Thermal Conductivity Measurement via Rotating Multi-Sample Container

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for measuring thermal conductivity, especially at high temperatures like 2000°C, face challenges in accurately comparing thermal conductivities of materials, particularly composite or laminated materials, due to the need for homogeneous samples and limitations in simultaneous multi-sample measurements, leading to low accuracy in temperature comparisons.

Innovation Solution

A thermal conductivity measuring device with a sample container having multiple storage sections, a drive unit to rotate the container, and a radiation thermometer to measure temperatures at a predetermined position, allowing for accurate relative comparison of thermal conductivities by moving standard and object samples to the same measurement position.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the laser flash method is used to measure thermal conductivity at high temperature, then the measurement can be performed, but the sample must be homogeneous and dense which excludes composite materials and laminated materials

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveapplicability to composite materialsVSAvoidmeasurement accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The sample container is divided into multiple storage sections, each capable of holding different types of samples (composite materials, laminated materials, homogeneous materials). This segmentation allows the measurement system to handle diverse material types that were previously incompatible with the laser flash method.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The measurement device is designed with universal applicability to measure thermal conductivity of various material types (composite, laminated, homogeneous) using the same apparatus. The sample container with multiple storage sections and the radiation thermometer system can accommodate different sample configurations without requiring separate measurement systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Productivity

If the laser flash method is used, then thermal conductivity can be measured, but only one sample can be measured at a time which reduces productivity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimultaneous multi-sample measurement capabilityVSAvoidtemperature comparison accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The sample container is divided into multiple storage sections that can hold multiple samples simultaneously. Each storage section is positioned to allow individual sample identification and measurement, enabling parallel processing of multiple samples while maintaining measurement precision through the radiation thermometer system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple samples are measured simultaneously within a single measurement environment using one radiation thermometer. The system combines multiple samples in one container while maintaining the ability to distinguish and measure each sample's temperature accurately, achieving both high productivity and measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Measurement precision

If temperature comparison is performed between copper block and samples at different positions, then measurement can be conducted, but accuracy is low due to position differences

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature comparison accuracyVSAvoidmeasurement system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

All samples and reference materials are positioned at the same measurement location within the sample container, creating equipotential measurement conditions. The radiation thermometer measures temperatures at identical positions for all samples, eliminating position-related measurement errors and improving temperature comparison accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #12Equipotentiality

Solution Approach 2:

The measurement system focuses on local temperature measurement at a specific position where all samples are uniformly positioned. The radiation thermometer is directed at a localized measurement point that captures temperature data from all samples simultaneously, ensuring consistent measurement conditions without increasing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 accurate measurement of thermal conductivities at high temperatures by ensuring consistent measurement environments and precise temperature comparisons, overcoming limitations of existing methods in handling composite materials and simultaneous multi-sample analysis.

Implementation Method 1

a radiation thermometer that is configured to measure the temperature of a surface of the sample container

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal radiation: Thermal Radiation

Data Source

PatentUS11454599B2Thermal conductivity measuring device, heating device, thermal conductivity measuring method, and quality assurance method

Publication Date: 2022.09.27 RESONAC CORP

AI summary

A thermal conductivity measuring device includes a sample container that has a plurality of storage sections; a drive unit that is configured to move the plurality of storage sections of the sample container; and a radiation thermometer that is configured to measure the temperature of a predetermined position of the sample container.