設計・制御
thermocouple
Japanese: 熱電対
A sensor that measures the temperature inside the furnace. Since it reacts before the temperature of the glass itself, the difference is compensated for during the holding phase.
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A thermocouple is a temperature sensor made by joining two different types of metal; it generates an electromotive force (the Seebeck effect) in response to the temperature difference at the junction. In electric furnaces, they are used to measure the internal furnace temperature in real time and provide feedback to the programmable controller. Type K (Chromel-Alumel) thermocouples are primarily used in furnaces for glass fusing.
There may be a discrepancy between the thermocouple’s installation location and the actual temperature of the piece. Since the uniformity of the furnace temperature varies depending on the furnace size, the arrangement of the pieces, and the heat capacity of the shelves, it is important to understand the furnace’s characteristics and adjust the firing program accordingly during actual firing. Thermocouples are consumable parts, and their accuracy declines over time due to aging, so they must be checked and replaced regularly.
Related Concepts
It manages the furnace's status in conjunction with a program controller, data logger, trend graph, and remote operation.
This entry is written in Japanese by Rei Chikaoka and translated for readers outside Japan. If something reads oddly, the original is the source of truth.