Patent 7855632 was granted and assigned to Watlow on December, 2010 by the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
A temperature sensor includes an autonomous sensing element and a plurality of conductive wires connected to the sensing element. An electrical insulator surrounds the sensing element and the conductive wires for firmly holding the sensing element and conductive wires. The insulator includes substantially crushed and compacted powder insulation. A tube encases the insulator in a compressed manner and has a first end, a second end, a first portion having a first inside diameter located in the proximity of the first end and a second portion having a second inside diameter. The second inside diameter being greater than the first inside diameter. The sensing element is positioned within the second portion of the tube. Methods of manufacturing a temperature sensor are also included.