Patent ID: 6068400
Filing Date: 2000-05-30
Classification: G01K

Abstract:
An adapter for use in making thermocouple based temperature measurements using a handheld multimeter and a thermocouple probe, the multimeter having three or more signal input connectors, and the thermocouple probe having first and second voltage output connectors, with a voltage difference between the first and second voltage output connectors being representative of a temperature difference between a measurement thermocouple junction and a reference thermocouple junction, the reference thermocouple junction being located near and being closely thermally coupled with the first and second voltage output terminals, the adapter comprising:an isothermal material defining an isothermal domain within a first portion of the adapter;a first signal input connector for connecting the adapter to the first voltage output terminal of the thermocouple probe, the first signal input connector being closely thermally coupled to the isothermal domain;a second signal input connector for connecting the adapter to the first voltage output terminal of the thermocouple probe, the second signal input connector being closely thermally coupled to the isothermal domain;a temperature sensor, the temperature sensor being closely thermally coupled to the isothermal domain, and having a power supply input, a common connection, and producing a temperature output voltage signal at a temperature signal output, the level of the temperature output voltage signal being indicative of the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor;a thermal resistance material defining a thermal resistance zone within a second portion of the adapter;a first signal output connector for connecting the adapter to a first terminal of the handheld multimeter, the first signal output connector being electrically coupled to the first signal input connector and thermally isolated from the isothermal domain by the thermal resistance zone;a second signal output connector for connecting the adapter to a second terminal of the handheld multimeter, the second signal output connector being electrically coupled to the second signal input connector and the common connection of the temperature sensor and being thermally isolated from the isothermal domain by the thermal resistance zone; anda third signal output connector for connecting the adapter to a third terminal of the handheld multimeter, the third signal output connector being electrically coupled to the temperature output for conveying the temperature output voltage signal and being thermally isolated from the isothermal domain by the thermal resistance zone.