# US 11,029,217 B2 · Rapid response sensor housing

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- Number: US 11,029,217 B2
- Document ID: US11029217B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 16/746,150
- Filed: 2020-01-17
- Published: 2020-05-14
- Granted: 2021-06-08
- Earliest claimed: 2014-10-24
- Assignees: Watlow Electric Manufacturing Company
- Applicants: Watlow Electric Manufacturing Company
- Inventors: Jeremy Ohse; Graham Fischer; Ryan Affara
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11029217B2

## CPC

- G01K 7/16: using resistive elements
- G01K 1/08: Protective devices, e.g. casings
- 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)

## Abstract

A sensor assembly includes a housing having a body having a distal end portion defining an internal cavity and a proximal end portion defining a plurality of internal passageways. A micro-sensor is disposed within the internal cavity and exposed to the outside environment and an internal wall separates the internal cavity from the plurality of internal passageways. The micro-sensor abuts the internal wall.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A sensor assembly comprising:
a housing comprising a unitary body having an internal cavity exposed to an outside environment, a plurality of internal passageways separated by an intermediate wall of the unitary body, the plurality of internal passageways extending and opening into the internal cavity;
a micro-sensor disposed within the internal cavity and exposed to the outside environment, the micro-sensor having a pair of lead wires that extend from the micro-sensor through the plurality of internal passageways; and
an internal wall separating the internal cavity from the internal passageways, wherein the micro-sensor abuts the internal wall.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The sensor assembly according to claim 1, wherein the micro-sensor is secured within the internal cavity by a thermal adhesive.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The sensor assembly according to claim 2, wherein the thermal adhesive, the housing and a substrate of the micro-sensor have a matched coefficient of thermal expansion.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The sensor assembly according to claim 1, wherein the internal cavity defines at least one surface that geometrically matches a contact surface of the micro-sensor.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The sensor assembly according to claim 1, wherein the internal cavity defines a rectangular geometry.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The sensor assembly according to claim 1, wherein the micro-sensor comprises a thin film resistive temperature device (RTD).

### Claim 7 (depends on 4)

The sensor assembly to claim 4, wherein the at least one surface of the internal cavity and the contact surface of the micro-sensor are flat.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The sensor assembly according to claim 1, wherein the internal passageways define arcuate end portions.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The sensor assembly according to claim 1, wherein the internal cavity defines a geometry that matches an outer geometric periphery of the micro-sensor.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The sensor assembly according to claim 1, wherein at least one surface of the internal cavity defines a geometry that matches a contact surface of the micro-sensor.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The sensor assembly according to claim 1, wherein a diameter of the lead wires increases as the lead wires extend through the internal passageways.

### Claim 12

A housing for use in positioning a micro-sensor, the housing comprising a one-piece member comprising:
an internal cavity exposed to an outside environment;
a plurality of internal passageways separated by an intermediate wall of the one-piece member, the plurality of internal passageways extending and opening into the internal cavity, the internal cavity defining at least one surface that geometrically matches a contact surface of the micro-sensor; and
an internal wall separating the internal cavity from the internal passageways, wherein the internal wall is configured to receive the micro-sensor for proper positioning within the housing.

### Claim 13 (depends on 12)

The housing according to claim 12, wherein the micro-sensor is secured within the internal cavity by a thermal adhesive.

### Claim 14 (depends on 13)

The housing according to claim 13, wherein the thermal adhesive, the housing and a substrate of the micro-sensor have a matched coefficient of thermal expansion.