US4467134A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Thermocouple with out-of-line aspiration holes
Assignee: Ametek Inc
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Filing: 1983-06-30
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Granted: 1984-08-21
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Expires: 2003-06-30
Abstract
Abstract The response time of a thermocouple is improved by offsetting the outlet aspiration opening or openings in the thermocouple protective housing from the gas flow axis and the inlet opening. The outlet aspiration opening is located substantially at the gas separation point which is a point of minimum gas pressure. The degree of offset is thus chosen to maximize the pressure differential, ΔP, between the inlet and the outlet openings. This increases the gas flow rate through the housing and past the thermocouple junction thereby substantially improving the thermocouple response time.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert A. Pustell
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 22:26
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01K; G01K1/00; G01K1/16; G01K1/18; G01K13/00; G01K13/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
183 words
A thermocouple assembly for measuring the temperature of a fluid stream comprising: (a) a casing, (b) at least one pair of dissimilar wires disposed in said casing and forming a thermocouple junction, (c) insulation dispersed in said casing and separating said dissimilar wires from said casing and from each other, (d) a protective housing spaced apart from and surrounding at least a portion of said casing containing a thermocouple junction, (e) means to allow a part of the heated stream to flow through said protective housing and past said casing in the area of the thermocouple junction, including: (1) an inlet opening in said housing positioned essentially along the flow axis of the stream, (2) at least one outlet opening in said housing downstream from the inlet opening to establish a flow path through said housing, (f) means for increasing the flow rate of the fluid through said housing by locating the outlet opening at a minimum fluid pressure point, thereby maximizing the pressure difference between inlet and outlet openings to provide rapid response of the thermocouple to changes in fluid stream temperature.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
183 words
A thermocouple assembly for measuring the temperature of a fluid stream comprising: (a) a casing, (b) at least one pair of dissimilar wires disposed in said casing and forming a thermocouple junction, (c) insulation dispersed in said casing and separating said dissimilar wires from said casing and from each other, (d) a protective housing spaced apart from and surrounding at least a portion of said casing containing a thermocouple junction, (e) means to allow a part of the heated stream to flow through said protective housing and past said casing in the area of the thermocouple junction, including: (1) an inlet opening in said housing positioned essentially along the flow axis of the stream, (2) at least one outlet opening in said housing downstream from the inlet opening to establish a flow path through said housing, (f) means for increasing the flow rate of the fluid through said housing by locating the outlet opening at a minimum fluid pressure point, thereby maximizing the pressure difference between inlet and outlet openings to provide rapid response of the thermocouple to changes in fluid stream temperature.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The thermocouple assembly according to claim 1 wherein said outlet opening is radially offset from the axis of said inlet opening.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
The thermocouple according to claim 2 wherein an outlet opening in the housing is located either 75° or 285° from the downstream side of the fluid stream flow axis.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
The thermocouple according to claim 2 wherein an outlet opening in the housing is located within a band extending either from 45°-85° or 275°-315° from the downstream side of the fluid stream flow axis.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The thermocouple according to claim 2 wherein offset outlet openings are located on both sides of said axis.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
The thermocouple according to claim 5 wherein the offset outlet openings are respectively located 75° and 285° from the downstream side of the fluid stream flow axis.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
The thermocouple according to claim 5 wherein the offset openings are respectively located within bands extending from 45°-85° and from 275°-315° from the downstream side of the fluid stream flow axis.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
The thermocouple according to claim 5 wherein the outlet openings are axially offset from the plane of the inlet opening.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
The thermocouple according to claim 8 wherein the outlet openings are respectively located above and below the plane of the inlet openings.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
The thermocouple according to claim 6 wherein the outlet openings are axially offset from the plane of the inlet opening.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
The thermocouple according to claim 6 wherein the outlet openings are respectively located above and below the plane of the inlet opening.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
The thermocouple according to claim 7 wherein the outlet openings are axially offset from the plane of the inlet opening.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
The thermocouple according to claim 7 wherein the outlet openings are respectively located above and below the plane of the inlet opening.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
105 words
A thermocouple assembly for measuring the temperature of a gaseous stream including at least one thermocouple junction positioned in a casing surrounded by a protective housing spaced from said casing, (a) means to expose the thermocouple junction in said housing to a gaseous stream including an inlet opening and at least one outlet opening in said housing, (b) said outlet opening being offset from the inlet opening, the degree of off-set being chosen to locate the outlet opening in a minimal pressure area on the outside of the housing to maximize the pressure difference across said openings and the gas flow rate through said housing.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
105 words
A thermocouple assembly for measuring the temperature of a gaseous stream including at least one thermocouple junction positioned in a casing surrounded by a protective housing spaced from said casing, (a) means to expose the thermocouple junction in said housing to a gaseous stream including an inlet opening and at least one outlet opening in said housing, (b) said outlet opening being offset from the inlet opening, the degree of off-set being chosen to locate the outlet opening in a minimal pressure area on the outside of the housing to maximize the pressure difference across said openings and the gas flow rate through said housing.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
123 words
A thermocouple assembly for measuring the temperature of a gaseous stream including at least one protected thermocouple junction surrounded by a housing spaced from said thermocouple, the space between said protected thermocouple and said housing being accessible to the gaseous stream, (a) an inlet and at least one outlet opening in said housing to produce gas flow through the space between said thermocouple and the housing, (b) means to maximize the gas flow rate throught said space comprising locating the outlet opening in said housing substantially at the gas separation point for the gaseous boundary layer on the exterior of the housing whereby the gas pressure at the outlet opening is minimized and the pressure differential between inlet and outlet openings is maximized.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
123 words
A thermocouple assembly for measuring the temperature of a gaseous stream including at least one protected thermocouple junction surrounded by a housing spaced from said thermocouple, the space between said protected thermocouple and said housing being accessible to the gaseous stream, (a) an inlet and at least one outlet opening in said housing to produce gas flow through the space between said thermocouple and the housing, (b) means to maximize the gas flow rate throught said space comprising locating the outlet opening in said housing substantially at the gas separation point for the gaseous boundary layer on the exterior of the housing whereby the gas pressure at the outlet opening is minimized and the pressure differential between inlet and outlet openings is maximized.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1987-08-21 | 1988-02-20 | 1988-08-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-08-21 | 1992-02-20 | 1992-08-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-08-21 | 1996-02-20 | 1996-08-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |