# US 11,029,215 B2 · Low contact clamp for non-invasive process fluid temperature indication > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,029,215 B2 - Document ID: US11029215B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/139,319 - Filed: 2018-09-24 - Published: 2020-03-26 - Granted: 2021-06-08 - Earliest claimed: 2018-09-24 - Assignees: Rosemount Inc. - Applicants: Rosemount Inc. - Inventors: Jack M. Cavanaugh - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11029215B2 ## CPC - G01K 1/143: for measuring surface temperatures - F16L 3/1091: {with two members, the two members being fixed to each other with fastening members on each side} - F16L 3/16: with special provision allowing movement of the pipe (F16L3/01 takes precedence; supporting pipes or cables inside other pipes or sleeves F16L7/00) - G01K 1/08: Protective devices, e.g. casings - G01K 1/146: {arrangements for moving thermometers to or from a measuring position} - G01K 7/427: {Temperature calculation based on spatial modeling, e.g. spatial inter- or extrapolation} - F16L 41/008: {for connecting a measuring instrument} - G01K 13/02: for measuring temperature of moving fluids or granular materials capable of flow - G01K: MEASURING TEMPERATURE; MEASURING QUANTITY OF HEAT; THERMALLY-SENSITIVE ELEMENTS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR (radiation pyrometry G01J5/00) - F16L: PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL ## Abstract A process fluid temperature estimation system includes a sensor capsule having a temperature sensitive element disposed therein configured to sense an external surface of a process pipe. The process fluid temperature estimation system includes measurement circuitry coupled to the sensor capsule and configured to detect a characteristic of the at least one temperature sensitive element that varies with temperature and provide sensor capsule temperature information and a controller coupled to the measurement circuitry, the controller being configured to obtain a reference temperature and employ a heat transfer calculation with the reference temperature and the sensor capsule temperature information to generate an estimated process temperature output. The process fluid temperature estimation system includes a mounting assembly configured to mount the process fluid temperature estimation system to the external surface of the process pipe, wherein a portion of the mounting assembly is offset from the external surface of the process pipe. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A process fluid temperature estimation system comprising: a sensor capsule having at least one temperature sensitive element disposed therein configured to sense an external surface of a process pipe; measurement circuitry coupled to the sensor capsule and configured to detect a characteristic of the at least one temperature sensitive element that varies with temperature and provide sensor capsule temperature information; and a controller coupled to the measurement circuitry, the controller being configured to obtain a reference temperature and employ a heat transfer calculation with the reference temperature and the sensor capsule temperature information to generate an estimated process temperature output; and a mounting assembly configured to mount the process fluid temperature estimation system to the external surface of the process pipe, the mounting assembly comprising: a clamp body offset from the external surface of the process pipe; and a standoff configured to contact the external surface of the process pipe and to offset the clamp body from the external surface of the process pipe, wherein the standoff is actuatable to adjust the offset between the clamp body and the external surface of the process pipe. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The process fluid temperature estimation system of claim 1, wherein the standoff comprises a threaded portion configured to engage a corresponding threaded portion of the clamp body. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The process fluid temperature estimation system of claim 1, wherein the standoff comprises a plurality of posts coupled to the clamp body for contacting the external surface of the process pipe. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The process fluid temperature estimation system of claim 1, wherein the standoff directly contacts the external surface of the process pipe and comprises a contact portion configured to directly contact the external surface of the process pipe, the contact portion comprising a different material than another portion of the standoff. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The process fluid temperature estimation system of claim 1, wherein the clamp body comprises two or more interlocking pieces configured to be coupled together on an installed process pipe, such that a flow of the process pipe continues during coupling of the two or more interlocking pieces. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The process fluid temperature estimation system of claim 1, further comprising insulation disposed between a portion of the mounting assembly and the process pipe. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The process fluid temperature estimation system of claim 6, wherein the insulation is disposed around the sensor capsule, insulating the sensor capsule to the external surface of the process pipe. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The process fluid temperature estimation system of claim 1, wherein the clamp body comprises an aperture configured to receive and couple to the sensor capsule. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The process fluid temperature estimation system of claim 1, wherein the clamp body comprises at least a first piece and a second piece, the first piece and second piece configured to interlock. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The process fluid temperature estimation system of claim 9, wherein a body of one of the first piece or second piece has an at least one protrusion formed therein and a body of the other one of the first piece or second piece has a slot formed therein configured to receive the protrusion. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The process fluid temperature estimation system of claim 1, wherein actuation of the standoff in a first direction increases the offset between the clamp body and the external surface of the process pipe and actuation of the standoff in a second direction decreases the offset between the clamp body and the external surface of the process pipe.