Balance with active heat flow control

Abstract

A balance () is a single unit with a weighing pan () enclosed in a weighing compartment (). A housing () adjoins the weighing compartment. The balance housing contains a weighing cell compartment () enclosing a weighing cell, an electronics compartment () containing electrical and electronic circuit elements, a thermoelectric heat pump module () and a heat flow controller (). The balance is equipped to determine a net heat flow (P) inside the housing in the direction from the weighing cell compartment to the electronics compartment. The heat flow controller uses the net heat flow as a control input to regulate the the thermoelectric heat pump module, arranged inside the housing. The control input is used to generate an active heat flow (P) with magnitude and direction for holding the net heat flow at a level equal to the rate of heat dissipation produced inside the weighing cell compartment.