Current Modifier Or Generator Patents (Class 340/595)
  • Patent number: 11413912
    Abstract: A system compensates a drive over reader tire pressure measurement. The system includes a drive over reader, which includes a sensor array. A pressure indication is determined for each tire in a group of tires by the drive over reader. A recommended cold pressure for the tires is provided. An adjusted recommended pressure for the tires is determined from the pressure indication and the recommended cold pressure, and accounts for temperature effects on the tires. An adjusted low pressure threshold is set at a predetermined level below the adjusted recommended pressure. A notice is generated by the drive over reader for each tire that includes an adjusted recommended pressure below the adjusted low pressure threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventors: Pierre Jules A. Collin, Abhijit Ganguly, Andreas Michale Thomas Pietsch, Stefan Bussmann
  • Patent number: 11047822
    Abstract: A sensor device includes a detection resistor having a resistance value changing according to a physical quantity and a reference resistor compared with the detection resistor, the reference resistor is configured by electrically connecting a first resistance circuit and a second resistance circuit. The first resistance circuit includes a first and a second resistive element having positive and negative resistance temperature coefficients, respectively, which are electrically connected. The second resistance circuit includes a third and a fourth resistive elements having a positive and a negative resistance temperature coefficient, respectively, which are electrically connected. The first resistance circuit is configured to generate a first deviation to either the positive or negative side with respect to a temperature change, and the second resistance circuit is configured to generate a second deviation to the side opposite to the positive or negative side where the first deviation is generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: HITACHI AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Nakano, Masahiro Matsumoto, Yasuo Onose, Hiroaki Hoshika
  • Patent number: 10987023
    Abstract: A system is configured to determine one or more breathing parameters of a subject, such as one or both of end-tidal carbon dioxide concentration and/or breath rate. The system is configured to make a plurality of preliminary determinations of an individual breathing parameter according to a plurality of different algorithms. A final determination of the breathing parameter is obtained by selecting one of the preliminary determinations based on therapy parameters, gas parameters, and/or other parameters that impact the accuracy and/or precision of the different algorithms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: Michael Brian Jaffe, Joseph Allen Orr
  • Patent number: 10161806
    Abstract: A system and apparatus for sensing temperature to prevent electrical fires is provided for. Here, a device that plugs into a wall outlet, or attaches to the wall plate of a wall outlet, is equipped with an audible alarm and at least one temperature sensor, such that the device can sense the temperature of an appliance plugged into it, as well as the temperature of the electrical wires powering the wall outlet and the outlet receptacle. The device is capable of turning off the power to an appliance, as well as ejecting itself from the wall outlet entirely. It can be operated automatically or through a software application. Optionally, the apparatus is combined with a second device that connects to the main circuit panel of a house that is capable of stopping the flow of electricity to an entire house.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: Firesmart Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Jonathan Lermann
  • Patent number: 8890678
    Abstract: A plug-and-play sensor peripheral component includes an electrically conductive physical connector; an electrical connector; a transformer; and an RF communication and data storage circuit. The electrical connector is electrically connected to the physical connector by a first conductive path. The transformer is electrically connected to the RF communication and data storage circuit. The transformer and the RF communication and data storage circuit are electrically isolated from the physical connector and the electrical connector. Electrically connecting the physical connector to the electrical connector by other than the first conductive path inductively couples the RF communication and data storage circuit to the first conductive path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Rosemount Inc.
    Inventor: Clarence Edward Holmstadt
  • Patent number: 8279057
    Abstract: A bed occupancy state detection method includes detecting loads applied to a head side right portion, a head side left portion, a foot side right portion, and a foot side left portion of a bed platform by first to fourth load detecters, respectively, judging whether or not a prescribed judgment formula is satisfied based on load values outputted from the first to fourth load detecters, and notifying information on a bed occupancy state of an object in cases where it is judged that a judgment formula is satisfied from a judgment result at the judgment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Showa Denko K.K.
    Inventor: Kazuo Hirose
  • Patent number: 8242918
    Abstract: Monitoring apparatus (100, 200, 300) for registration and warning of overtemperature, particularly in connection with harmful heat development in electric installations, as for example outlets, switches and fuse equipment. The apparatus provides for timely warning of heat development, so that overheating and damage is avoided, whereby the operation of electric installation equipment for mounting in electric installations, will have a significantly improved safety. The temperature registration is performed in a unit (100) by means of a sensor (1) which provides an electrical magnitude that is influenced by the temperature, for example a thermistor, which is a temperature-dependent resistor. When a low current is applied to such a component, it will result in a temperature-dependent voltage drop that is measured and gives a direct measure of the temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Inventors: Stig Werner Brusveen, Anders Sande
  • Patent number: 8199015
    Abstract: A system and methods for measuring the temperature of an RFID reader module and inserting a delay in the RFID reader's duty cycle to prevent the RFID reader from initiating a thermal shutdown. The system and methods are self-adaptable, therefore incurring the benefit regardless of the design of the RFID reader host and its associated heat sink. The system and methods also provide for archiving the collected data and analyzing the data providing the ability to improve the design of the RFID reader host.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Symbol Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert I Sandler, David E. Bellows, Martin J. Strzelczyk
  • Patent number: 8188871
    Abstract: In a memory cell, the drive current capabilities of the transistors may be adjusted by locally providing an increased gate dielectric thickness and/or gate length of one or more of the transistors of the memory cell. That is, the gate length and/or the gate dielectric thickness may vary along the transistor width direction, thereby providing an efficient mechanism for adjusting the effective drive current capability while at the same time allowing the usage of a simplified geometry of the active region, which may result in enhanced production yield due to enhanced process uniformity. In particular, the probability of creating short circuits caused by nickel silicide portions may be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Manfred Horstmann, Patrick Press, Karsten Wieczorek, Kerstin Ruttloff
  • Publication number: 20110210855
    Abstract: A temperature controlling alarm circuit includes a power source including a high level terminal and a low level terminal, the low level terminal being grounded; a thermal diode including an anode and a cathode, the anode connected to the high level terminal; a resistor connected to the thermal diode in series; another resistor parallelly connected in parallel to the thermal diode and the said resistor which connected in series; a pnp-type transistor including a base, an emitter and a collector, the base and the emitter being respectively connected to two terminals of the another resistor; and an alarm connected between the collector of the PNP-type transistor and the low level terminal of the power source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2010
    Publication date: September 1, 2011
    Applicants: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD., HONG FU JIN PRECISION INDUSTRY (ShenZhen) CO., LTD
    Inventor: YONG-ZHAO HUANG
  • Patent number: 7885048
    Abstract: A semiconductor device and an electronic apparatus incorporating the semiconductor device are disclosed. The semiconductor device includes a power circuit that further includes a power transistor for providing current to a load (load current), a temperature detector for detecting the temperature of the power transistor, and a current detector for detecting the load current. If the detected temperature of the power transistor reaches a first predetermined temperature, and if the detected load current exceeds a first predetermined load current, a signal is output through an external terminal of the semiconductor device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Koichi Morino
  • Publication number: 20100277325
    Abstract: An electrical device including a heat sensing interrupter to enable a load to be selectively coupled to or disconnected from a power source in accordance with a level of a sensed temperature includes a relay assembly operable between a closed state when the sensed temperature is below a predetermined limit temperature, thereby enabling the coupling of the load to the power source, and an open state when the sensed temperature is above the predetermined limit temperature, thereby electrically disconnecting the load from the power source. The device further includes a sensor assembly including a light source operatively associated with a light sensor. The light sensor is configured to be sensitive to specific levels of the sensed temperature and the light source is configured to emit light along a plurality of optical paths at any one of a plurality of wavelengths sensitive to temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2010
    Publication date: November 4, 2010
    Inventor: Robert Z. Kopelman
  • Publication number: 20100258643
    Abstract: System (10) for remotely controlling and monitoring a food refrigerator (1), and its content, of the type intended to be given in rental or in free loan from a manufacturer to a vendor of cold products, comprising a control unit (2) for checking and storing a plurality of functioning parameters of the food refrigerator (1), an RFID reader (3) intended to read data stored in a plurality of RFID tags attached to the cold products, a communication unit (4) for interconnecting an external device, the RFID reader (3) comprising means for retrieving data from said RFID tags when the cold products are still stocked inside the food refrigerator (1) and the communication unit (4) localization means for transmitting information to the external device about a geographical localization of the food refrigerator (1). System (10) according to claim 1 wherein said means produce a radio frequency signal at predetermined time intervals for activating said RFID tags.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2009
    Publication date: October 14, 2010
    Applicant: SMARTFREEZE S.r.l.
    Inventors: Luigi Glielmo, Davide Del Cogliano, Corrado De Santis
  • Patent number: 7764184
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention present an apparatus coupled to an internal bus for monitoring environmental factors in a computer system including: an embedded controller having a processor; an environmental sensor that provides data related to environmental conditions; a reset generator; and a power source. A LAN interface may be configured to remotely access and control the embedded controller. Further, the internal bus may be selected from any of the following: a PCI bus, an ISA bus, a DIMM slot, a SIMM slot, a PCMCIA slot, or a server blade slot. Still further, the environmental sensor may be selected from any of the following: a DC electrical sensor; an AC electrical sensor; a temperature sensor; a humidity sensor; a force monitor sensor; a signal monitor sensor; an electrostatic discharge sensor; an activity sensor; an optical particulate sensor; a Hall Effect sensor; a global positioning sensor; or a whisker detection sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Robert William Dobbs, Terry Lee, Kenneth Nicholas Konesky
  • Publication number: 20090231148
    Abstract: The present invention provides a power source to transform external power to DC driving power and has an air fan and a fan driving circuit connecting to a detection element to detect operation temperature inside the power supply and output a temperature control signal. Through the temperature control signal, the DC driving power is determined to drive the air fan at a required rotation speed. The power supply further has a status display circuit which includes at least two switches and two lighting elements. The switches are set at different ON/OFF levels and triggered by the temperature control signal or the fan driving circuit to determine whether ON/OFF of the switches be activated. The lighting elements are connected to the switches and driven by the DC driving power to emit light in the ON condition of the switches.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2008
    Publication date: September 17, 2009
    Inventor: Shih-Hsien YU
  • Publication number: 20090224926
    Abstract: Monitoring apparatus (100, 200, 300) for registration and warning of overtemperature, particularly in connection with harmful heat development in electric installations, as for example outlets, switches and fuse equipment. The apparatus provides for timely warning of heat development, so that overheating and damage is avoided, whereby the operation of electric installation equipment for mounting in electric installations, will have a significantly improved safety. The temperature registration is performed in a unit (100) by means of a sensor (1) which provides an electrical magnitude that is influenced by the temperature, for example a thermistor, which is a temperature-dependent resistor. When a low current is applied to such a component, it will result in a temperature-dependent voltage drop that is measured and gives a direct measure of the temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2007
    Publication date: September 10, 2009
    Inventors: Stig Werner Brusveen, Anders Sande
  • Publication number: 20090040056
    Abstract: A receptacle capable of warning overloading includes a receptacle main body and a protect device. The receptacle main body transmits a power source to an electric product while a plug of said electric product being inserted to the receptacle main body. The protect device is attached to the receptacle main body. It is characterized in that the protect device further comprises a detect circuit for detecting an amperage, and a warning component for receiving a signal coming from said detect circuit and converting the signal to a warning sound, a warning flash light or a numerical value. Thus, when the output end of the receptacle has an abnormal current overload, the user is notified to be aware of the problem of overloading.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2008
    Publication date: February 12, 2009
    Inventor: PANG-PIAO YANG
  • Publication number: 20080297358
    Abstract: Provided are a temperature sensor using a metal-insulator transition (MIT) device subject to abrupt MIT at a specific temperature and an alarm including the temperature sensor. The abrupt MIT device includes an abrupt MIT thin film and at least two electrode thin films that contacts the abrupt MIT thin film. The abrupt MIT device generates abrupt metal-insulator transition at a specific transition temperature. The alarm includes a temperature sensor comprising an abrupt MIT device, and an alarm signaling device serially connected to the temperature sensor. Accordingly, the alarm can be manufactured to have a simple circuit and be of a small size by including the temperature sensor using an abrupt MIT device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2006
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Applicant: Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute
    Inventors: Hyun-Tak Kim, Kwang Yong Kang, Yong Wook Lee, Byung Gyu Chae, Bong Jun Kim, Sang Kuk Choi, Sun Jin Yun
  • Publication number: 20080252446
    Abstract: The invention provides a system and method of monitoring at least one operating characteristic of a hand power tool. In one embodiment, a hand power tool includes a housing, a motor within the housing and a tag mounted on the housing. The tag includes a first antenna for harvesting energy from an electromagnetic field associated with the motor, a microprocessor configured to operate using the harvested energy, a memory including stored commands which, when executed by the microprocessor, cause data associated with a sensed condition of the hand power tool to be stored within the memory, and a second antenna for coupling with a radio frequency identification (RFID) reader and for transmitting the data stored within the memory to the RFID reader.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2007
    Publication date: October 16, 2008
    Applicants: Credo Technology Corporation, Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Ralph Dammertz
  • Patent number: 7340414
    Abstract: A refrigerator capable of transmitting and receiving information over a network and having an automatic food ordering function and a method for operating the same, wherein the residual amounts of food articles stored in containers of the refrigerator are measured through sensors installed in the containers and then displayed on a screen of a display unit, thereby enabling a user to easily recognize the residual amounts of the food articles stored in the refrigerator without opening the door of the refrigerator. The measured residual amounts of the food articles are compared with minimum proper amounts of the food articles preset by the user, respectively. In the case where the measured residual amount of a specific one of the food articles is smaller than the minimum proper amount of the specific food article, the specific food article is automatically ordered and delivered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Young Hoon Roh, Jung Ho Kim, Kwang Choon Kim, Jin Chul Cho
  • Patent number: 6985080
    Abstract: An analog flame sense circuit is provided that utilizes the flame rectification method of sensing flame. The circuit uses an AC voltage source and discrete components to provide the sensing of the flame current. Either a single-pole or a two-pole filter may be used to smooth the generated sense voltage. A DC bias is provided to the filter to ensure a positive voltage. The circuit also includes a high-gain, high-impedance amplifier to translate the high impedance voltage of the sensing portion of the circuit to a relatively low impedance voltage for use by an electronic control circuit. In one embodiment, a high-gain emitter-follower amplifier constructed from two bi-polar junction transistors (BJTs) is used. An integrated Darlington configuration may be used, as well as a single BJT having a high gain, and an integrated operational amplifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2006
    Assignee: Ranco Incorporated of Delaware
    Inventors: John Kociecki, Yelena N. Kaplan
  • Patent number: 6817760
    Abstract: A current probe transformer temperature monitoring method determines an initial transformer temperature of the current probe as a function of the winding resistance of the transformer. A relative temperature of the Hall Effect device is also determined as a function of resistance change of the Hall Effect device. The initial transformer temperature and the relative Hall Effect device temperature are combined to produce a continuous transformer temperature indicative of the temperature of the transformer. The current signal to the multi-turn winding is removed when the continuous transformer temperature exceeds a threshold temperature value and a visual indication may be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2004
    Assignee: Tektronix, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Mende, Jonathan S. Dandy, Michael D. Stevens, Albert S. Crane, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6480114
    Abstract: An apparatus for detecting a high impedance load on an output of a driver circuit having a power switching circuit providing output signals to a coil. Each output signal results from a drive signal that has a waveform comprising a higher magnitude initial peak period followed by a lower magnitude hold period. The driver circuit has a feedback circuit providing a difference signal as a function of a difference between an output signal and a corresponding drive signal. A diagnostic circuit connected to the driver circuit provides a high impedance error signal in response to detecting the difference signal crossing a threshold magnitude during a higher magnitude initial peak period of a drive signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Assignee: Nordson Corporation
    Inventor: Peter W. Estelle
  • Patent number: 6460731
    Abstract: An electrically operated fluid dispenser for dispensing a pattern of viscous fluid onto a substrate during a run mode. The dispenser is turned off and does not dispense the viscous fluid during a standby mode of operation. The dispenser includes a dispenser body having an outlet and an armature disposed in the dispenser body for movement between an opened position allowing a fluid flow from the outlet and a closed position preventing the fluid flow from the outlet. A coil is mounted adjacent the armature and selectively generates an electromagnetic field for moving the armature between the opened and closed positions. A controller includes different apparatus and methods for using the coil as a heater as well as providing other heat transfer devices on the dispensing valve to maintain a constant temperature either, during only the run mode or, during both, the run and the standby modes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Assignee: Nordson Corporation
    Inventors: Peter W. Estelle, Scott R. Miller, Laurence B. Saidman
  • Patent number: 6380861
    Abstract: A temperature monitor for monitoring a temperature of an electrically operated fluid dispenser having a coil mounted adjacent an armature within the dispenser. The coil selectively generates an electromagnetic field to move the armature between opened and closed positions. The temperature monitor includes current measuring apparatus for measuring a current in the coil and a comparator for comparing a measured current value to a desired current value. An indicator provides an indication representing a relationship between the measured current value and the desired current value. The temperature monitor also has different indicators for providing different indications representing different values of the measured current relative to a desired current value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Assignee: Nordson Corporation
    Inventors: Peter W. Estelle, Laurence B. Saidman
  • Publication number: 20010004236
    Abstract: A response-adjustable temperature sensor (306, Rext), particularly for a transponder (102, 200, 400) capable of measuring one or more parameters (e.g., temperature, pressure) and transmitting a data stream (FIGS. 3C, 4B) to an external reader/interrogator (106). The transponder typically operates in a passive mode, deriving its power (Vxx, Vcc, Vdd) from an RF interrogation signal received by an antenna system (210, 410), but can also operate in a battery-powered active mode. The transponder includes memory (238, 438) for storing measurements, calibration data, programmable trim settings (436b), transponder ID and the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2000
    Publication date: June 21, 2001
    Inventors: Joseph Michael Letkomiller, Dale Lee Yones, Richard Stephen Pollack
  • Patent number: 6224255
    Abstract: A temperature pickup for an oil-filled transformer or tap changer has within a resistance thermometer standard housing, the circuitry for duty-factor-modulated output of a measurement signal, interference circuitry which can slur the resulting wave form and an interface circuit which subjects the output signal to polarity reversal to produce an output symmetrical with respect to ground potential. This enables zero crossings to be detected and the time lapse between zero crossings or passages to be ascertained and the temperature calculated from the duty-factor ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2001
    Assignee: Maschinenfabrik Reinhausen GmbH
    Inventors: Manfred Stadelmayer, Karsten Viereck
  • Patent number: 6181235
    Abstract: A rotary apparatus in which at least one electrically controlled device is attached to a rotor. The rotor carries coils such that rotation of the rotor generates power for the device. A switch is provided for controlling the supply of power to the device and receives control signals via a contactless communication link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2001
    Assignee: Ultra Electronics Limited
    Inventor: James Andrew Timothy Smith
  • Patent number: 5920264
    Abstract: A protection device for a micro-controller chip comprising a heat sink, a cooling fan, and an overheat alarm. The heat sink is adapted to be mounted on a micro-controller chip and is capable of dissipating heat generated by the micro-controller chip. The cooling fan disperses the heat dissipated by the heat sink into the surrounding atmosphere. The overheat alarm includes a temperature sensor, a voltage comparator, an oscillator, and alarm sound generator. The temperature sensor converts a temperature of the heat sink into electrical signals and outputs a voltage proportional to the temperature of the heat sink. A voltage comparator compares the voltage output from the temperature sensor with a reference voltage signal and outputs a comparator output voltage. The oscillator generates and outputs an oscillating voltage signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1999
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Dong-Hwan Kim, Noh-Byung Park, Kwang-Yeol Lee
  • Patent number: 5856780
    Abstract: A fire detector, for connection in a fire protection/alarm system, comprises an array of sensors, or a single sensor, of the semiconductor resistor type impregnated with a noble metal. The detector is responsive, by way of a decrease in its resistance, to an increase in any one or more parameters indicative of a fire, namely the atmospheric concentrations of carbon monoxide, hydrogen and water vapor, and temperature, so that a fire is detected regardless of which of these indicators is present. The sensor responds to all of the parameters, and the output signal simultaneously represents changes in all the parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1999
    Assignee: Capteur Sensors & Analysers, Ltd.
    Inventor: Peter McGeehin
  • Patent number: 5678925
    Abstract: A hot beverage mug automatically senses the temperature of its liquid contents and generates an accurate aural and/or visual indication of the temperature sensed. The temperature is sensed by a thermistor in a resistive capacitive (R/C) circuit which operates to yield a signal of variable frequency corresponding to the temperature sensed. An integrated circuit (IC) logic controller treats this electrical signal as an input which triggers a further electrical signal from the IC controller to an aural or visual display generating device such as an annunciator, a light emitting diode (LED), liquid crystal display (LCD) or a simulated voice expressing the temperature sensed. The power for the R/C circuit, the IC and the aural/visual indicator(s) is supplied from a battery and controllable by a switch activated either manually or automatically upon sensing the pressure of the liquid contents or by physical contact with the mug handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 21, 1997
    Inventors: Ian Garmaise, David Garmaise
  • Patent number: 5675246
    Abstract: An apparatus connectable between a current source and an electrical load for indicating current flow through the load above a threshold level. The indicator includes two negative temperature coefficient (NTC) thermistors, and a neon indicator lamp. The first thermistor is connected directly in series with the electrical load and the second thermistor is connected in series with the neon lamp. The thermistors are packaged together by an epoxy resin, which thermally couples the thermistors so that both thermistors operate at substantially identical temperatures. Current flow above the load's operational threshold level causes the first thermistor to heat to an equilibrium temperature well above the ambient temperature. At this elevated equilibrium temperature, both resistors have extremely low resistance values. The low resistance value of the second thermistor permits maximum current flow to the neon lamp, which illuminates the lamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 7, 1997
    Assignee: MSX, Inc.
    Inventor: Thaddeus M. Jones
  • Patent number: 5600306
    Abstract: An electrical receptacle unit includes at least one receptacle body (3) internally provided with a pair of slotted terminals (4) for insertion of a pair of blades (L) of a load-side electrical plug (P), a thermistor (7) encased in a protective tube (9) outwardly projectable from between the slotted terminals (4) of the receptacle body (3), a coil spring (13) for projecting the thermistor (7) out from the receptacle body (3), a relay (14) for enabling and disabling supply of electric power to the slotted terminals (4), a control circuit (19) which operates the relay (14) to cut off supply of electric power to the slotted terminals (4) when the temperature of the thermistor (7) reaches or exceeds a preset temperature, and a buzzer (23) operated by an output signal produced by the control circuit (19) when the temperature of the thermistor (7) reaches or exceeds the preset temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1997
    Assignee: Nisso Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Minoru Ichikawa, Teruhiko Ishinaka
  • Patent number: 5461363
    Abstract: A safety apparatus for a passage controlled by means of a first member and a second member, has a first device for detecting opening of the passage, a second device for detecting fierce knocking on the first and second members and a third device for detecting abnormally high temperature. The first device detects relative movement between the first and second members. The first device has (a) a block being attached to the first member and having a curved surface, (b) a detector having a casing attached to the second member and a pin having a free end so that the pin is in various positions relative to the casing when the free end of the pin is in various positions against the curved surface of the block as the first member is moved relative to the second member and (c) an alarm actuated by means of the detector for warning of the relative movement between the first member and second members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 24, 1995
    Inventor: Ming-Sheng Chang
  • Patent number: 5436614
    Abstract: A thermal analog fire detector which is excellent in measurement precision and resolution in both the high and low temperature ranges and which has a wide range of measuring temperatures. A constant voltage E from a constant voltage circuit is supplied to a CPU, an A/D converter and a constant current circuit. The constant current circuit is connected in series to a thermistor. The constant current circuit is constructed to supply a constant current, the value of which being variable in a plurality of stages, to the thermistor controlled by the CPU. The CPU switches the constant current of the constant current circuit according to the measured temperature data. A voltage V across the thermistor is converted into digital data by the A/D converter, and then the converted data is supplied to the CPU.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 25, 1995
    Assignee: Hochiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasuo Torikoshi, Hiromitsu Ishii
  • Patent number: 5355121
    Abstract: An alarm device is provided with a temperature sensor for detecting an internal temperature of a magneto-optical disc drive unit having a cooling fan and a replaceable dust filter. When the internal temperature becomes higher than or equal to a predetermined temperature due to the breakdown of the fan or the silting of the filter, the alarm device indicates an abnormal condition of the drive unit by flashing an operation indicating lamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 11, 1994
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Takashi Naito, Susumu Tosaka
  • Patent number: 5254975
    Abstract: A pair of temperature detection devices having different heat time constants and an active device having a predetermined bias are connected in series. The bias is set so as to cause the active device to operate in a saturated region if the temperature is higher than a dangerous level, and to operate in a triode region if the temperature is lower than the dangerous level. The temperature detection devices are chosen so as to cause the voltage generated at the junction of the temperature detection devices to be higher than a predetermined reference voltage if the temperature has been raised to the dangerous level when the temperature is raised slowly, or if the temperature is raised rapidly, even if the temperature is lower than the dangerous level. A constant temperature function and a differential function are generated to detect that a fire has taken place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1993
    Assignee: Hochiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yasuo Torikoshi
  • Patent number: 5231377
    Abstract: A portable unit indicates the precise time to close a fireplace damper door. The unit comprises a housing including a power source, and an electronic circuit, and an external heat sensor. The arrangement is such that the heat sensor is placed near the firebox and senses that a fire has been lit by the heat given off. The electronic circuit then stores this information and waits until the heat is no longer present. At this time, a fire extinguished indication is displayed, and a time delay circuit activated. If a fire is restarted before the delay circuit times out, the fire extinguished status is cleared and the process started over. If a fire is not restarted, and the delay circuit does time out, then a audible indication warns that the fireplace damper can now be manually closed to save energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1993
    Inventor: Richard V. Clark
  • Patent number: 5198801
    Abstract: A resettable fire detection device comprises in combination a rate of temperature rise sensor, an electronic fixed temperature sensor, and electronic circuitry connected to both circuits for producing an alarm signal if either sensor is activated and for maintaining the alarm signal once the device has been activated. This resettable fire detection device has many uses: specifically, it can be used as a replacement device for a smoke detector device commonly used on ships. In this case, the device draws a very low amperage for use on a parallel circuit common wih smoke detectors. In addition, a time delay circuit can be associated with each of the sensors to avoid false alarms and to accommodate certain environmental conditions. The resettable nature of both the fixed temperature and rate of rise temperatue sensor allows full testing of each device while allowing a remote reset signal to be used to reset the device. In a preferred form, the rate of temperature rise sensor is a mechanical arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1993
    Assignee: Fire Detection Devices Ltd.
    Inventors: Jack Duggan, Michael J. Heslop
  • Patent number: 5115222
    Abstract: The disclosure pertains to a device for detecting sudden or slow immersion of a body into a swimming pool. More specifically, the invention pertains to a device to detect the accidental immersion of children into swimming pools. In a first embodiment, a first chamber is submerged in the water, and communicates with the water through tubes, so that disturbances in the water not caused by the immersion of a body are damped. A second chamber is in communication with the first chamber and has a sensor disposed inside it. The immersion of a body in the water causes a variation in the air mass contained in the chambers, which is sensed by the sensor which then sounds an alarm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 19, 1992
    Inventors: Joaquin O. Peralta, Rafael H. Martinez
  • Patent number: 5073034
    Abstract: A single 400 series thermistor is interfaced to a patient monitor designed to accept only dual thermistor probes by a circuit including first and second cascaded negative impedance converters connected to first and second discrete resistors. The first and second discrete resistors are operative to alter the slope of and shift the resistance versus temperature characteristic of the circuit, while the negative impedance converters scale the characteristic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 17, 1991
    Inventors: Anthony V. Beran, Gordon Shigezawa
  • Patent number: 5063984
    Abstract: A solar heating device which indicates the proper window covering status for maximum energy conservation. A support structure (18) rests on window sill (16) and suspends two thermistors (22 and 24). One thermistor (22) is supported on the room side of drapery (12) and the other thermistor (24) is supported between drapery (12) and a window (14). When the net heat flow is inward from outside the room, thermistor (24) near window (14) will be warmer than room side thermistor (22). When this occurs, the temperature dependent resistances of thermistors (22 and 24), voltage divider resistances (30 and 32), and a comparator (36) turn on a light emitting diode (28). This indicates that drapery (12) should be opened to let solar radiation in to heat the room. Otherwise, drapery (12) should be closed to conserve the existing heat in the room.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1991
    Inventor: Albert G. Cherveny
  • Patent number: 4922231
    Abstract: A temperature responsive signaling device is provided for use at locations where diesel powered trucks congregate. The device includes a light source with at least two colored lights preferably red and green, a control box having at least two indicator lights and a switch for the selection of an operating mode for the signaling device, and temperature responsive means and temperature sensing means. While the control box and temperature responsive means is preferably located inside a building, the temperature responsive means and light source are normally positioned outdoors. A circuit is provided for coupling a power source to the various components of the signaling device such that the light which is activated depends upon the unit's response to a preselected temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 1, 1990
    Inventor: George A. Williams, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4859076
    Abstract: A heated, split thermowell comprises a cylindrical shank and integral, axially extending, part-cylindrical probes spaced by at least a first gap defined by a bilateral plane. The thermowell is mounted to the sidewall of a pressure vessel for communicating through a penetration in the sidewall with the fluid state in the pressure vessel. Each probe has at least one parallel axial bore therein, a related, selected pair of probes receiving respective heater and temperature sensing elements in the associated bores, and together functioning as a differential temperature sensor producing distinguishable, differential temperature outputs representative of the fluid condition of steam versus water. Duplex sensor embodiments permit toggling between different, selected such pairs of probes for on-line testing and verification of monitored conditions and operability of the elements and supporting circuits, with automatic substitution of complementary elements in the event of element failure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 22, 1989
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.
    Inventor: Michael Twerdochlib
  • Patent number: 4857897
    Abstract: An alarm which can be used in lieu of the knob of the cover of a teapot or an ordinary pot which provides the capability of sounding a musical alarm when the water temperature inside the teapot or kettle nears the boiling point. The alarm contains a body member, an upper plate, a sensor, a speaker and an electronic assembly. The sensor detects the vapor temperature variations in a teapot through a sensing plate beneath the teapot cover and produces an electrical signal corresponding to the vapor temperature level. This signal is then changed to musical sounds through an electronic assembly when the water nears its boiling point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 15, 1989
    Inventor: Mu H. Chen
  • Patent number: 4799046
    Abstract: To monitor the winding temperature of a coil, preferably the magnet coil of a magnetic valve, it is proposed to use as the monitored magnitude the resistance related to the temperature of the winding. For this purpose the winding is supplied during the measurement time with a constant or predeterminable voltage or current and the voltage or current related to the temperature of the winding is used as the magnitude to be measured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 17, 1989
    Assignee: Leybold-heraeus GmbH
    Inventor: Raymond Heinen
  • Patent number: 4719432
    Abstract: A measuring oscillator for measuring temperature has an all-pass filter (1) which drives a current source (16) having a controllable amplification factor and a control element (17). The control element is connected to the control input of the current source (16) and controls its amplification factor in a manner such that the amplitude of the alternating voltage produced by the measuring oscillator assumes a constant value. The all-pass filter comprises a phase-determining bipolar circuit arrangement (10) comprising a voltage follower (12), whose input is connected to one terminal (9) of the circuit arrangement (10) and whose output is connected through an ohmic input resistor (13) to the inverting input of a first operational amplifier (14), which is fed back negatively through a measuring resistor (15) having a temperature-dependent ohmic resistance value. The output of the first op-amp also is connected through an ohmic resistor (41) to the one terminal (9) of the bipolar circuit arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1988
    Assignee: U.S. Philips Corporation
    Inventors: Bernd Heck, Dierk Schroder
  • Patent number: 4635668
    Abstract: An automatic freeze control (10) includes a temperature sensor (18) and a valve (20) connected to the water line (22). Control circuitry (36, 38, 40, 42, 44 and 46) is responsive to the line water temperature continuously monitored by the sensor (18) to selectively open the valve (20) for increased periodic flow with decreasing temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1985
    Date of Patent: January 13, 1987
    Inventor: Aaron J. Netter
  • Patent number: 4538137
    Abstract: In a fire detector that includes a sensor for producing an output voltage corresponding to smoke concentration, temperature, etc., there is provided a charge-and-discharge circuit to be reset by the turning ON of a switching circuit which is made ON at a fixed voltage. The output of the charge-and-discharge circuit and the output of a sensor are applied to the switching circuit to vary the ON period of the switching circuit corresponding to the output voltage of the sensor. Any irregularity in the sensor can be monitored by changes in the ON period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 1983
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1985
    Assignee: Nittan Company, Limited
    Inventor: Tetsuo Kimura
  • Patent number: 4518850
    Abstract: An electric cooker having means for warning the user when one or more of the cooking surfaces is above a safe touching temperature comprises a glass ceramic cooking surface having one or more electrical heaters arranged on the underside of the cooking surface. A temperature monitoring device is thermally coupled with at least one of the one or more heaters and comprises an auxiliary heater, for example of PTC material, a thermally responsive device in the form of a thermistor, for example of PTC or NTC material, and a thermal buffer positioned between the auxiliary heater and the thermistor. A neon lamp or a filament lamp is provided for indicating when the thermistor is at or above a predetermined temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1982
    Date of Patent: May 21, 1985
    Assignee: Micropore International Limited
    Inventor: Alfie L. Grasso