US3898431A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tubular electric heater with a thermocouple assembly
Assignee: United States Atomic Energy Commission
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Filing: 1974-01-29
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Granted: 1975-08-05
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Expires: 1994-01-29
Abstract
Abstract A thermocouple or other instrumentation is installed within the walls of a tubular sheath surrounding a process device such as an electric heater. The sheath comprises two concentric tubes, one or both of which have a longitudinal, concave crease facing the other tube. The thermocouple is fixedly positioned within the crease and the outer tube is mechanically reduced to form an interference fit onto the inner tube.
Inventors
- 👤 R Kingsley House
- 👤 David E Williams
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 10:55
CPC Classifications
H; H05; H05B; H05B3/00; H05B3/40; H05B3/42; H05B3/48
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
162 words
In an electrical heater for use as a simulated nuclear fuel element having a tubular metallic sheath, an electrical resistance element in generally axial alignment within said sheath, with electrical terminals extending outwardly endwise in sealing relationship from said sheath and an electrically insulative material disposed between said electrical resistance element and said sheath, the improvement wherein said sheath comprises a first tube having a longitudinal crease with a concave and a convex face; a second tube disposed towards said concave face in interfering concentric engagement with said first tube to form an integral sheath having within the wall thereof a longitudinal interstice; a thermocouple assembly including a pair of elongated electrical conductors and a thermocouple junction at one end thereof fixedly disposed within said interstice, said assembly and interstice having cross sections of near matching dimensions to provide contact of both said first and said second tubes with said assembly and to restrict movement of said thermocouple junction within said assembly.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
162 words
In an electrical heater for use as a simulated nuclear fuel element having a tubular metallic sheath, an electrical resistance element in generally axial alignment within said sheath, with electrical terminals extending outwardly endwise in sealing relationship from said sheath and an electrically insulative material disposed between said electrical resistance element and said sheath, the improvement wherein said sheath comprises a first tube having a longitudinal crease with a concave and a convex face; a second tube disposed towards said concave face in interfering concentric engagement with said first tube to form an integral sheath having within the wall thereof a longitudinal interstice; a thermocouple assembly including a pair of elongated electrical conductors and a thermocouple junction at one end thereof fixedly disposed within said interstice, said assembly and interstice having cross sections of near matching dimensions to provide contact of both said first and said second tubes with said assembly and to restrict movement of said thermocouple junction within said assembly.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
The electrical heater of claim 1 wherein there is included metallic filler material fixedly disposed within said interstice alongside and in extension of said thermocouple assembly to fill remaining voids in said interstice.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The electrical heater of claim 1 wherein said first tube having said longitudinal crease is disposed in concentric engagement within said second tube.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The electrical heater of claim 1 wherein said first tube having said longitudinal crease is disposed in concentric engagement outside said second tube.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
57 words
The electrical heater of claim 1 wherein a longitudinal crease having a concave face is included within both said first and said second tubes, said concave face within said second tube is disposed in facing, coextensive alignment with said concave face of said first tube to form a longitudinal interstice containing said thermocouple assembly between said tubes.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
78 words
The electrical heater of claim 1 wherein said thermocouple assembly comprises an elongated cable with two conductors of the same metal, said conductors being interconnected by a dissimilar metal portion to form two opposing thermocouple junctions at the interfaces of said conductors and said dissimilar metal portion, said conductors being aligned perpendicular to a common radius of said heater sheath and said two thermocouple junctions being disposed along said common radius to monitor heat flow between said junctions.
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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) | 1978-08-04 | 1979-02-03 | 1979-08-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-08-04 | 1983-02-03 | 1983-08-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-08-04 | 1987-02-03 | 1987-08-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |