Thermal Diffuser for Accurate Weld Zone Temperature Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge in nuclear power plant maintenance is accurately measuring the temperature of weld zones during local stress-relieving heat treatments, as existing methods struggle to precisely measure the skin temperature, leading to deviations from required temperature ranges.
Innovation Solution
A temperature measurement assembly is introduced, featuring a thermal diffuser with a temperature sensor housed in a receiving cavity, positioned between the heating device and the treatment surface, to accurately measure the temperature of the weld zone, reducing thermal gradients and ensuring precise temperature control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a temperature sensor is placed directly on the treatment surface to measure temperature, then measurement precision is improved, but the sensor is exposed to high thermal gradients and direct heat from the heating device causing measurement errors
Solution Approach 1:
A thermal diffuser is introduced as an intermediary component between the heating device and the temperature sensor. The diffuser spreads and homogenizes the thermal field, creating a more uniform temperature distribution in the measurement region. This mediator protects the sensor from direct exposure to high thermal gradients while still allowing accurate temperature measurement of the treatment surface.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the temperature sensor is housed in a receiving cavity within the thermal diffuser, then protection from thermal gradients is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The temperature sensor is nested within a receiving cavity that is itself integrated into the thermal diffuser structure. This nested arrangement provides thermal protection for the sensor while maintaining a compact overall structure. The cavity is formed as part of the diffuser body rather than being a separate component, which helps minimize the increase in device complexity.
3Manufacturing precision
If local stress relief heat treatments are applied to weld zones, then manufacturing precision is improved, but accurate temperature measurement becomes difficult due to thermal gradients
Solution Approach 1:
The thermal diffuser acts as a mediator that distributes heat uniformly across the measurement region, eliminating steep thermal gradients that plague conventional direct measurement methods. This allows accurate temperature measurement during local stress relief heat treatments of weld zones, enabling precise control of the manufacturing process.
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 solution allows for precise temperature measurement and control during heat treatments, ensuring the weld zone reaches the required temperature range, thereby maintaining the integrity and mechanical characteristics of the assembly while adhering to technical manufacturing references.
Implementation Method 1
a thermal diffuser configured to be interposed between the heating device and a measurement region of the treatment surface such that the measurement region is heated by the heating device through the thermal diffuser
Implementation Method 2
a temperature sensor housed in a receiving cavity arranged in the first surface to be in contact with the measurement region and to measure the temperature of the measurement region
Data Source
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AI summary
The measurement assembly includes a thermal diffuser (20) configured to be interposed between a heating device (10) and a measurement region (8A) of a treatment surface (8) such that the measurement region (8A) is heated by the heating device (10) through the thermal diffuser (20), the thermal diffuser (20) comprising a first surface (22) intended to be applied against the measurement region (8A) and a second surface (24) intended to be covered by the heating device (10), and a temperature sensor (28) housed in a receiving cavity (32) provided in the first surface (22) to be in contact with the measurement region (8A) and to measure the temperature of the measurement region (8A), while being covered by the thermal diffuser (20).