Probe for use in a microcalorimeter

Claim 1

A device for use in a microcalorimeter, comprising a hollow tubular body adapted to receive an article which contains at least one material to be thermally tested therein; said hollow tubular body being further adapted to conduct heat generated by the article received therein; a fluid conduit adapted to conduct heat; said hollow tubular body having a continuous helical groove about its periphery, said helical groove being adapted to receive said fluid conduit therein; said fluid conduit being adapted to receive a heat-generating fluid flowing therethrough; first and second heat-conducting members fixedly attached to the outer periphery of said hollow tubular body, and first and second heat-conducting members being adapted to conduct heat from said hollow tubular body and said fluid conduit; each of said first and second heat-conducting members having a generally flat surface thereon; a first and second Peltier thermocouple having one side thereof in thermal contact with respective ones of said generally flat surfaces of said first and second heat-conducting members; said first and second Peltier thermocouples each having another side in thermal contact with a heat sink, each said heat sink having sufficient heat capacity so as to be adapted to remain at a substantially constant temperature while heat is being conducted across said first and second Peltier thermocouples; heat generated within said hollow tubular body and said fluid conduit being conducted to said heat sinks; whereby heat generated within said hollow tubular body and said fluid conduit, passing across said first and second heat-conducting members and passing across said first and second Peltier thermocouples, is measureable by said first and second Peltier thermocouples.

Claim 2

A device for use in a microcalorimeter, comprising a hollow tubular body adapted to receive an article which contains at least one material to be thermally tested therein; said hollow tubular body being further adapted to conduct heat generated by the article received therein; a fluid conduit adapted to conduct heat; said hollow tubular body having a continuous helical groove about its periphery, said helical groove being adapted to receive said fluid conduit therein; said fluid conduit being adapted to receive a heat-generating fluid flowing therethrough; first and second heat-conducting members fixedly attached to the outer periphery of said hollow tubular body, and first and second heat-conducting members being adapted to conduct heat from said hollow tubular body and said fluid conduit; each of said first and second heat-conducting members having a generally flat surface thereon; a first and second Peltier thermocouple having one side thereof in thermal contact with respective ones of said generally flat surfaces of said first and second heat-conducting members; said first and second Peltier thermocouples each having another side in thermal contact with a heat sink, each said heat sink having sufficient heat capacity so as to be adapted to remain at a substantially constant temperature while heat is being conducted across said first and second Peltier thermocouples; heat generated within said hollow tubular body and said fluid conduit being conducted to said heat sinks; whereby heat generated within said hollow tubular body and said fluid conduit, passing across said first and second heat-conducting members and passing across said first and second Peltier thermocouples, is measureable by said first and second Peltier thermocouples.