Patent ID: 8739642
Filing Date: 2014-06-03
Classification: G01D

Abstract:
1. A sensor assembly for detecting a characteristic of a substance in a pipe, the pipe including a pipe connector with an inlet surface and defining an aperture that provides access into the pipe, the sensor assembly comprising: a sensor that detects the characteristic of the substance in the pipe; and a sensor housing that is fixed for movement with the sensor and that engages the pipe connector to support the sensor at least partially in the pipe, the sensor housing defining a longitudinal axis and including a first retainer having a tapered surface that tapers relative to the longitudinal axis and a second surface extending substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and a second retainer having at least one channel formed by a first wall extending circumferentially about the longitudinal axis and opposing the second surface of the first retainer and a second wall extending from the first wall and substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis, the tapered surface abutting against the inlet surface of the pipe connector to guide the sensor housing as the sensor housing moves substantially parallel to and rotates about the longitudinal axis within the aperture, the sensor housing engageable with the pipe connector to abuttingly retain the pipe connector between the second surface of the first retainer and the first wall of the second retainer to limit movement of the sensor housing in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis, the second retainer abutting against the inlet surface of the pipe connector to limit rotation of the sensor housing about the longitudinal axis.