Resistance thermometer probe

Abstract

A resistance thermometer probe comprising a temperature sensor and a housing around the temperature sensor. The housing having a temperature sensing tip for placement of the temperature sensor and a stem to enable the temperature sensing tip to reach into otherwise inaccessable positions. The stem being generally cylindrical in shape and the temperature sensing tip being an integral extension of the stem but is reduced in both diameter and wall thickness to minimize thermal capacity and to maximize heat conduction. The probe also has electrically conductive wire leads to connect the temperature sensor to an ohmmeter. Fine granular glass particles and molecular sieve are placed in the empty space left after the temperature sensor and conductive wires have been inserted into the housing. The particles provide mechanical support to the temperature sensor, and reduces convection. The use of molecular sieve enables the temperature sensor to be cleared of contaminants and have a partial vacuum generated within the probe without having to use an external pump; this is accomplished by heating the probe (before it has been sealed) to a high temperature, then part of the probe is allowed to cooled to an intermediate temperature while the probe is sealed; When the molecular sieve is finally allowed to cool to room temperature, it becomes activated to absorb substantially all the gases, moisture and organic contaminants inside the probe leaving the temperature sensor in a partial vacuum.

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