WEEK : 13 - 14

Thermocouples : Features

Automation 04

OBJECTIVE : To increase the lexis with new expressions related to temperature devices.

WARM UP : Prepositions - verbs 1. Label the next pictures with the correct preposition.

2.

Label the next pictures with the correct verb.

TOPIC : Expressing

approximation

Analyze the ways to express approximation.

Complete the sentences . Use the information in brackets.

TRANSLATION TIPS :

1 ADVERBS : _ ly.
How do you translate the next ?
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. DIRECTLY EFFECTIVELY SIGNICANTLY TIPICALLY PREVIOUSLY ACTUALLY : . : . : . : . : . : .

2 ADJECTIVE : _ able
These adjectives express that something can be done.
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. CAPABLE AVAILABLE RELIABLE WRITABLE READABLE : . : . : . : . : .

VOCABULARY : Pair work

Match the next verbs with the correct meaning.

A. B. C. D. E. F. G. H. I. J. Receive Correlate Improve Achieve Design Assume Age Mean Drive Insulate

correlacionar disear significar, querer decir aislar envejecer , deteriorar conducir, dirigir, manejar lograr recibir asumir mejorar

REMEMBER these words.

EACH WITHOUT AS : : CADA UNO. SIN

: TAN - MIENTRAS

Thermocouple Circuit : 1
Look at the next circuit . Label the missing information using the words below.
1. 2. COLD JUNCTION COLD JUNCTION 3. HEAT SOURCE 4. ICE BATH FOR TERMINAL BLOCK 5. HOT JUNCTION

Thermocouple Theory
A thermocouple circuit has at least two junctions: the measurement junction and a reference junction. Typically, the reference junction is created where the two wires connect to the measuring device. This second junction it is really two junctions: one for each of the two wires, but because they are assumed to be at the same temperature (isothermal) they are considered as one (thermal) junction.

Thermocouple Grade Wire Type J Stainless Steel Sheath Stainless steel braid or plain Lead wire also available

Adjustable compression fitting

Junction

Thermocouple Response Time

The smaller the diameter, the faster the thermocouple responds. Grounding the junction also improves response time by approximately 50 percent based on the sensor achieving 63.2 percent of the final reading or to the first time constant. It takes approximately five time constants to obtain steady state readings.

Thermocouple Millivolts/Temperature Curves

Also, calibration types are designed to deliver as close to a straight line voltage curve inside their temperature application range as possible. This makes it easier for an instrument or temperature controller to correctly correlate the received voltage to a particular temperature.

Advantages of Thermocouples
Capable of being used to directly measure temperatures up to 2600 C. The thermocouple junction may be grounded and brought into direct contact with the material being measured.

Aging Of Thermocouples
Thermoelements are often used at high temperatures and in reactive furnace atmospheres. In this case the practical lifetime is determined by aging. The thermoelectric coefficients of the wires in the area of high temperature change with time and the measurement voltage drops. The simple relationship between the temperature difference of the joints and the measurement voltage is only correct if each wire is homogeneous. With an aged thermocouple this is not the case. Relevant for the generation of the measurement voltage are the properties of the metals at a temperature gradient. If an aged thermocouple is pulled partly out of the furnace, the aged parts from the region previously at high temperature enter the area of temperature gradient and the measurement error is significantly increased. However an aged thermocouple that is pushed deeper into the furnace gives a more accurate reading.

Thermocouple Power Production

A thermocouple can produce current, which means it can be used to drive some processes directly, without the need for extra circuitry and power sources. For example, the power from a thermocouple can activate a valve when a temperature difference arises. The electrical energy generated by a thermocouple is converted from the heat which must be supplied to the hot side to maintain the electric potential. A continuous flow of heat is necessary because the current flowing through the thermocouple tends to cause the hot side to cool down and the cold side to heat up (the Peltier effect). Thermocouples can be connected in series to form a thermopile, where all the hot junctions are exposed to a higher and all the cold junctions to a lower temperature. The output is the sum of the voltages across the individual junctions, giving larger voltage and power output. Using the radioactive decay of transuranic elements as a heat source, this arrangement has been used to power spacecraft on missions too far from the Sun to utilize solar power.