Thermoelectric Cooling Solutions

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Heat Flux Sensors

Heat flux sensors are devices widely used in various areas such as ecology, agriculture, industry, and utilities to scientific applications.

They are radiometers in a variety of designs and applications (net radiometers, pyranometers and pyrgeometers), soil heat flux sensors (measurement of soil thermal properties), industrial control, scientific applications - different types of calorimeters (differential scanning calorimeters, microcalorimeters).

One of the solutions for such sensors is the application of thermoelectric modules due to their high sensitivity to heat flow.

Here the fundamental property of thermoelectric modules is used - the effect of Seebeck. When one side of the thermoelectric material absorbs thermal energy and temperature difference appears along it, the electric potential difference is generated. The voltage sensitivity is determined by the Seebeck effect, which is approximately α = 400 mV/deg.C per pair of n- and p-type thermoelements. Thermoelectric module consists of many thermoelements pairs connected in series so it is a very sensitive thermal flow sensor.

Single-stage modules of all RMT’s existing series of TECs are suitable heat flux sensors. The table identifies the key features of the preferred series.

 

Series

Packing density, elements/cm2

Sensitivity, V/cm2 deg.C

Minimum time constant, second

Maximum TEC size,mm2

The maximum number of pairs

1MC04

156

0.031

0.25-0.30

12.6х12.6

126

1MC06

100

0.020

16х24

140

1MD03

400

0.080

4.0х7.5

60

1MD04

278

0.056

9.8х9.8

127

1MD06

156

0.031

13х13

127

 

Meaning the maximum practical suitability, the most demanded are modules with high density packaging of elements and the number of elements (important for integral sensitivity).

For high speed of response, modules with low profile (thickness) of thermoelements and made with use of aluminum nitride ceramics are most optimal.

For greater sensitivity to the heat flow, you should select the versions of modules with maximum density and maximum height of thermoelements.

The single-stage modules of series 1MD04 и 1MD06 with more thermocouples are preferred.

RMT on the basis of huge experience of application of TECs can optimize or develop special structures of thermoelectric modules to meet customer requirements.

It is also possible to design special modules required shape, size and number of pairs of elements.

All the products are manufactured in whole conformity with the standard of reliability Telcordia GR468 Core. The modules of RMT are fully compliant with RoHS и REACH requirements.

To select a suitable solution and the optimal TEC for an application, the supporting Online TEC Assistance is available at RMT’s website. For detailed modeling and calculations the company RMT provides our customers by free software TEC Cad or iTECPad.

And contact RMT for advice and assistance.