Estimation of Temperature Patterns in Multiply-Shielded Systems

The method of difference equations is applied to the problem of estimating temperature patterns in multiply-shielded systems. Results are obtained in terms of elementary functions which can be evaluated readily. The equations are employed to examine the effect of shield curvature, end radiation, and gas radiation on the temperature recorded by a shielded thermocouple for a variety of operating conditions. Calculations indicate that whereas shield curvature and gas radiation may be neglected in a well-designed shielded thermocouple, end radiation can result in a substantial error in the thermocouple-temperature measurement.