conducting heat efficiently through an aluminum oxide layer and preventing heat loss via connection conductors, leading to significant measuring errors due to temperature differences and increased conductor resistance.
Innovation Solution
The method involves arranging terminal areas in unrestricted thermal contact with the process being measured, with measuring conductors connected through these terminal areas to minimize temperature gradients and improve heat conduction, using larger surface areas for the terminal areas compared to the measuring element.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If connection conductors are made thick to reduce conductor resistance, then electrical connectivity is improved, but heat conduction away from the measuring element increases causing measuring errors
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the thermal contact structure into two distinct parts: a small measuring element for accurate temperature sensing and a larger terminal area for thermal equilibrium. This segmentation allows the measuring element to maintain high measurement precision while the terminal area provides sufficient thermal contact without excessive heat conduction through thick conductors.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention applies different functional qualities to different parts of the sensor structure. The measuring element has small surface area for precise local temperature measurement, while the terminal area has large surface area for optimal thermal contact with the process medium. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between electrical connectivity and measurement precision.
2Measurement precision
If connection conductors are made thin to reduce heat conduction, then measuring accuracy is improved, but conductor resistance increases in a disturbing manner
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the thermal contact into a small measuring element and a separate terminal area, the invention allows thin conductors to connect the measuring element (maintaining low heat conduction) while the terminal area provides the necessary electrical connectivity and thermal equilibrium with the process medium.
Solution Approach 2:
The terminal area acts as an intermediary between the measuring element and the process medium. It provides both thermal contact for temperature equilibration and electrical connectivity, allowing thin conductors to be used at the measuring element without compromising electrical connectivity.
3Stability of the object's composition
If ceramic material is used between the surface being measured and the measuring element, then structural stability is provided, but heat conduction efficiency is reduced due to the aluminum oxide layer
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transitions from a through-thickness heat conduction path (perpendicular to the ceramic surface) to a surface-level thermal contact approach. The terminal area is arranged at the surface of the ceramic chip, allowing thermal contact with the process medium in a different dimensional configuration that bypasses the insulating aluminum oxide layer.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a local thermal contact zone at the terminal area with unrestricted contact to the process medium, providing high heat conduction efficiency locally, while the rest of the ceramic structure maintains its structural stability function.
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 eliminates temperature gradients, enhances measurement accuracy, and reduces reaction time, providing a more precise and efficient temperature measurement compared to prior-art solutions.
Implementation Method 1
arranging, close to the measuring element, means for establishing terminal areas which are arranged into unrestricted thermal contact with the process being measured
Implementation Method 2
conducting heat at an as small temperature difference as possible to the measuring element through an aluminum oxide layer
Data Source
AI summary
A method and measuring sensor are disclosed for measuring temperature, the method including arranging a measuring element of the sensor into thermal contact with a process liquid being measured, and directing a measuring signal received from the measuring element onward by measuring conductors connected to the measuring element. Close to the measuring element, terminal areas are established which are arranged in unrestricted thermal contact with the process liquid being measured, and the measuring conductors are connected to the measuring element through the terminal areas.