Transformation Point Determination (e.g., Dew Point, Boiling Point) Patents (Class 374/16)
  • Patent number: 11435105
    Abstract: An air conditioner includes a housing. The housing includes a panel including an opening. The air conditioner further includes an indicator light arranged at the opening, an air heat exchange duct and an air treatment duct arranged in the housing and not in communication with each other, an air heat exchange device arranged at the air heat exchange duct and configured to conduct heat exchange for air in the air heat exchange duct, and an air treatment device arranged at the air treatment duct and configured to conduct at least one of humidification or purification for air in the air treatment duct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignees: GD MIDEA AIR-CONDITIONING EQUIPMENT CO., LTD., MIDEA GROUP CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Taisheng Liu, Weitao Xie, Zhiqiang Liu, Xianyou Mao, Shupeng Chen, Yuqi Ma
  • Patent number: 11333093
    Abstract: With respect to a vehicle mass air-flow sensor that includes a temperature sensor for measuring a temperature of a sensor element of the mass air-flow sensor, a method for controlling a heating element for heating the sensor element of a mass air-flow sensor includes identifying a dew formation on the sensor element by evaluating a temperature profile that is recorded during an operation of the vehicle using the temperature sensor, and generating a switch-on signal for switching on the heating element in response to the identification of the dew formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Benjamin Plogmann, Thomas Schwartzkopff
  • Patent number: 11287393
    Abstract: A frying oil and/or frying fat sensor (1) for determining a frying oil and/or frying fat quality, having a conductor structure (2) that is fixedly connected, at a proximal end, to an electronics part (5), wherein the conductor structure (2) has an inner conductor (6) and an outer conductor (7) that are arranged coaxially with respect to one another and are both connected fixedly to the electronics part at the proximal end. The inner conductor (6), at at least one free end, is guided so as to be able to move relative to the outer conductor (7) in the axial direction in order to compensate temperature-induced mechanical stresses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: Testo SE & Co. KGaA
    Inventors: Siegfried Stallmann, Markus Munzer, Meinrad Gotz
  • Patent number: 11275040
    Abstract: An apparatus for determining the congealing point of a wax-containing sample, the sample placed within a sample flask. The apparatus includes a motor having a rotatable shaft extending horizontally therefrom; clamp for mounting the sample flask thereto, the clamp operatively connected to the rotatable shaft; and a temperature sensor for determining sample temperature over time. A method for determining the congealing point of a wax-containing sample is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Joseph Chan, Elizabeth Turner
  • Patent number: 11015434
    Abstract: A method and system are provided for detecting the wax appearance temperature (WAT) of a hydrocarbon fluid sample. The hydrocarbon fluid sample is run through a microfluidic channel at controlled temperatures while sensing the pressure drop across the channel. The WAT is determined by finding a temperature at which the pressure (drop) across the microfluidic channel caused by a temperature reduction of the hydrocarbon fluid sample does not stabilize over a given time interval, thereby establishing the WAT as being at that temperature or between that temperature and a previous higher temperature where the pressure (drop) stabilized over time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Shahnawaz Molla, Abdel Kharrat, Farshid Mostowfi
  • Patent number: 10859444
    Abstract: A method for the measurement of temperature in high temperature and high pressure processes includes the steps of providing at least a first material compound and at least a second material compound. The at least first and second compounds are mixed to form a material sample. The material sample is loaded into a device and the device and material sample are subjected to a high pressure of up to about 10 GPa and a high temperature of up to about 1700° C. to form the material sample into a solid crystalline solution. The material sample is recovered for analysis and the composition of the crystalline solid solution is measured to determine the temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: DIAMOND INNOVATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Camille Ellen Mayberry, Emil Tinkov Stoyanov, Kurt Dylan Leinenweber, Abds-Sami Malik
  • Patent number: 10835901
    Abstract: A thermal block assembly including a sample block and two or more thermoelectric devices, is disclosed. The sample block has a top surface configured to receive a plurality of reaction vessels and an opposing bottom surface. The thermoelectric devices are operably coupled to the sample block, wherein each thermoelectric device includes a housing for a thermal sensor and a thermal control interface with a controller. Each thermoelectric device is further configured to operate independently from each other to provide a substantially uniform temperature profile throughout the sample block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: LIFE TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hon Siu Shin, Chin Yong Koo, Way Xuang Lee, Chee Kiong Lim, Chee Wee Ching, Niroshan Ramachandran
  • Patent number: 10830749
    Abstract: An integrated test device adapted to perform tests on a single aliquot of a liquid sample. The test device includes a viscosity test cell adapted to perform viscosity tests on the liquid sample; a freeze point test cell adapted to perform freeze point tests on the liquid sample; a sample injection port adapted to load the single aliquot of the liquid sample into both of the viscosity test cell and the freeze point test cell, where the viscosity test cell and the freeze point test cell are connected in parallel to the sample injection port; a data processing unit to collect data from the viscosity test cell and the freeze point test cell and process the data, the data processing unit performing calculations to determine temperatures at any specified viscosity above a freeze point and checks of integrity of the viscosity measurements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: Phase Analyzer Company
    Inventors: Edmund K. H. Woo, Shinya Matsueda, Vivian Hoi Nga Yuen, Gordon S. Y. Chiu, Charles Yam Chuen Tsang
  • Patent number: 10712301
    Abstract: Methods and systems are described herein which allow to determine an icing condition without requiring a wind speed measurement. The methods and systems use two sensing members both being exposed to conditions in an environment. The determination is made based on a capacity of the sensing members to react differently to the conditions to which they are exposed. The conditions can be environmental or controlled. The determination includes measuring a variable indicative of the thermal state of each individual sensing member, and processing the measured values to generate the signal indicative of icing condition. The icing condition can be instrumental or meteorological.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: UNIVERSITÈ LAVAL
    Inventors: André Bégin-Drolet, Jean Ruel, Jean Lemay
  • Patent number: 10598618
    Abstract: A detachable boiling point detector for brake fluid includes a holding portion and a detecting portion connected to the holding portion. The holding portion has a connecting portion, and an assembling end of the detecting portion is detachably connected to the connecting portion. The detecting portion has a heater and a temperature sensor which are connected to a first port. A first circuit board and a second circuit board are assembled in the holding portion and spaced by a distance. A second port is assembled on the second circuit board and facing the detecting portion. The first port is detachably combined with the second port. When the detecting portion is connected to the holding portion, the first port and the second port are combined with each other at a connection between the assembling end and the connecting portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: CHUAN JIING ENTERPRISE CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Tien Tsai Tseng
  • Patent number: 10481078
    Abstract: A hygrometer includes a heat transfer section extending from a measurement space toward an outside space separated from the measurement space, a heat release amount control unit that causes heat to be released to the outside space from the heat transfer section such that an amount of heat released to the outside space is made constant, and a computation device that calculates a humidity of the measurement space. The computation device calculates the humidity from a heat transfer section temperature and a measurement space temperature using a relational expression based on a heat balance in the heat transfer section when condensation is occurring in a portion, of the heat transfer section, located within the measurement space in a state where the amount of heat released to the outside space from the heat transfer section is made constant by the heat release amount control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: ESPEC CORP.
    Inventor: Satoru Yamauchi
  • Patent number: 9475001
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an extracting device supplying fixed quantity of exhaust gas for industrial facility, and more particularly, to an extracting device supplying fixed quantity of exhaust gas for industrial facility which supplies a certain amount of exhaust gas by installing a gas supply pipe, in which two blowers are arranged in a line, at a stack and operating each blower in accordance with a predetermined input value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: KOREA DISTRICT HEATING CORP.
    Inventors: Won-Seok Chang, Chang-Jun Lee, Jin-Bae Kim, Nam-Woong Kim
  • Patent number: 9261930
    Abstract: Embodiments include determining, based on component temperature information of a thermal sensor associated with a component, that a temperature of the component of a computer system has surpassed a temperature threshold. A thermal sensor that is downstream from the component is identified, wherein the downstream thermal sensor is downstream from the component as defined by airflow through the computer system. Downstream temperature information as measured by the downstream sensor is determined. The downstream temperature information and the component temperature information are compared.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Arden L. Moore
  • Patent number: 9219285
    Abstract: A method for the early detection of liquid water formation in a fuel cell (1), in which a fuel gas and an oxidant gas flow, delivered by a gas supply circuit (50) that has a control module (110). According to the invention, the method includes: monitoring the temperature change in one of said gases over time, detecting a variation in said temperature by measuring a temperature differential by unit of time and comparing it to a threshold value, and generating a signal representative of said detection via said control module (110).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: Belenos Clean Power Holding AG
    Inventor: Jerome Bernard
  • Patent number: 9188464
    Abstract: The present sensing device comprises a sensor (1, ) for providing sensor data representative of a quantity to be measured. Together with the sensor (1, ) a radio frequency interface (2, ) for transmitting the sensor data is arranged in a casing (3, ). The casing (3, ) comprises an opening (33, ) for exposing a sensitive element (11, ) of the sensor (1, ) to an environment of the casing (3, ). A seal (4, ) is provided for sealing the opening (33, ) against an interior (3, ) of the casing (3, ). The sensing device can be used as autonomous humidity detector for detecting humidity e.g. in cars under test.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: Sensirion AG
    Inventors: Markus Graf, Pascal Gerner, Christian Landis, Matthias Streiff
  • Publication number: 20150110149
    Abstract: The method includes receiving a value of a quantity of heat applied to at least a portion of a structure, said structure having a sensor surface exposed to the environment, receiving a temperature measurement of the sensor surface, receiving a wind speed measurement of the environment, receiving an ambient temperature measurement of the environment, determining a heat transfer projection of the sensor area using at least the wind speed measurement, the ambient temperature measurement, and one of the value of a quantity of heat and a target temperature of the sensor surface; comparing the heat transfer projection to an associated heat transfer value, and generating a signal indicating the icing condition status based on the comparison.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2013
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Applicant: UNIVERSITÉ LAVAL
    Inventors: André Bégin-Drolet, Jean Ruel, Jean Lemay
  • Patent number: 9004752
    Abstract: A viable strategy to enhance the bioavailability of poorly soluble drugs is to use amorphous solids in place of the more commonly used crystalline solids in pharmaceutical formulations. However, amorphous solids are physically meta-stable and tend to revert back to their crystalline counterpart. An effective approach to stabilizing an amorphous drug against crystallization is to disperse it in a polymer matrix. The drug's solubility in the chosen polymer defines the upper limit of drug loading without any risk of crystallization. Measuring the solubility of a drug in a polymer has been a scientific and technological challenge because the high viscosity of polymers makes achieving solubility equilibrium difficult and because pharmaceutically important drug/polymer dispersions are glasses, which undergo structural relaxation over time. The invention provides a method based on Differential Scanning calorimetry (DSC) for measuring the solubility of crystalline drugs in polymeric matrices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignees: Abbvie, Inc., Abbvie Deutschland GmbH & Co KG, Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation
    Inventors: Geoff G. Zhang, Lian Yu, Jing Tao, Ye Sun, Markus Maegerlein
  • Patent number: 8998485
    Abstract: The laser anemometry probe (LAP) system with continuous coherent detection, with single-particle mode, comprises means (AN) for analyzing the measurement signals of the said probe (LAP) and means (MES_T) for measuring the temperature (T). The system comprises, furthermore, means (DET_CG) for determining icing conditions when means (DET_GEL) for detecting the presence of a liquid water drop detect the presence of a liquid water drop, and when the said temperature (T) is below the said third threshold (S3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Thales
    Inventors: Jean-Pierre Schlotterbeck, Xavier LaCondemine
  • Publication number: 20150016485
    Abstract: A method of determining a thermal state or a thermal state transition of a substance based on how much liquid phase is available is disclosed. The method includes: (a) determining a current thermal state of the substance when the internal combustion engine is switched on based on a tank temperature and on a time interval during which the engine is switched off; and (b) calculating a percentage of the liquid phase in case the thermal state is a mixture of solid phase and liquid phase based on a total mass of the substance in the tank, a heat amount supplied to the tank, a heat exchange of the tank with an external environment; and (c) detecting the thermal state transitions based on said tank temperature and its time derivative and on said percentage of the liquid phase.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2014
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Inventors: Giovanni David, Igor Zanetti
  • Patent number: 8911144
    Abstract: A product critical temperature during freeze drying is determined. The product is imaged using optical coherence tomography (“OCT”). The product is freeze dried while the temperature of the product is measured. The product critical temperature is the temperature at which a product structure event occurs during freeze drying.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Physical Sciences, Inc.
    Inventors: Mircea Mujat, William J. Kessler
  • Publication number: 20140326009
    Abstract: A freezing detection device to be applied to a liquid cooling apparatus including a liquid tank for storing a liquid whose freezing is to be detected and a cooling unit located inside the liquid tank to cool the liquid, the freezing detection device comprises: a temperature detecting unit located at a predetermined distance from the cooling unit; and a determining unit configured to determine whether or not the liquid has frozen around the temperature detecting unit based on an output from the temperature detecting unit, the determining unit determining whether or not the liquid has frozen around the temperature detecting unit based on whether the output from the temperature detecting unit is fluctuating or not.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2014
    Publication date: November 6, 2014
    Inventor: Takahide Kobayashi
  • Publication number: 20140321500
    Abstract: The purpose of this invention is to overcome the defect of the present judgment method for automobile cooling system. It is an inspection method based on the aging degree of lubricating oil of the oil reservoir sensor. The invitation is a method based on the inspection to avoid excessive maintenance of the automobile cooling system, its feature: With a type of antifreeze freezing point detection module and main controller, and etc, to detect the freezing point of the antifreeze before maintenance, it will show the degree of aging. If the result shows no need to change the antifreeze, then keep using to avoid excessive maintenance, which will reduce the maintenance fee and save resources. The main controller checks the records like maintenance interval, maintenance content, travelled distance, and etc. These records could be auxiliary judgment conditions. Main controller and antifreeze freezing point detection module 1 are connected by cable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2014
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: MIT AUTOMOBILE SERVICE COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventors: Zhixin XIAO, Qin WEI, Zhiliang WEI, Qinglu CUI
  • Patent number: 8858070
    Abstract: A system and method for measuring a glass transition temperature of a hydrophobic polymer having a surface tagged with an atmospheric plasma.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: The Aerospace Corporation
    Inventors: Rafael J. Zaldivar, James P. Nokes
  • Patent number: 8851745
    Abstract: A hygrometer and dew-point instrument is provided that is structurally simple while reducing the workload during maintenance. The hygrometer measures relative humidity of a measurement space, and has a main body that encapsulates a working fluid therein and causes a heat-pipe phenomenon. The main body is disposed across the measurement space and an external space spaced from the measurement space by a heat-insulating part and has a temperature lower than the measurement space. A first temperature deriving part derives the temperature of the main body in a section where the working fluid evaporates. A space temperature detecting unit detects the temperature of the measurement space. A computation unit calculate relative humidity of the measurement space based on the temperature of the main body derived by the first temperature deriving part and the temperature of the measurement space detected by the space temperature detecting unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Espec Corp.
    Inventor: Shinichirou Sakami
  • Patent number: 8827546
    Abstract: A method for calibrating a superheat sensor (5) for a refrigeration system is provided. The method comprises the following steps. Increasing an amount of liquid refrigerant in the evaporator (1), e.g. by increasing an opening degree of the expansion valve (3). Monitoring one or more parameters, e.g. the temperature of refrigerant leaving the evaporator (1), said parameters reflecting a superheat value of the refrigerant. Allowing the value of each of the parameter(s) to decrease. When the value(s) of the monitored parameter(s) reaches a substantially constant level, defining the superheat value corresponding to the constant level to be SH=0. The superheat sensor (5) is then calibrated in accordance with the defined SH=0 level. When the parameter(s) reaches the substantially constant level it is an indication that liquid refrigerant is allowed to pass through the evaporator (1), and thereby that the superheat of the refrigerant leaving the evaporator (1) is zero.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Danfoss A/S
    Inventors: Asbjoern Leth Vonsild, Claus Thybo, Lars Finn Sloth Larsen, Jakob Spangberg, Jesper Hoeyer, Jes Vogler
  • Patent number: 8783945
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Danfoss A/S
    Inventors: Asbjoern Leth Vonsild, Claus Thybo, Leo Bram, Jakob Spangberg
  • Publication number: 20140182372
    Abstract: A water vapour sensor comprises a substrate and a film of carbon nanotubes impregnated with surfactant on the substrate. The substrate is of material which is inert relative to the film. Two or more electrical conductors are in contact with in spaced apart zones of the film, whereby the impedance of the film may be measured. The sensor is housed in housing which protects the sensor but also allows exposure of the film to water vapour.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2011
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Inventors: Graeme Scott, Richard Coull, Vittorio Scardaci
  • Patent number: 8727608
    Abstract: A moisture meter with non-contact temperature measurement capability having a housing, a moisture-detecting device coupled to or contained at least partially in the housing, and having an output related to measured moisture parameters, a non-contact, optically-based temperature sensing device coupled to the housing, having an output related to sensed temperature, an output display contained in the housing, for displaying measurements to a user, and circuitry contained in the housing for processing both the moisture-detecting device output and the non-contact temperature sensing device output, and transmitting the processed outputs to the output display. The moisture-detecting device can be either one or both of a contact-type moisture-detecting device such as a pad on the rear side of the housing, and a pin-type moisture-detecting device in a hand-held probe, and electrically coupled to the circuitry in the housing through a cord.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: FLiR Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Gerald W. Blakeley, III
  • Patent number: 8727607
    Abstract: A method of calibrating a heater system for heating a surface of a structure, the heater system including a heater element, a temperature sensor proximate the heater element for outputting a signal indicative of the temperature of the heater element, and a controller for controlling the supply of power to the heater element in dependence on the signal to maintain the temperature of the heater element at a first substantially constant temperature. The method comprises: immersing the structure in a fluid for maintaining the surface of the structure at a second substantially constant temperature; supplying an amount of power to the heater element; receiving the signal from the temperature sensor and determining a temperature at the temperature sensor; and determining a setpoint temperature for controlling the heater element in dependence on the signal and the second substantially constant temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Ultra Electronics Limited
    Inventor: Ian McGregor Stothers
  • Patent number: 8668384
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a temperature detector coupled to a conductive layer of an electrophoretic display device. The temperature detector is operable to measure a leakage current that is responsive to a temperature associated with the electrophoretic device and determine the temperature associated with the electrophoretic device based at least in part on the measured leakage current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Benjamin M. Howe, Gary A. Frazier
  • Patent number: 8641270
    Abstract: The invention relates to a field of measuring engineering. For increase in speed, sensitivity and accuracy of measurement of a hydrocarbon dew point, a method for hydrocarbon dew point temperature measurement is provided, comprising feeding gas to be studied onto a cooled element with a condensation surface onto which a light flux is directed at an angle providing its reflection in the observation aperture, a cooling of condensation surface of a cooled element and registering the value of the light flux reflected from the condensation surface, advent of the hydrocarbon dew point being determined on the basis of the registered value, and as a material for condensation surface of a cooled element use silicon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Inventors: Alexandr Mikhailovich Derevyagin, Sergei Victorovich Seleznev, Alexandr Sergeevich Fomin
  • Publication number: 20130341464
    Abstract: An ice detection system, in particular a method, apparatus and controller for detecting icing conditions and the presence of ice formed on a structure. Also, a method, apparatus and controller to detect the prevailing environmental conditions to determine whether or not ice may form on a structure. Two heaters of an ice protection system (experiencing substantially the same environmental conditions) are driven to different temperatures (the first greater than or equal to 0° C., and the second less than 0° C.). A difference in the powers required to drive the two heaters indicates the prevailing environmental conditions. In another embodiment, a heater of an ice protection system is driven and the rate of change of surface temperature is measured over several periods. A substantial deviation from a rate of change of surface temperature, which indicates the presence of ice on the surface of the structure, is detected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2013
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Applicants: The Boeing Company, Ultra Electronics Limited
    Inventors: Ian McGregor Stothers, Hosam E. El-Gabalawy
  • Patent number: 8608373
    Abstract: In a local softening point measuring apparatus and thermal conductivity measuring apparatus using a probe microscope as a base, environment of the prob˜ and a sample surface is set to 1/100 atmospheric pressure (103 Pa) or lower. Otherwise, a side surface of the probe is coated with a thermal insulation material having a thickness that enables thermal dissipation to be reduced to 1/100 or lower, to thereby reduce the thermal dissipation from the side surface of the probe, and exchange heat substantially only at the contacting portion between the probe and the sample surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: SII NanoTechnology Inc.
    Inventors: Kazunori Ando, Masayuki Iwasa, Masatsugu Shigeno, Hiroumi Momota, Kazutoshi Watanabe
  • Publication number: 20130320145
    Abstract: A system and method is provided for measuring and metering deicing fluid as it is dispensed from a tank onto an aircraft to remove ice and to prevent subsequent icing. The system can include a guided wave radar gauge mounted on the tank to measure the volume of fluid in the tank in real-time. As fluid is dispensed from the tank, the gauge measures the change in the volume of fluid in the tank and transmits the volume of fluid in the tank and the volume of fluid dispensed from the tank to a display/controller. The system can also include a refractometer module to enable the measurement of the concentration of a first constituent fluid relative to a second constituent fluid in a mixture thereof. The system can further measure the concentration of one deicing fluid constituent (e.g. glycol) mixed with another fluid constituent (e.g. water) to determine the freeze point of the deicing fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2013
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: Titan Logix Corp.
    Inventors: Gregory Joseph McGILLIS, Ronald John WILLIS, Edward G. PACHAL
  • Patent number: 8550703
    Abstract: A system for use in freezing or thawing a biopharmaceutical material includes a container means and a support member. The container means has a receiving cavity receiving the biopharmaceutical material therein. The support member is connected to and supported by the container means. A transmitter is configured to propagate an ultrasonic pulse into the biopharmaceutical material and is located in a support member cavity of the support member. An ultrasonic sensor is configured to sense a reflection of the pulse in the biopharmaceutical material and is located in the support member cavity. A controller is coupled to the transmitter and the sensor. The controller is configured to determine a phase change of the biopharmaceutical material based on the propagation of the pulse by the transmitter and the sense of the reflection by the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Sartorius Stedim North America Inc.
    Inventor: Jonathan Cutting
  • Patent number: 8517601
    Abstract: An ice detection system, in particular to a system for detecting icing conditions and a system for detecting the presence of ice formed on a structure, and the methods for doing the same. Two heaters of the ice protection system (experiencing substantially the same environmental conditions) are driven to different temperatures (the first greater than or equal to 0° C., and the second less than 0° C.). The difference in the powers required to drive the two heaters indicates the prevailing environmental conditions. A heater of the ice protection system is driven and the rate of change of surface temperature is measured over several periods. A substantial deviation from a rate of change of surface temperature, which indicates the presence of ice on the surface of the structure, is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignees: Ultra Electronics Limited, The Boeing Company, Boeing Commercial Airplanes Group
    Inventors: Ian McGregor Stothers, Hosam E. El-Gabalawy
  • 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: 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
  • Patent number: 8430560
    Abstract: In a method for detecting the freezing of water within a fuel cell, precise detection can be performed using a phenomenon specific to the time when water starts to freeze to allow a reduction in erroneous activation. Detection at an early stage after the start of freezing is allowed, and hence measures can be taken against an output reduction before the water within the fuel cell completely freezes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akira Morita, Jun Yamamoto, Kazuyuki Ueda, Taihei Mukaide
  • Publication number: 20130058374
    Abstract: At least one of the softening point and the dropping point of a substance is determined with a measuring instrument that comprises a sample chamber (4), a temperature sensor (16), a heater device (11), a means for providing temperature/time target values, an image-recording means (5) and a controller unit (17) with a processor unit. The heater device heats the sample chamber, the temperature sensor measures the temperature in the sample chamber, and the image-recording means captures a visual image of the interior of the sample chamber. A method using the measuring instrument has at least the steps of determining the change over time of the sample as a function of temperature based on the recorded image/time data and actual temperature/time data, and of determining the dropping- or softening point of the sample based on the observed change over time as a function of temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2012
    Publication date: March 7, 2013
    Applicant: METTLER-TOLEDO AG
    Inventors: Mario Crevatin, Markus Tuor, Benjamin Arnold, Pascal Wildbolz, Daniel Scherrer
  • Publication number: 20130035869
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for monitoring and sampling air quality in an interior space of a wall are provided. The apparatus includes a housing configured to attach the apparatus to an electrical outlet in the wall, and a gasket configured to provide a seal between the housing and the electrical outlet. The apparatus further includes an air moving unit configured to draw air from the interior space of the wall into the apparatus, and a sensor configured to monitor and sample the air quality in the interior space of the wall. The gasket is configured to directly attach to an electrical plate cover of the electrical outlet or to the wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2011
    Publication date: February 7, 2013
    Inventor: Charles Mitchell MINGES
  • Patent number: 8360637
    Abstract: A signal processing device is provided including: an alternating voltage generation section that generates a square shaped alternating voltage from plural direct voltages, and applies the square shaped alternating voltage to a sensor that is either a temperature detection sensor or a humidity detection sensor; a current-voltage conversion section that converts current of an output signal output from the sensor to an analog voltage; a selector section that selects a range of the current convertible by the current-voltage conversion section from one or other of plural current ranges; and a resistance value computation section that computes the resistance value of the sensor, based on the voltage value of the analog voltage converted by the current-voltage conversion section, the range of current convertible by the current-voltage conversion section, and the voltage value of the voltage generated by the alternating voltage generation section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Yoshinori Kato
  • Publication number: 20130016755
    Abstract: A brake oil boiling point detector includes a handle, a positioning base, a thermometer, a heater, and a level detector. The positioning base is combined with the handle using a fixing part. The positioning base has spaces for brake oil to enter via through holes. The level detector heats and boils the brake oil when detecting that the height of the brake oil is sufficient for the heater to be immersed. The thermometer detects the boiling point and displays the temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2011
    Publication date: January 17, 2013
    Inventor: Tien-Tsai TSENG
  • Patent number: 8348501
    Abstract: A sensor for detecting icing conditions in an airstream includes a flow housing mounted on an aircraft and in which one or more probes are mounted. At least one of the probes subjected to impingement of the airstream and liquid moisture droplets in such airstream. The heat removal, or cooling effect on the probe in the airstream carrying liquid droplets is determined. A temperature signal indicating the airstream temperature is combined with signals from the at least one probe for determining whether or not icing conditions are present.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Rosemount Aerospace, Inc.
    Inventor: John A. Severson
  • Patent number: 8348500
    Abstract: A hygrometer and dew-point instrument is provided that is structurally simple while reducing the workload during maintenance. The hygrometer measures relative humidity of a measurement space, and has a main body that encapsulates a working fluid therein and causes a heat-pipe phenomenon. The main body is disposed across the measurement space and an external space spaced from the measurement space by a heat-insulating part and has a temperature lower than the measurement space. A first temperature deriving part derives the temperature of the main body in a section where the working fluid evaporates. A space temperature detecting unit detects the temperature of the measurement space. A computation unit calculate relative humidity of the measurement space based on the temperature of the main body derived by the first temperature deriving part and the temperature of the measurement space detected by the space temperature detecting unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Espec Corp.
    Inventor: Shinichirou Sakami
  • Publication number: 20120307860
    Abstract: A system and method for measuring a glass transition temperature of a hydrophobic polymer having a surface tagged with an atmospheric plasma.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2011
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Inventors: Rafael J. Zaldivar, James P. Nokes
  • Patent number: 8292501
    Abstract: A cryogenic turbo-pump with an inducer and a system for detecting an onset of cavitation at the blade tips of the inducer. An IR imaging sensor is used to view the blade tips during operation of the turbo-pump for a temperature drop that indicates the onset of cavitation. The imaging sensor includes a means to vary the image capture rate to that the rotating blade tip will appear to be stationary in order to measure the blade tip temperature. A window is formed in the inducer housing in which the imaging sensor can view the blade tips during operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Florida Turbine Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Elizabeth V Stein
  • Publication number: 20120155505
    Abstract: In a method for detecting the freezing of water within a fuel cell, precise detection can be performed using a phenomenon specific to the time when water starts to freeze to allow a reduction in erroneous activation. Detection at an early stage after the start of freezing is allowed, and hence measures can be taken against an output reduction before the water within the fuel cell completely freezes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2012
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Akira Morita, Jun Yamamoto, Kazuyuki Ueda, Taihei Mukaide
  • Publication number: 20120155504
    Abstract: A method for improved handling of a blended fuel includes obtaining a sample of the blended fuel from a storage tank; cooling the same until the sample separates into phases; and determining a risk that the fuel in the storage tank will separate based on the cooling step. An apparatus for assessing the risk of phase separation of a blended fuel includes a test cavity for holding a sample of the blended fuel from a storage tank; a heat transfer device for cooling the sample in the test cavity; and at least one sensor for indicating when the sample in the test cavity has separated into phases.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2011
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicant: DELAWARE CAPITAL FORMATION, INC.
    Inventors: Ian F. Jarvie, Przemyslaw Olaf Iwaszczyszyn
  • Patent number: 8201992
    Abstract: New sensors and methods for qualitative and quantitative analysis of multiple gaseous substances simultaneously with both high selectivity and high sensitivity are provided. The new sensors rely on a characteristic difference in energy between the interaction of a particular substance with a catalyst coated heat transfer device (HTD) and a non-catalyst coated (or one coated with a different catalyst) reference HTD. Molecular detection is achieved by an exothermic or endothermic chemical or physical reaction between the catalytic surface of the sensor and the molecule, tending to induce a temperature change of the sensor. Both high temperature and non-destructive low temperature detection are possible. The magnitude and rate of endothermic or exothermic heat transfer from a specific molecule-catalyst interaction is related to molecular concentration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Sensor Tech, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael L. Horovitz, Karl F. Anderson