Patent ID: 9714872
Date: 2017-07-25
CPC Classifications: G01K

Claim:
1. A method of calibrating a thermal device for simulating and sensing the thermal characteristics of a perishable element, comprising: a) providing a single piece of solid cylindrical material sized to have a thermal mass substantially equal to that of the perishable element, said single piece of solid material having (i) an outer surface, (ii) a centrally located temperature sensor with communication leads exiting from said outer surface, and (iii) a calibration channel extending from said outer surface to a test point within said single piece of solid material, said test point adjacent said temperature sensor; b) providing a calibration probe; c) inserting said calibration probe into the calibration channel to said test point; d) allowing a sufficient amount of time for a temperature of said calibration probe and said solid material to equilibrate; and e) comparing a temperature output from said temperature sensor to a temperature output from said calibration probe to determine the accuracy of said temperature sensor.