Abstract: An RTD (resistance temperature sensor or detector) sensing device which is a long, thin, unitary device adapted to be distributed across an extended field for the continuous, uninterrupted sensing or interrogation of such field, avoiding the inaccuracy, unreliability, and excessive expense of conventional "point" RTD and thermocouple sensors currently employed for this purpose. According to the invention, a very long, thin, ductile protective metal outer sheath houses a coextensive body of insulation material, which in turn supports and electrically insulates one or more coextensive RTD filaments and in most forms of the invention one or more heater filaments. Distributed RTDs of the invention may, along their lengths, have continuous linear function sensitivity, continuous variable function sensitivity, or step function sensitivity.

Abstract: A method for measuring average mass flow velocity in a duct employing an RTD (resistance temperature sensor or detector) sensing device which is a long, thin, unitary device adapted to be distributed across an extended field for the continuous, uninterrupted sensing or interrogation of such field. A very long, thin, ductile protective metal outer sheath houses a co-extensive body of insulation material, which in turn supports and electrically insulates one or more co-extensive RTD filaments and, in most forms of the invention, one or more heater filaments. The distributed RTD sensor may be configured in various ways to have continuous linear function sensitivity, continuous variable function sensitivity, or step function sensitivity. The distributed RTD sensor is used for measuring average mass flow velocity of fluids primarily in large ducts.

Abstract: An extended resistance temperature sensor formed of a plurality of lengths of pre-insulated resistance temperature detector (RTD) wire. The RTD wire is either unheated, self heated, alternatingly self heated or is heated by means of strands of heater wire integrated with or placed closely adjacent to the RTD wire. The RTD wire itself, or together with the heater wire, is bonded together in one elongated embodiment. Alternatively the RTD wire, or with the heater wire, may be encased in insulated shrink tubing, thin wall metal tubing or both. Connectors are provided at each end of the elongated structure to supply electrical current for heating purposes or to connect the RTD wire to detection circuitry, or both, and the configuration of RTD wire is doubled back on itself to form a U-shaped structure with the connectors adjacent each other. Protective sheaths are provided over the connectors.

Abstract: An extended resistance temperature sensor formed of a plurality of lengths of pre-insulated resistance temperature detector (RTD) wire. The RTD wire is either unheated, self heated or is heated by means of strands of heater wire integrated with or placed closely adjacent to the RTD wire. The RTD wire itself, or together with the heater wire, is bonded together in one embodiment. Alternatively the RTD wire, or with the heater wire, may be encased in insulated shrink tubing, thin wall metal tubing or both. Connectors are provided to supply electrical current for heating purposes or to connect the RTD wire to detection circuitry, or both. Protective sheaths are provided over the connectors.

Abstract: An RTD (resistance temperature sensor or detector) sensing device which is a long, thin, unitary device adapted to be distributed across an extended field for the continuous, uninterrupted sensing or interrogation of such field, avoiding the inaccuracy, unreliability, and excessive expense of conventional "point" RTD and thermocouple sensors currently employed for this purpose. According to the invention, a very long, thin, ductile protective metal outer sheath houses a coextensive body of insulation material, which in turn supports and electrically insulates one or more coextensive RTD filaments and in most forms of the invention one or more heater filaments. Distributed RTDs of the invention may, along their lengths, have continuous linear function sensitivity, continuous variable function sensitivity, or step function sensitivity.

Abstract: An extended resistance temperature sensor formed of a plurality of lengths of pre-insulated resistance temperature detector (RTD) wire. The RTD wire is either unheated, self heated or is heated by means of strands of heater wire integrated with or placed closely adjacent to the RTD wire. The RTD wire itself, or together with the heater wire, is bonded together in one embodiment. Alternatively, the RTD wire, or with the heater wire, may be encased in insulated shrink tubing, thin wall metal tubing or both. Connectors are provided to supply electrical current for heating purposes or to connect the RTD wire to detection circuitry, or both. Protective sheaths are provided over the connectors.

Abstract: An extended resistance temperature sensor formed of a plurality of lengths of pre-insulated resistance temperature detector (RTD) wire. The RTD wire is either unheated, self heated, alternatingly self heated or is heated by means of strands of heater wire integrated with or placed closely adjacent to the RTD wire. The RTD wire itself, or together with the heater wire, is bonded together in one elongated embodiment. Alternatively the RTD wire, or with the heater wire, may be encased in insulated shrink tubing, thin wall metal tubing or both. Connectors are provided at each end of the elongated structure to supply electrical current for heating purposes or to connect the RTD wire to detection circuitry, or both, and the configuration of RTD wire is doubled back on itself to form a U-shaped structure with the connectors adjacent each other. Protective sheaths are provided over the connectors.

Abstract: An RTD (resistance temperature sensor or detector) sensing device which is a long, thin, unitary device adapted to be distributed across an extended field for the continuous, uninterrupted sensing or interrogation of such field, avoiding the inaccuracy, unreliability, and excessive expense of conventional "point" RTD and thermocouple sensors currently employed for this purpose. According to the invention, a very long, thin, ductile protective metal outer sheath houses a coextensive body of insulation material, which in turn supports and electrically insulates one or more coextensive RTD filaments and in most forms of the invention one or more heater filaments. Distributed RTDs of the invention may, along their lengths, have continuous linear function sensitivity, continuous variable function sensitivity, or step function sensitivity.

Abstract: A temperature compensated, self-heating, resistance thermal detector in a sensor circuit for determining fluid level or fluid flow. A resistor in shunt with the detector provides the temperature compensation. The resistor and the thermal detector are connected between electrical input and output lines. Alternative embodiments include a speed enhancing lead network and a fully automated circuit under microprocessor control.

Abstract: An extended resistance temperature sensor formed of a plurality of lengths of pre-insulated resistance temperature detector (RTD) wire. The RTD wire is either unheated, self heated or is heated by means of strands of heater wire integrated with or placed closely adjacent to the RTD wire. The RTD wire itself, or together with the heater wire, is bonded together in one embodiment. Alternatively the RTD wire, or with the heater wire, may be encased in insulated shrink tubing, thin wall metal tubing or both. Connectors are provided to supply electrical current for heating purposes or to connect the RTD wire to detection circuitry, or both. Protective sheaths are provided over the connectors.

Abstract: A method for determining the level of heavier particulate waste material in a storage tank of liquid. The method comprises mounting a heated sensor below an unheated or reference sensor so that the reference sensor is influenced under some circumstances by the heater, but is insulated therefrom when the heated sensor is embedded in the particulate material. The invention includes the apparatus for accomplishing the method.

Abstract: A fluidic amplifier for sensing the motion of fluid. The amplifier comprises a heater probe, a reference probe and an active probe which is subject to influence of the heater probe under certain circumstances. A reinforced deflection vane is provided to cause signal level changes when fluid flow reaches a predetermined velocity.