Method, system and apparatus for measuring temperature with cold junction compensation

1. A cold junction compensation system for a temperature measurement device having a processing circuit, the cold junction compensation system comprising:

a cold junction temperature sensor arranged for signal communication with the processing circuit;

a thermal coupler in thermal communication with the cold junction temperature sensor;

a first and a second contact each in thermal communication with the thermal coupler and in electrical isolation with each other, each contact arranged for signal communication with the processing circuit and arranged for signal communication with a hot junction temperature sensor;

a substrate for supporting the cold junction temperature sensor, the cold junction temperature sensor being disposed between the substrate and the thermal coupler,

wherein a signal from the hot junction temperature sensor is communicated to the processing circuit via the first and second contacts, the cold junction temperature sensor senses the cold junction temperature at the first and second contacts via the thermal coupler, and a signal representative of the cold junction temperature is communicated to the processing circuit for enabling a cold junction compensation calculation.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the thermal coupler comprises an elastomeric material having thermally conductive properties and electrically resistive properties.

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the first and second contacts each have a weight of equal to or less than about 1 gram.

4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the thermal coupler comprises a potting compound having thermally conductive properties and electrically resistive properties.

5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the substrate further comprises signal paths directed toward the processing circuit from both the cold junction temperature sensor and the first and second contacts.

6. The system of claim 1 , wherein the thermal coupler provides a seal to enclose the cold junction temperature sensor between the thermal coupler and the substrate.

7. The system of claim 6 , further comprising:

a cover securely engaged with the substrate, the cover having recesses for receiving the first and second contacts and ports for receiving a hot junction temperature sensor connector.

8. The system of claim 7 , wherein the cover further comprises a sidewall extending to and engaging with the thermal coupler, thereby compressing at least a portion of the thermal coupler against the substrate to form the seal.

9. The system of claim 1 , wherein the cold junction temperature sensor is centrally disposed between the first and second contacts.

10. The system of claim 1 , wherein the first and second contacts each comprise flat blanks that are sheared and formed to provide a hot junction temperature sensor connection at one end and a substrate connection at the other end.

11. The system of claim 1 , wherein the first and second contacts have a thermal time constant of equal to or less than about one minute.

12. In a temperature measurement device having a processing circuit, a method for compensating for the measurement error introduced by a cold junction, the method comprising:

communicating a signal from a hot junction temperature sensor to the processing circuit via a pair of contacts that define a cold junction, each contact having a weight equal to or less than about 1 gram, the contacts being in thermal communication with each other and electrically isolated from each other;

communicating the temperature of the cold junction to a temperature sensor via an elastomeric thermal coupler, the elastomeric thermal coupler having thermally conductive and electrically resistive properties; and

generating at the temperature sensor and communicating to the processing circuit a signal representative of the cold junction temperature;

wherein the processing circuit is adapted for receiving and analyzing the signals from the pair of contacts and from the temperature sensor to provide a cold junction compensated temperature reading.

13. The method of claim 12 , further comprising:

sealing the cold junction temperature sensor from ambient.

14. The method of claim 12 , wherein the pair of contacts have a thermal time constant of equal to or less than about one minute.

15. A temperature measurement device, comprising:

a housing;

a processing circuit;

an input and output interface; and

a cold junction compensation system, the cold junction compensation system comprising:

a cold junction temperature sensor arranged in signal communication with the processing circuit;

a thermal coupler in thermal communications with the cold junction temperature sensor;

a first and a second contact each in thermal communication with the thermal coupler and in electrical isolation with each other, each contact arranged in signal communication with the processing circuit and arranged for signal communication with a hot junction temperature sensor;

a substrate for supporting the cold junction temperature sensor, the cold junction temperature sensor being disposed between the substrate and the thermal coupler;

wherein a signal from the hot junction temperature sensor is communicated to the processing circuit via the first and second contacts, the cold junction temperature sensor senses the cold junction temperature at the first and second contacts via the thermal coupler, and a signal representative of the cold junction temperature is communicated to the processing circuit for enabling a cold junction compensation calculation.

16. The device of claim 15 , wherein:

the thermal coupler comprises an elastomeric material having thermally conductive properties and electrically resistive properties; and

the thermal coupler is disposed to provide a seal to enclose the cold junction temperature sensor between the thermal coupler and the substrate.

17. The device of claim 16 , wherein the first and second contacts each have a weight of equal to or less than about 1 gram.