Classifications

• • G—PHYSICS
  • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
  • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
  • G01N33/00—Investigating or analysing materials by specific methods not covered by groups G01N1/00 - G01N31/00
  • G01N33/18—Water

Definitions

• the present invention relates to an apparatus for maintaining constant temperature in water quality measuring instruments, which provides water at a constant temperature to be analyzed to a heat- sensitive sensor of the water quality analyzer that responds to microorganisms and chemicals.
• a water analysis sensor provided in a water quality analyzer, is greatly affected by temperature.
• the water quality analyzer employs a sensor that responds to microorganisms and chemicals as the water analysis sensor does, it shows a large deviation in its results depending on the temperature. This makes difficult to obtain accurate results when the water analysis sensor is heavily affected by temperature variation, resulting in deterioration in the re ⁇ liability of analyzed results.
• a pH meter enables correction of the pH value depending on the outside temperature because corrective data relative to the temperature is applied to the pH meter.
• most water quality analyzers are able to perform analysis only at a predetermined constant temperature. For this reason, keeping the water quality analyzer at a constant temperature is very important for accurate analysis.
• a generally known optimal temperature of the water quality analyzer, using the sensor that responds to microorganisms and chemicals, is higher than room temperature, for example, 25 degrees Celsius.
• Examples of conventional methods to keep a water analysis sensor at a constant temperature more than a room temperature include a thermal convection method to regulate a temperature of the sensor using heat conduction of a heater mounted in the water quality analyzer, and a thermal conduction method to regulate the temperature of the sensor using heat directly conducted from the heater.
• the thermal convection method has a problem in that it is difficult to maintain a desired temperature due to excessive heat loss so long as the entire water quality analyzer is completely heat insulated. Also, the thermal conduction method has a problem in that analyzed results of the sensor are affected by heat directly conducted thereto.
• Another problem of the conventional methods is that it is very difficult to con ⁇ tinuously control the temperature of the water to be analyzed at a constant temperature only using a heater or cooler.
• the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for maintaining constant temperature in water quality measuring instruments, which can continuously maintains the temperature of a sensor provided in the water quality analyzer at a constant temperature without using a heater or cooler, and which can achieve simplified temperature control.
• an apparatus for maintaining constant temperature in water quality measuring instruments comprising: a case containing a water analysis sensor and a water channel connected to the water analysis sensor therein, an interior space of the case being filled with a heat insulating material to enclose the water analysis sensor and the water channel; a temperature sensor mounted on a side of the water channel; a thermoelectric element to selectively induce en- dothermic and exothermic reactions depending on the signal from the temperature sensor to thereby perform heat exchange with water to be analyzed that circulates within the water channel; and a cooling fan mounted underneath the case to discharge heat generated from the thermoelectric element to the outside.
• the apparatus may further comprise a protective case wrapped around the water analysis sensor to protect the sensor from external shocks.
• the apparatus may further comprise a conductor mounted close to the thermoelectric element to transmit heat energy generated from the thermoelectric element to another adjacent member.
• the water channel may have a tortuous heat-exchange section to increase a heat exchange area, and the temperature sensor and the thermoelectric element may be arranged around the heat-exchange section.
• the apparatus may further comprise a radiating fin provided between the thermoelectric element and the cooling fan to absorb heat energy generated from the thermoelectric element.
• the apparatus may further comprise a temperature controller to control operation of the thermoelectric element and the cooling fan using the signal from the temperature sensor.
• the present invention has the following advantageous effects.
• an apparatus for maintaining constant temperature in water quality measuring instruments, of the present invention can automatically control the temperature variation of water by means of a thermoelectric element when the water passes through the interior space of the case of the apparatus.
• the apparatus to maintain a constant water temperature can achieve heat insulation of a water analysis sensor of the water quality analyzer, resulting in improved reliability in terms of the water analysis sensor.
• the present invention can eliminate the use of a heater or cooler, enabling a reduction in the overall size and manufacturing costs of the water quality analyzer.
• the present invention can minimize deviation in the results of the water quality analyzer due to the exterior temperature variation, and can freely set a reference temperature of the water analysis sensor.
• Fig. 1 is a sectional view illustrating an apparatus for maintaining constant temperature in water quality measuring instruments according to an embodiment of the present invention
• Fig. 2 is a sectional view illustrating an apparatus for maintaining constant temperature in water quality measuring instruments according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 1 is a sectional view illustrating an apparatus for maintaining constant temperature in water quality measuring instruments according to an embodiment of the present invention.
• an apparatus for maintaining constant temperature in water quality measuring instruments comprises a case 10 in which a water analysis sensor 20 and a water channel 30 to supply water to be analyzed into the water analysis sensor 20 are mounted.
• An interior space of the case 10 is also filled with a heat insulating material 11 to prevent the water to be analyzed from being exchanged with outside air while passing through the interior space of the case 10.
• the water analysis sensor 20 is sensitive to external shock.
• a protective case 20 is wrapped around the water analysis sensor 20.
• Both ends of the water channel 30 are penetrated through the case 10 so that the water to be analyzed is introduced into the case 10 via one end of the water channel 30 and then is discharged from the case 10 via the other end of the water channel 30 after passing through the water analysis sensor 20.
• the water channel 30 has a tortuous heat-exchange section 31 to increase the heat exchange area.
• a temperature sensor 40 Around the heat-exchange section 31 of the water channel 30 are provided a temperature sensor 40 and a thermoelectric element 50.
• the temperature sensor 40 is positioned close to the water channel 30 at the heat exchange section 31 thereof.
• the temperature sensor 40 is also electrically connected to a temperature controller 90 to measure a temperature of the water to be analyzed that circulates inside the water channel 30.
• the thermoelectric element 50 is operable based on a conversion phenomenon of heat to electricity.
• the thermoelectric element 50 selectively induces endothermic and exothermic reactions via pole conversion of direct current power. That is, when the temperature of the water to be introduced into the water analysis sensor 20 is lower than a preset temperature, the thermoelectric element 50 is heated at a surface thereof that comes into contact with the water channel 30, while the other surface of the ther ⁇ moelectric element 50 opposite to the water channel 30 is cooled. Conversely, when the temperature of the water to be introduced into the water analysis sensor 20 is higher than the preset temperature, the thermoelectric element 50 is cooled at the surface thereof that comes into contact with the water channel 30, while the other surface of the thermoelectric element 50 opposite to the water channel 30 is heated.
• thermoelectric element 50 is mounted close to the water channel 30 at the heat-exchange section 31 thereof, thereby performing heat exchange with the water to be analyzed that circulates inside the water channel 30.
• the apparatus for maintaining a constant temperature of the present invention does not require a cooler and a heater, which are conventionally mounted to regulate the temperature of the water quality analyzer.
• a blowing fan 60 is mounted at the outside of the case 10.
• the blowing fan 60 is controlled by means of the temperature controller 90 that operates upon receiving signals from the temperature sensor 40.
• the temperature controller 90 has a control circuit to control the driving of both the thermoelectric element 50 and the blowing fan 60 based on signals to the temperature sensor 40 that is mounted in the heat exchanger.
• the control circuit serves to set the temperature of the heat exchanger.
• the temperature controller 90 having the control circuit is known in the art, and thus, a detailed de ⁇ scription thereof will be omitted.
• a radiating fin 80 may be further mounted between the thermoelectric element 50 and the blowing fan 60 to absorb heat energy generated from the ther ⁇ moelectric element 50. Absorbing the heat energy of the thermoelectric element 50 by means of the radiating fin 80 allows the heat energy to be more rapidly discharged to the outside.
• a conductor 70 may be mounted close to the thermoelectric element 50 to transmit the heat energy generated from the thermoelectric element 50 to another adjacent member.
• the conductor 70 may be disposed at any one of opposite surfaces of the thermoelectric element 50.
• the conductor 70 is also mounted to hermetically seal the case 10 to thereby prevent introduction of outside air into the case 10. This prevents a temperature of the water to be analyzed from varying while passing through the case 10.
• Fig. 1 illustrates the conductor 70 interposed between the thermoelectric element 50 and the radiating fin 80. With this arrangement, the conductor 70 is able to rapidly transmit the heat energy generated from the thermoelectric element 50 to the radiating fin 80.
• Fig. 2 illustrates the conductor 70 mounted on the side of the thermoelectric element 50 opposite to the radiating fin 80.
• the thermoelectric element 50 comes into direct contact with the radiating fin 80, allowing the heat energy of the ther ⁇ moelectric element 50 to be more rapidly discharged to the outside.
• the temperature sensor 40 senses the temperature of the water to be analyzed to send a signal to the temperature controller 90. Then, the temperature controller 90 compares the signal from the temperature sensor 40 with a reference temperature. As a result of the comparison, if the temperature of the water to be analyzed is higher than the reference temperature, the temperature controller 90 transmits an endothermic reaction signal to the thermoelectric element 50 and, simultaneously, drives the blowing fan 60.
• thermoelectric element 50 Upon receiving the endothermic reaction signal from the temperature controller 90, the thermoelectric element 50 induces an endothermic reaction at a surface thereof which comes into contact with the water channel 30, while inducing an exothermic reaction at the other surface thereof opposite to the water channel 30. As a result, the temperature of the water to be analyzed is lowered while circulating in the water channel 30. In this case, a surface temperature of the conductor 70 is raised by the exothermic reaction of the thermoelectric element 50. The heat conducted by the conductor 70 is absorbed by the radiating fin 80 to thereby be rapidly discharged to the outside of the case 10 under operation of the blowing fan 60.
• the temperature controller 90 stops operation of the thermoelectric element 50 and the blowing fan 60, thereby keeping the temperature of the water to be analyzed at a constant temperature.
• the temperature controller 90 transmits an exothermic reaction signal to the thermoelectric element 50.
• the thermoelectric element 50 induces an exothermic reaction at a surface thereof that comes into contact with the water channel 30, while inducing an endothermic reaction at the other surface thereof opposite to the water channel 30.
• the temperature of the water to be analyzed is raised while circulating in the water channel 30.
• the surface temperature of the conductor 70 is lowered by the endothermic reaction of the ther ⁇ moelectric element 50.
• the cold energy conducted by the conductor 70 is absorbed by the radiating fin 80 to thereby be rapidly discharged to the outside of the case 10 under operation of the blowing fan 60.
• the temperature of the water to be analyzed is controlled to have a constant temperature as it passes through the temperature sensor 40, resulting in improved reliability in the results of the water quality analyzer. Also, a preset temperature of the water to be analyzed can be freely regulated.
• thermoelectric element 50 comes into direct contact with the radiating fin 80. This enables the heat energy of the thermoelectric element 50 to be more rapidly discharged to the outside of the case 10, resulting in increased heat exchange efficiency of the thermoelectric element 50 and more improved constant temperature maintenance performance.
• the present invention provides an apparatus for maintaining constant temperature in water quality measuring instruments, which can automatically control the temperature variation of the water by means of a thermoelectric element when the water passes through a case of the apparatus. Also, the constant-temperature maintaining apparatus of the present invention can achieve heat insulation of a water analysis sensor of the water quality analyzer, resulting in improved reliability in results of the water analysis sensor.
• the present invention can eliminate the use of a heater or cooler, enabling a reduction in the overall size and manufacturing costs of the water quality analyzer.
• the present invention can minimize a deviation in analyzed results of the water quality analyzer due to exterior temperature variation, and can freely set a reference temperature of the water analysis sensor.

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• Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
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• Investigating Or Analyzing Materials Using Thermal Means (AREA)

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Citations (5)

• 2004
  • 2004-07-09 KR KR20040053393A patent/KR100596462B1/ko active IP Right Grant
• 2005
  • 2005-07-08 WO PCT/KR2005/002190 patent/WO2006006795A1/en active Application Filing

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