Abstract: A system for aiming a remote IR temperature sensing device includes a beam splitter assembly and mirror assembly mounted on opposite sides of the body of the device. Both assemblies provide for adjusting the vertical and azimuthal positions of alignment beams to facilitate the use of inexpensive, low-tolerance parts while providing high accuracy to improve sensitivity, accuracy, and resolution. A dual action trigger initiates temperature measurement and logs currently measured temperature information.

Abstract: An ammunition temperature emulating system is provided for use in a tank ch carries ammunition. The temperature of the ammunition (which comprises liquid propellant) is needed to be known for firing accuracy. The temperature is indirectly approximated by measuring the temperature of the wall of the chamber in which the ammunition is stored, using a simulating thermal insert. The system includes a gauge having a sensor bulb, a vacuum bottle having a cavity receiving the sensor bulb and receiving the simulating thermal insert.

Abstract: A thermometer using the temperature dependance of the speed of sound, measures the average temperature along a path traversing an open environment containing a medium. A transmitting transducer, coupled to a signal generator and placed at a first point in the medium, produces a burst of sound of predetermined frequency and duration. The sound burst travels through the medium to a second point, located a predetermined distance from the first. At the second point, a passive sound reflector, or an active apparatus, produces a returning sound burst. A receiving transducer, positioned close to the transmitting transducer, receives the returned sound. A detection circuit, coupled to the receiving transducer, indicates the presence of the returned sound burst. A timer, with connections to the signal generator and the detection circuit, measures the elapsed time for the round trip of the sound.

Abstract: A method of testing heat insulation shaped bodies for purposes of evaluation wherein a shaped heat insulation body is placed in a measuring space where the initial temperature of the heat insulation body is measured under ambient conditions prior to heating. The shaped heat insulation body is then subjected to thermal radiation for contactless heating for a sufficient period of time to heat the body to an elevated temperature. Then the radiation is removed and the initial temperature decrease of the body is measured with contactless temperature measurement to obtain a temperature/time profile. The thermal conduction coefficient .vertline.k.vertline. is calculated as follows: ##EQU1## and compared with a standard thermal conduction coefficient, wherein (t) is time, .theta..sub.o is the temperature the surface of said body after heating, .theta..sub.u is the temperature of the surroundings, and .theta.(t) is the surface temperature at the time (t).

Abstract: A low cost, disposable temperature sensor comprising a non-porous rigid substrate having a colored patch of a contrasting color, covered by a thermochromic material which obscures the colored patch. The thermochromic material, which has a color in the visual range which completely obscures the underlying colored patch, is selected to have a melting or solidus point such that when the material is exposed to a predetermined temperature, the thermochromic material permanently changes to a relatively transparent color whereby the colored patch on the substrate is rendered visible through the thermochromic material. A transparent cover or film encapsulates the thermochromic material place on the substrate. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the substrate comprises a paperboard product, and includes printed indicia for making a permanent record.

Abstract: Measurement and display of the temperature of a cooking surface of a cooking utensil is provided by a temperature sensor, such as a thermocouple in thermal contact either directly with the cooking surface or through a clamp on the side of the cooking utensil in close proximity to the cooking surface, and a temperature measuring and display electrically connected to the temperature sensor and located on the handle of the cooking utensil or on the upper end of the clamp for convenient viewing of the temperature of the cooking surface at a location away from the temperature sensor.

Abstract: The thermal resistivities W.sub.s (=1/.kappa..sub.s) of electrically insulating, crystalline or polycrystalline samples under test (SUTs), all comprising host material such as CVD diamond, can be determined rather quickly once the thermal resistivities W=1/.kappa. of at least two other host crystalline or polycrystalline bodies B.sub.1 and B.sub.2 comprising the same host material as that of the SUTs, and containing the same type of impurity or combination of impurities as the SUTs, are measured by some other technique. These determinations of these thermal resistivities W.sub.s of the SUTs thus require only the measurements of the optical absorptivities .alpha..sub.1 and .alpha..sub.2 and of the thermal resistivities W.sub.1 and W.sub.2, respectively, of at least each of the two other bodies B.sub.1 and B.sub.2 and only of the optical absorptivities .alpha..sub.s of each of the SUTs by such other technique. These determinations of W.sub.

Abstract: A contact-type surface temperature probe which has a spring flexure for providing a spring force in relation to a surface to be measured. The spring flexure undergoes deflection when pressed against the surface. The probe also has at least one mechanical stop which limits the amount of travel of the spring flexure.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring a temperature distribution along an optical fiber, comprises a light source for inputting pulsed-light into the optical fiber, an optical filter for receiving backward Raman-scattered light from the optical fiber and extracting anti-Stokes' light and Stokes' light, an optical attenuator for attenuating the intensity of the Stokes' light extracted by the optical filter, first and second signal paths each of which includes a light-receiving element and an analog-to-digital converter, a signal processor for calculating a temperature distribution along the optical fiber on the basis of the first and second signal paths, and an optical switch having a first input port for receiving the anti-Stokes' light, a second input port for receiving the Stokes' light, a first output port, and a second output port, the optical switch transmitting the anti-Stokes' light and the Stokes' light to the first output port and the second output port in a first switching position and transmitting the Stokes'

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for determining the frost point of a gas containing a very small amount of water. The apparatus comprises (I) compartment A made of a good heat conductor; (II) an inlet for the gas to be measured, which inlet is provided on compartment A; and (III) a heater for adjusting the temperature in compartment A, and a temperature sensor. The apparatus further comprises (IV) compartment B which is adjacent to compartment A. At least part of compartment B is made of a poor heat conductor. Further, the apparatus comprises (V) a hole at the interface between compartments A and B and (VI) a reflector mirror having a temperature sensor. The reflector mirror is provided on compartment B in such a way as to cover the hole is connected thermally to a freeze source in such a way that the temperature of the reflector mirror can be varied from room temperature to at least -80.degree. C.

Abstract: A system for determining the cleanliness of a boiler having a plurality of tube banks by obtaining a temperature profile of the boiler heat transfer surfaces includes extending an extension arm, such as a soot blower lance, near the tube banks of the boiler. A separate temperature reading is taken at intervals along the length of the extension arm by utilizing either a plurality of infrared non-contact temperature sensors or a plurality of optical fibers. Each separate temperature reading enables a temperature profile to be determined along the length of the extension arm which, in turn, allows deposit accumulation on the tube banks to be determined.

Abstract: A digital liquid level sensing apparatus and method for detecting variations in the dielectric of a substance being sensed. The apparatus includes a capacitive element array which is disposed in a fluid to be measured and which includes a plurality of individual (i.e., segmented) input plates positioned along an axis of measurement of the fluid to be detected. The array also includes a common output plate having a length sufficient to span the entire accumulated length of the input plates. A controller sequentially applies DC excitation pulses to the input plates which cause a series of output currents to be coupled onto the output plate. The output currents are input to a current-to-voltage amplifier which generates a series of corresponding analog output voltages. The analog output voltages are then input to a peak voltage detector circuit to generate a series of peak voltage signals representative of the magnitudes of the analog output voltages.

Abstract: A level detector includes a level detecting capacitor, an oscillating circuit, and an amplifying circuit. The level detecting capacitor includes a pair of continuously extended electrodes separated by a predetermined distance and disposed at a predetermined position in a container adapted for accommodating a dielectric fluid having levels which are to be detected therein. The oscillating circuit is adapted to apply an alternating voltage of a constant frequency to the level detecting capacitor by way of an impedance element adapted to provide signal voltages. The amplifying circuit is adapted to amplify voltage drops at the impedance element so as to output a signal corresponding to the level of the dielectric fluid. Thus, the level detector can output signal voltages of high linearity and dependant on the fluid level variations using a simple circuit arrangement.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for safely and conveniently testing heat detectors mounted at an elevated location above a ground surface. A package containing a composition formulated to react exothermically but non-flammably upon exposure to ambient air sustains a temperature sufficient to activate the heat detectors under feet for a period of at least a few minutes. The package is placed in a holder supported on a long handle for raising the package into close proximity to the heat detector. After initiating the exothermic reaction, as by tearing an envelope containing the reactive composition, an operator standing on the ground under the heat detector elevates the package into contact with or close proximity to the heat detector.

Abstract: A moisture detection system for in-process nuclear fuel powder components includes a container within which the powder is located, a purge gas supply for providing a purge gas within the container, the purge gas contacting the powder and absorbing moisture therefrom, an off-gas line for transporting at least a portion of the purge gas after the purge gas contacts the powder, and a moisture detector for determining the moisture in the purge gas. The moisture content of the purge gas provides an indication of the moisture content of the powder. A process for detecting moisture of an in-process nuclear fuel powder component includes the steps of supplying a purge gas, contacting the powder with the purge gas, transporting at least a part of the purge gas through an off-gas line, and measuring the moisture of the purge gas in the off-gas line, the moisture measurement providing a measure of moisture in the powder.

Abstract: A high resolution thermometer operated by the pressure of a solid/liquid se mixture is characterized by a vessel containing the mixture, a pressure sensor and a pressure indicator. A relatively small change in the temperature to be measured causes the proportion of solid and liquid in the vessel to change, thereby producing a dramatic change in pressure which can be measured with greater accuracy than the relatively small temperature change. Temperature is determined by converting the pressure to temperature using the appropriate thermodynamic relationship.

Abstract: A quartz oscillator temperature sensor which measures temperature based on the change in resonance or oscillation frequency of a quartz oscillator with the change in temperature the oscillator can be constructed by cutting a piece of quartz from a wafer with a thickness of about 80 to 150 .mu.m by rotating the plane of the crystal defined by the electrical and mechanical axes 15.degree. to 25.degree. about the electrical axis and then forming the wafer into a quartz tuning fork. The tuning fork is housed in a case sealed with a stem and coupled to electrical leads with heat resistent solder formed with more than about 90 wt % Pb and less than 10% Sn. The area within the case should be at a substantially high vacuum.

Abstract: A temperature sensor for use in a microwave oven includes a metallic housing including a sleeve with a central passage, a metallic top plate coupled to the metallic housing to close off a first end of the central passage, and a temperature dependent resistor sensor element thermally coupled with the metallic plate. The sensor element is coupled to a signal transmission cable that passes through a bottom cap which closes off the other end of the central passage. The transmission cable is preferably connected to the bottom cap by soldering around the entire interface of the cable with the bottom cap. The cable includes at least 90% shielding and plastic insulation sufficient to resist temperatures up to 200 degrees centigrade. The sleeve is preferably filled with an epoxy cement that surrounds the sensor element.

Abstract: An improved thermocouple assembly suitable for measuring the temperature of molten metal, the thermocouple assembly having a sleeve comprised of a closed end suitable for immersing in the molten metal. The sleeve is fabricated from a composite material comprised of titanium alloy and having an outside surface to be exposed to the molten metal coated with a refractory resistant to attack by the molten metal; and a thermocouple located in the sleeve in heat transfer relationship therewith.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring thermally induced warpage in test elements such as printed wiring boards and printed wiring assemblies, including a heating chamber having a transparent window and support structure for supporting a printing wiring board in an observation orientation and position parallel to the transparent window. A glass grating placed adjacent the window and a light source shines through the window onto the printed wiring board under test. A camera is positioned for capturing images of shadow moire fringes formed over time as the oven heats up the printed wiring board or printed wiring assembly to simulate actual process conditions. A computer is used for controlling operation of the apparatus and for evaluating the captured images of the moire fringes in relation to the temperature as a function of time.