Patents Examined by Lydia M. De Jesus
  • Patent number: 6633052
    Abstract: A paper sensor uses two sample and hold circuits which are fired by the phase and antiphase of an oscillator that also drives an infrared light emitting diode (LED). These circuits sample the output from a phototransistor. If the outputs from the phototransistor are different when the LED is lit and unlit, then a comparator will give an output, thus synchronously filtering out unwanted infrared light that may cause a false paper reading.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Alan Walters, Simon M. Derricutt
  • Patent number: 6632016
    Abstract: A method of stabilizing a clinical thermometer and the apparatus thereof are disclosed. The method comprises the steps of pre-heating the surrounding temperature to a pre-set temperature prior to using the clinical thermometer for measuring temperature; and providing compensational temperature by way of heat energy by a control circuit such that the surrounding temperature is maintained and stabilized at the pre-set temperature so as to avoid the change of the surrounding temperature from affecting the measured temperature. The stabilizing devices for a clinical thermometer comprises a clinical thermometer probe head which is a material capable of producing heat energy; and a heating controller connected to the probe head which provides cavity heating for the probe head prior to temperature measuring to the pre-set surrounding temperature, thereby the heating controller causes the surrounding temperature to maintain at a constant and stable temperature such that the precision of measuring is accurate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Inventors: Min-Ying Chen, Sanlian Chen
  • Patent number: 6616332
    Abstract: A sensor of a parameter such as temperature includes an indicator encapsulated within a rigid enclosure, wherein the sensor has a characteristic that varies with the parameter that is detectable upon illumination with electromagnetic radiation through a window of the enclosure that is transparent to the radiation. In a specific example, the indicator changes an optical characteristic such as its color as a function of its temperature, and may be of an irreversible type in order to indicate the peak temperature reached. The sensor may include a pattern of such indicators that have different peak temperatures to which they respond, so that the sensor gives a unique visual pattern at each temperature within its measurement range. This pattern may be viewed directly or processed by computer to compare the pattern with those which indicate known temperatures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: SensArray Corporation
    Inventors: Wayne Renken, Mei H. Sun, Arwa Ginwalla
  • Patent number: 6612738
    Abstract: In order to be able to determine precisely a temperature of a semiconductor chip, in particular a semiconductor memory, during active operation, a temperature-dependent diode structure of the chip is connected to four chip terminals using four-conductor connection technology. In this manner, an inexpensive and accurate measuring mechanism is provided for measuring the temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies
    Inventors: Peter Beer, Manfred Dobler, Gunnar Krause
  • Patent number: 6599010
    Abstract: A slit for probe-changing is provided above an opening for changing a test piece on a side of a test piece tube for installing test pieces. Probes are then taken out and inserted via this slit. Probes can therefore be changed without taking out the test piece tube or a thermocouple. This improves work efficiency and means that the work can be carried out in a confined space because the probes are pulled forward towards an operator and inserted in the opposite direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2003
    Assignee: Seiko Instruments Inc.
    Inventor: Tetsuo Suzuki
  • Patent number: 6595685
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for measuring thermophysical property value of a specimen. The apparatus includes a heating laser and probe laser for measuring at least one characteristic on the surface of the specimen. A detector detects the reflected probe laser beam, and a computer calculates the thermophysical property value of the specimen based on the reflected probe laser beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Assignees: National Research Laboratory of Metrology, Kabushiki Kaisha Bethel
    Inventors: Tetsuya Baba, Naoyuki Taketoshi, Kimihito Hatori, Tetsuya Otsuki
  • Patent number: 6592254
    Abstract: A multipoint temperature sensor for measuring fluid temperature in a duct includes multiple thermistors of equal resistance, spaced apart in a circuit. Each thermistor has a positive lead and a negative lead for connecting electrically with the circuit. Wires connect the thermistors such that half of the thermistors are placed in parallel with the other half of the thermistors. The total number of thermistors in the circuit is a perfect square. Shrinkwrap fits over the thermistors and the leads. Tabs disposed on bridging clips bend around the shrinkwrap and the wires on either side of each thermistor such that the tabs do not overlap the leads. All the wires between adjacent thermistors are contained in a single, plenum rated sheathing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Assignee: Mamac Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: S. Asim Gul
  • Patent number: 6592252
    Abstract: A non-metal film whose thermophysical properties are unknown is disposed between a first metal film and a second metal film, thereby forming a sample having a three-layer structure. The metal films have predetermined known thermophysical properties, belong to the same sort of substance and have the same thickness. The three-layer substance is disposed on a transparent substrate and is heated from below the second metal film, using a picosecond light pulse coming from below and passing through the transparent substrate. The light pulse used in the irradiation is converted into heat in the second metal film during only one picosecond, with such heat diffusing through interface/non-metal film layer/interface and thus arriving at the first metal film. By measuring a temperature change on the surface of the first metal film, it is possible to perform correct measurement by using the thermoreflectance method formerly suggested in a patent application by the inventors of the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Assignee: National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology
    Inventor: Tetsuya Baba
  • Patent number: 6585411
    Abstract: A liquid crystal temperature indicator, and aerosol dispensers equipped with a properly placed indicator, to facilitate using aerosols within preferred temperature ranges or at optimum temperatures. The temperature indicator uses different colors to graphically illustrate temperatures and/or temperature ranges, as well as temperatures above and below optimal temperatures or preferred temperature ranges. Temperature indicators are reusable; they may be self-adhesive and may optionally be transferred from one dispenser to another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Christopher Hammarth, William Henry Passarotti
  • Patent number: 6585408
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for measuring local heat transfer distribution of an object surface. The apparatus includes a heater element for providing heat flux, a member disposed on a surface of the heater element for receiving impinging cooling air. A liquid crystal element is provided on a side of the heater element remote from the surface, and an insulating material is disposed adjacent to the liquid crystal element and remote from the heater element. The apparatus further includes means for determining heat transfer distribution coefficients from the liquid crystal element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Lamyaa Abdel Alle El-Gabry, Steven J. Brzozowski, Nirm V. Nirmalan
  • Patent number: 6575621
    Abstract: The invention concerns dew point hygrometers based on condensation of dew on ends of optical fibers, or on surfaces of an optical prism. The invention also concerns a dew sensor for determining the natural dew condensation by optical means and a dew sensor capable of detecting dew by detecting a change in capacitance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Assignee: Optiguide Ltd.
    Inventor: Igor Zlochin
  • Patent number: 6568847
    Abstract: The present invention is a method of judging whether a substrate is accurately placed at a predetermined position when placing the substrate at the predetermined position on a plate to perform heat treatment or cooling treatment therefor. The present invention has the step of measuring temperature of the plate at least from a first point of time to a second point of time during which the plate temperature changes, after placing the substrate at the plate, the step of calculating a temperature integrated area I determined by a range enclosed the measured temperature curve changing in time sequence and a set temperature of the plate, and the step of comparing the calculated temperature integrated area I with threshold values of a temperature integrated area set in advance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Yuuichi Nishijima, Kouji Okamura
  • Patent number: 6568849
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a temperature probe. The temperature probe includes a temperature-sensing chip contained in a ceramic holder. The temperature probe further includes a pair of high-temperature sustainable conductive lines connected to the temperature-sensing chip. The temperature probe further includes an electrical insulation layer wrapping over the ceramic holder and high-temperature sustainable conductive lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Assignee: Cyntec Company
    Inventors: Shih-Chang Chen, Yih-Wen Shiao
  • Patent number: 6565254
    Abstract: An infrared sensing element of the present invention includes a base including a thin film portion and a thick wall portion arranged around the thin film portion, and a thermopile including a plurality of thermocouples connected in series so that cold junctions are located on the thick wall portion and hot junctions are located on the thin film portion, wherein a thermosensitive portion is provided in contact with the thick wall portion so that a reference temperature with high accuracy can be used for determining temperature based on output from the thermopile. A PN junction formed on a semiconductor substrate serves as the thermosensitive portion, and it is used to provide for a compact infrared sensing element with high performance at low cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Shigemi Sato, Osamu Iwamoto, Yasuhiro Shiohara, Yuji Oda
  • Patent number: 6560889
    Abstract: A downhole caliper instrument utilizing a magneto resistive sensor to determine the position of a caliper arm which extends to touch the surface of the borehole wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventor: Helmut Lechen
  • Patent number: 6546634
    Abstract: A compass cutter has a main body fastened with an extension rod which is connected with a slidable seat slidable along the extension rod. The main body is further provided with a locating block, a protective cover, a blade, a fixation block, and an insertion pin. The slidable seat is provided with a locating block, a connection rod, a locating pin, and a shield. The compass cutter can be expanded, through the movement of the extension rod. The locating pin and the blade are covered by the shield to protect the user of the compass cutter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Inventor: Chen Shan Ming
  • Patent number: 6536950
    Abstract: An improved apparatus including a thermocouple for measuring the temperature in a gasification process is provided. The improvement includes a sapphire reinforced outer protection tube for enclosing at least a portion of the thermocouple. The sapphire reinforced outer protection tube may be integrally formed around an inner protection tube, the inner protection tube being receptive of a sapphire-sheathed thermocouple. The apparatus may be inserted directly into a gasification stream without the use of a thermowell. The sapphire reinforced outer protection tube increases the life of the thermocouples used in gasification processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Texaco Inc.
    Inventors: Steven R. Green, Kent Santos
  • Patent number: 6536946
    Abstract: The invention concerns a device (10) for measuring calorific energy contained in a fuel gas transported in a pipe (16) comprising a gas meter (12) measuring a volume V in pressure conditions P and temperature conditions T of a gas circulating in said pipe and an apparatus (14;52;63) to determine the gas calorific power H. The invention is characterized in that said apparatus for determining calorific power measures at least one physical variable proportional to the number of molecules of the gas different constituents in a given volume and is placed as near as possible to the gas meter so as to determine the calorific power H(P,T) in similar pressure P and temperature T conditions as those wherein the gas volume V(P,T) is measured, said device then determining the calorific energy H(P,T) V(P,T) contained in the gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Schlumberger Industries, S.A.
    Inventors: Benoit Froelich, Didier Dominguez
  • Patent number: 6532680
    Abstract: To compensate for modules which expand as a function of temperature, the present invention provides for using a flat sensor having special structural components that feature temperature-dependent electrical conductivity over the entire length to be measured. The benefit derived is that the temperature is measured over the entire sensor. The structural components are interconnected into tracks, and linked to electronics integrated on the sensor. On its rear side, the sensor has an adhesive layer, enabling it to be simply adhesively mounted on the component to be measured. The manner in which the structural components are distributed, makes it possible to adjust the sensor to any desired length, simply by trimming it. After the sensor is mounted, a protective layer is adhesively applied thereto, as a protective measure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: Dr. Johannes Heidenhain GmbH
    Inventors: Jan Braasch, Torsten Günther
  • Patent number: 6527438
    Abstract: Methods and devices for improved measurement of the thermal expansion and/or chemical reactivity of aggregates used in concrete and for similar substances. Aggregate is placed into the chamber of a metallic container having an enlarged opening. The aggregate is placed in a water bath, and a tightly sealable lid is placed onto the container. The lid carries a linear variable differential transducer (LVDT). A thermocouple for sensing temperature is also retained within the lid so that a sensor on the thermocouple contacts the water bath when the lid is secured onto the container. The LVDT is operationally interconnected with a storage or recording device. In a preferred construction the lid retains a tower member having a float that is freely moveably mounted upon a guide rod. Movement of the float is indicative of a volumetric change in the aggregate and water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Assignee: The Texas A&M University System
    Inventors: Dan G. Zollinger, Tianxi Tang