Triaxial thermopile array geo-heat-flow sensor

Patent · Wed Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1992

OSTI ID:868345

Carrigan, Charles R ^[1]; Hardee, Harry C ^[2]; Reynolds, Gerald D ^[3]; Steinfort, Terry D ^[3]

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1. Tracy, CA
2. Albuquerque, NM
3. Tijeras, NM

A triaxial thermopile array geothermal heat flow sensor is designed to measure heat flow in three dimensions in a reconstituted or unperturbed subsurface regime. Heat flow can be measured in conductive or permeable convective media. The sensor may be encased in protective pvc tubing and includes a plurality of thermistors and an array of heat flow transducers arranged in a vertical string. The transducers produce voltage proportional to heat flux along the subsurface regime and permit direct measurement of heat flow in the subsurface regime. The presence of the thermistor array permits a comparison to be made between the heat flow estimates obtained from the transducers and heat flow calculated using temperature differences and Fourier's Law. The device is extremely sensitive with an accuracy of less than 0.1 Heat Flow Units (HFU) and may be used for long term readings.

• Research Organization: AT&T
• DOE Contract Number: AC04-76DP00789
• Assignee: United States of America as represented by Department of Energy (Washington, DC)
• Patent Number(s): US 5121993
• OSTI ID: 868345
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

triaxial
thermopile
array
geo-heat-flow
sensor
geothermal
heat
flow
designed
measure
dimensions
reconstituted
unperturbed
subsurface
regime
measured
conductive
permeable
convective
media
encased
protective
pvc
tubing
plurality
thermistors
transducers
arranged
vertical
string
produce
voltage
proportional
flux
permit
direct
measurement
presence
thermistor
permits
comparison
estimates
obtained
calculated
temperature
differences
fourier
law
device
extremely
sensitive
accuracy
units
hfu
term
readings
direct measurement
extremely sensitive
temperature difference
heat flow
heat flux
temperature differences
pvc tubing
permit direct
direct measure
voltage proportional
geothermal heat
triaxial thermopile
thermopile array
transducers arranged
thermal heat
flow sensor
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