thermopile

Date1890-1910

Inventory Number1996-1-0593

ClassificationThermopile

Subject

Maker Elliott Brothers ? 1853 - 1916

Cultural Region

Place of Origin

Dimensions6.5 × 17.3 × 7 cm (2 9/16 × 6 13/16 × 2 3/4 in.)

Material

DescriptionThis instrument consists of thermocouples housed in the cylindrical box fixed at the back of the instrument (seen on top here in the picture). Two wires were used to link this instrument to a galvanometer. The radiation cone is attached over the thermocouples, focusing heat radiation on the thermocouples.

Signedunsigned

Curatorial RemarksThis thermopile closely resembles the one in 1998-1-0118, which is signed by the Elliott Brothers, in London. This one though doesn't have a base, where the signature on the other is found.

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.