Patents Examined by Gail Verbitsky
  • Patent number: 8783949
    Abstract: A self-calibrating, wide-range temperature sensor includes a current reference, impervious to process and voltage, with the current reference mirrored into two oppositely-sized bipolar transistors or diodes. Duplicate current sources are used with a ratio of geometries between them, such that the larger current biases the smaller bipolar transistor (less cross-sectional area) and the smaller current source biases the larger bipolar transistor (higher cross-sectional area). The current source in conjunction with the differential temperature sensing provides inherent calibration without drift while the differential sensing, from the ratio of geometries in the current paths also increases sensitivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Atmel Corporation
    Inventors: Jed Griffin, Daniel J. Russell
  • Patent number: 8777482
    Abstract: A method for detecting defect in a weld seam during laser welding. The method includes performing a two-dimensionally locally resolved detection of radiation that is emitted by a solidified molten mass that is adjacent to a liquid melting bath. The method also includes determining at least one characteristic value for heat dissipation in the solidified molten mass by evaluating the detected radiation along at least one profile-section of the solidified molten mass, and detecting a defect in the weld seam by comparing the at least one characteristic value with at least one reference value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: TRUMPF Werkzeugmaschinen GmbH + Co. KG
    Inventors: Dieter Pfitzner, Tim Hesse, Winfried Magg
  • Patent number: 8777484
    Abstract: A resistance temperature sensor with a first temperature sensor element and a second temperature sensor element, wherein the first temperature sensor element comprises a first measuring path and the second temperature sensor element a second measuring path, wherein the first and the second measuring paths extend on a substrate, wherein the substrate has an anisotropic thermal expansion with at least two mutually differing expansion directions (a, c), and wherein a projection of the first measuring path on the expansion directions (a) differs from a projection of the second measuring path on the expansion directions (c).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser Wetzer GmbH + Co. KG
    Inventors: Peter Seefeld, Reinhard Buchner
  • Patent number: 8770835
    Abstract: The disclosure provides a system, tools and methods for estimating a property or characteristic of a fluid downhole. In one aspect, the method may include: heating the fluid at a selected or first location during a first time phase, taking temperature measurements of the fluid substantially at the selected location during a second time phase, and estimating the property of the downhole fluid using temperature measurements. Temperature measurements may also be taken at a location spaced apart from the first location and used to estimate the property of the fluid. The tool may include a device that heats the fluid during a first time phase and takes temperature measurements of the fluid during a second time phase. A processor uses the temperature measurements and a model to estimate a property of interest of the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Stefan Sroka, Peter Schaefer
  • Patent number: 8764288
    Abstract: A temperature measuring apparatus includes a light source, a first splitter, a second splitter, a reference beam reflector, an optical path length adjuster, a reference beam transmitting member, a first to an nth measuring beam transmitting member and a photodetector. The temperature measuring apparatus further includes an attenuator that attenuates the reference beam reflected from the reference beam reflector to thereby make an intensity thereof closer to an intensity of the measurement beam reflected from the temperature measurement object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Jun Abe, Tatsuo Matsudo, Chishio Koshimizu
  • Patent number: 8764287
    Abstract: A thermal detector includes a thermal detecting element and a support member supporting the thermal detecting element and a wiring layer. The support member has an arm member connected to a mounting member with the first arm member having an arm base end section extending outwardly from the mounting member toward a first direction, the arm base section having a first width measured along a direction perpendicular to the first direction, and an arm body section having a proximal end portion extending from the arm base end section generally along an outer contour of the mounting member with the proximal end portion being spaced apart from an edge of the mounting member in the first direction. The proximal end portion of the arm body section has a second width measured along a direction perpendicular to a lengthwise direction of the arm body section that is narrower than the first width.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Taketomi Kamikawa
  • Patent number: 8757870
    Abstract: A method for calibrating distributed temperature sensing (DTS) systems is disclosed. The method includes: receiving temperature data associated with one or more locations along a length of an optical fiber; calculating a set of unique calibration coefficients specific to each of the one or more locations along the fiber length; and applying the set of calibration coefficients specific to each of the one or more locations along the fiber length to the temperature data for calibrated correction thereof. Also disclosed is a system for calibrating DTS data and a wellbore for providing calibrated DTS data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Travis S. Hall, Brooks A. Childers
  • Patent number: 8757871
    Abstract: An apparatus and methods for characterizing the response of a particle to a parameter that characterizes an environment of the particle. A change is induced in the parameter characterizing the environment of the particle, where the change is rapid on a timescale characterizing kinetic response of the particle. The response of the particle is then imaged at a plurality of instants over the course of a period of time shorter than the timescale characterizing the kinetic response of the particle. The response may be detected by measuring a temperature jump or by measuring correlation and anticorrelation between probe parameters across pixels. More particularly, the particle may be a molecule, such as a biomolecule, and the environment, more particularly, may be a biological cell. The parameter characterizing the environment of the particle may be a temperature, and change may be induced in the temperature by heating a volume that includes the particle, either conductively or radiatively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois
    Inventors: Martin Gruebele, Simon Ebbinghaus, Apratim Dhar, J Douglas McDonald
  • Patent number: 8753008
    Abstract: A thermal imaging device, which may be incorporated in an industrial monitoring system, is contained and protected by an enclosure that includes a window assembly. The window assembly includes a removable window and a temperature sensor, wherein the window provides a passage for infrared radiation to the imaging device, within the enclosure, and the temperature sensor is positioned, within the enclosure, for measuring a temperature of the removable window, and is adapted to communicate with circuitry of the imaging device. The window assembly may further include a removable retaining ring and a mounting plate. The mounting plate may include a bezel and an outer shoulder formed in a first side thereof, wherein the bezel receives the removable window and the outer shoulder receives the retaining ring, so that the retaining ring may hold the window against the bezel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Fluke Corporation
    Inventors: Paul S. Carlson, Mathew N. Rekow
  • Patent number: 8746966
    Abstract: A thermoanalytical instrument, and especially a differential scanning calorimeter, has first and second measurement positions, a heater and a temperature sensor associated with each of the measurement positions, and a controller. The controller, which has an associated means for setting a predetermined temperature program, controls a heating power of the first heater to cause the temperature measured at the first position to follow the temperature program. The controller also controls both heaters to eliminate any temperature difference between the measured first and second temperatures. The controller also provides a means for determining the lower of the measured first and second measured temperatures and applies additional power to the heater associated with that lower measured temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Mettler-Toledo AG
    Inventors: Ernst Van De Kerkhof, Paul Pieter Willem Van Grinsven
  • Patent number: 8746968
    Abstract: A sensor (10; 34) for measuring and/or detecting fouling that forms directly or indirectly on a so-called front surface of the sensor, includes the following in the form of a plurality of superimposed layers: —at least one heating element (14) that is able to diffuse, on command, a homogenous, monitored heat flow whose heat output is less than 200 mW, —a heat insulator (11) located on the side opposite the front surface of the sensor to prevent dissipation of the heat flow from the opposite side, —at least one temperature measuring element (16) that is placed in the homogenous heat flow diffused by the at least one heating element and that offers a precision of temperature measurement of better than 0.1° C., and —a substrate (12; 42) on which the layers of the at least one heating element and at least one temperature measuring element are connected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Neosens
    Inventors: Laurent Auret, Frederic Flourens, Luc Fillaudeau
  • Patent number: 8740455
    Abstract: An apparatus for measuring environmental parameters includes: an optical fiber sensor configured to be disposed along a path in an environment to be measured, the path of the optical fiber sensor defining a longitudinal axis; and at least one section of the optical fiber sensor configured so that an entire length of the at least one section is exposed to an at least substantially homogeneous environmental parameter, at least part of the at least one section extending in a direction having a radial component relative to the longitudinal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventor: Travis S. Hall
  • Patent number: 8740456
    Abstract: Adjusting current based on temperature. A change in temperature of a connection between a first device and a second device may be measured. The change in temperature may be performed while the first device provides current to the second device over the connection. If the change in temperature is above a threshold, the current being provided from the first device to the second device may be reduced. The change in temperature may be performed by the first device and/or the second device, e.g., by measuring the temperature of a connector of the connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: SMSC Holdings S.A.R.L.
    Inventors: Morgan H. Monks, Kenneth W. Gay, Timothy J. Knowlton
  • Patent number: 8727610
    Abstract: The object is to provide a laser processing apparatus, a laser processing temperature measuring apparatus, a laser processing method, and a laser processing temperature measuring method which can highly accurately detect the processing temperature when carrying out processing such as welding with laser light. A laser processing apparatus 1A for processing members DR, UR to be processed by irradiating the members with laser light LB comprises a laser (semiconductor laser unit 20A) for generating the laser light LB; optical means for converging the laser light LB generated by the laser onto processing areas DA, UA; and a filter 30, disposed between the members DR, UR to be processed and the optical means, for blocking a wavelength of fluorescence generated by the optical means upon pumping with the laser light LB; wherein light having the wavelength blocked by the filter 30 is used for measuring a temperature of the processing areas DA, UA.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Hamamatsu Photonics K.K.
    Inventors: Satoshi Matsumoto, Tsuyoshi Kosugi
  • Patent number: 8727613
    Abstract: A dual parameter sensor for sensing temperature and mechanical or chemical or related information is disclosed. The sensor is formed of an optical waveguide suitable for use in-situ in a high temperature environment having a Bragg grating written into a core region thereof with short-pulsed electromagnetic radiation. By noting the thermal Black Body radiation level above 650° C., wavelength shifts due to temperature can be decoupled from wavelength shifts due to the other parameter being sensed. Advantageously the thermal radiation can be used as an optical source to probe the Bragg grating, considerably simplifying the interrogating apparatus, removing the need for an extrinsic optical source to probe the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: National Research Council of Canada
    Inventor: Stephen J. Mihailov
  • 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: 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: 8714816
    Abstract: Thermometric apparatus includes at least one body-surface sensor, which is configured to be placed at a location on a body surface of a patient and generates a sensor output that varies according to a body-surface temperature at the location. Analog conversion circuitry is coupled between the at least one body-surface sensor and a connector for coupling to a patient monitor. The circuitry is configured to convert the sensor output into an output resistance across the connector that is indicative of a corrected temperature of the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Medisim Ltd.
    Inventors: Moshe Yarden, David Sergio Matusevich
  • Patent number: 8708554
    Abstract: A leak detection apparatus for aircraft bleed air systems includes a supporting spacer positioned within the shroud and supported upon the bleed air duct of the aircraft. A sleeve supported on the exterior of the shroud further supports a plenum having generally cylindrical sensor tubes through which sensor wire sets pass. A director positioned within the shroud above the bleed air duct is coupled to a generally cylindrical accumulator which in turn is in communication with the plenum. Appropriate apertures are provided to vent and direct bleed air from the shroud interior to the sensor wire sets and thereafter vent outwardly into cooler ambient air. The sensor wire sets respond to the temperature of the bleed air leakage to trigger alarm apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Arrowhead Products Corporation
    Inventors: William W. Thompson, Allen W. Harwood, Glenn Stark
  • Patent number: 8708560
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the temperature-dependent adjustment of the color properties or the photometric properties of an LED illuminating device having LEDs emitting light of different colors or wavelengths or LED color groups emitting light of the same color or wavelength within a color group, the luminous flux portions thereof determine the color of light, color temperature and/or the chromaticity coordinates of the light mixture emitted by the LED illuminating device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Arnold & Richter Cine Technik, GmbH & Co. Betriebs KG
    Inventor: Regine Kraemer