Patents Examined by Gail Verbitsky
  • Patent number: 8702305
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: NGK Spark Plug Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hitoshi Yokoi, Masamichi Ito, Takaaki Chosokabe, Masahiko Nishi
  • Patent number: 8702303
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Schneider Electric USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey J. Farago, Marcelo Perez, Stewart J. Harding
  • Patent number: 8702306
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Siemens Industry, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Weeks Mowry, Jr., Robert Alan Weddle
  • Patent number: 8696196
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Embraer S.A.
    Inventor: Oswaldo Barthel Monteiro
  • Patent number: 8696199
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Standard Microsystems Corporation
    Inventors: Robert St. Pierre, Scott C. McLeod
  • Patent number: 8684598
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: innovatherm Prof. Dr. Leisenberg GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Christian Hoβbach, Peter Krieg, Detlef Maiwald, Hans-Peter Mnikoleiski, Wolfgang Uhrig
  • Patent number: 8678645
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Krones AG
    Inventors: Josef Hausladen, Hannelore Sollner, Bettina Huber
  • Patent number: 8678643
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Inpro Innovationsgesellschaft fur Fortgeschrittene Produktionssysteme in der Fahrzeugindustrie mbH
    Inventor: Robert Strohmeyer
  • Patent number: 8672539
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Neal G. Skinner
  • Patent number: 8668383
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Mattson Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul Janis Timans
  • Patent number: 8668384
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Benjamin M. Howe, Gary A. Frazier
  • Patent number: 8668380
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Mettler-Toledo AG
    Inventor: Benedikt Schenker
  • Patent number: 8662744
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Rollax GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Rösch, Thomas Ullrich
  • Patent number: 8662746
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Siemens, Energy Inc.
    Inventors: Ramesh Subramanian, Anand A. Kulkarni, Vinay Jonnalagadda, David J. Mitchell
  • Patent number: 8657487
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Utah State University Research Foundation
    Inventors: Gail Bingham, Troy Shane Topham, Alan Thurgood
  • Patent number: 8657491
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Actherm Inc.
    Inventor: Chih-Wei Hsieh
  • Patent number: 8657490
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Electric Power Research Institute, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary Charles Sibilant, Andrew John Phillips, Daniel Clinton Lawry
  • Patent number: 8651738
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Türk & Hillinger GmbH
    Inventor: Andreas Schlipf
  • Patent number: 8651734
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Fluke Corporation
    Inventors: Allen Erik Sjogren, Eric Nerdrum
  • Patent number: 8641273
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Sinoelectric Powertrain Corporation
    Inventors: Peng Zhou, Paul Tsao, David Kevin Pariseau