US3597977A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Temperature sensor
Assignee: Metal Bellows Corp
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Filing: 1969-09-19
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Granted: 1971-08-10
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Expires: 1989-09-19
Abstract
Abstract A temperature sensor having fast response employs a fluidtight, thin-walled bellows made of a thermally conductive material. The bellows has a number of relatively wide annular diaphragms so that its surface-to-volume ratio is a maximum and it is held rigid. A fluid passage communicates between the interior of the bellows and the device to be actuated and the bellows and passage are filled with an expansible fluid. When the bellows is subjected to a heated medium, heat is immediately conducted to substantially all of the fluid which expands rapidly through the passage and actuates an associated pressure responsive device.
Inventors
- 👤 Stephen J Zierak
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 09:33
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01K; G01K5/00; G01K5/32; G01K5/326
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
134 words
A temperature sensor comprising A. a thin-walled, thermally conductive bellows for immersion in a fluid medium whose temperature is to be sensed, said bellows having a plurality of convolutions defining a single fluidtight chamber, B. end plates closing off the ends of the bellows, C. means connected between the end plates for fixing the volume defined by the bellows, so that there is essentially no relative movement between the bellows convolutions, and D. a fluid passage communicating through one of the plates to the interior of the bellows, said bellows having a maximum surface-to-volume ratio so that most of any fluid in the bellows is distributed in relatively thin layers adjacent the walls of the bellows whereby the temperature of a fluid inside the bellows closely follows that of the medium outside the bellows.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
134 words
A temperature sensor comprising A. a thin-walled, thermally conductive bellows for immersion in a fluid medium whose temperature is to be sensed, said bellows having a plurality of convolutions defining a single fluidtight chamber, B. end plates closing off the ends of the bellows, C. means connected between the end plates for fixing the volume defined by the bellows, so that there is essentially no relative movement between the bellows convolutions, and D. a fluid passage communicating through one of the plates to the interior of the bellows, said bellows having a maximum surface-to-volume ratio so that most of any fluid in the bellows is distributed in relatively thin layers adjacent the walls of the bellows whereby the temperature of a fluid inside the bellows closely follows that of the medium outside the bellows.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
A temperature sensor as defined in claim 1 wherein the surface-to-volume ratio defined by the bellows exceeds 70 to 1.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
A temperature sensor as defined in claim 1 and further including pressure responsive means connected to the opposite ends of the passage.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
A temperature sensor as defined in claim 1 and further including means for adjusting the fixing means so as to vary the volume of the bellows for calibration purposes.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
129 words
A temperature sensor for immersion in a fluid medium whose temperature is to be sensed comprising A. a thin-walled, thermally conductive bellows, B. end plates closing off the ends of the bellows, C. means connected between the end plates for preventing relative movement of the plates and thereby fixing the volume defined by the bellows, D. at least one small diameter passage extending through one of the plates into the interior of the bellows, and E. an expansible fluid filling the passage and bellows, said bellows having a maximum surface-to-volume ratio so that most of the fluid in the bellows is distributed in relatively thin layers adjacent walls of the bellows whereby the temperature of the fluid inside the bellows closely follows that of the medium outside the bellows.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
129 words
A temperature sensor for immersion in a fluid medium whose temperature is to be sensed comprising A. a thin-walled, thermally conductive bellows, B. end plates closing off the ends of the bellows, C. means connected between the end plates for preventing relative movement of the plates and thereby fixing the volume defined by the bellows, D. at least one small diameter passage extending through one of the plates into the interior of the bellows, and E. an expansible fluid filling the passage and bellows, said bellows having a maximum surface-to-volume ratio so that most of the fluid in the bellows is distributed in relatively thin layers adjacent walls of the bellows whereby the temperature of the fluid inside the bellows closely follows that of the medium outside the bellows.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
A temperature sensor as defined in claim 5 wherein the bellows has a surface-to-volume ratio exceeding 70 to 1.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
33 words
A temperature sensor as defineD in claim 5 and further including a pressure operated device connected to the opposite end of the passage and responsive to expansions of the fluid in the sensor.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
A temperature sensor as defined in claim 5 wherein the bellows is composed of a train of annular diaphragms, the ratio of whose outer and inner diameters exceeds 2 to 1.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
35 words
A temperature sensor as defined in claim 5 and further including means for adjusting the spacing between said plates so as to adjust the volume of the bellows as a means for calibrating the sensor.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
A temperature sensor as defined in claim 5 wherein the connected means comprises a rigid rod inside the bellows.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-08-09 | 1975-02-08 | 1975-08-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-08-09 | 1979-02-08 | 1979-08-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-08-09 | 1983-02-08 | 1983-08-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |