Patent ID: 6367970
Filing Date: 2002-04-09
Classification: G01K,G01N

Abstract:
A rapid response thin film sensor assembly, having a front surface of less than one square inch and a back surface maintained during operation at a low temperature with respect to said front surface, at least one layer, and a thickness of less than 5&mgr;, for obtaining within a severe environment at least one measure for each of two values of temperature, T1 and T2, and at least one measure for heat flux, q1, said measures obtained in less than a millisecond, comprising:a single substrate, having upper and lower surfaces and at least first and second parts, each said upper and lower surface having a center and a perimeter, a pre-specified first thermal resistance, r1g, inherent as a characteristic of said first part of said substrate, a pre-specified second thermal resistance, r2g, inherent as a characteristic of said second part of said substrate, said substrate having a thickness of less than 2&mgr;wherein r2g>>r1g;at least a first temperature indicator affixed in said center of said upper surface of said single substrate for measuring a first temperature, T1; at least a second temperature indicator affixed near said perimeter of said upper surface of said single substrate at a pre-specified distance on said single substrate from said first temperature indicator for measuring a second temperature, T2, wherein heat flux between said first and second temperature indicators along said front surface is negligible;at least one heat flux indicator for measuring q1 through said front surface and across said first thermal resistance, r1g; and a reference area incorporated in said back surface, said reference area in operable communication with said first and second temperature indicators and said at least one heat flux indicator, wherein said reference area is maintained at a reference temperature, Tref<21, and in operable communication with said at least one heat flux indicator and said first and second temperature indicators, and wherein use of said thin film sensor permits the further derivation of a heat transfer coefficient (h) and a recovery temperature (Tr) within an environment that may include temperatures above 800Â° C. such as may exist in an exhaust plume from a solid rocket motor.