Thermoelectric heat flow transducer

A thin, rugged, heat resistant device for measuring the rate of heat flow passing through a structure having a surface exposed to ambient conditions comprising

• a first, relatively thin metal plate adapted to be placed in direct physical contact with the exposed surface of the structure passing heat,
• a second, relatively thin metal plate located in spaced, rigid, parallel relation with said first plate and generally coextensive therewith to form a sandwich-like structure having a relatively narrow space between the plates,
• a plurality of spaced openings provided in and extending through said first and second places, and
• a plurality of relatively short, structural, thermal conductors extending through said openings and plates and bridging the narrow space therebetween to provide a plurality of heat paths between the plates, the conductors being made of a material having a relatively high coefficient of thermal conductivity, and capable of supporting the plates in said rigid, parallel relation, said conductors in combination with at least one of said plates providing a plurality of differential thermocouples, the conductors being in intimate, physical contact with each plate so that, in addition, good heat conduction is provided between each conductor and each plate whereby the impedance to and the disturbance of the rate of heat flow through the structure being measured is such that a temperature drop is established between the metal plates to provide a temperature representing signal without substantially altering normal heat flow through the structure.