Sensor Thermal Regulation for Temperature Bias Calibration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Sensor measurements can be biased by temperature changes, leading to accuracy issues, and existing calibration methods may drift over time, requiring frequent recalibration or limited temperature ranges.
Innovation Solution
A thermal regulation system with temperature adjusting devices and processors that calibrate and correct sensor measurements by adjusting the sensor's temperature and recording sensor bias at various temperatures, allowing for interpolation and correction of measurements across a range of temperatures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If calibration is conducted to determine relationship between sensor bias and temperature, then measurement accuracy is improved, but calibration drifts over time requiring frequent recalibration
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary calibration at multiple temperatures before normal operation to establish a baseline relationship between sensor bias and temperature. This pre-calibration data is stored and used for ongoing compensation, reducing the need for frequent recalibration while maintaining accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors sensor temperature and uses this feedback to dynamically compensate for temperature-induced bias. By comparing current temperature against calibrated reference points, the system automatically adjusts measurements to maintain accuracy without requiring manual recalibration.
2Device complexity
If calibration is limited to narrow temperature range, then calibration complexity is reduced, but sensor operation reliability deteriorates outside calibrated range
Solution Approach 1:
The calibration process is segmented into multiple discrete temperature points rather than attempting to calibrate across the entire temperature range simultaneously. The system calibrates at specific reference temperatures (e.g., cold, ambient, hot) and then interpolates between these points, making calibration manageable while covering a wide operational range.
Solution Approach 2:
The system adds the temperature dimension to the calibration process by performing calibration at multiple temperature levels rather than a single temperature. This multi-dimensional calibration approach enables the system to handle wide temperature variations while keeping individual calibration steps simple and manageable.
3Measurement precision
If temperature adjusting devices are added to regulate sensor temperature, then measurement accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces temperature adjusting devices as intermediaries between the sensor and the environment. These devices (heaters, coolers, thermal contact elements) act as mediators that actively control sensor temperature to maintain it within the calibrated range, improving accuracy while managing the complexity through standardized components.
4Stability of the object's composition
If sensor temperature is actively regulated, then sensor operation stability is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuous temperature regulation, the system uses periodic temperature adjustment cycles. The temperature adjusting devices are activated only when needed to bring the sensor temperature back into the calibrated range, rather than continuously maintaining a fixed temperature, thereby reducing energy consumption while preserving operational stability.
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 system maintains stable sensor operation by accurately correcting temperature-induced biases, reducing the need for frequent recalibration and expanding the calibrated temperature range, thereby enhancing measurement accuracy and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
one or more temperature adjusting devices that are (1) in thermal communication with the sensor
Implementation Method 2
Sensor measurements can be biased as a function of the sensor operating temperature
Data Source
AI summary
A thermal regulation system includes a sensor, one or more temperature adjusting devices, and a filler provided in a space between the sensor and at least one of the one or more temperature adjusting devices. The one or more temperature adjusting devices are (1) in thermal communication with the sensor, and (2) configured to adjust a temperature of the sensor from an initial temperature to a predetermined temperature at a rate of temperature change that meets or exceeds a threshold value.