Patents by Inventor Lars Stormbom

Lars Stormbom 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).

  • Patent number: 10989837
    Abstract: According to an example aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method in connection with a radiosonde, the method comprising measuring a humidity of the atmosphere at several different altitudes in the atmosphere, measuring a pressure at several different altitudes in the atmosphere or calculating the pressure from an altitude of the radiosonde obtained from GPS or other satellite navigation system, measuring or estimating a temperature of a humidity sensor, and measuring a relative humidity by a capacitor with a polymer insulator, wherein the relative humidity value is corrected based on a correction factor, which is a function of pressure, humidity sensor temperature, and relative humidity, such that the humidity value decreases when pressure decreases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: Vaisala Oyj
    Inventors: Eero Hiltunen, Lars Stormbom, Petteri Survo, Jukka Leppänen
  • Publication number: 20180180769
    Abstract: According to an example aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method in connection with a radiosonde, the method comprising measuring a humidity of the atmosphere at several different altitudes in the atmosphere, measuring a pressure at several different altitudes in the atmosphere or calculating the pressure from an altitude of the radiosonde obtained from GPS or other satellite navigation system, measuring or estimating a temperature of a humidity sensor, and measuring a relative humidity by a capacitor with a polymer insulator, wherein the relative humidity value is corrected based on a correction factor, which is a function of pressure, humidity sensor temperature, and relative humidity, such that the humidity value decreases when pressure decreases.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2017
    Publication date: June 28, 2018
    Inventors: Eero Hiltunen, Lars Stormbom, Petteri Survo, Jukka Leppänen
  • Publication number: 20130025115
    Abstract: A wireless sensor unit and a maintenance method. The sensor unit includes a sensor capable of forming a measurement signal, electronics capable of receiving a measurement signal from the sensor and sending the signal wirelessly to a wireless network, and a power supply for providing supply voltage for the sensor and electronics. The unit is divided into two parts, a first part and a second part such that the first part includes the electronics and is may be mounted permanently to a fixed object like a wall, and second part including the power supply and the sensor. The second part is capable to be repeatedly mounted and detached to the first part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2010
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Applicant: VAISALA OYJ
    Inventor: Lars Stormbom
  • Publication number: 20130008224
    Abstract: This publication discloses a method for calibrating a CO2 concentration measuring device, in which method gas concentration is measured in a room. In accordance with the invention presence of persons is continuously determined in the room, and the measurement results are corrected based on the presence information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2010
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Applicant: VAISALA OYJ
    Inventor: Lars Stormbom
  • Publication number: 20090044593
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for calibrating the relative content (RH) of water. According to the invention, at least one calibration point is defined at a known partial pressure (Pw) of water vapour and sensor temperature of the sensor. According to the invention, at the same known partial pressure (Pw) of water the sensor (2) is heated and, at least one increased temperature point, both the relative content (RH) and the temperature (T) are measured simultaneously.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2006
    Publication date: February 19, 2009
    Inventors: Lars Stormbom, Matti Lyyra, Eero Hiltunen
  • Patent number: 7036356
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for measurement of total water content in a liquid. According to the method, the relative water content (aw) of the liquid is measured in a first measurement step at a first temperature (T1). According to the invention, the temperature of the liquid under measurement is altered from the first temperature (T1) and the relative water content is measured in a second measurement step at the second, altered temperature (T2), whereby, based on these at least two measurement values (aw(1)T1, aw(2)T2), the total water content is determined from the temperature dependence of water dissolution into the liquid under measurement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Assignee: Vaisala Oyj
    Inventors: Jukka Leppänen, Matti Lyyra, Lars Stormbom
  • Patent number: 6809528
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring the water content of a liquid, including a method step for electrically measuring the property of the liquid for one parameter. The properties of the liquid are measured at least substantially simultaneously by another electrical method, where the properties of the liquid are measured using both a relative-value and an absolute-value measurement method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2004
    Assignee: Vaisala Oyj
    Inventors: Lars Stormbom, Matti Lyyra, Jukka Leppänen
  • Publication number: 20040154384
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for measurement of total water content in a liquid. According to the method, the relative water content (aw) of the liquid is measured in a first measurement step at a first temperature (T1). According to the invention, the temperature of the liquid under measurement is altered from the first temperature (T1) and the relative water content is measured in a second measurement step at the second, altered temperature (T2), whereby, based on these at least two measurement values (aw(1)T1, aw(2)T2), the total water content is determined from the temperature dependence of water dissolution into the liquid under measurement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2004
    Publication date: August 12, 2004
    Inventors: Jukka Leppanen, Matti Lyyra, Lars Stormbom
  • Patent number: 6564633
    Abstract: A method and system relating to an improvement in measuring accuracy of a gas concentration sensor, the method comprising the steps of measuring a parameter of the sensor, the parameter being a resistance or a capacitance, that is sensitive to the gas or its concentration being measured, and simultaneously changing the temperature of the sensor in a cyclic manner. The parameter of the sensor being measured is measured more than two times or continuously during each heating cycle. The measured parameter value is filtered to obtain a signal component associated with the fundamental frequency of the heating cycle for use at a later step, and the thus filtered signal component is used in the correction and/or calibration of actual output signal of the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignee: Vaisala Oyj
    Inventor: Lars Stormbom
  • Publication number: 20010003249
    Abstract: The method and system disclosed in the publication relates to an improvement in measurement accuracy of a gas concentration sensor (1) such as capacitive humidity sensor (1), the method comprising the steps of measuring a parameter of the sensor (1), such as its resistance or capacitance, that is sensitive to the gas or its concentration being measured, and simultaneously changing the temperature of the sensor (1) in a cyclic manner. According to the invention, the parameter of the sensor (1) being measured is measured at least essentially continuously, at least N times during each heating cycle, the measured parameter value is filtered to obtain a signal component associated with the fundamental frequency of the heating cycle for use at a later step, and the thus filtered signal component is used in the correction and/or calibration of actual output signal of the sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2000
    Publication date: June 14, 2001
    Inventor: Lars Stormbom
  • Patent number: 5987963
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for improving the selectivity of a polymer film gas sensor. According to the method, the gas sensor is heated and a sensor parameter sensitive to the variable under measurement is recorded. According to the invention, the parameter of the sensor sensitive to the variable under measurement is measured at a plurality of instants during both the heating period and the cooling period of the sensor, a hysteresis function of the sensor response is formed over the heating and cooling periods, and on the basis of the hysteresis function, the concentration of each measured gas component is determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: Vaisala Oy
    Inventor: Lars Stormbom
  • Patent number: 5644080
    Abstract: The invention relates to an indirect measurement method of dewpoint or gas concentration and an apparatus suited for prediction of icing. The method is based on measuring the relative concentration of the gas directly and simultaneously measuring the temperature of the element (3) measuring the relative concentration of the gas. According to the invention, the temperature of the relative value measuring element (3) is shifted so as to bring the operation of the measuring element to a measurement range of maximally high sensitivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 1, 1997
    Assignee: Vaisala Oy
    Inventors: Lars Stormbom, Matti Lyyra
  • Patent number: 5625139
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and sensor structure for measuring the concentration of nonpolar gases such as carbon dioxide. According to the method, the concentration of the nonpolar gas adsorbed/absorbed in a polymer film (2) is determined by detecting the weight of the polymer film (2). According to the invention, the dielectric coefficient of the polymer film (2) is measured, and on the basis of this, a correction is made in the concentration measurement result obtained from the weight measurement. (FIG.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 29, 1997
    Assignee: Vaisala Oy
    Inventor: Lars Stormbom
  • Patent number: 5619144
    Abstract: Detector and method for detecting the presence of a liquid, such as water dew or of ice, or for detecting a change of phase in liquid, based on a change in an electrical resistance. The detector comprises a substrate onto whose face one or several resistor patterns are applied. For detecting the presence of a liquid or ice or equivalent by a change in the detector resistance, a low-mass detector resistor pattern is applied onto a substrate out of such a metal or equivalent as has a considerable dependence on temperature. On the substrate, there are contact patterns that feed a short pulse of electric current to heat the detector resistor as a short pulse, the presence of a liquid or ice and or a change of phase being detected by the change in resistance taking place during the short pulse. The thickness of the metal film in the resistor pattern (15) of the detector resistor (R.sub.det) is, as a rule, chosen as s<1 .mu.m.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 8, 1997
    Assignee: Vaisala Oy
    Inventor: Lars Stormbom
  • Patent number: 5607564
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of producing a microporous, gas permeable electrode structure, and to a corresponding electrode structure. According to the method, on a substrate (2) by means of a vacuum evaporation process is formed a first microporous electrode layer (4) using an angle (.alpha.) between the substrate (2) and the evaporation source (1) smaller than 90.degree.. According to the invention, on the first microporous layer (4) is formed another microporous layer (5) of a precious metal using essentially the same evaporation angle (.alpha.) as in the fabrication step of the first microporous layer (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 4, 1997
    Assignee: Vaisala OY
    Inventor: Lars Stormbom
  • Patent number: 5511418
    Abstract: Method, in particular in radiosondes, for measurement of relative humidity by using a capacitive humidity detector (10) or a combination of detectors (10.sub.1,10.sub.2 ;10P), as well as humidity detectors. In the detector, between the capacitor plates, an insulating material (12) is used, whose permittivity is a function of the amount of water vapor absorbed by the insulating material (12). The detector (10) or the combination of detectors is heated in order to remove any ice, frost or condensed humidity deposited on the face and/or in the environment of the detector. The detector capacitance (C.sub.M) or a part (C.sub.1 . . . C.sub.N) of same is heated, in time and/or in place, periodically by means of electric current (I). The detecting of the detector capacitance (C.sub.M) is carried out without measurement of the detector temperature after the detector capacitance or a part (C.sub.1 . . . C.sub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 30, 1996
    Assignee: Vaisala Oy
    Inventors: Veijo Antikainen, Ari Paukkunen, Lars Stormbom, Hannu Jauhiainen, Jorma Ponkala
  • Patent number: 5485747
    Abstract: Method, in particular in radiosondes, for measurement of relative humidity by using a capacitive humidity detector (10) or a combination of detectors (10.sub.1, 10.sub.2 ; 10P), as well as humidity detectors. In the detector, between the capacitor plates, an insulating material (12) is used, whose permittivity is a function of the amount of water absorbed by the insulating material (12). The detector (10) or the combination of detectors is heated in order to remove any ice, frost or condensed humidity deposited on the face and/or in the environment of the detector. The detector capacitance (C.sub.M) or a part (C.sub.1 . . . C.sub.N) of same is heated, in time and/or in place, periodically by means of electric current (I). The detecting of the detector capacitance (C.sub.M) is carried out without measurement of the detector temperature after the detector capacitance or a part (C.sub.1 . . . C.sub.N) of same has cooled down substantially to the temperature of the environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 23, 1996
    Assignee: Vaisala Oy
    Inventors: Veijo Antikainen, Ari Paukkunen, Lars Stormbom, Hannu Jauhiainen, Jorma Ponkala
  • Patent number: 5075816
    Abstract: The invention concerns a capacitive humidity sensor (6) capable of being connected to a measurement device of dielectric factor and a method for producing the sensor. The sensor comprises a dielectric layer (3), whose dielectric factor changes according to the moisture content absorbed in the layer, and at least two galvanically isolated conductive layers (2,1) enclosing the dielectric layer (3), where one of the conductive layers (2) of the capacitor construction is provided with a random pattern of clefts (7), which allow an immediate communication of ambient air with the dielectric layer (3). According to the invention, the dielectric layer (3) has a solid structure without cracks corresponding to the clefts (7) of the conductive layer (2). The construction according to the invention offers a reduction of the capillary effect and associated hysteresis up to a complete elimination of the effect in some embodiments of the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1991
    Assignee: Vaisala Oy
    Inventor: Lars Stormbom
  • Patent number: 5033284
    Abstract: This invention concerns a calibration method and compatible sensor construction for the determination of relative concentration of a gas or vapor. According to the method a sensor is brought to controlled conditions, in which at least one calibration point is determined, and then with the help of the calibration point measurement values the response of the sensor for the measured gas or vapor is computed. According to the invention, both the temperature of the sensor and the relative concentration of the desired gas or vapor is measured at the actual measurement site, and the temperature of the sensor is deviated from the ambient temperature so transiently that the partial pressure of the measured gas or vapor can be assumed to stay at least approximately constant at the measurement site, whereby the results of measurements performed at each deviated temperature level can be used for computing a correction factor for the calibration of the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1991
    Assignee: Vaisala OY
    Inventors: Pekka Belt, Lars Stormbom
  • Patent number: 4924064
    Abstract: This invention concerns a method for trimming a planar capacitor. According to the method, a laser emission is focused to an electrode of a capacitor formed on a substrate transparent to laser emission and including of an upper electrode, an insulation layer, and a lower electrode, in order to achieve a passivation effect on the electrode. The laser emission is focused according to the invention locally onto the lower electrode through the substrate in order to achieve a heating effect on the lower electrode, thereby oxidizing the electrode material so that the lower electrode is locally converted into an electrically nonconductive state while being protected by the substrate and the insulation layer. The trimming method in accordance with the invention is accurate and offers a stable capacitance value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 8, 1990
    Assignee: Vaisala Oy
    Inventors: Lars Stormbom, Jouko Jalava, Heikki Mesia, Ari Lehto, Pekka Belt