US3683696A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Methods of and apparatus for measuring and/or locating temperature conditions
Assignee: Continental Sensing Inc
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Filing: 1970-04-15
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Granted: 1972-08-15
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Expires: 1990-04-15
Abstract
Abstract A bridge circuit including a dual balanced energy source and a detector. The circuit is useful, for example, in connection with a method and apparatus for measuring and locating temperature conditions. The apparatus includes a thermoelectric transducer, the dual balanced energy source, a temperature detector and a location detector. The transducer comprises a pair of thermocouple conductors surrounded by thermistor material and encased in a metallic sheath. The sheath may be insulated from the thermistor material, in which case a third conductor will be provided, or the sheath may be uninsulated and serve as the third conductor. The temperature detector is connected to sense the thermoelectric voltage resulting from the junction across the thermistor material at the hottest point along the transducer. The energy source is connected to supply equal and constant currents to the thermocouple conductors to create voltage drops therealong between the point of supply and the hot junction. The location detector is connected to the third conductor and measures the difference between the two voltage drops, which is a function of the location of the hot junction.
Inventors
- 👤 Charles L Vaughan
- 👤 William C Vesser
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 22:23
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01K; G01K7/00; G01K7/02; G01K7/021
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
130 words
A method of sensing and locating a maximum temperature condition of interest existing within an environment, comprising: a. disposing a thermoelectric transducer within said environment, said transducer comprising at least a pair of conductors formed of dissimilar thermoelectric materials and completely surrounded by a mass of thermistor material; b. sensing the thermoelectric signal generated as a result of the junction between said conductors across said thermistor material at the point of highest temperature along said transducer; c. applying energy to said transducer to establish voltage drops along each of those portions of said conductors lying between the poinT of application of said energy and said junction; d. measuring the difference between each of said voltage drops; and e. translating said measurement into an indication of the location of said junction.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
130 words
A method of sensing and locating a maximum temperature condition of interest existing within an environment, comprising: a. disposing a thermoelectric transducer within said environment, said transducer comprising at least a pair of conductors formed of dissimilar thermoelectric materials and completely surrounded by a mass of thermistor material; b. sensing the thermoelectric signal generated as a result of the junction between said conductors across said thermistor material at the point of highest temperature along said transducer; c. applying energy to said transducer to establish voltage drops along each of those portions of said conductors lying between the poinT of application of said energy and said junction; d. measuring the difference between each of said voltage drops; and e. translating said measurement into an indication of the location of said junction.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method in accordance with claim 1, including the step of translating said thermoelectric signal into an indication of the magnitude of said highest temperature.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
49 words
A method in accordance with claim 1, including the steps of: a. preselecting a minimum temperature value; and b. initiating said application of energy to said transducer upon the sensing of a thermoelectric signal indicative of a value for said highest temperature in excess of said preselected minimum value.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein said energy is applied to said transducer through a circuit which includes said portions of said conductors, said thermistor material, and a conductive sheath for said transducer.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein said energy is applied to said transducer through a circuit which includes said portions of said conductors, said thermistor material, and a third conductor embedded in said thermistor material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
122 words
Apparatus for sensing and locating temperature conditions within an environment comprising: a. an elongated thermoelectric transducer including a pair of thermocouple conductors, a mass of thermistor material completely surrounding said thermocouple conductors, and an outer metallic sheath; b. first means connected to said thermocouple conductors for sensing the thermoelectric signal generated as a result of the junction between said thermocouple conductors across said thermistor material at the point of highest temperature along said transducer; c. second means for applying energy to said transducer to establish voltage drops along each of those portions of said thermocouple conductors lying between the point of application of said energy and said junction; and d. third means for measuring the difference between each of said voltage drops.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
122 words
Apparatus for sensing and locating temperature conditions within an environment comprising: a. an elongated thermoelectric transducer including a pair of thermocouple conductors, a mass of thermistor material completely surrounding said thermocouple conductors, and an outer metallic sheath; b. first means connected to said thermocouple conductors for sensing the thermoelectric signal generated as a result of the junction between said thermocouple conductors across said thermistor material at the point of highest temperature along said transducer; c. second means for applying energy to said transducer to establish voltage drops along each of those portions of said thermocouple conductors lying between the point of application of said energy and said junction; and d. third means for measuring the difference between each of said voltage drops.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 6, wherein said first means includes indicating means calibrated to translate said signal into an indication of the magnitude of said highest temperature.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
32 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 6, wherein said third means includes indicating means calibrated to translate said difference between said voltage drops into an indication of the location of said highest temperature.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
39 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 6, including automatic switch means operable in response to said signal to connect said second means to said transducer when the value of said signal indicates a temperature in excess of a preselected value.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
35 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 6, wherein said second means is connected to said transducer to apply energy thereto through a circuit including said sheath, said thermistor material, and said portions of said thermocouple conductors.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
54 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 10, wherein said second means includes a pair of balanced constant current generators, one connected to supply current to one of said thermocouple conductors and the other connected to supply current to the other of said thermocouple conductors, with said sheath serving as a common return to said generators.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
36 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 6, wherein said second means is connected to said transducer to supply energy thereto through a circuit including said portions of said thermocouple conductors, said thermistor material and a third conductor.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
22 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 12, wherein said sheath is electrically insulated from all of said conductors and from said thermistor material.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
55 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 13, wherein said second means includes a pair of balanced constant current generators, one connected to supply current to one of said thermocouple conductors and the other connected to supply current to the other of said thermocouple conductors, with saiD third conductor serving as a common return to said generators.
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) | 1975-08-15 | 1976-02-14 | 1976-08-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-08-15 | 1980-02-14 | 1980-08-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-08-15 | 1984-02-14 | 1984-08-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |