Thermocouple Apparatus and Method
AssigneeTE Wire & Cable LLC
InventorsCathie Rae, Michele Scervini
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Abstract
In a thermocouple, a pair of thermoelements extend within a protective sheath. The thermoelements are spaced from the sheath by an insulator. The sheath comprises an outer sheath formed from a metal alloy adapted to provide mechanical support and corrosion resistance during use of the thermocouple, typically at elevated temperature. The sheath further comprises an inner sheath positioned between the outer sheath and the thermoelements and formed from a nickel-based alloy containing less than 10 wt % Cr, to prevent diffusion of Cr and/or Mn from the outer sheath to the thermoelements.
Claims22
A thermocouple, comprising:
- a metal alloy outer sheath;
- a first thermoelement,
- wherein the first thermoelement extends within the metal alloy outer sheath;
- a second thermoelement,
- wherein the second thermoelement extends within the metal alloy outer sheath;
- and
- a nickel-based inner sheath containing less than 10 wt % chromium,
- wherein the nickel-based inner sheath contains greater than 90 wt % nickel, and
- wherein the nickel-based inner sheath is positioned between the first thermoelement and the metal alloy outer sheath.
A method of measuring a temperature, comprising:
- providing a thermocouple,
- wherein the thermocouple comprises:
- a metal alloy outer sheath;
- a first thermoelement,
- wherein the first thermoelement extends within the metal alloy outer sheath;
- a second thermoelement,
- wherein the second thermoelement extends within the metal alloy outer sheath;
- and
- a nickel-based inner sheath containing less than 10 wt % chromium,
- wherein the nickel-based inner sheath contains greater than 90 wt % nickel, and
- wherein the nickel-based inner sheath is positioned between the first thermoelement and the metal or metal alloy outer sheath;
- interconnecting the thermocouple to an object;
- exposing the thermocouple to an oxidizing environment at a temperature above 1000° C.;
- receiving a voltage from the thermocouple;
- and
- determining a measured temperature of the object via the voltage.
A method for fabricating a thermocouple,
- wherein the thermocouple comprises:
- a metal alloy outer sheath;
- a first thermoelement,
- wherein the first thermoelement extends within the metal alloy outer sheath;
- a second thermoelement,
- wherein the second thermoelement extends within the metal alloy outer sheath;
- and
- a nickel-based inner sheath containing less than 10 wt % chromium, wherein the nickel-based inner sheath contains greater than 90 wt % nickel, and
- wherein the nickel-based inner sheath is positioned between the first thermoelement and the metal alloy outer sheath, and
- wherein the method comprises:
- forming the metal alloy outer sheath and the nickel-based inner sheath simultaneously by coextrusion or swaging.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.