Patent ID: 7080940
Filing Date: 2006-07-25
Classification: G01J,G01K

Abstract:
1. A sensor for measuring the temperature of an object, the sensor comprising: a thermally conducting contact having a surface that emits electromagnetic radiation with a detectable optical characteristic that is functionally dependent on the temperature of the contact; a first light waveguide attached to the contact and configured to transmit the electromagnetic radiation from the contact; a guide having a bore through which the first waveguide is insertable into, such that when the contact is moved, the first waveguide Is movable within the bore; a resilient member directly attached to both the contact and the guide, wherein the resilient member extends the thermally conducting contact toward the object and provides the thermally conducting contact with rotational freedom with respect to the object; and a second light waveguide fixedly attached to the guide, the second light waveguide positioned to form a variable gap between an end of the first waveguide and an end of the second waveguide such that electromagnetic energy from the first waveguide traverses the gap and can be transmitted by the second waveguide.