Patent ID: 6834993
Filing Date: 2004-12-28
Classification: G01K

Abstract:
A probe for measuring the surface temperature of a pipe, the probe comprising:a detector assembly including a rigid, unitary clamp member having a bottom, pipe engagement surface, an oppositely disposed upper surface, and first and second locking dogs extending upwardly from the upper surface defining a gap having a width WG therebetween, and a temperature sensor assembly carried on the pipe engagement surface; and a strap having a rectangular shape and extending longitudinally from a proximal end portion to a distal end portion, the proximal end portion being mounted to the clamp member, the strap being flexible and longitudinally resilient and having a thickness TU in an unstretched condition and a thickness TS in a stretched condition, where TU>TS, TU>WG, and WG>TS; wherein the probe is mounted to the pipe for measuring the temperature of the pipe by positioning the pipe engagement surface of the clamp member against the pipe, wrapping the strap around the pipe, applying a tensile force to the distal end portion of the strap, whereby the thickness of the strap decreases from TU to TS, positioning the strap in the gap between the first and second locking dogs, and removing the tensile force, whereby a segment of the strap disposed between the first and second locking dogs expands to a thickness substantially equal to WG to clamp the strap between the first and second locking dogs.