With Temperature Control Of Material Or Element Of Test Circuit Patents (Class 324/224)
  • Patent number: 10677659
    Abstract: A method and a structure for a low temperature thermometer is provided. The present invention may include a method of determining an ambient temperature is below a transition temperature, the method including measuring a magnetic field of a magnetic field source, where a superconducting film is positioned between a magnetic field sensor and the magnetic field source, where the superconducting film has the transition temperature, Tc, based on determining the measured magnetic field approximately equals an expected magnetic field of the magnetic field source, outputting a first state of a switch, wherein the first state of the switch indicates the ambient temperature is above the Tc, based on determining the measured magnetic field is less than the expected magnetic field, outputting a second state of the switch, where the second state of the switch indicates the ambient temperature is below the Tc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Ryan T. Gordon, Michael S. Gordon
  • Patent number: 10495566
    Abstract: Circuits, systems and methods are provided that may be implemented using a corrosion sensor that employs a differential bridge circuit layout to detect corrosion events occurring to corrosion-sensitive components such as exposed electronic circuits. In one possible implementation, a detection circuit may be coupled to a corrosion coupon that includes the differential bridge circuit layout, and that is exposed to corrosive conditions such as ambient atmospheric conditions that contain contaminants (e.g., pollutants), humidity, particulates, etc.; as well as varying temperatures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Sandor T. Farkas, Wallace H. Ables
  • Patent number: 10252800
    Abstract: A aerial drone deployed NDE scanner test unit (12) has a yoke to which four sets of offset pins (294, 354) pivotally secure a sensor probe (232) in a configuration for rotating about the X-axis and the Y-axis with constrained rotation. Each set of the offset pins (294, 354) are spaced apart, with the ends closest to the terminal ends of the sensor probe (232) and an EUT (26) being more closely spaced than opposite ends of the offset pins (294, 354). The NDE scanner (16) is deployed from an aerial drone (14) with a cable (18) and an umbilical (20) connecting there-between. The cable (18) selectively secures the NDE scanner (16) to the aerial drone (14) and the umbilical (20) provides data and fluid connections. The NDE scanner (16) has a stand-off mechanism (118) which is selectively operated to engage and disengage the magnetic wheels (94) of the NDE scanner (16) from a metal surface of the EUT (26).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: ScanTech Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Harvey Alan Dorsey
  • Patent number: 10119985
    Abstract: A smart sensor system and method for a vehicle are described. The smart sensor includes at least one sensing element installed on a suspension of the vehicle and coupled with a wheel of the vehicle, and a digital signal processing circuitry configured to receive signal from the at least one sensing element in the form of a digital signal, correlate the digital signal to an air gap data, and determine a vehicle speed, a vehicle acceleration, a suspension condition, a tire condition, a brake condition, a wheel condition, and a road condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: AISIN TECHNICAL CENTER OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventor: Corey Zwegers
  • Patent number: 10041895
    Abstract: A sensor system comprises a marginal oscillator. A tank circuit comprises inductive and capacitive elements including a probe arranged to generate an electromagnetic field in a sensing region. A non-linear drive circuit drives oscillation of the tank circuit by supplying a differential signal pair of complementary signals across the tank circuit, sustaining the oscillation on the basis of at least one of the complementary signals. A detection circuit detects a characteristic of the oscillation of the tank circuit that is dependent on the electromagnetic properties of the contents of the sensing region and to derive a signal representing the at least one characteristic. The differential signaling provides numerous advantages, including improved accuracy and signal-to-noise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: Salunda Limited
    Inventors: Philip Samuel Pickles, Peter Wherritt, Martin Roy Harrison
  • Patent number: 9841459
    Abstract: A device for controlling IC temperature capable of bringing a device-under-test to a predetermined temperature includes a compressor, temperature controller element, thermal sensing element, heat insulating structure, input/output terminal and a temperature controller. The compressor has a base and a contact portion contacting the DUT directly. The thermal sensing element is attached to the temperature controlling element contacting the base. The heat insulation structure surrounds the temperature controlling element and a portion of the compressor. The input/output terminal, having a signal line and at least one power line, is disposed on the heat insulation structure. The power and signal lines connected to the temperature sensor are connected to the temperature controlling element and thermal sensing element respectively. The temperature sensor powers the temperature controlling element and controls temperature thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: Test21 Taiwan Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shun-Bon Ho
  • Patent number: 9799443
    Abstract: A wireless power transmission system includes a planar source conductor configured to generate a first periodically fluctuating electromagnetic near field in response to an alternating current received from the power source. A planar resonant source element is coplanar with the planar source conductor and has a first resonant frequency. The planar resonant source element has a Q factor that is at a maximum at the first resonant frequency. A planar resonant load element resonates at the first resonant frequency. A planar load conductor is electromagnetically coupled to and coplanar with the planar resonant load element and generates a current in response to the second periodically fluctuating electromagnetic near field from the planar resonant load element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignees: Georgia Tech Research Corporation, The Florida International University Board of Trustees
    Inventors: Stavros Georgakopoulos, Manos Tentzeris
  • Patent number: 9513230
    Abstract: A metrology system is configured to provide visual inspection of a workpiece, three-dimensional magnetic field map, and height measurement. A stage is configured to bring points of interest at the workpiece under the desired tool for measurement. The optical field, magnetic field, and height information can be used independently or together in order to correlate defects in the manufacturing process of the workpiece. This abstract is provided to comply with rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: KLA-TENCOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: John Gerling, Edward Wagner, Mehran Nasser-Ghodsi, Garrett Pickard, Tomas Plettner, Robert Haynes, Christopher Sears
  • Patent number: 9221134
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for tensioning or de-tensioning tools, having a tool shaft in a tool chuck which has a sheath section open on the free end thereof and which is made of electrically conductive material, for receiving the tool shaft in a friction connection, having an induction coil which surrounds the sheath section of the tool chuck, to which preferably high-frequency alternating current can be applied, and which is designed as a ring or cylinder coil, wherein the device has at least one channel running between the inner peripheral surface of the induction coil and the sheath section of the tool chuck, through which flows a cooling agent which cools the sheath section of the tool chuck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: Franz Haimer Machinenbau KG
    Inventor: Franz Haimer
  • Patent number: 9170308
    Abstract: Circuit and method for biasing a plate-shaped sensor element (2) made of doped semiconductor material and having a first resp. second excitation contact (C, A) connected to a first resp. second excitation node (Cn, An), and a first resp. second sense contact (B, D) connected to a first resp. second sense node (Bn, Dn). The plate-shaped sensor element is electrically isolated from a substrate or well (5) by means of a first PN-junction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: MELEXIS TECHNOLOGIES N.V.
    Inventors: Johan Raman, Pieter Rombouts
  • Patent number: 9007058
    Abstract: A method and a dual-stage trapped-flux magnet cryostat apparatus are provided for implementing enhanced measurements at high magnetic fields. The dual-stage trapped-flux magnet cryostat system includes a trapped-flux magnet (TFM). A sample, for example, a single crystal, is adjustably positioned proximate to the surface of the TFM, using a translation stage such that the distance between the sample and the surface is selectively adjusted. A cryostat is provided with a first separate thermal stage provided for cooling the TFM and with a second separate thermal stage provided for cooling sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: UChicago Argonne, LLC
    Inventors: Zahirul Islam, Ritesh K. Das, Roy Weinstein
  • Patent number: 8981770
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for void size determination of voids within an object into which an aerosol containing magnetic particles has been introduced, in particular for determining the size of a patient's pulmonary alveoli, said patient having inhaled an aerosol containing magnetic particles To review information concerning the lung structure, it is proposed to use magnetic particle imaging. First and second detection signals are acquired subsequently at different moments in time after introduction of the aerosol containing the magnetic particles into the object, in particular after inhalation of the aerosol by the patient. These detection signals are exploited, in particular the drop in intensity and/or the signal decay time, to get information about the diffusion of the magnetic particles within the voids, in particular alveoli, and to retrieve information therefrom about the size of the voids, in particular alveoli.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventor: Bernhard Gleich
  • Patent number: 8847601
    Abstract: A method of determining the maximum temperature undergone by a specimen of sedimentary rock during natural heating over a geological process, within the range from 60° C. to 230° C. approximately. The method includes analysis at very low temperature, down to a few kelvin, for example down to 10 kelvin, of the magnetic transitions intended to characterize an iron oxide and an iron sulfide that are formed or destroyed in the specimen by the geological heating of the sediment; and determination of the maximum temperature undergone by the specimen, using a calibration obtained by measuring the same magnetic parameters on the same sediment or on other sediments of the same nature, heated beforehand in the laboratory to known temperatures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Inventors: Jean Pierre Pozzi, Charles Aubourg
  • Patent number: 8847586
    Abstract: A magnetic sensor inspection apparatus has a rectangular frame including a stage, a probe card, and a plurality of magnetic field generating coils. A wafer-like array of magnetic sensors is mounted on the stage, which is movable in horizontal and vertical directions. The probe card includes a plurality of probes which are brought into contact with a plurality of magnetic sensors encompassed in a measurement area. The magnetic field generating coils are driven to generate a magnetic field toward the stage. A plurality of magnetic field environment measuring sensors is arranged in the peripheral portion of the probe card surrounding the probes. A magnetic field controller controls magnetic fields generated by the magnetic field generating coils based on the measurement result of the magnetic field environment measuring sensors. Thus, it is possible to concurrently inspect a wafer-like array of magnetic sensors with the probe card.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventor: Takashi Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20130335065
    Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods are provided for sensing devices. An exemplary sensing device includes a sensing arrangement on a substrate to sense a first property, a heating arrangement, and a control system coupled to the first sensing arrangement and the heating arrangement to activate the heating arrangement to heat the first sensing arrangement and deactivate the heating arrangement while obtaining one or more measurement values for the first property from the first sensing arrangement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2012
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Applicant: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
    Inventors: Kevin R. Fugate, Edward W. Carstens, Paige M. Holm, Dean W. Miller
  • Patent number: 8558540
    Abstract: In A method for measuring a dimensionless coupling constant of a magnetic structure includes the following steps. A step of applying an external vertical magnetic field is performed for enabling magnetic moments of a RE-TM (Rare Earth-Transition metal) alloy magnetic layer of the magnetic structure to be vertical and saturated. A step of measuring a compensation temperature is performed when the sum of the magnetization of the RE-TM alloy magnetic layer is zero. A step of applying an external parallel magnetic field to the RE-TM alloy magnetic layer is performed. A step of adjusting the temperature of the magnetic structure to the compensation temperature and measuring a hysteresis loop of the magnetic structure under the external parallel magnetic field is performed, wherein the inverse of the slope of hysteresis loop is a dimensionless coupling constant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: National Yunlin University of Science and Technology
    Inventors: Te-Ho Wu, Lin-Hsiu Ye, Ying-Chuen Luo
  • Publication number: 20130221958
    Abstract: A method and a dual-stage trapped-flux magnet cryostat apparatus are provided for implementing enhanced measurements at high magnetic fields. The dual-stage trapped-flux magnet cryostat system includes a trapped-flux magnet (TFM). A sample, for example, a single crystal, is adjustably positioned proximate to the surface of the TFM, using a translation stage such that the distance between the sample and the surface is selectively adjusted. A cryostat is provided with a first separate thermal stage provided for cooling the TFM and with a second separate thermal stage provided for cooling sample.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2012
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Applicant: UChicago Argonne, LLC
    Inventors: Zahirul Islam, Ritesh K. Das, Roy Weinstein
  • Patent number: 8441255
    Abstract: A thermoelectrically cooled GMR sensor having a first thermoelectric layer with an array of nanowires, wherein the nanowires include a diameter of about 1 nanometer to about 1000 nanometers. A plurality of alternating layers of magnetic and nonmagnetic material are positioned over and extend the nanowires to form a GMR assembly. A second thermoelectric layer is positioned over the GMR assembly and extends the nanowires, such that the nanowires have a length of between about 100 nanometers and about 500 microns. Conductors are placed in contact with the first and second thermoelectric layers for connecting the thermoelectric layers to a voltage source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Louisiana Tech University Research Foundation, a divison of Louisiana Tech University Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: Despina Davis, Ramya Bellamkonda, Raja Sekharam Mannam
  • Publication number: 20130082694
    Abstract: A Hall-Effect measure apparatus comprises a magnetic source, a wafer on a thermal chuck, a dc current source and a voltage meter. The magnetic source generates a magnetic field in a perpendicular position relative to the wafer. Furthermore, the magnetic field is targeted at a specific region of the wafer to be tested. By performing a Hall-Effect measurement and van der Pauw measurement, the carrier mobility of the specific region of the wafer can be calculated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2011
    Publication date: April 4, 2013
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Ming-Cheng Lin, Che-Hung Liu
  • Publication number: 20130038321
    Abstract: A magnetic sensor inspection apparatus has a rectangular frame including a stage, a probe card, and a plurality of magnetic field generating coils. A wafer-like array of magnetic sensors is mounted on the stage, which is movable in horizontal and vertical directions. The probe card includes a plurality of probes which are brought into contact with a plurality of magnetic sensors encompassed in a measurement area. The magnetic field generating coils are driven to generate a magnetic field toward the stage. A plurality of magnetic field environment measuring sensors is arranged in the peripheral portion of the probe card surrounding the probes. A magnetic field controller controls magnetic fields generated by the magnetic field generating coils based on the measurement result of the magnetic field environment measuring sensors. Thus, it is possible to concurrently inspect a wafer-like array of magnetic sensors with the probe card.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2012
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Applicant: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventor: TAKASHI SUZUKI
  • Publication number: 20130009633
    Abstract: In A method for measuring a dimensionless coupling constant of a magnetic structure includes the following steps. A step of applying an external vertical magnetic field is performed for enabling magnetic moments of a RE-TM (Rare Earth-Transition metal) alloy magnetic layer of the magnetic structure to be vertical and saturated. A step of measuring a compensation temperature is performed when the sum of the magnetization of the RE-TM alloy magnetic layer is zero. A step of applying an external parallel magnetic field to the RE-TM alloy magnetic layer is performed. A step of adjusting the temperature of the magnetic structure to the compensation temperature and measuring a hysteresis loop of the magnetic structure under the external parallel magnetic field is performed, wherein the inverse of the slope of hysteresis loop is a dimensionless coupling constant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2011
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Applicant: NATIONAL YUNLIN UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Te-Ho WU, Lin-Hsiu YE, Ying-Chuen LUO
  • Publication number: 20120306490
    Abstract: A manufacturing method of a magnetic sensor, detecting a physical amount based on a resistance change in each MRE while applying an external magnetic field to MREs, includes: preparing a substrate; forming MREs, including a free magnetic layer having a changeable magnetization direction and a pin magnetic layer having a fixed magnetization direction, above the substrate; forming heaters corresponding to MREs; arranging the substrate in the external magnetic field having a magnetic field direction in a first direction parallel to the substrate; and heating with one portion of the heater portions and magnetizing one portion of the pin magnetic layers in the first direction; and arranging the substrate in another external magnetic field having another magnetic field direction in a second direction different from the first direction; and heating with another portion of the heater portions and magnetizing another portion of the pin magnetic layers in the second direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2012
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Applicant: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takamoto FURUICHI, Hisanori YOKURA, Toshifumi YANO
  • Publication number: 20120067671
    Abstract: A method and system for magnetically detecting thermal degradation of a component. A multiple of ferrous metal segments are attached to a component not within a lubrication circuit of a lubrication system with a thermally-affected bonding agent. The thermally-affected bonding agent is operable to detach at a threshold temperature at least one of the multiple of ferrous metal segments such that the at least one of the multiple of detached ferrous metal segments enters the lubrication circuit of the lubrication system. The at least one of the multiple of ferrous metal segments which detached are then detected within the lubrication system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2010
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Inventors: Stephen R. Sammataro, Michael F. Mullen
  • Patent number: 8134360
    Abstract: An apparatus comprising a processor configured to implement a method comprising obtaining a pipe profile comprising a diameter, a nominal thickness, and a material, receiving a magnetic flux leakage (MFL) indication for a pipe associated with the pipe profile, and determining a wall thickness for the pipe using the pipe profile and the MFL indication. Also disclosed is a method comprising modeling an apparatus comprising a magnet configured to induce a magnetic field in a pipe, and determining a wall thickness measurement (WTM) for the pipe using a model of the apparatus and the pipe, a detected MFL signal, and a simulated MFL signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: William Marsh Rice University
    Inventors: Sushant Madhukul Dutta, Fathi Hassan Ghorbel
  • Patent number: 7643889
    Abstract: A circuit for outputting temperature data of a semiconductor memory apparatus includes a temperature detecting circuit that generates a temperature voltage corresponding to a change in temperature and outputs the temperature voltage, an A/D converter that converts the temperature voltage into a first temperature code and outputs it, and a temperature data correcting unit that outputs a second temperature code obtained by correcting an error of the first temperature code using a correction code.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: Hynix Semiconductor Inc.
    Inventors: Chun-Seok Jeong, Kang-Seol Lee
  • Patent number: 7533584
    Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods are provided for temperature compensating a torque sensor. One apparatus includes a shaft temperature detector and a temperature compensation circuit configured to alter tensile and compression voltages representative of tensile and compression stress, respectively, due to a torque being applied to the shaft based on shaft temperature. A system includes a sensor configured to generate tensile and compression voltages representative of tensile and compression stress, respectively, due to a torque being applied to a shaft, a shaft temperature detector, and a junction box. The junction box is configured to alter the tensile and compression voltages based on shaft temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2009
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Wahl
  • Patent number: 7530534
    Abstract: A method is proposed for setting an output voltage of a receiving circuit (5) of a receiving head (4) of a rail contact and a rail contact system for executing the method, at least one receiving voltage tapped from the receiving head (4) of the rail contact being superposed by at least one adjustment voltage to produce the output voltage. The adjustment voltage is tapped by a transformer circuit (20) from a transmitting circuit (2) of the rail contact as a voltage proportional to an electric current flowing in a transmitting coil (7) of the rail contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Assignee: Alcatel
    Inventor: Kassen Oldewurtel
  • Patent number: 7514918
    Abstract: There is disclosed a method for monitoring wall thickness of an object having an electrically conductive wall, using a pulsed eddy current probe, wherein the same location on the wall is inspected repeatedly over an extended period of time. The pulsed eddy current probe is arranged in a predetermined position relative to the inspection location. The wall thickness dm is determined from a signal Vm which is recorded as a function of time t and from which a characteristic value ?m is determined, which is used to determined the wall thickness. The measurements are corrected for the influence of temperature. The disclosed method is particularly suitable for determining the rate of corrosion at the inspection location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventor: Paulus Carolus Nicolaas Crouzen
  • Publication number: 20080290867
    Abstract: A magnetometer is constructed wherein the sweeping is performed at one half the Larmor frequency and has as its center the absorption line. This allows the emitter to tune onto the absorption line twice per cycle as it passes through the line. This causes the increase in absorption as would the normal sweep of a Bell-Bloom magnetometer but avoids the drawbacks, such as drift and heading error.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2007
    Publication date: November 27, 2008
    Applicant: GEOMETRICS, INC.
    Inventor: Kenneth R. Smith
  • Patent number: 7417425
    Abstract: A continuous observation apparatus of magnetic flux distribution in which a long sample containing a superconducting material or magnetic material is transferred to an observation position and magnetic flux is observed sequentially at each of certain areas along a longitudinal direction of the sample is provided. A method of continuously observing magnetic flux by which a long sample containing a superconducting material or magnetic material is transferred to an observation position and magnetic flux is observed sequentially at each of certain areas along a longitudinal direction of the sample is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Assignees: International Superconductivity Technology Center,the Juridical foundation, Fujikura Ltd.
    Inventors: Takato Machi, Noriko Chikumoto, Koichi Nakao, Hiroshi Fuji, Yutaka Kitoh, Teruo Izumi, Yuh Shiohara
  • Patent number: 7368906
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a measuring tool for measuring magnetic properties of a magnetic sample in a closed loop, comprising an electromagnet in a closed loop arrangement with two pole pieces connected to a yoke, said pole pieces forming a gap for the placement of the sample, a search coil for the measurement of a flux density B of the sample and a magnetic field sensor for the measurement of a magnetic field strength H in the gap between said pole pieces. The pole pieces comprise heater elements for heating the pole pieces to temperatures of at least 400° C. and are thermally insulated against the yoke of the electromagnet. The pole pieces, the search coil and the magnetic field sensor are made of materials which resist said high temperatures. The measuring tool allows the non-destructive measurement of magnetic properties of magnetic samples in closed circle up to 500° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Assignee: Institute Jozef Stefan
    Inventors: Paul John McGuiness, Gregor Gersak, Spomenke Kobe
  • Patent number: 7323870
    Abstract: A method of performing an on-wafer function testis provided for multiple magnetic field sensor elements on a wafer. Each sensor element includes a magnetic-field-sensitive structure and a current conductor structure. The current conductor structure provides a test magnetic field in response to a test signal, and a change in an electrical characteristic of the respective magnetic-field-sensitive structure is sensed. The functionality of the respective magnetic field sensor element is then evaluated based on electrical characteristic change.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: David Tatschl, Dirk Hammerschmidt, Juergen Zimmer
  • Patent number: 7268545
    Abstract: A magnetic sensor 10 includes GMR elements 11-18, and heating coils 21-24 serving as heat generating elements. The elements 11-14 and 15-18 are bridge-interconnected to constitute X-axis and Y-axis sensors, respectively. The heating coils 21, 22, 23, and 24 are disposed adjacent to the elements 11 and 12, the elements 13 and 14, the elements 15 and 16, and the elements 17 and 18, respectively. The heating coils 21-24, when electrically energized, heat mainly the adjacent elements. Therefore, the elements can be heated and cooled in a short period of time in which constant geomagnetism can be ensured. Data for compensation of temperature-dependent characteristic (ratio of change in sensor output value to variation in element temperature) is obtained on the basis of the temperatures of the elements before and after the heating, and the magnetic sensor outputs before and after the heating. Subsequently, the temperature characteristics of the elements are compensated on the basis of the data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventor: Hideki Sato
  • Patent number: 7123004
    Abstract: The non-destructive inspection method, wherein the non-destructive inspection method supplies currents to a conductive inspection subject and evaluates the rear surface flaw and the embedded flaw of these the inspection subject, or the material characteristic using a DC electric potential method, and an inspection sensitivity to the rear surface flaw, the embedded flaw, or the material characteristic is increased by changing the electric resistivity distribution inside the inspection subject by locally heating a front surface of the inspection subject, thereby increasing an electric resistivity of the front surface of the inspection subject compared with an electric resistivity of the rear surface thereof, resulting in increasing currents supplied on a rear surface side compared with a case without the front surface being heated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Assignee: Tohoku Techno Arch Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masumi Saka, Hironori Tomyo, Yasuko Saito
  • Patent number: 7092179
    Abstract: A write precompensation amount setting method and apparatus comprise a function detecting the respective head characteristics with an electric current used at an ordinary temperature and a irregular electric current, and a function setting an optimum write precompensation amount at a low temperature according to the detected head characteristics. As a result, a write precompensation amount is corrected according to the characteristics of the normal current and the irregular current, and a write precompensation amount is determined, so that the write precompensation amount with higher accuracy than that with a conventional technique can be determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventor: Hidetake Yamanouchi
  • Patent number: 7053607
    Abstract: A magnetic sensor 10 includes GMR elements 11–18, and heating coils 21–24 serving as heat generating elements. The elements 11–14 and 15–18 are bridge-interconnected to constitute X-axis and Y-axis sensors, respectively. The heating coils 21, 22, 23, and 24 are disposed adjacent to the elements 11 and 12, the elements 13 and 14, the elements 15 and 16, and the elements 17 and 18, respectively. The heating coils 21–24, when electrically energized, heat mainly the adjacent elements. Therefore, the elements can be heated and cooled in a short period of time in which constant geomagnetism can be ensured. Data for compensation of temperature-dependent characteristic (ratio of change in sensor output value to variation in element temperature) is obtained on the basis of the temperatures of the elements before and after the heating, and the magnetic sensor outputs before and after the heating. Subsequently, the temperature characteristics of the elements are compensated on the basis of the data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventor: Hideki Sato
  • Patent number: 6992477
    Abstract: A medical location system includes a medical device having a body and a position sensor at a portion of the body. The position sensor has a core made of a Wiegand effect material and a winding circumferentially positioned around the core. The position sensor provides signals that are used to determine temperature at the position sensor and location information of the portion of the body of the medical device. A signal processor is coupled to receive the signals from the position sensor and the signal processor determines the temperature at the position sensor and location information of the portion of the body of the medical device based on the signals received from the position sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: Biosense, Inc.
    Inventor: Assaf Govari
  • Patent number: 6868735
    Abstract: Aged deterioration of ferromagnetic construction materials is nondestructively evaluated by applying to an evaluating material a magnetic field whose magnetic field amplitude is rather low, distinguishing various lattice defects, and quantifying them separately. A method includes obtaining a stress-strain relation in advance by a tensile test, evaluating a minor hysteresis loop (reference minor loop) while applying an applied stress (?) thereto, obtaining correlation between physical quantities for evaluating aged deterioration, obtaining a subject minor hysteresis loop (subject minor loop) by a tensile test, obtaining measured values of the physical quantities from the loop, and evaluating aged deterioration of the evaluating material from the measured values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2005
    Assignee: Iwate University
    Inventor: Seiki Takahashi
  • Publication number: 20040207400
    Abstract: A magnetic-sensing apparatus and methods of making and using thereof are disclosed. The sensing apparatus may have one or more magneto-resistive-sensing elements, one ore more reorientation elements for adjusting the magneto-resistive-sensing elements, and semiconductor circuitry having driver circuitry for controlling the reorientation elements. The magneto-resistive-sensing elements, reorientation elements and semiconductor circuitry may be disposed in single package and/or monolithically formed on a single chip. Alternatively, some of the semiconductor circuitry may be monolithically formed on a first chip with the magneto-resistive-sensing elements, while a second portion of the semiconductor circuitry may be formed on a second chip. The first and second chips may be placed in close proximity and electrically connected together. Alternatively the chips may have no intentional electrical interaction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2004
    Publication date: October 21, 2004
    Applicant: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: William F. Witcraft, Mark D. Amundson
  • Publication number: 20040201376
    Abstract: A circuit for measuring distances comprising at least two inputs (1, 2), at least one measuring coil (3), and at least one signal source, wherein at least two input signals (epos, eneg) are generated by means of the signal source, and the inputs (1, 2) are activatable by means of the input signals (epos, eneg) The input signals (epos, eneg) are applied, preferably preprocessed, to the inputs of the measuring coil (3). The circuit is designed for use where little space is available for the circuit, with the input signals (epos, eneg) being applied to a preferably timed SC network, which generates a measuring signal and/or an output signal that is dependent on temperature. A corresponding method is also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2004
    Publication date: October 14, 2004
    Applicant: Micro-Epsilon Messtechnik GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Ulrich Kleine, Falk Roewer, Klaus Salzwedel, Felix Mednikov, Martin Sellen
  • Patent number: 6781370
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a testing device for detecting and determining material inhomogeneities in electrically conductive samples (10), comprising a support (30) for the samples (10) to be tested, a temperature regulating device (30, 50, 60) for configuring a temperature profile in the sample (10), a drive connected to the support (30) for changing the position of the sample (10) and at least one measuring sensor (20) for contactless measurement of the magnetic field outside the sample (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2004
    Inventors: Johann H. Hinken, Yury Tavrin
  • Publication number: 20040130322
    Abstract: A method for monitoring wall thickness of an object having an electrically conductive wall, using a pulsed eddy current probe comprising a transmitter means and a receiver means, which method comprises selecting an inspection location on the wall; at a plurality of inspection times &thgr;m (m=2, . . . ,M), arranging the probe in a predetermined position relative to the inspection location, inducing transient eddy currents in the object by activating the transmitter means, recording signals Vm with the receiver means; determining, for each inspection time &thgr;m, a temperature Tm indicative of the temperature of the object at the inspection location; and determining, from each of the signals Vm, a wall thickness dm pertaining to inspection time &thgr;m, wherein the temperature Tm is taken into account.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2003
    Publication date: July 8, 2004
    Inventor: Paulus Carolus Nicolaas Crouzen
  • Publication number: 20040119470
    Abstract: A winding type magnetic sensor device includes a sensor core facing an object to be detected, an excitation coil wound around the sensor core, and a detection coil wound around the sensor core that defects a variation of magnetic flux corresponding to the object to obtain a detection signal for the object. A constant current drive circuit is provided that supplies a constant current to the excitation coil.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2003
    Publication date: June 24, 2004
    Applicant: SANKYO SEIKI MFG. CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masao Yajima, Shogo Momose
  • Publication number: 20040119464
    Abstract: A system for producing a signal as a function of a rotational speed of a wheel includes an exciter, which includes a plurality of teeth, secured to the wheel. A cover has a first end facing the exciter. An active sensing element is within the cover and positioned away from the first end of the cover by at least about 10% of a total length of the cover. The teeth pass by the first end of the cover and the active sensing element at a rate proportional to the rotational speed of the wheel. The active sensing element producing signals as a function of the rate the teeth pass the active sensing element. An air pocket within the cover maintains the active sensing element below a predetermined temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2002
    Publication date: June 24, 2004
    Inventor: David J. Taneyhill
  • Publication number: 20040113609
    Abstract: Techniques for calibrating an electromagnetic logging tool equipped with a plurality of antennas, with at least one antenna having its axis at an angle with respect to a tool axis, include disposing a test loop about the tool such that an axis of the tool and a plane on which the test loop lies form a tilt angle that is between about 0 and 90 degrees. An induced signal is measured at one of the antennas by energizing another of the antennas. Embodiments analyze the induced signal corresponding to a max or min extrema associated with a coupling effect due to the test loop. In other embodiments a corrected signal is compared with a calculated signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2003
    Publication date: June 17, 2004
    Inventors: Dean M. Homan, Richard A. Rosthal, Gerald N. Minerbo, Thomas D. Barber
  • Publication number: 20040113611
    Abstract: A write precompensation amount setting method and apparatus comprise a function detecting the respective head characteristics with an electric current used at an ordinary temperature and a irregular electric current, and a function setting an optimum write precompensation amount at a low temperature according to the detected head characteristics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2003
    Publication date: June 17, 2004
    Applicant: FUJITSU LIMITED
    Inventor: Hidetake Yamanouchi
  • Publication number: 20040104724
    Abstract: A magnetic sensor 10 includes GMR elements 11-18, and heating coils 21-24 serving as heat generating elements. The elements 11-14 and 15-18 are bridge-interconnected to constitute X-axis and Y-axis sensors, respectively. The heating coils 21, 22, 23, and 24 are disposed adjacent to the elements 11 and 12, the elements 13 and 14, the elements 15 and 16, and the elements 17 and 18, respectively. The heating coils 21-24, when electrically energized, heat mainly the adjacent elements. Therefore, the elements can be heated and cooled in a short period of time in which constant geomagnetism can be ensured. Data for compensation of temperature-dependent characteristic (ratio of change in sensor output value to variation in element temperature) is obtained on the basis of the temperatures of the elements before and after the heating, and the magnetic sensor outputs before and after the heating. Subsequently, the temperature characteristics of the elements are compensated on the basis of the data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2003
    Publication date: June 3, 2004
    Inventor: Hideki Sato
  • Publication number: 20030178989
    Abstract: A sensor includes a Hall cell and a compensation circuit for subtracting a magnet background field from the Hall cell output to provide a signal corresponding to rotations of a toothed ferrous gear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2002
    Publication date: September 25, 2003
    Inventors: Ravi Vig, Alberto Bilotti, Pablo Javier Bolsinger
  • Patent number: 6617849
    Abstract: A device for nondestructive testing of especially hot, bar-shaped rolling material above Curie point during the rolling process by means of an exploring coil system which can be impinged upon by a coolant and which rotates around the rolling material passing therethrough. The exploring coil system consists of at least two exploring coils. The invention is characterized in that the inventive device is arranged directly downstream from the point where the rolled product exits from the roll stand on the roller cooling system associated therewith. The invention is further characterized in that the coolant for the explorer coil system is fed into the rotating system essentially on the same plane as the one on which the device is secured to the roll stand, wherein a channel for said coolant is provided, extending in a threaded manner between the rolled product and the rotation bearing and wherefrom individual ducts lead to the respective explorer coils in a radial manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Georgsmarienhütte GmbH
    Inventor: Horst Scharlemann
  • Publication number: 20030107366
    Abstract: A method and system for calibrating a magnetic sensor having at least one magnet and at least one sensing element incorporated therein is disclosed. A magnetization direction of a magnet is altered in at least one axis until a sensing element is balanced. The magnet can be calibrated separately from the electronic components associated with the magnetic sensor to thereby achieve an improved calibration over temperature variations associated with the magnetic sensor. The magnetic sensor can be configured to include one or more magnets and one or more sensing elements. Such magnets may be calibrated according to the methods and systems disclosed herein, in association with such sensing elements. Each magnet may be calibrated separately from the electronics associated with the magnetic sensor. The magnetization direction of the magnet may be altered in one or more axis until the sensing element is balanced. The magnetic sensor may, for example, comprise a gear tooth sensor or a wheelspeed sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2001
    Publication date: June 12, 2003
    Inventors: Nicholas F. Busch, Joseph K. Murdock