Patents Examined by Gail Verbitsky
  • Patent number: 8303173
    Abstract: A temperature probe, such as for a respiratory system in which breathable gases are supplied to a patient, includes a housing having an external wall and an internal cavity defining an end and an internal cavity and further includes a temperature-responsive device in an area of the cavity near the end, such as in thermal communication with the external wall. A first potting compound that is deformable and/or has a relatively high thermal conductivity holds the temperature-responsive device in the cavity and a second potting compound having a relatively low thermal conductivity may be in the cavity behind the first potting compound. The housing may be made thin to enhance thermal conductivity, at least in the area containing the temperature-responsive device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Smiths Medical ASD, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith J. Bradley, Ryan E. Johnson
  • Patent number: 8303172
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to methods and devices for monitoring e.g., fatigue levels by measuring a subject's body core temperature. In one embodiment, microwave radiometry is used to measure such core temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Inventors: Paul Zei, Bryant Lin, Robert C. Allison, Kenneth Carr
  • Patent number: 8303180
    Abstract: A temperature recorder in the form of a tubular cover and with an inside piston, in which an altered position of the piston is carried out by a mechanical movement released from a bimetal washer, which, when making a sudden change, changes its form from convex to concave when a determined temperature level is reached. Two line-formed screen patterns, a picture formed by colored lines on the inner surface of the tubular cover, shows a certain pattern in the original position, and a different pattern is shown when an inside piston has been moved vertically inside the outer tubular cover. Friction between the outside of the piston and the inner surface of the tubular cover forms a braking means. A reset button can by means of a magnet or a spring repulse or press back the piston which is in the top of the tubular cover and has a magnet and the piston will be pressed back within the tubular cover to its original position and the first patterns will be shown clearly again by the line-formed screen pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Inventor: Petra Wadström
  • Patent number: 8297835
    Abstract: A regulation system for a compressor comprises a fiber-optic lattice sensor which makes it possible to determine a flow temperature of a fluid to be compressed by means of the compressor. Another aspect of the invention relates to a use of a fiber-optic Bragg lattice sensor as a temperature sensor in a regulation system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Paul Girbig, Michael Willsch
  • Patent number: 8292503
    Abstract: A semiconductor device including a temperature sensor includes a pull up circuit, a pull down circuit, a first additional current path, and a second additional current path. The pull up circuit is configured to generate a pull up current that contributes to generation of a first output current. The pull down circuit is operably coupled to the pull up circuit at an output node and configured to generate a pull down current that contributes to generation of a second output current. The first additional current path, when enabled, is configured to combine a first additional current with the pull up current to comprise the first output current. The second additional current path, when enabled, is configured to combine a second additional current with the pull down current to comprise the second output current. Respective enablement of the first additional current path and the second additional current path is complementary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Dong Pan
  • Patent number: 8292497
    Abstract: Cloud point monitoring systems for determining a cloud point temperature value for diesel fuel are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, a cloud point monitoring system receives diesel fuel in the tubular conduit and propagates light through the diesel fuel. The cloud point monitoring system further determines a cloud point temperature value indicative of a cloud point of the diesel fuel based on a light intensity level of the light that has propagated through cooled diesel fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Bryan K. Pryor, William C. Albertson, Mike M. McDonald
  • Patent number: 8292501
    Abstract: A cryogenic turbo-pump with an inducer and a system for detecting an onset of cavitation at the blade tips of the inducer. An IR imaging sensor is used to view the blade tips during operation of the turbo-pump for a temperature drop that indicates the onset of cavitation. The imaging sensor includes a means to vary the image capture rate to that the rotating blade tip will appear to be stationary in order to measure the blade tip temperature. A window is formed in the inducer housing in which the imaging sensor can view the blade tips during operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Florida Turbine Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Elizabeth V Stein
  • Patent number: 8287185
    Abstract: A printed circuit board supported over the top surface of a multi-cell battery module for battery cell voltage and temperature monitoring has an array of openings in alignment with selected battery cells for receiving temperature-sensing units that electrically couple with contacts formed on the printed circuit board and resiliently engage the cases of the selected battery cells. Each such temperature-sensing unit includes a printed circuit board mountable lamp socket and a lamp socket insert including a thermistor and a compressible element that maintains the thermistor in thermal proximity to the battery cell case when the temperature-sensing unit is installed in a respective printed circuit board opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy N. Pulliam, Kevin J. Hawes, Robert C. Beer
  • Patent number: 8282277
    Abstract: The invention discloses a replaceable probe holder structure for thermometer, including a thermometer shell. Inside the thermometer shell installs a slot and an elastic positioning mechanism; inside the slot installs a probe holder; after the insertion of the probe holder in the slot, the probe holder will match with the elastic positioning mechanism and then fixed in the slot. By adopting the above structure, the probe holder structure of this invention requires fewer components, and convenient for installation; the adoption of the elastic positioning mechanism to fix the probe holder is more convenient to replace in practical use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Edan Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: Chuanxi Guo, Anqiang Liao
  • Patent number: 8282275
    Abstract: There are provided an electrically-conductive connecting plate that connects electrode terminals of a plurality of battery cells; a fastening member that fastens the connecting plate and each of the electrode terminals together; temperature-detecting means that is placed near a fastened portion between the connecting plate and the corresponding electrode terminal which are fastened together with the fastening member, and detects temperature around the fastened portion; and abnormality-judging means that judges abnormality in the battery cells or the fastening member on the basis of temperature detected by the temperature-detecting means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignees: Mitsubishi Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha, Mitsubishi Jidosha Engineering Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takayuki Akaboshi, Nobuyuki Kawai, Toshihide Tanaka, Toshiya Shimpo, Shoji Narita
  • Patent number: 8277119
    Abstract: A temperature sensor, capable of operating in electromagnetic and/or electric environments such as electrical generators, motors and transformers and/or in environments where vibratory conditions are frequent or continuous, contains at least one light emitting optic fiber and one light receiving optic fiber and an electrically non-conductive dilatable object which variably occults the emitted light as the object's temperature varies. The light receiving optic fiber transmits light intensity and light intensity changes to an electronic device that may include a photometer and light-to-temperature computing equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: VibroSystM, Inc.
    Inventors: Mathieu Cloutier, Jean Pronovost, Marius Cloutier
  • Patent number: 8272781
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are generally directed to systems, methods, and apparatuses for the dynamic power control of a memory device thermal sensor. In some embodiments a memory device includes an on-die thermal sensor and enable logic to dynamically enable or disable the on-die thermal sensor. In some embodiments, the on-die thermal sensor senses thermal data responsive to a thermal data sense indication. The thermal data sense indication may be received subsequent to the expiration of a delay period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventor: William H. Nale
  • Patent number: 8267577
    Abstract: An object is to realize an ear thermometer that is configured to easily arrange a sensor in a sensor mirror and is suitable for mass production. The ear thermometer has a probe. The probe includes a probe body and a temperature measuring part joined with the probe body. The temperature measuring part includes a flange coupled with the probe body and a front end part extending from the flange, the front end part incorporating a sensor mirror.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: BIG ECHO NET inc
    Inventor: Hideki Tanaka
  • Patent number: 8256956
    Abstract: A temperature sensor including a temperature sensing element (102) having a temperature sensing unit (103) and a pair of device electrode wires (104) extending from the temperature sensing unit; a sheath member (106) including a sheath wire (108) connected at a junction (110) to one of the device electrode wires and a sheath outer pipe (107) retaining the sheath wire in an insulating material (114); an inner tube (112) which has a bottomed cylindrical shape, the inner tube accommodating the temperature sensing element and the junction in a bottom portion side of the inner tube serving as a leading end of the temperature sensor, and extending in an extension direction of the device electrode wire and the sheath wire; and an outer tube (120) which has a bottomed cylindrical shape including a gas inlet hole (122a, 122b, 122c), the outer tube covering the inner tube, and being spaced, from the inner tube on a leading end side of the junction when viewed in a direction perpendicular to an axial direction of the in
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: NGK Spark Plug Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tatsuya Suzuki, Mitsunori Oi, Takashi Maeda, Norimichi Saito, Toshinori Nishi, Go Hanzawa, Takeshi Morita
  • Patent number: 8256954
    Abstract: A contactless device for measuring at least the temperature of a rotor of a high-speed rotary machine, in particular a turbomolecular vacuum pump, comprises at least one magnetic capsule mounted on the rotor of the pump. The capsule comprises a permanent magnet and at least one pastille of ferromagnetic material having a Curie temperature slightly higher than a maximum temperature to be measured. The magnetic permeability of this material strongly depends on temperature. The pastille is intended to alter the magnetic field generated by the magnet. A detector carried by the stator of the pump generates pulses representative of the magnetic field varying with the rotor temperature, generated by the capsule, whenever the latter passes in front of the detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Silvio Giors, Oriano Bottauscio, Mario Chiampi, Gabriella Crotti, Fausto Fiorillo
  • Patent number: 8256955
    Abstract: The invention discloses an induction type of electronic thermometer probe motion detection device, including a probe and a probe holder; wherein the probe includes a cavity and a probe tip; Inside the probe tip has a heating mechanism, wherein the probe tip and the heating mechanism electrically connected with the host of the electronic thermometer by wires; Inside the cavity locates a magnetic inductive switch, wherein the magnetic inductive switch communicates with the host of electronic thermometer by wires; A magnetic signal source located in the position of the other side of the probe holder after the placement of the probe, where corresponds to the magnetic inductive switch, and then the magnetic signal source and the magnetic inductive switch composed to the probe motion detection device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Edan Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: Jifan Sun, Zhao Qin, Lingfeng Kong
  • Patent number: 8251576
    Abstract: Multilayer articles such as thin-film solar cells can be effectively tested under thermal load in a mini-module that includes a chamber or enclosure in which one or more laminated multilayer articles are housed. The inner dimensions of the chamber, at least along the axis that is perpendicular to the plane defined by the laminated solar cells, are configured to remain substantially constant during testing. Cooling the laminated solar cells in the mini-module device causes the encapsulant material to shrink and thereby induces accelerated failures in the laminated solar cells and associated structures. A technique of detecting the presence of defects or failures is near infrared radiation thermography wherein NIR images of the laminated solar cells are taken during the cooling process. The color patterns manifested from the cooled laminated solar cells can reveal the location, nature and extent of the defect or failure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Mia Sole
    Inventors: Kedar Hardikar, Todd Krajewski
  • Patent number: 8251581
    Abstract: The temperature sensors (26,64,96) preferably include a plurality of individual, magnetically susceptible temperature sensor elements (28-34,66,92), as well as optional magnetic field-responsive data elements (38,40,20) adapted for attachment to object (44) or to a substrate (82) in turn attached to object (44). The temperature sensor elements (28-34,66,92) preferably have magnetic bodies (22,70) exhibiting a re-magnetization response under the influence of an applied alternating magnetic field, which is different below and above a set point temperature, normally the Curie temperature of the magnetic body (22) or an adjacent sheath (74,94).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: TSI Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Brian L. Clothier, Edwin T. Abbett
  • Patent number: 8246246
    Abstract: According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a temperature sensor mounting unit for mounting a temperature sensor inside a mounting-target member through a mounting hole provided in a mounting wall, the temperature sensor mounting unit including: a base plate; elastic gripping pieces that extend from the base plate to grip the temperature sensor therebetween; elastic locking pieces formed on the base plate to be brought into engagement with the mounting hole; and a passage hole formed on the base plate to lead out a lead wire therethrough, wherein, in a mounted state, at least when an external force to expand the elastic gripping pieces is exerted, the elastic gripping pieces are brought into abutment with an inner circumference of the mounting hole so as to be prevented from expanding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Piolax Inc.
    Inventor: Yasuki Wakabayashi
  • Patent number: RE43745
    Abstract: A probe cover for a tympanic thermometer probe comprises a generally tubular body having an opening for receiving the thermometer probe and an infrared transparent window at a distal end thereof. In one embodiment, a film support extends radially inward from the distal end of the body and supports an infrared transparent film spanning the window. The film support has an inner edge that is substantially free from corners turning in the plane of the window. A plurality of end ribs are spaced apart and disposed about an inner circumference of the distal end of the body to engage a distal end of the thermometer probe and form an insulating gap by preventing contact of the film by the thermometer probe. The insulating gap also extends proximally into spaces between the end ribs, reducing thermal contact between the thermometer probe and a circumferential inner surface of the probe cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Tyco Healthcare Group LP
    Inventors: Clarence Walker, Kevin C. Meier, Wayne Schuessler, David Rork Swisher