Temperature controlled soldering iron with a unitary electrically heated soldering tip and thermocouple

In a temperature controlled soldering iron of the type having a soldering tip heated by an electric heating element and wherein a thermocouple is used for sensing and controlling the temperature of the soldering tip, the improvement which comprises:

• at least one common pair of conductors made from dissimilar metals joined together to unitarily provide said soldering tip, the electric heating element for heating said tip and said thermocouple for sensing the temperature of the tip, the end portion of one conductor being joined to a portion of the other conductor to provide said soldering tip and the other end portion of said one conductor and an end portion of the other conductor being operatively connected to a power supply such that when current is supplied to the conductors, the soldering tip is electrically heated and a voltage is generated by said joined portions indicative of the temperature of said tip;
• a handle for supporting said pair of dissimilar conductors;
• means for mounting the pair of dissimilar conductors to said handle with said soldering tip extending outwardly from an end thereof;
• said power supply operatively connected to the dissimilar conductors supplying current to said conductors to heat said soldering tip to generate said voltage for sensing the temperature of said tip;
• and
• an electronic temperature control circuit operatively connected to said pair of dissimilar conductors and including means for regulating the temperature of said tip in response to said generated voltage.