US3713899A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Thermocouple probe
Assignee: Ford Motor Co
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Filing: 1970-11-12
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Granted: 1973-01-30
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Expires: 1990-11-12
Abstract
Abstract Sheaths of thermally unstable material are applied to the portions of the thermocouple wires adjacent the thermocouple junction. The sheathed wires are embedded in encapsulating material and then exposed to a temperature sufficient to degrade the sheath material in a manner that reduces its volume. Subsequent thermal expansion and contraction of the conductors takes place without mechanical stressing in the resulting open spaces surrounding each conductor.
Inventors
- 👤 T Sebestyen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 04:21
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01K; G01K7/00; G01K7/02; G01K7/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
128 words
A thermocouple probe comprising a housing, a pair of electrical conductors of dissimilar metals joined together at a junction within said housing, each of said conductors having a thermally unstable sheath of significant thickness on its length adjacent to but not including said junction, said thermally unstable sheaths reducing in volume when exposed to a temperature exceeding a predetermined minimum but less than the maximum operating temperature of the probe, and encapsulating material filling said housing and embedding said junction and the lower portions of said thermally unstable sheaths so that exposing said lower portions of said sheaths to a temperature exceeding said predetermined minimum but less than the maximum operating temperature of the Probe leaves channels around said conductors, said channels providing dimensional flexibility for said conductors.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
128 words
A thermocouple probe comprising a housing, a pair of electrical conductors of dissimilar metals joined together at a junction within said housing, each of said conductors having a thermally unstable sheath of significant thickness on its length adjacent to but not including said junction, said thermally unstable sheaths reducing in volume when exposed to a temperature exceeding a predetermined minimum but less than the maximum operating temperature of the probe, and encapsulating material filling said housing and embedding said junction and the lower portions of said thermally unstable sheaths so that exposing said lower portions of said sheaths to a temperature exceeding said predetermined minimum but less than the maximum operating temperature of the Probe leaves channels around said conductors, said channels providing dimensional flexibility for said conductors.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
The thermocouple probe of claim 1 in which the housing has an end portion of reduced size and the conductors are twisted loosely for the entire length of said end portion.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The thermocouple probe of claim 2 in which the sheaths are made of a polymeric material that is thermally degradeable at said minimum temperature.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
The thermocouple probe of claim 3 in which each thermally unstable sheath is capable of providing a volume reduction of about 10-30 percent of the thickness of its electrical conductor.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
64 words
The thermocouple probe of claim 4 in which each electrical conductor comprises an upper sheath spaced longitudinally along its length from said junction by said first mentioned sheath, said upper sheaths being thermally stable at the operating temperature of the thermocouple, said encapsulating material sealingly contacting portions of said upper sheaths to produce gas tight seals around the upper portions of said electrical conductors.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
The thermocouple probe of claim 4 in which each electrical conductor has a thermally stable inner sheath surrounded by said thermally unstable sheath and said encapsulating material sealingly contacts portions of said thermally stable inner sheaths.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
34 words
The thermocouple probe of claim 1 in which each thermally unstable sheath has a thickness providing a volume reduction of 10-30 percent of its conductor when exposed to a temperature exceeding said predetermined minimum.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
64 words
The thermocouple probe of claim 1 in which each electrical conductor comprises an upper sheath spaced longitudinally along its length from said junction by said first mentioned sheath, said upper sheaths being thermally stable at the operating temperature of the thermocouple, said encapsulating material sealingly contacting portions of said upper sheaths to produce gas tight seals around the upper portions of said electrical conductors.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-01-30 | 1976-07-31 | 1977-01-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-01-30 | 1980-07-31 | 1981-01-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-01-30 | 1984-07-31 | 1985-01-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |