US3851529A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Dial thermometer
Assignee: TRERICE H CO
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Filing: 1972-12-13
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Granted: 1974-12-03
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Expires: 1992-12-13
Abstract
Abstract The thermometer is a surface contact type embodying a flat coiled bimetallic sensing element fixedly connected at its center convolution to the shaft of a pointer which swings in a plane forwardly paralleling a calibrated read-off dial. The end of the outermost coil convolution is anchored in a space rearwardly closed and sealed by a thin heat sensing plate of aluminum or other metal having good thermal conductivity; and a charge of a suitably viscous, thermally stable liquid also having a good heat conductivity factor is placed within said space. The quantity or mass of the charge is such that it will always have contact with and at least partially immerse a substantial convolution area of the bimetallic coil, as well as to have and maintain direct heat transmissive contact with the rear sensor plate of the instrument, without regard to the orientation of the latter horizontal-wise, vertical-wise, or at intermediate angularity. A typical appropriate fluid is silicone in a predetermined viscosity; and as thus disposed in unfailing heat conducting contact with the back plate and the bimetallic sensor coil the charge (a) acts to dampen undue vibration of the thermometer''s pointer, as received by the latter through its shaft connection to the coil; and (b) much enhances the transmission of heat between the monitoring sensor and the coil element. The fluid silicone is sealed against escape from the plate-defined space receiving the coil movement or sub-assembly, i.e., to the fore by a special grease lubricant effecting a liquid seal between the pointer shaft and a dial bushing journaling said shaft, and to the rear by a force fit of the plate to the body of the movement; and appropriate vent hole means in said body prevents the building up of air pressure, due to the force-fit assembling operation, to a degree apt to cause leakage of the silicone.
Inventors
- 👤 R Andrews
- 👤 R Remick
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 13:38
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01K; G01K5/00; G01K5/48; G01K5/56; G01K5/62; G01K1/00; G01K1/16; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S128/00; Y10S128/21
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
525 words
A thermometer of the surface contact type comprising a circular outer casing having an axis, said casing including a generally flat transparent face and an axially and rearwardly extending integral and annular flange including inner and outer flange portions, the inner surface of the outer flange portion being formed on a larger diameter than the inner surface of the inner flange portion, the inner surfaces of said inner and outer flange portions being connected by an annular locating shoulder which lies in a plane which is parallel to said transparent face, a circular inner mounting body including a generally flat, circular readoff dial face calibrated in temperature values and a pair of concentric outer and inner axially and rearwardly extending integral and annular ribs, said ribs being spaced apart and connected only on the forward ends thereof by said dial face, the space between said ribs being open to the atmosphere, said inner mounting body being received in said outer casing, with the outer periphery of said circular face abutting the annular locating shoulder of said circular outer casing and with said outer rib in surface to surface contact with the inner surface of the outer flange portion rearwardly of said locating shoulder, said circular dial face being spaced from said flat transparent face to define with said inner portion of said flange a first compartment which is closed to atmosphere, a relatively flat thermally sensitive conductive plate of a thin gauge metal material, said plate including a circular sensor panel part and an axially and forwardly extending integral annular rim which is received in and has a force-fit with said inner rib of said inner mounting body, said sensor panel part being adapted to be exposed in flat-wise conducting contact with a body which is to be heatmonitored, said plate member being spaced from said dial face to define a second compartment, a substantially flat coiled bimetallic sensing member in said second compartment having an outer end fixedly mounted on the side of said sensor panel part opposite said contact surface of the latter, and an inner end substantially coplanar with said outer end and responding flexibly and rotatively to variations in temperature of the body which is to be heat-monitored as conductively transmitted by said sensor panel part, an indicator in said first compartment overlying said dial face, a shaft located on said axis and extending thRough said dial face in sealed relation therewith into said first and second compartments and connecting said indicator in said first compartment to said inner end of the center-most convolution of said sensing member in said second compartment, said indicator being movable rotatively with said inner end of said sensing member and concurrently with coiling flexure of said sensing member so as to move across said dial face, a mass of highly heat-conductive fluid material in said second compartment contacting said sensor panel part of said plate member, in which mass said coiled sensing member is substantially immersed sufficiently to enhance heat transmission between said sensor panel part and said sensing member and to dampen vibration of said indicator and of said sensing member in its flexure.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
525 words
A thermometer of the surface contact type comprising a circular outer casing having an axis, said casing including a generally flat transparent face and an axially and rearwardly extending integral and annular flange including inner and outer flange portions, the inner surface of the outer flange portion being formed on a larger diameter than the inner surface of the inner flange portion, the inner surfaces of said inner and outer flange portions being connected by an annular locating shoulder which lies in a plane which is parallel to said transparent face, a circular inner mounting body including a generally flat, circular readoff dial face calibrated in temperature values and a pair of concentric outer and inner axially and rearwardly extending integral and annular ribs, said ribs being spaced apart and connected only on the forward ends thereof by said dial face, the space between said ribs being open to the atmosphere, said inner mounting body being received in said outer casing, with the outer periphery of said circular face abutting the annular locating shoulder of said circular outer casing and with said outer rib in surface to surface contact with the inner surface of the outer flange portion rearwardly of said locating shoulder, said circular dial face being spaced from said flat transparent face to define with said inner portion of said flange a first compartment which is closed to atmosphere, a relatively flat thermally sensitive conductive plate of a thin gauge metal material, said plate including a circular sensor panel part and an axially and forwardly extending integral annular rim which is received in and has a force-fit with said inner rib of said inner mounting body, said sensor panel part being adapted to be exposed in flat-wise conducting contact with a body which is to be heatmonitored, said plate member being spaced from said dial face to define a second compartment, a substantially flat coiled bimetallic sensing member in said second compartment having an outer end fixedly mounted on the side of said sensor panel part opposite said contact surface of the latter, and an inner end substantially coplanar with said outer end and responding flexibly and rotatively to variations in temperature of the body which is to be heat-monitored as conductively transmitted by said sensor panel part, an indicator in said first compartment overlying said dial face, a shaft located on said axis and extending thRough said dial face in sealed relation therewith into said first and second compartments and connecting said indicator in said first compartment to said inner end of the center-most convolution of said sensing member in said second compartment, said indicator being movable rotatively with said inner end of said sensing member and concurrently with coiling flexure of said sensing member so as to move across said dial face, a mass of highly heat-conductive fluid material in said second compartment contacting said sensor panel part of said plate member, in which mass said coiled sensing member is substantially immersed sufficiently to enhance heat transmission between said sensor panel part and said sensing member and to dampen vibration of said indicator and of said sensing member in its flexure.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
44 words
The thermometer defined in claim 1 including vent means extending laterally through said inner rib of said inner mounting body adjacent said dial face for connecting said second compartment with the exterior of the thermometer to relieve internal gaseous pressure in said second compartment.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
The thermometer defined in claim 1 wherein said outer casing and said inner mounting body are made from a plastic material and said sensitive conductive plate is made from aluminum.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The thermometer defined in claim 1 wherein said sensor panel part extends rearwardly beyond said annular flange.
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) | 1977-12-02 | 1978-06-03 | 1978-12-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-12-02 | 1982-06-03 | 1982-12-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-12-02 | 1986-06-03 | 1986-12-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |