Patents by Inventor Todd A. Kirkpatrick

Todd A. Kirkpatrick 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).

  • Method and system for testing the accuracy of a thermocouple probe used to measure the temperature of molten steel
    Patent number: 6139180
    Abstract: A method and system for testing the accuracy of a thermocouple probe exposed to a medium having a temperature of between about 2200.degree. F. and 3400.degree. F. is provided that includes the step of measuring the rate of change of the temperature readings of the probe after a temperature of at least 2000.degree. F. is read, and comparing the measured rate of change with a standard rate of change obtained from a properly operating probe. Both the method and the system are advantageously capable of determining whether the temperature readings of a thermocouple in use in a steel production plant are accurate without the need for comparative readings from other thermocouple probes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2000
    Assignee: Vesuvius Crucible Company
    Inventors: John D. Usher, Todd A. Kirkpatrick