EP0217620A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Temperature sensor
Assignee: Pactrol Controls Ltd
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Filing: 1986-09-23
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2006-09-23
Abstract
Abstract A device for monitoring the temperature of a body. comprising a p-n junction (19) which is integrally packaged with a metal carrier (30) such as to be in good thermal contact therewith but electrically isolated therefrom. The p-n junction is provided by, for example, a triac, thyristor, power transistor or power diode. The metal carrier is adapted to be fitted in heat conductive engagement with a body whose temperature is to be monitored so that the p-n junction adopts rapidly the prevailing temperature of that body. A constant current supply (18) is connected to the p-n junction so as to pass a constant current therethrough, the voltage drop across the p-n junction being monitored as the temperature of the p-n junction varies in accordance with the temperature of the body. The magnitude of the voltage drop provides a measure of the temperature of the body.
Inventors
- 👤 Peter Abiodun Ayotunde Bode
- 👤 Roderick John Collins
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 10:01
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01K; G01K7/00; G01K7/01
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
111 words
A device for monitoring the temperature of a body, characterised by a p-n junction (19) which is mounted on a metal carrier (30) such as to be in good thermal contact therewith, the metal carrier (30) being adapted to be fitted in heat conductive engagement with a body whose temperature is to be monitored, a constant current supply (18) connected to the p-n junction so as to pass a constant current there- through, and a means (22) for monitoring the voltage drop across the p-n junction as the temperature of the p-n junction varies in accordance with the temperature of said body, said voltage drop providing a measure of said temperature.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
111 words
A device for monitoring the temperature of a body, characterised by a p-n junction (19) which is mounted on a metal carrier (30) such as to be in good thermal contact therewith, the metal carrier (30) being adapted to be fitted in heat conductive engagement with a body whose temperature is to be monitored, a constant current supply (18) connected to the p-n junction so as to pass a constant current there- through, and a means (22) for monitoring the voltage drop across the p-n junction as the temperature of the p-n junction varies in accordance with the temperature of said body, said voltage drop providing a measure of said temperature.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
A device according to claim 1, wherein the p-n junction is not only in good thermal contact with the metal carrier (30) but is also electrically isolated therefrom.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
A device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said monitoring means comprises a comparator (22) for comparing the voltage drop across the p-n junction with a reference voltage supplied by a reference voltage source (26).
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
A device according to claim 3, wherein the voltage provided by said reference voltage source (26) is variable.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
42 words
A device according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the output of the comparator (22) is used to control the state of an electronic switching device (34), which itself controls the activation of an operational variable controlling the temperature of said body.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
28 words
A device according to any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the p-n junction is that of a triac, a thyristor, a power transistor or a power diode.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
27 words
A device according to any of claims 1 to 5, " wherein the p-n junction is that between the A l and gate terminations of a triac.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
44 words
A device according to any of claims 1 to 7, wherein said metal carrier (30) contains an aperture (32) for receiving a bolt, or the like, by which the carrier (30) can be secured rigidly to said body whose temperature is to be monitored.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
31 words
A device according to any of claims 1 to 8, including a voltage dropping and stabilizing circuit by means of which the device can be directly driven by the mains supply.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
93 words
A device according to claim 9, wherein said voltage dropping and stabilizing circuit comprises the series combination of a capacitor (10) and a Zener diode (12) arranged for connection across the live and neutral connections of a mains supply to drop the mains voltage to a desired level and the series combination of a diode (14) and electrolytic capacitor (16) coupled across said Zenor diode (12) to achieve at the junction of the diode (14) and capacitor (16) a smoothed, low-level d.c. voltage which is used to drive the constant current supply (18).
Claim 12
Independent Claim
22 words
A device according to any of claims 1 to 10, wherein the p-n junction and the metal carrier form an integral package.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
107 words
A method of measuring the temperature of a body, characterised in that a p-n junction (19), of the type which is supported on a metal carrier (30) such as to be in good thermal contact therewith, is mounted so that the metal carrier (30) is in heat conductive engagement with a body whose temperature is to be monitored, a constant current is passed through the p-n junctions from a constant current supply, and the voltage drop across the p-n junction is monitored as the temperature of the p-n junction varies in accordance with the temperature of said body, said voltage drop providing a measure of said temperature.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
107 words
A method of measuring the temperature of a body, characterised in that a p-n junction (19), of the type which is supported on a metal carrier (30) such as to be in good thermal contact therewith, is mounted so that the metal carrier (30) is in heat conductive engagement with a body whose temperature is to be monitored, a constant current is passed through the p-n junctions from a constant current supply, and the voltage drop across the p-n junction is monitored as the temperature of the p-n junction varies in accordance with the temperature of said body, said voltage drop providing a measure of said temperature.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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