In Spaced Noncontact Relationship To Specimen Patents (Class 374/120)
  • Patent number: 8177421
    Abstract: Infrared IR thermometer calibration systems and methods are disclosed in which the temperature of an IR thermometer calibration system is controlled such that radiation emitted by a target at a given input temperature is equal to the radiation emitted by a graybody heated to the input temperature and having an emissivity equal to an emissivity setting of an IR thermometer to be calibrated using the IR thermometer calibration system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Fluke Corporation
    Inventor: Frank E. Liebmann
  • Patent number: 8167482
    Abstract: A method for detecting surface discontinuities in a test specimen. The method includes applying a one or more substances including a detection medium to the test specimen wherein the detection medium enters at least one surface discontinuity in the test specimen. The specimen surface is monitored for discontinuity signatures produced by the detection medium. The monitoring includes monitoring the detection medium to detect a temperature differential indicative of a surface discontinuity in the test specimen wherein the discontinuity signatures include a warm signature emitted by the detection medium that has entered the surface discontinuity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Siemens Energy, Inc.
    Inventor: Clifford Hatcher
  • Patent number: 8167483
    Abstract: Temperature measurement instruments and methods are provided for visually identifying a selected area of a target with a light beam. After imaging infrared radiation from a measurement area on a target, a selected area satisfying a temperature criterion is determined. An actuator system moves a light beam relative to the instrument and measurement area to visually identify the selected area. In some embodiments the actuator system may repeatedly move the light beam to visually identify the selected area of the target as the instrument is moved and the selected area's position changes within the measurement area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Fluke Corporation
    Inventor: John Steffen Jensen
  • Patent number: 8162535
    Abstract: A method for monitoring a status of a sleeve for lining a system of pipes or conduits, the sleeve being impregnated with a curable resin, includes the steps of providing the sleeve, disposing at least one fiber optic sensor in thermally conductive contact with the sleeve, and generating, using the at least one fiber optic sensor, a positionally resolved thermographic image representative of a temperature of the sleeve as a function of position and time
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Inventor: Ulrich Glombitza
  • Patent number: 8157438
    Abstract: A thermopile, utilizing the Seebeck effect, is placed into a blackbody cavity or other ambient heat source, where the hot junctions are inside the heat source, and the cold junctions are outside the heat source, and thereby produces a voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Inventor: John Lee Warren
  • Patent number: 8157441
    Abstract: To provide a temperature sensor probe that can take stable measurements, and a manufacturing method thereof. The temperature sensor probe related to the present invention is a temperature sensor probe for measuring temperature using a fluorescent substance that changes fluorescent characteristics depending on temperature. Then, a powdered fluorescent substance, a guide wave route member that propagates excitation light, which is irradiated on the fluorescent substance, and fluorescent light, which is produced by the fluorescent substance, are provided. Further, the particle size of the powdered fluorescent substance is confined to the range of 60 to 100 ?m.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Yamatake Corporation
    Inventors: Seiichiro Kinugasa, Atsushi Kato
  • Patent number: 8147136
    Abstract: A micromechanical device includes a micromechanical functional structure and an electromagnetic radiation heating associated with the micromechanical functional structure, which is formed to cause a spatially and temporally defined temperature or a spatially and temporally defined temperature course in the micromechanical functional structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der Angewandten Forschung e.V.
    Inventors: Jörg Heber, Thomas Klose, Thilo Sandner, Andreas Bergmann, Christian Gerwig, Thomas Knieling
  • Publication number: 20120063486
    Abstract: The temperature measuring apparatus includes: a light source; a first wavelength-dividing unit which wavelength-divides a light from the light source into m lights whose wavelength bands are different from one another; m first dividing units which divides each of the m lights from the first wavelength-dividing unit into n lights; a transmitting unit which transmits lights from the m first dividing unit to measurement points of an object to be measured; a light receiving unit which receives a light reflected by each of the measurement points; and a temperature calculating unit which calculates a temperature of each of the measurement points based on a waveform of the light received by the light receiving unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2011
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Applicant: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Jun YAMAWAKU, Chishio KOSHIMIZU, Tatsuo MATSUDO, Kenji NAGAI
  • Patent number: 8128282
    Abstract: A microsystem component with a device (3) deformable under the influence of temperature changes is disclosed. The device comprises at least one first (4, 5) and second (8) element with differing thermal expansion coefficients and different thermal conductivities. The elements (4, 5; 8) are physically separate and arranged and connected to each other such that the device (3) assumes flexure states which are dependent on the temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Universitaet Kassel
    Inventors: Ivo Rangelow, Tzvetan Ivanov, Katerina Ivanova
  • Patent number: 8123402
    Abstract: The present invention is an ear thermometer cradle and an ear thermometer assembly. The ear thermometer cradle comprises a hollow housing, a swivel arm, a probe cover container seat, a first elastic member disposed between the swivel arm and the hollow house. The ear thermometer cradle comprises a second elastic member between the container seat and the hollow housing. The hollow housing has an opening and a first blocking portion. The swivel arm includes a first pivot on one end thereof for pivotally connected with the hollow housing, a bearing portion on the other end thereof, and a second blocking portion between the first pivot and the bearing portion. The container seat includes a connective device, a second pivot on two lateral sides thereof for pivotally connected with the hollow housing, a third blocking portion and a forth blocking portion engaging with the first and the second blocking portion respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Actherm Inc.
    Inventor: Liang-Yi Li
  • Patent number: 8115645
    Abstract: A thermal detection method comprises steps of providing a rotation device, disposing a thermal sensor on the rotation device, rotating the rotation device, and using the thermal sensor to detect a temperature of an object without contacting the object. A thermal detecting system comprises a rotation device and a thermal sensor disposed on the rotation device for detecting a temperature of an object without contacting the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Chung-Hsien Lu, Hsin-Dar Tang, Shih-Min Tzeng, Wu-Chi Ho, Huei-Shyang You
  • Patent number: 8110803
    Abstract: This invention relates to optical sighting apparatus systems, and to methods for visualization and for identifying remote target surface areas without physical contact for the purpose of measurement and/or of treatment of the remote surface. An arrangement of projected light beams indicates the position and size of the target surface in relation to a measurement detector or treatment device, so that the device is accurately directed to the target. In a preferred arrangement separate laser beams form a light distribution indication or brightness pattern at the target and the device is sighted toward the pattern on the target surface area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: White Box, Inc.
    Inventors: Milton Bernard Hollander, Shahin Baghai
  • Patent number: 8105841
    Abstract: An assembly determines an analyte concentration in a sample of body fluid. The assembly includes a test sensor having a fluid-receiving area for receiving a sample of body fluid, where the fluid-receiving area contains a reagent that produces a measurable reaction with an analyte in the sample. The assembly also includes a meter having a port or opening configured to receive the test sensor; a measurement system configured to determine a measurement of the reaction between the reagent and the analyte; and a temperature-measuring system configured to determine a measurement of the test-sensor temperature when the test sensor is received into the opening. The meter determines a concentration of the analyte in the sample according to the measurement of the reaction and the measurement of the test-sensor temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Bayer Healthcare LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Blais, Steve Sun, Bern Harrison, Narasinha C. Parasnis, Serban F. Peteu, Tony Nguyen, Paul Ripley, Xin Wang, Igor Gofman
  • Patent number: 8096704
    Abstract: Silicon Carbide (SiC) probe designs for extreme temperature and pressure sensing uses a single crystal SiC optical chip encased in a sintered SiC material probe. The SiC chip may be protected for high temperature only use or exposed for both temperature and pressure sensing. Hybrid signal processing techniques allow fault-tolerant extreme temperature sensing. Wavelength peak-to-peak (or null-to-null) collective spectrum spread measurement to detect wavelength peak/null shift measurement forms a coarse-fine temperature measurement using broadband spectrum monitoring. The SiC probe frontend acts as a stable emissivity Black-body radiator and monitoring the shift in radiation spectrum enables a pyrometer. This application combines all-SiC pyrometry with thick SiC etalon laser interferometry within a free-spectral range to form a coarse-fine temperature measurement sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignees: Nusensors, Inc., University of Central Florida
    Inventors: Nabeel Agha Riza, Frank Perez
  • Patent number: 8092082
    Abstract: This present invention discloses a detachable probe cover for an ear thermometer and a manufacturing method thereof. The detachable probe cover for the ear thermometer is for being mounted onto a measuring probe of the ear thermometer, wherein a combining mechanism is provided at a bottom of the measuring probe and the detachable probe cover comprises a main body of a hollow structure and a base, in which the main body has an open end and a closed end opposite to the open end, and the hollow structure has a diameter gradually reducing from the open end toward the closed end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Actherm Inc
    Inventor: Chih-Wei Hsieh
  • Patent number: 8089031
    Abstract: The present invention provides a heating apparatus for heating objects to be processed, which can detect a temperature of the objects to be processed with higher precision and accuracy, thereby to achieve higher precision temperature control. A heating apparatus 2 includes a processing vessel 8 configured to contain therein a plurality of objects W to be processed, the objects W including objects 58a to 58e to be processed for temperature measurement, each object 58a to 58e having each corresponding elastic wave element 60a to 60e, a heating means 10 adapted for heating the objects W to be processed, and a holding means 22 adapted to hold the objects W to be processed. To the processing vessel 8, a transmitter antenna 52 adapted to transmit an electric wave for measurement toward each elastic wave element 60a to 60e, and a receiver antenna 52 adapted to receive an electric wave having a frequency corresponding to the temperature and generated from each elastic wave element 60a to 60e are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventor: Kenichi Yamaga
  • 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: 8066431
    Abstract: An apparatus that allows for the testing of multiple wraps of cable in environments of varying temperature, pressure, and in different fluids in a single apparatus, and can be tested against the varying loads the cable may encounter is disclosed. In the illustrative embodiment of the present invention, the multiple wraps of cable are simulated by layering electrically-insulated portions of the cable on top of one another inside an environmentally controlled container. This container has two parts: a thermally-insulated container and a pressure container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventor: Alain T. Pellen
  • Publication number: 20110274139
    Abstract: A wireless temperature sensor includes an electrical conductor and a dielectric material on the conductor. The conductor is electrically unconnected and is shaped for storage of an electric field and a magnetic field. In the presence of a time-varying magnetic field, the conductor resonates to generate harmonic electric and magnetic field responses, each of which has a frequency associated therewith. The material is selected such that it experiences changes in either dielectric or magnetic permeability attributes in the presence of a temperature change. Shifts from the sensor's baseline frequency response indicate that the material has experienced a temperature change.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2011
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Applicants: Administration
    Inventors: Stanley E. Woodard, Chuantong Wang, Bryant Douglas Taylor
  • Publication number: 20110236518
    Abstract: A method of measuring the wall temperature of a container blank, including the following operations: inserting a temperature probe into the blank in motion, upon completion of the operation of heating the blank in an oven; maintaining the probe in the blank in motion for a predetermined time; making a temperature measurement by the probe maintained in the blank without contact with the inner wall of the blank; and storing the temperature or the temperature profile thus measured.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2009
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Applicant: SIDEL PARTICIPATIONS
    Inventors: Ertan Cetinel, Thierry Deau, Guy Feuilloley
  • Publication number: 20110194585
    Abstract: A thermometer is disclosed, comprising a handle, a sensor, an interface, a speaker, a memory, and a display. The sensor is configured to detect the surface temperature of an object without contacting the surface. In some embodiments, the interface includes a mode button to select from a plurality of modes of operation including a surface mode, a human body mode, an animal body mode, and an ambient mode. In some embodiments, temperature readings are stored in the memory for later retrieval and display. A method of generating a temperature reading is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2010
    Publication date: August 11, 2011
    Inventor: Abhishek Shrivastava
  • Patent number: 7959353
    Abstract: A thermal imaging system for a battery module enclosure that includes first and second battery module enclosure components between which a weld is formed includes a thermal imaging camera that focuses on the first and second battery module enclosure components within a predetermined amount of time after the weld is formed and that acquires a thermal signature. A control module includes an image processing module that receives the thermal signature and that locates a predetermined reference point in the thermal signature. An image comparison module receives the thermal signature and uses the predetermined reference point to compare the thermal signature to a template signature in order to verify structural integrity of the weld. The image comparison module computes a relative measure of deviation of the thermal signature from the template signature and identifies the weld as defective when the relative measure of deviation is greater than a predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Cobasys, LLC
    Inventor: Satish Anantharaman
  • Publication number: 20110130890
    Abstract: A temperature measuring method is disclosed in which, even when a sheet-like object has an uneven temperature distribution throughout itself, the sheet-like object is measured for temperature with accuracy. In this method, temperature measurement is conducted in a measuring area (S) where the sheet-like object (a) is to be measured for its physical quantity or in the vicinity of the measuring area during determination of the physical quantity by a physical quantity measuring means.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2009
    Publication date: June 2, 2011
    Inventors: Fumio Tojo, Shunzo Hirakawa, Toshiyasu Toyoda, Masaru Iguchi, Katayama Yusuke
  • Patent number: 7946760
    Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention is a method and apparatus for dynamic measurement of across-chip temperatures. One embodiment of a method for measuring temperatures across an integrated circuit chip includes generating a plurality of surface images of the integrated circuit chip, deriving power values across the integrated circuit chip from the surface images, computing the temperatures across the integrated circuit chip in accordance with the power values, and outputting the temperatures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Kerry Bernstein
  • Patent number: 7923665
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a wafer-type thermometer capable of adapting itself to automation and improving the heat resistance to measure temperature distribution of a wafer and a method for manufacturing the wafer-type thermometer. A plurality of temperature sensors are arranged in regions formed by segmenting the upper surface of a wafer into a plurality of regions. Output signals from the plurality of temperature sensors are converted into temperature data by a conversion processing circuit where further processes the temperature data. The conversion processing circuit is housed in a storage room surrounded by a heat insulating member made of a nanocrystalline silicon layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Matsumoto, Tomohide Minami
  • 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: 7905855
    Abstract: A dialysis system includes a dialysis instrument; a disposable item configured to hold a dialysis fluid and including an at least substantially opaque portion and an at least substantially clear portion; at least one non-invasive temperature sensor mounted to the dialysis instrument so as to be pointed selectively at the at least substantially clear portion and the at least substantially opaque portion; and a processor configured to calculate a temperature of the dialysis fluid within the disposable item using (i) a first temperature measurement from the at least one sensor while pointed at the at least substantially opaque portion, and (ii) a second temperature measurement from the at least one sensor pointed at the at least substantially clear portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignees: Baxter International Inc., Baxter Healthcare S.A.
    Inventor: Robert W. Childers
  • Patent number: 7900849
    Abstract: A comfort control system for controlling the comfort level in a building includes a comfort control unit and a remote control unit. The remote control unit communicates with the comfort control unit from a remote location. In one illustrative embodiment, the remote control unit includes a temperature sensor for sensing an ambient air temperature near the remote control unit, and a measure related to the sensed temperature may be communicated to the comfort control unit. A detection block may be included in the remote control unit for detecting when the ambient air temperature sensed by the temperature sensor in the remote control unit is likely to be influenced by a user or other undesirable condition. The comfort control unit may take this into account when controlling the comfort control system of the building.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Eric J. Barton, Kenneth B. Kidder, Timothy M. Tinsley, John S. Fultz, Gregory W. Young
  • Patent number: 7891866
    Abstract: A system and method for determining the temperature of an object without physically contacting the object. The method involves reading a spectral radiation of the object over a plurality of wavelengths to obtain a set of radiation data related to a temperature of the object. A known characteristic of a black body is determined at a plurality of predetermined, different test temperatures. The spectral data and the characteristic of the black body at the various test temperatures are used to calculate a temperature of the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Mark D. Rogers, Loyal B. Shawgo
  • Patent number: 7874725
    Abstract: An optical fiber temperature distribution measuring apparatus and a method for measuring optical fiber temperature distribution, provided with a light source for inputting a pulse light to an optical fiber to be measured, a signal detecting unit for detecting a received light intensity of a predetermined light included in a backscattering light generated by an input of the pulse light in the optical fiber to be measured, and a signal processing unit for calculating a value corresponding to a variation of the received light intensity due to a hydrogen molecular absorption of the optical fiber to be measured based on the received light intensity of the predetermined light, to compensate the received light intensity of the predetermined light corresponding to a temperature of the optical fiber to be measured based on the value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignees: J-Power Systems Corporation, Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hidehiko Komeda, Tsuyoshi Igi, Yasushi Koyano, Fumiyoshi Ohkubo, Kazuaki Negishi
  • Patent number: 7845849
    Abstract: A pulse of heat or cold is applied and conducted transversely through a ball grid array device and a printed circuit board via a selected one of the solder joints between them. Heat diffused through the other solder joints is neutralized by a thermal bias shield. The shield is then removed and a thermographic image of the printed circuit board is taken. The process is repeated for each solder joint, and the images are compared to identify defective solder joints.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: Avaya Inc.
    Inventors: Jae Choi, Mark Woolley
  • Patent number: 7812929
    Abstract: Disclosed is an electrostatic chuck with a temperature sensing unit, exposure equipment having the electrostatic chuck, and a method of detecting temperature on photomask surfaces. The temperature sensing unit and method of detecting temperature may include obtaining reflectance of a photomask using a multi-wavelength interferometer and determining a temperature on the photomask based on the reflectance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Myoung-Soo Lee, Chan-Uk Jeon
  • Patent number: 7794142
    Abstract: Small, low-cost wireless temperature sensors (26,64,96) are provided for sensing the temperature of an object (44). The temperature sensors (26,64,96) preferably include a plurality of individual, magnetically susceptible temperature sensor elements (28-34,66,92), as well as optional magnetic field-responsive data elements (38,40,20) adapted for attachment to object (44) or to a substrate (82) in turn attached to object (44). The temperature sensor elements (28-34,66,92) preferably have magnetic bodies (22,70) exhibiting a re-magnetization response under the influence of an applied alternating magnetic field, which is different below and above a set point temperature, normally the Curie temperature of the magnetic body (22) or an adjacent sheath (74,94).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: TSI Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Brian L. Clothier, Edwin T. Abbett
  • Patent number: 7778791
    Abstract: An electronic clinical thermometer capable of high-precision measurement within a shorter period of time. The electronic clinical thermometer for predicting an equilibrium temperature based on a temporal change in actual measurement value of a measurement target temperature detected by a temperature detection element includes a prediction value derivation unit which derives a plurality of prediction values from actual measurement values in accordance with a plurality of prediction equations, a selection unit which selects one of the plurality of prediction equations based on the selected prediction equation, and a display output which displays a prediction value result based on the selected prediction equation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: Terumo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kouji Nakamura, Makoto Ikeda
  • Patent number: 7718743
    Abstract: Methods and system for in-situ measurement of polymer growth within an olefin polymerization reactor are provided. The method includes polymerizing one or more olefins within a reactor at a first temperature sufficient to deposit a polymer coating therein. A second temperature is created within the reactor, and a rate of temperature change is measured from the first temperature to the second temperature. The rate of temperature change is correlated to a thickness of the polymer coating deposited within the reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin B. Stavens, Cynthia A. Mitchell
  • Patent number: 7686506
    Abstract: Probe cover cassettes having a plurality of probe covers releasably attached to a frame are capable of being stacked so that probe covers attached to a first of the frames are nested within probe covers attached to a second of the frames. The vertical space occupied by the cassettes is reduced allowing more cassettes to be stacked in a given space. The frames of the cassettes are particularly constructed to resist twisting and bending motion when probe covers are detached from the frames using a tympanic thermometer probe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: Covidien AG
    Inventors: Mitchell H. Babkes, Clarence Walker, Kevin C. Meier, James M. Harr, Mark A. Davis
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20100040108
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a measuring method and a sensor unit of measuring temperature distribution of an object by using an optical fiber sensing technology of BOCDA system. In the measuring method, an optical fiber that functions as a BOCDA-type optical fiber sensor is disposed two-dimensionally or three-dimensionally with respect to a predetermined measurement region of the object, and thereby the temperature distribution of the object can be measured at a high speed and a high accuracy, in the predetermined measurement region configuring a surface or space where the optical fiber is disposed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2007
    Publication date: February 18, 2010
    Applicant: SUMITOMO ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Eisuke Sasaoka, Osamu Ichikawa
  • Patent number: 7655456
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an analytical device (X1) including a mounting portion (10) for mounting an analytical tool (2) capable of outputting information for computation, a computation unit for conducting computation for analyzing a sample based on the information for computation, and a temperature detection unit (12) for outputting the temperature information. The temperature detection unit (12) is disposed in the mounting portion (10). The analytical device (X1) preferably further includes a temperature correction unit for correcting the computation results obtained in the computation unit, based on the temperature information. The temperature detection unit (12) includes, for example, a contact type temperature sensor (12A). In this case, the contact type temperature detection unit (12) may include a thermally conductive portion (12B) having a contact surface (12b) to be brought into contact with the temperature sensor (12A) and the analytical tool (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: ARKRAY, Inc.
    Inventors: Eisaku Oshiman, Yasunori Shiraki
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20090309741
    Abstract: A thermal detection method comprises steps of providing a rotation device, disposing a thermal sensor on the rotation device, rotating the rotation device, and using the thermal sensor to detect a temperature of an object without contacting the object. A thermal detection system comprises a rotation device and a thermal sensor disposed on the rotation device for detecting a temperature of an object without contacting the object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2009
    Publication date: December 17, 2009
    Applicant: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Chung-Hsien Lu, Hsin-Dar Tang, Shih-Min Tzeng, Wu-Chi Ho, Huei-Shyang You
  • Patent number: 7607824
    Abstract: A test system and method of analyzing a pin to circuit connection on a substrate is provided. The method includes applying thermal energy to the pin or the substrate at a location outside of the pin to circuit interface, and measuring infrared radiation near the pin to circuit interface. The method also includes the step of analyzing the measured infrared radiation to determine thermal energy distribution near the pin to circuit interface resulting from thermal conductivity at the interface. The method further includes the step of determining sufficiency of the pin to circuit electrical and mechanical connection based on the determined thermal energy distribution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Lee Chandler, Frederick F. Kuhlman
  • Patent number: 7604399
    Abstract: A temperature monitor for monitoring plural locations on an electrical bus structure. The temperature monitor includes an infrared sensor for receiving infrared energy from a plurality of discrete predetermined locations on the bus structure, a first member defining a stationary first mask, a second member defining a rotating second mask, and a drive member driving the second member in rotation relative to the first member. Rotation of the second member relative to the first member defines an aperture translated across the first mask member to provide a moving line-of-sight that extends from the sensor and that scans to each of the discrete predetermined locations on the bus structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2009
    Assignee: Siemens Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Twerdochlib, Evangelos V. Diatzikis, Edward D. Thompson, David Bateman
  • Patent number: 7602307
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are portable and modular detection devices and systems for detecting electromagnetic radiation, such as fluorescence, from an analyte which comprises at least one optical element removably attached to at least one alignment rail. Also disclosed are modular detection devices and systems having an integrated lock-in amplifier and spatial filter and assay methods using the portable and modular detection devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: James S. Brennan, Anup Singh, Daniel J. Throckmorton, James F. Stamps
  • Patent number: 7591583
    Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus and method for detecting flaws in an object. The method includes the step of heating a portion of a surface of an object wherein the surface is defined by a plurality of individual surface elements. The method also includes the step of recording a plurality of thermal images of the portion over time with a thermal imaging device. Each of the plurality of thermal images is defined by a plurality of pixels. Each of the plurality of pixels has an individual pixel address and corresponds to one of the plurality of individual surface elements. The method also includes the step of determining a pixel intensity for each of the plurality pixels in each of the plurality of thermal images. The method also includes the step of integrating the pixel intensity of each of the plurality of pixels having the same individual address from respective thermal images to establish elements within an array of integrated pixel intensity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2009
    Assignee: Federal-Mogul World Wide, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Foes, Hamid Yazdi
  • Patent number: 7585107
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus allowing distributed temperature sensing (DTS) measurements to be compensated for differential and/or varying loss between Raman Stokes and anti-Stokes signals are provided. By irradiating an optical waveguide with signals at wavelengths at or near the Raman Stokes and anti-Stokes bands, a distributed loss profile for the waveguide may be generated. This distributed loss profile may be used to adjust the amplitudes or amplitude ratios of Raman Stokes and anti-Stokes signals used in DTS measurements, which may lead to more accurate DTS profiles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2009
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: Domino Taverner, Trevor MacDougall
  • Patent number: 7578616
    Abstract: An apparatus for measuring a temperature of a substrate is disclosed. The apparatus includes a phosphor material in thermal contact to the substrate, the phosphor material producing a fluorescent response in a first wavelength range when exposed to a electromagnetic radiation in a second wavelength range, the fluorescent response decaying at a decay rate that is related to a temperature of the phosphor material, and the phosphor material producing a first set of non volatile byproducts when exposed to a plasma.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2009
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: Keith Gaff, Neil Martin Paul Benjamin
  • Patent number: 7563021
    Abstract: There are provided a process and the like for judging a residual lifetime of a run-flat tire and an end stage of the residual lifetime thereof during continuous running at a run-flat state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Assignee: Bridgestone Corporation
    Inventors: Eiji Ichihara, Yoshinori Imamura, Takehiko Yamada
  • Patent number: 7549794
    Abstract: There is provided an in-furnace temperature measuring method that is capable of reducing the number of operation steps that are required for temperature measurement, and effectively applying a measurement result even if colors and finishing states of a circuit board and an electronic part are changed. First and second pseudo circuit boards (12) and (13) having the substantially same configuration and dimensions as those of a circuit board are inserted into a reflow furnace (11), the front and rear surface temperatures of the first and second pseudo circuit boards (12) and (13) and air temperatures around the first and second pseudo circuit boards (12) and (13) within the reflow furnace (11) are measured. The entire surface of a metal whose physical value is known is black-coated in the first pseudo circuit board (12), and the entire surface of a metal whose given physical value is known is mirror-finished in the second pseudo circuit board (13).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2009
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventor: Takashi Fukuda
  • Patent number: 7520670
    Abstract: A wireless parameter sensing system for a flask for use in lyophilization as well as a method of controlling a lyophilization process based on the sensed readings is disclosed. The wireless parameter sensing system may include a stopper adapted to be removably secured to an open end of the flask. A control unit may be positioned within an inner portion of the stopper. A parameter sensor may be connected with the control unit. A radio frequency transmitter may be connected with the control unit, wherein the control unit is operable to periodically transmit a parameter reading from the parameter sensor with the radio frequency transmitter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Inventor: John Jeffrey Schwegman