# US 11,906,371 B2 · Thermocouples for high temperature applications

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- Number: US 11,906,371 B2
- Document ID: US11906371B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 17/082,056
- Filed: 2020-10-28
- Published: 2021-04-29
- Granted: 2024-02-20
- Earliest claimed: 2019-10-28
- Assignees: GE Infrastructure Technology LLC
- Applicants: General Electric Company
- Inventors: Kurt Kramer Schleif; Andrew David Ellis
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11906371B2

## CPC

- G01K 7/02: using thermoelectric elements, e.g. thermocouples
- G01K 7/04: the object to be measured not forming one of the thermoelectric materials
- G01K 1/08: Protective devices, e.g. casings
- G01K 1/14: Supports; Fastening devices; Arrangements for mounting thermometers in particular locations
- H10N 10/00: Thermoelectric devices comprising a junction of dissimilar materials, i.e. devices exhibiting Seebeck or Peltier effects (integrated devices or assemblies of multiple devices H10N19/00)
- H10N 10/80: Constructional details
- H10N 10/85: Thermoelectric active materials
- F05D 2220/30: in turbines
- F05D 2270/303: Temperature
- G01K: MEASURING TEMPERATURE; MEASURING QUANTITY OF HEAT; THERMALLY-SENSITIVE ELEMENTS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR (radiation pyrometry G01J5/00)
- H10N: ELECTRIC SOLID-STATE DEVICES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F05D: INDEXING SCHEME FOR ASPECTS RELATING TO NON-POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT MACHINES OR ENGINES, GAS-TURBINES OR JET-PROPULSION PLANTS

## Abstract

Thermocouples for high temperature applications are provided. A thermocouple includes a vessel formed from a dielectric material, the vessel defining a first chamber and a second chamber, the first chamber and second chamber in fluid communication. The thermocouple further includes a first thermoelement disposed in the first chamber, the first thermoelement formed from a first thermoelectric material. The thermocouple further includes a second thermoelement disposed in the second chamber, the second thermoelement formed from a second thermoelectric material different from the first thermoelectric material, and wherein the second thermoelement is a liquid at operating conditions of the thermocouple.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A thermocouple, comprising:
a vessel formed from a dielectric material, the vessel defining a first chamber and a second chamber, the first chamber and second chamber being in fluid communication;
a first thermoelement disposed in the first chamber, the first thermoelement being formed from a first thermoelectric material, wherein the first thermoelement defines a first outer diameter;
a second thermoelement disposed in the second chamber, the second thermoelement being formed from a second thermoelectric material different from the first thermoelectric material, wherein the second thermoelement is a liquid at operating temperatures of the thermocouple, and wherein the second thermoelement defines a second outer diameter; and
a junction passage defined in the vessel and providing for the fluid communication between the first chamber and the second chamber, wherein the junction passage defines a third diameter that is less than at least one of the first outer diameter or the second outer diameter, the third diameter being sized such that hydrostatic tension between the first and the second thermoelectric materials allows for contact between the first and the second thermoelectric materials but prevents mixing of the first and the second thermoelectric materials.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The thermocouple of claim 1, wherein the first thermoelement is a solid.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The thermocouple of claim 1, wherein the first thermoelement is a liquid at operating temperatures of the thermocouple.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The thermocouple of claim 1, wherein the first chamber and second chamber are in direct fluid communication.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The thermocouple of claim 1, wherein the junction passage has a maximum diameter of between 0.001 inches and 0.01 inches.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The thermocouple of claim 1, wherein the first chamber and the second chamber each have a maximum diameter of between 0.005 inches and 0.02 inches.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The thermocouple of claim 1, wherein the first thermoelectric material is platinum or a platinum alloy.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The thermocouple of claim 1, wherein the second thermoelectric material is gallium or a gallium alloy.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The thermocouple of claim 1, wherein a maximum diameter of the junction passage is less than or equal to 50% of a maximum diameter of the first chamber and the second chamber.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The thermocouple of claim 1, wherein the vessel is a monolithic structure.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The thermocouple of claim 10, wherein the vessel is formed from sapphire.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The thermocouple of claim 1, further comprising a cap surrounding the vessel, the cap being spaced apart from the first thermoelement, the second thermoelement, and the junction passage.

### Claim 13 (depends on 12)

The thermocouple of claim 12, wherein the cap is formed from one of platinum, platinum alloys, iridium, iridium alloys, or ceramics.

### Claim 14

A turbomachine, comprising:
a compressor section;
a combustor section;
a turbine section; and
a thermocouple disposed at least partially in one of the compressor section, the combustor section, or the turbine section, the thermocouple comprising:
a vessel formed from a dielectric material, the vessel defining a first chamber and a second chamber, the first chamber and second chamber being in fluid communication;
a first thermoelement disposed in the first chamber, the first thermoelement being formed from a first thermoelectric material, wherein the first thermoelement defines a first outer diameter;
a second thermoelement disposed in the second chamber, the second thermoelement being formed from a second thermoelectric material different from the first thermoelectric material, wherein the second thermoelement is a liquid at operating temperatures of the thermocouple, and wherein the second thermoelement defines a second outer diameter; and
a junction passage defined in the vessel and providing for the fluid communication between the first chamber and the second chamber, wherein the junction passage defines a third diameter that is less than at least one of the first outer diameter or the second outer diameter, the third diameter being sized such that hydrostatic tension between the first and the second thermoelectric materials allows for contact between the first and the second thermoelectric materials but prevents mixing of the first and the second thermoelectric materials.

### Claim 15 (depends on 14)

The turbomachine of claim 14, wherein the thermocouple is disposed at least partially in the combustor section.

### Claim 16 (depends on 14)

The turbomachine of claim 14, wherein the first chamber and second chamber are in direct fluid communication.

### Claim 17 (depends on 14)

The turbomachine of claim 14, wherein the first thermoelectric material is platinum or a platinum alloy.

### Claim 18 (depends on 14)

The turbomachine of claim 14, wherein the second thermoelectric material is gallium or a gallium alloy.

### Claim 19 (depends on 14)

The turbomachine of claim 14, further comprising a cap surrounding the vessel.