diff --git a/src/regionModels/regionCoupling/derivedFvPatchFields/filmPyrolysisRadiativeCoupledMixed/filmPyrolysisRadiativeCoupledMixedFvPatchScalarField.C b/src/regionModels/regionCoupling/derivedFvPatchFields/filmPyrolysisRadiativeCoupledMixed/filmPyrolysisRadiativeCoupledMixedFvPatchScalarField.C
index 07e34bdb04..7a7cabd103 100644
--- a/src/regionModels/regionCoupling/derivedFvPatchFields/filmPyrolysisRadiativeCoupledMixed/filmPyrolysisRadiativeCoupledMixedFvPatchScalarField.C
+++ b/src/regionModels/regionCoupling/derivedFvPatchFields/filmPyrolysisRadiativeCoupledMixed/filmPyrolysisRadiativeCoupledMixedFvPatchScalarField.C
@@ -108,14 +108,7 @@ filmPyrolysisRadiativeCoupledMixedFvPatchScalarField
 )
 :
     mixedFvPatchScalarField(p, iF),
-    temperatureCoupledBase
-    (
-        patch(),
-        "undefined",
-        "undefined",
-        "undefined-K",
-        "undefined-alpha"
-    ),
+    temperatureCoupledBase(patch()),  // default method (fluidThermo)
     filmRegionName_("surfaceFilmProperties"),
     pyrolysisRegionName_("pyrolysisProperties"),
     TnbrName_("undefined-Tnbr"),
diff --git a/src/thermoTools/derivedFvPatchFields/externalWallHeatFluxTemperature/externalWallHeatFluxTemperatureFvPatchScalarField.C b/src/thermoTools/derivedFvPatchFields/externalWallHeatFluxTemperature/externalWallHeatFluxTemperatureFvPatchScalarField.C
index a4ed421023..0130150a92 100644
--- a/src/thermoTools/derivedFvPatchFields/externalWallHeatFluxTemperature/externalWallHeatFluxTemperatureFvPatchScalarField.C
+++ b/src/thermoTools/derivedFvPatchFields/externalWallHeatFluxTemperature/externalWallHeatFluxTemperatureFvPatchScalarField.C
@@ -58,14 +58,7 @@ externalWallHeatFluxTemperatureFvPatchScalarField
 )
 :
     mixedFvPatchScalarField(p, iF),
-    temperatureCoupledBase
-    (
-        patch(),
-        "undefined",
-        "undefined",
-        "undefined-K",
-        "undefined-alpha"
-    ),
+    temperatureCoupledBase(patch()),  // default method (fluidThermo)
     mode_(fixedHeatFlux),
     Q_(nullptr),
     q_(nullptr),
diff --git a/src/thermoTools/derivedFvPatchFields/fixedIncidentRadiation/fixedIncidentRadiationFvPatchScalarField.C b/src/thermoTools/derivedFvPatchFields/fixedIncidentRadiation/fixedIncidentRadiationFvPatchScalarField.C
index 3603707738..90899164ac 100644
--- a/src/thermoTools/derivedFvPatchFields/fixedIncidentRadiation/fixedIncidentRadiationFvPatchScalarField.C
+++ b/src/thermoTools/derivedFvPatchFields/fixedIncidentRadiation/fixedIncidentRadiationFvPatchScalarField.C
@@ -45,14 +45,7 @@ fixedIncidentRadiationFvPatchScalarField
 )
 :
     fixedGradientFvPatchScalarField(p, iF),
-    temperatureCoupledBase
-    (
-        patch(),
-        "undefined",
-        "undefined",
-        "undefined-K",
-        "undefined-alpha"
-    ),
+    temperatureCoupledBase(patch()),  // default method (fluidThermo)
     qrIncident_(p.size(), Zero)
 {}
 
diff --git a/src/thermoTools/derivedFvPatchFields/humidityTemperatureCoupledMixed/humidityTemperatureCoupledMixedFvPatchScalarField.C b/src/thermoTools/derivedFvPatchFields/humidityTemperatureCoupledMixed/humidityTemperatureCoupledMixedFvPatchScalarField.C
index 61a150ce10..5055a52571 100644
--- a/src/thermoTools/derivedFvPatchFields/humidityTemperatureCoupledMixed/humidityTemperatureCoupledMixedFvPatchScalarField.C
+++ b/src/thermoTools/derivedFvPatchFields/humidityTemperatureCoupledMixed/humidityTemperatureCoupledMixedFvPatchScalarField.C
@@ -132,14 +132,7 @@ humidityTemperatureCoupledMixedFvPatchScalarField
 )
 :
     mixedFvPatchScalarField(p, iF),
-    temperatureCoupledBase
-    (
-        patch(),
-        "fluidThermo",
-        "undefined",
-        "undefined-K",
-        "undefined-alpha"
-    ),
+    temperatureCoupledBase(patch(), temperatureCoupledBase::mtFluidThermo),
     mode_(mtConstantMass),
     pName_("p"),
     UName_("U"),
diff --git a/src/thermoTools/derivedFvPatchFields/lumpedMassWallTemperature/lumpedMassWallTemperatureFvPatchScalarField.C b/src/thermoTools/derivedFvPatchFields/lumpedMassWallTemperature/lumpedMassWallTemperatureFvPatchScalarField.C
index 5cd79495a3..f34d171eae 100644
--- a/src/thermoTools/derivedFvPatchFields/lumpedMassWallTemperature/lumpedMassWallTemperatureFvPatchScalarField.C
+++ b/src/thermoTools/derivedFvPatchFields/lumpedMassWallTemperature/lumpedMassWallTemperatureFvPatchScalarField.C
@@ -41,14 +41,7 @@ lumpedMassWallTemperatureFvPatchScalarField
 )
 :
     mixedFvPatchScalarField(p, iF),
-    temperatureCoupledBase
-    (
-        patch(),
-        "undefined",
-        "undefined",
-        "undefined-K",
-        "undefined-alpha"
-    ),
+    temperatureCoupledBase(patch()),  // default method (fluidThermo)
     Cp_(0.0),
     mass_(0.0),
     curTimeIndex_(-1)
diff --git a/src/thermoTools/derivedFvPatchFields/temperatureCoupledBase/temperatureCoupledBase.C b/src/thermoTools/derivedFvPatchFields/temperatureCoupledBase/temperatureCoupledBase.C
index b14d96c692..d6768f7fbb 100644
--- a/src/thermoTools/derivedFvPatchFields/temperatureCoupledBase/temperatureCoupledBase.C
+++ b/src/thermoTools/derivedFvPatchFields/temperatureCoupledBase/temperatureCoupledBase.C
@@ -54,18 +54,70 @@ Foam::temperatureCoupledBase::KMethodTypeNames_
 Foam::temperatureCoupledBase::temperatureCoupledBase
 (
     const fvPatch& patch,
-    const word& calculationType,
-    const word& kappaName,
-    const word& alphaAniName,
-    const word& alphaName
+    const KMethodType method
 )
 :
     patch_(patch),
-    method_(KMethodTypeNames_[calculationType]),
+    method_(method),
+    kappaName_(),
+    alphaName_(),
+    alphaAniName_(),
+    kappaFunction1_(nullptr),
+    alphaFunction1_(nullptr)
+{
+    switch (method_)
+    {
+        case mtDirectionalSolidThermo:
+        case mtLookup:
+        case mtFunction:
+        {
+            FatalErrorInFunction
+                << "Cannot construct kappaMethod: "
+                << KMethodTypeNames_[method_] << " without a dictionary"
+                << abort(FatalError);
+            break;
+        }
+        default:
+        {
+            break;
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+
+Foam::temperatureCoupledBase::temperatureCoupledBase
+(
+    const fvPatch& patch,
+    const KMethodType method,
+    const word& kappaName,
+    const word& alphaName,
+    const word& alphaAniName
+)
+:
+    patch_(patch),
+    method_(method),
     kappaName_(kappaName),
+    alphaName_(alphaName),
     alphaAniName_(alphaAniName),
-    alphaName_(alphaName)
-{}
+    kappaFunction1_(nullptr),
+    alphaFunction1_(nullptr)
+{
+    switch (method_)
+    {
+        case mtFunction:
+        {
+            FatalErrorInFunction
+                << "Cannot construct kappaMethod: "
+                << KMethodTypeNames_[method_] << " without a dictionary"
+                << abort(FatalError);
+            break;
+        }
+        default:
+        {
+            break;
+        }
+    }
+}
 
 
 Foam::temperatureCoupledBase::temperatureCoupledBase
@@ -77,8 +129,10 @@ Foam::temperatureCoupledBase::temperatureCoupledBase
     patch_(patch),
     method_(KMethodTypeNames_.get("kappaMethod", dict)),
     kappaName_(dict.getOrDefault<word>("kappa", word::null)),
+    alphaName_(dict.getOrDefault<word>("alpha", word::null)),
     alphaAniName_(dict.getOrDefault<word>("alphaAni", word::null)),
-    alphaName_(dict.getOrDefault<word>("alpha", word::null))
+    kappaFunction1_(nullptr),
+    alphaFunction1_(nullptr)
 {
     switch (method_)
     {
@@ -89,7 +143,7 @@ Foam::temperatureCoupledBase::temperatureCoupledBase
                 FatalIOErrorInFunction(dict)
                     << "Did not find entry 'alphaAni'"
                        " required for 'kappaMethod' "
-                    << KMethodTypeNames_[method_]
+                    << KMethodTypeNames_[method_] << nl
                     << exit(FatalIOError);
             }
 
@@ -104,8 +158,8 @@ Foam::temperatureCoupledBase::temperatureCoupledBase
                     << "Did not find entry 'kappa'"
                        " required for 'kappaMethod' "
                     <<  KMethodTypeNames_[method_] << nl
-                    << "    Please set 'kappa' to the name of a volScalarField"
-                       " or volSymmTensorField"
+                    << "Please set 'kappa' to the name of"
+                       " a volScalar or volSymmTensor field" << nl
                     << exit(FatalIOError);
             }
 
@@ -116,16 +170,18 @@ Foam::temperatureCoupledBase::temperatureCoupledBase
         {
             kappaFunction1_ = PatchFunction1<scalar>::New
             (
-                patch.patch(),
+                patch_.patch(),
                 "kappaValue",
                 dict
             );
             alphaFunction1_ = PatchFunction1<scalar>::New
             (
-                patch.patch(),
+                patch_.patch(),
                 "alphaValue",
                 dict
             );
+
+            break;
         }
 
         default:
@@ -141,13 +197,7 @@ Foam::temperatureCoupledBase::temperatureCoupledBase
     const temperatureCoupledBase& base
 )
 :
-    patch_(base.patch_),
-    method_(base.method_),
-    kappaName_(base.kappaName_),
-    alphaAniName_(base.alphaAniName_),
-    alphaName_(base.alphaName_),
-    kappaFunction1_(base.kappaFunction1_.clone(patch_.patch())),
-    alphaFunction1_(base.alphaFunction1_.clone(patch_.patch()))
+    temperatureCoupledBase(base.patch_, base)
 {}
 
 
@@ -160,8 +210,8 @@ Foam::temperatureCoupledBase::temperatureCoupledBase
     patch_(patch),
     method_(base.method_),
     kappaName_(base.kappaName_),
-    alphaAniName_(base.alphaAniName_),
     alphaName_(base.alphaName_),
+    alphaAniName_(base.alphaAniName_),
     kappaFunction1_(base.kappaFunction1_.clone(patch_.patch())),
     alphaFunction1_(base.alphaFunction1_.clone(patch_.patch()))
 {}
@@ -281,6 +331,7 @@ Foam::tmp<Foam::scalarField> Foam::temperatureCoupledBase::kappa
                 mesh.lookupObject<solidThermo>(basicThermo::dictName);
 
             return thermo.kappa(patchi);
+
             break;
         }
 
@@ -306,35 +357,42 @@ Foam::tmp<Foam::scalarField> Foam::temperatureCoupledBase::kappa
 
         case mtLookup:
         {
-            if (mesh.foundObject<volScalarField>(kappaName_))
             {
-                return patch_.lookupPatchField<volScalarField, scalar>
-                (
-                    kappaName_
-                );
-            }
-            else if (mesh.foundObject<volSymmTensorField>(kappaName_))
-            {
-                const symmTensorField& KWall =
-                    patch_.lookupPatchField<volSymmTensorField, scalar>
-                    (
-                        kappaName_
-                    );
+                const auto* ptr =
+                    mesh.cfindObject<volScalarField>(kappaName_);
 
-                const vectorField n(patch_.nf());
+                if (ptr)
+                {
+                    return patch_.patchField<volScalarField>(*ptr);
+                }
+            }
 
-                return n & KWall & n;
-            }
-            else
             {
-                FatalErrorInFunction
-                    << "Did not find field " << kappaName_
-                    << " on mesh " << mesh.name() << " patch " << patch_.name()
-                    << nl
-                    << "    Please set 'kappa' to the name of a volScalarField"
-                    << " or volSymmTensorField."
-                    << exit(FatalError);
+                const auto* ptr =
+                    mesh.cfindObject<volSymmTensorField>(kappaName_);
+
+                if (ptr)
+                {
+                    const symmTensorField& wallValues =
+                        patch_.patchField<volSymmTensorField>(*ptr);
+
+                    const vectorField n(patch_.nf());
+
+                    return n & wallValues & n;
+                }
             }
+
+
+            FatalErrorInFunction
+                << "Did not find field '" << kappaName_
+                << "' on mesh " << mesh.name()
+                << " patch " << patch_.name() << nl
+                << "Please set 'kappa' to the name of"
+                   " a volScalar or volSymmTensor field"
+                   ", or use another method" << nl
+                << "    " << flatOutput(KMethodTypeNames_.sortedToc()) << nl
+                << exit(FatalError);
+
             break;
         }
 
@@ -351,8 +409,8 @@ Foam::tmp<Foam::scalarField> Foam::temperatureCoupledBase::kappa
                 << "Unimplemented method " << KMethodTypeNames_[method_] << nl
                 << "Please set 'kappaMethod' to one of "
                 << flatOutput(KMethodTypeNames_.sortedToc()) << nl
-                << "and 'kappa' to the name of the volScalar"
-                << " or volSymmTensor field (if kappaMethod=lookup)"
+                << "If kappaMethod=lookup, also set 'kappa' to the name of"
+                   " a volScalar or volSymmTensor field" << nl
                 << exit(FatalError);
 
             break;
@@ -452,39 +510,41 @@ Foam::tmp<Foam::scalarField> Foam::temperatureCoupledBase::alpha
 
         case mtLookup:
         {
-            if (mesh.foundObject<volScalarField>(alphaName_))
             {
-                return
-                    patch_.lookupPatchField<volScalarField, scalar>
-                    (
-                        alphaName_
-                    );
-            }
-            else if (mesh.foundObject<volSymmTensorField>(alphaName_))
-            {
-                const symmTensorField& alphaWall =
-                    patch_.lookupPatchField<volSymmTensorField, scalar>
-                    (
-                        alphaName_
-                    );
+                const auto* ptr =
+                    mesh.cfindObject<volScalarField>(alphaName_);
 
-                const vectorField n(patch_.nf());
+                if (ptr)
+                {
+                    return patch_.patchField<volScalarField>(*ptr);
+                }
+            }
 
-                return n & alphaWall & n;
-            }
-            else
             {
-                FatalErrorInFunction
-                    << "Did not find field " << alphaName_
-                    << " on mesh " << mesh.name() << " patch " << patch_.name()
-                    << nl
-                    << "Please set 'kappaMethod' to one of "
-                    << flatOutput(KMethodTypeNames_.sortedToc()) << nl
-                    << "and 'alpha' to the name of the volScalar"
-                    << " or volSymmTensor field (if kappaMethod=lookup)"
-                    << exit(FatalError);
+                const auto* ptr =
+                    mesh.cfindObject<volSymmTensorField>(alphaName_);
+
+                if (ptr)
+                {
+                    const symmTensorField& wallValues =
+                        patch_.patchField<volSymmTensorField>(*ptr);
+
+                    const vectorField n(patch_.nf());
+
+                    return n & wallValues & n;
+                }
             }
 
+            FatalErrorInFunction
+                << "Did not find field '" << alphaName_
+                << "' on mesh " << mesh.name()
+                << " patch " << patch_.name() << nl
+                << "Please set 'alpha' to the name of"
+                   " a volScalar or volSymmTensor field"
+                   ", or use another method" << nl
+                << "    " << flatOutput(KMethodTypeNames_.sortedToc()) << nl
+                << exit(FatalError);
+
             break;
         }
 
@@ -501,8 +561,8 @@ Foam::tmp<Foam::scalarField> Foam::temperatureCoupledBase::alpha
                 << "Unimplemented method " << KMethodTypeNames_[method_] << nl
                 << "Please set 'kappaMethod' to one of "
                 << flatOutput(KMethodTypeNames_.sortedToc()) << nl
-                << "and 'alpha' to the name of the volScalar"
-                << " or volSymmTensor field (if kappaMethod=lookup)"
+                << "If kappaMethod=lookup, also set 'alpha' to the name of"
+                   " a volScalar or volSymmTensor field" << nl
                 << exit(FatalError);
 
             break;
diff --git a/src/thermoTools/derivedFvPatchFields/temperatureCoupledBase/temperatureCoupledBase.H b/src/thermoTools/derivedFvPatchFields/temperatureCoupledBase/temperatureCoupledBase.H
index 3e7eff8b76..b595c5dbd3 100644
--- a/src/thermoTools/derivedFvPatchFields/temperatureCoupledBase/temperatureCoupledBase.H
+++ b/src/thermoTools/derivedFvPatchFields/temperatureCoupledBase/temperatureCoupledBase.H
@@ -46,11 +46,11 @@ Description
       \table
         Property     | Description                          | Required | Default
         kappaMethod  | Thermal conductivity method          | yes |
-        kappa        | Name of thermal conductivity field   | no  |
-        alpha        | Name of thermal diffusivity field    | no  |
-        alphaAni     | Name of non-isotropic alpha          | no  |
-        kappaValue   | Function1 supplying kappa            | no  |
-        alphaValue   | Function1 supplying alpha            | no  |
+        kappa        | Name of thermal conductivity field   | partly |
+        alpha        | Name of thermal diffusivity field    | partly |
+        alphaAni     | Name of non-isotropic alpha          | partly |
+        kappaValue   | Function1 supplying kappa            | partly |
+        alphaValue   | Function1 supplying alpha            | partly |
       \endtable
 
 Usage
@@ -130,12 +130,12 @@ protected:
         //- Name of thermal conductivity field (if looked up from database)
         const word kappaName_;
 
-        //- Name of the non-Isotropic alpha (default: Anialpha)
-        const word alphaAniName_;
-
         //- Name of thermal diffusivity
         const word alphaName_;
 
+        //- Name of the non-isotropic alpha (for directional solidThermo)
+        const word alphaAniName_;
+
         //- Function1 for kappa
         autoPtr<PatchFunction1<scalar>> kappaFunction1_;
 
@@ -147,14 +147,22 @@ public:
 
     // Constructors
 
-        //- Construct from patch and K name
+        //- Default construct from patch, using fluidThermo (default)
+        //- or specified method
+        explicit temperatureCoupledBase
+        (
+            const fvPatch& patch,
+            const KMethodType method = KMethodType::mtFluidThermo
+        );
+
+        //- Construct from patch, method type and field names
         temperatureCoupledBase
         (
             const fvPatch& patch,
-            const word& calculationMethod,
+            const KMethodType method,
             const word& kappaName,
-            const word& alphaAniName,
-            const word& alphaName
+            const word& alphaName,
+            const word& alphaAniName
         );
 
         //- Construct from patch and dictionary
@@ -171,18 +179,15 @@ public:
             const temperatureCoupledBase& base
         );
 
-        //- Construct as copy
-        temperatureCoupledBase
-        (
-            const temperatureCoupledBase&
-        );
+        //- Copy construct
+        temperatureCoupledBase(const temperatureCoupledBase& base);
 
 
     //- Destructor
     virtual ~temperatureCoupledBase() = default;
 
 
-    // Member functions
+    // Member Functions
 
         //- Method to obtain K
         word KMethod() const
@@ -191,13 +196,13 @@ public:
         }
 
         //- Name of thermal conductivity field
-        const word& kappaName() const
+        const word& kappaName() const noexcept
         {
             return kappaName_;
         }
 
         //- Name of thermal diffusivity field
-        const word& alphaName() const
+        const word& alphaName() const noexcept
         {
             return alphaName_;
         }
diff --git a/src/thermoTools/derivedFvPatchFields/turbulentTemperatureCoupledBaffleMixed/turbulentTemperatureCoupledBaffleMixedFvPatchScalarField.C b/src/thermoTools/derivedFvPatchFields/turbulentTemperatureCoupledBaffleMixed/turbulentTemperatureCoupledBaffleMixedFvPatchScalarField.C
index e59afded4d..bb6c154687 100644
--- a/src/thermoTools/derivedFvPatchFields/turbulentTemperatureCoupledBaffleMixed/turbulentTemperatureCoupledBaffleMixedFvPatchScalarField.C
+++ b/src/thermoTools/derivedFvPatchFields/turbulentTemperatureCoupledBaffleMixed/turbulentTemperatureCoupledBaffleMixedFvPatchScalarField.C
@@ -49,14 +49,7 @@ turbulentTemperatureCoupledBaffleMixedFvPatchScalarField
 )
 :
     mixedFvPatchScalarField(p, iF),
-    temperatureCoupledBase
-    (
-        patch(),
-        "undefined",
-        "undefined",
-        "undefined-K",
-        "undefined-alpha"
-    ),
+    temperatureCoupledBase(patch()),  // default method (fluidThermo)
     mappedPatchFieldBase<scalar>
     (
         mappedPatchFieldBase<scalar>::mapper(p, iF),
diff --git a/src/thermoTools/derivedFvPatchFields/turbulentTemperatureRadCoupledMixed/turbulentTemperatureRadCoupledMixedFvPatchScalarField.C b/src/thermoTools/derivedFvPatchFields/turbulentTemperatureRadCoupledMixed/turbulentTemperatureRadCoupledMixedFvPatchScalarField.C
index d82dc200c4..b6420d7a75 100644
--- a/src/thermoTools/derivedFvPatchFields/turbulentTemperatureRadCoupledMixed/turbulentTemperatureRadCoupledMixedFvPatchScalarField.C
+++ b/src/thermoTools/derivedFvPatchFields/turbulentTemperatureRadCoupledMixed/turbulentTemperatureRadCoupledMixedFvPatchScalarField.C
@@ -51,14 +51,7 @@ turbulentTemperatureRadCoupledMixedFvPatchScalarField
 )
 :
     mixedFvPatchScalarField(p, iF),
-    temperatureCoupledBase
-    (
-        patch(),
-        "undefined",
-        "undefined",
-        "undefined-K",
-        "undefined-alpha"
-    ),
+    temperatureCoupledBase(patch()),  // default method (fluidThermo)
     mappedPatchFieldBase<scalar>
     (
         mappedPatchFieldBase<scalar>::mapper(p, iF),