Abstract: A method and system is provided for electronically simulating, indicating and controlling the temperature of liquid cooled multi-phase electric power transformers. The temperatures of transformer windings are electronically computed from the actual top oil temperature and the computed incremental additional temperatures resulting from the transformer winding currents to determine the hottest spot temperature. The signals representative of the winding current for each phase of the multi-phase transformer are time processed to simulate the rate of rise of winding temperature resulting from those currents. A square-law function is generated to make a winding bias parameter for each winding. The signals representative of the actual and incremental additional temperature are added for each transformer phase and the largest signal, representative of the hottest winding is used to indicate and control the transformer temperature.

Abstract: Calorimeter for measuring the energy transported by radiation. This calorimeter comprises an absorbing element able to absorb radiation and having an outer face exposed to the radiation and an inner face, said element undergoing a temperature rise during the interaction with the radiation. This temperature rise is measured by a thermopile. The calorimeter also comprises calibration means constituted by a strip-like resistive deposit in direct contact with the inner face of the absorbing element over at least 50% of the surface thereof. Application to the measurement of the energy transported by electromagnetic radiation or a particle flux.

Abstract: A technique for generating isotherms representing the cross-sectional temperature profiles of molten glass flowing in a forehearth channel. A plurality of temperature sensors are placed at predetermined locations within the plane of the channel cross-section, advantageously in a rectangular grid, to provide a matrix of temperature readings. Digitalized temperature readings from these sensors are routed to a processor, which interpolates these temperature readings to approximate the temperatures intermediate the various sensing points, and optionally beyond the array of sensing points. The isotherms are obtained by fitting a Lagrangian interpolating polynomial through the various recorded temperatures. The interpolated values thus generated may be used to provide real time displays of isotherms in the forehearth cross-section under examination, or may be included in a control loop.

Abstract: A system for electrically heating a hose of the type used to transport one or more fluid components from a remote location to a point of application includes at least one fluid conduit and an electric heating element enclosed within a thermal insulation blanket to form a hose construction having predetermined heat transfer characteristics. A remotely positioned module enclosed in a thermal insulation blanket and containing an electric heater and temperature sensor provides a hose simulator having heat transfer characteristics substantially identical to that of the hose. An electrical power drive circuit connected in parallel to the hose heating element and the module heater is controlled by a temperature control circuit responsive to the temperature sensed within the module by the temperature sensor. The temperature control circuit is further responsive to an ambient temperature sensor physically separated from the hose and module.

Abstract: An apparatus for moving an object in an isolated environment may be employed as a high pressure and temperature facility for testing steam generator tubes. A tube to be tested extends through an opening in a plate that is mounted in a test vessel. The vessel is partially filled with water having selected contaminants, and heated water under high pressure is circulated through the tube to raise the temperature and pressure within the vessel. A lever arm having an inner end and an outer end extends through an opening in the test vessel. A vibration-coupler connects the inner end of the arm to the tube under test, and a fulcrum-former operationally connects an intermediate portion of the arm to the test vessel. The outer end of the lever arm is connected to a plug element which is shaken, so that the arm pivots about a fixed point at the fulcrum-former and the vibration-coupler moves the tube under test with respect to the plate.

Abstract: An electronic clinical thermometer successively stores the temperature detected at a portion of a body, and measures the time which has elapsed since start of measurement. The thermometer repeats, periodically, a process of obtaining and displaying a predicted value of a stable temperature from the detected temperature and elapsed measurement time on the basis of a stable temperature prediction function in which measurement time is a variable, the temperature prediction function defining a temperature change up to a final, stable temperature. The prediction computation is halted when, after the elapsed measurement time has exceeded a prescribed magnitude and a difference exhibited by the detected temperature corresponding to two successive points in time no longer shows an increase outside a prescribed range, the detected temperature corresponding to a present point in time exhibits a decrease outside a prescribed range when compared with the detected temperature at the preceding point in time.

Abstract: An electronic clinical thermometer successively stores the temperature detected at a portion of a body, measures the time which has elapsed since start of measurement, and reads the detected temperature, corresponding to a prescribed length of past time, out of a storage to obtain a mean value during the length of past time. The thermometer repeats, at a predetermined period, a process of obtaining and displaying a predicted value of a stable temperature from the mean detected temperature and elapsed measurement time on the basis of a stable temperature prediction function in which measurement time is a variable, the temperature prediction function defining a temperature change up to a final, stable temperature.

Abstract: A stand-alone electronic simulator device for testing expendable bathythegraph (XBT) systems. The device is inserted into an XBT system in place of an expendable probe for purposes of checking the performance of the rest of the system with an active test signal. The test device simulates an operational XBT probe by switching a highly accurate and stable array of resistance values across its output. The switching rate is controlled by a stable internal time base such that the test pattern plotted on the strip chart recorder and transmitted to an external system will always look the same if the system is functioning properly. Temperature stability in the test device, essential because of the broad ambient temperature range which may be encountered in use, allows checks of the system for probe depth timing linearization in addition to temperature measurement.

Abstract: The subject invention discloses a method for non-destructively determining the thickness of layers deposited on a substrate by analyzing thermal waves generated in a sample. The methods are particularly suited for use with integrated circuit manufacturing. In the subject method, the sample is subjected to a focused periodic heat source which generates thermal waves. Either the magnitude or phase of the thermal waves generated in the sample are measured. The values obtained are normalized relative to a reference sample. The normalized values are analyzed with respect to a theoretical model of the sample to calculate the thickness of the unknown layers. In an alternate embodiment, thermal characteristics can be determined in a sample as a function of depth. The latter approach is useful for nondestructively determining dopant concentrations or lattice defects in semiconductor devices as a function of depth beneath the surface.

Abstract: A method for simultaneous compensation of a plurality of thermocouple signals where the thermocouple leads are terminated to dissimilar metals without using individual ice junctions for compensation of each thermocouple signal is disclosed. The thermocouple leads are all terminated to individual connectors as reference junctions which are held at the same temperature by a block of metal which stabilizes thermally with its environment. The temperature of the metal block is measured by an integrated circuit temperature transducer which produces an analog electrical signal proportional to the temperature detected. This signal is digitized and a microprocessor calculates the temperature of the metal block which is placed on a first data bus. Additional microprocessors are connected to the individual thermocouple leads. These microprocessors convert the thermocouple signals into an uncorrected digital temperature.

Abstract: A pulsed coolant thermocouple temperature measuring system is arranged to measure temperature above a limit operating temperature of the thermocouple includes a rake which is disposed across a hot gas path combustion turbine. Multiple thermocouple are disposed in respective channels in the rake to sense the temperature of hot gas from surplus which enter the thermocouple channels through respective sampling ports in the rake. The sample gas flows merge with a common channel and exhaust through a hot gas sample valve. When any of the thermocouples reaches a limit temperature, a coolant valve is opened as the hot gas valve is closed so as to drive coolant air into the common channel over the thermocouple through the thermocouple channels and the sampling ports into the hot gas path.

Abstract: A device is provided which simulates heat transfer into a flexible pouch in which food or like product is cooked and sterilized. The simulator is a block of polymeric material having a thickness approximately that of a food pouch and a thermal diffusivity generally equal to or slightly above that of food product. A thermal sensor is disposed centrally within the block of polymer material and is connected to electrical leads extending externally of the retort to apparatus that records temperature change as a function of time. A plurality of simulators are placed at various regions in the retort, and the uniformity of the heat transfer under certain operating conditions is determined by measuring the heating rates of the several simulators. Operating conditions, such as flow rates or location of introduction of water, steam and air are changed until a sufficiently uniform heat transfer environment is achieved.

Abstract: A thermocouple simulator system which is capable of generating a voltage equivalent to the EMF output of a thermocouple of a selected type at a specified sensing junction temperature. The system includes a keyboard which allows an operator to specify a sensing junction temperature, voltage, thermocouple type, reference junction temperature, and whether a pair of output terminals of the system perform as thermocouple alloy or copper. Using an operation program, a microprocessor calculates the thermocouple EMF using a stored temperature versus EMF polynomial function of the selected thermocouple type. The microprocessor then causes a voltage simulating the calculated EMF to be applied to the output terminals utilizing a reference voltage source, digital-to-analog converter (DAC), and output amplifier.

Abstract: A ceramic encased thermocouple placed within a kiln electrically controls an array of signal classifiers which, in turn, control the operation of the kiln heating elements. The temperature value at which the classifier array terminates the whole kiln heating operation is preselected as one of a plurality of discrete predetermined values corresponding to pyrometric cone temperature values.

Abstract: A ceramic encased thermocouple placed within a kiln electrically controls an array of signal classifiers which, in turn, control the operation of the kiln heating elements. The temperature value at which the classifier array terminates the whole kiln heating operation is preselected as one of a plurality of discrete predetermined values corresponding to pyrometric cone temperature values.

Abstract: A thermoelectric temperature sensing apparatus in which the thermoelectric reference junction is not maintained at a constant temperature but instead heat is supplied to it or extracted from it at a predetermined, preferably constant, rate by a heater or cooler. The open circuit output voltage of the apparatus is referenced to this predetermined rate of heat supply or extraction to determine the temperature of the other thermoelectric junction. Where the heater or cooler is input responsive, the output voltage of the thermoelectric circuit is referenced to the heater or cooler input.

Abstract: A gamma thermometer is supported coaxially in a bore, extending through the core of a nuclear reactor, by spring means which span the annular space between the gamma thermometer and the bore. Said spring means acts, in addition, as a thermal bridge, so that the portion of the gamma thermometer contacted by the spring means will assume a thermal temperature close to that of the bore. Since poor thermal contact between the gamma thermometer and the bore is therefore avoided, the accuracy of readings is improved.

Abstract: A visual device for use in a freezer compartment of a refrigerator to indicate when water in an ice cube tray is frozen. The device includes a stationary thermal insulated base in close proximity to a portion of the ice cube tray. There is a thermometer embedded in the insulated base and having a bulb with liquid and a connecting capillary tube for a liquid column. A thermal conductive member is in thermal transfer relationship between a portion of the ice cube tray and the thermometer bulb. Visual means relative to the liquid column in the capillary tube are provided to indicate when water in the tray is frozen.

Abstract: A thermal protection circuit for the die of a transistor having a heat sink in which a signal proportional to the dissipative input current and a signal proportional to the dissipative applied voltage of the transistor are multiplied to produce a signal representative of the applied power to the transistor. This representative applied power signal is transformed into a simulated differential in temperature between the die of the transistor and its heat sink. Simultaneously, the temperature of the heat sink is determined and this temperature is added to the simulated differential in temperature between the die of the transistor and the heat sink to determine a sensed die temperature. A control responsive to this sensed die temperature reduces the applied power to the transistor.

Abstract: A test chamber for simulating outdoor environmental conditions including the controlled formation of dew or frost on test objects in the chamber. Air processing equipment connected to the chamber includes two types of humidifying equipment, two types of de-humidifying apparatus, and a heating/cooling system using a secondary heating/cooling fluid which heats and/or cools the air without condensation. A radiative cooling system comprising a chilled black body absorbs heat from test objects to induce dew or frost formation. The equipment is controlled by a microprocessor.