Rapid response sensor housing
A sensor assembly includes a housing having a body having a distal end portion defining an internal cavity and a proximal end portion defining a plurality of internal passageways. A micro-sensor is disposed within the internal cavity and exposed to the outside environment and an internal wall separates the internal cavity from the plurality of internal passageways. The micro-sensor abuts the internal wall.
1. A sensor assembly comprising:
a housing comprising a unitary body having an internal cavity exposed to an outside environment, a plurality of internal passageways separated by an intermediate wall of the unitary body, the plurality of internal passageways extending and opening into the internal cavity;
a micro-sensor disposed within the internal cavity and exposed to the outside environment, the micro-sensor having a pair of lead wires that extend from the micro-sensor through the plurality of internal passageways; and
an internal wall separating the internal cavity from the internal passageways, wherein the micro-sensor abuts the internal wall.
2. The sensor assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the micro-sensor is secured within the internal cavity by a thermal adhesive.
3. The sensor assembly according to claim 2 , wherein the thermal adhesive, the housing and a substrate of the micro-sensor have a matched coefficient of thermal expansion.
4. The sensor assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the internal cavity defines at least one surface that geometrically matches a contact surface of the micro-sensor.
5. The sensor assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the internal cavity defines a rectangular geometry.
6. The sensor assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the micro-sensor comprises a thin film resistive temperature device (RTD).
7. The sensor assembly to claim 4 , wherein the at least one surface of the internal cavity and the contact surface of the micro-sensor are flat.
8. The sensor assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the internal passageways define arcuate end portions.
9. The sensor assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the internal cavity defines a geometry that matches an outer geometric periphery of the micro-sensor.
10. The sensor assembly according to claim 1 , wherein at least one surface of the internal cavity defines a geometry that matches a contact surface of the micro-sensor.
11. The sensor assembly according to claim 1 , wherein a diameter of the lead wires increases as the lead wires extend through the internal passageways.
12. A housing for use in positioning a micro-sensor, the housing comprising a one-piece member comprising:
an internal cavity exposed to an outside environment;
a plurality of internal passageways separated by an intermediate wall of the one-piece member, the plurality of internal passageways extending and opening into the internal cavity, the internal cavity defining at least one surface that geometrically matches a contact surface of the micro-sensor; and
an internal wall separating the internal cavity from the internal passageways, wherein the internal wall is configured to receive the micro-sensor for proper positioning within the housing.
13. The housing according to claim 12 , wherein the micro-sensor is secured within the internal cavity by a thermal adhesive.
14. The housing according to claim 13 , wherein the thermal adhesive, the housing and a substrate of the micro-sensor have a matched coefficient of thermal expansion.