thermopile
Date1890-1910
Inventory Number1998-1-0118
ClassificationThermopile
Subject
Maker
Elliott Brothers
1853 - 1916
Cultural Region
Place of Origin
Dimensions31 × 10 × 18 cm (12 3/16 × 3 15/16 × 7 1/16 in.)
Material
DescriptionA lead-weighted telescoping stand supports a small cylindrical housing opened at one end. To the latter is attached a radiation cone designed to focus heat radiation on the thermocouples. The thermocouples are found at the back of the cone and are connected by long twisted wires to binding posts fixed on the circular base. The housing can be tilted vertically.
Signedon base: ELLIOTT BRO's / LONDON / N° 310
FunctionThis instrument is used to measure the difference of temperature of radiating sources, light included. The radiation entering the cone heats up the thermocouples found at the back, which produce a small electrical current. The latter is transmitted to a galvanometer that measures it. From this quantitative number, the amount of radiation can be derived.
For a general discussion of such an instrument, go to the following website.
For a general discussion of such an instrument, go to the following website.
