Sensor assembly with housing for secure sensor connections

A sensor assembly for use with a separate control unit, the sensor assembly comprising:

• a housing comprising:
• a sensor face with a sensor opening, the sensor face having a flange connection surface;
• sidewalls extending from the sensor face and attached at adjacent edges to define an enclosure with a lid opening;
• and
• a lid sized to fit the lid opening, the lid being releasably attachable to the enclosure;
• a sensor comprising:
• a sensing element having a proximal end and a distal end defining a lengthwise axis;
• a flange member extending rigidly from the sensing element generally normal to the lengthwise axis;
• and
• electrical leads extending from the proximal end of the sensing element within the enclosure;
• and
• rivets fixedly attaching the flange member of the sensor to the flange connection surface of the housing such that the distal end of the sensing element extends away from the housing;
• and
• a seal disposed between the flange member and the flange connection surface, the seal being formed from compressible material which is more compressible than the relatively rigid material of the flange member and the housing.

A method for electrically connecting a sensor assembly to a separate control unit, the method comprising:

• positioning exposed ends of insulated wires from the separate control unit within a connection socket, the connection socket forming electrical connection between the insulated wires and leads from a sensor, the sensor being secured to a housing, the housing comprising:
• a sensor face with a sensor opening,
• sidewalls extending from the sensor face and attached at adjacent edges to form an enclosure with a lid opening;
• a cradling bracket within the enclosure, the cradling bracket being sized to mate with and receive the connection socket;
• and
• a lid sized to fit the lid opening, the lid being releasably attachable to the enclosure;
• placing the connection socket into the cradling bracket;
• and
• releasably attaching the lid over the lid opening, such that the cradling bracket and the lid cooperate in a closed position to prevent the connection socket from moving during use.