Universal temperature controlled reference junction

Claim 1

A reference junction device for electrically connecting a plurality of conductor leads from monitoring sensors to electrical cable connected to remotely located indicating and utilization equipment, the said junction device comprising: a. a ferrous metallic enclosure providing environmental protection and electrical shielding; b. a beryllium oxide block positioned in the said enclosure, the said block having a plurality of molded recesses in numerically at least a one-to-one ratio of correspondence with the said plurality of conductor leads; c. a plurality, numerically equal to the said plurality of recesses, of oxygen-free hardened copper slugs each having an upper end and a lower end with a tapered recess positioned in the upper end of each of the said slugs and the lower end of each of the said slugs positioned in a respective recess in the beryllium oxide block; d. a plurality of slotted plastic taper pins in numerically one-to-one ratio of correspondence with the said plurality of conductor leads, each of the said taper pins located in a respective recess of a copper slug in removable relationship, and each of the said taper pins having a bore receiving a said conductor lead and providing mechanical support to the said conductor lead; e. means including a taper pin for forming an electrical junction between each of the said conductor leads and its respective copper slug at substantially an equal depth in each of the said copper slugs; f. means for providing a uniform and substantially equal temperature of each of the said junctions; g. means for providing an electrical output connection near the upper end of each of said slugs; and h. means cooperating with each of the said slug output connections and the said electrical cable for electrically connecting the said slug to the said cable.