Claims
- 1. Apparatus for obtaining temperature and humidity measurements within a conduit, having an inner surface, comprising:
an elongated tube extending along a longitudinal axis and having a wire cage at one end thereof; at least first and second sensor arrangements longitudinally disposed on the outside of said tube and within the confines of said cage, for obtaining an indication of conduit temperature and humidity; a plurality of longitudinally disposed temperature sensors extending outside the confines of said cage and adapted to contact the inner surface of said conduit for obtaining surface temperature measurements; and interface connectors connected to said temperature sensors and sensors disposed within said sensor arrangements for providing output signals to an analyzing system.
- 2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein:
said conduit is an airway of a breathing subject.
- 3. Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein:
said breathing subject is a human.
- 4. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein:
each of said first and second sensor arrangements includes a pair of temperature sensors; one temperature sensor of said pair being covered by a wick and including a wetting arrangement for wetting said wick.
- 5. Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein:
said wetting arrangement includes a source of liquid, a capillary tube connected at one end thereof to said source of liquid and said wick being in liquid communication with the other end of said capillary tube.
- 6. Apparatus according to claim 5 wherein:
said liquid is distilled water.
- 7. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein:
said temperature sensors are thermocouples.
- 8. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein:
said elongated tube is relatively flexible; and which includes a support wire extending along said longitudinal axis within said elongated tube to allow said elongated tube to assume a bent position and to maintain said bent position.
- 9. Apparatus according to claim 1 which includes:
a seal at the one end of said elongated tube.
- 10. Apparatus according to claim 1 which includes:
a second tube coaxially positioned, and longitudinally moveable, within said elongated tube, and extending past the one end thereof; said wire cage having a distal end and a proximal end; said distal end being connected to said second tube; said proximal end being connected to said elongated tube, whereby forward movement of said second tube will cause said wire cage to reduce its outer dimension.
- 11. Apparatus according to claim 10 wherein:
each of said plurality of longitudinally disposed temperature sensors is positioned on the outside of a predetermined wire of said wire cage.
- 12. Apparatus according to claim 11 wherein:
a pair of said temperature sensors, one forward and one rearward, is positioned on each said wire.
- 13. Apparatus according to claim 10 which includes:
a seal at the end of said second tube.
STATEMENT OF GOVERNMENT INTEREST
[0001] The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or for the Government of the United States of America for government purposes without the payment of any royalties therefor.