LOW CONTACT CLAMP FOR NON-INVASIVE PROCESS FLUID TEMPERATURE INDICATION

A process fluid temperature estimation system includes a sensor capsule having a temperature sensitive element disposed therein configured to sense an external surface of a process pipe. The process fluid temperature estimation system includes measurement circuitry coupled to the sensor capsule and configured to detect a characteristic of the at least one temperature sensitive element that varies with temperature and provide sensor capsule temperature information and a controller coupled to the measurement circuitry, the controller being configured to obtain a reference temperature and employ a heat transfer calculation with the reference temperature and the sensor capsule temperature information to generate an estimated process temperature output. The process fluid temperature estimation system includes a mounting assembly configured to mount the process fluid temperature estimation system to the external surface of the process pipe, wherein a portion of the mounting assembly is offset from the external surface of the process pipe.