Thermal control system for controlling the temperature of a fluid
Inventors
Vandersleen, Gary J. • Gershtein, Sergey • Tilson, Mitchell • Patel, Jaymin • Schneider, Craig H. • Hunter, Seth • Wasserman, Paul • Emeric, Pierre
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-12208393-B2
Publication Date
2025-01-28
Expiration Date
Abstract
The invention relates to a thermal control system for controlling the temperature of a fluid. In particular, the invention relates to a control system having at least two heating elements, at least one of which is used for directly or indirectly heating a fluid, and at least one of which is used for heating a thermal probe used to determine the temperature of the fluid. The heating systems are controlled by at least one feedback controller.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a thermal control system for maintaining the temperature of a component, especially for small-volume fluid analysis. A component is brought into thermal contact with a first heating element, and the temperature of the component is measured with a temperature sensing probe. The temperature sensing probe includes a probe tip, a thermal mass, a thermistor, and a second heating element.
The second heating element comprises a resistor positioned below the thermistor. The second heating element is configured for heating the temperature sensing probe and reducing a temperature difference between the component and the probe tip, thereby improving the accuracy of the temperature control. By reducing the temperature difference between the component and the probe tip, the invention improves feedback-based temperature measurement and control accuracy.
Temperature is maintained by controlling a current applied to the first heating element and the second heating element by a feedback controller. The feedback controller maintains the temperature of the component as measured by the temperature sensing probe, including maintaining temperature within tight tolerances. The described system is used in an analyzer cartridge context, where thermal control supports assay steps and is implemented using electrical contacts to deliver currents to the heating elements.
Claims Coverage
The independent claims cover a temperature-control method and systems/devices with a probe-heating and feedback-controlled dual-heater architecture. The core inventive content is concentrated in the probe with an integrated second resistor heater and the use of feedback controller current control for maintaining component temperature within a preselected or specified range.
Resistor heater below thermistor to reduce temperature difference between component and probe tip
A temperature sensing probe having a probe tip, a thermal mass, a thermistor, and a second heating element comprising a resistor positioned below the thermistor, configured for heating the temperature sensing probe and reducing a temperature difference between the component and the probe tip and thereby improving the accuracy of the temperature control.
Dual current control of first and second heating elements using feedback controller
Maintaining the temperature of said component as measured by the temperature sensing probe by controlling a current applied to the first and second heating elements based on a feedback controller for maintaining within a preselected range the temperature of the component.
First heating element in thermal contact with the component
Bringing a component in thermal contact with a first heating element, or providing a first heating element in thermal contact with the component, to enable temperature control of the component.
Cartridge temperature-maintenance device with electrical contacts and probe housing
A device for maintaining a temperature of a component in a cartridge, comprising electrical contacts for connecting to a first heating element and a second heating element and delivering currents, a temperature sensing probe with a second heating element as defined, a housing for the temperature sensing probe and electrical contacts configured for engaging a cartridge and bringing the temperature sensing probe into thermal contact with the component, and a feedback controller maintaining temperature within a preselected range by controlling the current applied to the first and second heating elements.
Collectively, the independent claims require a temperature sensing probe that includes a resistor heater positioned below the thermistor to reduce temperature difference between the component and the probe tip, a feedback controller that drives currents to both the first and second heating elements, and thermal coupling between the component and the first heating element, with the cartridge device adding electrical contacts and a probe housing for cartridge engagement.
Stated Advantages
Improves the accuracy of the temperature control by reducing a temperature difference between the component and the probe tip.
Maintains the temperature of the component within tight tolerances, including maintaining temperature within a preselected range.
Documented Applications
Thermal control used in a cartridge-based fluid analyzer context during assay steps for small-volume fluid analysis.
A device configured for maintaining component temperature in a cartridge, with electrical contacts that connect to heating elements to maintain temperature for the component during analyzer operation.
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