Sensor plug for combined pressure and temperature measurement

• US 8,038,345 B2
• Filed: 08/20/2007
• Issued: 10/18/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 09/15/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Original Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Inventors: Engelhardt, Joerg, Stoll, Oliver, Roesser, Christian
• Primary Examiner(s): Guadalupe; Yaritza
• Application Number:
  US12/308,204
• Publication Number:
  US 20100002745A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,520 Days
• Field of Search: 374/143, 374/145, 374/150, 374/170, 374/E13.001
• US Class Current: 374/143
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 11/245 Housings for sensors
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 21/02 Measuring two or more variables by means not covered by a single other subclass
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 1/08 Protective devices, e.g. casings
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 13/02 for measuring temperature of moving fluids or granular materials capable of flow
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 2201/02 in vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 19/0092 Pressure sensor associated with other sensors, e.g. for measuring acceleration or temperature G01L9/025, G01L9/045, G01L9/065, G01L9/085, G01L9/105, G01L9/125, G01L19/02, G01L19/04 take precedence; measuring two or more variable G01D21/02; temperature sensors with pressure compensation G01K1/26
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 19/14 Housings G01L19/0007, G01L19/0084, G01L19/0092, G01L19/04, G01L19/06 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining

Abstract

A sensor plug for pressure and temperature measurement of a fluid medium includes a sensor body having a sensor body axis, as well as a pressure sensor disposed substantially concentrically on the sensor body axis. Also provided in the sensor body is a through orifice for connecting the pressure sensor to the fluid medium, and a temperature sensing element orifice having a temperature sensing element received therein. The temperature sensing element orifice has a temperature sensing element orifice axis that is inclined with respect to the sensor body axis in such a way that at its end pointing toward the fluid medium, it is inclined toward the sensor body axis.

Claims

1. A sensor plug for pressure and temperature measurements of a fluid medium, comprising:

a sensor body having a sensor body axis, a through orifice and a temperature-sensing-element orifice disposed in the sensor body;

a pressure sensor disposed substantially concentrically on the sensor body axis, wherein the through orifice disposed in the sensor body is configured to connect the pressure sensor to the fluid medium; and

a temperature sensing element received within the temperature-sensing-element orifice;

wherein the temperature-sensing-element orifice has a temperature-sensing-element-orifice axis inclined with respect to the sensor body axis in such a way that an end of the temperature-sensing-element-orifice axis pointing toward the fluid medium is inclined toward the sensor body axis.

2. The sensor plug as recited in claim 1, wherein the temperature sensing element has a temperature sensor device, and wherein the temperature-sensing-element-orifice axis is disposed to intersect the sensor body axis in a region of the temperature sensor device.

3. The sensor plug as recited in claim 2, wherein a measurement finger protruding from the sensor body is provided, and wherein the temperature-sensing-element orifice is configured as a blind orifice and disposed at least partly in the measurement finger, and wherein the temperature sensor device is disposed at least partly in the measurement finger.

4. The sensor plug as recited in claim 2, wherein the temperature-sensing-element-orifice axis and the sensor body axis enclose an angle in the range between 3°

and 70°

.

5. The sensor plug as recited in claim 2, wherein the through orifice is configured to be at least partly cylindrical, and wherein the through orifice has a through orifice axis.

6. The sensor plug as recited in claim 5, wherein the through orifice axis is inclined with respect to the sensor body axis in such a way that an end of the through orifice axis pointing toward the fluid medium is inclined away from the sensor body axis.

7. The sensor plug as recited in claim 6, wherein the through orifice axis and the sensor body axis enclose an angle in the range between 3°

and 70°

.

8. The sensor plug as recited in claim 2, wherein the sensor body has an external thread, and wherein a conical seal is provided at an end of the sensor body pointing toward the fluid medium.

9. The sensor plug as recited in claim 8, wherein at least one discharge groove is provided in the external thread, and wherein the at least one discharge groove is configured to vent an overpressure when the external thread is threaded into a sensor plug orifice.

10. The sensor plug as recited in claim 2, wherein the sensor plug is manufactured entirely using a powder-metallurgy process.

11. The sensor plug as recited in claim 10, wherein the sensor body includes:

a) an externally located threaded piece having an external thread; and

b) an insert having the through orifice and the temperature-sensing-element orifice, and wherein at least the insert is manufactured using a powder-metallurgy process.

12. A method for manufacturing a sensor plug for pressure and temperature measurements of a fluid medium, the sensor plug having:

a sensor body having a sensor body axis, a through orifice and a temperature-sensing-element orifice disposed in the sensor body;

a pressure sensor disposed substantially concentrically on the sensor body axis, wherein the through orifice disposed in the sensor body is configured to connect the pressure sensor to the fluid medium; and

a temperature sensing element received within the temperature-sensing-element orifice;

wherein the temperature-sensing-element orifice has a temperature-sensing-element-orifice axis inclined with respect to the sensor body axis in such a way that an end of the temperature-sensing-element-orifice axis pointing toward the fluid medium is inclined toward the sensor body axis, wherein the sensor body includes a) an externally located threaded piece having an external thread and b) an insert having the through orifice and the temperature-sensing-element orifice, the method comprising;

manufacturing the insert of the sensor body using the powder-metallurgy process;

manufacturing the externally located threaded piece of the sensor body;

fitting the insert into the threaded piece; and

joining the insert and threaded piece in a positively-engaged, pressure-tight connection using a laser welding process.