Including Temperature Determining Means Patents (Class 250/339.04)
  • Patent number: 12135242
    Abstract: In some examples, a method for generating an interactive three-dimensional quantitative thermal heat flow mapping of an environment comprises generating a three-dimensional representation comprising multiple surfaces defining respective boundaries of the environment, generating a thermal image representing a surface temperature at multiple points of the surfaces, determining a measure for an ambient temperature within the environment, determining respective measures for incident radiant temperature of the surfaces, determining respective measures for the emissivity of the surfaces, providing a measure of temperature outside of a surface, calculating, at each of the multiple points, a value for the instantaneous heat flow per unit area using the measures for surface temperature, ambient temperature within the environment and incident radiant temperature of the surfaces, and using the values for the instantaneous heat flow per unit area, and the measure of temperature outside of a surface, calculating respectiv
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2024
    Assignee: Electric Pocket Limited
    Inventors: Steven Nicholas Bennett, Iain Stuart Barclay, Richard Philip Sewell, Kevin Alan Vernon
  • Patent number: 11946811
    Abstract: An assembly is provided for a turbine engine. This turbine engine assembly includes a turbine engine structure and a sensor system. The sensor system includes a probe and an optical sensor. The probe is connected to the turbine engine structure. The probe projects into a gas path of the turbine engine. The sensor system is configured to measure a temperature of the probe using the optical sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.
    Inventor: Issam Al-Khairy
  • Patent number: 11925438
    Abstract: An apparatus for estimating body temperature of an object is provided. The apparatus for estimating body temperature includes: a sensor configured to obtain spectra through a plurality of light paths of an object; and a processor configured to obtain a temperature slope between temperatures corresponding to the plurality of light paths based on the spectra of the plurality of light paths and a reference spectrum measured at a reference temperature, and estimate the body temperature of the object based on the temperature slope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Sung Hyun Nam, So Young Lee, Ka Ram Choi
  • Patent number: 11852797
    Abstract: System for state monitoring of a microscope the system having at least one measuring sensor in each case for capturing at least one time-variable chemical and/or physical quantity, a camera for recording an image in a field of view and a processing unit. The at least one measuring sensor has a display area and displays thereon a measured value for the captured time-variable chemical and/or physical quantity. The camera is arranged so that the display areas of at least one measuring sensor are located in the field of view and the processing unit is configured to evaluate the image and to extract the display areas contained in the image therefrom. Also, a method for state monitoring of a microscope is disclosed, wherein at least one measuring sensor with a display area is provided in order to capture in each case at least one time-variable chemical and/or physical quantity, and an image is recorded. The image is recorded so that it contains the display areas of at least one measuring sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Microscopy GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Ohrt, Daniel Haase
  • Patent number: 11828429
    Abstract: A light source module for a motor vehicle, comprising a substrate, multiple light sources, and temperature sensors, wherein the light sources and the temperature sensors are arranged on the substrate, wherein the substrate has a central region and a peripheral region, and wherein the number of temperature sensors per unit area is greater in the central region than in the peripheral region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: Hella GmbH & Co. KGaA
    Inventors: Boris Kubitza, Martin Pluempe
  • Patent number: 11821088
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to apparatus and methods for semiconductor processing, more particularly, to a thermal process chamber. The thermal process chamber includes a substrate support, a first plurality of heating elements disposed over or below the substrate support, and a spot heating module disposed over the substrate support. The spot heating module is utilized to provide local heating of cold regions on a substrate disposed on the substrate support during processing. Localized heating of the substrate improves temperature profile, which in turn improves deposition uniformity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Shu-Kwan Lau, Koji Nakanishi, Toshiyuki Nakagawa, Zuoming Zhu, Zhiyuan Ye, Joseph M. Ranish, Nyi O. Myo, Errol Antonio C. Sanchez, Schubert S. Chu
  • Patent number: 11717171
    Abstract: An apparatus for estimating body temperature of an object is provided. The apparatus for estimating body temperature includes: a sensor configured to obtain spectra through a plurality of light paths of an object; and a processor configured to obtain a temperature slope between temperatures corresponding to the plurality of light paths based on the spectra of the plurality of light paths and a reference spectrum measured at a reference temperature, and estimate the body temperature of the object based on the temperature slope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Sung Hyun Nam, So Young Lee, Ka Ram Choi
  • Patent number: 11719623
    Abstract: The present invention belongs to the technical field of new energy detection, in particular to a material uniformity detection device and method. The purpose of the present invention is to provide a material uniformity detection device which can meet the requirement of detection of diversified materials such as biomass slurry aiming at the problem of difficulty in quantifying uniformity state of the biomass slurry. The sample pool is driven by the rotating lifting device for lifting and spiral motion, data collection is performed on the sample pool in the form of a certain path, and an image is established for the relationship between a large number of light intensity values of transmission light and heights measured for multiple times to respectively display the uniformity of horizontal layering and uniformity in the vertical direction, to judge the overall uniformity of the material samples.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: CHINA AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Zhidan Liu, Rui Yang, Yufei Zeng, Gangfeng Feng
  • Patent number: 11392046
    Abstract: A quality inspection method for a chemical liquid used for manufacturing a semiconductor substrate includes: a step W of preparing a first container and washing at least a portion of a liquid contact portion by using a portion of the chemical liquid, a step A of performing concentration of a portion of the chemical liquid by using the washed first container so as to obtain c liquid, a step B of performing measurement of a content of a specific component in c liquid, and a step C of comparing the content of the specific component with a preset standard value. At least the step W and the step A are performed in a clean room having cleanliness equal to or higher than class 4 specified in ISO14644-1:2015, the concentration is performed in inert gas or under reduced pressure, and the measurement is performed by a predetermined measurement method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Tetsuya Kamimura
  • Patent number: 11150138
    Abstract: In order that a temperature of a measurement object whose non-transmission wavelength range is narrow, such as isopropyl alcohol can be measured highly accurately without increasing the size of a radiation thermometer, the radiation thermometer includes an infrared detection element to detect infrared ray emitted from the measurement object. The radiation thermometer is designed to measure the temperature of the measurement object on the basis of intensity of infrared ray detected by the infrared detection element. The radiation thermometer further includes a filter group made up of a plurality of infrared filters arranged on an optical path of infrared ray introduced into the infrared detection element. The filter group permits transmission of at least infrared ray in each of a first wavelength range and a second wavelength range which are not overlapped with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: HORIBA ADVANCED TECHNO, CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Sho Fujino, Naohiro Ohsuga
  • Patent number: 11150038
    Abstract: The method presented uses thermally emissive materials for the extraction of heat through the use of electromagnetic waveguides, wherein the emissive material comprises materials which emit electromagnetic radiation due to thermal excitation, wherein the electromagnetic radiation is coupled to electromagnetic waveguides; a receiver adapted to receive the electromagnetic radiation for utilization, wherein the extracted electromagnetic radiation may propagate arbitrary distances inside the waveguides before the need for processing, for example, to maximize the temperature differential between the emissive material and that of the receiver; and the exchange of the chemical composition of some portion of the environment the apparatus is housed in. The thermal energy extraction apparatus described herein has the purpose of removing heat from a source for conversion to other forms of energy such as electricity and for thermal management applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: U.S. Department of Energy
    Inventors: Zsolt Poole, Paul R. Ohodnicki, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11015978
    Abstract: An image sensor includes on a support a plurality of first pixels and a plurality of second pixels intended to detect an infrared radiation emitted by an element of a scene. Each of the pixels includes a bolometric membrane suspended above a reflector covering the support, wherein the reflector of each of the first pixels is covered with a first dielectric layer, and the reflector of each of the second pixels is covered with a second dielectric layer differing from the first dielectric layer by its optical properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: ULIS
    Inventors: Nicolas Boudou, Alexia Gorecki
  • Patent number: 10848625
    Abstract: A system and process provide an improvement to monitoring over-heating of components in an apparatus. Embodiments include a thermal sensor which may be coupled with a filter. A controller may store over-heat values for components in the apparatus. In response to a sensor signal detecting an over-heat threshold exceeded, the controller may trigger an alert. Detection of an over-heating event may trigger shutdown of the component or the entire device or system before damage occurs or escalates to other components. In some embodiments, the range of detection by sensors monitoring the same component may be extended by coupling each sensor with a different filter so that a wider range of heat signatures are available. Aspects of the method may select which sensor/filter combination has a best range of detection based on the number of pixels registering over or under a threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: Eric Pugh
  • Patent number: 10724945
    Abstract: A laser detection system comprises a plurality of lasers wherein each laser is configured to produce a respective laser beam for excitation of one or more different compounds, a sample cell for containing a volume of sample gas, at least one directing device configured to direct the laser beams to the sample cell, wherein the at least one directing device is configured to direct the laser beams along a common optical path to the sample cell, and a detector apparatus for detecting light output from the cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: CASCADE TECHNOLOGIES HOLDINGS LIMITED
    Inventors: Paul Black, Ruth Lindley
  • Patent number: 10657719
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a household appliance comprising a projector which projects image of a virtual interface which enables control of household appliances within a projection area on a surface, a movement sensor which enables the gestures on the projection area to be detected, and a control unit which controls the projector and the household appliances to which the same is connected, by means of the data received from the movement sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: ARCELIK ANONIM SIRKETI
    Inventors: Yagiz Tezel, Oner Hatipoglu, Mehmet Sutcuoglu, Ahmet Sozen, Yusuf Kuyumcu, Can Onur Vanci, Ozgur Mutlu Oz
  • Patent number: 10627344
    Abstract: An improved method and system for analyzing multistate fluids using NIR spectroscopy. If the sample to be tested resides in a single state condition, the configuration file used in spectroscopic analysis will only be applied against a single model. However, if the sample to be tested is in a multi-state environment, an algorithm determines which model set of a plurality of model sets should be utilized based on the sample characteristics, and the configuration file used in spectroscopic analysis will be applied against the selected model. Results are generated showing the designated parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: JP3 Measurement, LLC
    Inventors: Jie Zhu, William Howard, Randy Bishop
  • Patent number: 10425559
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure may include a device comprising a vacuum package housing. The vacuum package housing comprises a base and a plurality of walls connected to the base and defining an interior cavity adapted to receive a focal plane array, wherein at least two of the walls meet to define a corner of the vacuum package housing. The vacuum package housing further comprises an aperture formed at the corner, wherein the aperture extends through the at least two of the walls to provide a channel between the interior cavity of the vacuum package and an external environment, and wherein the aperture is adapted to receive a tip-off tube configured to be changed from an open state to a closed state to maintain a vacuum within the interior cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: FLIR SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Royce Duane Clay, Jr., William Williamson, Michael Nuttman
  • Patent number: 10234332
    Abstract: A bolometer (10) comprises a first and a second suspension beam (12, 13) and a semiconductor portion (11) that is suspended by the first and the second suspension beam (12, 13) and comprises a first region (17) of a first conductivity type and a second region (18) of a second conductivity type. The first region (17) comprises a first triangle (21) or at least two stripes (40, 41) or islands (60, 61) which each contribute to a non-short-circuited diode (20) with the second region (18).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: ams AG
    Inventors: Georg Roehrer, Sara Carniello
  • Patent number: 10206619
    Abstract: A device configured to furnish hydration monitoring employs a method using multiple different wavelengths of light transmitted into a human body part, each wavelength being input at a given respective input intensity. Respective output intensities of respective ones of the multiple wavelengths can be measured, upon transmission thereof through the human body part. The corresponding input intensity and the corresponding output intensity for the respective ones of the transmitted wavelengths can be used along with a form of an equation for the Beer-Lambert law to calculate a concentration-related slope, the concentration-related slope being proportional to the relative concentration of water in the human body part at a given time. A hydration-level output indicative of a level of hydration can then be generated based on the concentration-related slope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: Maxim Integrated Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Janice C. Lee, Nevzat A. Kestelli
  • Patent number: 10175166
    Abstract: A method for operating an optical measuring system for measuring the concentration of a gas component in a measured gas, based on wavelength modulation spectroscopy, wherein a laser light source is operated in a current-modulated manner with a base current IDC and a modulation current IAC and a laser beam of the wavelength ?0 having a wavelength modulation amplitude ??AC is emitted, and the wavelength modulation amplitude ??AC of the laser light is kept constant by way of variable setting of the current modulation amplitude ?IAC. The method provides for keeping a modulated power ?PAC at an internal resistor RI of the laser light source constant at the operating point so as to stabilize the wavelength modulation amplitude ??AC.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: Axetris AG
    Inventors: Andreas Wittmann, Sven Schlesinger, Torsten Platz
  • Patent number: 10094714
    Abstract: A temperature measurement system includes at least one temperature measurement probe. The at least one temperature measurement probe includes at least one hollow filament configured to emit thermal radiation in a predetermined and substantially continuous wavelength band at least partially representative of a temperature of the at least one hollow filament. The at least one hollow filament has a first diameter and a first emissivity. The at least one temperature measurement probe also includes at least one thin filament extending within at least a portion of the at least one hollow filament. The at least one thin filament is configured to emit thermal radiation in a predetermined and substantially continuous wavelength band at least partially representative of a temperature of the at least one thin filament. The at least one thin filament has a second emissivity and a second diameter less than the first diameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Guanghua Wang, Bin Ma, James Peter DeLancey, K. M. K. Genghis Khan, Carlos Bonilla Gonzalez, Robert David Briggs, Nirm Velumylum Nirmalan
  • Patent number: 10070076
    Abstract: A method reduces drift induced by environment changes when imaging radiation from a scene in two wavelength bands. Scene radiation is focused by two wedge-shaped components through a lens onto a detector that includes three separate regions. The wedge-shaped components are positioned at a fixed distance from the lens. The radiation from the scene is imaged separately onto two of the detector regions through an f-number of less than approximately 1.5 to produce a first pixel signal. Imaged radiation on each of the two regions includes radiation in one respective wavelength band. Radiation from a radiation source is projected by at least one of the wedge-shaped components through the lens onto a third detector region to produce a second pixel signal. The first pixel signal is modified based on a predetermined function that defines a relationship between second pixel signal changes and first pixel signal changes induced by environment changes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: CI SYSTEMS (ISRAEL) LTD.
    Inventors: Dario Cabib, Moshe Lavi, Liviu Singher
  • Patent number: 9900150
    Abstract: A distributed storage network contains a user device that has a computing core, a DSN interface and either an integrated or an externally-connected camera or sensor. The camera or sensor collects data from its surrounding environment and processes the data at least partially through error coding dispersal storage functions that include slicing the data into a plurality of error-coded data slices. The error-coded data slices are output by the user device for one or more of storage within a dispersed storage network (DSN) memory, playing on a destination player, or broadcast consumption over a network. A storage integrity unit manages the storage capacity, use, and/or throughput of the system to ensure that data is processing in a real time or near real time so that data can be accurately processed and perceived by targeted end users.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Greg Dhuse, Andrew Baptist, Ilya Volvovski
  • Patent number: 9891110
    Abstract: A system includes a temperature sensor and a distance sensor. The distance sensor provides an indication of distance between the temperature sensor and an object to be measured. By determining the distance between the temperature sensor and the object, the system determines whether the object is sufficiently close to the temperature sensor to make an accurate temperature measurement, such as by determining whether the object completely fills the field of view of the sensor. In an implementation, the distance sensor includes a light source and a photodetector configured to detect light having wavelengths that correspond to those generated by the light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Maxim Integrated Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Cheng-Wei Pei, Arvin Emadi
  • Patent number: 9863890
    Abstract: A solar cell testing apparatus may include an illuminator for directing light energy on a solar cell under test. The solar cell testing apparatus may also include a device for selectively positioning different filters of a multiplicity of filters in an optical path between the illuminator and the solar cell under test to at least one of measure performance and detect any defects in the solar cell. The multiplicity of filters may include a first set of filters and a second set of filters. Each filter of the first set of filters is adapted for passing a predetermined percentage of intensity of the light energy from the illuminator onto the solar cell under test. The second set of filters being adapted for testing the solar cell under different spectrums of light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Douglas R. Jungwirth, Emilio Quezada, Gregory A. Campbell, James H. Ermer, Russell K. Jones
  • Patent number: 9831111
    Abstract: An apparatus and method are described for measuring the thermal performance of a wafer chuck, such as an electrostatic chuck. In one example, the apparatus ha a chamber, a base to support a wafer chuck in the chamber, a heater to heat the chuck, a window through the exterior of the chamber, and an infrared imaging system to measure the temperature of the chuck while the chuck is heated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew J. Busche, Vijay D. Parkhe, Michael R. Rice
  • Patent number: 9717425
    Abstract: A noninvasive physiological sensor for measuring one or more physiological parameters of a medical patient can include a bump interposed between a light source and a photodetector. The bump can be placed in contact with body tissue of a patient and thereby reduce a thickness of the body tissue. As a result, an optical pathlength between the light source and the photodetector can be reduced. In addition, the sensor can include a heat sink that can direct heat away from the light source. Moreover, the sensor can include shielding in the optical path between the light source and the photodetector. The shielding can reduce noise received by the photodetector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Masimo Corporation
    Inventors: Massi Joe E. Kiani, Marcelo Lamego, Sean Merritt, Cristiano Dalvi, Hung Vo, Johannes Bruinsma, Jeroen Poeze, Ferdyan Lesmana, Greg Olsen
  • Patent number: 9681834
    Abstract: A finger guide for testing blood glucose and associated methods are disclosed. More particularly, a blood glucose testing system is provided that includes a finger guide that is wearable by the subject of the blood glucose test and a glucose meter that is retrofitted with a glucose meter coupler. A method of operating the blood glucose testing system includes the steps of guiding a lancing device to a spot on the subject's finger for producing a blood droplet and guiding a test strip in the glucose meter to the same spot on the subject's finger for testing the blood sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: Carolyn Consulting, LLC
    Inventor: Marcus Suess
  • Patent number: 9583020
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a method of simulating a weather pattern for use in a simulator environment. The method includes receiving an input corresponding to a desired weather event and determining a set of weather parameters pertaining to the desired weather event. The method further includes searching a weather event database for a matching weather event. The weather event database includes weather data for a plurality of weather events. The method includes identifying the matching weather event. The matching weather event includes at least a portion of the set of weather parameters pertaining to the desired weather event. The method includes receiving weather data corresponding to the matching weather event. The method further includes creating a model of the matching weather event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin M. Kronfeld, Arlen E. Breiholz, Brian E. Planz
  • Patent number: 9548402
    Abstract: A semiconductor radiation detector comprises a detector chip having a front side and a back side, and a support plate on the back side of the detector chip, having electric connections with said detector chip. A base plate has a thermoelectric cooler attached to it and contact pins protruding from the base plate towards said detector chip. A bonding plate is on an opposite side of said thermoelectric cooler than said base plate, and first wire bonded connections go between said contact pins and said bonding plate. A joint plate is between said bonding plate and said support plate, and electric connections between said support plate and said bonding plate go through said joint plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Oxford Instruments Analytical Oy
    Inventor: Veikko Kämäräinen
  • Patent number: 9160384
    Abstract: A filter includes a base and a sidewall extending from the base. The base and the sidewall cooperatively define a cavity. The filter further includes a signal input unit, and a signal output unit having a signal output port. The signal output port is located on the sidewall and extends outside of the cavity. The signal output port is connected to a conductive post received within the cavity. The conductive post collects radio signals and outputs the collected radio signals via the signal output port. The signal output unit further includes a signal detection module. The signal detection module includes a coupling plate, a coupling signal output terminal, and a probe. The coupling plate is electrically connected to the probe. The probe is located adjacent to the conductive post to receive radio signals surrounding the conductive post and output the received radio signals via the coupling output terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Sung-Chin Wu
  • Publication number: 20150120092
    Abstract: A system for detecting ice or supercooled large droplets within an area of interest having a detection system measuring radiance or reflectance of the area of interest when exposed to shortwave infrared radiation having a wavelength in the range of about 2.05 ?m to about 2.30 ?m. The detection system measures the radiance or reflectance in a first band having a wavelength in the range of about 2.05 ?m to about 2.15 ?m and outputting a first band signal, and further measures the radiance or reflectance in a second band having a wavelength in the range of about 2.15 ?m to about 2.30 ?m and outputting a second band signal. A processing unit determines a ratio of the first band signal and the second band signal and compares the ratio to a predetermined critical ratio and outputs a determination signal indicating presence of ice or supercooled water droplets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2014
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Applicant: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
    Inventor: Nilton O. RENNÓ
  • Publication number: 20150120093
    Abstract: A system for detecting ice or water within an area of interest having a detection system measuring radiance or reflectance of the area of interest when exposed to shortwave infrared radiation having a wavelength in the range containing a crossover point between the curves representing the absorption of electromagnetic radiation by ice and water. The detection system measures the radiance or reflectance in a first band having a wavelength in a spectral band on a first side of the crossover point and outputting a first band signal, and further measures the radiance or reflectance in a second band having a wavelength in a spectral band on a second opposing side of the same crossover point and outputting a second band signal. A processing unit determines a ratio of the first band signal and the second band signal and compares the ratio to a predetermined critical ratio and outputs a determination signal indicating presence of ice or water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2014
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Applicant: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
    Inventor: NILTON O. RENNÓ
  • Patent number: 8809788
    Abstract: A system to detect occupants is provided. The system may rotate the field of views of multiple sensors in order to scan an area. The system may scan the area multiple times. The system may determine the number of occupants in the area based on a comparison of a scan of the area with a scan of the area when the area is determined to be unoccupied. The system may determine the number of occupants in the area based on a maximum number of occupants detected by any of the sensors. The system may also determine a location of an object or an occupant from scans of the area obtained from multiple sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Redwood Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark Covaro
  • Patent number: 8650883
    Abstract: A system for operating a gas turbine includes a compressor, a combustor, and a turbine. The combustor and turbine define a hot gas path. A sensor disposed outside the hot gas path measures internal thermal emissions from the combustor or turbine and generates a first signal reflective of the internal thermal emissions. The internal thermal emissions are infrared or ultraviolet emissions. A controller connected to the sensor receives the first signal and adjusts the compressor, combustor, or turbine in response to the first signal from the sensor. A method for operating a gas turbine includes measuring internal thermal emissions from inside a combustor or turbine using a sensor disposed outside the hot gas path. The method further includes generating a first signal reflective of the internal thermal emissions and adjusting the operation of the compressor, combustor, or turbine in response to the first signal from the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Shahryar Rabiei, Gilbert Otto Kraemer, Geoffrey David Myers
  • Patent number: 8610048
    Abstract: A method for producing a photosensitive integrated circuit including producing circuit control transistors, producing, above the control transistors, and between at least one upper electrode and at least one lower electrode, at least one photodiode, by amorphous silicon layers into which photons from incident electromagnetic radiation are absorbed, producing at least one passivation layer, between the lower electrode and the control transistors, and producing, between the control transistors and the external surface of the integrated circuit, a reflective layer capable of reflecting photons not absorbed by the amorphous silicon layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.A.
    Inventors: Jerome Alieu, Simon Guillaumet, Christophe Legendre, Hughes Leininger, Jean-Pierre Oddou, Marc Vincent
  • Patent number: 8541746
    Abstract: A process for the non-destructive determination of the quality of a weld seam, the process steps comprising: providing a first and a second component; connecting the first and second components by a weld seam produced by a welding operation; and measuring a surface temperature of the weld seam and surface temperatures of areas of the first and second components adjacent to the weld seam that were heated by the welding operation. A system for carrying out the process for the non-destructive determination of the quality of a weld seam, the system comprising: a measuring device, an analyzing unit, and a welding device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Benteler Automobiltechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Thorsten Andres, Sven Przybylski
  • Patent number: 8530842
    Abstract: A hob device is provided that has a monitoring unit to monitor a cooking area of a hob. The monitoring unit includes a sensor array of multiple infrared sensors to record infrared light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventors: Uwe Has, Peter Vetterl
  • Patent number: 8513606
    Abstract: A THz wave detector including a thermal isolation structure in which a supporting unit containing electrode wirings connected to a readout circuit formed in an substrate supports a temperature detecting unit connected to the electrode wirings so that one face of said temperature detecting unit and said substrate are opposed to each other with a predetermined gap, wherein a reflective film reflecting THz waves is formed on the substrate so as to face the temperature detecting unit, an absorbing film absorbing the THz waves is formed on the temperature detecting unit, the reflective film and the temperature detecting unit form an optical resonant structure, the distance between the reflective film and the temperature detecting unit is set to 8 to 14 ?m, and the sheet resistance of the absorbing film is set to 100 to 200 ?/square.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Naoki Oda
  • Patent number: 8487254
    Abstract: A system and method for active thermal stealth or deception, the system including at least two objects, each having at least one active plate and a processing module coupled to the active plate for activating the plate to provide a desired thermal signature to the object, and a remotely located central control unit for external actuation of the processing modules in each object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Eltics Ltd
    Inventor: Ronen Meir
  • Patent number: 8481943
    Abstract: An improved net radiometer that measures the total net difference between incoming solar and surface reflected radiant short-wave solar energy flux, and inclusive of the down and upwelling long-wave infrared terrestrial radiant energy flux, within the combined short-wave and long-wave far infrared spectral range is disclosed. Disclosed are net radiometers with thermal absorbers structured to reduce wind sensitivity while maintaining or improving response time. Also disclosed are net radiometers that are configured in a novel way to reduce moisture and water accumulation on the thermal absorber surfaces. In addition, net radiometers are disclosed where the components are configured and thermal absorber structured to reduce unit-to-unit inconsistencies and minimize absorber sensitivity asymmetry effect between the upper and lower instrument absorbers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: AccuFlux Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Dolce
  • Publication number: 20130118183
    Abstract: An optical sensor system includes a multi-color pyrometer in optical communication with a component. The pyrometer generates signals at least partially representative of radiation received from the component and from soot particles. The system includes at least one processing unit coupled to the pyrometer. The processing unit is programmed to receive the signals and distinguish portions of radiation received between at least two wavelength bands. The processing unit is also programmed to determine that a first portion of radiation within a first of the wavelength bands is representative of a temperature of soot particles and that a second portion of radiation within a second of the wavelength bands is representative of a temperature of the component. The processing unit is further programmed to filter out signals representative of the first portion of the radiation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2011
    Publication date: May 16, 2013
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Guanghua Wang, Anquan Wang, Nirm Velumylum Nirmalan, Jordi Estevadeordal, Sean Patrick Harper, Bradford Allen Lewandowski
  • Patent number: 8436307
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a multi-cavity optical sensing and thermopile infrared sensing system, which comprises an optical sensing part, a dielectric layer, a plurality of optical cavities, and a plurality of thermocouples. The dielectric layer covers on the top of the optical sensing part. The optical cavities are formed by a plurality of metal reflectors inside the dielectric layer. The thermocouples are laterally disposed near the bottom of the dielectric layer. In addition, a low temperature region is formed in an area which is the overlapping of vertical projections of such thermocouples and the optical sensing part; a high temperature region is formed by the overlapping of vertical projections of such thermocouples, but without the overlaying which belongs to the vertical projection of the optical sensing part. Therefore, the system can sense the ambient light brightness, color conditions and human blackbody infrared signals within the range of 8-12 micrometers wavelength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Capella Microsystems Corp.
    Inventors: Koon-Wing Tsang, Cheng-Chung Shih
  • Patent number: 8434937
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a method and an apparatus for detecting the temperature of a substrate surface. In one embodiment, a method for measuring the temperature is provided which includes exposing the surface of the substrate to a laser beam radiating from a laser source, radiating emitted light from a portion of the surface of the substrate, through the shadow ring, and towards a thermal sensor, and determining the temperature of the portion of the surface of the substrate from the emitted light. The substrate may be disposed on a substrate support within a treatment region and a shadow ring may be disposed between the laser source and the surface of the substrate. The shadow ring may be selectively opaque to the laser beam and transparent to the emitted light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Blake Koelmel, Abhilash J. Mayur
  • Patent number: 8431901
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for controlling the resistance of a bolometer in a bolometer matrix of a sensor, said sensor comprising a circuit for reading said matrix which is capable of addressing said bolometer. According to the invention, the method comprises a step (46) of adjusting the recurrence of addressing the bolometer using the read circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: ULIS
    Inventor: Arnaud Crastes
  • Patent number: 8426819
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for the non-invasive optic determination of the temperature of a medium, preferably a water-containing medium, wherein the medium to be analyzed is illuminated by infrared and/or visible light in the region of an absorption line, the position of which depends on the temperature of the medium, and wherein absorption of the light in the region of the absorption line is measured and the temperature is determined from said measurement by comparison with calibration data. Said method is characterized in that the medium is illuminated with at least two discrete light wavelengths (?1, ?2), which are in the region of the absorption line (B) on different sides of the absorption maximum, that at least one measured value (?A/??) dependent on temperature is determined from the relationship of these two determined absorption values to one another, and that the temperature is determined from said measured value by comparison with the previously recorded calibration data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Nirlus Engineering AG
    Inventor: Vera Herrmann
  • Patent number: 8389947
    Abstract: A method for detecting neutron radiation in accordance with particular embodiments includes exposing a neutron detector array comprising at least one two-dimensional array of neutron detectors to a first scene of interest. The neutron detector array is based on at least one two-dimensional array of microbolometer detectors. The method also includes receiving a plurality of response values from a corresponding plurality of neutron detectors of the neutron detector array. The method further includes generating a comparison value based on the plurality of response values and a baseline response value. The method additionally, includes determining whether more than a first threshold amount of neutron radiation is being generated by the first scene based on the comparison value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Adam M. Kennedy, David R. Rhiger, Stefan T. A. Baur
  • Patent number: 8386951
    Abstract: A graphical user interface presents an image of an object coded with values from a sequence of qualitative values, according to a calibration of the qualitative values to a selected range of quantitative values. The interface includes a display adjustment feature, having the sequence of qualitative values superimposed thereon, and at least one moveable marker, which is adapted to select a quantitative value for the selected range of quantitative values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Fluke Corporation
    Inventor: Tony Tallman
  • Patent number: 8274050
    Abstract: An infra-red imaging camera comprises focusing optics for gathering infra-red energy from an external scene, and an uncooled and unshielded detector arranged to detect infra red energy. Internal temperature sensing together with approximation of the temperature response of the camera provides a time varying calibration that allows the infra-red energy received at the detector to be used as a temperature measurement for objects in the camera's field of view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Opgal Ltd.
    Inventor: Ernest Grimberg
  • Patent number: 8253105
    Abstract: A thermal imaging system to facilitate analysis of thermal images comprises a portable thermal imager having a communication interface for transfer of data. The imager also has an on-board memory in which image data for corresponding thermal images is stored. A remote computer is operative to communicate with the thermal imager via the communication interface for download of the image data. The computer runs software operative to superimpose at least one marker at a selected location on a thermal image, the marker being saved on the image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Fluke Corporation
    Inventors: Stefan Warnke, James T. Pickett