Temperature sensing devices

Abstract

A digitally based system is designed to sense temperatures at a plurality of places and transmit temperature data along a hard-wire cable or distributed (wireless) network to an integrated data collection and control appliance. The system can perform single “spot” measurements or arrange multiple readings in a database for later use. Semiconductor-based sensors with digital output and data transmission capabilities allow large numbers of sensors to be placed along extended lengths of signal cable consisting of only three or four wires. The device incorporates electrical insulating materials, encapsulants, and mechanical strain relief designed to protect the sensors and transmission lines from failures related to exposure to extreme cold. Though described here for cold region applications, the embodiment of this invention encompasses moderate and tropical environments as well, or temperatures ranging from −40 C. to +85 C.

20 . A temperature sensing device comprising:
 a housing comprising an elongated structure having opposite ends spaced from each other in the elongated direction;   a temperature sensor in the housing; and   a cable extending from one end of the opposite ends of the housing, the cable comprising signal communication with the temperature sensor.   
     
     
         21 . The device of  claim 20  wherein the housing comprises a single structure of material. 
     
     
         22 . The device of  claim 20  wherein the housing comprises a single structure of polymeric material. 
     
     
         23 . The device of  claim 20  wherein the one end of the housing comprises a tapered configuration extending along the elongated direction to the cable. 
     
     
         24 . The device of  claim 20  further comprising a printed circuit board in the housing and wherein the temperature sensor is mounted on the printed circuit board. 
     
     
         25 . The device of  claim 20  wherein the cable comprises a conductor dedicated solely to an unregulated input power supply, and the conductor is coupled to the temperature sensor. 
     
     
         26 . The device of  claim 20  wherein the cable comprises at least four discrete conductors. 
     
     
         27 . The device of  claim 20  wherein the housing comprises polymeric material and wherein the cable comprises polymeric material, and wherein the polymeric material of the housing and the cable are the same polymeric material. 
     
     
         28 . The device of  claim 20  wherein the housing comprises a first polymeric material and wherein the cable comprises a second polymeric material different from the first polymeric material of the housing. 
     
     
         29 . The device of  claim 20  wherein the cable comprises a first polymeric material and a second polymeric material, the first polymeric material being a different composition relative the second polymeric material. 
     
     
         30 . The device of  claim 20  wherein the cable comprises at least three discrete polymeric structures. 
     
     
         31 . The device of  claim 20  wherein the cable comprises a first polymeric material and a second polymeric material, the first polymeric material comprising a different composition relative the second polymeric material. 
     
     
         32 . The device of  claim 20  wherein the cable comprises at least three discrete polymeric structures, one of the three polymeric structures comprises a composition different from a composition of an other of the three polymeric structures. 
     
     
         33 . The device of  claim 20  wherein the cable comprises at least three discrete polymeric structures, the three polymeric structures comprising three different polymeric compositions. 
     
     
         34 . A temperature sensing device comprising:
 a housing comprising an elongated structure extending in an elongated direction;   a temperature sensor in the housing; and   a cable extending from the housing and comprising an elongated structure that extends in the elongated direction with the housing, the cable comprising signal communication with the temperature sensor.   
     
     
         35 . The device of  claim 34  wherein the housing comprises an outer surface configuration having only three surfaces. 
     
     
         36 . The device of  claim 35  wherein the three surfaces comprise a central cylindrical surface between two opposite end surfaces, the two end surfaces comprising conical surfaces. 
     
     
         37 . The device of  claim 34  wherein:
 the housing comprises a first cylindrical configuration between two opposite ends;   the cable comprises a second cylindrical configuration having diametric dimensions less than diametric dimensions of the first cylindrical configuration of the housing; and   the two opposite ends of the housing comprise conical configurations extending between the first and second cylindrical configurations.   
     
     
         38 . A temperature sensing device comprising:
 a temperature sensor;   a voltage regulator coupled to the temperature sensor; and   a housing encapsulating the temperature sensor and the voltage regulator.   
     
     
         39 . The device of  claim 38  further comprising a printed circuit board encapsulated in the housing, wherein the temperature sensor and the voltage regulator are both mounted on the printed circuit board.