US 6,266,997 B1 · Thermal management of a sensor

Abstract

In an exemplary embodiment, the present invention provides an exhaust constituent sensor comprising a planar sensing element securely held in place within a tubular inner shield by known methods. Improved thermal management of the sensor is provided by disposing a thermally conductive material between said planar sensing element and said tubular shield. In an exemplary embodiment, the thermally conductive material comprises a high thermal conductivity metal mesh which transfers heat within said tubular shield to said tubular shield via thermal conduction. The heat is then dissipated into the surrounding environment via thermal convection at an outer surface of the tubular shield. By optionally disposing an annular heat fin on the outer surface of the tubular shield, a greater amount of heat is dissipated into the surrounding environment via thermal convection in less time.

Claims26

Dependent claims

An exhaust constituent sensor, comprising:

an elongated planar sensing element;
a tubular shield within which at least a portion of said planar sensing element extends;
a thermally conductive material disposed around at least a portion of said planar sensing element, said thermally conductive material disposed between said planar sensing element and said tubular shield, said thermally conductive material being in contact with said tubular shield;
and
a shell for mounting said tubular shield to a conduit through which exhaust flows.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Thermal management of a sensor

Life of this patent

Thermal management of a sensor

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims26