Patents Examined by Gail Verbitsky
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Patent number: 8870454Abstract: During operation of the device, a drive circuit may provide a drive signal having a fundamental frequency to two electrothermal filters (ETFs) having different temperature-dependent time constants. In response to the drive signal, the two ETFs may provide signals having the fundamental frequency and phases relative to the drive signal corresponding, respectively, to the time constants of the ETFs. Then, phase-shift values of the phases may be measured using a phase detector, and a signal may be output based on the phase-shift values. Note that the signal may correspond to a value that is a function of a temperature of the device.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2011Date of Patent: October 28, 2014Assignee: Stichting voor de Technische WetenschappenInventors: Kofi A. A. Makinwa, Caspar P. L. Van Vroonhoven
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Patent number: 8864373Abstract: A battery temperature monitoring circuit, which has a cold comparator and a hot comparator, achieves high accuracy in a small cell size by utilizing a cold current optimized for the cold comparator and a cold reference voltage, and a hot current optimized for the hot comparator and a hot reference voltage, along with switching circuitry that provides the cold current to the cold comparator as the battery temperature approaches the cold trip temperature, and the hot current to the hot comparator as the battery temperature approaches the hot trip temperature.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2011Date of Patent: October 21, 2014Assignee: National Semiconductor CorporationInventors: Luan Minh Vu, Thomas Y. Tse, Tuong Hoang
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Patent number: 8858071Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring during dynamic processes that determines when effective measurements of thermal effusivity and/or thermal conductivity can be made during a portion of a cycle during a calibration phase, then measures thermal effusivity and/or thermal conductivity during a subsequent dynamic process in dependence upon the time delay value and the measurement duration value until a desired value is obtained. A sensor having a measurement period of between one to two seconds allows monitoring of materials during dynamic processes such as tumbling, blending, mixing, and rocking. For example, measurements can be made until a value indicative of a desired mixture condition is obtained.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2004Date of Patent: October 14, 2014Assignee: C-Therm Technologies Ltd.Inventors: Michael Emanuel, Chongde Zhao, Biao Yu, Dimitri Vinnik, Chris Rendell
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Patent number: 8851748Abstract: The thermal detector includes a substrate, a thermal detector element including a light absorbing film, a support member supporting the thermal detector element and supported on the substrate so that a cavity is present between the member and the substrate, and at least one auxiliary support post of convex shape protruding from either the substrate or the support member towards the other. The height of the at least one auxiliary support post is shorter than the maximum height from the substrate to the support member.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2011Date of Patent: October 7, 2014Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventor: Takafumi Noda
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Patent number: 8851744Abstract: A calibrator for calibrating a compatible heat transfer meter comprises a temperature controlled reference thermowell and a reference temperature sensor. The reference thermowell is similar in dimensions to thermowells usable for measuring inlet and outlet temperatures of a heat exchanger so that the reference temperature sensor is selectively insertable into any of the thermowells. The calibrator also comprises temperature measurement circuitry operable to generate a temperature reading from an output of the reference temperature sensor; and control circuitry operable to control the temperature of the reference thermowell.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 2013Date of Patent: October 7, 2014Assignee: Onicon, Inc.Inventor: Murray F Feller
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Patent number: 8845188Abstract: In a method for determining a state of an apparatus, detected temperatures are received from a plurality of sensors and are compared to at least one preset condition. The state of the apparatus is determined based upon the comparison.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2011Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.Inventors: Cullen E. Bash, Ratnesh Sharma
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Patent number: 8834019Abstract: A non-contact infrared (IR) thermometer for measuring temperature from the surface of an object includes an IR radiation sensor attached to a heating element and a thermal shield having an interior surface positioned within the sensor's field of view that has a high emissivity. An electronic circuit controlling the heating element maintains the temperatures of the sensor and shield substantially close to an anticipated surface temperature of the object. The IR radiation sensor is further thermally coupled to a reference temperature sensor. An optical system positioned in front of the shield focuses thermal radiation from the object on the surface of the sensor, while the shield prevents stray radiation from reaching the sensor. Signals from the IR and reference sensors are used to calculate the object's surface temperature.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 2009Date of Patent: September 16, 2014Assignee: Helen of Troy LimitedInventor: Jacob Fraden
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Patent number: 8834018Abstract: This disclosure is directed to apparatuses, systems, and methods that can quickly and reliably determine a stationary or non-stationary change in temperature. During a simulated test of, for example, the heater system of an automated and/or high-speed composite material placement machine may be evaluated at any single location along a course whether a lay down material is heated below, at, or beyond its particular temperature requirements. Temperature measurements can be of a heat source that is moving at a rate from zero to over 3000 inches/minute. Temperature measurements of a moving heat source are reliable within a variance of approximately plus or minus 3° F. In addition, temperature measurements of a moving heat source on a laminated material may be had with a plurality of sensors along at least one direction and to various depths.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 2011Date of Patent: September 16, 2014Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventor: Mark Kim
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Patent number: 8834020Abstract: Support structures for positioning sensors on a physiologic tunnel for measuring physical, chemical and biological parameters of the body and to produce an action according to the measured value of the parameters. The support structure includes a sensor fitted on the support structures using a special geometry for acquiring continuous and undisturbed data on the physiology of the body. Signals are transmitted to a remote station by wireless transmission such as by electromagnetic waves, radio waves, infrared, sound and the like or by being reported locally by audio or visual transmission. The physical and chemical parameters include brain function, metabolic function, hydrodynamic function, hydration status, levels of chemical compounds in the blood, and the like. The support structure includes patches, clips, eyeglasses, head mounted gear and the like, containing passive or active sensors positioned at the end of the tunnel with sensing systems positioned on and accessing a physiologic tunnel.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2012Date of Patent: September 16, 2014Assignee: Geelux Holdings, Ltd.Inventor: Marcio Marc Abreu
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Patent number: 8827553Abstract: The exemplary embodiments relate to an autonomous temperature transmitter for use in process installations. In order to feed an electronic component with energy, a thermoelectric transducer is arranged such that it is thermally operatively connected to at least one thermal conducting element between an internal thermal coupling element and an external thermal coupling element, the internal thermal coupling element being thermally coupled to the process medium and the ambient air flowing around the external thermal coupling element.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 2010Date of Patent: September 9, 2014Assignee: ABB Technology AGInventors: Holger Kaul, Manfred Wetzko, Marco Ulrich, Peter Krippner, Philipp Nenninger, Yannick Maret
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Patent number: 8827547Abstract: Apparatus and method are provided for facilitating simulation of heated airflow exhaust of an electronics subsystem, electronics rack or row of electronics racks. The apparatus includes a thermal simulator, which includes an air-moving device and a fluid-to-air heat exchanger. The air-moving device establishes airflow from an air inlet to air outlet side of the thermal simulator tailored to correlate to heated airflow exhaust of the electronics subsystem, rack or row of racks being simulated. The fluid-to-air heat exchanger heats airflow through the thermal simulator, with temperature of airflow exhausting from the simulator being tailored to correlate to temperature of the heated airflow exhaust of the electronics subsystem, rack or row of racks being simulated. The apparatus further includes a fluid distribution apparatus, which includes a fluid distribution unit disposed separate from the fluid simulator and providing hot fluid to the fluid-to-air heat exchanger of the thermal simulator.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2013Date of Patent: September 9, 2014Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Matthew R. Archibald, Richard C. Chu, Hendrik Hamann, Madhusudan K. Iyengar, Roger R. Schmidt
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Patent number: 8821009Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) resonator to monitor the platform temperature. Fabricating the resonator on a relatively low cost flexible polymer substrate rather than silicon provides mechanical flexibility as well as design flexibility with respect to sensor placement. Sensor readout and control circuits can be on silicon if desired, for example, a positive feedback amplifier to form an oscillator in conjunction with the resonator and a counter to count oscillator frequency.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2009Date of Patent: September 2, 2014Assignee: Intel CorporationInventors: Mohamed A. Abdelmoneum, David A. Kaysen
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Patent number: 8813539Abstract: An electrochemistry apparatus comprises a supporting body and a reaction layer for generating electromotive force. The supporting body is made of a first material. The reaction layer covers the surface of the supporting body and comprises an ion conductive layer, a first film electrode and a second film electrode. The first and the second film electrodes are separately formed on two opposite surfaces of the ion conductive layer. The ion conductive layer is made of a second material having a thermal expansion coefficient approximating to the thermal expansion coefficient of the first material. The second material has an ionic conductivity greater than the ionic conductivity of the first material. The first material has a toughness greater than the second material. The electrochemistry apparatus employs the supporting body with improved toughness and the ion conductive layer with improved ion conductivity, so as to increase sensitivity and thermal shock resistance.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 2011Date of Patent: August 26, 2014Assignee: National Taiwan University of Science and TechnologyInventors: Chen-Chia Chou, Tsung-Her Yeh
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Patent number: 8814426Abstract: An infrared sensor comprises: an electrical insulating film sheet; first and second temperature sensor devices which are provided on one side of the electrical insulating film sheet, and are located at a distance from each other; a pair of contact electrodes, with which the first and second temperature sensor devices are attached respectively, formed on one side of the electrical insulating film sheet; an infrared absorbing film provided on the other side of the electrical insulating film sheet opposite the first temperature sensor device; and an infrared reflector film provided on the same side as the infrared absorbing film opposite the second temperature sensor device. The first and second temperature sensor devices respectively comprise: a thermistor element; and a pair of electrode layers, in which one of them is in contact with the contact electrode, formed both on the upper and lower surfaces of the thermistor element.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2010Date of Patent: August 26, 2014Assignee: Mitsubishi Materials CorporationInventors: Kenzo Nakamura, Sei Kitaguchi, Mototaka Ishikawa
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Patent number: 8814427Abstract: An optical measurement instrument includes one or more temperature sensors (122) arranged to measure sample well specific temperatures from sample wells (111-117) arranged to store samples (103-109) to be optically measured. A processing device (121) of the optical measurement instrument is arranged to correct, using a pre-determined mathematical rule, measurement results obtained by the optical measurements on the basis of the measured sample well specific temperatures. Hence, the adverse effect caused by temperature differences between different samples on the accuracy of the temperature correction of the measurement results is mitigated.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 2009Date of Patent: August 26, 2014Assignee: Wallac OyInventors: Jyrki Laitinen, Markku Ojala
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Patent number: 8801275Abstract: A system and method for rapidly determining ambient temperature in a fluid-analyte meter. The meter includes a housing defining an interior space and an area for receiving a fluid sample. A processor and a first temperature sensor are disposed within the interior space of said the housing. A second temperature sensor is disposed on the housing. One or more processors are configured to determine a first temperature value from temperature data received from the first temperature sensor. The processor(s) are also configured to apply a variable current to a temperature-adjustment source such that the second temperature sensor is adjusted to a predetermined steady-state temperature value different from the first temperature value. The processor(s) are further configured to determine an ambient temperature of an exterior space of the housing based on the applied variable current, pre-determined steady-state temperature, and received first temperature values.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 2011Date of Patent: August 12, 2014Assignee: Bayer HealthCare LLCInventor: Mu Wu
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Patent number: 8801274Abstract: A transducer for transducing time-related temperature variations into a difference in potentials includes an upper conductive electrode designed to be exposed to a time-related temperature variation to be measured, a lower conductive electrode, and at least one layer of pyroelectric material based on a III-V nitride directly interposed between the upper and lower conductive electrodes to generate, between the upper and lower conductive electrodes, a difference in potentials corresponding to the temperature variation even in the absence of external mechanical stress.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2011Date of Patent: August 12, 2014Assignee: Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique et aux Energies AlternativesInventors: Jean-Francois Mainguet, Alain Chambron, Bruno Charrat, Emmanuel Defay, Guy-Michel Parat
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Patent number: 8794828Abstract: A method for measuring temperature of an object using the longitudinal mode output by a short cavity fiber laser, includes steps of: a) arranging the short cavity fiber laser, which laser comprises sequentially coupled laser diode pumping source, a wavelength division multiplexer, a fiber bragg grating, an active optical fiber and a loop mirror which are; b) contacting the short cavity fiber laser with the object whose temperature will be measured; c) measuring the drift amount of longitudinal mode output by the short cavity fiber laser; and d) calculating the temperature of the object to be measured. According to the present invention, the temperature can be measured accurately utilizing the features of the short cavity fiber laser. The arranged fiber laser has a small and simple structure, high measuring accuracy, good portability, and can be used in a variety of occasions.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 2013Date of Patent: August 5, 2014Assignee: Beijing Information Science & Technology UniversityInventors: Lianqing Zhu, Fei Luo, Mingli Dong, Yinmin Zhang, Wei He, Xiaoping Lou
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Patent number: 8790008Abstract: A device for measuring the temperature of a substrate comprising a thermocouple comprising electric wires joined to each other at least one junction; a fixing element suitable for fixing said junction to said substrate in order to measure its temperature; characterized in that the fixing element comprises a thermally conductive element suitable for bearing a portion of electric wires adjacent to said junction; said thermally conductive element being capable of thermally coupling said portion of electric wires to said substrate.Type: GrantFiled: August 3, 2011Date of Patent: July 29, 2014Assignee: Astrium SASInventor: Christian Flemin
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Patent number: 8783945Abstract: A superheat sensor (1) for sensing superheat of a fluid flowing in a flow channel (3) is disclosed. The sensor (1) comprises a flexible wall defining an interface between an inner cavity (5) having a charge fluid (6) arranged therein and the flow channel (3). The flexible wall is arranged in the flow channel (3) in thermal contact with the fluid flowing therein, and the flexible wall is adapted to conduct heat between the flow channel (3) and the inner cavity (5). Thereby the temperature of the charge fluid (6) adapts to the temperature of the fluid flowing in the flow channel (3), and the pressure in the inner cavity (5) is determined by this temperature. A first wall part (7, 14) and a second wall part (9, 16) are arranged at a variable distance from each other, said distance being defined by a differential pressure between the pressure of the charge fluid (6) and the pressure of the fluid flowing in the flow channel (3), i.e.Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 2009Date of Patent: July 22, 2014Assignee: Danfoss A/SInventors: Asbjoern Leth Vonsild, Claus Thybo, Leo Bram, Jakob Spangberg