Temperature sensors and methods of manufacture thereof

• US 7,997,795 B2
• Filed: 05/02/2006
• Issued: 08/16/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 05/02/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Watlow Electric Manufacturing Company
• Original Assignee: Watlow Electric Manufacturing Company
• Inventors: Schwagerman, William H, Frake, Robert K
• Primary Examiner(s): VERBITSKY, GAIL KAPLAN
• Application Number:
  US11/416,330
• Publication Number:
  US 20070258506A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,932 Days
• Field of Search: 374/163, 374/179, 374/183, 374/185, 374/208, 338/25, 338/28, 338/22.R, 738/665, 136/200
• US Class Current: 374/179
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 1/08 Protective devices, e.g. casings
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 1/14 Supports; Fastening devices; Arrangements for mounting thermometers in particular locations
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 1/146 arrangements for moving thermometers to or from a measuring position

Abstract

Temperature sensors and methods of manufacturing thereof, having an intermediate stop disposed along a set of wires, the intermediate stop is secured to the set of wires such that an insulator can be properly positioned around proximal end portions of the set of wires during assembly of the temperature sensor.

Claims

1. A temperature sensor comprising:

a first wire having a proximal end portion defining a proximal end, a distal end portion, an intermediate portion, and a covering;

a second wire having a proximal end portion defining a proximal end, a distal end portion defining a proximal end, an intermediate portion, and a covering;

a junction disposed at the proximal ends of the first and second wires;

a wire set overcoat that binds the first and second wires together;

an insulator surrounding and in contact with a portion of the proximal end portions of the first and second wires;

an insulating material surrounding the wire set overcoat adjacent the insulator, the insulating material being positioned as an intermediate stop to properly position the insulator during assembly of the temperature sensor;

a sleeving surrounding the wire set overcoat and at least a portion of the intermediate portions of the first and second wires and positioned adjacent the insulating material, opposite the insulator, the sleeving acting, at least in part, as a strain relief for the first and second wires; and

a sheath disposed around the proximal ends of the first and second wires, the insulator, the insulating material, and at least a portion of the sleeving,

wherein the wire set overcoat extends through the insulating material and the sleeving.

2. The temperature sensor of claim 1 wherein the sheath has a closed end and an open end, the junction being positioned proximate to the closed end, and the sleeving being positioned proximate to the open end.

3. The temperature sensor of claim 2 wherein the sheath includes a first outer dimension and a second outer dimension, the second outer dimension being greater than the first outer dimension, and the sheath proximate to the open end having the second outer dimension and the sheath around the insulator having the first outer dimension.

4. The temperature sensor of claim 3 wherein the sheath includes a tip tapered from the first outer dimension to a third outer dimension proximate to an end of the sheath proximate to the proximal ends of the first and second wires, the third dimension being smaller than the first outer dimension and the second outer dimension.

5. The temperature sensor of claim 3 wherein the sheath includes a transition portion of multiple outer dimensions between the first outer dimension and the second outer dimension.

6. The temperature sensor of claim 2 wherein the sleeving is positioned proximate to the open end of the sheath and at least partially extends from the open end.

7. The temperature sensor of claim 1 wherein the sheath includes a reduced portion securing the sleeving and the first and second wires within the sheath.

8. The temperature sensor of claim 1 wherein the covering of the first wire and the second wire include polyimide.

9. The temperature sensor of claim 1 wherein the sleeving is flexible.

10. The temperature sensor of claim 1 wherein the sleeving includes a fiberglass.

11. The temperature sensor of claim 1 wherein the sleeving includes a braided insulating material.

12. The temperature sensor of claim 1 wherein the insulator includes an insulating material selected from the group consisting of magnesium oxide, silicon oxide, and aluminum oxide.

13. The temperature sensor of claim 1 wherein the insulator includes a compressed powder insulating material.

14. The temperature sensor of claim 1 wherein the portions of the first and second wires surrounded by the insulator exclude the coverings.

15. The temperature sensor of claim 1 wherein the insulating material includes a polyimide tape wrapped around the first and second wires.

16. The temperature sensor of claim 1 wherein the insulating material is a first insulating material, further comprising a second insulating material surrounding the first and second wires, the first insulating material being positioned proximate to the insulator and the second insulating material being positioned proximate to the sleeving, the second insulating material being spaced apart from the first insulating material thereby forming a gap therebetween.

17. A temperature sensor comprising:

a first wire having a proximal end portion defining a proximal end, a distal end portion, an intermediate portion, and a covering;

a second wire having a proximal end portion defining a proximal end, a distal end portion defining a proximal end, an intermediate portion, and a covering;

a wire set overcoat that binds the first wire and the second wire together;

an insulator surrounding and in contact with a portion of the proximal end portions of the first and second wires;

an insulating material surrounding the wire set overcoat adjacent the insulator, the insulating material being positioned as an intermediate stop to properly position the insulator during assembly of the temperature sensor;

a sleeving surrounding the wire set overcoat and at least a portion of the intermediate portions of the first and second wires and positioned adjacent the insulating material, opposite the insulator such that the sleeving is in direct contact with the insulating material; and

a sheath disposed around the proximal ends of the first and second wires, the insulator, the insulating material, and at least a portion of the sleeving,

wherein the wire set overcoat extends through the insulating material and the sleeving.

18. The temperature sensor of claim 17 wherein the sheath includes a first outer dimension and a second outer dimension, the second outer dimension being greater than the first outer dimension, and an open end of the sheath having the second outer dimension and a portion of the sheath around the insulator having the first outer dimension.

19. The temperature sensor of claim 18 wherein the sheath includes a tip tapered from the first outer dimension to a third outer dimension proximate to an end of the sheath proximate to the proximal ends of the first and second wires, the third dimension being smaller than the first outer dimension and the second outer dimension.

20. The temperature sensor of claim 18 wherein the sheath includes a transition portion of multiple outer dimensions between the first outer dimension and the second outer dimension.

21. The temperature sensor of claim 17 wherein the sleeving is positioned proximate an open end of the sheath and at least partially extends from the open end.

22. The temperature sensor of claim 17 wherein the sleeving is flexible.

23. The temperature sensor of claim 17 wherein the insulating material is a polyimide tape.

24. The temperature sensor of claim 17 wherein the insulating material is a first insulating material, further comprising a second insulating material surrounding the first and second wires, the first insulating material being positioned proximate to the insulator and the second insulating material being positioned proximate to the sleeving, the second insulating material being spaced apart from the first insulating material thereby forming a gap therebetween.

25. A temperature sensor comprising:

a first wire having a proximal end portion defining a proximal end, a distal end portion, an intermediate portion, and a covering;

a second wire having a proximal end portion defining a proximal end, a distal end portion defining a proximal end, an intermediate portion, and a covering;

a wire set overcoat that binds the first wire and the second wire together;

an insulator surrounding and in contact with a portion of the proximal end portions of the first and second wires;

an insulating material in the form of a polyimide tape surrounding the wire set overcoat and the first and second wires adjacent the insulator, the polyimide tape being positioned as an intermediate stop to properly position the insulator during assembly of the temperature sensor;

a sleeving surrounding the wire set overcoat and at least a portion of the intermediate portions of the first and second wires and positioned adjacent the polyimide tape, opposite the insulator; and

a sheath disposed around the proximal ends of the first and second wires, the insulator, the insulating material, and at least a portion of the sleeving

wherein the wire set overcoat extends through the insulating material and the sleeving.

26. The temperature sensor of claim 25 wherein the sheath includes a first outer dimension and a second outer dimension, the second outer dimension being greater than the first outer dimension, and an open end of the sheath having the second outer dimension and a portion of the sheath around the insulator having the first outer dimension.

27. The temperature sensor of claim 25 wherein the sheath includes a tip tapered from the first outer dimension to a third outer dimension proximate to an end of the sheath proximate to the proximal ends of the first and second wires, the third dimension being smaller than the first outer dimension and the second outer dimension.

28. The temperature sensor of claim 25 wherein the sheath includes a transition portion of multiple outer dimensions between the first outer dimension and the second outer dimension.

29. The temperature sensor of claim 25 wherein the sleeving is positioned proximate an open end of the sheath and at least partially extends from the open end.

30. The temperature sensor of claim 25 wherein the insulating material is a first insulating material, further comprising a second insulating material surrounding the first and second wires, the first insulating material being positioned proximate to the insulator and the second insulating material being positioned proximate to the sleeving, the second insulating material being spaced apart from the first insulating material thereby forming a gap therebetween.

31. A temperature sensor comprising:

a first wire having a proximal end portion defining a proximal end, a distal end portion, an intermediate portion, and a covering;

a second wire having a proximal end portion defining a proximal end, a distal end portion defining a proximal end, an intermediate portion, and a covering;

a wire set overcoat that binds the first wire and the second wire together;

an insulator surrounding and in contact with a portion of the proximal end portions of the first and second wires;

an insulating material surrounding the wire set overcoat and the first and second wires adjacent the insulator, the insulating material being positioned as an intermediate stop to properly position the insulator during assembly of the temperature sensor;

a sleeving surrounding the wire set overcoat and at least a portion of the intermediate portions of the first and second wires and positioned adjacent the insulating material, opposite the insulator; and

a sheath disposed around the proximal ends of the first and second wires, the insulator, the insulating material, and at least a portion of the sleeving, wherein the sheath is compressed about the insulator, the insulating material, and the portion of the sleeving for positioning of the insulator, the insulating material, and the portion of the sleeving,

wherein the wire set overcoat extends through the insulating material and the sleeving.

32. The temperature sensor of claim 31 wherein the sheath includes a first outer dimension and a second outer dimension, the second outer dimension being greater than the first outer dimension, and an open end of the sheath having the second outer dimension and a portion of the sheath around the insulator having the first outer dimension.

33. The temperature sensor of claim 31 wherein the sheath includes a tip tapered from the first outer dimension to a third outer dimension proximate to an end of the sheath proximate to the proximal ends of the first and second wires, the third dimension being smaller than the first outer dimension and the second outer dimension.

34. The temperature sensor of claim 31 wherein the sheath includes a transition portion of multiple outer dimensions between the first outer dimension and the second outer dimension.

35. The temperature sensor of claim 31 wherein the sleeving is positioned proximate an open end of the sheath and at least partially extends from the open end.

36. The temperature sensor of claim 31 wherein the insulating material is a first insulating material, further comprising a second insulating material surrounding the first and second wires, the first insulating material being positioned proximate to the insulator and the second insulating material being positioned proximate to the sleeving, the second insulating material being spaced apart from the first insulating material thereby forming a gap therebetween.