GB2528347A - Highly accurate temperature measurement system - Google Patents

Highly accurate temperature measurement system Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2528347A
GB2528347A GB1505798.7A GB201505798A GB2528347A GB 2528347 A GB2528347 A GB 2528347A GB 201505798 A GB201505798 A GB 201505798A GB 2528347 A GB2528347 A GB 2528347A
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GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
temperature
data
measure
measurement system
controller
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
GB1505798.7A
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GB201505798D0 (en
Inventor
Alan Wyn-Davies
Simon Hopewell
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
DFX TECHNOLOGY Ltd
Original Assignee
DFX TECHNOLOGY Ltd
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Publication date
Application filed by DFX TECHNOLOGY Ltd filed Critical DFX TECHNOLOGY Ltd
Publication of GB201505798D0 publication Critical patent/GB201505798D0/en
Publication of GB2528347A publication Critical patent/GB2528347A/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01K—MEASURING TEMPERATURE; MEASURING QUANTITY OF HEAT; THERMALLY-SENSITIVE ELEMENTS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G01K15/00—Testing or calibrating of thermometers
    • G01K15/005—Calibration
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01K—MEASURING TEMPERATURE; MEASURING QUANTITY OF HEAT; THERMALLY-SENSITIVE ELEMENTS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G01K2207/00—Application of thermometers in household appliances
    • G01K2207/02—Application of thermometers in household appliances for measuring food temperature
    • G01K2207/04—Application of thermometers in household appliances for measuring food temperature for conservation purposes

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Control Of Vending Devices And Auxiliary Devices For Vending Devices (AREA)

Abstract

A temperature measurement system, for use with a temperature control unit for vending food or beverages, has a temperature measurer A and a processor to determine the measured temperature. Resistance in the temperature measurer A may be recorded at various temperatures, and compared with a more accurate temperature measurer, for calibration, e.g., in measuring the temperature of a solid, liquid, gas or vacuum of uniform temperature. Data for each temperature measurer A may be linked to it by a barcode C, QR code, RFID, printed data or electronic memory, and may be stored on a database. The temperature measurer A may be a temperature probe, thermocouple, thermistor or electronic temperature sensor. A controller to control the temperature of a unit may use such a temperature measurement system, with a programmer to program the controller and transfer data to the controller. A user may input data into the temperature measurement system. Low-cost temperature probes and sensors can be calibrated independently of a temperature management controller, so that they may be combined without the need for recalibration, e.g., upon failure in-trade.

Description

Background
There is a strong desire within the food and beverage industry to ensure that goods are stored and vended at the correct temperature. Among other things, a few degrees can result in goods being spoilt or the taste of the food or beverage being totally altered.
Therefore, while ensuring that food and beverages are stored and vended at the correct temperature is essential) commercial considerations demand that this is done so atthe lowest possible cost Historically this has posed a problem for designers and manufacturers of temperature management controllers, as low-cost temperature probes and sensors operate with very large tolerances and are inaccurate.
To help overcome this and obtain much greater accuracy when measuring temperatures within a given range, the present invention discloses how it is possible to calibrate said low-cost temperature probes and sensors. Such calibration would ordinarily require each probe to be calibrated to a particular temperature management controller using means for obtaining a reference temperature. All of the temperature probes or sensors, temperature management controller and means for obtaining a reference temperature would need to be present at the same location in order to be calibrated.
While it is possible for manufacturers of temperature management controllers to achieve this) to do so would increase costs greatly, as a result of the time required to calibrate each unit Not only this, but when a malfunction of a temperature probe or sensor or temperature management controller occurs in-trade, it would be very difficult, if not impossible) to re-calibrate a new probe or unit to each other due to the logistics involved in providing a reference temperature on-site and the additional expense in providing the expertise required to calibrate said units. As a result, it would be necessary to replace both the temperature probe or sensor and temperature management controller -a major task that can often only be accomplished by removing the temperature control unit from trade.
The present invention provides a solution to these issues, by providing a means for calibrating a low-cost temperature probe or sensor to provide highly accurate temperature measurement. It further provides means for calibrating said low cost-LemperaLure probe or sensor and Lemperature management conLroller independently of each other so that they may be combined in the factory or in-trade to achieve said highly accurate temperature measurement, without the need for further calibration. Indeed, the present invention provides means for calibrating a temperature probe or sensor independently such that it may be used in conjunction with multiple, different models of temperature management controller without the need for re-calibration to any specific controller.
For the avoidance of doubt it is intended that the present invention be applicable to all temperature management controllers, whether they are used to heat or cool said goods.
Description
The accuracy with which temperature can be measured is limited, at least in part, by the resolution of the means for measuring temperature. In many industries, while the use of means for measuring temperature with a very small tolerance (and therefore highly accurate measurement) would be preferable) this is often unachievable due to the high cost associated with means for measuring temperature with a very small tolerance.
The present invention provides for a means and method for enabling a means for measuring temperature with a very arge tolerance (such as a thermistor) to be used in such a way so as to enable itto measure temperature with an exceptionally small tolerance (and high degree of accuracy), without modi1ring the means for measuring temperature.
It further provides for means for calibrating said means for measuring temperature to said temperature management controller independently of each other, thereby overcoming the high costs and difficult logistics associated with calibrating said means for measuring temperature and said temperature management controller on the production line or in-trade.
The means for calibrating said means for measuring temperature further provides for the portability of said means for measuring temperature) as an independent, calibrated unit, to multiple models of temperature management controllers without the need for (re-)calibration.
The Present Invention According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a first means to measure temperature with a large tolerance is situated in a water bath of known uniform temperature with a second means to measure temperature with a very small tolerance. The temperature of the bath is set according to the temperature measured by the second means to measure temperature. Data relating to the first probe in operation at this temperature is observed and recorded. In one possible embodimenL of the presenL invention, the resistance of Lhe first means Lo measure temperature is observed and recorded.
According to a preferred embodiment of the invention said bath is set to multiple different temperatures and said data relating to the first means to measure temperature at each different temperature is observed and recorded. :3
According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, in operation, the first means to measure temperature (Figure 1, A] with a large tolerance is used in conjunction with a control circuit (Figure 1, B), which, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is a temperature management controller.
According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, said control circuit is enabled to access and interpret said observed data and/or data that relates, at least in part, to said observed data. The control circuit stores said observed data and/or data that relates, at least in part, to said observed data.
According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, said control circuit uses said stored data to interpret the temperature measurement data received from said first means to measure temperature, such that the temperature measured by said first means to measure temperature may be known to a far greater accuracy than would otherwise be possible without the use of said data.
According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the control circuit uses said stored data to interpret the data received from said first means to measure temperature, such that the temperature measured by said first means to measure temperature is dynamically calibrated against the reference temperature that was measured by the second means to measure temperature.
According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention where data related to multiple temperatures is observed and recorded, said control circuit may use said data or said data that relates, at least in part to said data, at least in part to dynamically calibrate data being received from said first means to measure temperature more accurately across the range of temperatures being measured by said first means to measure temperature.
According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, said control circuit incorporates user input means) such as a keypad, touchscreen etc., and/or other means for data transfer, such as a USE port, barcode scanner, QR Code reader or RFID scanner.
The data related to the first means to measure temperature, data derived at least in part from said data, or means to obtain the aforesaid can be appended (Figure 2, C] to the first means to measure temperature (Figure 2, A) directly or stored in a database or other means of data storage for retrieval at a later time. For example, the data, data derived at least in part from said data, or means to obtain the aforesaid, may be appended Lu said first probe in the form of a prinLed sLring, barcode (Figure 2, C), QR Code, RFID tag or other method.
Upon receipt of both the aforementioned control circuit and the first means to measure temperature, the operator may use said data or means to obtain said data appended to said first means to measure temperature to enable the control circuit to store said data or data derived at east in part from said data, and use said data, at least in part to interpret data being received from said first means to measure temperature.
According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, said first means to measure temperature and control circuit is incorporated in to a controller for a temperature controlled unit for food and beverages.
According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, said means to measure temperature are temperature probes.
According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, said controller is programmed by an electronic programmer. Said programmer is enabled such that it can retrieve said data or data derived at least in part from said data associated with said first means to measure temperature, such that said programmer may program said controller to store said data and said controller may use said stored data, at least in part to interpret the data received from said first means to measure temperature.
Said programmer may retrieve said data from said appended data or means to obtain said data appended to said first means to measure temperature.
According to a possible embodiment of the present invention, means to obtain said data is appended to said first means to measure temperature in the form of a barcode. Said data is stored in a database with reference to said barcode. Said programmer incorporates means for reading said barcode, connecting to said database, retrieving said data from said database and programming said controller with said data associated with said first means to measure temperature.
While the present invention can be applied to the temperature measurement and management of beverage and food storage, dispensers and vending machines, this should not be deemed to limit the generality of the application of the invention. It is intended that the present invention be applicable to any and all circumstances where it is necessary to measure temperature.

Claims (23)

  1. Claims 1 A temperature measurement system for use with a temperature controlled unit for food or beverages, the temperature measurement system comprising: at least one of a means to measure temperature; at least one of a control circuit, comprising a memory for storing data related, at least in part, to said means to measure temperature and a processor arranged to interpret the measured temperature, at least in part, on the basis of a combination of the measured temperature and said stored data.
  2. 2. A temperature measurement system according to claim 1 where said system further comprises means for a user to input data, wherein said stored data comprises, at least in part, data input using the means for a user to input data.
  3. 3. A temperature measurement system according to claim I where said means to measure temperature further incorporates means for storing data.
  4. 4. A temperature measurement system according to claim 3 where said means for storing data incorporated into said means to measure temperature is at least one of any of a barcode, QR Code, radio-frequency identification device, printed data, electronic memory and memory.
  5. 5. A temperature measurement system according to any of claims 3 or 4 where data stored using said means for storing data incorporated into said means to measure temperature is used to retrieve said data related, at least in part, to said means to measure temperature from at least one of any of a database and other means of data storage.
  6. 6, A temperature measurement system according to any of claims 3 or 4 where said temperature measurement system further comprises means for reading data stored on said means for storing data incorporated into said means to measure temperature.
  7. 7. A temperature measurement system according to any of the preceding claims where said means to measure temperature is at least one of any of a temperature probe, thermocouple or e'ectronic temperature sensor,
  8. 8. A controller for use with a temperature controlled unit for food or beverages incorporating a temperature measurement system according to any of the preceding claims wherein said controller is disposed to, at least in part, control the temperature controlled unit based, at least in part, upon said interpretation of said measured temperature.
  9. 9. A programmer to program a controller according to claim 8 where said programmer is configured, to transfer at least part of said data to said controller.
  10. 10. A method for determining data to be used in the interpretation of a measured temperature by a first means to measure temperature, the method comprising: situating both said first means to measure temperature and a second, more accurate, means to measure temperature, such that both said first and second means to measure temperature measure any of at least one of a solid, liquid, gas or vacuum of uniform temperature; using said second means to measure temperature to measure the temperature of any of at least one of said solid, liquid, gas or vacuum of uniform temperature; determining at least one characteristic of said first means to measure temperature; using at least one of any of said determination and data based, at least in part, upon said determination, at least in part, in the interpretation of a measured temperature by said first means to measure temperature.
  11. 11. A method for determining data to be used in the interpretation of a measured temperature according to claim 10, further comprising: adjusting the temperature of any of at least one of said solid, liquid, gas or vacuum of uniform temperature at least once; using said second means to measure temperature to measure the temperature of any of at least one of said solid, liquid, gas or vacuum of uniform temperature; determining at least one characteristic of said first means to measure temperature; using at least one of any of said determination and data based, at least in part, upon said determination, at least in part, in the interpretation of a measured temperature by said first means to measure temperature.
  12. 12. A method for determining data to be used in the interpretation of a measured temperature according to any of claims 10 or 11 where said first means to measure temperature is at least one of any of a temperature probe, thermocouple or electronic temperature sensor.
  13. 13. A method for determining data to be used in the interpretation of a measured temperature according to any of claims 10 or ii where said second means to measure temperature is at least one of any of a temperature probe, thermocouple, platinum temperature probe or electronic temperature sensor.
  14. 14. A method for determining data to be used in the interpretation of a measured temperature according to any of claims I 0, Ii, 1 2 or 13 where said characteristic is resistance.
  15. 15. A temperature measurement system comprising: at least one of a means to measure temperature; at least one of a control circuit, comprising a memoty for storing data and a processor arranged to interpret the measured temperature on the basis of a combination of the measured temperature and, at least in part, the stored data, the stored data being related, at least in part, to each of said means to measure temperature.
  16. 16. A temperature measurement system according to claim 15 where said system further comprises means for a user to input data, wherein said stored data comprises, at least in part, data input using the means for a user to input data.
  17. 17. A temperature measurement system according to claim 15 where said means to measure temperature further incorporates means for storing data.
  18. 18. A temperature measurement system according to claim 17 where said means for storing data incorporated into said means to measure temperature is at least one of any of a barcode, QR Code, radio-frequency identification device, printed data, electronic memory and memory.
  19. 19. A temperature measurement system according to any of claims 17 or 18 where data stored using said means for storing data incorporated into said means to measure temperature is used to retrieve said data related, at least in part, to said means to measure temperature from at least one of any of a database and other means of data storage.
  20. 20. A temperature measurement system according to any of claims 17 or 18 where said temperature measurement system further comprises means for reading data stored on said means for storing data incorporated into said means to measure temperature.
  21. 21. A temperature measurement system according to any of the preceding claims where said means to measure temperature is at least one of any of a temperature probe, thermocouple or electronic temperature sensor.
  22. 22. A controller for use with a temperature controlled unit for food or beverages incorporating a temperature measurement system according to any of claims 1 to 9 and 15 to 21 wherein said controller is disposed to, at least in part, control said temperature controlled unit based, at least in part, upon said interpretation of said measured temperature.
  23. 23. A programmer to program a controller according to claim 22 where said programmer is configured, to transfer said data to said controller.
GB1505798.7A 2014-04-04 2015-04-02 Highly accurate temperature measurement system Withdrawn GB2528347A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

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GBGB1406176.6A GB201406176D0 (en) 2014-04-04 2014-04-04 Highly accurate temperature measurement system

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GB2528347A true GB2528347A (en) 2016-01-20

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Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE102019120493A1 (en) * 2019-07-30 2021-02-04 Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft Method for providing a measuring function for a temperature measuring device and using a measuring function

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5887978A (en) * 1996-08-23 1999-03-30 Accutru International Corporation Self-verifying temperature sensor
US20110301903A1 (en) * 2008-05-15 2011-12-08 Nxp B.V. Sensor calibration in an rfid tag
US20120140789A1 (en) * 2010-12-06 2012-06-07 Ideas Well Done, Llc System for verifying temperature measurement

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5887978A (en) * 1996-08-23 1999-03-30 Accutru International Corporation Self-verifying temperature sensor
US20110301903A1 (en) * 2008-05-15 2011-12-08 Nxp B.V. Sensor calibration in an rfid tag
US20120140789A1 (en) * 2010-12-06 2012-06-07 Ideas Well Done, Llc System for verifying temperature measurement

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE102019120493A1 (en) * 2019-07-30 2021-02-04 Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft Method for providing a measuring function for a temperature measuring device and using a measuring function
DE102019120493A9 (en) * 2019-07-30 2021-04-08 Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft Method for providing a measuring function for a temperature measuring device and using a measuring function

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GB201505798D0 (en) 2015-05-20
GB201406176D0 (en) 2014-05-21

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