Patents Examined by Gail Verbitsky
  • Patent number: 8540421
    Abstract: Systems for analyzing effects of cargo fire on primary aircraft structure are provided. A particular system includes a processor and a memory accessible to the processor. The memory includes instructions executable by the processor to access a thermal profile of a suppressed fire in a physical model of a cargo compartment of an aircraft. The instructions are also executable to analyze heat transfer resulting from applying the thermal profile of the suppressed fire to a structure of the aircraft surrounding the cargo compartment to determine a predicted temperature reached by one or more parts of the structure surrounding the cargo compartment as a result of the suppressed fire. The instructions are also executable to generate an output including the predicted temperature reached by the one or more parts of the structure surrounding the cargo compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Mark F. Ahlers, Mel Eshghi, Daniel F. Lewinski, Richard J. Mazzone
  • Patent number: 8540423
    Abstract: An temperature sensor circuit is disclosed. In one embodiment, the temperature sensor comprises an input circuit with a current mirror for forcing a current down a reference stage and an output stage. The reference stage and the output stage include P-N junctions (e.g., using bipolar transistors) with differing junction potentials. By tailoring the resistances in the reference and output stages, the input circuit produces two output voltages, one of which varies predictably with temperature, and one which is stable with temperature. The input circuit is preferably used in conjunction with an amplifier stage which preferably receives both the temperature-sensitive and non-temperature-sensitive outputs. Through various resistor configurations in the amplifier stage, the output of the temperature sensor can be made to vary at a higher sensitivity than produced by the temperature-sensitive output of the input circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Bo Liu
  • Patent number: 8540422
    Abstract: Tools and methods for creating isolated or localized temperature changes on components in an electric circuit. By isolating temperature changes to individual components or small sets of components, the tools and methods allow greater control over the analysis of interactions within a board. This may allow clearer understanding of the effects of temperature on circuit component behavior. The tools and analysis advances analysis such as failure analysis and design testing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Cameron Health, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason J. Edwardson, Timothy A. Fonte, Eric F. King, Ross G. Baker, Jr., Toby Daniel Awender
  • Patent number: 8534912
    Abstract: An apparatus for determining and/or monitoring at least one measured variable. The apparatus includes: at least one measuring unit; and at least one securement unit for holding the measuring unit in contact with an object. The securement unit is embodied in such a manner, that the securement unit has at least two stable shape states, wherein, for transition between the at least two states, application of a mechanical force to the securement unit is required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser Wetzer GmbH + Co. KG
    Inventor: Dieter Schmidt
  • Patent number: 8529123
    Abstract: A device for calibrating a fiber-optic temperature measuring system has a broadband light source, a coupling-in device, which can couple light generated by the light source for calibration into an optical fiber of the temperature measuring system, a coupling-out device, which can couple components of the light source-generated light that are backscattered in the optical fiber out of the optical fiber. An evaluation device performs a calibration of the temperature measuring system on the basis of the backscattered components of the light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Lios Technology, GmbH
    Inventors: Wieland Hill, Martin Fromme, Jochen Kübler
  • Patent number: 8529124
    Abstract: Methods for gas sensing with single-walled carbon nanotubes are described. The methods comprise biasing at least one carbon nanotube and exposing to a gas environment to detect variation in temperature as an electrical response.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventor: Anupama B. Kaul
  • Patent number: 8529126
    Abstract: A system for measuring temperature includes a thermowell, a primary temperature sensor, a reference sensor, and a transmitter. The thermowell has a measurement instrument connection and a side port. The primary temperature sensor extends into the thermowell through the measurement instrument connection, and the reference sensor extends into the thermowell through the side port. The transmitter is connected to each of the primary temperature sensor and the reference sensor. The transmitter has circuitry for measuring temperature based upon signals received from the primary temperature sensor and for concurrently calibrating based upon signals received from the reference sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Rosemount Inc.
    Inventors: Loren Michael Engelstad, Dirk Willy Bauschke, Jason Harold Rud
  • Patent number: 8523432
    Abstract: A temperature sensor includes a polymer body for mounting the sensor to a mounting surface and positioning a temperature sensing element within a target fluid. The temperature sensing element may be positioned at the distal end of the polymer body and may be sealed from the fluid by a metal cap filled with a thermally conductive material. In this manner, the polymer body may thermally insulate the temperature sensing element and lead conductors within the polymer body from the mounting surface. The polymer body may also include a connector on the proximal end to facilitate an electrical connection with the temperature sensing element, a flange to install the sensor against the mounting surface, and a fixation surface configured to mate with the mounting surface. In some examples, the polymer body may be constructed in two stages to facilitate different configurations of the connector, flange, and/or fixation surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Kishor Mujumdar, Guruprasad Krishnamurthy, Jamie Boyd
  • Patent number: 8523430
    Abstract: An ultra thin temperature sensor device includes a temperature sensor element, lead frames for allowing the temperature sensor element to be interposed and fastened between the lead frames, a supporter for protecting the temperature sensor element, and a film for enclosing and insulating the temperature sensor element, the lead frames, and the supporter. The supporter is formed to be larger than the temperature sensor element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Lattron Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Chung Kook Lee, Young Seong Wang, Cheol Jin Jeong
  • Patent number: 8523429
    Abstract: A remote, noncontact temperature determination method and apparatus is provided, which is operable to determine the temperature of a conducting member forming a part of or in operative thermal communication with an object of interest. The method comprises the steps of first inducing a closed vortex eddy current (28) in a conducting member (16, 38, 44) by subjecting the member (16, 38, 44) to a magnetic field, such that the corresponding eddy current magnitude changes exponentially over time. A characteristic time constant of the exponential current magnitude changes is then determined, and this is used to calculate the temperature of the object. The apparatus (24) includes a field transmitting coil (14) coupled with a waveform generator (12) for inducing the eddy current (28), and a field receiving coil assembly (18) which detects the corresponding magnetic field induced by the eddy current (28).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: TSI Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Vladimir Malyshev, Evgeni Sorkine
  • Patent number: 8523427
    Abstract: A sensor device formed on a semiconductor substrate. The device comprises a thermal radiation sensor including a sensing cell and a referencing cell which are co-operable for providing a first output signal indicative of the temperature fluctuation resulting from incident radiation. A gradient sensor including a pair of cells spatially located on the semiconductor substrate is provided which are co-operable to provide a second output signal indicative of the temperature gradient across the semiconductor substrate for facilitating calibrating the first output signal. At least one of the cells of the gradient sensor is not common to the cells of the thermal radiation sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Analog Devices, Inc.
    Inventor: Luke Alexander Pillans
  • Patent number: 8517603
    Abstract: A thermometer that enables the measurement of temperature from multiple body sites comprising a body portion that has a circuit configured to measure an IR signal and convert it into an output that accurately reflects body temperature and a switch in communication with the circuit. The thermometer also comprises a probe that has an IR window configured to accept an IR signal and an attachment mechanism coupled to the probe which comprises a generally circular hollow bore at its distal end, fastening members to engage the body of the thermometer and a pin at its proximal end for interacting with the switch on the body of the thermometer. When the attachment mechanism couples to the probe, the pin interacts with the switch in various positions and the circuit converts the signal based upon the position of the switch which position reflects the location from which the temperature measurement was taken.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Kaz USA, Inc.
    Inventor: Jacob Fraden
  • Patent number: 8511892
    Abstract: A device for measuring the body core temperature of a person contains a structure for firmly wrapping around the upper body of the person. A double temperature sensor is connected with the structure for wrapping around the upper body such that the double temperature sensor is pressed elastically onto the upper body in the state in which it is put on in the area of the sternum. The device for measuring the body core temperature is suitable for the integration of a body core temperature measurement in clothing or chest belt systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Drägerwerk Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Jochim Koch
  • Patent number: 8506160
    Abstract: A liquid based ice protection test method tests an aircraft part that includes at least a first heating element mounted on an inside surface of an aircraft skin. The method includes bringing the aircraft skin into contact with a low temperature bath and taking one or more temperature readings of the aircraft skin. A liquid based deicing test system includes a container that holds a low temperature bath, a fixture to suspend the aircraft part within the container, and a temperature sensing device for reading temperatures on an outside surface of the aircraft part. A liquid based ice protection test method includes sealing off ends of an aircraft part, attaching at least one temperature sensing device on the aircraft part and at least partially submerging it in a low temperature bath, and obtaining temperature information from the temperature sensing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventors: Vicki S. Johnson, Derek W. Rounds, Lawrence R. Nelson, Jeffrey G. Wyckoff, Robin L. Young
  • Patent number: 8506162
    Abstract: Disposable, pre-sterilized, and pre-calibrated, pre-validated conductivity sensors are provided. These sensors are designed to store sensor-specific information, such as calibration and production information, in a non-volatile memory chip on the sensor on in a barcode printed on the sensor. The sensors are calibrated using 0.100 molar potassium chloride (KCl) solutions at 25 degrees Celsius. These sensors may be utilize with in-line systems, closed fluid circuits, bioprocessing systems, or systems which require an aseptic environment while avoiding or reducing cleaning procedures and quality assurance variances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Parker-Hannifin Corporation
    Inventors: Karl G. Schick, David Uhen
  • Patent number: 8506159
    Abstract: A defect on the surface or in the surface layer of a moving material can be detected by using a method comprising steps of: heating the surface of the material, obtaining thermal image data of the surface of the material using an infrared thermography camera while the surface of the material is being heated up at the heating step or being cooled down after heating, and detecting the defect by calculating Laplacian with respect to temperature of the surface represented by the thermal image data. When the thermal image data is obtained while the material is being heated up, a heating device and the camera is arranged so that thermal energy emitted from the heating device is reflected by the material to come into the camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Nippon Steel & Sumitomo Metal Corporation
    Inventors: Junichi Nakagawa, Tadayuki Ito, Tetsuo Nishiyama, Masahiro Doki, Kozo Saito, Belal Gharaibeh, Keng Hoo Chuah, Ahmad Salaimeh, Masahiro Yamamoto, Tomoya Takeuchi, Kazufumi Ito, Huaxiong Huang, Sean C. Bohun
  • Patent number: 8496377
    Abstract: A medical measurement device, such as an electronic thermometer, having a probe. The probe includes a molded plastic substrate having a conductive circuit pattern formed directly on its surface. The circuit pattern extends at least from a first end margin of the molded plastic substrate to a second end margin opposite the first. The device also includes a sensor mounted on the molded plastic substrate for detecting a physiological parameter, such as temperature. The sensor is positioned on the molded plastic substrate at the first end margin by at least one positioning element integrally formed in the substrate. The conductive circuit pattern provides an electrical connection between the sensor and a processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: James Harr, Joseph T. Gierer
  • Patent number: 8496374
    Abstract: A differential scanning calorimeter (1) includes: a sample container (2) for receiving a measurement sample; a reference substance container (3) for receiving a reference substance; a heat sink (10); a thermal resistance (5), which is connected between the sample container and the heat sink, and between the reference substance container and the heat sink to form heat flow paths therebetween; a sample-side thermocouple (7), which is thermally connected to the thermal resistance at a portion in the vicinity of the sample container with its hot-junction (7c) being insulated; and a reference substance-side thermocouple (8), which is thermally connected to the thermal resistance at a portion in the vicinity of the reference substance container with its hot junction (8c) being insulated, in which the sample-side thermocouple and the reference substance-side thermocouple output a heat flow difference signal indicating a temperature difference between the measurement sample and the reference substance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: SII Nano Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Shinya Nishimura, Kentaro Yamada
  • Patent number: 8491185
    Abstract: A method for checking the quality of thermal coupling between a measuring cell and a thermostatted element of an analyzer, where the measuring cell can be exchangeably inserted into an analyzer to measure at least one parameter of a sample, and is provided with at least one sensor element in a measuring channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Roche Diagnostics Operations Inc.
    Inventors: Wolf-Dietrich Steinboeck, Robert Felsberger, Michael Kraker, Friedrich Schneider, Juergen Walla
  • Patent number: 8485720
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a measurement method of dew-point in low temperature, and more specifically to a measurement method of accurately distinguishing dew-point and frost-point using a quartz crystal microbalance dew-point sensor in a low temperature of 0° C. or less. To this end, the present invention provides a measurement method of distinguishing dew and frost point using a quartz crystal microbalance dew-point sensor in low temperature, comprising the steps of: measuring a resonant frequency of a quartz crystal microbalance dew-point sensor while slowly dropping temperature; observing shock waves of the resonant frequency; and determining dew point or frost point through the observation of the resonant frequency and shock waves of the quartz crystal microbalance dew-point sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science
    Inventors: Su Yong Kwon, Jong Chul Kim, Byung Il Choi