Abstract: A terminal connector head with a housing and a cover for removably mounting to the housing. In one embodiment, the housing has holes formed in an inner surface for alternatively receiving either a first type of terminal block or a second type of terminal block. The first terminal block and the second terminal block are configured to be mounted in the housing by one or more attachment members which are received in a plurality of the holes.

Abstract: A protective tube is provided for a temperature sensor. The protective tube includes an inner metal tube including a chamber for containing a temperature sensor, an intermediate refractory sleeve surrounding and abutting at least a portion of the inner metal tube, and an outer refractory sleeve cast onto the intermediate refractory sleeve. The outer refractory sleeve covers the intermediate refractory sleeve and the inner metal tube inside the intermediate refractory sleeve. The intermediate refractory sleeve is made of an elastic material such as a ceramic refractory paper or coating or a fiberglass material that deforms during expansion and contraction of the inner metal tube and the outer refractory sleeve with changing temperature. The intermediate refractory sleeve provides a buffer between the inner metal tube and the outer refractory sleeve to minimize rupture of the outer refractory sleeve which might otherwise occur during expansion and contraction of the tube and sleeve with changing temperature.

Abstract: A terminal connector head has a housing and a cover. The cover is removably mounted on the housing. The housing has an inner surface that has holes formed therein. The holes receive threaded inserts into which terminal screws are threaded. The holes are formed in pairs to provide for terminal strips. That is, two terminal screws are threaded into the threaded inserts in each pair of holes with a connecting link extending therebetween. The holes are located in the inner surface of the housing such that one or more of the threaded inserts in the holes will match holes or slots in a terminal block. The terminal block can then be mounted in the housing by using the threaded inserts which match up with the holes or slots in the terminal block. Illustratively, the terminal block has slots on either side. Each slot matches up with a threaded insert in one of the holes formed in the inner surface of the housing.

Abstract: A protective tube for a temperature sensor, such as a thermocouple assembly, comprises an inner metal tube which is open on either end, a thermally conductive plug for attaching to and closing one end of the tube, and a surrounding layer of refractory ceramic fiber material. The refractory ceramic fiber material is bonded to a portion of the outer surface of the metal tube and to a portion of an outer surface of the thermally conductive plug. In especially preferred embodiments, the refractory ceramic fiber material is preformed in individual tube sections which are conveniently slid over the outside diameter of the inner metal tube and, in some cases, a portion of the thermally conductive plug. Bonding is preferably achieved by a layer of refractory cement disposed between at least portions of the outer surfaces of the inner tube and thermally conductive plug and the inner surfaces of the tube sections. The thermally conductive plug is provided with an inner bore for receiving the temperature sensor.