Patent ID: 6890095

Claim:
A temperature sensor for approximating fluid temperature averaged at multiple points, the sensor comprising: a plurality of thermistors, each thermistor having a first lead, a second lead, and a sensing element which changes electrical response between the first and second leads as a function of temperature; circuit wires electrically connecting the thermistors in a longitudinally spaced relationship in a single circuit via attachment to the leads, each circuit wire being formed of metal; dielectric insulation around the circuit wires; and clips bridging each thermistor, each clip having a first attachment tab secured to the dielectric insulation on one side of a thermistor, a second attachment tab secured to the dielectric insulation on the other side of the thermistor, and a bridge portion running between the first attachment tab and the second attachment tab, the bridge portion being sufficiently strong to transfer stress between attached dielectric insulations, wherein the single circuit can be monitored across a single voltage differential to approximate fluid temperature averaged at multiple points longitudinally spaced on the single circuit.