US5172979A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Heater tube skin thermocouple
Assignee: TEXAS Inc A Corp OF DELAWARE
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Filing: 1991-11-29
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Granted: 1992-12-22
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Expires: 2011-11-29
Abstract
Abstract A skin thermocouple assembly is formed by a mounting block profiled to be mounted on the device to be monitored and to receive an end of the thermocouple therein. A heat shield is received over the block to prevent it from becoming a fin for heat exchange causing an error in the reading of the thermocouple.
Inventors
- 👤 Rich W. Barkley
- 👤 Ken C. Leung
- 👤 Jordan Loftus
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-10 02:00
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01K; G01K1/00; G01K1/14; G01K1/143; H; H10; H10N; H10N10/00; H10N10/10; H10N10/17
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
121 words
A skin thermocouple assembly to provide diagnostic information on the operation of heater means, such as heat pipes of a furnace, said thermocouple assembly comprising: a thermocouple member having a pair of elongated thermosensitive elements contained within an elongated sheathing; a thermocouple block having a through bore receiving therein one end of said thermocouple member; means to secure said block to a curved surface to be monitored; thermocouple heat shield means defining a cavity receiving said block therein, said heat shield means having a layer of insulation abutting said block to prevent the heat from adjacent heat pipes from affecting the operation of said thermocouple member; means for mounting said shield on said block; and an elongated thermocouple lead radiant shield.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
121 words
A skin thermocouple assembly to provide diagnostic information on the operation of heater means, such as heat pipes of a furnace, said thermocouple assembly comprising: a thermocouple member having a pair of elongated thermosensitive elements contained within an elongated sheathing; a thermocouple block having a through bore receiving therein one end of said thermocouple member; means to secure said block to a curved surface to be monitored; thermocouple heat shield means defining a cavity receiving said block therein, said heat shield means having a layer of insulation abutting said block to prevent the heat from adjacent heat pipes from affecting the operation of said thermocouple member; means for mounting said shield on said block; and an elongated thermocouple lead radiant shield.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
A skin thermocouple assembly according to claim 1 wherein said block has a mounting surface profiled to closely engage a surface of the heater means to be monitored.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
A skin thermocouple assembly according to claim 1 wherein said means for mounting said shield on said block comprise at least one stud extending from said block and to which said shield is secured.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
A skin thermocouple assembly according to claim 1 wherein said block is secured to said surface to be monitored by welding.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
A skin thermocouple assembly according to claim 1 wherein said elongated thermocouple heat shield is notched to allow it to be profiled to conform to the surface to be monitored.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
A skin thermocouple assembly according to claim 1 further comprising means to mount said heat shields in such a manner that they neither contact the block, thermocouple nor the heater means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
A skin thermocouple assembly according to claim 1 further comprising clip means securing said thermocouple to said heater means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
A skin thermocouple assembly according to claim 1 wherein said block is mounted at the point of highest temperature on said surface to be monitored.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
36 words
A skin thermocouple assembly according to claim 8 wherein said thermocouple includes leads profiled to extend from said block to the area of least heat on the surface to be monitored along the least stressed path.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
35 words
A skin thermocouple assembly according to claim 9 wherein said thermocouple leads execute an 60° turn adjacent the block and a 30° turn remote from said block to extend the length of a heater tube.
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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) | 1995-12-22 | 1996-06-22 | 1996-12-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-12-22 | 2000-06-22 | 2000-12-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-12-22 | 2004-06-22 | 2004-12-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |