In Spaced Noncontact Relationship To Specimen Patents (Class 374/120)
  • Patent number: 7520667
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and a system for determining a set of process parameters of a treatment unit in which unit a product is subjected to a temperature treatment, the method comprising: subjecting a product to an electromagnetic signal before, during and/or after a temperature treatment, wherein said electromagnetic signal is adapted to interact with said product dependent upon the dielectric constant distribution of said product, receiving an electromagnetic signal which has interacted with said product, analysing the received electromagnetic signal in comparison with the transmitted electromagnetic signal and thereby determining a response being dependent upon the dielectric constant distribution of said product and based thereupon determine the temperature (distribution) or water content of the product, and analysing said temperature distribution or temperature of the product or products and based thereupon determining a set of process parameters for a temperature treatment in a treatm
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: John Bean Technologies AB
    Inventors: Sten PĂ„hlsson, Ramesh M. Gunawardena
  • Patent number: 7517143
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for determining the temperature of a surface coating of rotating blades mounted in a non-positive-displacement machine with a rotor shaft rotationally mounted in a housing, during which electromagnetic waves are emitted in a duct in an area of the rotating blades by at least one means for generating electromagnetic waves. The electromagnetic waves are reflected, at least in part, by at least one rotating blade. The reflected portions of the electromagnetic waves are received by at least one receiving means and the temperature of the surface coating of the rotating blades is determined from a distribution of intensity of the received electromagnetic waves. The invention also relates to a method for determining the temperature of a surface coating of guide vanes mounted in a rotationally fixed manner in a non-positive-displacement machine with a housing, and to a device for carrying out the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Thomas Bosselmann, Klaus Huber, Francisco Javier Sevilla Perez, Michael Willsch
  • Patent number: 7497614
    Abstract: An apparatus for measuring a temperature of a substrate is disclosed. The apparatus includes a phosphor material in direct contact with the substrate and in thermal contact with 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 expose to a plasma.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: Keith Gaff, Neil Martin Paul Benjamin
  • Publication number: 20080317093
    Abstract: In a sensor arrangement for measuring the temperature of a surface with a temperature sensor provided on a circuit substrate, which is attached on a front side of a tongue-shaped projection of said circuit substrates and can be positioned in the direct proximity to said surface spaced apart from said circuit substrate, wherein a flexible heat conductive element surrounding said tongue-shaped projection in the region of said temperature sensor with a heat conductive cap or heat conductive foil is attached for the contacting of said surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2006
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Inventors: Gert Mau, Christoph Raab
  • Publication number: 20080304543
    Abstract: A temperature measuring apparatus includes a light source, a first splitter, a second splitter, a reference beam reflector, an optical path length adjuster, a reference beam transmitting member, a first to an nth measuring beam transmitting member and a photodetector. The temperature measuring apparatus further includes an attenuator that attenuates the reference beam reflected from the reference beam reflector to thereby make an intensity thereof closer to an intensity of the measurement beam reflected from the temperature measurement object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2008
    Publication date: December 11, 2008
    Applicant: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Jun Abe, Tatsuo Matsudo, Chishio Koshimizu
  • Patent number: 7445384
    Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus for measuring the temperature of a molten bath comprising a) a refractory mounting sleeve (1,1?) having an outer surface (2) for contacting the molten bath and an inner cavity (3), said inner cavity having an inner surface (4), an outer opening (6) and an inner closed end (5); and b) an optical pyrometer (7) attached to the mounting sleeve and adapted to measure the thermal radiation emitted by a measurement zone (10) located inside the inner cavity of the mounting sleeve and under the molten bath level. The inner cavity outer opening (6) is adapted to receive fixedly the optical pyrometer (7). The apparatus is characterized in that the mounting plate (8) is adapted to engage in a complementary recess located at the inner cavity outer opening (6) of the mounting sleeve (1,1?). Thereby, the accuracy and reproducibility of the measure is greatly increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignee: Vesuvius Crucible Company
    Inventors: Paul Van Der Maat, Eric Hanse
  • Patent number: 7425093
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for thermographically evaluating the bond integrity of a sputtering target assembly is described. The method includes applying a heating or cooling medium or energy to one surface of the assembly and acquiring a graphic recording of a corresponding temperature change on the opposing surface of the assembly using an imaging device. Also described is a method of mathematically analyzing the pixel data recorded in each frame to produce an integrated normalized temperature map that represents the bond integrity of the assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2008
    Assignee: Cabot Corporation
    Inventors: Charles E. Wickersham, Jr., Zhiguo Zhang, Larry Edwin Ellison, Mikhail Y. Kachalov, John D. White, III
  • Patent number: 7425896
    Abstract: A tag testing device uses an infrared camera to take an image of a plurality of radio frequency identification tags, compares the image with a stored standard tag pattern image storage, and detects defective tags based on the comparison. A radio wave transceiver bulk reads the tags using anti-collision, a tag response counter counts a number of tag responses, and a defective tag detector compares a number of heat emitting tags based upon the image processing with a number of tag responses counted by the tag response counter. If the number of heat emitting tags does not match a number of responsive tags, a number of the tags tested are changed by partially shielding the tags and the radio wave transceiver repeatedly bulk reads the tags using the anti-collision function while a shielding range is gradually changed, thereby narrowing down other possible defective but heat emitting tags.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2008
    Assignees: Fujitsu Limited, Fujitsu Frontech Limited
    Inventor: Hiroshi Kawamata
  • Patent number: 7422365
    Abstract: A thermal imaging system and method for quantitative thermal mapping of a scene. The system comprises a thermal imaging device, a heat source of known temperature and emissivity located within the scene viewed by the thermal imaging device and a processor adapted to generate a calibrated temperature map of the scene from the data supplied by the thermal imaging device, based on the known temperature of the heat source. This enables accurate temperature measurements to be made using inexpensive uncooled Focal Plane Array detectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2008
    Assignee: Land Instruments International Limited
    Inventors: Gary Roy Chamberlain, Andrew Mellor, Ian Hamilton Ridley
  • Patent number: 7419298
    Abstract: An inspection apparatus includes a light source positioned to direct light to a first surface of a workpiece. An infrared detector is positioned to receive radiation from the first surface. A data acquisition and processing computer is coupled to the light source and the infrared detector. The computer triggers the light source to emit the light a number of instances. The computer acquires thermal data from the infrared detector for a number of times after each of the instances. The computer is configured to process the data using a theoretical solution to analyze the thermal data based upon an average of the thermal data for a number of each of corresponding ones of the times from different ones of the instances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Zhong Ouyang, Kevin D. Smith
  • Publication number: 20080159353
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for determining the temperature of a surface coating of rotating blades mounted in a non-positive-displacement machine with a rotor shaft rotationally mounted in a housing, during which electromagnetic waves are emitted in a duct in an area of the rotating blades by at least one means for generating electromagnetic waves. The electromagnetic waves are reflected, at least in part, by at least one rotating blade. The reflected portions of the electromagnetic waves are received by at least one receiving means and the temperature of the surface coating of the rotating blades is determined from a distribution of intensity of the received electromagnetic waves. The invention also relates to a method for determining the temperature of a surface coating of guide vanes mounted in a rotationally fixed manner in a non-positive-displacement machine with a housing, and to a device for carrying out the method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2005
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Applicant: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Thomas Bosselmann, Klaus Huber, Francisco Javier Sevilla Perez, Michael Willsch
  • Patent number: 7390124
    Abstract: A device for measuring the temperature of a measured spot of a measured object without contacting the measured object is provided. The device includes a detector on which electromagnetic radiation emanating from the measured spot is projected by an optical imaging system. A sighting device for marking the position and/or the size of the measured spot includes at least two light sources. Each of the two light sources provides a respective sighting ray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: Optris GmbH
    Inventor: Ulrich Kienitz
  • Patent number: 7387436
    Abstract: A probe includes, a substantially L-shaped cylindrical probe body coupled through a cable to a measuring device and a temperature measuring section connected to the probe body. The temperature measuring section includes a flange portion connected to the probe body and an end portion extending from the flange portion and mounting a sensor mirror in the interior. The sensor mirror includes a cylindrical holder having a concave reflection surface in the interior, a coupling shaft extending from the cylindrical holder, a first sensor for measurement and a second sensor for correction supported in a front space of the cylindrical holder by lead wires, respectively, and a cover sheathing a front surface of the cylindrical holder. The respective lead wires supporting the first and second sensors pass the temperature measuring section and probe body and are electrically connected to the cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2008
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Bio Echo Net
    Inventor: Hideki Tanaka
  • Patent number: 7380982
    Abstract: A temperature sensing component enables accurate in situ temperature measurement. The temperature sensing component is disposed within the process chamber. The temperature sensing component has a cavity, in which a transparent cover is disposed over an opening of the cavity. A material is disposed within the cavity of the temperature sensing component, and a sensor is configured to sense a phase change of the material through the transparent cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventor: Shrikant Lohokare
  • Patent number: 7377688
    Abstract: An inventive method for determining the bulb temperature (T) of high pressure discharge lamps is disclosed that comprises the following steps: ascertaining a first spectral radiant power (MP) at a first wavelength (?P); ascertaining a second spectral radiant power (MC) at a second wavelength (?C) different from the first; determining the quotient (?) from the first and second radiant power; and determining the temperature (T) of the bulb on the basis of this quotient. It likewise discloses an apparatus for carrying out the inventive method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Assignee: Patent-Treuhand-Gesellschaft fĂŒr elektrische Gluhlampen mbH
    Inventor: Henning Rehn
  • Publication number: 20080101435
    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: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2006
    Publication date: May 1, 2008
    Inventors: Brian Lee Chandler, Frederick F. Kuhlman
  • Patent number: 7357570
    Abstract: A method and device for determining the temperature of a sample, wherein a probing light beam is directed onto the sample whereby at least two partial beams of the probing light pass through paths of different lengths inside the sample by backscattering or reflecting the beams from at least two different depths in the sample, returning the partial beams to an analysis unit, and producing an interference pattern in the analysis unit by means of an interferometric device which uses one light beam as a reference for evaluating the interference pattern in an evaluating unit, wherein the signal intensity of the partial beam is determined counter to the optical path and the temperature displacement and temperature of the sample are determined by the temperature adjustment of the signal intensity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: Medizinisches Laserzentrum Luebeck GmbH
    Inventor: Georg Schuele
  • Patent number: 7275864
    Abstract: An improved roadway temperature monitoring system is designed to be powered by solar energy for measuring and transmitting sensed roadway surface temperatures over a wireless link to remote workstations comprises a module housing fabricated from a light-transmissive, thermally conductive tough plastic for containing a solar cell array, a microprocessor, a spread spectrum RF transmitter, a plurality of temperature sensing elements and a battery supply therefor whose charge is maintained by the solar cell array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2007
    Inventor: Gregory E. Thompson
  • Patent number: 7275865
    Abstract: A temperature measuring apparatus measures the temperature of a wafer in real time using a change of magnetic field during a thermal process. The temperature measuring apparatus includes: at least one conductive structure disposed on one surface of the wafer, in which an electrical conductivity of the conductive structure varies depending on temperature; a magnetic field generator installed facing the conductive structure with respect to a center of the wafer; and a magnetic field measuring sensor installed above the conductive structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2007
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tae-gyu Kim, Seong-gu Kim
  • Patent number: 7255474
    Abstract: A library of material samples is provided in a condition suitable for imaging using infrared (IR) spectroscopy. The samples are provided to one or more detection cells, each of the cells including or containing a reflective surface. Preferably, for imaging, an energy source (e.g. a source of infrared radiation) provides energy to the detection cells to interact with the samples. Thereafter, images (e.g., spectra) related to the samples are created based upon the interaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: Symyx Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Peijun Cong, Shenheng Guan, Stephen Cypes, Jason Wells, H. Sam Bergh
  • Patent number: 7223014
    Abstract: A remotely programmable integrated sensor transmitter device for measuring and reporting a physical quantity of a given medium comprises a sensor for measuring a physical quantity of a medium and providing an electrical output as a function of the property measured, a scaler module for receiving the electrical output and for producing a scaled analog signal as a function of the physical quantity and a scale selection input, and a data interface for receiving programming data from an external computer and for providing the scale selection output to the scaler module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: Intempco Controls Ltd.
    Inventor: John Lojen
  • Patent number: 7192186
    Abstract: A multimeter with non-contact temperature measurement capability. The multimeter is contained in a housing, and has outputs relating to measured electrical parameters. There is also an output display contained in the housing, for displaying results to a user. A non-contact optically-based temperature sensing device is coupled to the housing, and has an output related to sensed temperature. Circuitry contained in the housing processes both the multimeter outputs and the temperature sensing device output, and transmits the processed output to the output display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: Extech Instruments Corporation
    Inventor: Gerald W. Blakeley, III
  • Patent number: 7189947
    Abstract: A control system for controlling an appliance at a predetermined temperature. The control system comprises a sensor capable of providing a temperature signal representative of a temperature in the appliance and a controller capable of receiving the temperature signal and determining an amount of time to apply power based on the temperature signal. The amount of time to apply power is a percentage of time to apply power of a predetermined time period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2007
    Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.
    Inventor: Steven J. Fulton
  • Patent number: 7182510
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for measuring and mapping thermal conductivity and thermal diffusivity at micrometer scale resolution. The apparatus and method utilize a mode-locked femtosecond pulsed laser in a pump-probe configuration to analyze time-domain thermoreflectance of a specimen to evaluate its thermal conductivity in micro-scale, so that, if desired, an image of thermal conductivity distribution of micro-scale regions may be obtained therefrom. A multi-layer, complete three-dimensional model that takes into account the entire three-dimensional heat flow in cylindrical coordinates enables micro-scale measurements to be made at an accuracy of about 90% of well-accepted values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Inventor: David Gerard Cahill
  • Patent number: 7163336
    Abstract: A handheld instrument that accomplishes infrared (IR) temperature measurement and non-contact electrical current measurement. The instrument has a case, a current-sensing device coupled to the case and operable to be placed around a conductor, for generating an output signal based on the current flowing through the conductor, and an IR detector carried by the case, for sensing IR energy emitted from a surface being measured along a sensing axis that extends from the case, and generating an IR output signal. Sensed IR energy is converted to a temperature value, and the output signal from the current-sensing device is converted to at least a measured current value. There is a display device in the case, for displaying instrument measurements to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Assignee: Extech Instruments Corporation
    Inventor: Gerald W Blakeley, III
  • Patent number: 7114846
    Abstract: A two-color radiation thermometer includes an image pickup device having micro photo receiving units arranged two-dimensionally; a light diverging device for diverging incident light coming from a measuring object into two paths and irradiating the light on two different areas on a two-dimensional light receiving surface of the image pickup device; a wavelength limitation device for limiting wavelengths of the light irradiated on the two different areas to first and second wavelengths, respectively; and a temperature calculation device. The calculation device receives image signals corresponding to the first and second wavelengths respectively from the micro photo receiving units located at the two different areas, and calculates the temperature of the measuring object based on the two image signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2006
    Assignee: Shimadzu Corporation
    Inventors: Hideki Tominaga, Kunihiko Ohkubo, Yasushi Kondo
  • Patent number: 7104683
    Abstract: The present invention provides a thermally compensated fluorescence decay rate temperature sensor capable of measuring the true temperature of a sample surface and its associated method of use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: University of South Florida
    Inventor: Nicholas Djeu
  • Patent number: 7097354
    Abstract: The present invention is related to a method of determining the temperature in a system, said system comprising a molecular heater fraction and a molecular thermometer fraction, and to an integrated system for temperature determination and temporally and spatially resolved thermal profile detection, and to uses of such system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignee: Sony Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Tzenka Miteva, Gabriele Nelles, Akio Yasuda, Stanislav Balouchev, John Lupton
  • Patent number: 7077565
    Abstract: Determining the temperature of the water by measuring the absorption coefficient of water (32). The method for determining temperature of a first substance comprising: acquiring a measurement of the absorption coefficient of the first substance at least one wavelength (30); and determining the temperature using the measurement of the absorption coefficient and known values of the absorption coefficient as a function of temperature at the at least one wavelength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Assignee: Glucon, Inc.
    Inventor: Benny Pesach
  • Patent number: 7059766
    Abstract: An optical method, and an optical device based on a laser source for implementing an optical method, for nonintrusively measuring the temperature of a flowing liquid by using the fluorescence induced by a laser beam in a measurement volume of the liquid, uses a single temperature-sensitive fluorescent tracer and at least two separate spectral detection windows on the tracer, after molecular dilution of the tracer in the liquid medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Assignee: Institut National Polytechnique de Lorraine (INPL)
    Inventors: Fabrice Lemoine, Pascal La Vieille
  • Patent number: 7056012
    Abstract: A multimeter with non-contact temperature measurement capability. The multimeter is contained in a housing, and has outputs relating to measured electrical parameters. There is also an output display contained in the housing, for displaying results to a user. A non-contact optically-based temperature sensing device is coupled to the housing, and has an output related to sensed temperature. Circuitry contained in the housing processes both the multimeter outputs and the temperature sensing device output, and transmits the processed output to the output display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: Extech Instruments Corporation
    Inventor: Gerald W. Blakeley, III
  • Patent number: 7052178
    Abstract: A method for determining temperature from a transponder utilizing a thermistor and a running counter comprises providing a running count which varies as a function of temperature; latching the count at predetermined time intervals; determining the difference between the values of successive latched counts; aggregating the differences; determining the total elapsed time between a first latched count and a last latched count; dividing the aggregate by the total time to obtain a frequency; and converting the frequency to a temperature based upon the temperature frequency characteristics of the thermistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: Bio Medic Data Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald J. Urbas, David Ellwood, Eric B. Weddington
  • Patent number: 7040806
    Abstract: A temperature detecting unit including a temperature detecting sensor, a window member, and a frame which holds the window member. The temperature detecting sensor receives infrared rays radiated by an object, thereby detecting the temperature of the object without contact with the object. The window member is arranged between the object and the temperature detecting sensor, and transmits the infrared rays. The window member includes a surface with a fluorination organic compound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chuji Ishikawa, Hidenori Itoh
  • Patent number: 7036980
    Abstract: A pattern forming apparatus includes a drawing chamber having a drawing substrate on which an original pattern is drawn, a first temperature control unit having a first temperature regulator to make the temperature of the drawing chamber constant, and a constant-temperature member arranged near the drawing substrate. The pattern forming apparatus further includes a second temperature control unit having a second temperature regulator. The second temperature control unit is configured to control the set temperature of the constant-temperature member independently such that the temperature of the drawing substrate becomes substantially constant when the original pattern is drawn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Machine Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ryoichi Hirano, Satoshi Imura, Noriaki Nakayamada
  • Patent number: 7029172
    Abstract: Apparatus for determining the temperature profile of the surface being sprayed or otherwise treated, the apparatus comprising four electric arc spray guns (1) spraying molten steel. The guns (1) are connected to a six-axis industrial robot (2) which is adapted to move them over the surface of the ceramic substrate (3). The metal deposited by the spray builds up a metal shell referred to as the sprayform. The temperature profile of the sprayform surface (3) is recorded periodically by a thermal imaging camera (4) positioned directly above the surface (3). The apparatus includes a pruning filter for receiving each pixel of an image captured by the camera (4) and for applying at least a lower temperature limit to it so as to reject or disregard any pixels determined to have a temperature less than the lower temperature limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: Isis Innovation Limited
    Inventors: Paul Jones, Stephen Richard Duncan, Ronald Daniel
  • Patent number: 7025501
    Abstract: A method for tracking change in Temperature of Uniaxial or Biaxial Anisotropic Samples utilizing polarized electromagnetic radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: J. A. Woollam Co., INC
    Inventors: Blaine D. Johs, Miroslav Micovic
  • Patent number: 6970100
    Abstract: A temperature tag and system for sensing and reporting an internal temperature reading inside a container. The temperature tag mounts on an outside surface of the container, and a shaft with a temperature sensor extends through the side of the container and senses the internal temperature reading. A plurality of readings may be recorded at a predefined sampling rate and stored in a data memory. The temperature tag then sends the temperature readings to a reader device that presents the temperature readings to a user. The reader device may trigger the temperature tag to send the temperature readings with a signal such as an infrared (IR) signal, a radio frequency (RF) signal, and the like. The temperature readings may be analyzed in the temperature tag, the reader device, or may be downloaded to a computer to determine if an alarm condition exists.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2005
    Assignee: Long Range Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Lovegreen, James Livingston, Russell P. Blink
  • Patent number: 6921197
    Abstract: A vehicle tire is provided that contains at least one temperature sensor embedded in the tire in a critical location, and a transmission unit for transferring the output signal of the temperature sensor to a location externally of the vehicle tire. A method is also provided for precisely measuring the temperature of a vehicle tire with such a temperature sensor. A method is also provided for monitoring the operation of the vehicle tire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2005
    Inventors: Thomas Aubel, Markus BerkmĂŒller, Reinhard Möbius, Bernhard Schick, Thomas Ziegler
  • Patent number: 6851848
    Abstract: A turbo-molecular pump has components including a stator column, a rotary shaft, and a blade connected to the rotary shaft for rotation therewith. A radiation temperature measuring apparatus has a radiation thermometer for measuring a temperature of a preselected one of the components of the turbo-molecular pump disposed within a view angle range of the radiation thermometer and in accordance with heat energy radiated from the preselected component. A hood is connected to the radiation thermometer so as to not interfere with the view angle range of the radiation thermometer and is configured to block heat energy radiated from components of the turbo-molecular pump disposed outside of the view angle range of the radiation thermometer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2005
    Assignee: BOC Edwards Technologies Limited
    Inventors: Tooru Miwata, Manabu Nonaka, Takashi Kabasawa
  • Patent number: 6840669
    Abstract: Optical methods and devices for measuring temperature and a second physical parameter, using a single photoluminescent probe material comprised of a single luminophor, and methods and devices for determining temperature-corrected values of said second physical parameter, which can be an oxygen or air pressure or a parameter chosen from the group comprising an electrical current, a magnetic field and an electrical field or voltage. The luminophor is excited sequentially by a first excitation light of chosen first wavelengths and intensity P1 which generates a first luminescence light of intensity I1, and a second excitation light of chosen second wavelengths and intensity P2 which generates a second luminescence light of intensity I2. The ratio (I2.P1/I1.P2) varies substantially in a known manner with varying temperature, substantially independent of the magnitude of said second physical parameter, thus providing a temperature correction factor to the measurement of said second physical parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2005
    Inventor: Marcos Y. Kleinerman
  • Patent number: 6839507
    Abstract: In a system for thermal processing of a semiconductor substrate, an RTP system employs a reflector plate which is highly reflective of radiation in a target wavelength range, and less reflective of radiation outside that target wavelength range. In one embodiment, the reflector plate has a highly reflective portion overlying a less reflective portion, wherein the highly reflective portion is highly reflective of radiation in the target wavelength range. As radiation emitted by the substrate is received on the reflector, the radiation in the target wavelength range is reflected, thereby facilitating measurement of the substrate temperature by the pyrometer(s), while radiation outside the target wavelength range is absorbed, thereby facilitating cooling of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2005
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce Adams, Aaron Hunter
  • Publication number: 20040264542
    Abstract: A radiometer includes an integrally mounted digital camera aligned to image the energy zone of the radiometer. When digital photographs are taken they are time stamped and stored in memory. The images may be viewed on a viewer integrated into the radiometer digital camera system or downloaded to a computer for formatting or viewing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2003
    Publication date: December 30, 2004
    Applicant: RAYTEK, INC.
    Inventor: Ulrich Kienitz
  • Patent number: 6834991
    Abstract: Apparatus and a method for radiometric temperature measurement comprises a radiometer receiver coupled to an antenna/calibration switch that has coupled thereto a brightness temperature signal. A driver coupled to the antenna/calibration switch controls the operation of the switch between an antenna mode and a calibration mode. An adjustable cold/warm noise source is coupled to the antenna/calibration switch to provide a calibration radiation temperature applied through the antenna/calibration switch in the calibration mode to the radiometer receiver. An output of the radiometer receiver is coupled to the adjustable cold/warm noise source and is adjusted in accordance with the output of the radiometer receiver for a null comparison measurement. Also coupled between the output of the radiometer receiver and the antenna/calibration switch is a mode selector switch that operates to a mode one position to couple the output of the radiometer receiver to the adjustable cold/warm noise source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2004
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventor: Robert S. Roeder
  • Patent number: 6830373
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a temperature measurement device, particularly to a temperature measurement device for the cold junction of a non-contact temperature measurement element, characterized in that a plurality of electrical-conductive pins is provided on the bottom surface of a base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: Opto Tech Corporation
    Inventors: Hung-Te Lin, Chung-Nan Chen, Chih-Hsiung Shen
  • Publication number: 20040247015
    Abstract: A beverage and food temperature and notification device automatically signals, through a combination of audible and visible indicators, whether the contents of a baby beverage or food container have attained, during the process of being heated, a temperature within a predetermined range suitable for serving the beverage or food to a baby. The temperature notification device includes a probe having a temperature responsive end for continuously monitoring the temperature of the beverage or food throughout heating process. The probe is disposed for sliding in a support member, whereby the support member rests upon an upper, open end of the beverage or food container, thereby allowing the longitudinal axis of the probe to be maintained substantially coincident with the longitudinal axis of the beverage or food container, and further allowing the temperature responsive end of the probe to be adjusted to various locations in the container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2004
    Publication date: December 9, 2004
    Inventors: Scott A. Wojan, Laurie E. Wojan
  • Publication number: 20040240515
    Abstract: The invention is a new intelligent means of condensation detection on a condensation surface (3). An imaging system (1) and imaging analysis system will replace the current optical system consisting of a transmitter and a detector. The image system is mounted in the sensor sample cavity (21) such that it can view the condensation surface. The imaging system establishes a base image from the condensation surface that has been heated above the surrounding dew point as to ensure that there is no condensation present on the condensation surface. As the condensation surface begins to cool, the software interrogates the images of it and detects the presence of condensation as a change from the reference image. Data produced by the imaging system would be used in a real time control loop to seek out the dew point and reach steady state conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2004
    Publication date: December 2, 2004
    Inventors: David Egan, Jeffrey Hawkins, Napoleon Baeuvais
  • Patent number: 6817756
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an arrangement for measuring the ambient temperature in barely accessible or hazardous locations, in particular in the proximity of textile, paper or similar webs or other work pieces or materials being conveyed, of which at least one property is determined by means of a methodical system, which requires at least the direct ambient temperature as a comparative or reference value. According to the invention, a pyrometric radiation meter known per se is used. A thermal radiator in thermal balance with the environment is positioned directly proximate to the material web. Detection of the heat radiation spectrum and hence an indirect determination of the ambient temperature is carried out by means of the pyrometer via said thermal radiator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2004
    Assignee: Mahlo GmbH & Co.KG
    Inventors: Klaus Raum, Hans Fella
  • Patent number: 6817757
    Abstract: A system and method of monitoring food information in a food service facility. Each of a plurality of remote sensor units may be installed at a food receptacle. Each remote sensor unit gathers temperature or other food data from at least two sources, which may be built-in or auxiliary temperature sensors, intelligent food receptacles, or other external food data sources. The collected data may be transmitted, witlessly or not, to a central computer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2004
    Assignee: A la Cart, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas E. Wallace
  • Publication number: 20040218658
    Abstract: A blue tooth body temperature monitoring facility includes a detecting device for attaching to a person required to be served, and for detecting body temperature or voice of the person, and includes a monitoring device to communicate with the detecting device with antennas, and to receive the information of the person. The care people may thus watch and monitor the status of the person at any time, or may receive emergency signals from the person, in order to make service to the person easily and quickly. The detecting device may also detect or monitor the communication status between the monitoring device and the detecting device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2003
    Publication date: November 4, 2004
    Inventor: Acer Ye
  • Publication number: 20040208223
    Abstract: A two-color radiation thermometer includes an image pickup device having micro photo receiving units arranged two-dimensionally; a light diverging device for diverging incident light coming from a measuring object into two paths and irradiating the light on two different areas on a two-dimensional light receiving surface of the image pickup device; a wavelength limitation device for limiting wavelengths of the light irradiated on the two different areas to first and second wavelengths, respectively; and a temperature calculation device. The calculation device receives image signals corresponding to the first and second wavelengths respectively from the micro photo receiving units located at the two different areas, and calculates the temperature of the measuring object based on the two image signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2004
    Publication date: October 21, 2004
    Applicant: SHIMADZU CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hideki Tominaga, Kunihiko Ohkubo, Yasushi Kondo