Multi-lead measurement apparatus for detection of a defective temperature-dependent resistance sensor

• US 20150168235A1
• Filed: 07/22/2013
• Published: 06/18/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 08/02/2012
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Phoenix Contact GmbH & Company KG
• Original Assignee: Phoenix Contact GmbH & Company KG
• Inventors: Zink, Fabian
• Application Number:
  US14/415,068
• Publication Number:
  US 20150168235A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 15/007 Testing
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 7/20 in a specially-adapted circuit, e.g. bridge circuit

Abstract

A multi-lead measurement apparatus, which has at least two current generation devices that can be turned on alternately, at least two voltage measurement devices, and at least three connection terminals, preferably three, four or five connection terminals, to which the at least two temperature-dependent resistance sensors that are electrically connected to one another can be connected. This multi-lead measurement apparatus furthermore has an evaluation device that is configured for automatically determining the electrical resistances of the resistance sensors, using every possible combination of a two-lead, three-lead, and four-lead measurement, in order to be able to detect a defective resistance sensor.

Claims

1. A multi-lead measurement apparatus for detection of a defective temperature-dependent resistance sensor, having

three connection terminals, which are connected to two current generation devices that can be turned on alternately, and each deliver a pre-determined current, and with at least two voltage measurement devices,

at least two temperature-dependent resistance sensors switched in series, wherein the one temperature-dependent resistance sensor has three connectors and the other temperature-dependent resistance sensor has two connectors,

wherein two of the three connection terminals can be connected to the one temperature-dependent resistance sensor by way of a connection line, in each instance, and the third connection terminal can be connected to the other temperature-dependent resistance sensor by way of a further connection line, and having

an evaluation device that is configured for determining the electrical resistances of the at least two resistance sensors from the pre-determined currents and from the voltages that can be measured by the voltage measurement devices, by means of a two-lead measurement, in each instance, or by means of a three-lead measurement, in each instance, and for detecting a defective temperature-dependent resistance sensor as a function of the electrical resistances that are determined.

4. The multi-lead measurement apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the temperature-dependent resistance sensors are thermally coupled and disposed in a housing.

5. The multi-lead measurement apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the electrical resistances of the temperature-dependent resistance sensors are the same.

6. The multi-lead measurement apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the electrical resistances of the temperature-dependent resistance sensors stand in a pre-determined relationship with one another.

7. The multi-lead measurement apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the temperature-dependent resistance sensors are platinum sensors.

8. The multi-lead measurement apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a control device for turning on the current generation devices and/or the voltage measurement devices.

2. A multi-lead measurement apparatus for detection of a defective temperature-dependent resistance sensor, having

four connection terminals that are connected, in a pre-determined manner, with two current generation devices that each deliver a pre-determined current, and with two voltage measurement devices,

at least two temperature-dependent resistance sensors switched in series, wherein the one temperature-dependent resistance sensor has four connectors and the other temperature-dependent resistance sensor has two connectors, wherein

three of the four connection terminals can be connected to the one temperature-dependent resistance sensor by way of one connection line, in each instance, and the fourth connection terminal can be connected to the other temperature-dependent resistance sensor by way of a further connection line, and having

an evaluation device that is configured for determining the electrical resistance of the one temperature-dependent resistance sensor from the pre-determined currents and from the voltages that can be measured by the voltage measurement devices, by means of a four-lead measurement, and the electrical resistance of the other temperature-dependent resistance sensor by means of a two-lead measurement, and for detecting a defective temperature-dependent resistance sensor as a function of the electrical resistances that are determined, or

wherein the evaluation device is configured for determining the electrical resistances of the temperature-dependent resistance sensors from the pre-determined currents and from the voltages that can be measured by the voltage measurement devices, by means of a three-lead measurement, in each instance, and for detecting a defective temperature-dependent resistance sensor as a function of the electrical resistances that are determined.

3. A multi-lead measurement apparatus for detection of a defective temperature-dependent resistance sensor, having

five connection terminals that are connected, in pre-determined manner, with two current generation devices that can be turned on alternately and each deliver a pre-determined current, and with two voltage measurement devices,

at least two temperature-dependent resistance sensors switched in series, wherein the one temperature-dependent resistance sensor has four connectors and the other temperature-dependent resistance sensor has two connectors,

wherein three of the five connection terminals can be connected to the one temperature-dependent resistance sensor by way of a connection line, in each instance, and the other two connection terminals can be connected to the connector of the other temperature-dependent resistance sensor by way of a further connection line, in each instance, and having

an evaluation device that is configured for determining the electrical resistances of the one temperature-dependent resistance sensor from the pre-determined currents and from the voltages that can be measured by the voltage measurement devices, by means of a four-lead measurement, in each instance, and for detecting a defective temperature-dependent resistance sensor as a function of the electrical resistances that are determined.