Thin Film Spiral Thermal Conductivity Sensor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods require multiple sensors and setups to measure thermal conductivity properties of materials, which are cumbersome and inefficient, especially for anisotropic and thin film materials, as they need different sized sensors or samples to determine in-plane and off-plane conductivities.
Innovation Solution
A thin-film sensor with a spiral heating element that acts as a circular heat source, allowing for different sized heating patches to be used by varying electrical connections, enabling single sensor measurements of thermal characteristics in both 1 and 3 dimensions on various material samples, including isotropic and orthotropic materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple sensors of different sizes are used to measure thermal conductivity in different dimensions, then measurement capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a single sensor that can perform multiple measurement functions by varying the heating power distribution across different regions of the sensor. The sensor can measure both in-plane and off-plane thermal conductivity by controlling which portions of the heating element are activated, eliminating the need for multiple specialized sensors while maintaining full measurement capability
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor employs dynamically controllable heating regions where different portions of the heating element can be independently activated. This dynamic control allows the same physical sensor to adapt its effective size and heating pattern to match different measurement requirements, transitioning between measuring in-plane and off-plane conductivity without physical reconfiguration
2Adaptability or versatility
If different sized samples are used with a single sensor, then measurement flexibility is improved, but loss of substance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor allows dynamic adjustment of the heated area by controlling which regions of the heating element are activated. This enables the same sensor to work with samples of varying sizes by adapting the heating pattern to match the sample dimensions, eliminating the need to cut or prepare multiple samples of specific sizes and thereby reducing material waste
3Device complexity
If a single sensor is used for all measurements, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision may worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor maintains high measurement precision by dynamically controlling the heating pattern to match the specific measurement requirement. By activating only the necessary heating regions and adjusting power distribution, the sensor achieves measurement accuracy comparable to specialized sensors while maintaining simplicity of a single-device configuration
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 precise and efficient determination of thermal conductivity properties using a single sensor, reducing complexity and cost, and allowing for measurements on both bulk and thin film materials without the need for multiple sensors or samples.
Implementation Method 1
a heating patch layer comprising closely spaced spiral electrical trace with adjacent spiral sections spaced apart by less than 75 μm which when heated act as a circular heat source; and a pair of electrical connections connected to the heating patch capable of supplying current to the heating patch to heat a first size of the heating patch
Implementation Method 2
determine thermal characteristics of the material sample using the heated heating patch
Data Source
AI summary
A thin film thermal conductivity temperature sensor may have a spiral heating element having very tightly spaced conductors that allow the spiral heating element to act as a solid disc. Further, multiple electrical connections to the spiral heating element can be provided to allow the size of the heating and temperature sensing element to be changed. The sensor can be used in determining thermal characteristics of different material samples to be determined.