By A Vibratory Effect (e.g., Resonant Frequency, Acoustical) Patents (Class 374/117)
  • Patent number: 8080767
    Abstract: A thermal processing apparatus comprising a processing vessel containing, in addition to a plurality of objects subject to heat treatment, an acoustic wave device for temperature measurement. A holding unit holds the plurality of objects to be processed and an object for temperature measurement utilizing an acoustic wave device. A heating unit heats the objects to be processed and the object for temperature measurement. A first conductive member functions as an antenna for transmitting an electromagnetic wave toward the acoustic wave device in the processing vessel; a second conductive member functions as a receiver antenna for receiving an electromagnetic wave dependent on a temperature of the acoustic wave device which is emitted from the acoustic wave device. A temperature analysis part obtains a temperature of the object based on the electromagnetic wave received by the receiver antenna, and a temperature control part controls the heating unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Kenichi Yamaga, Wenling Wang
  • Patent number: 8066430
    Abstract: The invention provides a method and a device for determining the temperature of a semiconductor substrate. A resonance circuit (110) is provided on the semiconductor substrate and is formed by a junction capacitor (11) and an inductor (12). The substrate is placed on a holder and the resonance circuit (110) is irradiated with electromagnetic energy of an electromagnetic field (5) generated by a radiation device (200). A resonance frequency of the resonance circuit (110) is determined by detecting an effect of the resonance circuit (110) on the irradiated electromagnetic field (5), and a temperature of the semiconductor substrate is determined as a function of the resonance frequency. The method and device according to the invention provide for a more accurate determination of the temperature of the semiconductor substrate due to an increased sensitivity to the temperature of the junction capacitor (11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: NXP B.V.
    Inventors: Srdjan Kordic, Meindert M. Lunenborg, Jean-Philippe Jacquemin
  • Patent number: 8043000
    Abstract: A temperature-history sensor includes a resonance circuit composed of at least a capacitor and a coil. The temperature-history sensor has a display for indicating a predetermined set temperature of the temperature-history sensor. The capacitor has at least a thermofusion material between electrodes of the capacitor, and the melting point of the thermofusion material is in the region of the set temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takayuki Sumida, Tadahiko Hirai
  • Patent number: 8024145
    Abstract: Aspects of a method and system for signal generation via a temperature sensing crystal integrated circuit are provided. In this regard, a temperature sensing crystal integrated circuit (TSCIC) comprising a memory and a crystal or crystal oscillator may generate a signal indicative of a measured temperature. The generated signal and data stored in the memory may be utilized to configure one or more circuits communicatively coupled to the TSCIC. The data stored in the memory may characterize behavior of the TSCIC as a function of temperature and/or time. The data characterizing the behavior of the TSCIC may indicate variations in frequency of the crystal or crystal oscillator as a function of temperature and/or time. The data characterizing the behavior of the TSCIC may comprise one or both of a frequency value and a frequency correction value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Evan McCarthy, John Walley, Hyun-Gyu Jeon, Amir Ibrahim, Sunil Kanekal, Jared Welz
  • Publication number: 20110222577
    Abstract: A system and method for monitoring the properties of a fluid, such as water, in a steam pipe without mechanically penetrating the wall of the pipe. The system uses a piezoelectric transducer to launch an ultrasonic probe signal into the pipe. Reflected ultrasonic signals are captured in a transducer, which can be the same transducer that launched the probe signal. The reflected signals are subjected to data processing, which can include filtering, amplification, analog-to-digital conversion and autocorrelation analysis. A result is extracted which is indicative of a property of the fluid, such as a height of the condensed fluid, a cavitation of the condensed fluid, and a surface perturbation of the condensed fluid. The result can be recorded, displayed, and/or transmitted to another location. One embodiment of the system has been constructed and tested based on a general purpose programmable computer using instructions recorded in machine-readable non-volatile memory.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2011
    Publication date: September 15, 2011
    Applicant: CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Yoseph BAR-COHEN, Shyh-Shiuh Lih, Mircea Badescu, Xiaoqi Bao, Stewart Sherrit, James Samson Scott, Julian O. Blosiu, Scott E. Widholm
  • Patent number: 8016757
    Abstract: Ultrasound data are collected from a thermal source and a mass of tissue before initiating therapy to measure two parameters of the bio-heat transfer equation (BHTE). The parameters are the thermal diffusivity (K) of the tissue and the magnitude of the thermal source (Q). Once the parameters have been obtained, the BHTE can be calibrated to the specific mass of tissue and the specific thermal source. The calibrated BHTE can be used to generate a temperature dependence curve calibrated to the thermal source and tissue, and spatio-temporal temperature maps, to facilitate pre-therapy planning. During therapy, ultrasound data are collected to determine if Q changes during therapy, and if so, the BHTE is recalibrated using the new Q value, increasing an accuracy of the temperature estimations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: University of Washington
    Inventors: Peter J. Kaczkowski, Ajay Anand
  • Patent number: 7993056
    Abstract: An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus includes: an ultrasonic probe in which a first temperature sensor and a second temperature sensor are located posterior to an oscillator; and a surface temperature calculation device for calculating a surface temperature of the ultrasonic probe on the basis of a first detection temperature Ta detected by the first temperature sensor and a second detection temperature Tb detected by the second temperature sensor. Also, an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus includes: an ultrasonic probe in which a first temperature sensor and a second temperature sensor are embedded in a backing material; and a surface temperature calculation device for calculating a surface temperature Ts of the ultrasonic probe on the basis of a first detection temperature Ta detected by the first temperature sensor and a second detection temperature Tb detected by the second temperature sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: GE Medical Systems Global Technology Company, LLC
    Inventor: Shinichi Amemiya
  • Patent number: 7988351
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device (31) which comprises at least one piezoacoustic resonator element (2) having a piezoelectric layer (32) and two electrodes that are electrically contacted to the piezoelectric layer (32). The piezoacoustic resonator element (2) is configured in such a manner that, when a voltage is applied to the piezoelectric layer (32), a thickness oscillation of the piezoelectric layer (32) is excited via the electrodes with a resonant frequency. The inventive device is characterized by comprising, integrated into the piezoacoustic resonator element (2), a temperature measurement device (3) having a measuring element (37) that is configured as a thin layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Reinhard Gabl, Matthias Schreiter
  • Publication number: 20110166797
    Abstract: The invention provides devices and methods for acoustically determining the properties of the contents of one or more reservoirs in a plurality of reservoirs. Each reservoir is adapted to contain a fluid. An acoustic radiation generator can be positioned in acoustic coupling relationship to each of the reservoirs. Acoustic radiation generated by the acoustic radiation generator is transmitted through each reservoir to an analyzer. The analyzer is capable of analyzing a characteristic of the transmitted acoustic radiation and optionally correlating the characteristic to a property of the reservoirs' contents. Properties that may be determined include volume, temperature, and composition. The invention is particularly suited to determining the properties of the contents of a plurality of reservoirs to allow for accuracy and control over the dispensing of fluids therefrom.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2010
    Publication date: July 7, 2011
    Applicant: LABCYTE INC.
    Inventors: Richard N. Ellson, Richard G. Stearns
  • Publication number: 20110150030
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) resonator to monitor the platform temperature. Fabricating the resonator on a relatively low cost flexible polymer substrate rather than silicon provides mechanical flexibility as well as design flexibility with respect to sensor placement. Sensor readout and control circuits can be on silicon if desired, for example, a positive feedback amplifier to form an oscillator in conjunction with the resonator and a counter to count oscillator frequency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Inventors: MOHAMED A. ABDELMONEUM, David A. Kaysen
  • Publication number: 20110150031
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) resonator to monitor temperature in an integrated circuit. Fabricating the resonator in an interconnect layer provides a way to implement thermal detection means which is tolerant of manufacturing process variations. Sensor readout and control circuits can be on silicon if desired, for example, a positive feedback amplifier to form an oscillator in conjunction with the resonator and a counter to count oscillator frequency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Inventors: Mohamed A. Abdelmoneum, Tawfik M. Rahal-Arabi, Gregory F. Taylor, Kevin J. Fischer, Andrew Yeoh
  • Publication number: 20110120989
    Abstract: An induction heating device comprises a frequency converter that generates a high-frequency drive voltage from an intermediate circuit voltage generated at least temporarily as a function of an AC mains voltage, a resonant circuit having an induction heating coil, with the drive voltage applied to the resonant circuit, and a temperature detection device that determines a temperature of a cooking vessel base which is heated by means of the induction heating coil. An auxiliary voltage source generated the intermediate circuit voltage over predefined time periods at a constant level. The frequency converter generates the drive voltage over time periods such that the resonant circuit oscillates at a natural resonant frequency in a substantially de-attenuated manner, and the temperature detection device further measuring at least one oscillation parameter over the time periods, and to evaluate the at least one measured oscillation parameter in order to determine the temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2010
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Inventors: Wilfried Schilling, Tobias Schönherr, Werner Kappes, Martin Volk
  • Publication number: 20110098609
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a hydrogel-containing temperature indicating element for use in ultrasound therapy. The temperature indicating element of the present invention and the therapeutic device and method making use of the same enable in some embodiments an automated adaptation of the power output as a function of the tissue temperature, avoiding therefore overheating or burning of the skin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2008
    Publication date: April 28, 2011
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.
    Inventors: Christopher S. Hall, Ralph Kurt
  • Publication number: 20110090935
    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: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2009
    Publication date: April 21, 2011
    Inventors: John Michael Cuffe, James Barshinger, Ying Fan
  • Patent number: 7927011
    Abstract: The present application discloses a method of estimating a surface temperature of an ultrasound probe having a plurality of transducer elements and a surface, involving: a) establishing a temperature rise function of the surface of the ultrasound probe due to a single active transducer element; b) selecting one of the transducer elements; c) applying a single transmission pulse signal to the selected transducer element such that the selected transducer element operates once; d) measuring a temperature rise of the surface of the ultrasound probe at predetermined positions on the surface thereof; e) completing the temperature rise function based on the measured temperature rise; and f) estimating a temperature rise of the surface of the ultrasound probe based on the temperature rise function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Medison Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Won Suk Ohm, Jeong Hwan Kim, Eun Chul Kim
  • Patent number: 7914204
    Abstract: A temperature sensor includes: a first oscillator that generates a first frequency signal; a second oscillator that generates a second frequency signal; a multiplexer that selectively passes the first frequency signal and the second frequency signal; and a frequency-to-digital converter that converts a frequency difference between the first frequency signal and the second frequency signal into a digital code.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Korea University Industrial & Academic Collaboration Foundation
    Inventors: Chulwoo Kim, Janghoon Song, Gilwon Yoon, Sangdon Jung
  • Patent number: 7914203
    Abstract: A piezoelectric bimorph cantilever is used for determining physical parameters in a gaseous or liquid environment. The sensor works as a driven and damped oscillator. Contrary to common cantilever sensor systems, the piezoelectric film of the bimorph cantilever acts as both a sensor and an actuator. Using at least two resonance mode of the bimorph cantilever, at least two physical parameters can be measured simultaneously in a gas or a liquid. An optimized piezoelectric cantilever and a method to produce the cantilever are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignees: IMEC, Universiteit Hasselt
    Inventors: Vincent Mortet, Rainer Petersen
  • Patent number: 7914202
    Abstract: A first thermometry system for measuring a temperature of an object under test includes a first detecting sheet having crystal oscillators arranged on a first sheet-like object formed of resin, and a first measuring device for measuring the temperature based on frequencies acquired from the crystal oscillators and corresponding to natural frequencies of the crystal oscillators. In this system, the first detecting sheet is placed in contact with the object under test, whereupon the crystal oscillators provide the natural frequencies corresponding to the temperature of the object under test. The first measuring device measures the temperature of the object under test accurately based on the frequencies corresponding to the natural frequencies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Sokudo Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kenji Kamei
  • Patent number: 7910668
    Abstract: Provided is a method for monitoring a polymerization reaction in a fluid bed reactor to determine in on-line fashion a current value, and preferably also a limiting value, of a stickiness control temperature, and optionally controlling the reaction in response thereto in an effort to prevent occurrence of a discontinuity event. The stickiness control temperature is a temperature indicative of a characteristic of melting behavior of polymer resin in the reactor, and may be indicative of occurrence of resin sheeting or another discontinuity event. Optionally , a predetermined relation between values of acoustic energy in the reactor and values of a stickiness control temperature in used to provide error checking for determination of the stickiness control temperature, or a current value of the stickiness control temperature is determined from acoustic data and a predetermined relation between values of an acoustic condition in the reactor and values of the stickiness control temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Univation Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael E. Muhle, Richard B. Pannell, Eric J. Markel, Robert O. Hagerty
  • Publication number: 20110036173
    Abstract: A remotely interrogatable pressure and/or temperature measuring device includes at least an acoustic wave sensor including at least one resonator coupled to a first antenna element, and an interrogation system including a second antenna element for transmission and reception. The device further includes an expandable tubular structure, the structure integrating a biocompatible material, and the acoustic wave sensor is encapsulated in the biocompatible material. The second antenna element operates at frequencies above several tens of MegaHertz.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2009
    Publication date: February 17, 2011
    Applicant: SENSEOR
    Inventors: Luc Chommeloux, Philippe Menage, Gerhard Heider
  • Patent number: 7862230
    Abstract: On the fulfillment of a specified condition, a temperature signal outside an actuating device is detected to which a piezoelectric actuator is assigned. A piezoelectric temperature value is determined by the temperature signal. A temperature-capacitance characteristic value of the piezoelectric actuator is determined by the piezoelectric temperature value through specified mapping. A measured capacitance characteristic value is determined by a detected piezoelectric actuator charge and voltage corresponding to the temperature signal. A first correction capacitance characteristic value is determined by the measured capacitance characteristic value and the temperature-capacitance characteristic value. Independently, the charge and the voltage of the piezoelectric actuator is detected and the measured capacitance characteristic value is determined on the basis of these.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Christian Borgmann, Manfred Klepatsch, Stephan Wenzel
  • Patent number: 7845847
    Abstract: A thermometer and extensometer for cables and conductors is described. The travel time of one or more acoustic signals along a conductor is used to determine the temperature along the conductor and the length of the conductor. The acoustic frequency is selected to minimize temporal dispersion of the propagating acoustic energy. The technique can be used to measure the temperature of the windings in a transformer or other electrical apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: FieldMetrics, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Yakymyshyn, Michael Allen Brubaker, Pamela Jane Hamilton
  • Patent number: 7845848
    Abstract: A thermometer and extensometer for cables and conductors is described. The travel time of one or more acoustic signals along a conductor is used to determine the temperature along the conductor and the length of the conductor. The acoustic frequency is selected to minimize temporal dispersion of the propagating acoustic energy. The technique can be used to measure the temperature of the conductor in a buried, undersea or submerged electrical power cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: FieldMetrics, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Yakymyshyn, Michael Allen Brubaker, Pamela Jane Hamilton
  • Patent number: 7824098
    Abstract: Mechanical transducers such as pressure sensors, resonators or other frequency-reference devices are implemented under conditions characterized by different temperatures. According to an example embodiment of the present invention, a combination of materials is implemented for mechanical transducer applications to mitigate temperature-related changes at or near a selected turnover temperature. In one application, a material property mismatch is used to facilitate single-anchor transducer applications, such as for resonators. Another application is directed to a Silicon-Silicon dioxide combination of materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University
    Inventors: Renata Melamud, Bongsang Kim, Matthew Hopcroft, Saurabh Chandorkar, Manu Agarwal, Thomas W. Kenny
  • Patent number: 7806586
    Abstract: Mechanical transducers such as pressure sensors, resonators or other frequency-reference devices are implemented under conditions characterized by different temperatures. According to an example embodiment of the present invention, a combination of materials is implemented for mechanical transducer applications to mitigate temperature-related changes. In one application, a material property mismatch is used to facilitate single-anchor transducer applications, such as for resonators. Another application is directed to a Silicon-Silicon dioxide combination of materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University
    Inventors: Renata Melamud, Bongsang Kim, Matt Hopcroft, Saurabh Chandorkar, Manu Agarwal, Thomas W. Kenny
  • Patent number: 7798705
    Abstract: A thermoacoustic tomographic method for imaging an object, wherein the object is thermally excited by a source and the acoustic waves from the object, which are caused by the thermal excitation, from different directions of the object are detected using at least one detector and an image of the object is reconstructed from the detected acoustic waves and the positional information, wherein the acoustic waves detected by the detector are integrated at least in one direction over a length of at least ?{square root over (8)}·d, where d denotes the maximum distance from a point of the object to be imaged to the detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignees: Upper Austrian Research GmbH, Universitaet Innsbruck
    Inventors: Peter Burgholzer, Markus Haltmeier, Otmar Scherzer
  • Patent number: 7785001
    Abstract: An apparatus for sensing a change in environmental conditions is disclosed. The apparatus includes a coating or a wire between two surfaces that has a mechanical property changed as a result of a change in the environmental conditions. The change in the mechanical property of the coating or wire results in a change in a vibration characteristic of the apparatus, such as the frequency, phase, amplitude or quality factor. The change in the vibration characteristic can be used to determine the change in the environmental condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Arizona Board of Regents
    Inventors: Nongjian Tao, Francis Tsow
  • Patent number: 7774042
    Abstract: A three-dimensional thermoacoustic imaging system uses dye markers. Thermoacoustic signals are produced by the dye markers when light from an external source is absorbed by the dye. Thermoacoustic images with and without dye stimulation may be generated using excitation frequencies both inside and outside the frequency band of fluorescence of the dye marker, and these may be combined, and/or combined with conventional ultrasound images for image enhancement. An apparatus for carrying out this method on mice, uses a commercially available array of transducers positioned opposite to the body of the mouse, which is immersed in a coupling media. A source of illumination such as a laser directs light to the mouse through the coupling media, and resulting acoustic waves are captured by the array and reconstructed to form an image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Senco Brands, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert A. Kruger
  • Publication number: 20100186513
    Abstract: A contactless SAW based torque and temperature sensor comprising a first (2) and second (3) SAW resonator provided on a substrate made of Y+34° cut of quartz. The first SAW resonator (2) has its principle axis inclined at +45° to the X-axis of the substrate, which, in use is either aligned with the longitudinal axis of the device who torque is to be measured or is perpendicular thereto, and the second SAW (3) has its principle axis inclined at ?45° to the X-axis of the substrate. A third SAW (4) has its principle axis inclined at an angle of 30 degrees to the X-axis of the substrate. Each said SAW resonator (2,3,4) is formed by laying a film of aluminum on the substrate having a thickness (h) and the SAW resonators have an average operating wavelength ? where the ratio h/? is in the range 0.021 to 0.032.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2010
    Publication date: July 29, 2010
    Inventor: VICTOR ALEXANDROVICH KALININ
  • Publication number: 20100177801
    Abstract: A temperature sensor is described that includes a base, a first set of posts attached to the base having a first coefficient of thermal expansion, a second set of posts attached to the base and having a second coefficient of thermal expansion, and two substantially parallel conductive plates forming a capacitor. The first of the conductive plates is fixed to the first set of posts and the second of the conductive plates is fixed to the second set of posts. Temperature changes cause the first set of posts and the second set of posts to elongate at different rates, thereby changing a distance between the conductive plates and therefore the resulting capacitance. A system and method are also described for determining resonant frequency associated with the sensor which correlates to the temperature at the sensor when multiple sensors are networked across a system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2009
    Publication date: July 15, 2010
    Inventors: William Preston Geren, Brian Kenneth Kormanyos, Kathryn A. Masiello, Gerardo Pena
  • Patent number: 7731420
    Abstract: At least one transceiver sends ultrasonic pulses through an object, which at least partially transmits ultrasonic pulses, into an element which reflects the ultrasonic pulses. The ultrasonic pulse(s) can be reflected in a temperature-correlated manner from the reflective element to the transceiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Hans-Gerd Brummel, Uwe Linnert, Klaus Newerla, Michael Willsch
  • Patent number: 7726875
    Abstract: Apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture for monitoring a condition of a material are disclosed. In particular, the example apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture emit a first acoustic signal into a wall of the tubular member having a first temperature value and obtain a first propagation time associated with the first acoustic signal. In addition, a second acoustic signal is emitted into the wall having a second temperature value and a second propagation time associated with the second ultrasonic acoustic signal is obtained. The second temperature value is determined based on the first temperature value and the first and second propagation times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Industrial Measurement Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald E. Yuhas
  • Publication number: 20100129920
    Abstract: A piezoelectric bimorph cantilever is used for determining physical parameters in a gaseous or liquid environment. The sensor works as a driven and damped oscillator. Contrary to common cantilever sensor systems, the piezoelectric film of the bimorph cantilever acts as both a sensor and an actuator. Using at least two resonance mode of the bimorph cantilever, at least two physical parameters can be measured simultaneously in a gas or a liquid. An optimized piezoelectric cantilever and a method to produce the cantilever are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2009
    Publication date: May 27, 2010
    Applicants: IMEC, Universiteit Hasselt
    Inventors: Vincent Mortet, Rainer Petersen
  • Patent number: 7705292
    Abstract: A condition or detecting a change in the condition of an optical element of a laser arrangement is detected. An ultrasonic signal is coupled into an optical element such that the ultrasonic signal travels along a path within the optical element, and a transit time or a change in transit time for the ultrasonic signal to travel along the path within the optical element is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: TRUMPF Werkzeugmaschinen GmbH + Co. KG
    Inventors: Gerhard Hammann, Dieter Hallasch, Juergen Hohenadel
  • Patent number: 7674038
    Abstract: To measure and regulate temperature, a temperature measuring resistor and a control element are accommodated in one layer as metallization on a substrate. The printed or otherwise manufactured conductors of the temperature measuring resistor and of the control element are arranged in close proximity to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: Tesat-Spacecom GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Frank Heine, Lars Bartelt-Berger, Berry Smutny
  • Patent number: 7665891
    Abstract: A differential temperature sensor system and method of determining a temperature shift of an optical resonator and its surroundings are provided. The differential temperature sensor system includes a light generating device capable of generating a beam having a carrier frequency, a modulator capable of modulating the beam with a sideband frequency, and an optical resonator capable of supporting an ordinary mode and an extraordinary mode. The system includes an ordinary mode-lock setup capable of locking the carrier frequency of the beam to the ordinary mode of the optical resonator and an extraordinary mode-lock setup capable of locking the sideband frequency of the beam to the extraordinary mode of the optical resonator by providing a specific radio frequency to the modulator substantially corresponding to a frequency shift between the ordinary mode and the extraordinary mode of the optical resonator resulting from a temperature change of the optical resonator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Anatoliy A. Savchenkov, Nan Yu, Lute Maleki, Vladimir S. Iltchenko, Andrey B. Matsko, Dmitry V. Strekalov
  • Patent number: 7661879
    Abstract: An apparatus for detecting a temperature using transistors includes a plurality of temperature detecting units that become selectively active according to predetermined temperature intervals; and a detection signal output unit that generates detection signals according to the signals transmitted by the plurality of temperature detecting units, and outputs the detection signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: Hynix Semiconductor Inc.
    Inventors: Yoon-Jae Shin, Sang-Jin Byun
  • Patent number: 7637656
    Abstract: A temperature measurement technique for calculating a temperature in a high temperature environment by monitoring a change in resonant frequency of a resonant structure loaded with a dielectric material. A response curve for a reflection coefficient S11 associated with the resonant structure is generated, typically by the use of a network analyzer connected to the resonant structure via a cable. A minimum point for the response curve is identified to detect the resonant frequency for the resonant structure. A calibration map is applied to the minimum point to identify a temperature associated with the resonant frequency of the resonant structure. The temperature associated with the resonant frequency of the resonant structure represents the temperature of the high temperature environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: Radatec, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Billington, Jonathan Geisheimer, Thomas Holst
  • Patent number: 7618185
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an electric medical thermometer for measuring temperature of patients in cavity. The electric medical thermometer comprises a temperature detecting set, including a temperature detecting element, for capturing temperature signals and a temperature calculating device for temperature signals processing. By combining a primary sampling frequency with a secondary sampling frequency, where the primary sampling frequency is greater than the secondary sampling frequency, the temperature calculating device translates temperature signals captured from the temperature detecting device into a temperature measurement. The underlining method of the present invention is realized by imitating the physiology of the heart beat pulse, which serves as a resource engine of thermal compensation and as an example for the sampling frequency in order to attain more precise and reliable temperature measurement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2009
    Assignee: Actherm, Inc.
    Inventor: Chih-Wei Hsieh
  • Patent number: 7616238
    Abstract: An imaging device having an in vivo CMOS image sensor, at least one illumination source and a controller. The controller controls the illumination source to illuminate for a first period and to be shut off for a subsequent period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Assignee: Given Imaging Ltd.
    Inventors: Dov Avni, Arkady Glukhovsky
  • Publication number: 20090260422
    Abstract: An ultrasonic sensor includes a transmitting device, a receiving device, and a circuit device. The circuit device determines that the receiving device receives an ultrasonic wave reflected from an object, when an output voltage of the receiving device is equal to or greater than a first threshold. The circuit device includes a humidity detection section configured to detect an ambient humidity of the transmitting and receiving devices and a threshold adjustment section configured to calculate, based on the detected ambient humidity, a sound pressure of the ultrasonic wave that is received by the receiving device after propagating over a round-trip distance between the ultrasonic sensor and the object. The threshold adjustment section reduces the first threshold, when the output voltage corresponding to the calculated sound pressure is less than a second threshold that is greater the first threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2009
    Publication date: October 22, 2009
    Applicants: DENSO CORPORATION, NIPPON SOKEN, INC.
    Inventors: Makiko Sugiura, Yasuyuki Okuda, Takaaki Kawai, Takahiko Yoshida, Hisanaga Matsuoka, Toshiki Isogai, Mitsuyasu Matsuura
  • Publication number: 20090245323
    Abstract: At least one transceiver sends ultrasonic pulses through an object, which at least partially transmits ultrasonic pulses, into an element which reflects the ultrasonic pulses. The ultrasonic pulse(s) can be reflected in a temperature-correlated manner from the reflective element to the transceiver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2005
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Inventors: Hans-Gerd Brummel, Uwe Linnert, Klaus Newerla, Michael Willsch
  • Publication number: 20090213897
    Abstract: An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus includes: an ultrasonic probe in which a first temperature sensor and a second temperature sensor are located posterior to an oscillator; and a surface temperature calculation device for calculating a surface temperature of the ultrasonic probe on the basis of a first detection temperature Ta detected by the first temperature sensor and a second detection temperature Tb detected by the second temperature sensor. Also, an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus includes: an ultrasonic probe in which a first temperature sensor and a second temperature sensor are embedded in a backing material; and a surface temperature calculation device for calculating a surface temperature Ts of the ultrasonic probe on the basis of a first detection temperature Ta detected by the first temperature sensor and a second detection temperature Tb detected by the second temperature sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2008
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Inventor: Shinichi Amemiya
  • Patent number: 7575371
    Abstract: A thermometer and extensometer for cables and conductors is described. The travel time of one or more acoustic signals along a conductor is used to determine the temperature along the conductor and the length of the conductor. The acoustic frequency is selected to minimize temporal dispersion of the propagating acoustic energy. The technique can be used to measure the temperature and sag of an overhead power line, the temperature of the windings in a transformer, or the temperature of the central conductor in a coaxial power cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2009
    Assignee: FieldMetrics, Inc
    Inventors: Christopher Paul Yakymyshyn, Michael Allen Brubaker, Pamela Jane Hamilton
  • Publication number: 20090196323
    Abstract: Aspects of a method and system for an energy efficient temperature sensing crystal integrated circuit (TSCIC) are provided. In this regard, one or more circuits in a temperature sensing crystal integrated circuit (TSCIC) may be configured to control power consumption of the TSCIC. The one or more circuits in the TSCIC may comprise a memory and a crystal. The one or more circuits in the TSCIC may be operable to generate an indication of temperature of the crystal. The one or more circuits in the TSCIC may be configured to control a current supplied to the crystal within the TSCIC, wherein the configuring is based on phase noise requirements of a signal generated by the crystal. Generation of the temperature indication may be enabled or disabled. The enabling or disabling may occur based on a rate of change of a temperature in the TSCIC.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2009
    Publication date: August 6, 2009
    Inventors: Evan McCarthy, John Walley
  • Publication number: 20090196322
    Abstract: Aspects of a method and system for a temperature sensing crystal Integrated circuit with digital temperature output are provided. In this regard, an indication of temperature may be generated in an integrated circuit (IC) comprising a memory, a crystal or crystal oscillator, and at least a portion of an analog-to-digital converter. The temperature indication may be digitized via the analog-to-digital converter. Operation of one or more circuits may be controlled based on the digital temperature indication. The digital temperature indication may be communicated over a communication bus. An analog portion of the analog-to-digital converter may be integrated in the IC and may comprise, for example, a delta-sigma modulator. A digital portion of the analog-to-digital converter may be external to the IC and may comprise, for example, a digital filter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2009
    Publication date: August 6, 2009
    Inventors: Evan McCarthy, John Walley
  • Publication number: 20090195294
    Abstract: Aspects of a method and system for signal generation via a temperature sensing crystal integrated circuit are provided. In this regard, a temperature sensing crystal integrated circuit (TSCIC) comprising a memory and a crystal or crystal oscillator may generate a signal indicative of a measured temperature. The generated signal and data stored in the memory may be utilized to configure one or more circuits communicatively coupled to the TSCIC. The data stored in the memory may characterize behavior of the TSCIC as a function of temperature and/or time. The data characterizing the behavior of the TSCIC may indicate variations in frequency of the crystal or crystal oscillator as a function of temperature and/or time. The data characterizing the behavior of the TSCIC may comprise one or both of a frequency value and a frequency correction value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2009
    Publication date: August 6, 2009
    Inventors: Evan McCarthy, John Walley
  • Publication number: 20090175313
    Abstract: The invention provides a method and a device for determining the temperature of a semiconductor substrate. A resonance circuit (110) is provided on the semiconductor substrate and is formed by a junction capacitor (11) and an inductor (12). The substrate is placed on a holder and the with electromagnetic energy of an electromagnetic field (5) generated by a radiation device (200). A circuit (110) is determined by detecting an effect of the resonance circuit (110) on the irradiated temperature of the semiconductor substrate is determined as a function of the resonance frequency. The method and device according to the invention provide for a more accurate determination of the temperature of the semiconductor substrate due to an increased sensitivity to the temperature of the junction capacitor (11).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2007
    Publication date: July 9, 2009
    Applicant: NXP B.V.
    Inventors: Srdjan Kordic, Meindert M. Lunenborg, Jean-Philippe Jacquemin
  • Patent number: 7549791
    Abstract: The invention relates to a remotely interrogable SAW (surface acoustic wave) temperature sensor comprising. At least two resonators (T1, saw, T2, saw) have transducers having interdigitated electrodes connected to control buses of design such that they have different characteristic operating frequencies. A first resonator has a first surface acoustic wave propagation direction, parallel to one of the axes of the substrate, and a second resonator has a surface acoustic wave propagation direction making a nonzero angle (?) with the propagation direction of the first resonator. The control buses of the second transducer are inclined at a nonzero angle (?) to the normal to the interdigitated electrodes of the second transducer so as to compensate for the power flow divergence of the acoustic waves along the second transducer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2009
    Assignee: Senseor
    Inventors: Louis Penavaire, Marc Solal, Thomas Pastureaud
  • Patent number: 7548263
    Abstract: An imaging device having an in vivo CMOS image sensor, at least one illumination source and a controller. The controller controls the illumination source to illuminate for a first period and to be shut off for a subsequent period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2009
    Assignee: Given Imaging Ltd.
    Inventors: Dov Avni, Arkady Glukhovsky