Patents Examined by Gail Verbitsky
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Patent number: 8702305Abstract: In a temperature sensor (1), a pair of electrode wires (25) of a thermistor element (21) are formed of a material prepared by adding strontium to platinum or a platinum alloy and without addition of zirconia or a like oxide. Rear end portions of the electrode wires (25) formed of the above-mentioned material and front end portions of sheath core wires (3) are laser-welded to one another in an overlapping condition.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2009Date of Patent: April 22, 2014Assignee: NGK Spark Plug Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hitoshi Yokoi, Masamichi Ito, Takaaki Chosokabe, Masahiko Nishi
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Patent number: 8702303Abstract: Methods and devices for mounting a sensor are presented herein. A temperature sensor assembly for a capacitor bank is disclosed that includes two opposing substrates, and a plurality of contact temperature sensors attached to each substrate. Each temperature sensor is configured to directly contact a surface of one of the capacitor cans in the capacitor bank and therefrom generate a signal indicative of the temperature of the capacitor can. A biasing member attaches the two substrates together. The biasing member is configured to selectively contract, such that the width of the sensor assembly is less than the gap distance between adjacent sets of tandem capacitor cans and the sensor assembly can insert between the sets of capacitor cans, and expand, such that the width of the sensor assembly is greater than the gap distance and the sensor assembly is tensioned against and thereby secured between the sets of capacitor cans.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2011Date of Patent: April 22, 2014Assignee: Schneider Electric USA, Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey J. Farago, Marcelo Perez, Stewart J. Harding
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Patent number: 8702306Abstract: Certain exemplary embodiments can provide a system, which can comprise a thermocouple input module. The thermocouple input module can be adapted to determine one or more calibration factors. The thermocouple input module can be adapted to store the calibration factors. The thermocouple input module can be adapted to apply the calibration factors to an incoming thermocouple voltage value to obtain an adjusted thermocouple voltage value.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2008Date of Patent: April 22, 2014Assignee: Siemens Industry, Inc.Inventors: Stephen Weeks Mowry, Jr., Robert Alan Weddle
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Patent number: 8696196Abstract: A bleed leakage detection system includes an arrangement of thermostats that are capable of detecting the place where the bleed air leakage is occurring (e.g., the failed junction in bleed air duct work). The exemplary illustrative non-limiting implementation provides a bleed leakage detection system with continuous monitoring of thermostat sensor wiring during flight and thermostat self-test function (“Initiated Built In Test”—“IBIT”). The IBIT self-testing can be initiated before the aircraft takes off or optionally, during periodic self testing that may be run during predetermined periods such as overnight when the aircraft is not being flown. By the continuous monitoring the pilot is alerted when a bleed leakage has occurred or when the bleed leakage detection system has failed.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2008Date of Patent: April 15, 2014Assignee: Embraer S.A.Inventor: Oswaldo Barthel Monteiro
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Patent number: 8696199Abstract: A temperature sensor circuit and system providing accurate digital temperature readings using a local or remote temperature diode. In one set of embodiments a change in diode junction voltage (?VBE) proportional to the temperature of the diode is captured and provided to an analog to digital converter (ADC), which may perform required signal conditioning functions on ?VBE, and provide a digital output corresponding to the temperature of the diode. DC components of errors in the measured temperature that may result from EMI noise modulating the junction voltage (VBE) may be minimized through the use of a front-end sample-and-hold circuit coupled between the diode and the ADC, in combination with a shunt capacitor coupled across the diode junction. The sample-and-hold-circuit may sample VBE at a frequency that provides sufficient settling time for each VBE sample, and provide corresponding stable ?VBE samples to the ADC at the ADC operating frequency.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 2008Date of Patent: April 15, 2014Assignee: Standard Microsystems CorporationInventors: Robert St. Pierre, Scott C. McLeod
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Patent number: 8684598Abstract: A thermoelement for measuring the temperature in gaseous or fluid media by means of one or more thermocouples comprising wires of different metals welded together which give off a resulting electrical voltage when heated and are configured as a measuring insert arranged in an insulating rod disposed in a heat-resistant protective tube that can be connected to a connection head, the protective tube being wholly or partially surrounded by a holding tube. To prevent a high input of heat which has an unfavourable effect on temperature measurement, the holding tube is supported against the protective tube at a radial distance from the protective tube, and a heat-resistant trace and optionally an insulating material are inserted between the protective tube and the holding tube, and the holding tube is attached to the connection head and/or the protective tube in one or both end areas and is provided with thermal insulation.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 2011Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Assignee: innovatherm Prof. Dr. Leisenberg GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Christian Hoβbach, Peter Krieg, Detlef Maiwald, Hans-Peter Mnikoleiski, Wolfgang Uhrig
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Patent number: 8678645Abstract: Reliably and quickly acting device that can be cheaply employed for monitoring the flow of water vapor, having a water vapor line extending between a switching valve and a cross-section connection, in particular a nozzle, and a temperature sensor monitoring the temperature in the line.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2009Date of Patent: March 25, 2014Assignee: Krones AGInventors: Josef Hausladen, Hannelore Sollner, Bettina Huber
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Patent number: 8678643Abstract: A method for non-destructive testing of open hollow components for tightness supplies a gas under pressure into the component and cools the component in a punctiform manner. Detecting a leak out of the component using a thermographic camera and using a computer connected downstream of the thermographic camera to visualise the leak, follows. The precise location of each leak is thus detected.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2011Date of Patent: March 25, 2014Assignee: Inpro Innovationsgesellschaft fur Fortgeschrittene Produktionssysteme in der Fahrzeugindustrie mbHInventor: Robert Strohmeyer
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Patent number: 8672539Abstract: A multiple sensor fiber optic sensing system. A method of sensing distributed temperature and at least another property in a well includes the steps of: interconnecting an optical switch to an optical fiber which extends along a wellbore in the well; operating the optical switch to optically connect the optical fiber to an interferometric measurement system; and operating the optical switch to optically connect the optical fiber to a distributed temperature measurement system. Another method includes the steps of: installing an optical fiber along a wellbore in the well, the optical fiber being a first distributed temperature sensor, the installing step including providing a substantial length of the optical fiber proximate a second sensor which senses the well property; and calibrating the second sensor using a temperature sensed by the first sensor in the substantial length of the optical fiber.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2009Date of Patent: March 18, 2014Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.Inventor: Neal G. Skinner
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Patent number: 8668383Abstract: Methods and apparatus for wafer temperature measurement and calibration of temperature measurement devices may be based on determining the absorption of a layer in a semiconductor wafer. The absorption may be determined by directing light towards the wafer and measuring light reflected from the wafer from below the surface upon which the incident light impinges. Calibration wafers and measurement systems may be arranged and configured so that light reflected at predetermined angles to the wafer surface is measured and other light is not. Measurements may also be based on evaluating the degree of contrast in an image of a pattern in or on the wafer. Other measurements may utilize a determination of an optical path length within the wafer alongside a temperature determination based on reflected or transmitted light.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 2012Date of Patent: March 11, 2014Assignee: Mattson Technology, Inc.Inventor: Paul Janis Timans
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Patent number: 8668384Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 7, 2010Date of Patent: March 11, 2014Assignee: Raytheon CompanyInventors: Benjamin M. Howe, Gary A. Frazier
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Patent number: 8668380Abstract: A method for operating a calorimeter and a calorimeter that is operable to perform the method, wherein the calorimeter has a reactor (1) for receiving a reaction medium, a reactor jacket (2), an in-reactor heater (4) controlled by means of a first controller (6), an outer temperature control unit (9) in thermal contact with the reactor and controlled by a second controller (10), and a measurement sensor (5) arranged in the reactor for determining a reactor temperature (Tr). The reactor temperature is controlled by the heat which is delivered to the reactor by the in-reactor heater and by the heat that is carried in and/or out by the outer temperature control unit. A dynamic control of the heating power of the in-reactor heater and of the outer temperature control unit is used to eliminate any deviation of the reactor temperature from a reactor set-point temperature.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 2009Date of Patent: March 11, 2014Assignee: Mettler-Toledo AGInventor: Benedikt Schenker
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Patent number: 8662744Abstract: A method of calibrating a position sensor in an automotive transmission having a transmission housing having mounted therein a casing (10) for the position sensor which includes a pressure member (14) movably supported in the casing (10), and an electrical displacement sensor (38) actuated by the pressure member (14) for measuring the position of the pressure member (14) relative to the casing (10), such that, after the casing (10) of the position sensor has been mounted in the transmission housing, the displacement sensor (38) is used for performing at least one calibration measurement for at least one gear position, and, for each gear position to be detected, a tolerance range for the corresponding measurement value of the displacement sensor is defined on the basis of the result of the calibration measurement.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 2009Date of Patent: March 4, 2014Assignee: Rollax GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Wolfgang Rösch, Thomas Ullrich
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Patent number: 8662746Abstract: A gas turbine component (49) may be instrumented to provide a plurality of signals indicative of thermal measurements in a high temperature combustion environment of the gas turbine. A thermocouple arrangement may include a first thermocouple leg (50) disposed within a thickness of the component. At least two or more thermocouple legs (52, 53, 54) is each electrically connected to the first leg to form individual thermocouple junctions (56, 57, 58, 59) along the first leg for conversion of respective thermal gradients to respective electrical signals, such as electromotive force (emf) based voltages. The thermocouple arrangement may be used in combination with a thermographic system (70) to calculate heat flux over a region of the turbine component.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2011Date of Patent: March 4, 2014Assignee: Siemens, Energy Inc.Inventors: Ramesh Subramanian, Anand A. Kulkarni, Vinay Jonnalagadda, David J. Mitchell
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Patent number: 8657487Abstract: A method for on-orbit calibration of the temperature sensors of a simulated blackbody is disclosed. The method may include selecting a simulated blackbody traveling in a micro-gravity environment and comprising a sensor, a container positioned proximate the senor and containing a material, and a heat transfer device positioned proximate the at least one container. The heat transfer device may transition the material through a phase change. The temperature sensor may monitor the temperature of the material during the phase change. A correction may be calculated to correct any disparity between the temperature reported by the temperature sensor during the phase change and the known plateau temperature corresponding to that phase change. The correction may be applied to subsequent temperature readings obtained using the temperature sensor.Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 2009Date of Patent: February 25, 2014Assignee: Utah State University Research FoundationInventors: Gail Bingham, Troy Shane Topham, Alan Thurgood
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Patent number: 8657491Abstract: This present invention discloses a detachable probe cover for an ear thermometer and a manufacturing method thereof. The detachable probe cover for the ear thermometer is for being mounted onto a measuring probe of the ear thermometer, wherein a combining mechanism is provided at a bottom of the measuring probe and the detachable probe cover comprises a main body of a hollow structure and a base, in which the main body has an open end and a closed end opposite to the open end, and the hollow structure has a diameter gradually reducing from the open end toward the closed end.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2011Date of Patent: February 25, 2014Assignee: Actherm Inc.Inventor: Chih-Wei Hsieh
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Patent number: 8657490Abstract: A method for measuring the temperature of an electrical conductor, the method comprising (a) providing a clamp comprising a flexible, thermally conductive material in thermal contact with the electrical conductor, wherein the clamp has an outer surface of a known emissivity value, or a coating of a known emissivity value is disposed on the outer surface of the clamp and (b) measuring the infrared (IR) temperature of the clamp to determine the temperature of the electrical conductor.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2013Date of Patent: February 25, 2014Assignee: Electric Power Research Institute, Inc.Inventors: Gary Charles Sibilant, Andrew John Phillips, Daniel Clinton Lawry
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Patent number: 8651738Abstract: A high-temperature plug (10) is provided for a heating element and/or thermocouple or a temperature sensor with at least one wire section (18) embedded in an insulating manner within a metal jacket (16) with a wire end (14) led out from the metal jacket (16) on the front side. The high-temperature plug (10) has a connection sleeve (11) made of metal, into which the at least one wire section (18) embedded in an insulating manner within the metal jacket (16) opens. At least one contact element (12) is in electrical contact within the connection sleeve (11) with the wire end (14) led out from the metal jacket (16) on the front side. At least the end section, facing the at least one wire end (14), of the at least one contact element (12) is embedded in an insulating compound (13) or a metal oxide, such that the embedding fixes the contact element (12) in the connection sleeve.Type: GrantFiled: September 1, 2010Date of Patent: February 18, 2014Assignee: Türk & Hillinger GmbHInventor: Andreas Schlipf
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Patent number: 8651734Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for controlling a drywell including a receiver having upper and lower ends with the lower end being more insulated than the upper end having a temperature sensor in thermal contact therewith. Upper and lower heating elements are in thermal contact with the upper and lower ends, respectively. A controller includes an integrated circuit having a temperature sensor. A reading from the integrated circuit is used to control power to the upper heating element and reduce a temperature gradient between the upper and lower ends of the receiver.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 2013Date of Patent: February 18, 2014Assignee: Fluke CorporationInventors: Allen Erik Sjogren, Eric Nerdrum
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Patent number: 8641273Abstract: Faulty battery detecting and locating devices and methods are able to detect and locate a faulty battery cell. The device applies an energy to a sensing member, such as a polymeric tube containing at least two polymer-coated and twisted electric wires. Heat that is generated by a faulty battery triggers an electric communication between the two electric wires by melting at least a portion of the polymer. The resulting change in resistance between the two electric wires is used to detect and locate a faulty battery.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2010Date of Patent: February 4, 2014Assignee: Sinoelectric Powertrain CorporationInventors: Peng Zhou, Paul Tsao, David Kevin Pariseau