In-Situ Thermal Conductivity Probe With Isolated Thermistor
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for accurate and easy measurement of thermal conductivity in various sediment types to quantify energy loss and determine transmission efficiency of power lines embedded below the ground surface.
Innovation Solution
A thermal conductivity probe comprising a heating element, thermal insulator, and thermistor thermally isolated by the insulator, designed to fit behind a cone penetration device (CPT) to measure thermal conductivity in situ, using the heating element to heat the soil and thermistor to detect temperature decay for calculating heat loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If a thermal conductivity probe is designed to measure soil thermal properties in situ, then measurement capability is improved, but the probe structure becomes complex due to multiple components (heating element, thermal insulator, thermistor)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the heating element and thermistor into a single integrated probe assembly with a unified structural housing. The thermal insulator is integrated as an internal component rather than a separate external element. This merging of components into one cohesive device reduces the number of separate parts that need to be handled, installed, and maintained, thereby reducing operational complexity despite maintaining full measurement functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The thermistor is thermally isolated from the heating element by nesting the thermistor within an internal chamber surrounded by thermal insulator material. The heating element is positioned within the probe housing, and the thermistor is positioned within an internal cavity of the housing, creating a nested arrangement where components are contained within each other's structural space. This nesting approach consolidates multiple components into a compact integrated structure.
2Measurement precision
If the thermistor is thermally isolated from the heating element, then measurement accuracy is improved, but the device requires additional thermal insulator components
Solution Approach 1:
The thermal insulator is integrated as an internal component of the probe housing structure rather than being a separate external element. The housing itself is designed to provide thermal isolation, merging the structural support function with the thermal insulation function into a single integrated component, thereby reducing the total number of discrete parts.
Solution Approach 2:
The probe housing serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support for the heating element and thermistor, acts as a thermal insulator to isolate the thermistor from the heating element, and protects the internal components. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated insulator components, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining measurement precision.
3Ease of operation
If the probe is designed to fit behind a cone penetration device, then ease of operation is improved, but the probe dimensions are constrained
Solution Approach 1:
The thermal conductivity probe is designed as a compact cylindrical assembly that nests within the hollow interior of the cone penetration device. The probe's external dimensions are specifically sized to fit within the CPT's internal cavity, allowing the probe to be transported and deployed as an integrated assembly. This nesting design enables easy deployment while maintaining the probe's functional volume for thermal measurements.
Solution Approach 2:
The probe utilizes a thin-walled cylindrical housing that provides structural integrity while minimizing external dimensions. The housing wall thickness is optimized to provide sufficient mechanical strength for handling and deployment while maintaining a compact overall size that fits within the cone penetration device. This thin-shell design allows the probe to achieve the required functional volume within constrained external dimensions.
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 measurement of thermal conductivity in soil, facilitating better understanding of heat transfer and energy loss, essential for designing underground structures and optimizing geothermal systems.
Implementation Method 1
at least one heating element
Implementation Method 2
at least one thermal insulator
Implementation Method 3
at least one thermistor thermally isolated from the at least one heating element by the at least one thermal insulator
Implementation Method 4
measuring the thermal conductivity of soil
Data Source
AI summary
This invention relates generally to a thermal conductivity probe. In one embodiment, a thermal conductivity probe includes, but is not limited to, at least one heating element, at least one thermal insulator, and at least one thermistor thermally isolated from the at least one heating element by the at least one thermal insulator.