Patent ID: 6286997
Filing Date: 2001-09-11
Classification: G01K

Abstract:
A temperature indicator for providing a visual indication that a pressurized fluid has exceeded a specified temperature, such pressurized fluid being contained within a container bounded by a container wall, such container wall being provided with an aperture for mounting of said temperature indicator therein such that said temperature indicator protrudes through such aperture and into such pressurized fluid contained within such container, said temperature indicator comprising:a housing member;a cavity provided in said housing member;a bore extending from an interior portion of said cavity to an exterior surface of said housing member, said exterior surface of said housing member being visible from a position external of such container when said temperature indicator is mounted in such aperture such that said temperature indicator protrudes through such aperture and into such pressurized fluid contained within such container;a plunger member at least partially disposed within said cavity, said plunger member extending into said bore; anda bonding agent bonding said plunger member to said housing member, said bonding agent being substantially directly in contact with such pressurized fluid contained within such container and said bonding agent being thermosensitive to substantially release said bonding of said plunger member to said housing member upon said bonding agent substantially exceeding said specified temperature;said cavity of said housing member including a cylinder portion;said plunger member including a piston portion and a stem portion extending outwardly from said piston portion and into said bore;said piston portion being slidingly mated within said cylinder portion to provide coaxial movement with respect thereto;said plunger member having a pressurized surface;said pressurized surface of said plunger member being pressurized by direct contact with such pressurized fluid contained within such container; andsaid plunger member moving within said bore toward said exterior surface of said housing member, upon said substantial release of said plunger member by said bonding agent, under a force caused by such pressurized fluid contained within such container acting on said pressurized surface of said plunger member.