Patent ID: 7300203
Filing Date: 2007-11-27
Classification: G01K

Abstract:
1. A sensor assembly comprising: a housing comprising a plurality of walls substantially entirely enclosing an internal chamber, the plurality of walls including a first wall comprising thermally-conductive material defining a heat sink, the first wall having an internal surface and an external surface; a sensor element located within the chamber; and an integrated circuit mounted within the housing via a mounting surface, the integrated circuit coupled to the sensor element and the first wall of the housing with substantially the entire mounting surface mounted directly to the first wall, wherein the integrated circuit is in heat-conductive communication with the internal surface of the first wall through substantially the entire mounting surface, wherein the material of the first wall is responsive to heat generated by the integrated circuit by conducting heat away from the integrated circuit and sensor element and toward the external surface of the first wall to limit heat buildup proximate the integrated circuit, and wherein the plurality of walls includes a plurality of integrally-formed plastic walls molded to the first wall.