Plastic /polycarbonate/ insulator improves thermocouple reliability in test operations. The insulator is molded in half sections, assembled mechanically and eliminates electrical shorting

Gracey, C. M.

English

NASA Technical Reports Server

Thermocoup
ed Thermocouple 
Prote 
December 1966
	
Brief 66-10709 
•cU*	 AEC-NASA TECH BRIEF 
AEC-NASA Tech Briefs describe innovations resulting from the research and development program 
of the U.S. AEC or from AEC-NASA interagency efforts. They are issued to encourage commercial 
application. Tech Briefs are published by NASA and may be purchased, at 15 cents each, from 
the Clearinghouse for Federal Scientific and Technical Information, Springfield, Virginia 22151. 
Thermocouple—Flexible Cable Connector Insulator Is Highly Reliable 
The problem: 
To design highly reliable thermocouple connectors 
for use in test operations. A commercially available 
steel sheath type of thermocouple was furnished with 
the flexible instrumentation cable attached. As sup-
plied the connection of the instrumentation cable leads 
to the thermocouple lead-in wires at the end of the 
steel sheath was insulated by epoxy potting. This con-
nection was highly unreliable because of the electrical 
shorts that developed. A more reliable type of con-
nection and insulator was required. 
AMk
The solution: 
A plastic (polycarbonate) insulator that is molded 
in half sections, assembled mechanically, and elimi-
nates electrical shorting. 
How it's done: 
The thermocouple insulator and protective cap 
enclose the steel sheathed thermocouple which con-
tains two wire leads. The steel sheathed thermocouple 
with its bare wire leads is placed in one of the insu-
lator halves so that the wires are separated. The in-
strumentátion cable wire leads are soldered or laid 
This document was prepared under the sponsorship of the Atomic liability resulting from the use of the information contained in this 
Energy Commission and/or the National Aeronautics and Space document, or warrants that the use of any information, apparatus, 
Administration. Neither the United States Government nor any per- method, or process disclosed in this document may not infringe pri-
son acting on behalf of the United States Government assumes any vately owned rights.
https://ntrs.nasa.gov/search.jsp?R=19660000707 2020-03-11T17:43:20+00:00Z
against the thermocouple bare wire leads and the 
other insulator half is mated together. The protective 
cap is press fitted over the insulator halves, and the 
unit is then dipped in methylene chloride thus bonding 
the entire unit together. 
Note: 
Inquiries concerning this innovation may be di-
rected to:
Technology Utilization Officer 
AEC-NASA Space Nuclear Propulsion 
Office 
U.S. Atomic Energy Commission 
Washington, D.C. 20545 
Reference: B66-10709
Patent status: 
No patent action is contemplated by AEC or 
NASA.
Source: C. M. Gracey
of Aerojet-General Corporation 
under contract to
AEC-NASA Space Nuclear Propulsion Office 
(NU-0082) 
Brief 66-10709	 Category 01


Thermocouple-flexible cable connector insulator is highly reliable

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