Temperature Sensor Heat Pipe Thermal Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional temperature measurement devices inside containers face challenges in achieving high accuracy and short response times due to the presence of probes that obstruct cleaning and affect fluid flow, while locating the sensor outside the container leads to measurement errors from ambient temperature exposure and thermal delays.
Innovation Solution
A measurement device utilizing a heat pipe with a temperature sensor exposed to the measurement environment through an isothermal connection, providing high thermal conductivity and thermal insulation to minimize the impact of ambient temperature differences, allowing for accurate and rapid temperature measurement without components extending into the container.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a probe is used to extend the temperature sensor into the container, then measurement accuracy and response time are improved, but cleaning difficulty and flow obstruction increase
Solution Approach 1:
The temperature sensor is extracted from the probe and positioned outside the container, eliminating the need for a long probe extension. The sensor measures temperature through the wall of the process connector, removing the obstructive element while maintaining measurement capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The process connector wall acts as an intermediary medium, allowing thermal energy to transfer from the container interior to the temperature sensor positioned externally. This mediator enables temperature measurement without direct physical intrusion into the container.
2Ease of operation
If the temperature sensor is located outside the container, then cleaning and flow are improved, but measurement accuracy deteriorates due to ambient temperature exposure
Solution Approach 1:
The process connector wall serves as a thermal mediator that isolates the temperature sensor from ambient temperature influences while still allowing it to measure the temperature of the container interior through controlled thermal conduction.
Solution Approach 2:
The temperature sensor is positioned at a specific location on the process connector where thermal conduction from the container interior is optimized. This localized positioning ensures accurate temperature measurement while maintaining external sensor placement for easy cleaning and flow.
3Ease of operation
If the temperature sensor is located outside the container, then cleaning and flow are improved, but response time increases due to thermal mass of the process connector
Solution Approach 1:
The temperature sensor is extracted from the interior of the container and positioned externally, eliminating the thermal mass of a long probe while maintaining close thermal contact with the container through the process connector wall.
Solution Approach 2:
The process connector wall acts as a thin thermal mediator that minimizes thermal mass and thermal resistance, enabling rapid temperature response while allowing external sensor placement for easy cleaning and unobstructed flow.
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 achieves high measurement accuracy and short response times by using a heat pipe for isothermal connection and thermal insulation, eliminating measurement errors from ambient temperature differences and allowing easy container cleaning and unobstructed fluid flow.
Implementation Method 1
a heat pipe (17) having a front interface (23) exposable to the temperature (T) to be measured and a second interface (25) in thermal contact with the temperature sensor (19)
Implementation Method 2
via cycles of phase transitions of a fluid enclosed in the heat pipe in form of a liquid under partial pressure
Implementation Method 3
a thermal insulation (21) surrounding the heat pipe (17) and the temperature sensor (19)
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 5
AI summary
A measurement device for measuring a temperature prevailing inside a container is disclosed. The measurement device comprises: a process connector including a connector body and a fastener configured to be mounted onto a corresponding counterpart surrounding an opening of the container; a measurement unit secured in an opening of the process connector such that a front surface of the measurement unit is facing into the container when the measurement device is mounted on the container; the measurement unit including or consisting of: a heat pipe and a temperature sensor; the heat pipe having two thermally conductive interfaces including a front interface exposable to the temperature to be measured and a second interface in thermal contact with the temperature sensor; and a thermal insulation surrounding the heat pipe and the temperature sensor.