Plural Spaced Temperature Function Patents (Class 374/110)
  • Patent number: 6173903
    Abstract: To regulate the temperature in the processing chamber of an incubator with a fault protection function, two temperature sensors are provided to measure actual temperatures or rather sensor signals, and they and their associated peripherals undergo a plausibility check during which the sensor signals may not exceed a specified difference. if the plausibility condition is met and if an error in the feedback control circuit, for example a permanently closed contact of the temperature stabilization actuator, should cause the temperature sensor signal value (actual value) to exceed or fall below a specified error tolerance band about a desired value, then control is transferred from a first feedback control circuit to a primary feedback control circuit with a controller/monitoring device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Assignee: Kendro Laboratory Products GmbH
    Inventors: Helmut Loscher, Hubert Heeg
  • Patent number: 6061413
    Abstract: A temperature measurement system includes, for each of two nuclear steam supply system (NSSS) loops, four temperature sensors each of which provides a value of the temperature of reactor coolant flowing in the NSSS hot leg of the loop; a mechanism for determining, for the hot leg, a first bias value associated with a first pair of the temperature sensors and a second bias value associated with a second pair of the temperature sensors from the value of the temperature of the reactor coolant of each of the temperature sensors; a mechanism for averaging the first bias value and the values of the first pair of the temperature sensors to determine a first average temperature therefrom; and a mechanism for averaging the second bias value and the values of the second pair of the temperature sensors to determine a second average temperature therefrom, whereby two separate average temperatures of the temperature of the reactor coolant are determined for each of the two loops.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2000
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Company LLC
    Inventors: Gary Arthur Brassart, Charles Raymond Sterrett, Jagannathan S. Srinivasan
  • Patent number: 5988877
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for externally and noninvasively determining the temperatures of chemical reactions inside a plurality of separate closed vessels that are made of materials that substantially transparent to microwave radiation but that are poor conductors of heat. The method comprises exposing a plurality of substantially microwave-transparent of vessels containing chemical reagents therein to microwave radiation, concurrently measuring the temperature of the reagents inside a first vessel using a first temperature sensor inside the first vessel and while measuring the temperature of the exterior of the first vessel using a second temperature sensor positioned externally to the first vessel, and immediately thereafter successively measuring the temperature of the exterior of the remainder of the vessels using the second sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: C E M Corporation
    Inventors: Todd Mark Hochrad, William Edward Jennings, Edward Earl King
  • Patent number: 5879082
    Abstract: An elongate temperature probe is provided for extending into a fluid flow. First an second temperature sensors are mounted in the temperature probe, spaced apart from each other along the length of the probe. The first and second temperature sensors provide temperature signals to a data processor. The data processor in use determines the temperature of the fluid flow from the temperature signals and at least one other fluid parameter, using a mathematical model of the heat transfer along the probe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1999
    Assignee: Sierra Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: John P. Smitherman, John G. Olin
  • Patent number: 5816706
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for determining the internal temperature and the coefficient of internal thermal conductivity of a structure. In both cases, the surface temperature and ambient temperature of an object are measured from both sides of two structures whose thermal conductivities are known. On the basis of the measured temperature values, the internal temperature or the coefficient of internal thermal conductivity of the object is determined from the function of the heat flux. Thereafter the unknown thermal conductivity or the unknown internal temperature of the object is eliminated from the solutions, and the internal temperature or the coefficient of internal thermal conductivity of the object is determined on the basis of the combined solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1998
    Assignee: Polar Electro OY
    Inventors: Ilkka Heikkila, Seppo Nissila
  • Patent number: 5755511
    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; using a first, a second and a third probe to measure the temperature of the substrate, the first and third probes having a first effective reflectivity and the second probe having a second effective reflectivity, the first probe producing a first temperature indication, the second probe producing a second temperature indication and the third probe producing a third temperature indication, and wherein the first and second effective reflectivities are different; and from the first and second temperature indications, deriving a corrected temperature reading for the first probe, 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: May 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1998
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce W. Peuse, Gary E. Miner, Mark Yam
  • Patent number: 5655840
    Abstract: An elongate temperature sensor comprises two electrical conductors having temperature sensitive insulating material between them whose resistance and capacitance varies with temperature but according to respectively different known relationships. An alternating waveform is applied across the sensor through a known resistor. The amplitudes of the voltage waveforms developed across the known resistor and across the sensor are compared and the phase difference between them measured to determine the corresponding resistance and capacitance values of the sensor. The measured value of one parameter is then substituted into the respective known relationship to produce a corresponding temperature value for the sensor. This temperature value is then substituted into the relationship for the other parameter to calculate a notional value for that parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 12, 1997
    Assignee: Kidde Fire Protection Limited
    Inventor: Brian D. Powell
  • Patent number: 5271675
    Abstract: A system for characterizing the pressure, temperature, movement and flow patterns of a fluid under high pressure within a test cell. The test cell is lined internally with adjustable rock facings. Pressure is measured within the test cell using a device employing pressure-distortable optical fibers. Fluid velocity, flow direction, and filter-cake buildup are measured with laser Doppler velocimetry. The flow pattern of the fluid is viewed using corresponding arrays of transmitting and receiving optical fibers. Temperature of the fluid is estimated using a combination of thermal sensors. The pressure, velocity, viewing and temperature systems are integral to the rock facings of the test cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1993
    Assignee: Gas Research Institute
    Inventors: John E. Fagan, James J. Sluss, Jr., John W. Hassell, R. Brian Mears, Ronnie B. Beason, Sonja R. Wilkinson, Tommy Lear, Kok S. Tan
  • Patent number: 5258601
    Abstract: In a capillary rheometer including: a furnace comprising a plurality of furnace zones and having a sample bore with a capillary connected to the lower end thereof; a plurality of heaters for heating the furnace zones thereby to heat a sample in the sample bore; and a plunger for extruding the heated sample through the capillary; a plurality of temperature sensors are provided for detecting the temperatures of the furnace zones, and the temperature characteristics of the furnace zones related to the temperature of the inner wall of the sample bore are obtained and stored in a controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1993
    Assignee: Shimadzu Corporation
    Inventor: Susumu Takano
  • Patent number: 5249864
    Abstract: A system for characterizing the pressure, temperature, movement and flow patterns of a fluid under high pressure within a test cell. The test cell is lined internally with adjustable rock facings. Pressure is measured within the test cell using a device employing pressure-distortable optical fibers. Fluid velocity, flow direction, and filter-cake buildup are measured with laser Doppler velocimetry. The flow pattern of the fluid is viewed using corresponding arrays of transmitting and receiving optical fibers. Temperature of the fluid is estimated using a combination of thermal sensors. The pressure, velocity, viewing and temperature systems are integral to the rock facings of the test cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1993
    Assignee: Gas Research Institute
    Inventors: John E. Fagan, Ronnie B. Beason
  • Patent number: 5152609
    Abstract: In a method for measuring the temperature of the mix in a mixing chamber of a kneader, the temperature of the mix being continuously measured by means of at least one sensor projecting into the mixing chamber, for the purpose of correcting measuring errors due to the heat conductivity of the sensor housing, a second sensor, in particular in the form of an infra-red sensor, is provided and directly detects the temperature of the mix at certain discrete times during the mixing process, the continuous temperature measuring of the first sensor being corrected according to the measuring of the second sensor when the mixing process is continued.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1992
    Assignee: Werner & Pfleiderer Gummitechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Walter Hader, Andreas Limper, Wolfgang Engel
  • Patent number: 5064506
    Abstract: A packed column with temperature sensors to measure the temperature profile longitudinally and transversely of the column without the temperature profile or flow conditions being affected by the measuring arrangement. The temperature measuring leads (10) are introduced into the upper part of a column section (1) through a single tube (12) and, are routed to the desired measuring points (8) through the peripheral zone between the packing (9) and the column wall (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1991
    Assignee: Henkel Kommanditgesellschaft auf Aktien
    Inventors: Dieter Sparenberg, Rolf Ullrich, Herbert Nuding
  • Patent number: 5046858
    Abstract: A multi-channel remote-temperature-sensing system has a reference temperature assembly for the reference junctions of a plurality of temperature sensors for determining temperatures at remote points. The assembly comprises an array of components each adapted to make thermal contact with a reference junction of a remote-temperature-sensing thermocouple, an absolute reference thermometer situated within the array for measuring an absolute reference temperature, a thermocouple for sensing a temperature difference between the absolute reference thermometer and a component of the array, and data processing means for calculating the temperature of the component of the array from the absolute reference temperature and the temperature difference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1991
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technologies Limited
    Inventor: Roger L. R. Tucker
  • Patent number: 4878226
    Abstract: A multiple point remote temperature sensing system includes a cable having temperature responsive segments as spaced along the length of the cable and being integral therewith. Each of the temperature responsive segments includes a temperature measuring device and a circuit which establishes a unique address for the segment whereby the local ambient temperature at each segment may be interrogated from a remote location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 31, 1989
    Assignees: Combustion Engineering, Inc., Curators of the University of Missouri
    Inventors: Bryan K. McQuoid, Earl J. Charlson, Huber Graham
  • Patent number: 4848927
    Abstract: A thermocouple containment chamber for use in conjunction with a high pressure vessel wherein such thermocouples are emplaced within an elongated conduit which receives a plurality of thermocouples for sensing temperatures to determine the temperature or reaction rate within the high pressure vessel in which they are emplaced. The conduit is secured to the vessel by means of a flanged securement that in turn is welded to a concentric reducer with the thermocouples extending therefrom into a containment chamber of this invention. The containment chamber of this invention incorporates at least one access cover in the form of a high pressure flanged cover permitting access to the containment chamber for the thermocouples so that they can be changed and serviced, and incorporates a valve for relieving pressure, as well as a pressure gauge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1987
    Date of Patent: July 18, 1989
    Assignee: Daily Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey N. Daily, Bruce B. Orr, Guillermo J. Martinez
  • Patent number: 4828401
    Abstract: Temperature is monitored along a linear path by utilizing a plurality of temperature sensitive diodes spaced along the path. These are connected at separate and spaced taps of a delay line, a pulse is propagated down the delay line and the effect of the temperature influenced conductivity of the diode on the pulse as it passes a respective diode is sensed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 9, 1989
    Assignee: Systron Donner
    Inventor: David E. Sawyer
  • Patent number: 4747413
    Abstract: A continuous temperature monitoring apparatus for a human infant includes a garment adapted to be worn on an infant's torso, over the armpits, which includes a temperature sensor located in an armpit of the garment for sensing the infant's temperature. The sensor is functionally coupled with a display on the garment, transmits a radio signal indication of infant armpit temperature to a display device remote from the infant or both. Electronic temperature sensor embodiments are functionally coupled to an electronic display device located on the infant by a flexible lead or by radio transmission to a remotely located electronic display. Non-electrical systems include temperature responsive, chemical liquid crystal displays thermally coupled by flexible metallic, heat transferring arms with a more rigid, massive, metallic heat absorbing element positioned against the infant's armpit for thermally coupling the heat responsive chemical display with the infant's armpit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1986
    Date of Patent: May 31, 1988
    Inventor: Harry S. Bloch
  • Patent number: 4665927
    Abstract: A temperature probe for insertion into the tissue of an organ, such as a heart, during surgery comprises an elongated needle made of plastic with a large button type head, and having one or more sensing elements disposed at selected positions along the length thereof for sensing the temperatures at various depths, with a surface temperature sensor positioned just beneath the head in the needle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1985
    Date of Patent: May 19, 1987
    Assignee: Pat O. Daily
    Inventor: Pat O. Daily
  • Patent number: 4653935
    Abstract: A thermocouple containment chamber for use in conjunction with a high pressure vessel wherein such thermocouples are emplaced within an elongated conduit which receives a plurality of thermocouples for sensing temperatures to determine the temperature or reaction rate within the high pressure vessel in which they are emplaced. The conduit is secured to the vessel through the use of a flanged securement that in turn is welded to a concentric reducer with the thermocouples extending therefrom into a containment chamber of this invention. The containment chamber of this invention incorporates at least one access means in the form of a high pressure flanged cover permitting access to the containment chamber for the thermocouples so that they can be changed and serviced, and incorporates a valve for relieving pressure, as well as a pressure gauge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1987
    Inventors: Jeffrey N. Daily, Bruce B. Orr, Guillermo J. Martinez
  • Patent number: 4560106
    Abstract: In a heating and/or air-conditioning system for motor vehicles with a temperature sensor in the head space and a temperature sensor in the leg space as component parts of an interior space temperature regulating installation, the temperature sensors are so connected to the regulating installation in dependence on the outside temperature that at low, respectively, high outside temperatures, the influence of the leg space, respectively, of the head space temperature sensor on the regulating installation dominates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1984
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1985
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Werner Dorsch
  • Patent number: 4471193
    Abstract: Disclosed is a microwave oven for selectively quickly and safely raising the temperature of a plurality of distinct articles. Basic structural elements are a housing that defines an oven chamber, a door providing access thereto and an energy source for transmitting microwave energy into the chamber. Located within the chamber is a support assembly that defines a plurality of heating stations, each adapted to receive a distinct article to be heated. A temperature sensor is disposed in each of the stations so as to sense the temperture of an article retained therein. Coupled between the microwave source and the temperature sensors is a control circuit that automatically deenergizes the microwave source in response to the sensing of a temperature above a predetermined threshold by any of the individual sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1981
    Date of Patent: September 11, 1984
    Assignee: Baxter Travenol Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventor: Carl W. Walter
  • Patent number: 4467163
    Abstract: Disclosed is a system for accurately sensing the temperature of articles being heated in a microwave oven. Basic structural elements of the invention are a housing that defines an oven chamber, a door providing access thereto and an energy source for transmitting microwave energy into the chamber. A temperature responsive sensor is positioned within the chamber and is adapted to sense the temperature of articles being heated therein. Enclosing the sensor is an elongated sensor body formed of an electrically conductive material so as to provide a shield for microwave energy and having a length that establishes therfor a detuned antenna condition at the microwave transmission frequency of the source. An electrical control circuit is coupled between the source and the sensor and controls energization of the source in response to temperature levels sensed by the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1981
    Date of Patent: August 21, 1984
    Assignee: Baxter Travenol Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: John A. Pauly, Richard W. Cenedella
  • Patent number: 4455095
    Abstract: A system and method for measuring the heat emission of space heaters includes an input device for selectively inputting special heater constants Q.sub.N and n, which are characteristic space heaters associated therewith. The device is coupled to a processor which, in operation, receives the temperature values T.sub.V, T.sub.R and T.sub.i sensed by a supply temperature sensor, a return temperature sensor, and an ambient temperature sensor. A timer provides the clock signal for the processor. The processor develops an output representing a quantitative measure for the heat consumption of the associated heater from the preadjusted characteristic constants, Q.sub.N and n, and the sensed temperature values, T.sub.V, T.sub.R and T.sub.i. The processor is programmed so as to also serve as correction device for automatically correcting any throttle states of the heater in operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1981
    Date of Patent: June 19, 1984
    Inventor: Werner Bleiker
  • Patent number: 4445788
    Abstract: To provide a profile of simultaneous moisture, temperature and root density characteristics at different depths of soil, a soil probe is inserted in the soil with a viewing and camera section extending above the soil. Similarly, the probe provides a profile of simultaneous moisture, temperature and presence of molds, insects or other foreign matter in grain or similar media including liquid as well as solid granulated material. The portion of the probe that is in the soil or other media includes a source of light or light conveyance and windows which transmit an image of the soil at various depths along the length of the probe through light conductors for further transmission to the viewing and camera section. Liquid crystals sense the temperature of the soil at different locations and light conductors transmit color changes of the liquid crystals to the surface so that a profile may be compiled of moisture, temperature and root patterns by observation of the transmitted images in the viewing section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1982
    Date of Patent: May 1, 1984
    Assignee: The Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska
    Inventors: Marvin Twersky, William E. Splinter, Bruce C. Sandhorst
  • Patent number: 4427866
    Abstract: Disclosed is an electrical connection system for a microwave oven including a chamber defining a housing, a source for transmitting microwave energy into the chamber, a turntable rotatably mounted within the chamber and defining stations for receiving articles to be heated and a drive mechanism for producing rotation of the turntable. A control circuit controls energization of the source in response to signal outputs from temperature responsive sensors positioned in the heating stations. The rotary coupling includes a stationary portion mounted on the housing and having stationary contacts connected to the control circuit and a rotary portion mounted on the turntable and having rotary contacts connected to the sensors and slidably engaging the stationary contacts during rotational movement of the turntable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1982
    Date of Patent: January 24, 1984
    Assignee: Baxter Travenol Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: John A. Pauly, John K. Malinoski
  • Patent number: 4410756
    Abstract: A multipoint thermocouple assembly for monitoring temperatures at various locations in a utilization environment includes an elongate thermocouple support strap insertable lengthwise into a protective hollow well or the like. Mounted on the support strap are a plurality of thermocouples which are generally held against longitudinal movement relative to the support strap but the respective measuring junctions thereof are supported by respective camming members connected to a common cable for simultaneous longitudinal movement of the camming members relative to the support strap for urging the measuring junctions outwardly into thermally conductive engagement with respective wall portions of the well. The support strap and actuation cable are laterally flexible so that the assembly may be coiled for ease in fabrication, installation and shipping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1982
    Date of Patent: October 18, 1983
    Assignee: Pneumo Corporation
    Inventor: William H. Schwagerman
  • Patent number: 4406550
    Abstract: A temperature monitoring and display system is used in conjunction with two or more low temperature sensors which produce output currents representative of the temperature being sensed. The currents produced are converted to voltages and applied through differential amplifier circuits to produce output analog signals representative of the sensed temperatures. These signals also are applied to a differential comparator which produces an output signal having a sign and magnitude representative of the difference in the sensed temperatures. A switch is used to select any one of the outputs of the first and second differential amplifiers or the comparator and to apply this output signal to an analog-to-digital converter, the outputs of which then are used to drive a suitable digital display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 1981
    Date of Patent: September 27, 1983
    Assignee: Lane S. Garrett
    Inventor: Michael J. Gray
  • Patent number: 4385519
    Abstract: A temperature profile detector comprising a surrounding length of metal tubing and an interior electrical conductor both constructed of high temperature high electrical resistance materials. A plurality of gas-filled expandable bellows made of electrically conductive material is electrically connected to the interior electrical conductor and positioned within the length of metal tubing. The bellows are sealed and contain a predetermined volume of a gas designed to effect movement of the bellows from an open circuit condition to a closed circuit condition in response to monitored temperature changes sensed by each bellows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1981
    Date of Patent: May 31, 1983
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventor: Richard D. Tokarz
  • Patent number: 4385197
    Abstract: A multipoint thermocouple assembly for monitoring temperatures at various locations, for example, at different depths in a process vessel, includes a plurality of thermocouples, a protective tube well having a hollow interior, elongate guides in the protective well for guiding respective thermocouples along the interior of the protective well, and wedges in the guides at respective axial locations along the protective well for urging the measuring junctions of respective thermocouples into thermal transfer contact with the wall of the well. In one form of the invention, the guides may comprise plural channels on the exterior surface of an elongated support member, formed as by attaching fins or dividers to such exterior surface, or by providing a plurality of splines on such exterior surface. In another form of the invention, a plurality of elongated thin walled guide tubes are brazed or welded to the exterior surface of a plurality of longitudinally spaced support rings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1981
    Date of Patent: May 24, 1983
    Assignee: Pneumo Corporation
    Inventor: William H. Schwagerman
  • Patent number: 4361037
    Abstract: A device for electric monitoring of the level of a liquid present in a container, with a temperature-dependent resistance probe which is immersed in the liquid the level of which is to be monitored, a source of constant current connectable, controlled by a timer, to the resistance probe, a circuit, controlled by the timer, for detecting and storing an initial voltage drop on the resistance probe at an initial time and a measurement voltage at a defined time after the connection of the source of constant current, and a circuit for evaluating these voltages by subtraction of the measurement voltage from the initial voltage and if necessary under circumstances inversion of the difference in order to form a display voltage which corresponds to the level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1980
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1982
    Assignee: VDO Adolf Schindling AG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Hauschild, Hans J. Baumgart
  • Patent number: 4352290
    Abstract: A heat transfer measuring apparatus for a windowpane of a room includes a body portion defining an internal chamber with one open end adapted to fit against the inside surface of a windowpane. Within the chamber, which is thermally insulated from the ambient temperature conditions of the room inside such window is a temperature sensing element for measuring the temperature within the insulated chamber. A shield portion is positioned within the apparatus at a location between the temperature sensing element and the window opening. The shield permits air transfer for transmission of thermal energy from such a windowpane into the chamber area where the temperature sensing element is located, but limits the direct transmission of solar or other radiant energy through such window against the temperature sensing element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1980
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1982
    Inventor: John J. Neils