Transducer Temperature Sensor Segmentation for Precision
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional transducer apparatuses face challenges in accurately measuring target temperatures, especially in industrial and vibronic measuring systems, due to limited temperature measurement locations and spatial separation, leading to defective measurement results and significant errors caused by dynamic heat equilibration processes and ambient temperature variations.
Innovation Solution
A transducer apparatus with two temperature sensors thermally coupled to the tube and fluid volume, using specific thermal resistances and coupling materials to accurately determine target temperatures by accounting for temperature differences between the measured fluid, tube, and ambient temperatures, ensuring measurement errors are less than 0.2 K across a broad temperature range.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If temperature sensors are arranged outside the lumen of the tube in the intermediate space, then the transducer apparatus structure is simplified and ease of manufacture is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to thermal coupling with both tube and ambient fluid
Solution Approach 1:
The temperature sensor is segmented into two separate temperature detectors (first temperature detector and second temperature detector) that are spatially separated and thermally coupled to different locations. The first temperature detector is coupled to the tube wall, while the second temperature detector is coupled to the intermediate space fluid, allowing independent thermal pathways and enabling separate measurement of tube temperature and ambient fluid temperature.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces thermal coupling bodies as intermediaries between the temperature detectors and their respective thermal sources. The first coupling body thermally couples the first temperature detector to the tube wall, while the second coupling body thermally couples the second temperature detector to the intermediate space fluid. These intermediary elements enable controlled thermal coupling while maintaining measurement accuracy.
2Device complexity
If only one temperature sensor is used, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates due to inability to account for thermal coupling effects
Solution Approach 1:
The single temperature sensor is segmented into two distinct temperature detectors with separate thermal coupling pathways. This segmentation allows the system to simultaneously measure both tube temperature and ambient fluid temperature, enabling compensation for thermal coupling effects and improving measurement precision without excessive complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the measuring and operating electronics uses both temperature measurement signals to calculate the target temperature. The system continuously monitors both the tube temperature and ambient fluid temperature, then uses this feedback information to compensate for thermal coupling effects and determine the accurate target temperature at the fluid-tube interface.
3Adaptability or versatility
If temperature sensors are spatially separated, then measurement of different temperature locations is enabled, but measurement precision deteriorates due to dynamic heat equilibration processes
Solution Approach 1:
The temperature sensor system is segmented into two spatially separated temperature detectors with distinct thermal coupling paths. The first detector monitors tube wall temperature while the second detects ambient fluid temperature. This segmentation enables the system to adapt to different thermal conditions and compensate for heat equilibration effects between the tube and ambient fluid.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the thermal coupling parameters of the temperature detectors by introducing specific thermal coupling bodies with controlled thermal conductivities. The first coupling body has higher thermal conductivity for accurate tube temperature measurement, while the second coupling body has lower thermal conductivity to minimize thermal coupling with the ambient fluid, thereby maintaining measurement precision despite spatial separation.
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 enables precise measurement of target temperatures with reduced measurement errors, improving the accuracy of temperature measurements in transducer apparatuses by accounting for thermal resistances and coupling materials, thus enhancing the reliability of temperature measurements in industrial and vibronic systems.
Implementation Method 1
by means of a first coupling body coupling the first temperature detector thermally conductively with the wall of the tube
Implementation Method 2
by means of a second coupling body coupling the second temperature detector thermally conductively with the first temperature detector
Implementation Method 3
temperature differences between the measured fluid, tube, and ambient temperatures
Data Source
AI summary
A transducer apparatus comprises a transducer housing, a tube as well as a temperature sensor. The tube is arranged within a cavity of the transducer housing, in such a manner that an intermediate space is formed between a wall of the transducer housing facing the cavity inner surface and an outer surface of a wall of the tube facing the cavity. The tube is adapted to guide a fluid in its lumen, in such a manner that an inner surface of the wall of the tube facing the lumen is contacted by fluid guided in the lumen. The temperature sensor is formed by means of two temperature detectors arranged within the intermediate space as well as by means of a coupling body coupling the temperature detector thermally conductively with the wall of the tube as well as by means of a coupling body coupling the temperature detector thermally conductively with the temperature detector and is additionally adapted to register a particular measurement location temperature, namely a temperature at a first, respectively second, temperature measurement location formed by means of the respective temperature detector, and to transduce such into a corresponding temperature measurement signal, namely an electrical measurement signal representing the particular measurement location temperature.