By Thermally Emitted Radiation Patents (Class 374/121)
  • Patent number: 11906363
    Abstract: An infrared sensor includes: a base substrate; a bolometer infrared receiver; a first beam; and a second beam. Each of the first and second beams has a connection portion connected to the base substrate and/or a member on the base substrate and a separated portion away from the base substrate, and is physically joined to the infrared receiver at the separated portion. The infrared receiver is supported by the first and second beams to be away from the base substrate. The infrared receiver includes a resistance change portion including a resistance change material the electrical resistance of which changes with temperature. The resistance change portion includes an amorphous semiconductor, and the first and second beams include a crystalline semiconductor made of the same base material as the resistance change material, and is electrically connected to the resistance change portion at the separated portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kouhei Takahashi, Naoki Tambo, Kunihiko Nakamura, Masaki Fujikane, Yasuyuki Naito
  • Patent number: 11783564
    Abstract: A system for measuring temperature of one or more subjects within a scene including a reference object having an unknown emissivity, having an ambient temperature, the system comprising: a visible spectrum camera capable of acquiring images of the scene comprising (a) at least a Region of Interest (RoI) of each of the subjects, and (b) the reference object; a thermal image sensor capable of acquiring images of the scene comprising (a) at least the RoI of each of the subjects, and (b) the reference object; and a processing circuitry configured to: obtain (a) a visible spectrum image captured by the visible spectrum camera, and (b) a thermal image captured by the thermal image sensor, and (c) an indication of a scene ambient temperature within the scene; register the visible spectrum image and the thermal image onto a common coordinate system; identify (a) RoI pixels, on the common coordinate system, of the RoIs of the subjects within the visible spectrum image, (b) reference object pixels, on the common coordi
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: Elbit Systems C4I and Cyber Ltd.
    Inventors: Ilya Leizerson, Reuven Dahan, Yaron Mayerowicz, Aviv Elisha
  • Patent number: 11747370
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the technical field of current sensors, and provides a fiber-optic current transformer based on nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers in diamond, and a measurement method. The fiber-optic current transformer based on NV centers in diamond includes a device for laser light excitation and reflected light reception and analysis, a diamond NV center probe, a magnetic concentrator, and a microwave excitation device. The fiber-optic current transformer based on NV centers in diamond includes three measurement methods: an all-optical measurement method, a non-all-optical measurement method, and a measurement method combining the all-optical measurement method and the non-all-optical measurement method. A sensor in the present disclosure has advantages of a simple structure, strong practicability, resistance to external interference, and strong robustness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: ANHUI GUOSHENG QUANTUM TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Bowen Zhao, Shaochun Zhang
  • Patent number: 11625828
    Abstract: Systems and methods based on thermal imaging for rapid detection of fever conditions in humans that provide for extremely inexpensive, mass producible, field deployable devices accurate in specific, relatively low temperature ranges, and in particular temperatures near nominal human body temperature. The system may include a thermal imager tailored for the application and a corresponding mass producible controlled temperature calibration source configured to provide real time calibration near the human body temperature of interest. The imager and source are deployed in a way such that target people and the calibration source will be within the imager FOV for fever detection. The combination of real time near measurement temperature calibration, with suitable thermography approaches, yield fast, accurate measurements in the fever range using low cost, easy-to-produce components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: Seek Thermal, Inc.
    Inventors: William J. Parrish, Jacob Collins, Ross E. Williams
  • Patent number: 11603720
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method for running a drilling rig or a workover rig including a plurality of stands into a wellbore. In step 1, position information of the stands in a finger board area may be recorded with a control system. In step 2, the stands may be placed. In step 3, a position of a traveling block may be adjusted so as to move a power elevator to a second waiting position of a racking platform. In step 4, the stands may be pushed with the pipe racking device. In step 5, the second stand may be moved and stabbed in the first stand with an iron floor man. In step 6, a joint between the first stand and the second stand may be made up. In step 7, the traveling block may be moved downward. In step 8, the traveling block may be moved upward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: SICHUAN HONGHUA PETROLEUM EQUIPMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Junqing Chai, Yan Lyu, Liangliang Liang, Aimin Tang, Zhenghua Wu
  • Patent number: 11596358
    Abstract: The physical and physiological events at one end of an Abreu Brain Thermal Tunnel (ABTT) are reproduced at the opposite end. Thus, the ABTT enables the direct transfer of outputs from a brain core to an ABTT terminus without significant barriers. Accordingly, apparatuses, systems, devices, mechanisms, and methods use the ABTT terminus and the ABTT to measure the temperature of the brain core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: Brain Tunnelgenix Technologies Corp.
    Inventor: Marcio Marc Abreu
  • Patent number: 11499871
    Abstract: A detector of electromagnetic radiation (RL) is described. The detector comprises: an oriented polycrystalline layer (2) of thermoelectric material, a substrate (1) superimposed on the top surface of the oriented polycrystalline layer so that the back surface (10) is in contact with the oriented polycrystalline layer, first and second electrodes spaced the one from the other and in electrical contact with the oriented polycrystalline layer. The substrate comprises at least one ceramic layer and the oriented polycrystalline layer has a crystal orientation at an angle comprised between 30 degrees and 55 degrees relative to a normal to the top surface of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: LASER POINT S.R.L.
    Inventors: Davide Scorticati, Sergio Pellegrino, Giacomo Crapella
  • Patent number: 11428832
    Abstract: Systems and methods for calibrating multiple electronic devices are described herein. Such methods may include obtaining, by a processor, data from a plurality of reference electronic devices, analyzing, by a processor, the data and calibrating, by the processor, the electronic device based on the analyzed data obtained from the plurality of reference electronic devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: IMAGE INSIGHT, INC.
    Inventors: Gordon A. Drukier, Eric P. Rubenstein, Yonatan B. Rubenstein, Joshua C. Kessler, Peter R. Solomon, Marek A. Wojtowicz
  • Patent number: 11378459
    Abstract: The present disclosure discloses an infrared sensor structure, comprises a cantilever switch array, the cantilever switch array comprises cantilever switches, and each cantilever switch comprises a cantilever beam and a switch corresponding to the cantilever beam, vertical heights from the cantilever beams to the switches in different cantilever switches are different from each other, when the cantilever beams are deformed towards the switches and connect to the switches, the switches turn on; wherein, deformations of different cantilever beams produced by absorbing infrared signal are different from each other, the intensity of the infrared signal can be quantified by number of the switches on, so as to realize detection of the infrared signal. The manufacturing of the infrared sensor structure in the present disclosure can be compatible with the existing semiconductor CMOS process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: SHANGHAI IC R&D CENTER CO., LTD
    Inventor: Xiaoxu Kang
  • Patent number: 11342209
    Abstract: An apparatus for measuring a temperature of an assembly that is internal to a process chamber. The apparatus may include a light pipe positioned between a lamp radiation filtering window and the assembly, the light pipe has a first end with a bevel configured to redirect infrared radiation emitted from the assembly through the light pipe and has a second end distal to the first end, an optical assembly configured to collimate, filter, and focus infrared radiation from the second end of the light pipe, an optical detector configured to receive an output from the optical assembly and generate at least one signal representative of the infrared radiation, a temperature circuit that transforms the at least one signal into a temperature value, and a controller that is configured to receive the temperature value and to make adjustments to other process parameters of process chamber based on the temperature value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Ji-Dih Hu, Wolfgang R. Aderhold, Dongming Iu
  • Patent number: 11324407
    Abstract: Wearable apparatus for monitoring various physiological and environmental factors are provided. Real-time, noninvasive health and environmental monitors include a plurality of compact sensors integrated within small, low-profile devices, such as earpiece modules. Physiological and environmental data is collected and wirelessly transmitted into a wireless network, where the data is stored and/or processed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: Valencell, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Francis LeBoeuf, Jesse Berkley Tucker, Michael Edward Aumer
  • Patent number: 11272848
    Abstract: Wearable apparatus for monitoring various physiological and environmental factors are provided. Real-time, noninvasive health and environmental monitors include a plurality of compact sensors integrated within small, low-profile devices, such as earpiece modules. Physiological and environmental data is collected and wirelessly transmitted into a wireless network, where the data is stored and/or processed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: Valencell, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Francis LeBoeuf, Jesse Berkley Tucker, Michael Edward Aumer
  • Patent number: 11258447
    Abstract: A circuit for sensing local operating properties of an integrated circuit is disclosed. The circuit may include one or more sensor circuits configured to sense the local operating properties of the integrated circuit. The sensor circuits may receive a supply voltage with a magnitude in a limited range from a digital power supply that is different from the digital power supply that provides power to functional circuits in the integrated circuit. Level shifters may be coupled to the sensor circuits to shift output signals from the sensor circuits to levels that correspond to the digital power supply that provides power to functional circuits in the integrated circuit. Counters and a shift register may be coupled to the level shifters to receive the shifted output signals, the values of which may be used to determine the local operating properties of the integrated circuit as sensed by the sensor circuits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Ramy A. Ahmed, Bruno W. Garlepp, Jafar Savoj
  • Patent number: 11170894
    Abstract: The Access and Temperature Monitoring system (ATMs) checks the identity and health of persons seeking access to a facility, building, event, airport border, or controlled area. It quickly checks the person's identity by recognizing the person, for example, by facial recognition, or by reading a unique token the person has, such as a smart card. If the person seeking access is recognized, the system quickly checks the health of the person. For example, a contactless measuring of core temperature is taken and is then compared to an on-file core temperature of the individual to see if it is elevated. If elevated, a secondary check is made by a precision medical instrument and compared to the precision data on file. Networking ATMs together to an Access Control Center will further assist in identifying virus outbreaks and reduce response time to assist in saving lives.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Inventors: Robert William Kocher, Douglas Earl Dyer, Loran Dean Ambs, John Shelly Bowling, II
  • Patent number: 11156504
    Abstract: A method of measuring a temperature of a part during an assembly process comprises reading the temperature via a reference block that is independently exposed to a same heat source as the part to be monitored.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.
    Inventors: Pierre-Luc Lachance, Parham Zabeti, Joao Desouza
  • Patent number: 11022496
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an infrared thermometer (1) able to project the detected temperature directly on the surface (6a) of the body (2) to be measured. The determination of the ideal distance of the thermometer from the body, necessary for the correct detection of the temperature thereof, being visually identifiable by means of the relative position of luminous shapes (8a, 8b) projected on the body to be measured (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: TECNIMED S.R.L.
    Inventor: Francesco Bellifemine
  • Patent number: 10955295
    Abstract: Devices and corresponding methods can be provided to monitor or measure temperature of a target or to control a process. Targets can have low, unknown, or variable emissivity. Devices and corresponding methods can be used to measure temperatures of thin film, partially transparent, or opaque targets, as well as targets not filling a sensor's field of view. Temperature measurements can be made independent of emissivity of a target surface by, for example, inserting a target between a thermopile sensor and a background surface maintained at substantially the same temperature as the thermopile sensor. In embodiment devices and methods, a sensor temperature can be controlled to match a target temperature by minimizing or zeroing a net heat flux at the sensor, as derived from a sensor output signal. Alternatively, a target temperature can be controlled to minimize the heat flux.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: EXERGEN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jason N. Jarboe, Francesco Pompei
  • Patent number: 10945611
    Abstract: A thermometer includes a probe to be fitted into an ear of a patient, the probe having an infrared sensor for measuring the temperature of an eardrum of the ear of the patient in a non-contact manner, a signal cable connected to the infrared sensor and drawn out of the probe, a gripping part provided in the probe to be gripped when the probe is inserted inside a tragus of the ear, and a groove portion provided in the gripping part to hold the signal cable in a curved state and to allow a curved portion of the signal cable to fit in and along a cavum conchae of the ear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: BIO ECHO NET INC.
    Inventor: Hideki Tanaka
  • Patent number: 10894460
    Abstract: An occupant detection system may detect a state of an occupant in a vehicle compartment. The occupant detection system may photograph the vehicle compartment and generate an image. The occupant detection system may change an attitude in order to change a position of an imaging region within the vehicle compartment. The occupant detection system may estimate the attitude based on information included in the image and control an operation based on the estimated attitude. The sensor may be provided by an infrared temperature sensor. The image may be provided by a thermal image showing a temperature distribution of the vehicle compartment. The occupant detection system may store a correspondence relationship between a position of a specific temperature boundary included in the thermal image and the attitude. The occupant detection system may estimate the attitude based on the correspondence relationship.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2021
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takuma Yamauchi, Eitaro Tanaka, Haruhiko Watanabe, Fuminobu Watanabe, Goro Ueda, Akira Oga, Hiroshi Takeda, Kazuya Taniguchi, Tatsumi Kumada, Kazuaki Takemoto, Takashi Sato
  • Patent number: 10848650
    Abstract: Sensor housings, modules, and luminaires comprising the same are provided. The sensor housings and modules set forth herein have improved heat sinking abilities for dissipating heat from a sensor while simultaneously facilitating thermal isolation of the sensor. Briefly, a sensor housing described herein comprises a cavity for housing a sensor and a heat sink. The heat sink is configured to dissipate heat from the sensor housing and thermally isolate the sensor housing from other heat generating components, such as other portions of a luminaire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: IDEAL Industries Lighting, LLC
    Inventors: Mark Youmans, Hormoz Benjamin, Theodore Lowes
  • Patent number: 10831177
    Abstract: An automated welding system includes a mounting platform configured to receive an object, a welding tool, an imaging device configured to acquire at least one image associated with the object, and a controller. The controller is configured to receive the at least one acquired image, analyze at least one pixel in the at least one acquired image, identify, based upon the analyzing, an area to be welded in the at least one acquired image, wherein the area to be welded includes a defect, and generate, based upon the identifying, control instructions for controlling at least one of the mounting platform and the welding tool to weld the area to be welded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Richard Roy Worthing, Jr., Mark Dean Pezzutti, Lyle Timothy Rasch
  • Patent number: 10816407
    Abstract: The present invention separates radiation from an object by a polarization filter 3 into polarized light beams, causes one of the beams to enter a spectrum analyzer 7 through a first optical path, causes the other to enter the spectrum analyzer 7 through a second optical path, and measures the two-color ratio, while causes radiation of a blackbody 2 placed in a vacuum ultralow temperature thermostatic chamber 1 in a quasi-thermal equilibrium state at an ultralow temperature in vacuo to enter the polarization filter 3 through a third optical path, separates the radiation into polarized light beams, causes the beams to each enter the same optical paths as the respective optical paths for the radiation of the object, causes the beams to enter the spectrum analyzer 7, measures the two-color ratio, and accurately obtains the temperature of the object on the basis of these two two-color ratios.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: INTER-UNIVERSITY RESEARCH INSTITUTE CORPORATIONHIG
    Inventors: Osamu Tajima, Taketo Nagasaki
  • Patent number: 10809138
    Abstract: A fiber-optic thermometer probe has an optical fiber with a sensing portion, namely a region of reduced cladding thickness coated with a temperature-dependent refractive index material to provide variations in propagated light power upon changes in temperature in a vicinity of the sensing portion. A reflective interface optically coupled to a core of the optical fiber reflects light propagated therein. The sensing portion can be the tip and prepared by etching using a dipping process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: UNIVERSITÉ LAVAL
    Inventor: Tigran Galstian
  • Patent number: 10753883
    Abstract: A method and/or system is provided for detecting inclusions (e.g., nickel sulfide based inclusions/defects) in soda-lime-silica based glass, such as float glass. In certain example instances, during and/or after the glass-making process, following the stage in the float process where the glass sheet is formed and floated on a molten material (e.g., tin bath) and cooled or allowed to cool such as via an annealing lehr, visible light from an intense visible light source(s) is directed at the resulting glass and thermal imaging is used to detect inclusions based on a temperature difference between the inclusions and surrounding float glass. In another example embodiment, inclusion detection may be performed without exposure of the glass to light from a light source(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Inventors: Alexey Krasnov, Xuequn Hu, Robert Broadwater, Greg Gaudet
  • Patent number: 10746763
    Abstract: Disclosed are an apparatus and method for diagnosing electric power equipment. The apparatus includes a measuring unit including a pan/tilt module mounted on the top of a vehicle and an imaging module mounted on an upper portion of the pan/tilt module, a determination unit for determining whether electric power equipment is detected by the measuring unit, a controller for performing control to capture a thermal image of the electric power equipment using the measuring unit, and a processing unit for dividing the thermal image into an analysis target equipment region, a non-interest equipment region, and a background noise region through pattern analysis of the thermal image and diagnosing the electric power equipment as being normal or as being abnormal on the basis of temperature information included in the analysis target equipment region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: Korea Electric Power Corporation
    Inventors: Kwang-Heung Jang, Kang-Se Lee, Byoun-Hun Jung, Doc-Jun Byun, Min-Hee Choi, Yong-Woo Park
  • Patent number: 10697317
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine having an optical imaging system with a housing configured for mounting to a wall of the turbine engine, a hollow probe extending from the housing and having a longitudinal axis, and an image receiving device at an end of the hollow probe configured to receive at least one of a perspective or image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Jeremy Clyde Bailey, Nirm Velumylum Nirmalan, Mohamed Sakami, Christopher Dale Mathias, Guanghua Wang, Ronald W. Ferree, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10687729
    Abstract: There is provided a measurement apparatus for estimating a value of a physiological characteristic of a subject. The apparatus comprises a radio-frequency (RF) power generating apparatus, a detector, and a controller in communication with the RF power generating apparatus. The RF power generating apparatus comprises a transmit antenna for emitting RF radiation; an RF signal generator; and a transmission line connecting the RF signal generator to the transmit antenna. The detector is arranged to measure the variation of at least one parameter correlated with attenuation of the emitted RF radiation, during the measurement period. The controller is arranged to: cause the RF power generating apparatus to emit RF radiation during a measurement period; receive measurements of the variation of the at least one parameter from the detector; and calculate a value of a physiological characteristic of a subject based on the received measurements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Josephus Arnoldus Henricus Maria Kahlman, Rick Bezemer
  • Patent number: 10660527
    Abstract: A blood vessel imaging temperature measurement method is provided. The method comprises the steps of finding blood vessels, displaying a measurement position, and aligning for temperature measurement to achieve visual and precision temperature measurement. The temperature measurement is quite visual, instead of the traditional technology that uses a blind measurement method corresponding to a position to be measured, thereby solving the problem that the temperature measurement is not accurate enough in the traditional technology.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignees: HETAIDA TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD., HUNAN INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Yaonan Tong, Zhenguang Chen, Song Chen, Zhaoming Luo, Feng Zhou, Xuanbing Yang
  • Patent number: 10648933
    Abstract: A light-trapping geometry enhances the sensitivity of strain, temperature, and/or electromagnetic field measurements using nitrogen vacancies in bulk diamond, which have exterior dimensions on the order of millimeters. In an example light-trapping geometry, a laser beam enters the bulk diamond, which may be at room temperature, through a facet or notch. The beam propagates along a path inside the bulk diamond that includes many total internal reflections off the diamond's surfaces. The NVs inside the bulk diamonds absorb the beam as it propagates. Photodetectors measure the transmitted beam or fluorescence emitted by the NVs. The resulting transmission or emission spectrum represents the NVs' quantum mechanical states, which in turn vary with temperature, magnetic field strength, electric field strength, strain/pressure, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Hannah A. Clevenson, Dirk Robert Englund
  • Patent number: 10570010
    Abstract: The various technologies presented herein relate to formation of carbon micromechanical systems (CMEMS), wherein the CMEMS comprise multiple layers of carbon structures and are formed using a plurality of photoresist precursors that are processed to form carbon. The various embodiments can be utilized in producing a plurality of CMEMS with full production level fabrication, e.g., 6 inch wafers can be processed. A pyrolyzed layer of carbon is lithographically defined after pyrolysis, wherein the post-pyrolysis etch process can produce carbon structures having repeatable and accurate device geometries, with straight sidewalls. A sacrificial layer can be applied to facilitate separation of a first carbon layer from a second carbon layer, wherein, upon pyrolysis to form the second carbon layer and lithography thereof, the sacrificial layer is removed to form a CMEMS comprising a first carbon layer (e.g., comprising bottom contacts) located beneath a second carbon layer (e.g., a mechanical layer).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: National Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC
    Inventors: Patrick Sean Finnegan, Cody M. Washburn, David Bruce Burckel, David R. Wheeler, Timothy N. Lambert, Lee Taylor Massey, Jennifer Marie Strong, Christopher Dyck
  • Patent number: 10529416
    Abstract: Devices and methods for the detection of magnetic fields, strain, and temperature using the spin states of a VSi monovacancy defect in silicon carbide, as well as quantum memory devices and methods for creation of quantum memory using the spin states of a VSi monovacancy defect in silicon carbide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: The Government of the United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Oney Soykal, Thomas L. Reinecke, Samuel G. Carter
  • Patent number: 10443146
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for determining whether a substrate includes an unacceptably high amount of oxide on its surface are described. The substrate is typically a substrate that is to be electroplated. The determination may be made directly in an electroplating apparatus, during an initial portion of an electroplating process. The determination may involve immersing the substrate in electrolyte with a particular applied voltage or applied current provided during or soon after immersion, and recording a current response or voltage response over this same timeframe. The applied current or applied voltage may be zero or non-zero. By comparing the current response or voltage response to a threshold current, threshold voltage, or threshold time, it can be determined whether the substrate included an unacceptably high amount of oxide on its surface. The threshold current, threshold voltage, and/or threshold time may be selected based on a calibration procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: Ludan Huang, Lee J. Brogan, Tighe A. Spurlin, Shantinath Ghongadi, Jonathan David Reid, Manish Ranjan, Bryan Pennington, Clifford Raymond Berry
  • Patent number: 10317311
    Abstract: A gas detecting apparatus and a method for detecting gas leaks are disclosed. The gas detecting apparatus includes an infrared (IR) detector configured to monitor a presence of one or more gases in a field-of-interest (FOI), wherein the IR detector generates IR light distribution information within the FOI to be analyzed to identify the presence of one or more gases for a gas leak detection; and a visible light projector configured to project a visible frame image that frames an outer edge of the FOI during the gas leak detection. The method for detecting gas leaks includes generating an infrared (IR) light distribution information within a field-of-interest (FOI) to be analyzed to identify the presence of one or more gases for a gas leak detection; and projecting with a visible light a visible frame image that frames an outer edge of the FOI during the gas leak detection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Laboratory U.S.A., Inc.
    Inventor: John Armando Miranda
  • Patent number: 10309830
    Abstract: Methods are proposed for compensation of distortion in fiber Fabry-Perot interferometric (FFPI) sensors induced by dynamic wavelength dependent attenuation in subsurface wells. The methods involve measurement techniques that correct the reflective spectrum from one or more FFPI sensors utilizing a background low frequency spectrum for normalization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Mikko Jaaskelainen, Yunmiao Wang
  • Patent number: 10309670
    Abstract: A radiation receiving sensor includes an infrared receiver including a plurality of infrared receiving devices that receive infrared radiation, a lens that allows infrared radiation to enter the infrared receiver, a rotator that rotates the infrared receiver and the lens about a part of the lens, and a cover member that faces the infrared receiver through the lens and that has translucency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Koichi Kusukame, Nawatt Silawan, Shinichi Shikii, Aki Yoneda, Kazuki Funase, Takahiro Fukunishi, Toshimitsu Koda, Norimasa Ishikawa, Hiroshi Yamanaka, Takanori Sugiyama
  • Patent number: 10203252
    Abstract: A MEMS apparatus having measuring range selector including a sensor and an IC chip is provided. The sensor includes a sensing device. The IC chip includes a voltage range selector, an analog front end, a control device and an A/D converter. The sensing device is configured to detect the physical quantity and generate a sensing voltage. The voltage range selector is configured to select a sub-voltage range having a first upper-bound and a first lower-bound. The analog front end is configured to receive the sensing voltage and output a first voltage. The A/D converter has a full scale voltage range having a second lower-bound and a second upper-bound. A ratio of the full scale voltage range to the sub-voltage range is defined as a gain factor. A difference obtained by subtracting the first lower-bound from the first voltage is defined as a shift factor. The control device is configured to adjust the first voltage to the second voltage according to the gain factor and the shift factor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Yu-Wen Hsu, Feng-Chia Hsu, Chao-Ta Huang, Shih-Ting Lin
  • Patent number: 10197449
    Abstract: A device for reading and transmitting measured temperature values for a device for monitoring a fluid flowing inside a pipe is disclosed. The device may include a temperature sensor configured to provide temperature values in accordance with time and a processing module, as well as a transmitter connected to the temperature sensor and configured to transmit signals that represent said temperature values, and a receiver configured to receive said signals. The temperature sensor may be mounted in a position that is close to the pipe. In addition, the processing module may be configured to assess a temperature variation speed, and of producing a signal to alert of the transformation of the fluid to the solid phase, when the temperature variation speed decreases over a given time interval.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: SUEZ Groupe
    Inventor: Jean Rene Herbron
  • Patent number: 10107731
    Abstract: A method of operating a material testing apparatus comprises conducting a test by applying a fluctuating load to a material specimen at a variable test frequency, measuring the temperature of the specimen during application of the load, and varying the test frequency on the basis of the measured temperature whereby to prevent the specimen from exceeding a predetermined maximum temperature during the test. A corresponding material testing apparatus is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Steven R. Squires, Benjamin P. Jeppesen, Andrew J. Smith
  • Patent number: 10019748
    Abstract: In an exemplary method for evaluating building insulation, first thermal data for a first building location is received at a computing device from a thermal scanning device, the first thermal data including a first leak temperature reading of a first leak path feature at the first building location. Estimated inside and outside temperatures are stored in the computing device, and an environmental temperature deviation between the estimated inside temperature and the estimated outside temperature is determined. A first leak temperature deviation between the first leak temperature reading and the estimated inside temperature is determined. A first temperature deviation ratio of the first leak temperature deviation to the environmental temperature deviation is compared with a predetermined first maximum acceptable inefficiency ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: OWENS CORNING INTELLECTUAL CAPITAL, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas J. McNamee, III, Matthew Nichols, Clarke Berdan, II, Michael Dolinar
  • Patent number: 9995670
    Abstract: A method of laser bond inspection is provided. The method includes applying a thermochromatic energy-absorbing material to an inspection site of a test article. The method includes delivering a first amount of energy to the inspection site using a laser. The first amount of energy generates stresses in the test article. The method includes absorbing the first amount of energy into the thermochromatic energy-absorbing material to produce an observable thermal response that correlates to the first amount of energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Morteza Safai, Gary E. Georgeson
  • Patent number: 9974472
    Abstract: Methods, devices and systems related providing accurate glucose levels in view of temperatures that may adversely affect glucose value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: Abbott Diabetes Care Inc.
    Inventors: Gary A. Hayter, Daniel M. Bernstein, Martin J. Fennell, Michael R. Love, Kenneth J. Doniger, Songbiao Zhang, Mark K. Sloan, Hyun Cho, Theodore J. Kunich, Jean-Pierre Cole, Christopher A. Thomas, Erwin S. Budiman, David L. Li, Royce Cheng, Udo Hoss
  • Patent number: 9970822
    Abstract: A host device and temperature monitoring device (TMD) integrated assembly that can automatically collect temperature data and interface with a workflow management system. The TMD is provided in a portable housing and incorporates one or more temperature sensors, such as a physical probe, infrared sensor, or RFID transceiver, along with an interface for communicating via a wired connection with a host device that has been programmed with temperature management tasks. The TMD may be used to automatically collect temperatures and provide the data to the host for monitoring and tracking as part of a comprehensive workflow management system that includes food safety monitoring and compliance programs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: PAR TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Rahi Roshandel, Brian Johnson, William Denale, Bernard Baker
  • Patent number: 9964494
    Abstract: A sensor using thermally emissive materials for chemical spectroscopy analysis includes an emissive material, wherein the emissive material includes the thermally emissive materials which emit electromagnetic radiation, wherein the electromagnetic radiation is modified due to chemical composition in an environment; and a detector adapted to detect the electromagnetic radiation, wherein the electromagnetic radiation is indicative of the chemical interaction changes and hence chemical composition and/or chemical composition changes of the environment. The emissive material can be utilized with an optical fiber sensor, with the optical fiber sensor operating without the emissive material probed with a light source external to the material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: U.S. Department of Energy
    Inventors: Zsolt Poole, Paul R. Ohodnicki
  • Patent number: 9835504
    Abstract: An image capture device includes an image sensor, a reading component, a timing generator, and a voltage regulator. The image sensor includes a temperature sensor configured to measure temperature measurements of the image sensor. The reading component is configured to read the temperature measurements from the temperature sensor. The timing generator is configured to apply an electronic shutter pulse to the image sensor. The voltage regulator is coupled between the temperature sensor and the reading component for regulating increased voltage at the reading component resulting from the electronic shutter pulse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS INDUSTRIES, LLC
    Inventors: Shen Wang, Gregory Oscar Moberg
  • Patent number: 9768044
    Abstract: A method includes performing an anneal on a wafer. The wafer includes a wafer-edge region, and an inner region encircled by the wafer-edge region. During the anneal, a first power applied on a portion of the wafer-edge region is at least lower than a second power for annealing the inner region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yi-Chao Wang, Yu-Chang Lin, Li-Ting Wang, Tai-Chun Huang, Pei-Ren Jeng, Tze-Liang Lee
  • Patent number: 9738063
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing a welded resin article which includes (a) bringing first and second resin members to come into contact with each other; (b) applying laser light to the first and second resin members while moving the laser light relative to the first and second resin members; (c1) obtaining a value corresponding to the intensity of infrared light from a plurality of locations on a surface; (d) successively calculating, as a section average, the average of a predetermined number of successive values, among those obtained from the plurality of locations corresponding to the intensity of the infrared light; (e) a step of successively calculating a deviation judgment value; and (f) a step of successively judging whether or not the deviation judgment value falls within a predetermined judgment threshold range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Wataru Kawagishi, Shinji Kumazawa
  • Patent number: 9689262
    Abstract: The present application provides a method of inspecting a bond joint. The method may include the steps of applying an exothermic adhesive to a first shell and/or a second shell, attaching the first shell to the second shell via the exothermic adhesive to create the bond joint, allowing the exothermic adhesive to cure, and imaging the heat released by the exothermic adhesive along the bond joint. The bond joint may be a turbine blade bond joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Gary Austin Lamberton, Curtis Wayne Rose
  • Patent number: 9645013
    Abstract: At least one indicator light is located on the body or probe sections of a thermometer to indicate to the user that adjustments should be made to the timing or probe cover positioning of the thermometer. Additionally or alternatively the thermometer retains and displays information from previous uses, and in particular displays information pertaining to how long ago the last temperature measure was taken. Additionally, the thermometer may include additional buttons which can function to toggle the display to provide various types of information to the user, or toggle between thermometer usage modes, icon display, and LED color, among others. In another aspect, an internal body section with an access door provides access to a button allowing the user to toggle the interface of the thermometer, such as whether the temperature output is in degrees Fahrenheit or degrees Centigrade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: Helen of Troy Limited
    Inventor: Rich Thrush
  • Patent number: 9557691
    Abstract: The fixing unit has a housing that has a heating roller and a pressing roller accommodated therein. A temperature detection sensor and a sensor board are provided outside the housing. An image forming apparatus includes a sensor protection tube. The sensor protection tube includes a hollow cylindrical body passing through a side wall portion of the housing. One end of the sensor protection tube abuts a mounting surface of the temperature detection sensor in the sensor board so as to surround a periphery of the temperature detection sensor. The other end of the sensor protection tube is positioned in the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: KYOCERA DOCUMENT SOLUTIONS INC.
    Inventors: Ryohei Tokunaga, Tatsuya Yamanaka
  • Patent number: 9541656
    Abstract: In accordance with the present approach, a dark current is measured for one or more detector elements and used to determine a gain or gain compensation for the respective detector elements. In certain embodiments, the dark current is used to determine a temperature for the respective detector element and the temperature is used to determine the gain or gain compensation. In other embodiments, the dark current is used to calculate the gain or gain compensation for the respective detector element without calculating an intermediate temperature value, such as via the use of a transfer function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Sergei Ivanovich Dolinsky, David Leo McDaniel