Refiner disk sensor and sensor refiner disk

A sensor refiner disk segment for a rotary disk refiner comprising:

• (a) a refining surface comprised of a plurality of spaced apart upraised refiner bars that define grooves therebetween with each groove having a bottom surface and each one of the plurality of refiner bars having an outer refining edge disposed outwardly relative to the bottom surface of an adjacent groove;
• (b) a sensor assembly disposed in the refining surface and comprising a thermally insulating spacer having an end disposed adjacent the refining surface, a thermally conductive housing that extends outwardly from the spacer with the housing having a dome with a tip located lower than the refining edge of an adjacent one of the plurality of refiner bars and higher than the bottom surface of an adjacent groove, and a temperature sensing element attached to an interior surface of the dome adjacent the tip with the temperature sensing element located higher than the end of the spacer;
• and
• (c) wherein the housing contacts stock being refined by the refiner disk segment during refining and prevents stock from contacting the temperature sensing element.

A sensor refiner disk segment for a rotary disk refiner comprising:

• (a) a refining surface comprised of a plurality of spaced apart upraised refiner bars that define grooves therebetween with each groove having a bottom surface and each one of the plurality of refiner bars having an outer refining edge disposed axially outwardly relative to the bottom surface of an adjacent groove;
• (b) a plurality of sensor assemblies disposed in the refining surface that each comprise a thermally insulating spacer disposed in a bore in the refining surface with the spacer having an end disposed adjacent the refining surface, a thermally conductive housing that has a tubular portion that is telescopically received in a bore in the spacer and that has a dome that is disposed exteriorly of the spacer with the dome having a tip located below the refining edge of an adjacent one of the plurality of refiner bars and above the bottom surface of an adjacent groove, and a temperature sensing element attached to an interior surface of the dome underneath the tip with the temperature sensing element located above the end of the spacer;
• and
• (c) wherein the housing contacts stock being refined by the refiner disk segment during refining.

A sensor refiner disk segment for a rotary disk refiner comprising:

• (a) a refining surface comprised of a plurality of spaced apart upraised refiner bars that define grooves therebetween with each groove having a bottom surface and each one of the plurality of refiner bars having an outer refining edge disposed outwardly relative to the bottom surface of an adjacent groove;
• (b) a plurality of radially spaced apart sensor assemblies disposed in the refining surface that each comprise a tubular thermally insulating spacer disposed in a bore in the refining surface with the spacer having an end disposed adjacent the refining surface, a thermally conductive housing that has a tubular portion that is telescopically received in a bore in the spacer and that has a dome that is disposed exteriorly of the spacer with the dome having a tip spaced at least 0.1 inch below the refining edge of an adjacent one of the plurality of refiner bars prior to the first use of the refiner disk segment and spaced at least {fraction (1/16)} of an inch above the end of the spacer, and a thermocouple affixed to an interior surface of the dome underneath the tip with the thermocouple spaced at least {fraction (1/32)} of an inch above the end of the spacer;
• (c) an adhesive between the refiner disk segment and the spacer providing a bond therebetween;
• (d) an adhesive between the spacer and the housing providing a bond therebetween;
• and
• (e) wherein the spacer provides an insulating R-value of at least 5.51*10−3h*ft*° F./Btu;
• (f) wherein the housing contacts stock in the vicinity of the refining zone and prevents stock from contacting the thermocouple.

A sensor assembly for a refiner disk having a refining zone that includes a plurality of spaced apart upraised refiner bars that define therebetween at least one groove, the sensor assembly comprising:

• (a) a tubular holder comprised of an insulating material that is disposed in a bore in the refining surface and that has a pocket disposed therein, with the holder having an end that is disposed below the height of one of the plurality of the refiner bars;
• (b) a protective sensing element shell having a tubular portion that is received in the pocket in the holder and a thermally conductive cover that extends outwardly beyond the end of the holder at a height that is less than the height of the adjacent one of the plurality of the refiner bars;
• and
• (c) a temperature sensing element received in the shell, the temperature sensing element carried by the cover and spaced outwardly from the end of the holder such that the temperature sensing element is disposed exteriorly of the holder.