Mini-cell, on-orbit, temperature re-calibration apparatus and method
US8556501B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 26, 2011 |
| Grant date | Oct 15, 2013 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 17, 2031 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01K15/002
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A method for on-orbit calibration of the temperature sensors of a blackbody is disclosed. The method may include selecting a blackbody traveling in a micro-gravity environment and comprising a sensor, a container positioned proximate the sensor and containing a material, and a heat transfer device positioned proximate the at least one container. The heat transfer device may transition the material through a phase change. The temperature sensor may monitor the temperature of the material during the phase change. Additionally, the state of the material may be measured by displacement of the container to improve the accuracy of the plateau temperature measurement. A correction may be calculated to correct any disparity between the temperature reported by the temperature sensor during the phase change and the known plateau temperature, measured at a threshold state of the material, corresponding to that phase change. The correction may be applied to subsequent temperature readings obtained using the temperature sensor.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.