Patents by Inventor Josephine B. Santiago

Josephine B. Santiago has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Self-validating thermocouple
    Patent number: 7841771
    Abstract: Self-Validating Thermocouple (SVT) Systems capable of detecting sensor probe open circuits, short circuits, and unnoticeable faults such as a probe debonding and probe degradation are useful in the measurement of temperatures. SVT Systems provide such capabilities by incorporating a heating or excitation element into the measuring junction of the thermocouple. By heating the measuring junction and observing the decay time for the detected DC voltage signal, it is possible to indicate whether the thermocouple is bonded or debonded. A change in the thermal transfer function of the thermocouple system causes a change in the rise and decay times of the thermocouple output. Incorporation of the excitation element does not interfere with normal thermocouple operation, thus further allowing traditional validation procedures as well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Jose M. Perotti, Carlos T. Mata, Josephine B. Santiago, Peter Vokrot, Carlos E. Zavala, Bradley M. Burns
  • Self-Validating Thermocouple
    Publication number: 20080013598
    Abstract: Self-Validating Thermocouple (SVT) Systems capable of detecting sensor probe open circuits, short circuits, and unnoticeable faults such as a probe debonding and probe degradation are useful in the measurement of temperatures. SVT Systems provide such capabilities by incorporating a heating or excitation element into the measuring junction of the thermocouple. By heating the measuring junction and observing the decay time for the detected DC voltage signal, it is possible to indicate whether the thermocouple is bonded or debonded. A change in the thermal transfer function of the thermocouple system causes a change in the rise and decay times of the thermocouple output. Incorporation of the excitation element does not interfere with normal thermocouple operation, thus further allowing traditional validation procedures as well.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2007
    Publication date: January 17, 2008
    Applicant: USA as Represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Jose M. Perotti, Carlos T. Mata, Josephine B. Santiago, Peter Vokrot, Carlos E. Zavala, Bradley M. Burns