Surface Temperature Probe Metal Adapter Thermal Resistance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Industrial surface temperature probes experience high thermal resistance and measurement deviations due to limited contact points and geometry issues, leading to long reaction times and inaccuracies, especially at high temperatures.

Innovation Solution

A surface temperature probe design featuring a metal adapter with a polygonal surface structure and a sack-shaped recess for the temperature probe, which creates multiple contact points and reduces thermal resistance, using thermal interface materials to maintain contact and prevent degradation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the temperature probe uses a small sensor element to remain replaceable and minimize intrusion, then the probe can be easily replaced and installed, but the contact surface area with the process pipe is limited resulting in high thermal resistance

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveReplaceability of temperature probeVSAvoidThermal contact quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

A metal adapter element is introduced as an intermediary component between the temperature probe and the process pipe. This adapter has a large contact surface area with the pipe while providing a mounting interface for the small temperature probe, thereby mediating the thermal contact between the probe sensor and the process pipe without requiring the probe itself to have a large contact area

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system is divided into separate functional components: the temperature probe (containing the sensor), the metal adapter element (providing thermal contact), and the process pipe. This segmentation allows the probe to remain small and replaceable while the adapter provides the necessary large contact surface area for low thermal resistance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Measurement precision

If the adapter element has a large surface area to reduce thermal resistance with the vessel, then heat transmission improves, but the contact points between the temperature probe and adapter are limited due to small probe dimensions

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveHeat transmission qualityVSAvoidContact surface area between probe and adapter

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The adapter element extends the contact interface in a different dimension - while the probe contacts the adapter at a small area, the adapter distributes this thermal contact across a large surface area of the process pipe through its extended geometry, effectively transforming the contact problem from a point-contact to a distributed surface contact

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Measurement precision

If permanent connection methods (welding, soldering, shrinkage) are used to ensure thermal contact, then heat conduction improves, but the probe cannot be replaced

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveThermal contact stabilityVSAvoidReplaceability of temperature probe

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The connection between the probe and adapter is made dynamic rather than static - the probe can be inserted into and removed from the adapter's receptacle, allowing the system to transition between states of connection and disconnection while maintaining thermal contact when connected, thus enabling both good thermal contact and replaceability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Measurement precision

If thermal interface materials are applied to reduce thermal resistance, then heat transmission improves initially, but the materials run off or dry out over time increasing thermal resistance

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveThermal contact qualityVSAvoidService life of interface material

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The metal adapter element's geometry itself provides the thermal contact function without requiring additional interface materials. The large surface area of the adapter in contact with the process pipe creates sufficient thermal conduction through metal-to-metal or metal-to-vessel contact, making the system self-sufficient and eliminating the need for maintenance-prone thermal interface materials

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 design achieves low thermal resistance and high measurement accuracy with short reaction times, even at elevated temperatures, while allowing for easy replacement and maintenance.

Implementation Method 1

a metal adapter, provided between the first geometric contact surface and the second geometric contact surface

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentUS10190917B2Surface temperature probe

Publication Date: 2019.01.29 ABB (SCHWEIZ) AG

AI summary

A surface temperature sensor has a first geometric contact surface for determining the temperature in a vessel and a second geometric contact surface, wherein the first geometric contact surface and the second geometric contact surface are in point and/or linear contact and at least partially spaced variably from this. For improvement of thermal contact an adapter between the first geometric contact surface and the second geometric contact surface may be made of metal, whereby the process vessel facing side has a polygonal surface structure and the temperature sensor facing side of a sack-shaped recess.