Temperature Measurement (e.g., Thermometer) Patents (Class 374/100)
  • Publication number: 20140221528
    Abstract: The invention involves the incorporation and enablement of multiple interactive elements into high-volume consumables products to increase utility, function and features of the consumable product at minimal incremental cost and adjustment to production and manufacturing processes. The invention further reports processes and compositions that enable consumable products with differentiating features which product would otherwise be deficient for their intended use and application.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2012
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Inventor: Hans O. Ribi
  • Patent number: 8796807
    Abstract: By incorporating germanium material into thermal sensing diode structures, the sensitivity thereof may be significantly increased. In some illustrative embodiments, the process for incorporating the germanium material may be performed with high compatibility with a process flow for incorporating a silicon/germanium material into P-channel transistors of sophisticated semiconductor devices. Hence, temperature control efficiency may be increased with reduced die area consumption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Rolf Stephan, Markus Forsberg, Gert Burbach, Anthony Mowry
  • Patent number: 8790005
    Abstract: A sensor for determining a temperature in the cabin of a motor vehicle including a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of a spatial region adjoining the temperature sensor or surrounding it, a solar sensor for detecting the solar radiation to which the cabin of the motor vehicle is exposed, the temperature sensor and the solar sensor disposed together in a sensor housing, wherein the temperature sensor is connected to two first electric connecting elements which are lead through the sensor housing and the solar sensor is connected to two second electric connecting elements which are lead through the sensor housing, and wherein the first and second connecting elements are configured separately from each other, at least inside the sensor housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank Tylinski, Mario Wirtz
  • Publication number: 20140204975
    Abstract: There are provided a plate-shaped body for temperature measurement which, simply by being mounted on a mounting surface of an electrostatic chuck apparatus and without using a semiconductor wafer itself which is a product, is able to easily optimize the in-plane temperature distribution of the mounting surface of the electrostatic chuck apparatus, the temperature rising characteristics, and the cooling characteristics during decreases in temperature, and a temperature measuring apparatus provided with the same.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2012
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: Sumitomo Osaka Cement Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mamoru Kosakai, Kazunori Ishimura, Takeshi Watanabe, Hitoshi Kouno, Ryuuji Hayahara
  • Patent number: 8783945
    Abstract: A superheat sensor (1) for sensing superheat of a fluid flowing in a flow channel (3) is disclosed. The sensor (1) comprises a flexible wall defining an interface between an inner cavity (5) having a charge fluid (6) arranged therein and the flow channel (3). The flexible wall is arranged in the flow channel (3) in thermal contact with the fluid flowing therein, and the flexible wall is adapted to conduct heat between the flow channel (3) and the inner cavity (5). Thereby the temperature of the charge fluid (6) adapts to the temperature of the fluid flowing in the flow channel (3), and the pressure in the inner cavity (5) is determined by this temperature. A first wall part (7, 14) and a second wall part (9, 16) are arranged at a variable distance from each other, said distance being defined by a differential pressure between the pressure of the charge fluid (6) and the pressure of the fluid flowing in the flow channel (3), i.e.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Danfoss A/S
    Inventors: Asbjoern Leth Vonsild, Claus Thybo, Leo Bram, Jakob Spangberg
  • Patent number: 8770836
    Abstract: A wireless temperature profiling system and the methods of making it are disclosed. The wireless temperature profiling system can include a photovoltaic substrate, a transponder, and a reader.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: First Solar, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel Burgard
  • Patent number: 8764286
    Abstract: Embodiments of separating apparatuses are generally described herein. Other embodiments may be described and claimed. In one embodiment, a thermal sensor assembly includes a shape memory substrate anchored within an isolation housing and braced between first and second anchors. The shape memory substrate is configured to transition from the strained configuration to the fractured configuration at a specified temperature range, and the first substrate end fractures from the second substrate end at the specified temperature. In another embodiment, a fracture indicator is coupled with the shape memory substrate, and the fracture indicator is configured to indicate the fractured configuration corresponding to meeting or exceeding of the specified temperature. In one example, the specified temperature range includes a range of temperatures or a single temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Frederick B. Koehler, Ward D. Lyman
  • Patent number: 8768530
    Abstract: A predefined mathematical relationship that is stored in the memory of a computing system is accessed, wherein the relationship refers to temperatures of a number of points in the system, wherein the points together define a zone. The mathematical relationship yields a representative temperature for the zone. Temperature data from sensors in the system is obtained and applied to thermal models, to estimate the temperatures of at least some of the points that define the zone. The representative temperature for the zone is computed using the estimated temperatures as input to the mathematical relationship. A decision is then made on whether or not to change a power consuming activity limit in the system, based on the computed representative temperature. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Frank Faqiu Liang, Jay S. Nigen, Amaury J. Heresztyn, Keith Cox
  • Publication number: 20140177670
    Abstract: A method for estimating the temperature of the fuel entering a turbomachine injector, the turbomachine including engine spaces and an oil/fuel exchanger upstream of the injector, the engine spaces and the oil/fuel exchanger having oil passing through them, the oil/fuel exchanger having an efficiency, the engine spaces including a high-pressure spool, the method including (a) measuring the temperature of the oil entering the engine spaces; (b) measuring the rotational speed of the high-pressure spool; (c) calculating the temperature of the fuel leaving the oil/fuel exchanger using the temperature of the oil entering the engine spaces and the rotational speed of the high-pressure spool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2012
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: SNECMA
    Inventors: Sébastien Gameiro, Caroline Frantz, Sophie Lauranne Mottet
  • Patent number: 8757873
    Abstract: A method of determining the temperature of a sample carrier in a charged particle-optical apparatus, characterized in that the method comprises the observation of the sample carrier with a beam of charged particles, the observation giving information about the temperature of the sample carrier. The invention is based on the insight that a charged particle optical apparatus, such as a TEM, STEM, SEM or FIB, can be used to observe temperature related changes of a sample carrier. The changes may be mechanical changes (e.g. of a bimetal), crystallographic changes (e.g. of a perovskite), and luminescent changes (in intensity or decay time). In a preferred embodiment the sample carrier shows two bimetals, showing metals with different thermal expansion coefficients, bending in opposite directions. The distance between the two bimetals is used as a thermometer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: FEI Company
    Inventors: Stephanus Hubertus Leonardus van den Boom, Pleun Dona, Laurens Franz Taemsz Kwakman, Uwe Luecken, Hervé-William Rémigy, Hendrik Nicolaas Slingerland, Martin Verheijen, Gerbert Jeroen van de Water
  • Patent number: 8762097
    Abstract: In one aspect, a data processing system includes a virtual temperature sensor to provide system temperature for different system configurations, and a controller coupled to the sensor to control operations of the data processing system according to the virtual temperature. The virtual temperature sensor typically derives the temperature of a particular configuration of the data processing system using mathematical models or one or more operating parameters of the data processing system. In one example, the mathematical models include a characterization table which provides the measured temperature data from various system configurations. These measurements are performed with temperature sensors positioned in ideal locations for different configuration, and are preprocessed to provide the virtual temperature computation. The characterization table also includes thermal characteristics, such as thermal time constant and thermal resistance, of the critical components at multiple thermal control states.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy John Millet
  • Publication number: 20140169401
    Abstract: An air temperature sensor arrangement for a vehicle includes a temperature sensor housing having a base portion, an inlet and an outlet. Also included is a main flow path defined by a continuously curvilinear wall, the main flow path extending from the inlet to the outlet for separating particulate matter from an inlet airflow. Further included is a temperature sensor disposed within an internal cavity of the temperature sensor housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2012
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Inventors: Chester Miles Schwie, John Timothy Otto
  • Publication number: 20140169398
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a temperature detector for detecting a temperature of a component. The temperature detector may receive a first signal indicative of the temperature of the component, with the first signal being received from a first type of temperature sensor. The temperature detector may further receive a second signal indicative of the temperature of the component, with the second signal being received from a second type of temperature sensor different from the first type of temperature sensor. The temperature detector may combine the first and second signals to generate an output indicative of the temperature of the component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2012
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: Progress Rail Services Corporation
    Inventors: Donald J. Arndt, Mark J. Bartonek
  • Publication number: 20140146848
    Abstract: A conical flange of a temperature sensor for hygienic applications as a deep drawn part with a disk-shaped lower part 30c and an upper part, wherein the upper part partially serves as clamping surface is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2013
    Publication date: May 29, 2014
    Applicant: IFM ELECTRONIC GMBH
    Inventors: Benno Kathan, Stefan Kreis
  • Patent number: 8714816
    Abstract: Thermometric apparatus includes at least one body-surface sensor, which is configured to be placed at a location on a body surface of a patient and generates a sensor output that varies according to a body-surface temperature at the location. Analog conversion circuitry is coupled between the at least one body-surface sensor and a connector for coupling to a patient monitor. The circuitry is configured to convert the sensor output into an output resistance across the connector that is indicative of a corrected temperature of the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Medisim Ltd.
    Inventors: Moshe Yarden, David Sergio Matusevich
  • Patent number: 8708558
    Abstract: A temperature detecting apparatus for adjusting heat dissipating angle of a fan according to status of heat sources, includes detection module, a comparison module, a control module, and a driver module. The detection module detects temperatures of the heat sources, and converts the detected temperatures to voltage signals. The comparison module receives the voltage signals, and compares the voltage signals with a reference voltage to output control signals. The control module receives the control signals, and turns on according to the control signals. The driver module drives a plurality of air guiding fins rotating thereon. A direction of current flowing through the driver module is adjustable when the control module turns on. The driver module drives the air guiding fins turning toward to guide air flowing to one of the heat sources according to the direction of the current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Xiang Cao
  • Publication number: 20140096592
    Abstract: An investment casting shell substrate sensor method and apparatus comprising a hollow probe 10 having an aperture 30, the aperture 30 covered by a water proof breathable membrane (WPBM) 20 that is constructed and arranged to repel liquid from entering the aperture 30, while remaining permeable so as to allow vapor and air to pass through the aperture 30, thereby creating a liquid free internal void 50 within the hollow probe 10 that receives a sensor 40 for measuring the conditions (i.e. temperature and humidity) within the internal void 50, which are accurately indicative of the conditions at the shell substrate at the aperture 30 location. The disclosed sensor assembly provides target specific information at selected substrates within the shell real time, during the shell building process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2013
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Inventor: Julie Markee
  • Patent number: 8691322
    Abstract: A method for measuring the thickness of a coating on a component section of a rotating component, wherein a heat expansion of the component section is determined by detecting a component core temperature and an actual coating thickness is produced, a device for conducting a method of this type having a temperature detecting system and having an evaluating device, as well as a production process and a coating system, are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: MTU Aero Engines GmbH
    Inventors: Jochen Zierhut, Susanne Hogger
  • Patent number: 8678644
    Abstract: A hot gas path measurement apparatus is provided and includes a substrate having a coating applied on a surface thereof such that the coating is interposed between the substrate and a hot gas path; and a measurement device fixed in a recess formed in the substrate, the measurement device including a sensor, and a holder configured to position the sensor in an alignment condition with a plane of a surface of the coating or at least partially within a span of the hot gas path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: David Richard Johns, Ariel Harter Lomas, James Stewart Phillips
  • Patent number: 8660766
    Abstract: A clutch unit (47) comprises a wet friction clutch for controllable transmission of a torque from an input element (41) to an output element (45), housing that contains the friction clutch and oil for cooling the friction clutch, and an actuator (51) for actuating the friction clutch. The actuator is attached to the housing in a thermally conductive way and has a temperature sensor (108) for sensing a temperature of the actuator. In order to computationally determine the oil temperature (TÖl) in the clutch unit (47), a thermal input power to the clutch unit is determined as a function of at least a speed of the input element and/or of the output element. The difference between the thermal input power and the thermal output power is determined, and the oil temperature is determined as a function of the difference that was determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Magna Powertrain AG & Co KG
    Inventors: Ender Ergun, Manfred Gollner, Martin Parigger
  • Patent number: 8651738
    Abstract: A high-temperature plug (10) is provided for a heating element and/or thermocouple or a temperature sensor with at least one wire section (18) embedded in an insulating manner within a metal jacket (16) with a wire end (14) led out from the metal jacket (16) on the front side. The high-temperature plug (10) has a connection sleeve (11) made of metal, into which the at least one wire section (18) embedded in an insulating manner within the metal jacket (16) opens. At least one contact element (12) is in electrical contact within the connection sleeve (11) with the wire end (14) led out from the metal jacket (16) on the front side. At least the end section, facing the at least one wire end (14), of the at least one contact element (12) is embedded in an insulating compound (13) or a metal oxide, such that the embedding fixes the contact element (12) in the connection sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Türk & Hillinger GmbH
    Inventor: Andreas Schlipf
  • Publication number: 20140044147
    Abstract: A display assembly comprising a first display member and a second display member, wherein the first display member is at least partially superimposed upon, fixed to and rotated with respect to the second display member and the first and second display members can be selectively actuated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2012
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: ELECTRONIC TEMPERATURE INSTRUMENTS LIMITED
    Inventors: Paul David Wyatt, David Parsons
  • Publication number: 20130340500
    Abstract: A method of monitoring a space to determine at least one change in state related to at least one activity includes analyzing an amount of water vapor in the air over time and relating a change in the amount of water vapor in the air over time to the at least one change in state. In a number of embodiments, the at least one change in state is related to a kitchen activity which causes a change in the amount of water vapor in the air. Changes in dew point over time may, for example, are determined. In a number of embodiments, changes in dew point over time are determined by measuring temperature and relative humidity over time and determining dew point from measured temperature and measured relative humidity. Changes in dew point over time may, for example, used to identify or distinguish the activity from a plurality of possible activities associated with the change in state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Inventors: CRAIG MILLER, MICHAEL STURDEVANT, WILLIAM KAIGLER
  • Patent number: 8609168
    Abstract: The invention relates to a food cooking control method and device. The method includes the following steps in which: at least one temperature detection device is inserted into a food; a final equilibrium temperature is defined; the detection device is positioned inside the food in a pre-determined detection zone so that a temperature (TC) can be obtained at all times during cooking; the TC temperature data obtained are processed using the detection device; the temperature of the surface through which the food receives heat (TP) is determined and processed and the variation in temperature TC is evaluated at least to the first derivative. The device includes a detection device intended to be inserted into the food, a device for determining the thickness of the food and a device for inserting the detection device into the food to a pre-determined depth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Point Just, S.L.
    Inventors: Joan Ceravalls Pujol, Jose Bosch I Estrada, Jose Maria Gomez Cama, Francisco Miguel Tarzan Lorente, Antonio Pardo Martinez
  • Publication number: 20130322492
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a device for measuring an extremal temperature among temperatures of a plurality of temperature sensors. A first temperature sensor is configured to conduct a current that corresponds to the temperature of the sensor, and each (k+1)th temperature sensor is equipped to conduct the larger of two currents, that is, a current that corresponds to the temperature of the respective sensor and the current that the kth temperature sensor conducts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2011
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicants: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd., Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Stefan Butzmann
  • Publication number: 20130322488
    Abstract: Provided are methods, systems and devices for thermodynamically evaluating electrochemical systems and components thereof, including electrochemical cells such as batteries. The present systems and methods are capable of monitoring selected electrochemical cell conditions, such as temperature, open circuit voltage and/or composition, and carrying out measurements of a number of cell parameters, including open circuit voltage, time and temperature, with accuracies large enough to allow for precise determination of thermodynamic state functions and materials properties relating to the composition, phase, states of charge, health and safety and electrochemical properties of electrodes and electrolytes in an electrochemical cell. Thermodynamic measurement systems of the present invention are highly versatile and provide information for predicting a wide range of performance attributes for virtually any electrochemical system having an electrode pair.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2013
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Inventors: Rachid YAZAMI, Cher Ming TAN
  • Publication number: 20130301680
    Abstract: Temperature accuracy is improved, conversion gain is increased without increasing current density and parasitic resistance errors and other problems with conventional bandgap reference temperature sensors are eliminated by generating a signal proportional to temperature from four samples, where the signal is defined as a difference between a first difference and a second difference, the first difference comprising a difference between the second sample and the first sample, the second difference comprising a difference between the fourth sample and the third sample, and where the signal is defined to cancel parasitic components in the first, second, third and fourth samples.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2012
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Inventor: Feng Qiu
  • Patent number: 8579505
    Abstract: A temperature indication structure for a thermometer includes a temperature indication portion made of a heat conductive layer to receive a heat flow. A structure with temperature indication markings is disposed on or above the temperature indication portion. A reversible temperature-sensitive color changing layer is formed on the temperature indication portion to overlap the structure of the temperature indication markings. The heat conductive layer is adapted to conduct the heat flow to the reversible temperature-sensitive color changing layer, producing a sensed temperature and a color changing zone of the reversible temperature-sensitive color changing layer in response to the sensed temperature thereby exhibiting a corresponding temperature value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Mesure Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chu-Yih Yu
  • Patent number: 8573839
    Abstract: A heat conductive structure for a thermometer with a structure with temperature indication markings includes a probe structure with a thermal conductive surface. A temperature indication portion is disposed adjacent to the probe structure. A reversible temperature-sensitive color changing layer is formed on the temperature indication portion to overlap the structure of the temperature indication markings. The probe structure is adapted for sensing the thermal contact surface to conduct heat flow to the reversible temperature-sensitive color changing layer, producing a sensed temperature and a color changing zone of the reversible temperature-sensitive color changing layer in response to the sensed temperature thereby exhibiting a corresponding temperature value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Mesure Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chu-Yih Yu
  • Patent number: 8573838
    Abstract: A thermometer includes a protective structure and a tip member with a thermal contact surface secured to the protective structure. A heat conductive layer includes a sensing portion disposed in the tip member and a temperature indication portion disposed in the protective structure. A structure with temperature indication markings is laid out along the temperature indication portion. A reversible temperature-sensitive color changing layer is formed on the temperature indication portion to overlap the structure of the temperature indication markings, in which the sensing portion is adapted for sensing the thermal contact surface to conduct heat flow to the reversible temperature-sensitive color changing layer, producing a sensed temperature and a color changing zone of the reversible temperature-sensitive color changing layer in response to the sensed temperature thereby exhibiting a corresponding temperature value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Mesure Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chu-Yih Yu
  • Patent number: 8568024
    Abstract: A temperature detecting apparatus for adjusting direction of airflow from a fan according to thermal status in an electronic device, includes a detection module, a control module, and a driver module. The detection module detects temperatures of a plurality of position coordinates in the electronic device and converts the detected temperatures and the plurality of position coordinates corresponding to the detected temperatures to first voltage signals. The control module receives the first voltage signals and compares the temperatures of corresponding position coordinates to output a position coordinate of the greatest temperature according to the first voltage signals. The driver module receives the position coordinate of the greatest temperature and directs airflow towards a position having the greatest temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hai-Qing Zhou, Song-Lin Tong
  • Publication number: 20130259091
    Abstract: Temperature accuracy is improved, conversion gain is increased without increasing current density and parasitic resistance errors and other problems with conventional bandgap reference temperature sensors are eliminated by generating a signal proportional to temperature from three samples, where the signal is defined as a difference between a first difference and a second difference, the first difference comprising a difference between a second sample and a first sample, the second difference comprising a difference between a third sample and the first sample, and where the signal is defined to cancel parasitic components in the first, second and third samples.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Inventors: Yonggang Chen, Changming Wei
  • Patent number: 8540644
    Abstract: A data logger device for in-situ measurement of one or more physical parameters comprising a power source; one or more sensors for measuring the one or more physical parameters; a data store for storing representations of at least some of the measured values of the one or more physical parameters; control logic arranged to write the representations of at least some of the measured values to the data store and arranged to read data from the data store during data transmission; an antenna; and a transmitter coupled to the antenna and configured to transmit the stored data by passive transmission. The physical parameter may be temperature. A processor may estimate basal body temperature by extrapolating from a plurality of temperature readings during a sleep period. The estimated basal temperature may be used to form an indication of ovulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Cambridge Temperature Concepts Limited
    Inventor: Shamus Husheer
  • Publication number: 20130243032
    Abstract: A superheat sensor includes a housing, a pressure sensor mounted within the housing, a temperature sensor that is integrated to the pressure sensor, and/or is external to the pressure sensor, a fluid passageway connecting the pressure sensor to a source of superheat fluid, and a processor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2012
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: DUNAN MICROSTAQ, INC.
    Inventors: Parthiban Arunasalam, Wayne C. Long
  • Patent number: 8529124
    Abstract: Methods for gas sensing with single-walled carbon nanotubes are described. The methods comprise biasing at least one carbon nanotube and exposing to a gas environment to detect variation in temperature as an electrical response.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventor: Anupama B. Kaul
  • Publication number: 20130229198
    Abstract: Methodologies and test configurations are provided for testing thermal interface materials and, in particular, methodologies and test configurations are provided for testing thermal interface materials used for testing integrated circuits. A test methodology includes applying a thermal interface material on a device under test. The test methodology further includes monitoring the device under test with a plurality of temperature sensors. The test methodology further includes determining whether any of the plurality of temperature sensors increases above a steady state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2013
    Publication date: September 5, 2013
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Dustin FREGEAU, David L. GARDELL, Laura L. KOSBAR, Keith C. STEVENS, Grant W. WAGNER
  • Publication number: 20130223476
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method for measuring the temperature of a strand-like material to be heated to a target temperature, including the steps: the strand-like material is guided in heat conducting contact about at least one disk, mounted so as to rotate, that is heated to a predefined temperature, and a difference is measured between the temperature of the strand-like material or a value characterizing the temperature of the strand-like material, before conveyance about the disk and after conveyance about the disk. The disclosure also relates to a corresponding device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2013
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Applicant: Sikora AG
    Inventors: Harald Sikora, Abraham Parga Garcia
  • Patent number: 8485724
    Abstract: A mixed-signal integrated circuit comprises: 1) an analog front end having differential inputs adapted for directly connecting to at least one thermocouple, 2) an analog-to-digital (ADC) for converting the thermocouple voltages to digital representations thereof, 3) a linearization circuit capable of performing the multi-order polynomial equations for converting the thermocouple electromotive voltages (the digital representations) to linear temperature measurement units by using coefficients unique to each type of thermocouple from a coefficients table based upon the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), 4) a integrated temperature sensor for measuring cold junction temperature, 5) optionally, an input multiplexer for selecting each of a plurality of thermocouples for measurement thereof, 6) optionally, registers for storing measured temperature values, high and low set points, alarm limits, etc., and 7) a communications interface for setting parameters and receiving temperature information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Microchip Technology Incorporated
    Inventor: Ezana Hailekiros Aberra
  • Publication number: 20130177042
    Abstract: Devices for determining sterilization conditions within a sterilization chamber are described. Such devices include an elongate tube to be placed within said sterilization chamber and at least two temperature sensors within the cavity of the elongate tube. The at least two temperature sensors are spaced apart from each other along the length of the elongate tube by a predetermined distance and spaced apart from the interior wall of the elongate tube. Methods for determining sterilization discussed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2011
    Publication date: July 11, 2013
    Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Robbert-Jan Hermsen, Knut Schumacher
  • Patent number: 8484759
    Abstract: An approach for the thermomechanical characterization of phase transitions in polymeric materials (polyethyleneterephthalate) by band excitation acoustic force microscopy is developed. This methodology allows the independent measurement of resonance frequency, Q factor, and oscillation amplitude of a tip-surface contact area as a function of tip temperature, from which the thermal evolution of tip-surface spring constant and mechanical dissipation can be extracted. A heating protocol maintained a constant tip-surface contact area and constant contact force, thereby allowing for reproducible measurements and quantitative extraction of material properties including temperature dependence of indentation-based elastic and loss moduli.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: UT-Battelle, LLC
    Inventors: Stephen Jesse, Sergei V. Kalinin, Maxim P. Nikiforov
  • Publication number: 20130170991
    Abstract: The invention provides a wind turbine blade comprising a first shell, having a first bonding region, and a second shell having a second bonding region, wherein the second bonding region of the second shell is bonded to the first bonding region of the first shell; and a temperature sensor positioned between the first bonding region and the second bonding region. Having a temperature sensor positioned within the turbine blade, in the region at which the two shells of the turbine blade are bonded together, allows for accurate determination and control of the temperature of the critical bonding regions during blade manufacture. The temperature sensor may be used during the service life of the wind turbine blade to detect delamination of the wind turbine blade.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2011
    Publication date: July 4, 2013
    Applicant: VESTAS WIND SYSTEMS A/S
    Inventor: Ib Svend Olesen
  • Publication number: 20130122928
    Abstract: Systems and methods for determining states and state changes on a personal wireless device, and triggering actions upon these state changes. The personal wireless device includes at least a user interface, a positioning system and a system to determine the device acceleration. Examples of these systems are an accelerometer to determine the device acceleration and GPS (Global Positioning System) to determine the device position. States incurred from user movement include, but are not limited to: walking, driving, stationary. In one embodiment, the location of a parked vehicle is automatically saved, and a user interface to display past parking locations and guide the user to one of these parking locations, is offered.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2012
    Publication date: May 16, 2013
    Inventor: Mark Oliver Pfluger
  • Publication number: 20130114640
    Abstract: During contactless transmission of energy between a receiver (6) for receiving the energy and a transmitter (7) for transmitting the energy for the purpose of charging a battery of a motor vehicle (1), a temperature is measured in a region between the transmitter (7) and the receiver (6).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2011
    Publication date: May 9, 2013
    Applicant: Audi AG
    Inventors: Björn Elias, Florian Schmidt
  • Publication number: 20130113924
    Abstract: A plant observation device measures the growing state of a plant placed in a measurement area and the growth environment in the measurement area while moving within the measurement area where the plant is cultivated. The quantity of light is measured during growth environment measurement, and a light transmitting state of the measurement area is detected based on the measured quantity of light and the time of light quantity measurement. The measured growing state information and growth environment information are transmitted, together with positional information, to a server of a remote monitoring system. The growth environment in the measurement area is then optimally controlled based on the growing state information and the growth environment information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Publication date: May 9, 2013
    Applicant: Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute
    Inventors: Ae Kyeung MOON, Kyuhyung KIM
  • Patent number: 8434936
    Abstract: A method for performing ultrasonic testing comprising, in one embodiment, the steps of firing an ultrasonic transducer to generate an ultrasonic pulse that passes through a delay line, measuring a delay echo time of flight, and determining the temperature of the delay line using the delay echo time of flight, thereby eliminating the need for additional temperature measuring devices. Other embodiments further comprise the step of using the temperature of the delay line to determine the temperature of a test object, and using the temperature of the test object to determine a thickness of the test object that is compensated for thermal expansion and temperature dependent ultrasonic velocity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: GE Inspection Technologies, LP
    Inventors: John Michael Cuffe, James Barshinger, Ying Fan
  • Patent number: 8419275
    Abstract: Provided is a temperature sensor capable of stably keeping the accuracy of detected temperatures. The temperature sensor of the present invention comprises a sensor element (1) comprising a temperature sensing element (2) whose electrical resistance changes according to temperature; a pair of lead wires (4) electrically connected to the temperature sensing element (2); and a covering material (5) which seals the temperature sensing element (2) and portions of the lead wires (4) in a prescribed range; wherein the lead wires (4) are led out of the sealed ends (6) of the covering material (5). The temperature sensor further comprises a metallic protective tube (20) which houses the sensor element (1) except part of the lead wires (4); and a shield comprising a ceramic sealed end closing element (7) which encloses the sealed ends (6), and a lead wire protective tube (8). The shield is loosely fitted inside the metallic protective tube (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Shibaura Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Noriyuki Nakayama, Kazumasa Nakamura, Hiroshi Misumi, Terukazu Koike
  • Patent number: 8409110
    Abstract: A rectal thermal monitor for transrectal prostate temperature measurement includes a handle arranged in a proximal end portion of the monitor for gripping by a user, an elongate shaft extending from the handle, and a probe portion arranged on a distal end portion of the shaft. The probe portion is arranged at a position opposite the handle portion, and is shaped to facilitate insertion through an anal sphincter and into a rectum of a patient. A temperature sensing element is arranged within the distal probe portion and is adapted and configured to sense a temperature of the prostate of the patient through the rectum wall of the patient. The probe portion can include one or more compliant materials and/or be shaped so as to compress during insertion through the anal sphincter of the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Medifocus, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher L. Oskin, Brian M. Hanley, Michael Barenboym
  • Patent number: 8400316
    Abstract: An electronic thermometer has a probe having a temperature measuring unit at its end, a temperature sensor arranged in the temperature measuring unit of the probe, a contact sensor arranged in a position shifter from the temperature measuring unit of the probe toward a thermometer body, a determining unit for determining whether a state of contact between the temperature measuring unit and a measurement target portion of a user is good or not, based on outputs of both the temperature sensor and the contact sensor, and a notifying unit for providing a notification according to a result of the determination by the determining unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Omron Healthcare Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Hiramatsu, Yoshihide Onishi, Masaki Tomioka, Atsuko Fukui, Daisuke Ishihara, Katsuyoshi Morita
  • Patent number: 8398305
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a thermometer having an exchangeable measurement insert for measuring process temperatures of liquid or gaseous media in vessels of process installations, and to a method for replacing the measurement insert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: ABB AG
    Inventors: Karl Ehinger, Klaus-Jürgen Zeiger, Harald U. Müller, Ralf Huck
  • Patent number: 8393786
    Abstract: Methods for forming sensors using transition edge sensors (TES) and sensors therefrom are described. The method includes forming a plurality of sensor arrays includes at least one TES device. The TES device includes a TES device body, a first superconducting lead contacting a first portion of the TES device body, and a second superconducting lead contacting of a second portion of the TES device body, where the first and second superconducting leads separated on the TES device body by a lead spacing. The lead spacing can be selected to be different for at least two of the plurality of sensor arrays. The method also includes determining a transition temperature for each of the plurality of sensor arrays and generating a signal responsive to detecting a change in the electrical characteristics of one of the plurality of sensor arrays meeting a transition temperature criterion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventor: John E. Sadleir