# US 9,518,872 B2 · Thermal sensor

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- Number: US 9,518,872 B2
- Document ID: US9518872B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 14/514,248
- Filed: 2014-10-14
- Published: 2016-04-14
- Granted: 2016-12-13
- Earliest claimed: 2014-10-14
- Assignees: Kidde Technologies, Inc.
- Applicants: Kidde Technologies, Inc.
- Inventors: Aaron S. Rogers; Chris G. Georgoulias; Scott K. Newlin
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9518872B2

## CPC

- G01K 7/16: using resistive elements
- B05D 1/18: performed by dipping
- B05D 3/12: by mechanical means
- G01K 3/005: {Circuits arrangements for indicating a predetermined temperature (fire detection G08B17/00)}
- G01K 11/06: using melting, freezing, or softening
- G01K: MEASURING TEMPERATURE; MEASURING QUANTITY OF HEAT; THERMALLY-SENSITIVE ELEMENTS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR (radiation pyrometry G01J5/00)
- B05D: PROCESSES FOR APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL (conveying articles or workpieces through baths of liquid B65G, e.g. B65G49/02)

## Abstract

A thermal sensor includes a first electrode, a second electrode, and a plurality of beads disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode, the beads defining bead cavities between each other. A method for manufacturing a thermal sensor includes disposing a plurality of beads on an inner electrode, dip coating the inner electrode with beads using a molten state changing material, and disposing an outer electrode over the inner electrode and beads after dip coating.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A thermal sensor, comprising:
a first electrode;
a second electrode; and
a plurality of beads disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode, the beads defining bead cavities between each other; and a state changing material disposed in the bead cavities, wherein the state changing material transitions between a non-conductive state to a conductive state at a threshold temperature, wherein, in the conductive state, the state change material electrically connects the first and second electrodes.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The thermal sensor of claim 1, wherein the first and second electrodes are coaxial electrodes.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The thermal sensor of claim 1, wherein the first and second electrodes include aluminum or Inconel 625.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The thermal sensor of claim 1, wherein the beads can include at least one of a ceramic or a high temperature polymer.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The thermal sensor of claim 1, wherein the beads includes at least one of a glass fiber, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polyetheretherketone (PEEK), polyetherimide (PEI), polyphenylsulfone (PPSU), or polysulfone (PSU).

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The thermal sensor of claim 1, wherein the beads are porous for absorbing the state change material.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The thermal sensor of claim 1, wherein the state changing material includes a salt mixture.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The thermal sensor of claim 7, wherein the salt mixture is a eutectic salt mixture.

### Claim 9

A method for manufacturing a thermal sensor, comprising:
disposing a plurality of beads on an inner electrode;
dip coating the inner electrode with beads using a molten state changing material; and
disposing an outer electrode over the inner electrode and beads after dip coating.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The method of claim 9, wherein dip coating includes dip coating the beads in a molten or aqueous salt mixture.

### Claim 11 (depends on 9)

The method of claim 9, wherein dip coating includes dip coating the beads in a molten or aqueous eutectic salt mixture.

### Claim 12 (depends on 9)

The method of claim 9, wherein disposing an outer electrode over the inner electrode includes coaxially disposing the outer electrode over the inner electrode.

### Claim 13 (depends on 9)

The method of claim 9, wherein disposing the plurality of beads on the inner electrode includes sliding the beads onto the inner electrode.

### Claim 14 (depends on 9)

The method of claim 9, wherein disposing the plurality of beads on the inner electrode includes forming the beads around the inner electrode.