Abstract: A portable hand-held device (1) is provided for testing the boiling point of fluids, especially hydraulic fluid such as brake fluid. The device includes a probe (3) for immersion in fluid to be tested, in particular in a fluid reservoir, and the probe (3) comprises an inner casing (11) defining a housing (11A) for a semi-encapsulated portion of fluid and an outer sheath (7) defining a shroud surrounding the inner casing (11). A heater (5) and a temperature sensor (6) are present in the housing (11A), and apertures (10, 13) are provided to permit fluid flows to and from the housing (11A). The device senses the onset of the equilibrium reflux boiling temperature of the fluid in the housing (11A).

Abstract: The reaction heat sensor and control and analysis devices for measuring the concentration of reactive species in a medium includes a temperature dependent measuring resistor and a reference resistor connected in series. Both resistors, which are supplied with a constant alternating current by a constant current generator, are heated with a heating resistor. By analysis of the voltage drop at the reference resistor the heating resistor is regulated so that the temperature of the reference resistor and thus its reference resistance is kept constant. Thus it is guaranteed by control circuitry that the temperature of the measuring resistance is kept constant when no heat is generated by reaction on exposure to the medium. If a reaction occurs at the measuring resistor, the temperature of the measuring resistance changes and with it the voltage drop across the measuring resistor, which is analyzed and is a direct measure of the heat produced by the reaction.

Abstract: A heating sensor is disposed within a pipe with a clearance between an inner wall of the pipe and an outer surface of the heating sensor such that a measurement of thermal conductivity is free from any influence of a convective heat transfer. Temperatures of the fluid and the heating sensor are measured and a differential temperature therebetween in steady state heating is determined. A correlation is established between the differential temperature and a thermal conductivity of the fluid and is utilized to obtain the thermal conductivity of this fluid.

Abstract: A fluid temperature measuring device (10) comprises a substrate (12) upon which is deposited a first insulating layer (14). A first metallic layer (16) is sputtered onto the first insulating layer (14), a second insulating layer (18) is deposited on the first metallic layer (16) and a second metallic layer (20) is sputtered onto the second insulating layer (18).The second metallic layer (20) is thin and has a low heat capacity so that it responds quickly to changes in temperature of the fluid. The first metallic layer (16) is thin and is heated by supplying an electric current from an electrical power supply (22) to maintain the first metallic layer (16) at the same temperature as the second metallic layer (20).The second metallic layer (20) is electrically connected to an electrical resistance measuring device (24) which detects temperature changes of the fluid by detecting corresponding changes of the electrical resistance of the second metallic layer (20).

Abstract: A thermoresistive sensor system compensates for ambient temperature of a medium. First and second side-by-side sensors are mounted in the medium, each having a resistance that varies with temperature change in the medium. A thermal compensation control circuit supplies current to the first sensor such that the cube of its current times its resistance (I.sub.1.sup.3 .times.R.sub.1) is constant. The control circuit supplies current to the second sensor at a multiple of the current through the first sensor. A signal based upon the voltages across each sensor is produced as a temperature compensated output. In this manner, the system automatically compensates for temperature changes in the medium which would otherwise degrade the accuracy of the output.

Abstract: A thermal flow sensor comprising a substrate which can be etched, an electrical insulating film which is formed on said substrate and which has an etching characteristic different from that of said substrate, a heating resistor which is disposed on said insulating film, and a fluid temperature sensing resistor which is disposed on said insulating film at a certain distance from said heating resistor, the portion of said substrate corresponding to at least one of the heating resistor and the fluid temperature sensing resistor and the vicinity thereof being etched.

Abstract: A thermal environment sensor has a single temperature detector for detecting temperature and producing an output representative of the detected temperature, the temperature detector having, when heated by a predetermined constant power, a convective heat transfer coefficient giving it a wind velocity dependent temperature drop characteristic in close conformity with the wind velocity dependence of the effective temperature drop felt by a human body. A heater is provided for heating the temperature detector, and an electric power supply is connected to the heater for supplying the heater with a constant electric power corresponding to the predetermined constant power, and a temperature estimating circuit is connected to the temperature detector for correcting the output of the temperature detector by a predetermined constant temperature difference for thereby obtaining the effective temperature felt by a human body.

Abstract: A first heater is attached to a sensor capable of emitting thermal radiation toward an object to be sensed. Electrical energy provided to the heater, required to maintain the sensor at a predetermined temperature when it is radiating energy toward the object is monitored by a circuit which provides a signal that is indicative of the required energy. A second heater provides a baseline temperature for the sensor. For greater accuracy, two sensors are heated by a common baseline heater. One of the sensors is shielded from radiation toward the object and controls the baseline heater, the other sensor emits thermal radiation toward the object and has a heater for maintaining it at a predetermined temperature for providing the signal indicative of the required energy as described above.

Abstract: A thermal environment sensor has a single temperature detector for detecting temperature and producing an output representative of the detected temperature, the temperature detector having, when heated by a predetermined constant power, a convective heat transfer coefficient giving it a wind velocity dependent temperature drop characteristic in close conformity with the wind velocity dependence of the effective temperature drop felt by a human body. A heater is provided for heating the temperature detector, and an electric power supply is connected to the heater for supplying the heater with a constant electric power corresponding to the predetermined constant power, and a temperature estimating circuit is connected to the temperature detector for correcting the output of the temperature detector by a predetermined constant temperature difference for thereby obtaining the effective temperature felt by a human body.

Abstract: A device for heating a medium with which the device is in thermal contact for use in determining the thermal or flow properties of the medium. The device has a heater for supplying heat to the medium at an interface of the device with the medium and a temperature sensor for sensing the temperature at such interface.

Abstract: A temperature sensor, e.g. a thermistor (24, 37, 41, 46, 50', 57) is provided in a hollow space in cup-shaped shell (22, 36, 39, 42, 50, 54) of a size, e.g. 30 mm diameter and 15 mm depth, at a position of 1/3 height (i.e. 5 mm) of the depth from the bottom of the shell, the shell having wide opening (23, 33, 43, 47, 55) at its top part, and the temperature sensor is heated by feeding a controlled current to itself or to a heater provided at proximity thereto; the temperature sensor senses environmental condition in the similar manner to human sensation, taking account of air temperature, air flow and radiant heat from nearby matter such as wall or ceiling; thereby enabling comfortable air controlling.

Abstract: Instrumentation and monitoring systems utilize, as differential temperature sensors, heated, split-well thermowells of duplex design, mounted to the sidewall of a pressure vessel and communicating through a penetration in the sidewall with the fluid state within the vessel. Each probe has at least one parallel axial bore therein, a related, selected pair of probes receiving respective heater and temperature sensing elements in the associated bores and together functioning as a differential temperature sensor producing distinguishable, differential temperature outputs representative of the presence of steam versus water. The systems monitor the differential temperature outputs of plural such sensors to produce alarm indications and perform verification and error checking of the sensor output indications.

Abstract: A clinical infrared thermometer is disclosed for use in measuring the internal temperature of living subjects. The system operates by the combination of a radiation sensor that is held in isothermic condition with wave guide at ambient temperature. A thermistor, or other temperature sensor, is thermally coupled thereto and compensates for changes in ambient conditions.

Abstract: An electronic thermometer comprising a sensing member for sensing a temperature to be taken thereby, a storage member for storing therein a measured value representing the sensed temperature by a sensing member, a prediction member for computing a predicted value S(t) based on the measured value T(t) stored in a storage member, a display member for displaying the measured value or the predicted value, and a judging member for determining whether or not a response value, of a response curve based on the measured data, has attained a predetermined value so as to initiate an operation for changing a state of the display member.

Abstract: An electronic radiation thermometer utilizing temperature sensitive resistor (thermistor) as a radiometer sensor. The sensor is heated to higher than target temperature. Its resistance is maintained constant during measurement by a control circuit. Electric power required to balance radiation heat losses is proportional to net flux, which, in turn, depends on temperature of a target. That power value is processed by an electronic circuit to calculate target temperature. The thermometer probe does not absorb infrared radiation but emits it toward the target. The thermometer comprises reflective cavity with thermistor placed in a focal point, self-balancing resistive bridge with control amplifier and an electronic processing circuit. For the medical application, the thermometer is built in an elongated form and uses a disposable speculum, which is placed over the reflective cavity. Medical thermometer can take either core temperature from ear canal or mouth, or surface skin temperature.

Abstract: An integrated sensing device includes a resistance temperature sensor formed in a semiconductor substrate and a resistance heater which is formed on an insulating layer which covers the surface of the semiconductor substrate. The resistance heater has a low temperature coefficient of resistivity and is positioned adjacent the resistance temperature sensor so the current flow through the resistance heater will generate heat which is transferred through the insulating layer to the resistance temperature sensor. The sensing device is applicable to a variety of sensing systems, such as mass flow measurement systems, dew point detection systems, and frost detection systems.

Abstract: A hand held probe unit has an infrared sensitive thermopile mounted in a metal housing kept at a constant reference temperature by a regulator circuit. A waveguide tube, surrounded by a thermally insulative probe, directs infrared emissions to the thermopile. The thermopile and regulator circuit of the probe unit are electrically connected to processing circuitry in a chopper unit. Prior to taking a patient's temperature, the probe unit is mated with the chopper unit so that the thermopile detects infrared emissions from a reference target which is also kept at a constant reference temperature by another regulator circuit. The processing circuitry repeatedly acquires the output level of the thermopile and stores calibration data. The probe unit is then removed from the chopper unit, the probe is covered with an IR transparent, disposable speculum, and is inserted in the patient's external ear canal.

Abstract: A temperature monitoring system includes a linear array of six pyroelectric sensors mounted in a block. A through hole is provided in the block for each sensor. A bore in the block having an axis which intersects the axis of each through hole accommodates a rotary shaft. The shaft is provided with a diametrically extending bore for each through hole. Thus rotation of the shaft alternately exposes each sensor to the shaft itself and to an object in the line of sight of each sensor as defined by its corresponding throughhole. The output signal from each sensor is differentiated and used to provide a temperature measurement. The output signal is corrected for any drift in the temperature of the shaft or block. This is effected by periodically bringing a heated calibration head operating at a known temperature into the line of sight of each sensor.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for investigating surface structures irrespective of the materials involved. A fine scanning tip is heated to a steady state temperature at a location remote from the structure to be investigated. Thereupon, the scanning tip is moved to a position proximate to, but spaced from the structure. At the proximate position, the temperature variation from the steady state temperature is detected. The scanning tip is scanned across the surface sturcture with the aforesaid temperature variation maintained constant. Piezo electric drivers move the scanning tip both transversely of, and parallel to, the surface structure. Feedback control assures the proper transverse positioning of the scanning tip and voltages thereby generated replicate the surface structure to be investigated.

Abstract: A hollow dipstick is provided for immersion in molten material to determine the temperature of the molten material at any desired depth. The hollow dipstick is connected to an infrared detector by means of an optical fiber bundle for producing a signal indicative of the temperature of the molten material. An infrared focusing lens is provided within the hollow dipstick for transmitting the infrared radiation from the interior bottom surface of the dipstick to the fiber optic bundle. A container having a heating element therein is provided for receiving the dipstick when it is not in use so as to preheat the dipstick to a temperature close to the estimated temperature of the molten material to be measured to thereby prevent thermal shock to the dipstick upon immersion in the molten material. Alternatively the infrared detector is mounted directly on the dipstick.

Abstract: Radiation measuring probe for contactless measurement of the surface temperature of an object, independent of the emissivity of the object. The probe includes a radiation receiver and a housing having interior surfaces defining an interior space. The radiation receiver is disposed in the interior space, thermally insulated with respect to the housing. The housing includes a shield which has a shield surface facing outwardly so as to be towards a surface of an object whose surface temperature is to be measured. The shield has an aperture opening into the shield surface, communicating with the interior space and through which thermal radiation emanating from the object impinges on the radiation receiver. The shield surface is blackened and configured to correspond to the contour of the surface of the object, and the interior surfaces of the housing are of low emissivity.

Abstract: A temperature probe using a first thermocouple junction at the end of a metal tip for measuring the temperature of an object is also provided with a second thermocouple junction on the metal tip at a predetermined distance from the first thermocouple for detecting heat flow in the tip from the first thermocouple toward the second thermocouple. Electronics responsive to both themocouples drive a heater which maintains the second thermocouple at substantially the same temperature as the first thermocouple, thereby to eliminate heat loading by the probe on the object being measured. A single adjustable resistance temperature detector electronically connected in series with the metal tip is used to calibrate the probe and compensate for errors in the temperature readings of the first and second thermocouples. The resistance temperature detector is made up of a wire located in the handle of the probe and is adjusted by stretching the wire to reduce its diameter and bulk resistance.

Abstract: A thermocouple pressure gauging system for measuring partial vacuum is provided which uses AC current to heat the thermocouple to constant temperature. A signal proportional to pressure is derived from the AC current needed to heat to constant temperature.

Abstract: A hand held probe unit has an infrared sensitive thermopile mounted in a metal housing kept at a constant reference temperature by a regulator circuit. A waveguide tube, surrounded by a thermally insulative probe, directs infrared emissions to the thermopile. The thermopile and regulator circuit of the probe unit are electrically connected to processing circuitry in a chopper unit. Prior to taking a patient's temperature, the probe unit is mated with the chopper unit so that the thermopile detects infrared emissions from a reference target which is also kept at a constant reference temperature by another regulator circuit. The processing circuitry repeatedly acquires the output level of the thermopile and stores calibration data. The probe unit is then removed from the chopper unit, the probe is covered with an IR transparent, disposable speculum, and is inserted in the patient's external ear canal.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for measuring a non-thermal physical parameter with temperature sensitive elements impart a predetermined temperature sensitive elements, while measuring the physical parameter therewith. The same termperature-sensitive elements are employed for effecting a measurement of environmental temperature variation, and such temperature-sensitive elements are restored to their predetermined temperature in response to that measurement of environmental temperature variation effected with these temperature-sensitive elements.

Abstract: A temperature control system for an electrically heated cutaneous gas sensor. A heating element is provided with heating current by a closed loop temperature control system. The system includes a plurality of temperature monitoring and control circuits which are arranged to turn off a switch that controls the flow of current through the heating element if the temperature of the sensor varies outside of acceptable limits. The system also includes latching circuitry for maintaining the off state of the switch after the occurrence of an out of limits condition, and circuitry for preventing the latching circuitry from being actuated during normal temperature transients.

Abstract: A thermocouple pressure gauging system for measuring partial vacuum is provided which uses time multiplexing to alternately heat the thermocouple to constant temperature and then measure the EMF from thermocouple with heating current off. A signal proportional to pressure is derived from the heating duty cycle. The pressure signal is in turn used to derive a reference signal which is compared to the EMF from the thermocouple to control the heating of the thermocouple.

Abstract: A temperature sensor in a heating tape includes first and second electrical conductors, a substance such as salt in electrical contact with each of the conductors, said substance having a significantly different electrical resistivity when the substance is at a temperature below a transition temperature range than when the substance is at a temperature above said transition temperature range.

Abstract: A device and process for determining the vacuum dewar heat load at cryogenic temperatures by a test made at room temperature are described. The test device comprises a heat source and integral temperature sensor mounted on a probe tip. The heat load of a test dewar at a desired test temperature (e.g. 77K) may be determined by measuring the heat load of the dewar under test at a more suitable test temperature (e.g. room temperature) and multiplying that room temperature heat load by a correlation factor. This correlation factor is empirically determined, and is dependent on the design of the test device and dewar, and the desired and actual test temperatures.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is described that determines the temperature distribution of an environment proximate a cable of optical fibers. No additional transducers are required to be inserted within the environment and the presence of electrical magnetic fields does not adversely affect the operation or results of the temperature measurement. The characteristic of materials which enables them to generate spontaneous thermal radiation as a function of their temperature is used to map the temperatures along the cable. A plurality of optical fibers, each having a measurably distinct absorption constant, are used in order to generate a sufficient number of known parameters to enable the temperature of a number of zones to be determined along the length of the cable. Measurement accuracy can be enhanced by the use of known heat sources in the choice of temperature zone dimensioning.

Abstract: The purpose of the invention is to provide means for non-contacting sensing of the surface temperature of objects. A member, adapted to be brought in the vicinity of the object, has an opening leading to a protective enclosure in which a temperature sensing element is mounted. Pumping means are provided to suck the ambient fluid, usually air, from the surface of the object through the opening into the protective enclosure, whereby the temperature sensing element takes up the fluid temperature, providing a fluid temperature signal. A gap is formed between the object and the member and the fluid flows in this gap before entering the opening and takes up a temperature between the object temperature and the member temperature. A second temperature sensing element is adapted to take up the temperature of the member providing a member temperature signal.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of and an apparatus for measuring surface temperature of especially moving objects, advantageously measuring the temperature of fibrous products, and particularly of wires during production. The essence of the method lies in that two concentric shells not being contiguous with either the object to be measured or with one another are fitted to the object to be measured, temperature is sensed in the two end locations and in the central region of the inner shell, and in the central region of the outer shell, these values are brought to be equal to the value measured in the central region of the inner shell by dissipation or by heat transfer (heating), then temperature is measured in the central region of the inner shell. The essence of the apparatus lies in that it comprises two concentric shells separated from one another, an inner sensing and an outer compensating shell, being provided with heated surfaces, and dissipating elements, respectively.

Abstract: Liquids flowing from a nozzle or the like are tested by providing a sensing element having a heated tip part, directing a liquid to be tested to the tip of the sensing element so that the liquid cools the tip part and thereby an electrical signal is produced, and the thus produced electrical signal is utilized for evaluating the liquid and the nozzle.

Abstract: A multi-functional sensing and measuring system capable of detecting both temperature and humidity is fabricated from a porous metal-oxide ceramic whose dielectric constant varies with temperature and whose electric resistance varies with ambient humidity. The sensing element is connected in series with a resistor and a rectangular pulse voltage is applied across the series combination, and the ambient temperature and humidity are measured simultaneously in terms of (i) the circuit time constant (to measure temperature) of a transient state value and (ii) the steady state value of the voltage across the resistor (to measure humidity).

Abstract: A method for easily measuring surface temperature distribution of a sample consisting of a plurality of coexisting materials having different radiation factors at a specified temperature and a system for performing the surface temperature measuring method. In this measuring method, a sample is at first kept at a known temperature, and the amount of infrared rays radiated from a plurality of narrow regions divided on the surface of the sample is obtained. This measurement is performed at least twice at two known temperatures and therefrom temperature coefficients of infrared rays of each of a plurality of subdivided regions on the surface of the sample are then obtained. Succeedingly, with a sample being under the measuring condition, the amount of infrared rays radiated from a plurality of regions on the surface of the sample is measured.