US 8,523,432 B2 · Thermally isolated temperature sensor

Abstract

A temperature sensor includes a polymer body for mounting the sensor to a mounting surface and positioning a temperature sensing element within a target fluid. The temperature sensing element may be positioned at the distal end of the polymer body and may be sealed from the fluid by a metal cap filled with a thermally conductive material. In this manner, the polymer body may thermally insulate the temperature sensing element and lead conductors within the polymer body from the mounting surface. The polymer body may also include a connector on the proximal end to facilitate an electrical connection with the temperature sensing element, a flange to install the sensor against the mounting surface, and a fixation surface configured to mate with the mounting surface. In some examples, the polymer body may be constructed in two stages to facilitate different configurations of the connector, flange, and/or fixation surface.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A temperature sensor comprising:

a thermally insulative polymer body defining at least one lead channel and comprising:
a connector portion at a proximal end of the polymer body;
a terminal protrusion disposed at a distal end of the polymer body;
a flange disposed between the proximal end and the distal end of the polymer body, wherein the flange is configured to mate with an assembly tool;
and
a fixation surface disposed between the flange and the distal end of the polymer body;
at least one lead conductor disposed within the at least one lead channel;
a temperature sensing element electrically coupled to the at least one lead conductor and configured to detect a temperature of a fluid, wherein the temperature sensing element is disposed distal of the terminal protrusion;
and
a thermally conductive cap disposed completely distal of the fixation surface of the polymer body and over the temperature sensing element and at least a portion of the terminal protrusion, wherein the thermally conductive cap is configured to seal the temperature sensing element from the fluid.

7 more elements

A device comprising:

a thermally insulative inner polymer body defining at least a portion of one or more lead channels and comprising a terminal protrusion disposed at a distal end of the inner polymer body;
a thermally insulative outer polymer body surrounding a portion of the inner polymer body and comprising:
a connector portion at a proximal end of the outer polymer body;
a threaded fixation surface at a distal end of the outer polymer body, wherein at least a portion of the threaded fixation surface surrounds the portion of the inner polymer body;
and
a flange disposed between the proximal end and the threaded fixation surface of the outer polymer body, wherein the flange is configured to mate with an assembly tool;
at least one lead conductor disposed within the one or more lead channels;
a temperature sensing element electrically coupled to the at least one lead conductor and configured to detect a temperature of a fluid, wherein the temperature sensing element is disposed distal of the terminal protrusion;
and
a thermally conductive cap disposed completely distal of the threaded fixation surface of the outer polymer body and over the temperature sensing element and at least a portion of the terminal protrusion, wherein the thermally conductive cap is configured to seal the temperature sensing element from the fluid.

7 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Thermally isolated temperature sensor

Life of this patent

Thermally isolated temperature sensor

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20