Plural Spaced Temperature Function Patents (Class 374/110)
  • Patent number: 8142071
    Abstract: Thermal transfer measurements are useful for measuring either a mass flow rate or the specific heat of a fluid. Thermoelectric devices are desirable for this because of their ability to simultaneously heat one portion of the sensor while cooling another. However, the internal thermal resistance of thermoelectric devices has limited the accuracy of thermoelectric thermal transfer sensors. This problem is solved by using separate temperature sensors to measure selected temperature differences established by the thermoelectric portion of a thermal transfer sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Inventor: Murray F Feller
  • Patent number: 8128278
    Abstract: A method for measuring a metal film thickness is provided. The method initiates with heating a region of interest of a metal film with a defined amount of heat energy. Then, a temperature of the metal film is measured. Next, a thickness of the metal film is calculated based upon the temperature and the defined amount of heat energy. A chemical mechanical planarization system capable of detecting a thin metal film through the detection of heat transfer dynamics is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: Yehiel Gotkis, Mikhail Korolik
  • Patent number: 8057093
    Abstract: A double temperature sensor with a receiving element for measuring a near-surface temperature of the ambient air and the skin surface. The double temperature sensor with a receiving element includes an insulating block, two temperature sensors and a receiving element. At least the receiving element (8) and/or the insulating block (4) are designed in terms of the material structure such that the horizontal heat conduction is low compared to the vertical heat conduction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Dräger Medical Center
    Inventor: Frank Sattler
  • Patent number: 8039729
    Abstract: A thermocouple mounting assembly is provided. A plurality of retainers includes portions that are interengageable, some portions carried by a body and some portions carried by a thermocouple assembly to effect releasable mounting of a thermocouple assembly to a body. The retainers are constructed and shaped to provide for their formation by a molding process such as die-casting or investment casting, eliminating or substantially eliminating the need for machining of the retainer components. Preferably, there is an audible sound, e.g., click, present to signify when the retainers are interengaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Robertshaw Controls Company
    Inventor: Can Trong Nguyen
  • Patent number: 7981046
    Abstract: A device for non-invasive measurement of the internal temperature of a physical body or thermal resistivity, the body comprising a thermally conductive medium between an internal region with a substantially constant internal temperature and an external surface with a surface temperature. The device comprises: a patch comprising one or more contact components for attachment to the external surface and an insulating cover for substantially thermally insulating the contact component from ambient thermal conditions; a reader for acquiring one or more thermal magnitudes on the patch; a processing unit for processing the thermal magnitudes to derive the internal temperature of the internal region or the thermal resistivity of the conductive medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Medisim Ltd
    Inventors: Moshe Yarden, Menashe Barak
  • Patent number: 7891865
    Abstract: Disclosed is a design structure for an improved on-chip temperature sensing circuit, based on bolometry, which provides self calibration of the on-chip temperature sensors for ideality and an associated method of sensing temperature at a specific on-chip location. The circuit comprises a temperature sensor, an identical reference sensor with a thermally coupled heater and a comparator. The comparator is adapted to receive and compare the outputs from both the temperature and reference sensors and to drive the heater with current until the outputs match. Based on the current forced into the heater, the temperature rise of the reference sensor can be calculated, which in this state, is equal to that of the temperature sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: William F. Clark, Jr., Edward J. Nowak
  • Patent number: 7815366
    Abstract: In the present invention, a heating plate is divided into a plurality of regions. Integrated values of temperature fluctuations in each of the regions when a substrate is mounted on the heating plate in a normal state without extraneous matter are collected. A Mahalanobis reference space in the discriminant analysis method is formed based on the integrated values at normal time. During actual heat processing, an integrated value of temperature fluctuation of each of the regions when the substrate is mounted on the heating plate is then detected, so that a Mahalanobis distance about the integrated value during the processing is calculated based on the integrated value during the processing and the Mahalanobis reference space obtained in advance. Whether or not there is extraneous matter on the heating plate is determined by comparing the calculated Mahalanobis distance to a predetermined threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Kouji Okamura, Hiroshi Tomita, Shuji Iwanaga, Shinichiro Araki
  • Patent number: 7789554
    Abstract: A double temperature sensor is provided for measuring a near-surface temperature of the ambient air and the temperature of the skin surface (9). A heat flux insulation block (4) is made of an insulation material in one piece as a housing. Two temperature sensor elements (2, 3) with respective electric connections (6) belonging to them are arranged in the heat flux insulation block (4) one on top of another at spaced locations from one another and near the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: Drägerwerk Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Frank Sattler, Hartmut Stark
  • Patent number: 7780343
    Abstract: A device with micromachined (a.k.a. MEMS, Micro Electro Mechanical Systems) silicon sensor to measure gas or liquid concentration in a binary mixture formality is disclosed in the present invention. A process for fabricating the said MEMS silicon concentration sensor, which thereby can greatly reduce the sensor fabrication cost by a batch production, is revealed as well. This MEMS process can mass-produce the sensors on silicon substrate in the ways of small size, low power, and high reliability. In addition to the gas or liquid concentration measurement, the present invention further discloses that the said sensor can also readily measure gas or liquid mass flow rate while record the concentration data, which is not viable by other related working principle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Siargo Ltd.
    Inventors: Chih-Chang Chen, Yahong Yao, Gaofeng Wang, Liji Huang
  • Patent number: 7775709
    Abstract: A program comprises a code for implementing a method for regulating the temperature of an environment containing a product when the program is run in a computer system. The method includes measuring an environment temperature; detecting a product temperature; comparing the product temperature with a reference temperature; and varying the environment temperature on the basis of the outcome of the comparing. The detecting includes acquiring the product temperature internally of the product near its outside surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: S.A.G.I. - S.p.A.
    Inventors: Michele Biscotti, Ernesto Sacchi, Cristiano Paoletti
  • Patent number: 7766541
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for detecting an abnormality of a temperature sensor. A plurality of temperature sensors are preliminarily grouped for each of predetermined attachment areas of a machine tool, and after a temperature of each part is measured in S1, the detected temperatures are classified in S2 for each of the grouped attachment areas, and then sorted in descending order in S3. Subsequently, a difference ?T between any closest two of the detected temperatures is obtained in S4, and then compared with a preset limit value ? in S5, when ?T exceeds the limit value ?, temperature sensors in a corresponding attachment area are determined abnormal in S6, and an alarm is displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: Okuma Corporation
    Inventor: Reiji Sato
  • Patent number: 7766907
    Abstract: A catheter is designed with a virtual electrode structure for creating a linear lesion. The catheter includes a sensor array that measures temperatures of adjacent tissue along the length of the virtual electrode section. The sensors in the sensor array include a conductive material that is substantially coated with an electrically and thermally insulating material. An aperture is formed in the insulating coating to expose an area of the conductive material. Leads are coupled with each sensor and are connected at their opposite, proximal ends with a discrimination circuit. The circuit processes the signals induced in the sensors to output a single temperature measurement, for example, the highest temperature, the lowest temperature, or the average temperature. The sensors also measure cardiac electrical activity and the leads are further connected to an electrocardiograph monitor to determine the efficacy of treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: St. Jude Medical, Atrial Fibrillation Division, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeremy D. Dando, Timothy G. Curran, Todd R. Stangenes
  • Patent number: 7762718
    Abstract: Apparatus, systems and methods for coordinated detecting condensation utilizing a wet bulb and dry bulb temperature differential are disclosed. According to exemplary embodiments, a condensation detector may include; a first temperature sensor which generates a first temperature signal corresponding to a temperature measured at the first temperature sensor, a second temperature sensor which generates a second temperature signal corresponding to a temperature measured at the second temperature sensor, a connector having a first end connected to the first temperature sensor, and a detector which receives the first and the second temperature signals and determines the presence of condensation at a second end of the connector based on differences between the first and second temperature signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel J. Kearney, Mark A. Marnell, Kenneth A. Shadoff, Randy J. Zoodsma
  • Publication number: 20100128754
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to, inter alia, systems and methods for calculating a temperature associated with an analyte measurement component of a biosensing instrument (such as a blood glucose monitor), with a test strip that is inserted in a biosensing instrument, or both. The present systems and methods may employ at least two temperature sensors, and the acquired temperature information may be used to modulate data regarding an analyte in a biological sample, thereby providing a more accurate measurement of the analyte.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2009
    Publication date: May 27, 2010
    Inventors: Thomas Jetter, Klaus Neubert, Thomas M. Weber, Mahyar Z. Kermani
  • Publication number: 20100121217
    Abstract: The invention provides a device and system for measuring core (11) body temperature, comprising two pairs of temperature sensors (8-1a, 8-1b, 8-2a, 8-2b), with a structure (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7) therebetween, and a heat flux modulator (9) for changing the heat flux through one pair (8-1a, 8-1b) more than the heat flux through the other pair (8-2a, 8-2b). By measuring the temperatures for the two pairs of temperature sensors, the core (11) body temperature may be derived. This device allows more design freedom, and it is easier to manufacture and gives a more accurate core temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2007
    Publication date: May 13, 2010
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N. V.
    Inventors: Alexander Padiy, Amy Cheung, Olaf Such
  • Patent number: 7703976
    Abstract: A sensor apparatus including a plurality of sensors, and a measurement device. The plurality of sensors being divided into sensor groups with each sensor group having a number of sensors. The groups being arranged such that the sensor groups are electrically matched. The sensors in a sensor group coupled in parallel with each other to form a sensor ladder. A measurement device is arranged to compare electrical signals from each sensor group and to output an indication signal, wherein the measurement device is coupled to each sensor ladder at an intermediate position and in that the coupling position of each sensor ladder are electrically equivalent to one another. Also provided by the present invention is a method of monitoring a plurality of sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE PLC
    Inventors: David Geoffrey Henshaw, Susan Janet Riley
  • Patent number: 7695188
    Abstract: An apparatus for predicting a thermal state of a system including a semiconductor chip includes a plurality of sensors formed on the semiconductor chip for measuring a temperature at first locations of the semiconductor chip, a model developer for developing a model for estimating a temperature at second locations of the semiconductor chip which are other than the first locations, a mapping unit for mapping an instruction cache associated with the chip into a sequence of X-Y distributed quanta of heat packets, and a predicting unit for predicting a future temperature of the chip based on an execution of an instruction stream in the instruction cache.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Sri M. Sri-Jayantha, Hien P. Dang, Arun Sharma
  • Patent number: 7695190
    Abstract: A thermocouple rake. The thermocouple rake may include a number of support rods extending through a number of support disks, a number of thermocouple tubes extending through the support disks, and with the thermocouple tubes and the support disks having a thermal compression bond when heated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: M. Bansi Davda
  • Patent number: 7686507
    Abstract: Multi-module weighing system with a holding structure serving to receive a plurality of weighing modules which are rigidly connected to each other in a given spatial arrangement and are operable independently of each other, wherein each weighing module comprises at least one load receiver, wherein the multi-module weighing system is connected to a temperature control device which is in thermal connection with each of the weighing modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: Mettler-Toledo AG
    Inventors: Jean-Christophe Emery, Han-Rudolf Burkhard
  • Patent number: 7682074
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for estimating the true temperature of connate fluid within a subterranean geological formation is provided herein. The method includes generating a flow of connate fluid, measuring the temperature of the flow over time until the measured temperature reaches a limiting value termed the stabilized temperature. Multiple events of temperature sampling events can be conducted at different flow rates of the connate fluid. The stabilized temperature values can then be ascendingly organized based on the value of their respective flow rates. The limiting value reached by the stabilized temperatures is taken to be substantially equal to the actual temperature of the connate fluid residing within the subterranean formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventor: Michael Shammai
  • Patent number: 7651263
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring the temperature of a gas in a mass flow controller is described. One embodiment derives gas-temperature information from a mass flow sensor of the mass flow controller without relying on a separate temperature sensor. This embodiment supplies a substantially constant electrical current to a thermal mass flow sensor of the mass flow controller, the thermal mass flow sensor being designed to measure a mass flow rate of the gas; measures an input voltage of the thermal mass flow sensor to obtain a present input voltage, the input voltage varying with a temperature differential between a pair of sensing elements of the thermal mass flow sensor; calculates an adjusted input voltage by accounting for a component of the present input voltage that is dependent on the mass flow rate of the gas; and calculates the temperature of the gas based on the adjusted input voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2010
    Assignee: Advanced Energy Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael John Zolock, Hiroyuki Ito
  • Patent number: 7648269
    Abstract: A temperature measuring device is configured of a substrate formed of a silicon wafer, a thermocouple formed by using the film forming method, the photolithographic method, and the etching method, and a clamp pad (an electrode pad) which is arranged in an edge portion of the substrate, and which is connected to the thermocouple. In a semiconductor manufacturing apparatus, the temperature measuring device is fixed on a wafer mounting portion with a clamper pin (a fastening device) being in contact with the clamp pad. An output of the thermocouple is taken out to the outside through the clamper pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignee: Fujitsu Microelectronics Limited
    Inventor: Yoshitaka Toyoshima
  • Patent number: 7641385
    Abstract: A fixing apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention includes a non-contact temperature detecting element 81 allocated in non-contact with a heat roller, the sensing element detecting a temperature of the heat roller. The non-contact temperature sensing section 81 includes a thermopile P which detects a target temperature Pt of a heat roller 2, a temperature element CPU 100 which estimates an ambient temperature at the periphery of the thermopile P and computes an estimated ambient temperature SQt, and a thermister Q which detects an ambient temperature Qt at the periphery of the thermopile and outputs the ambient temperature Qt at an output voltage of a predetermined rate with respect to a total output voltage value corresponding to the estimated ambient temperature SQt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshihiro Sone, Osamu Takagi, Satoshi Kinouchi, Yoshinori Tsueda
  • Patent number: 7641387
    Abstract: The combination of a temperature sensor and an inclination sensor or the combination of a temperature sensor and a tension monitor properly positioned in conjunction with an energized electrical conductor produces outputs that are dependent on the conductor's average temperature in real time. A transmitter is used to communicate this information in real time to a central location such that up to optimal or maximum power transmission is feasible through the conductor while maintaining a safe clearance to the ground. This allows for close monitoring of thermal expansion resulting from increased load as well as varying environmental conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: Underground Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: John Engelhardt, Larry Fish
  • Publication number: 20090252194
    Abstract: A method is provided for determination of an operating temperature in a thermally highly loaded device. Multiple individual passive measurement elements, having a measurable physical parameter depending on a constant temperature set during heat treatment, are provided. The parameter is set differently for each of the different measurement elements which are combined to form an array. In a first measurement, values of the physical parameter for the array are determined before the array is subjected to the operating temperature. The array is subjected to the operating temperature in the device and in a second measurement, values are determined for all the measurement elements in the array. First and second measurement values of the physical parameter for each of the measurement elements are compared and the temperature of the heat treatment of that measurement element whose value of the physical parameter has changed the least is taken as the measured temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2009
    Publication date: October 8, 2009
    Applicant: ALSTOM TECHNOLOGY LTD
    Inventors: Roland MOSER, Klaus GERMERDONK, Bernd RABENSTEINER, Peter LANG
  • Patent number: 7597668
    Abstract: A thermometric device includes a probe having a membrane configured to be applied to an external surface of a body of a subject and one or more temperature sensors located within the probe in thermal contact with the membrane. A processing unit is configured to receive temperature readings from the one or more temperature sensors, to determine time-dependent parameters of temperature change responsively to the temperature readings, to calculate a local temperature of the body using a function including the time-dependent parameters, and to calculate a core body temperature by correcting for a difference between the core body temperature and the local temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Assignee: Medisim Ltd.
    Inventor: Moshe Yarden
  • Publication number: 20090144014
    Abstract: A mechanism for indicating ambient temperature of an enclosure from temperatures determined within the enclosure. The temperatures may be obtained from two or more sensors at each of two or more locations within the enclosure. The enclosure may include an apparatus inside such as electronics of which power consumption may be determined. Data including temperatures of two locations within the enclosure at various electronics power consumption levels may be entered into a 2-D plot. An approximation of the 2-D plot may be effected with an appropriate equation to be solved for ambient temperature. The data of the dimensional 2-D plot plus temperatures of a third location and air flow levels in the enclosure may be entered into a 3-D plot. An approximation of the 3-D plot may be effected with an appropriate equation to be solved for ambient temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2007
    Publication date: June 4, 2009
    Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventor: Mohammad A. Aljabari
  • Patent number: 7537129
    Abstract: A lid (30) for a disposable beverage container (32). The lid (30) includes at least a region having thermochromic properties which is/are adapted to change color upon reaching a predetermined non-ambient temperature in response to heat transfer from or to contents (40) of the container (32). Also disclosed is a lid (60) including at least one recess (62) having an internal side wall or walls (64) that substantially correspond in size and shape to the external side wall(s) (66) of a container (68). The lid internal side walls (64) are adapted to securely frictionally engage, over substantially their entire surface area, the external side wall(s) (66) of another like container (68).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2009
    Assignee: Noshmell Pty Ltd
    Inventors: George Leonard Bayss, Marcel Miller
  • Patent number: 7470060
    Abstract: A detection apparatus for measuring fluid in a vessel, comprising: at least one processor for receiving, processing and storing data from sensors in the vessel, at least one vertical support disposed within the vessel and at least one pair of sensors connected to the at least one vertical support. The sensors continuously provide measurement data to the processor, wherein the processor synchronously polls measurement data from the sensors, continuously calculates values, and compares the calculated values to at least one predetermined range of values for the fluid in the vessel to identify whether the calculated values are within the predetermined values. The processor communicates the compared value to a data collector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2008
    Assignee: Innovative Measurement Methods, Inc.
    Inventors: John Charles Hoben, Allen Ray Westmoreland, Alexander Bukhman, Israel Bukhman
  • Patent number: 7438467
    Abstract: An assembly and method for testing the fire performance of sheet piling sections which includes: a first wall formed from sheet piling sections; a second wall substantially parallel to the first wall; a base plate; and a pair of end sections extending between the opposing ends of the two walls. The first and second walls and the end sections are attached to, and extend upwardly from, the base plate to form a cavity, which can be filled with materials. The assembly also includes two top sections, which are attached to the first and second walls and joined together by at least one connector. The sheet piling sections of the first wall are exposed to a heat source to certify compliance with fire codes and regulations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Skyline Steel, LLC
    Inventor: David Borger
  • Patent number: 7387437
    Abstract: A method of predicting ambient air temperature outside a passenger compartment of a vehicle. The method measures air temperature with a temperature sensor, applies a correction strategy, and determines a predicted temperature value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2008
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Kenneth Brown, Esteban Hernandez, Christos Kyrtsos
  • Patent number: 7377687
    Abstract: A fluid temperature measurement probe, particularly for total temperature measurements in high temperature unsteady gas flows, such as in gas turbine engines. A pair of thin film resistance thermometers are deposited on the probe to sense its surface temperature at respective locations and the structure of the probe is configured such that the regions into which heat diffuses from the respective locations have different thermal products. In this way the thin film elements experience different heat transfer rates when exposed to the same fluid temperature. In one embodiment this is achieved by applying one of the elements to the surface of a solid rod of glass or ceramic and the other element to a portion which has been machined to leave an air pocket under a thin cylindrical wall of the rod material. In use the probe is exposed only temporarily to the high temperature fluid and withdrawn again before reaching its softening temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Assignee: Qinetiq Limited
    Inventor: Kamaljit Singh Chana
  • Patent number: 7350971
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for the continuous measurement (30) of the thermal conductivity of a multifunctional fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Haute Ecole d'Ingénierie et de Gestion du Canton de Vaud
    Inventors: Peter Williams Egolf, Osmann Sari
  • Patent number: 7318673
    Abstract: The invention relates to a control system of the chilling process of the temperature of food items at values near but above 0° C. that prevents surface freezing of a food item. The surface freezing can be foreseen due to a mathematical relationship that is a function of the temperature of the food item immediately below its outside surface and of the air temperature near the outside surface of the food item. The above temperatures are detected by a multipoint needle probe. Positioning inside the food item is determined by a projecting member along the needle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Assignee: S.A.G.I. - S.p.A.
    Inventors: Michele Biscotti, Ernesto Sacchi, Cristiano Paoletti
  • Patent number: 7258483
    Abstract: A device for measuring at least one of a level and a temperature of a liquid in a container includes a resistor arrangement adapted to be immersed in the liquid. An immersed length of the resistor arrangement in the liquid corresponds to the level of the liquid in the container. The resistor arrangement includes upper, middle and lower temperature-dependent elongated resistor elements connected in series or in parallel. Each resistor element has an uniform resistance per unit length along a length thereof. The upper and lower resistor elements are shorter than the middle resistor element. A power source is connectable to the resistor arrangement. Voltage drops across or currents flowing through the resistor elements are measured. A microprocessor is arranged to calculate the immersed length of the resistor arrangement or the temperature of the liquid from predetermined lengths of the resistor elements and from the measured voltages or currents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: ITW Automotive Products GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Carsten Heldberg
  • Patent number: 7249883
    Abstract: A deep-area temperature calculating device 441 calculates the temperature Tcore of a deep area on the basis of a first body-surface temperature and second body-surface temperature from body-surface sensors 31A and 31B, and on the basis of a first intermediate temperature and second intermediate temperature from intermediate sensors 32A and 32B. Since the temperature Tcore of the deep area is determined from two body-surface temperatures and two intermediate temperatures, the temperature Tcore of the deep area can be calculated regardless of the heat resistance of the thermometer without making any assumptions regarding the heat resistance of the area that extends from the deep area of the human body to the body surface. Thereby, the temperature Tcore of the deep area can be calculated and the body temperature can be measured with high precision regardless of differences in the body type or contact with clothing or bedding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2007
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Masao Kuroda, Naoki Ishibashi, Yutaka Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 7180039
    Abstract: A heater is provided that has a temperature sensing control system which can be used for both temperature control and over-temperature protection against element burnout. The temperature control system is comprised of an inlet temperature sensing assembly positioned at the inlet to the heater element and an exit thermocouple positioned in the exit end of the heater element. The exit thermocouple may be used for control the heater temperature and provide over-temperature protection. The inlet temperature sensing assembly is used to detect low or no air flow conditions which could lead to heater element failure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Assignee: Osram Sylvania Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan B. Arold, William H. Gosselin, Michael J. Frappier, Joseph P. Stark
  • Patent number: 7181357
    Abstract: Briefly, a processor and a method to calibrate a temperature reading of a digital thermometer. The calibration is done by using a first temperature value measured by an analog temperature sensor located at one point on the processor die and a second temperature value measured by a digital temperature sensor located at a second point of the processor die.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Efraim Rotem, Barnes Cooper, Ben Karr, Ravi Rangarajan
  • Patent number: 7150559
    Abstract: A hot melt adhesive sensing system and methods including detecting (410) multiple areas of a target, for example a hot adhesive material, by sensing changes in temperature with a corresponding number of thermal sensors, summing (420) an output of the thermal sensors, and evaluating (430) the summed output by comparing the summed output with a variable reference, the results of which may be assessed relative to a specified tolerance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2006
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Dieter B. Heerdt, Paul M. Jenkins
  • Patent number: 7066642
    Abstract: A hot melt adhesive sensing system and methods including detecting (410) multiple areas of a target, for example a hot adhesive material, by sensing changes in temperature with a corresponding number of thermal sensors, summing (420) an output of the thermal sensors, and evaluating (430) the summed output by comparing the summed output with a variable reference, the results of which may be assessed relative to a specified tolerance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Dieter B. Heerdt, Paul M. Jenkins
  • Patent number: 6966693
    Abstract: A thermal characterization chip comprising a substrate having overlying electronics, the electronics including semiconductor circuitry and thin film circuitry overlying the semiconductor circuitry; wherein the electronics define a plurality of thermal domains, each of the domains defining a portion of a receiving surface for receiving an external influence that alters a thermal parameter within the thermal domains; and wherein the electronics further comprises monitoring circuitry for monitoring the thermal parameter in each of the thermal domains over a test time period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2005
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Satya Prakash, George H Corrigan, III, Winthrop D. Childers
  • Patent number: 6960019
    Abstract: A method of monitoring a temperature condition includes inputting a light pulse into a fiber optic cable and receiving a reflection signal that arises from said input light pulse in said fiber optic cable. A temperature condition along the fiber optic cable and a location of the temperature condition along the fiber optic cable is determined based on said reflection signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2005
    Assignee: Airbus Deutschland GmbH
    Inventor: Hans-Joachim Dammann
  • Patent number: 6945692
    Abstract: A system for monitoring a temperature condition includes a fiber optic cable, a light emitting device coupled to the fiber optic cable and configured to input a light pulse into the fiber optic cable, and an optical receiver coupled to the fiber optic cable and configured to receive a reflection signal that arises from the input light pulse in the fiber optic cable. A processor of the system is configured to determine a temperature condition along the fiber optic cable and a location of the temperature condition along the fiber optic cable based on the reflection signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Assignee: Airbus Deutschland GmbH
    Inventor: Hans-Joachim Dammann
  • Patent number: 6715915
    Abstract: A method and device for determining fluidity of fluid in a pack that is moving without breaking and opening the pack by locating at least two measurement points on the surface of the pack filled with the fluid, measuring the surface temperatures of the measurement points by non-contact type temperature sensors, and managing the measured values using an arithmetic control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Assignee: Morinaga Milk Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Nakanuma, Nobuyuki Motoyoshi
  • Publication number: 20030165181
    Abstract: A multipoint temperature sensor for measuring fluid temperature in a duct includes multiple thermistors of equal resistance, spaced apart in a circuit. Each thermistor has a positive lead and a negative lead for connecting electrically with the circuit. Wires connect the thermistors such that half of the thermistors are placed in parallel with the other half of the thermistors. The total number of thermistors in the circuit is a perfect square. Shrinkwrap fits over the thermistors and the leads. Tabs disposed on bridging clips bend around the shrinkwrap and the wires on either side of each thermistor such that the tabs do not overlap the leads. All the wires between adjacent thermistors are contained in a single, plenum rated sheathing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2003
    Publication date: September 4, 2003
    Applicant: Mamac Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: S. Asim Gul
  • Patent number: 6453218
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for the thermal sensing and regulating of a RAM device using temperature sensing circuitry, embedded directly in the device, is presented. A predetermined voltage is passed through a temperature sensitive diode to create an analog signal. The analog signal is converted into digital temperature data by a A/D converter. The digital temperature data is then transmitted to a controlling host, without interfering with the normal operation of the device, by either transmitting the data in an out-of-band signal or during the clock refresh cycle. The controlling host, upon receipt of the temperature data, checks to see if the temperature level of the device has exceeded a threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2002
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventor: George Vergis
  • Patent number: 6384731
    Abstract: A fire event detection system includes a programmable logic circuit which evaluates electrical resistance input data and energizes an alarm upon programmed conditions. The system includes a temperature sensitive polymeric tape spanning between a pair of conductors connected to the circuit. The conductors and tape define a plurality of notches for redirecting current transversely across the tape between the for enhancing responsiveness to a temperature increase at a particular location along the tape. The circuit energizes the alarm if the resistance data indicates a temperature greater than a predetermined critical temperature parameter or if the data indicates a temperature rate of rise greater than a critical rate of rise parameter. The tape may include notched and unnotched portions such that the circuit energizes the alarm if the rate of rise at a particular location is greater than the rate of rise of the tape as a whole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Inventor: Ronald L. Sutherland
  • Patent number: 6207937
    Abstract: A temperature control system for a thermal reactor is disclosed that addresses many of the problems in the art. In accordance with one aspect of the disclosed control system, a plurality of temperature controllers are employed. Each temperature controller employs one or more dynamic models that are optimized for a given temperature range. The temperature range over which a particular controller is optimized is preferably generally exclusive of the temperature ranges over which other controllers of the plurality of temperature controllers are optimized. In accordance with another aspect of the control system, the control system employs enhanced ramp trajectory logic. In accordance with another aspect of the control system, the control system employs a virtual temperature sensor in the event of a hardware failure of the corresponding non-virtual temperature sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Assignee: Semitool, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Stoddard, Paul R. McHugh, Konstantinos Tsakalis
  • Patent number: 6179466
    Abstract: A method of correcting a temperature probe reading in a thermal processing chamber for heating a substrate, including the steps of heating the substrate to a process temperature and using a first, a second and a third probe to measure the temperature of the substrate. The first probe has a first effective reflectivity and the second probe has a second effective reflectivity. The first probe produces a first temperature indication, the second probe produces a second temperature indication and the third probe produces a third temperature indication. The first and second effective reflectivities may be different. From the first and second temperature indications, a corrected temperature reading for the first probe may be derived, wherein the corrected temperature reading is a more accurate indicator of an actual temperature of the substrate than an uncorrected readings produced by both the first and second probes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2001
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce W. Peuse, Gary E. Miner, Mark Yam, Aaron Hunter, Peter Knoot, Jason Mershon
  • Patent number: RE40470
    Abstract: Body function measuring apparatus which provides: (1) an indication of the body function being measured, and (2) a loose probe condition by determining that the difference between the rate of change of a first body function signal, developed by a first sensor in the probe, and the rate of change of a second body function signal, developed by a second sensor in the probe, exceeds a predetermined threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Assignee: Draeger Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph F. Fitzpatrick, Anthony C. Romano, John H. Richards, Ronald S. Kolarovic