Errors involved in using thermal flux transducers under various conditions
Wissler, E.H.; Ketch, R.B.
Undersea Biomedical Research 9(3): 213-231
1982
ISSN/ISBN: 0093-5387 PMID: 7135633 Document Number: 190770
Commercially available sensors are being used by several investigators to measure thermal flux through the skin in which Q = measured thermal flux; Rt - thermal resistance of the transducer; Ta, Ts, and Te = deep tissue, skin, and environmental temperatures, respectively; and the subscript 0 denotes unperturbed values. Thse equations can be rearranged easily to obtain to improve estimates for the unperturbed values, Q0 and Ts,0, using the measured values, Q and Ts. Use of these relationships to estimate errors for various conditions previously reported in the literature reveals that the EQ can be as large as 10% to 20% for nude subjects in hyperbaric heliox or water, and the error in skin temperature can exceed 1.degree.C. When used under a 1-clo garment, the transducer will perturb Q by 4% and Ts by 0.3.degree. C.