Reusable probe connector apparatus

A reusable interconnection cable apparatus for interconnecting a thermocouple probe sensor to a temperature monitoring apparatus comprising:

• a first wire of a first thermocouple material;
• a second wire of a second thermocouple material;
• a conductor lead means for forming a cold junction with said first wire and having first and second ends, said first end being connected to said first wire;
• cold junction compensation means for cancelling the voltage developed by said cold junction, said compensation means being connected to the second end of said conductor lead means within said connector housing, said cold junction compensation means providing a third lead;
• a first connector means having a housing for housing said first and second wires, said cold junction, said cold junction compensation means, and said third lead;
• said first connector means further including means for electrically connecting said third lead and said second wire with said temperature monitoring apparatus;
• a cable means for conducting said first wire and said second wire out of said first connector means;
• and
• a second connector means located at said second end of said cable means for connecting said first wire and said second wire with said thermocouple probe sensor.

An apparatus for interconnection between a temperature monitoring apparatus and a disposable probe, said disposable probe having first and second probe leads extending from a thermocouple junction, comprising:

• first and second cable leads, each for conducting an electrical signal;
• means receiving said first cable lead for forming a cold junction therewith and for compensating said cold junction to provide a compensated cold junction signal;
• means for housing said second cable lead and said means receiving said first cable lead and for conducting an electrical signal on said second cable lead and said compensated cold junction signal to said temperature monitor apparatus;
• cable means received by said housing means for introducing said first and second cable leads into said housing means;
• a first electrical connector means having first and second contacts for receiving said first and second probe leads into the interior thereof, said first and second probe leads being electrically connected respectively to said first and second contacts, forming respective first and second junctions, said first and second probe leads and first and second contacts being selected of such materials that said first and second junctions each comprise first and second secondary thermocouple means;
• and
• a second electrical connector means for mating with said first electrical connector means, said second electrical connector means having third and fourth contacts shaped to mate with said first and second contacts, respectively, said first and second cable leads being connected respectively to said third and fourth contacts, forming respective third and fourth junctions, said first and second cable leads and third and fourth contacts being selected of such materials that said third and fourth junctions comprise third and fourth secondary thermocouple junctions;
• said first and second secondary junctions of said first electrical connector means being disposed to lie physically close to the respective third and fourth secondary junctions of said second electrical connector means when said first and second electrical connector means are mated, whereby the effect of said secondary junctions is minimized.

Apparatus for adapting either one of a thermistor probe means and a thermocouple probe means for alternate operation with a temperature monitor apparatus, said thermistor probe means having first and second terminals, said thermocouple probe means having first and second terminals, said apparatus comprising:

• (a) a first reusable cable means having first, second, and third output terminals for connecting said thermistor probe means to said temperature monitor apparatus, said first reusable cable means comprising a means removably connectable to said first terminal of said thermistor means for conducting the signal from said first terminal of said thermistor means to said first output terminal, and means removably connectable to said second terminal of said thermistor means for conducting the signal from said second terminal of said thermistor means to said second and third output terminals;
• (b) a second reusable cable means having first, second, and third output terminals for connecting said thermocouple means to said temperature monitor apparatus, and further including means removably connectable to the first terminal of said thermocouple means for conducting the signal therefrom to said second output terminal of said second reusable cable means, and conductor means removably connectable to the second terminal of said thermocouple means for conducting the signal therefrom;
• (c) means in said second removable cable means for forming a cold junction with said conductor means;
• (d) a cold junction compensation means in said second reusable cable means having first and second terminals, the first terminal of said cold junction compensation means being connected to said means for forming a cold junction;
• (e) said first output terminal of said second reusable cable means being connected to the second terminal of said cold junction compensation means, said third output terminal of said second reusable cable means being connected to the first terminal of said cold junction compensation means;
• and
• (f) circuit means in said temperature monitor apparatus for receiving said first, second, and third output terminals of said first reusable cable means or, alternatively, the first, second, and third output terminals of said second reusable cable means, and for providing an output signal which, at a given temperature, is substantially the same when either the first reusable cable is used to connect said thermistor probe means to said apparatus or said second reusable cable means is used to connect said thermocouple probe means to said apparatus.