Sensing method for cylindrical surfaces

Abstract

Provided herein is an apparatus and method for sensing the temperature of a tubing wall and a priori sensing the temperature of a fluid within the tubing. The apparatus has first and second clamp bodies, the first clamp body includes a heat transfer element and first and second electrical connections connected to the heat transfer element, the second clamp body is connectable to the first clamp body to form a clamped cavity between the first clamp body and the second clamp body, a clamped element having a wall is securable within the clamped cavity, and the heat transfer element is configured to contact an outer surface of the element clamped between the first clamp body and the second clamp body. The heat transfer element may have a thermally conductive mating element extending through one of the clamp bodies into the inside of the clamped cavity.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 157,086, filed March 5, 2021, which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] Embodiments of the present invention relate generally to devices and methods for sensing tubing or pipe wall temperature and for a priori sensing the temperature of a fluid within a tube or pipe. More particularly, the present invention relates to devices and methods of use of the devices, where the devices are releasably connected to a tube or pipe and configured to sense the temperature of the pipe or tube wall and a priori sense the temperature of a fluid within the pipe or tube or the temperature of an element on the exterior or interior wall of the pipe or tube wall. [Background technology]

[0003] Currently, there are several well-established solutions for measuring the temperature of the outer wall of a tube or pipe. One known method for doing this uses clip-on devices that are snapped or clipped onto the tube or pipe. These devices have the problem of low clamping force against the tube or pipe and low accuracy due to poor heat transfer between the outer tube or pipe wall and the temperature-sensing element of the clip. Other implementations that clamp a heat-sensitive element against the tube or pipe have at least one of the following problems: difficulty to install or low temperature sensitivity, such as poor temperature measurement accuracy due to poor heat transfer and large size, and also due to heat loss (induced by the heat-sensitive element) to the fluid or element (whose temperature is to be measured). Summary of the Invention

[0004] Provided herein is an apparatus and method for sensing the temperature of a tubing wall and a priori sensing the temperature of a fluid within the tubing. The apparatus has first and second clamp bodies, the first clamp body includes a heat transfer element and first and second electrical connections connected to the heat transfer element, the second clamp body is connectable to the first clamp body to form a clamped cavity between the first clamp body and the second clamp body, a clamped element having a wall is securable within the clamped cavity, and the heat transfer element is configured to contact an outer surface of the element clamped between the first clamp body and the second clamp body. The heat transfer element may have a thermally conductive mating element extending through one of the clamp bodies into the inside of the clamped cavity.

[0005] In order that the above-described features of the present disclosure may be understood in detail, the present disclosure briefly outlined above may be more particularly described by reference to embodiments. Some of these embodiments are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. However, it should be noted that the accompanying drawings merely illustrate exemplary embodiments, and therefore should not be considered as limiting the scope of the present invention, which may embrace other equally effective embodiments. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0006] [Figure 1A-1C] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a clamp assembly for mounting a temperature sensing element in heat exchange with an outer wall of a tubing or conduit. [Fig. 2A-2F] FIG. 2 is an isometric view of a clamp assembly for mounting a temperature sensing element in heat exchange with an outer wall of a tubing or conduit, including separate views of the individual clamp bodies of the clamp assembly. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is an isometric view, partially in phantom, showing the connection of a temperature sensing element to one of the bodies of the clamp assembly and to internal components of the clamp assembly. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a side view of a clamp assembly with tubing secured therein. [Figure 5A-5B] 11A-11C are cross-sectional views showing a clamp assembly with and without tubing secured thereto. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the insulator rod shown in FIG. 3, showing the internal electrical wiring of the insulator rod. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view of a portion of a clamp body of the clamp assembly having a thermal pad extending over and into the clamp body and a thermal device in contact with the thermal pad. [Figure 8] FIG. 13 is an isometric view of another alternative clamp assembly; [Figure 9] FIG. 13 is an isometric view of another additional alternative clamp assembly; [Figure 10A] FIG. 1D is a cross-sectional view of the clamp assembly of FIGS. 1A-1C modified to have a pin hinge connected to adjacent side walls of the clamp body of the clamp assembly. [Figure 10B] FIG. 1D is a cross-sectional view of the clamp assembly of FIGS. 1A-1C modified to have a web hinge connected to adjacent side walls of the clamp body of the clamp assembly. [Figure 11] FIG. 13 is an isometric view of a modified clamp assembly with the lid removed, showing details of modifications to the thermal coupling and electrical connections of the first body of the clamp assembly. [Figure 12A] FIG. 13 is a top view showing a body lid for the clamp assembly. [Figure 12B] FIG. 12B is a bottom view showing the body lid of FIG. 12A. [Figure 12C] FIG. 12C is an isometric view of the body lid of FIGS. 12A and 12B. [Figure 12D] FIG. 12C is a side view of the body lid of FIGS. 12A, 12B, and 12C. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0007] To facilitate understanding, like reference numerals have been used where possible to designate like elements common to the figures. It is contemplated that elements and features of one embodiment may be beneficially incorporated in other embodiments without specific specification.

[0008] Provided herein is a temperature sensing or heat generating device configured as a clamp assembly 1. In one aspect of the invention, the clamp assembly 1 is comprised of opposing first and second halves or bodies 4 and 5, which are rigidly fixable together over a tube 8 using fasteners such as bolts or clips or other mounting elements for securing a pipe or tube between the first and second bodies 4 and 5. A thermal device 2 configured as a temperature monitoring or measuring device or as a heat generating or receiving device may be received on one side of the body, here the first body 4, which is configured to allow for mounting the thermal device 2, e.g. a temperature sensing element, to the first body 4, here for sensing the temperature of the outer wall of the tube 8, over which the clamp assembly 1 is clamped. Here, thermal device 2 may be configured as one or more of a temperature measuring element useful in a temperature monitoring circuit, a thermal fuse, a thermal alarm device, or other element that at least a priori senses the temperature of an element, here the outer wall of tube 8, or a heat generating or absorbing element for locally absorbing heat from or inducing heat into the outer wall of tube 8. This heat absorbing or generating element may at least locally change the temperature of a fluid present in tube 8, including a fluid flowing within tube 8, or may locally heat or cool another material in or on tube 8.

[0009] A clamp assembly 1 is configured to provide a heat transfer path between an outer surface of a pipe or tube 8 and a thermal device 2 carried on a portion of one of the bodies, here the first body 4, of the clamp assembly 1. In the embodiment of the invention shown in Figures la-lc, the clamp assembly 1 has a first clamp body 4 and a second clamp body 5 having the same configuration, except for certain features in the first clamp body 4 that are not present or necessary in the second clamp body 5. However, while each of the bodies 4 and 5 may be identically configured, elements for enabling heat transfer between the thermal device 2 and the tube 8, and elements used to control or monitor the thermal device 2 located on or within the first clamp body 4, need not be present in or on the second clamp body 5. Here, the first clamp body 4 and the second clamp body 5 each have two fastener cavities, here a first pair of fastener cavities 13, 14 (first clamp body 4, FIG. 2B) and a second pair of fastener cavities 22, 24 (second clamp body 5, FIG. 2D), and an arcuate recess 11, here a hemispherical recess 11A having a semi-cylindrical surface 40 of radius R (FIG. 5A) extending inwardly of the sides, i.e., inwardly facing faces 10F, of the first body 4 and second body 5 facing toward the tube 8 and extending between and open at the opposite end faces 10D, 10E of the first body 4. Additionally, the first body 4 has a heat transfer thermal pad 3 (FIGS. 5A, 5B) connected to and extending through the first body 4 configured to receive the thermal device 2 in contact with the first body 4, and a pair of bus bars 6a, b provided for electrically interconnecting the thermal device 2 to devices located outside the clamp assembly 1. A lid 7 extends over the outwardly facing face 10A of the first body 4 (FIGS. 1A, 1B) as well as over the bus bars 6a, b and the thermal pad 3 located on or in the bus bars 6 as shown in FIG. 1C. Here, the lid 7 is affixed to the first body 4 using an adhesive.The primary function of the clamp assembly 1 is to establish heat transfer between the surface of the pipe or tube 8 and the thermal device 2 held in or on the clamp assembly 1, through the thermal pad 3. Thus, if the thermal device 2 is a temperature sensing element, the thermal device can accurately sense or infer the temperature of the outer wall of the pipe or tube 8. Similarly, if the thermal device 2 is configured to locally heat or cool the outer surface of the pipe or tube 8, the thermal pad 3 thermally couples the thermal device 2 to the outer surface of the pipe or tube 8, thereby enabling controlled heat transfer into or out of the wall of the pipe or tube 8 through the thermal pad 3. Thus, the heat-transmitting thermal pad 3 and the first body 4 are integrally configured to allow the thermal pad 3 to extend through the first body 4 (i.e., from the semi-cylindrical inner surface 40 of the body 4 toward the center of the radius along which the semi-cylindrical surface 40 extends as shown in FIG. 5A) outside the semi-cylindrical inner surface 40 of the first body 4 and above the opposite outwardly facing face 10A of the first body 4 (FIG. 1C) on which the lid 7 is placed. As a result, the thermal device 2 can contact a portion of the thermal pad 3 that extends above the upper surface of the first body 4, while the portion of the thermal pad 3 that extends through the first body 4 will contact the outer surface of the tube 8 sandwiched between the first body 4 and the second body 5.

[0010] FIG. 2A is an isometric view of the first body 4 and second body 5 of the clamp assembly 1. FIGs. 2B and 2C are plan views of the opposite outward facing faces 10A and inward facing faces 10F of the first body 4 of the clamp assembly 1. FIGs. 2D and 2E are plan views of the opposite outward facing faces 10A and inward facing faces 10F of the second body 5 of the clamp assembly 1. FIG. 2F is an isometric view of the clamp assembly 1 with a lid 7 on top of the clamp assembly 1. In this embodiment, the first clamp body 4 and second clamp body 5 are each generally configured as a rectangular prism with curved outer edges and a flat outer surface, but on the inward or tube facing sides of the first clamp body 4 and second clamp body 5, a semi-cylindrical surface 40 extends arcuately from the inward facing surfaces of the first body 4 and second body 5 to the inside of the first body 4 and second body 5. In one embodiment, clamp body 4 has six exterior surfaces generally distinct from one another, with generally flat or planar faces 10A-F and a semi-cylindrical surface 40 extending inwardly from face 10F. The top or outwardly facing face 10A is square or rectangular in plan view and may have rounded corners, and in use of clamp assembly 1, exterior face 10A of body 4 is covered by lid 7. Lid 7 is secured over the assembly, thereby providing a moisture-proof seal and electrical insulation.

[0011] 1-6, on the side of the body 4 opposite the outwardly facing face 10A is an inwardly facing face 10F, and like the generally planar surfaces, the inwardly facing face 10F is bisected by a recess formed by a semi-cylindrical surface 40 extending inwardly of the inwardly facing face 10F. A first pair of fastener cavities 13, 14 extend through the body 4, and a second pair of fastener cavities 22, 24 extend inwardly of the inwardly facing face 10F of the second body 5, with each of the first pair of fastener cavities 13, 14 and the second pair of fastener cavities 22, 24 opening onto either side of the semi-cylindrical surface 40 through the outwardly facing face 10A and the inwardly facing face 10F of the first body 4 and the second body 5, respectively. Alternatively, the second pair of fastener cavities 22, 24 may extend inwardly of the inwardly facing face 10F of the second clamp body 5 and terminate within the volume of the second clamp body 5. In this case, if the material of the second clamp body 5 has limited yield strength, a threaded insert (not shown) is located within each of the second pair of fastener cavities 22, 24. The outer perimeters of each of the first body 4 and second body 5 have opposing side faces 10b, 10C that extend generally parallel to one another and terminate at opposite ends at opposite end faces 10D, 10E. Semi-cylindrical surface 40 terminates at end faces 10D, 10E at both ends in a non-circumferential direction of semi-cylindrical surface 40, and outwardly facing face 10A and inwardly facing face 10F similarly terminate at end faces 10D, 10E at both ends in a first direction and end faces 10B, 10C at both ends in a second direction relative to the first direction.

[0012] The first body 4 is here configured to receive the thermal pad 3 and busbars 6a,b on or within the first body 4 to enable heat transfer between the thermal device 2, which will be in contact with the thermal pad 3, and the outer surface and thus the wall of the pipe or tube 8, which is clamped or otherwise secured between the opposing semi-cylindrical surfaces 40 of the first clamp body 4 and the second clamp body 5. The thermal device 2 is connected to devices located outside the clamp assembly 1 through the conductive busbars 6a,b, thereby enabling electrical signals to be sent to devices such as a thermal monitoring device or enabling a power source to input power to the thermal device 2 to heat or cool it (not shown).

[0013] Here, the first body 4 has three cavities extending inwardly of the outwardly facing face 10A, with two rectangular recess cavities 16, 17 flanking the central cavity 12, one of each of the two rectangular recess cavities 16, 17 disposed on either side of the central cavity 12. The rectangular recess cavities 16, 17 each extend inwardly of the outwardly facing face 10A generally parallel to the surface direction of the end faces 10D and 10E, i.e., in a direction extending between the end faces 10D, 10E. The central cavity 12 is located generally in the center of the outwardly facing face 10A relative to an edge of the outwardly facing face 10A, and here has a square or rectangular perimeter wall extending from the outwardly facing face 10A of the body 4 through the body 4, opening through a semi-cylindrical surface 40 of the body 4. The central cavity 12 is configured to allow a heat transfer element, here a portion of the thermal pad 3, to extend through the central cavity 12 and beyond the semi-cylindrical surface 40 and the outwardly facing face 10A of the body 4. Thus, when the two bodies 4, 5 of the clamp assembly 1 are secured together, a portion of the thermal pad 3 extending beyond the semi-cylindrical surface 40 contacts the outer surface of the pipe or tube 8 that extends within the circumferential boundary defined by the opposing semi-cylindrical surfaces 40 of both the first body 4 and the second body 5, and another portion of the thermal pad 3 extends outside the outwardly facing face 10A. On either side of the central cavity 12, there are two rectangular recessed cavities 16, 17 between the central cavity 12 and the end faces 10D and 10E of the body 4. Each rectangular recess cavity 16, 17 extends into the inside of the outwardly facing face 10A but does not penetrate through the body 4, thus providing a concave or inset area into which a component may be placed that is useful, for example, for obtaining and transmitting an electrical signal representative of the temperature of the pipe or tube 8 clamped between the first body 4 and the second body 5, or for providing power to increase or decrease the temperature by the thermal device 2 thereby transferring heat to or removing heat from the pipe or tube 8 through the thermal pad 3.

[0014] Each side face 10B and 10C is a rectangular face with curved edges and rounded corners. Opposite end faces 10D and 10E are rectangular faces with curved edges and rounded corners, as well as arcuate recesses that form the edges of end faces 10D and 10E, respectively, where semi-cylindrical surfaces 40 meet end faces 10D, 10E. Here, first clamp body 4 is constructed of a low thermal conductivity plastic material, such as polyethylene, polyacrylate, polyvinyl chloride, polycarbonate, ABS, or other relatively low thermal conductivity material that can be easily machined, molded, or molded to a near net shape and then machined to provide the structural elements described above. Alternatively, in other applications, clamp bodies 4, 5 may be constructed of a high thermal conductivity material, such as aluminum, or various steels. Additionally, if the clamp bodies are constructed of a highly thermally conductive material such as aluminum or various steels, the thermal pad 3 may be constructed as an integral extension of one of the bodies.

[0015] The second clamp body 5 is similarly a generally rectangular prism with curved outer edges. The second clamp body 5 similarly has six distinct outer surfaces, generally faces 10A-F, and a semi-cylindrical surface 40. The outwardly facing face 15A is a square or rectangular surface with rounded corners. Each side face 15B and 15C is a rectangular surface with curved edges and rounded corners. The opposite end faces 15D and 15E are rectangular surfaces with curved edges and rounded corners, and an arcuate concave edge, where a semi-cylindrical surface 40 meets the end faces 15d, 15E. The inwardly facing face 15F is a square or rectangular face with rounded corners and curved edges, and the semi-cylindrical surface 40 extends into the inwardly facing face 15F to bisect the inwardly facing face 15F. A second pair of fastener cavities 22, 24 extend at least inwardly of the inwardly facing face 15F. The cavities of the second pair of cavities 22, 24 may be threaded with a threaded insert or the like, may be a single diameter blind hole (so that the fastener threads itself into the wall of the blind hole), or may extend through the second body 5 and be open at the outwardly facing face 15A of the second body 5, so that a threaded fastener may be secured into the cavity 22, 24 or screwed into a fastener bearing against the outwardly facing face 15a. Thus, a fastener having a head bearing on the outwardly facing face 10A of the body 4, each extending through one of the first pair of cavities 13, 14 and one of the second pair of cavities 22, 24 and thereby threaded into those cavities or into a female threaded fastener and thereby bearing on the outwardly facing face 15A of the second body 5, enables the bodies 4, 5 to be brought together to clamp the pipe or tube 8 between the bodies 4, 5.Alternatively, the first body 4 and the second body 5 can be held together by an external clamp, or can be hinged together at one sidewall of the first body 4 and the second body 5 and held together by an integral fastener at the other sidewall of the first body 4 and the second body 5, as shown in Figures 10A and 10B. Like the first body 4, the second clamp body 5 is constructed of a low thermal conductivity plastic material, such as polyethylene, polyacrylate, polyvinyl chloride, polycarbonate, ceramic, or other relatively low thermal conductivity material that can be easily machined, molded, or molded to a near net shape and then machined to provide the structural elements described above. In another embodiment, the second clamp body 5 can be made of a non-electrically insulating material, such as a metal, if the design ensures a clamp body with high thermal conductivity.

[0016] As shown in Figures 5A and 5B, a central cavity 12 in the first clamp body 4 extends through the first body 4 from an opening 42 in the outwardly facing face 10A, thereby opening through a semi-cylindrical surface 40 at an opening 44. In one embodiment, the cavity 12 is square or rectangular in cross section, with the portion of the thermal pad 3 that extends through the cavity 12 having the same cross section as the perimeter of the opening. Other opening or cavity 12 shapes and corresponding thermal pad cross sections, such as circular, oval, or multi-sided, are also contemplated herein. The thermal pad 3 may freely cove within the opening, may have a cross section larger than the cross section of the cavity 12, or may be attached to the inner wall of the cavity 12 using an epoxy or other adhesive, or the like. Here, the thermal pad 3 has an enlarged tail portion 46 having a width W greater than the width w of the cavity 12, and optionally a depth extending in a direction perpendicular to the page of FIG. 5 greater than the corresponding depth of the opening 44 extending in a direction perpendicular to the page of FIG. 5. A protruding portion 48 of the thermal pad 3 extends from the tail portion 46 into the interior of the cavity 12, such that a perimeter projection 50 extends circumferentially about the location of the thermal pad 3 where the protruding portion 48 and the tail 46 meet. The perimeter projection 50 supports the semi-cylindrical surface 40 facing the tail 46 against the inwardly facing surface of the semi-cylindrical surface 40 of the first body 4 around the perimeter of the opening 42, thus limiting the position of the protruding portion 48 within the cavity 12 and preventing the tail portion 46 from being pushed through the cavity 12. Here, an outer surface 54 of a portion of the protruding tail 46 has the same cross-sectional shape as a cross-section of the generally rectangular perimeter of the cavity 12, which here is generally flat four walls sized to be slightly larger than the flat sidewalls of the cavity 12, so that the protruding tail portion 46 can be easily placed into an opening and, if desired, attached to the sidewalls of the cavity 12, such as with an epoxy or another adhesive. In another embodiment, the protruding portion 48 can be easily placed into or removed from the cavity 12, i.e., it is not attached to the first body 4 or the sidewalls of the cavity 12.

[0017] The extension engagement face 52 forms the terminus of the distal projection of the perimeter projection 50. In the free state of the tail portion 46, i.e., when the tail portion 46 is not compressed or biased in the direction of the semi-cylindrical surface 40 or the cavity 12, the engagement face 52 of the extending tail portion 46 extends as a flat, planar surface on its outside across both sides of the adjacent semi-cylindrical surface 40 on either side of the cavity 12. As a result, when the tube 8 is received within the perimeter of the semi-cylindrical surface 40 and clamped between the first body 4 and the second body 5, the outer surface 41 of the tube 8 contacts the engagement face 52. When the first body 4 and second body 5 are pulled together, such as by a fastener, clamp, or other mechanism, the outer surface 41 of the tube 8 will urge the surface of the engagement face 52 inwardly toward the extended tail portion 46, thereby conforming to the outer surface 41 of the pipe or tube 8, as indicated by the compression profile 56 of the engagement face 52 as shown in FIG. 5B. As a result, contact pressure is ensured between the surface of the compression profile 56 of the engagement face 52 and the contacting portion of the outer surface 41 of the pipe or tube 8, thereby ensuring high thermal conductivity between the engagement portion 52 of the protruding portion 48 and the outer surface of the pipe or tube 8. Additionally, the tail portion 46 spaces the outer surface 41 of the pipe or tube 8 from the entire semi-cylindrical surface 40 of the first body 4 and from substantially the entire semi-cylindrical surface 40 of the second body 5 in the compressed state of the tail portion 46 of Figure 5B (where the first body 4 and second body 5 clamp the pipe or tube 8 between them). The contact between the second body 5 and the outer wall of the pipe or tube may be no weaker than a line contact between the second body 5 and the outer wall of the pipe or tube in a direction extending inwardly of the page of Figure 5B.As a result, temperature changes of the outer surface 41 of the pipe or tube 8 caused by heat transfer to or from the outer surface 41 of the pipe or tube 8 through the first and second bodies and also by temperature hysteresis effects that arise when the second body forms a heat sink for the second body 5 are minimised.

[0018] The tail 46 of the thermal pad 3 (where the opening 12 has a generally square or rectangular perimeter) has a generally cubic shape with four head perimeter walls 60a-d that extend generally perpendicularly away from the perimeter projection 50 and the protruding portion 48 and terminate at an upper mounting face 62, as shown in Figures 1C and 5A. The tail perimeter walls 60b, d are parallel to one another and have equal lengths in a direction parallel to the outwardly facing face 10A of the first body 4, and terminate at both ends in longer perimeter walls 60a, c that are also equal to one another in a direction parallel to the outwardly facing face 10A. The element recess 58 extends inwardly of the upper mounting face 62 of the tail 46 of the thermal pad 3 generally parallel to the extension direction of the head perimeter walls 60a, c, and also terminates at both ends in the head perimeter walls 60b, d and is open at the head perimeter walls 60b, d.

[0019] 1C and 3, the element recess 58 is configured to have the same general profile as the outer surface of the thermal device 2 that will extend partially into the element recess 58. For example, here, if the temperature sensing element has an outer surface 64 (FIG. 6) that is a right cylinder, the recess 58 similarly has a general semi-cylindrical profile, i.e., the end of the recess 58 that opens at the head perimeter wall 60b, d is semicircular or within a few degrees of semicircular. Here, the thermal device 2 can include one or more of a temperature measuring device, a thermal fuse, a thermal switch, a temperature sensor, a solid-state temperature sensor, a thermocouple, a thermostat, a heating element, or a cooling element. In one embodiment, here, the bridging wall 66 of the lid 7 contacts the outer surface of the thermal device 2, thereby pressing the surface of the thermal device 2 facing the lid 7 into the inside of the element recess 58, thereby ensuring good thermal contact between the lid 7 and the thermal device 2. In another embodiment, at least a portion of the cylindrical outer surface 64 of the thermal device 2 facing the recess 58 is attached to the recess 58 using a thermally conductive adhesive.

[0020] As already explained and shown in Figures 2B and 3, two oblong recess cavities 16 and 17, here rectangular, extend inside the outwardly facing face 10A of the first body 4, one on each side of the central cavity 12 on both sides of the first body 4 that do not include the fastener cavities 13 and 14, i.e., recess cavity 16 is located between the central cavity 12 and the side face 10E, and recess cavity 17 is located between the central cavity 12 and the side face 10D. The rectangular recess cavities 16 and 17 extend from the outwardly facing face 10A of the first clamp body 4 into the body of the first clamp body 4, but do not pass through to the semicircular surface 40 of the first clamp body 4. Here, the thermal device 2 has a pair of conductive wires 25, 25' extending therefrom. Rectangular recess cavities 16 and 17 are shaped to hold a first bus bar 6a and a second bus bar 6b, respectively, each of the same configuration. Each bus bar 6a,b is conductive and configured to electrically interconnect a conductive wire 25,25' with a corresponding conductive line 9,9' associated with the bus bar 6a,6b. 6, each bus bar 6a, 6b here has the same configuration and is interchangeable, each bus bar 6a, 6b receives one of the conductive wires 25, 25' therein, the conductive wire 25, 25' is crimped or clamped within the bus bar, thereby electrically connecting the conductive wire 25 or 25' to the bus bar using a first conductive fixture 20 in physical and electrical contact with the bus bar 6a, b and the conductive lines 9, 9', and further using a second conductive fixture 26 physically and electrically connected to the bus bar 6a, b, the conductive lines 9, 9' are crimped or clamped within the bus bar, thereby electrically connecting the thermal device 2 to the outer portion of the clamp assembly 1 through the conductive lines 9, 9'. The conductive lines 9 may lead to a temperature threshold alarm, a temperature reading monitor, a controller for controlling a fluid property such as flow rate, temperature, viscosity, a heating or cooling device controller or power supply if the thermal device is a heating or cooling device, or the like, or another monitoring or control element.

[0021] Each of the conductive lines 9, 9' extends into a corresponding opening 72, 72' extending inwardly of one of the end faces 10B and 10C of the first clamp body 4, here face 10B, and into a corresponding one of the recess cavities 16, 17. As shown in FIG. 6, which is a cross-sectional view of the busbars 6a, b, each of the conductive lines 9 has an outer insulating jacket 9a and a central conductive core 9b. The jacket 9a is stripped from the core near the end of each conductive line, so that the conductive core 9b extends inwardly of the connection opening 70 within the side wall of each busbar 6a, 6b. A second conductive fastener 26, for example a machine screw also in contact with the conductive busbars 6a, 6b, is tightened to sandwich the conductive core 9b of each conductive line between a surface of the second conductive fastener 26 and the inner surface of the connection opening 70. Thus, each busbar 6a, 6b is electrically connected to a conductive core 9b of a conductive line 9, 9'. The busbars 6a and 6b extend longitudinally from a first end 30 of the busbar 6 to a location inside the second end 32 of the busbar 6 where the busbar 6 contacts a first conductive fastener 20, e.g., a machine screw, comprising a conductive material. The second end 32 of the busbar 6 has an upper protrusion or upper lip 33 into which a wire receiving opening 31 extends and a threaded opening into which the first conductive fastener 20 is screwed. The base of the shaft of the first conductive fastener 20 faces the lower portion of the wire receiving opening. The ends of the conductive wires 25, 25' (first conductive wire 25 is shown) extend inside the wire receiving opening 31. By threading the first conductive fastener 20 inside the upper lip, the base of the shaft of the first conductive fastener 20 biases a portion of the first conductive wire 25 against the wall of the wire-receiving opening 31, thereby electrically connecting the conductive wire 25 through the bus bars 6a, 6b and the outwardly extending conductive line 9 to the outer portion of the clamp assembly 1. Similarly, the second conductive wire 25' is electrically connected through the second bus bar 6b ​​to the outer conductive line 9', thereby connecting the first conductive wire 25 and the second conductive wire 25' to components external to the clamp assembly.

[0022] As previously discussed herein, the thermal device 2 may include one or more of a temperature measuring device, a thermal fuse, a thermal switch, a temperature sensor, a solid-state temperature sensor, a thermocouple, a thermostat or other heat sensitive element, or a heat generating element or a heat sink (cooling) element. Thus, the clamp assembly 1 may be configured to function as a high or low alarm, cutoff, or real-time measuring or monitoring device for the outer wall of the pipe or tube 8 in conjunction with an external monitoring circuit, and the monitored value or measurement of the wall temperature is used to control or shut off equipment (not shown) to, from, or within which the fluid in the pipe or tube 8 monitored by the clamp assembly is flowing or present. For example, if the temperature of the outer surface 41 of the pipe or tube 8 is operating as desired in a particular temperature range, the measured or monitored temperature may be used to shut off power supplied to the equipment for safety or performance, or may be used to control a thermal fluid circuit associated with the equipment to maintain the wall temperature within a range indicative of a desired temperature of the fluid in the pipe or tube 8. In addition, the thermal device 2 may be configured to wirelessly transmit data received or generated within the thermal device 2 indicative of the temperature of the wall of the tubing 8. In this case, the busbars 6a,b are not required. In addition, the conductive lines 9, 9' may be connected to a wireless transmitter for transmitting data regarding the wall temperature of the pipe or tube 8 to a control device for the facility. Similarly, data output from the thermal device may be recorded or logged to monitor the thermal condition of the outer wall of the pipe or tube 8, the electrical condition of the thermal device, or both. Here, conductive wires 25, 25' extend from the thermal device at both ends or both sides of the thermal device. However, other configurations are contemplated, where conductors, for example in the form of conductive wires 25, 25', extend from the same side or end of the thermal device 2.In addition, the thermal device 2 may be configured as a heating or cooling device, whereby heat transfer is performed through the thermal pad 3 to transfer heat from the pipe or tube 8 to the thermal device 2 or from the thermal device 2 to the pipe or tube 8. Depending on the use or requirement of the thermal device 2, the thermal device 2 may be grounded to the clamp assembly 1 or may be ungrounded from the clamp assembly 1. If the thermal device 2 is to be grounded to the clamp assembly, at least one of the first body 4 and the second body 5 needs to be conductive and connected to the ground terminal through a grounding strap, where the thermal device is electrically connected to the ground body, or the thermal device is conductive, or the thermal device is insulating, in which case a grounding strap is provided to electrically connect the thermal device 2 to the ground terminal, where the pipe or tube 8 is grounded and the contact of at least the second clamp body 5 on the wall of the pipe or tube 8 is of sufficient quality to provide a conductive path between them.

[0023] As shown in Figures 2D and 3, to secure the first body 4 and the second body 5 together, fasteners, here bolts having machine screw threads, extend through the first body 4 and are received in threaded cavities 22, 24 in the second body 5, or extend through unthreaded versions of the cavities 22, 24 that extend completely through the second body 5. Additionally, the bolts 74 may be configured with self-tapping threads, where the bolts 74 form threads in the cavities 22, 24 when they are turned into the cavities 22, 24 to secure the first body 4 and the second body 5 together. Each bolt 74 has an enlarged bolt head 76 and a long, thinner threaded shaft 78. The bottom or underside of the bolt head 76 rests on or lies on a concave surface on the outwardly facing face 10A of the first body. A bolt shaft 78 extends from the face 10A through a cavity 13 or 14 through the first clamp body 4 to the outside of the inwardly facing face 10F of the first body 4. A threaded washer 19 is connected to the bolt shaft 78 adjacent the inwardly facing face 10F of the first body 4 to retain the bolt 74 on the inwardly facing face 10F of the first body 4. A bolt 74 extends through each of the cavities 13, 14 extending through the first clamp body 4. Here, an end of the shaft 78 of the bolt 74 extends into the second clamp body 5 and into a cavity 22, 24 that opens in the inwardly facing face 15F of the second clamp body 5. The cavities 22, 24 may have threaded inserts therein into which the shafts 78 of the bolts 74 are threaded to tension and secure the first body 4 and second body 5 together.Alternatively, the cavities 22, 24 may extend through the second body and be open at the outward facing face 15A of the second body, where a threaded fastener such as a nut over a lock washer is threaded onto the end of the shaft 78 and tightened to draw the first body 4 and second body 5 together.

[0024] In Figures 5A and 5B, the first clamp body 4 and the second clamp body 5 are shown disposed over and around the tubing 8 and interconnected by fasteners such as bolts 74 threaded into threaded inserts (not shown) in the cavities 22, 24 of the second clamp body 5. Other connection paradigms, such as clamps, may also be employed to hold the first and second clamp bodies together over the tube 8. The engagement face 52 of the protruding portion 48 of the thermal pad 3 is deformed to follow the circumference or contour of the tube 8 against which it biases the engagement face 8. Here, at least a portion of the thermal pad 3 adjacent the engagement face 52 is conformable or deformable to match the contour of the wall of the element clamped between the first clamp body 4 and the second clamp body 5, and returns on its own to its undeformed or non-conforming contour when the thermal pad 3 is no longer in contact with the wall of the element clamped between the first clamp body 4 and the second clamp body 5. Alternatively, the mating face 52 and the outer surface 41 of the pipe or tube 8 may be attached to one another using a conductive adhesive.

[0025] 5, the clamp assembly 1 is configured here to allow for physical connection by contact of the engagement face 52 of the heat transfer heat pad 3 against the outer surface 41 of the conduit or tubing 8. For example, the clamp assembly 1 may be used to perform automatic temperature testing of the conduit or tubing 8, where it may be configured to be connected to a temperature reading monitor or temperature threshold alarm. Additionally, temperature testing of various areas of the conduit / tubing 8 or of various pipes or tubes 8 may be performed by disassembling and reinstalling the clamp assembly 1 over various segments of the pipe or tube 8 that are the temperature locations of interest (such as areas of the tube 8 known to be carrying extremely hot or cold fluids). In use, the crank assembly 1 is comprised of a first clamp body 4, a second clamp body 5, a heat transfer heat pad 3, and a bus bar 6, as well as an optional lid 7. A thermal device 2 is received within the clamp assembly 1 and contacts the thermal pad 3. One function of the clamp assembly 1 is to transfer heat between the surface to be measured, such as the wall of the pipe or tube 8, and the thermal device 2, thereby correlating or measuring the temperature (high or low) of the outer surface 41 for analytical or safety purposes. Thus, if the thermal device 2 is one of a heating or cooling device, it may be used to increase or decrease the temperature of the wall of the pipe or tube 8, thereby at least locally changing the temperature of the fluid within the pipe or tube 8. If the thermal device 2 is configured as a heating or cooling device, it may further incorporate temperature sensing functionality therein, thereby allowing a user of the clamp assembly 1 to correlate the heat transferred into or out of the wall of the pipe or tube 8 to the temperature and temperature changes of the wall of the pipe or tube 8, thereby inferring changes in the fluid immediately adjacent to the wall of the pipe or tube 8.

[0026] During temperature measurement or monitoring, the first clamp body 4 of the clamp assembly 1 serves two purposes. It functions as part of a clamping mechanism that extends around the tubing / conduit 8 to be measured, and in one aspect thermally connects the thermal device 2 to the wall of the clamped member via the thermal pad 3, as well as providing an electrical connection between the thermal device 2 and the conductive line 9. In this embodiment, the first clamp body 4 is made of a non-conductive and low thermal conductive material. The first clamp body 4 can either conform to the tubing / conduit 8 to be measured for clamping over a larger surface area, or it can have a portion offset from the semi-cylindrical surface 40 to reduce heat transfer from the thermal device 2 into the clamp by making a weaker connection as close as a line contact between the clamped member and the second clamp body 5, making contact only with the thermal pad 3 and not with the rest of the first clamp body 4 (called a thermal shunt). Alternatively, the first body 4 and thermal pad 3 may be constructed as a single integral member having sufficient conformability to conform to the outer surface of the element sandwiched within the first body 4 .

[0027] Multiple methods for physically fitting the tubing / conduit 8 may be used. The second clamp body 5 may be optimized for strength, cost, thermal performance, or to prevent physical interference from external components. This may be accomplished through design choice and / or material selection. The second clamp body 5 has minimal contact points and / or low thermal transfer or conductivity properties through selecting a low thermal transfer or conductivity material such as ceramic or plastic. If strength is a high priority, it is contemplated to select a low thermal conductivity material such as filled plastic. In one embodiment, the semi-cylindrical surface 40 of the second clamp body 5 is sized relative to the circumference of the pipe or tube 8 to minimize the contact area between the semi-cylindrical surface 40 and the circumference of the pipe or tube 8, thereby minimizing the thermal coupling between the second clamp body 5 and the semi-cylindrical surface 40 of the pipe or tube. This will reduce uncontrolled heat transfer between the pipe or tube 8 and the second clamp body. Preferably, a line contact or even a point contact in a non-circumferential direction of the semi-cylindrical surface 40 may be achieved between the semi-cylindrical surface 40 and the outer surface of the pipe or tube 8, thereby limiting heat transfer between the semi-cylindrical surface 40 and the outer surface of the pipe or tube 8. Line contact may be achieved by configuring the radius of the semi-cylindrical surface 40 to be larger than the radius of the outer surface of the pipe or tube 8, but not too large so that the pipe or tube 8 is not pinched (and thus the pipe or tube 8 becomes pinched between the engagement face 52 and the contact line between the pipe or tube and the semi-cylindrical surface 40 of the second clamp body 5). In addition, the arcuate surface may be a semi-ellipsoidal surface rather than a semi-cylindrical surface 40, where the depth of the arcuate surface inwardly of the inwardly facing face 10F is, for example, less than ½ of its width in the direction between the faces 10B and 10C.

[0028] In another embodiment shown in FIG. 7, alternatively shaped clamp bodies are shown, where a first alternative clamp body 4″ and a second alternative clamp body 5″ (only 4″ is shown) are generally configured as elongated or oval prisms with curved outer edges and flat outer surfaces, but on the inward or tube-facing sides of the first alternative clamp body 4″ and the second alternative clamp body 5″, a semi-cylindrical surface 40 extends from the inward facing surfaces of the first alternative clamp body 4″ and the second alternative clamp body 5″. A surface of each clamp body 4", 5" facing the other of the clamp body 4", extends in an arcuate manner inwardly of the first and second alternative clamp bodies 4" and 5". The alternative clamp body 4" has eight exterior surfaces distinct from one another, being six generally flat or planar side faces 10A"-F", an upper surface 10G", and a lower surface (not shown) having a semi-cylindrical surface 40 of FIG. 2A that extends into the alternative clamp body 4". The top surface or outwardly facing upper surface 10G" is an oblong polygon in plan view and may have rounded corners, and when the clamp assembly 1 is in use, the exterior face 10A of the body 4 is covered by a modified oblong lid 7". The oblong lid 7" is fixed over the assembly, thereby providing a moisture-proof seal and electrical shielding, and may be attached to the assembly using an adhesive.

[0029] In another embodiment, each of the first clamp body 4 and the second clamp body 5 is generally configured as an n-sided prism having curved outer edges and a flat outer surface, but on the inward-facing or tube-facing sides of the first clamp body 4 and the second clamp body 5, a semi-cylindrical surface 40 extends arcuately from the inward-facing surfaces of the first body 4 and the second body 5 to the inside of the first body 4 and the second body 5.

[0030] In another embodiment, the second clamp body 5 is generally a three-dimensional arcuate prism with curved outer edges, as can be seen in FIG. 8. Here, the outwardly facing face of the second clamp body has an outwardly extending arcuate portion extending therebetween from the outwardly facing face of the second clamp body. In the embodiment shown, the thickness of the second clamp body remains relatively continuous. In another embodiment, the second clamp body 5 is generally a flat rectangular prism or plate, where the second clamp body 5 does not match the curvature of the pipe, as can be seen in FIG. 9. If the face 110 of the plate-shaped body of the second clamp body facing the first clamp body 4 is planar, a line or near line contact between the outer surface 41 of the pipe or tube 8 and the lower clamp body 5 can be achieved. Additionally, by chamfering the surface 110 to separate it into two planes 110a,b that meet at the protrusion 112, point contact between the outer surface 41 of the pipe or tube 8 and the lower clamp body 5 can be achieved.

[0031] In another embodiment depicted in FIG. 10A, a schematic cross-sectional view of a hinged clamp assembly 100 having a first body 4 and a second body 5 hinged together as described above with a pin hinge 200 is shown. In another embodiment depicted in FIG. 10B, a schematic cross-sectional view of a web-hinged clamp assembly 200 hinged together with a flexible hinge configured as a web 250 made of the material of the clamp body is shown. The hinges 200, 250 allow the first clamp body 4 and the second clamp body 5 to be arcuately opened in the direction of arrows O / C to enlarge the gap between the adjacent ends of the faces 10C and 15C for receiving a pipe or tube 8 between the adjacent ends of the faces 10C and 15C, and thereafter to close and affix the first clamp body 4 and the second clamp body 5 to one another over the pipe or tube 8 in the direction of arrows O / C. In the case where the first body 4 and the second body 5 are attached via a pin hinge, the upper panel 210 of the pin hinge 200 is attached to the end face 10B of the first clamp body 4 via a fastener 201, where the fastener 210 passes through the upper panel 210 of the pin hinge 200, passes through the end race 10B of the first clamp body 4, and is screwed into the first clamp body 4. The lower panel 211 of the pin hinge 200 is attached to the outer wall 15B of the second clamp body 5 via a fastener 202, where the fastener 202 passes through the lower panel 211 of the pin hinge 200, passes through the outer wall 15B of the second clamp body 5, and is screwed into the second clamp body 5. In the case where the clamp bodies 4, 5 are attached via a flexible web hinge 250, the flexible web hinge is constructed from the clamp body material, but is thin enough to be flexible, yet strong enough to provide a clamping force.The flexible web hinge 250 is molded or epoxied to the inwardly facing face 10F of the first clamp body 4 and molded or epoxied to the inwardly facing face 15F of the second clamp body 5. The clamp assembly 100 is now configured to allow physical contact of the engagement face 52 of the heat transfer thermal pad 3 and a portion of the semi-cylindrical surface 40 of the second body 5 to the conduit or tubing 8. In one embodiment, fasteners are provided along the faces 10C and 15C of the first and second bodies 4 and 5 to hold the first and second bodies 4 and 5 together. The fastener here has a projection 112 formed contiguous with the face 10C and projecting outwardly from the face 15C, a living hinge 114 extending from the outer face 15C of the second body 5, a connecting portion 116 extending from the face 15C, an extending curved portion 118 extending from the connecting portion 116 toward the first clamp body, and a receiver slot 120 extending inwardly of the curved portion 118 configured to receive the projection 112 therein. Other fastener configurations, use of the fasteners described herein in connection with the clamp bodies of Figures 1 to 5, clamps, or other interconnection examples for holding the first body 4 and the second body 5 for purposes of pinching or clamping a pipe or tube 8 between the first body 4 and the second body 5 are specifically contemplated herein.

[0032] In another embodiment depicted in Figure 11, a schematic cross-sectional view of a clamp assembly 1 having an alternative wiring connection configuration is shown. Here, one central cavity 12' extends inwardly of the outwardly facing face 10A of the first body 4. Here, the cavity 12' is offset to one side of the outwardly facing face 10A, now adjacent face 10E. First and second wire guides 240a and 240b having identical configurations reside on the outwardly facing face 10A of the first body 4 and extend generally parallel to the opposite faces 10B, 10C. The wire guides 240a, 240b are each generally rectangular prism-shaped with six faces: two square walls 143, 144, an outwardly facing face 145, an inwardly facing face 10A of the first clamp body 4 epoxied with resin, and a first and second elongated shaped region 141, 142 having a circular prism hole 149 in the center of the first and second elongated shaped regions 141, 142 and extending through the first and second elongated shaped regions 141, 142. The wire guides 240a, 240b are constructed of a conductive material. The first wire guide 240a is configured to be electrically and physically connected to the first conductive wire 125. The first wire guide 250a receives the first conductive wire 125 and the first conductive line 134 therein, the first conductive wire 125 being crimped in the first wire guide 250a using a first conductive fixture 29a in electrical contact with the first wire guide 240a, and the first conductive line 134 being crimped in the first guide wire 250a using a second conductive fixture 29b electrically connected in the first wire guide 250a. The first thermal device conductive line 134 extends from the first wire guide 240a to the thermal device 2 mounted in the recess of the heat transfer thermal pad 3' as described above. The second conductive line 130 extends from the opposite end of the thermal device 2' to the second wire guide 240b, where the second wire guide 240b is crimped in the second wire guide 240b using a third conductive fixture 29c.The second wire guide 240b receives the second conductive wire 126 therein, where the second conductive wire 126 is crimped therein using a fourth conductive fixture 29d that is in electrical contact with the second wire guide 240b. The second conductive wire 126 extends from the second wire guide 240b through a hole 149 in the first wire guide 240a and is electrically insulated from the first wire guide 240a by an outer insulating jacket on the second conductive wire, whereby both the first conductive wire 125 and the second conductive wire 126 may be connected to a temperature threshold alarm, a temperature reading monitor, a controller for controlling a fluid property such as flow rate, temperature, viscosity, a heating device controller or a cooling device controller if the thermal device is a heating device or a cooling device, or the like, or another monitoring or control element.

[0033] In another embodiment of the invention depicted in FIG. 12, the electrical interconnects may be configured without bus bars. Here, the electrical interconnects are fitted into a molding in the body lid piece 140. The body lid piece mates the first clamp body 4 with the lid 7. The body lid piece has an outwardly facing face 165, opposing first and second elongated shaped side faces 165C and 165D, and first and second smaller faces 165B and 165E having an arcuate recess therein. The second smaller face 165E has two cavities 160, 162 extending through the second smaller face 165E. The first conductive wire 125′ passes through the first cavity 162 in the body lid piece 140. Here, each of the conductive wires 125', 126' has an outer insulating jacket 125a, 126a and a central conductive core 125b, 126b. The jacket 125a is stripped from the core near the end of each conductive wire so that the conductive cores 125b, 126b extend inwardly of the connection points with the first conductive line 130' or second conductive line 134' of the thermal device 2'. The thermal device is placed into a recess in the heat transfer thermal pad 3' as described above. Here, the thermal pad 3'' extends across the full width and length of the outward facing face 165 of the body lid piece 140.

[0034] The thermal pad 3" extends into an opening region 142 of a body lid piece 140, which has opposing arcuate lower side walls 144 and opposing side flanges 146. A pipe or tube 8 may be received between the opposing side flanges 146 such that an outer surface 41 of the pipe or tube 8 is engageable against a portion of the thermal pad 3' extending outwardly from the body of the body lid piece 140 between the opposing side flanges 146, and such that the outer surface 41 of the pipe or tube may be engaged against the arcuate lower side walls to limit compression of the thermal pad 3'. The body lid piece 140 may be connected to a second body 5 as shown in any of Figures 1 to 9, or may be clamped to the pipe or tube 8 in other manners.

Claims

1. 1. An apparatus for receiving a thermal element, comprising: Clamp assembly including first and second clamp bodies Equipped with the first clamp body comprising a heat transfer element and first and second electrical connections connected to the heat transfer element; the second clamp body is connectable to the first clamp body to form a clamped cavity between the first clamp body and the second clamp body, a clamped element having a wall is securable within the clamped cavity, and the heat transfer element is configured to contact an outer surface of the clamped element between the first clamp body and the second clamp body; the heat transfer element is capable of conforming to a contour of a portion of the wall of the clamped element when in contact with the clamped element; The heat transfer element is A first thermally conductive pad portion and a second thermally conductive pad portion wherein the first thermally conductive pad portion extends inside the clamping cavity and the second thermally conductive pad portion extends from the first thermally conductive pad portion inside an opening in the first clamp body and outside the outer surface.

2. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first and second electrical connections comprise first and second bus bars, each of the first and second bus bars configured to receive and electrically connect with a separate conductive wire extending from the thermal element and a separate conductive line extending from the first and second bus bars, the conductive lines extending outwardly from electrical interconnections of the first and second bus bars with the conductive wires.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first and second clamp bodies comprise a thermally insulating material.

4. The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein each of the conductive lines and the conductive wires is connected to a respective one of the bus bars with first and second fasteners.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the thermal conduction pad portion includes at least a portion of the thermal conduction pad portion extending inside the clamped cavity that is reversibly conformable, such that the portion of the thermal conduction pad portion extending inside the clamped cavity is capable of contacting a portion of the wall of the clamped element when clamped therein, and the portion of the thermal conduction pad portion extending inside the clamped cavity is capable of conforming to the contour of the portion of the wall of the clamped element in contact with the thermal conduction pad portion.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the heat transfer element further comprises at least one of a thermally conductive material, a thermal paste, graphite, or a metal.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a thermal paste disposed on a portion of the heat transfer element that extends inside the sandwich cavity.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a first thermal conduction pad portion extends between a tubing received within the clamping cavity and a side wall of the clamping cavity.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the second thermally conductive pad portion has a thermal device recess therein configured to receive a thermal device therein.

10. 10. The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising a cover extending over the first clamp body to bias a thermal device inwardly into the thermal device recess.

11. 1. A method for heat transfer between an element and a thermal device, comprising: To provide a clamp assembly comprising first and second clamp bodies Including, the first clamp body comprising a heat transfer element and first and second electrical connections connected to the heat transfer element; the second clamp body is connectable to the first clamp body to form a clamping cavity between the first clamp body and the second clamp body, a clamped element is securable within the clamping cavity, and the heat transfer element is configured to contact an outer surface of the clamped element between the first clamp body and the second clamp body; the heat transfer element is capable of conforming to a contour of a portion of a wall of the clamped element when in contact with the clamped element; The method of claim 1, wherein the heat transfer element comprises a thermal pad having at least a portion extending inside the clamped cavity, such that at least the portion of the thermal pad extending inside the clamped cavity is capable of contacting a portion of the outer surface of the clamped element when clamped therein, and the portion of the thermal pad extending inside the clamped cavity is capable of conforming to the contour of the portion of the outer surface of the clamped element it is contacting.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the heat transfer element includes a heat transfer element extending through the first clamp body into the clamping cavity between the first and second clamp bodies.

13. 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the first and second electrical connections comprise first and second bus bars, each of the first and second bus bars configured to receive and electrically connect with a separate conductive wire extending from a thermal element and separate conductive lines extending from the first and second bus bars, the conductive lines extending outwardly from electrical interconnections of the first and second bus bars with the conductive wires.

14. The method of claim 11 , wherein the first and second clamp bodies comprise a thermally insulating material.

15. The method of claim 13 , wherein each of the conductive lines and the conductive wires is connected to a respective bus bar with first and second fasteners.

16. The method of claim 12 , wherein the heat transfer element further comprises at least one of a thermally conductive member, a thermal paste, graphite, or a metal.

17. The method of claim 12 , further comprising a thermal paste disposed on a portion of the heat transfer element that extends inside the sandwiched cavity.

18. The heat transfer element is First thermal pad portion and second thermal pad portion 12. The method of claim 11, further comprising: wherein the second thermal pad portion extends inside an opening in the first clamp body and outside the outer surface.

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