miniature fixed-point cells and thermometer |
Fixed-point
cells are usually twin-wall casings. The hollow space is filled with
a high-purity substance. During the melting or freezing of this
substance, the inside temperature seems to remain constant for a
while at the so called fixed-point temperature. A thermometer can be
inserted in the centre of the cell. Standard laboratories have a few
of those cells at their disposal to calibrate precision thermometers
with an accuracy of about 1 millikelvin (or fractions of it).
Industrial thermometers, in general, are calibrated on the basis of a
comparison with precision thermometers performed in a bath or
calibration furnace. The resulting uncertainties are much higher -
they range from 0.1 to 2K typically. In contrast to usual fixed-point
crucibles with a pure substance ingot of about 750ml, a miniature
cell takes only a ten thousandth of this (50 to 100 mm³). The
outer geometry of Ø5x20 mm permits an integration into
thermometers (see Figs. 1-3). So, it is very easy to perform a
calibration while a normal measuring process is running. The
device-engineering and computational expenditure for external sensor
calibration or preventive substitutions can be reduced. Compared with
any other method, it also offers the greatest advantages for an
in-situ calibration due to the inclusion of the whole measuring
circuit.
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Fig. 1
cross-sectional view of a fixed-point cell with thermocoupl
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Fig. 2 Basic construction of a complete miniature fixed-point thermocouple
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Fig. 3 Set of miniature fixed-point crucibles. Due to diameters of 4 to 6 mm, their integration into a thermometer is possible (photo: electrotherm company). Special precision thermocouples of the manufacturer permit to exchange these cells. Thus, it is easy to perform an in-situ calibration at different fixed points ranging from 200 to 1600°C.
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