US4460802A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Radially activated thermocouple assembly
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1982-12-15
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Granted: 1984-07-17
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Expires: 2002-12-15
Abstract
Abstract The lower end of a hollow thermocouple well is removed and replaced by an end cap of a different thermocouple material than the well so that the junction between the end cap and the end portion of the well defines a radially activated thermocouple junction. A wire of the same material as the end cap is affixed to the end cap and electrical connections are made to the wire and to the well to provide a thermocouple output signal indicative of temperature measurement. In another embodiment two end caps are utilized at the end of the thermocouple well with the two end caps being of two dissimilar thermocouple elements and which have the necessary electrical connections made thereof to provide a thermocouple output signal.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert P. Benedict
- 👤 Paul Beckman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 13:59
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01K; G01K7/00; G01K7/02; G01K7/04; G01K7/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 27
Claim 1
Independent Claim
68 words
Thermocouple apparatus comprising: (A) an elongated thermocouple well having a wall portion surrounding a central axis and defining an interior cavity; (B) a thermocouple positioned at one end of said wall portion and including first and second dissimilar thermocouple elements; (C) said first and second thermocouple elements being arranged to respond to radial heat transfer from the outer surface of said wall portion inwardly toward said interior cavity.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
68 words
Thermocouple apparatus comprising: (A) an elongated thermocouple well having a wall portion surrounding a central axis and defining an interior cavity; (B) a thermocouple positioned at one end of said wall portion and including first and second dissimilar thermocouple elements; (C) said first and second thermocouple elements being arranged to respond to radial heat transfer from the outer surface of said wall portion inwardly toward said interior cavity.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
71 words
Thermocouple apparatus comprising: (A) an elongated thermocouple well having a wall portion surrounding a central axis and defining an interior cavity; (B) a thermocouple positioned at one end of said wall portion and including first and second dissimilar thermocouple elements; (C) said first and second thermocouple elements being constructed and arranged such that their junction extends generally radially from the outer surface of said wall portion inwardly toward said interior cavity.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
71 words
Thermocouple apparatus comprising: (A) an elongated thermocouple well having a wall portion surrounding a central axis and defining an interior cavity; (B) a thermocouple positioned at one end of said wall portion and including first and second dissimilar thermocouple elements; (C) said first and second thermocouple elements being constructed and arranged such that their junction extends generally radially from the outer surface of said wall portion inwardly toward said interior cavity.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
63 words
Thermocouple apparatus comprising: (A) an elongated thermocouple well having a wall portion surrounding a central axis and defining an interior cavity; (B) a thermocouple positioned at one end of said wall portion and including first and second dissimilar thermocouple elements; (C) said first and second thermocouple elements being constructed and arranged such that their junction defines an annular area surrounding said central axis.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
63 words
Thermocouple apparatus comprising: (A) an elongated thermocouple well having a wall portion surrounding a central axis and defining an interior cavity; (B) a thermocouple positioned at one end of said wall portion and including first and second dissimilar thermocouple elements; (C) said first and second thermocouple elements being constructed and arranged such that their junction defines an annular area surrounding said central axis.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein: (A) said junction lies in a plane perpendicular to said central axis.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
85 words
Thermocouple apparatus comprising: (A) an elongated thermocouple well having a wall portion surrounding a central axis and defining an interior cavity; (B) said wall portion being of a first metal; (C) an end cap affixed to, and closing off, an end of said wall portion and being of a second and dissimilar metal; (D) said first and second dissimilar metals defining a thermocouple junction in the area of said affixation; and (E) means for making electrical connection with said end cap and said wall portion.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
85 words
Thermocouple apparatus comprising: (A) an elongated thermocouple well having a wall portion surrounding a central axis and defining an interior cavity; (B) said wall portion being of a first metal; (C) an end cap affixed to, and closing off, an end of said wall portion and being of a second and dissimilar metal; (D) said first and second dissimilar metals defining a thermocouple junction in the area of said affixation; and (E) means for making electrical connection with said end cap and said wall portion.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus according to claim 5 which includes: (A) a wire of said second metal in intimate contact with said end cap.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus according to claim 6 wherein: (A) said wire is disposed within said interior cavity; and which includes: (B) electrical insulation means surrounding said wire.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
Apparatus according to claim 7 wherein: (A) said wire is coaxial with said central axis.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
Apparatus according to claim 7 wherein: (A) said electric insulation means fills said interior cavity.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus according to claim 5 wherein: (A) said end cap is brazed to said end of said wall portion.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
23 words
Apparatus according to claim 5 which includes: (A) additional temperature sensing means disposed within said interior cavity to provide a redundant temperature indication.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
48 words
Apparatus according to claim 5 wherein: (B) said end of said wall portion has a portion removed from the inner wall so as to provide for an annular area of affixation of a radial thickness less than the normal radial thickness of said end of said wall portion.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
115 words
Thermocouple apparatus comprising: (A) an elongated thermocouple well having a wall portion surrounding a central axis and defining an interior cavity; (B) a first end cap affixed to an end of said wall portion; (C) said first end cap including an aperture therethrough; (D) a second end cap affixed to said first end cap; (E) said first and second caps being of respective first and second thermocouple metals; (F) a first wire, of said first metal, being connected to said first end cap and extending up through said interior cavity; (G) a second wire of said second metal being connected to said second end cap and extending through said aperture and up said interior cavity.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
115 words
Thermocouple apparatus comprising: (A) an elongated thermocouple well having a wall portion surrounding a central axis and defining an interior cavity; (B) a first end cap affixed to an end of said wall portion; (C) said first end cap including an aperture therethrough; (D) a second end cap affixed to said first end cap; (E) said first and second caps being of respective first and second thermocouple metals; (F) a first wire, of said first metal, being connected to said first end cap and extending up through said interior cavity; (G) a second wire of said second metal being connected to said second end cap and extending through said aperture and up said interior cavity.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus according to claim 13 which includes: (A) tubular electrical insulating means containing said second wire and extending through said aperture.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus according to claim 13 wherein: (A) the area of said affixation of said first and second end caps defining an annular area surrounding said central axis.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
125 words
Thermocouple apparatus comprising: (A) an elongated thermocouple well having a wall portion surrounding a central axis and defining an interior cavity; (B) electrically insulating means affixed to an end of said wall portion; (C) a first end cap affixed to said electrically insulating means; (D) said first end cap including an aperture therethrough; (E) a second end cap affixed to said first end cap; (F) said first and second caps being of respective first and second thermocouple metals; (G) a first wire, of said first metal, being connected to said first end cap and extending up through said interior cavity; (H) a second wire of said second metal being connected to said second end cap and extending through said aperture and up said interior cavity.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
125 words
Thermocouple apparatus comprising: (A) an elongated thermocouple well having a wall portion surrounding a central axis and defining an interior cavity; (B) electrically insulating means affixed to an end of said wall portion; (C) a first end cap affixed to said electrically insulating means; (D) said first end cap including an aperture therethrough; (E) a second end cap affixed to said first end cap; (F) said first and second caps being of respective first and second thermocouple metals; (G) a first wire, of said first metal, being connected to said first end cap and extending up through said interior cavity; (H) a second wire of said second metal being connected to said second end cap and extending through said aperture and up said interior cavity.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
15 words
Apparatus according to claim 16 wherein: (A) said electrically insulating means is an alumina washer.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus according to claim 5 wherein: (A) said area of affixation lies in a plane perpendicular to said central axis.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
28 words
Apparatus according to claim 5 which includes: (A) a protective coating sealing off from the ambient medium the exposed joint between said wall portion and said end cap.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
34 words
Apparatus according to claim 13 which includes: (A) a protective coating sealing off from the ambient medium the exposed joints between said wall portion and said first end cap, and between said end caps.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
43 words
Apparatus according to claim 16 which includes: (A) a protective coating sealing off from the ambient medium the exposed joint between said wall portion and said end cap insulating means, between said insulating means and said end caps and between said end caps.
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) | 1987-07-17 | 1988-01-16 | 1988-07-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-07-17 | 1992-01-16 | 1992-07-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-07-17 | 1996-01-16 | 1996-07-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |