With Electrical Component (e.g., Transformer) Patents (Class 374/152)
  • Publication number: 20150030898
    Abstract: A method and a device for identifying an increase in temperature in a plurality of electrochemical storage cells. An electrical characteristic value of a series connection of PTC elements that are thermally coupled in each case to a storage cell is determined and an increase in temperature of a plurality of electrical storage cells is identified if a value that is obtained as a result of evaluating the electrical characteristic value achieves a predefined threshold value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2014
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Inventors: Stefan Butzmann, Jens Boehme
  • Publication number: 20150010040
    Abstract: A wireless thermometer is provided, which measures a deep temperature with high accuracy and has an improved communication distance. A wireless thermometer includes a flat film-like substrate. A quartz crystal vibrator and an antenna are disposed on a principal surface of the substrate. A quartz crystal vibrator and an antenna are disposed on the other principal surface of the substrate. A winding conductor of the antenna is substantially symmetrical with a winding conductor of the antenna with respect to the substrate. A lead conductor of the antenna is connected to the winding conductor at one end and is connected to the quartz crystal vibrator at the other end. A central portion of the lead conductor is bent. By folding the central portion, the quartz crystal vibrator can be positioned opposite the quartz crystal vibrator with a heat insulator interposed there between.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2014
    Publication date: January 8, 2015
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Ito, Yuri Hoshino
  • Publication number: 20150010039
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for measuring the temperature of at least one electronic component (2) using a sensor (4) that supplies a temperature-dependent voltage. The method comprises the following steps in which: a signal representative of the voltage delivered by the sensor (4) is made to pass through an isolated differential amplifier (13), and the signal output from said isolated differential amplifier (13) is used to determine the temperature measured by the sensor (4).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2012
    Publication date: January 8, 2015
    Applicant: VALEO SYSTEMES DE CONTROLE MOTEUR
    Inventors: Larbi Bendani, Mimoun Askeur
  • Publication number: 20150001965
    Abstract: A method for determining the temperature of an electronic component in an electronic device comprises supplying a current to the electronic component via a power converter device, measuring an input current supplied to the power converter device, determining a power dissipation of the electronic component based on the measured input current, a value for an efficiency of the power converter device and an output voltage of the power converter device, and determining the temperature of the electronic component based on the determined power dissipation and a thermal resistance value for the electronic component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2013
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Applicant: Dialog Semiconductor GmbH
    Inventors: Alessandro Angeli, Michele DeFazio, Stefano Scaldaferri, Christian Wolf
  • Publication number: 20140376592
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for representing and displaying the coil temperature of an electrical power transformer and to an electrical circuit suitable therefor. The invention is based on the general concept of using the CT-signal current not only for supplying the heating resistor of a sensor, for example, but also for decoupling energy from the CT-signal current by transformation via an electronic circuit according to the invention in order to supply energy to the connected measurement devices, so that a separate energy source can thus be ultimately omitted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2012
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Inventors: Sebastian Hollunder, Martin Kubiczek
  • Publication number: 20140362889
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining a control temperature to control a function of an electronic device by using an atmospheric temperature when controlling a temperature of the electronic device, and for controlling the function of the electronic device according to a control step of the determined control temperature are provided. A method of operating an electronic device includes measuring an atmospheric temperature, determining at least one control temperature corresponding to the measured atmospheric temperature, measuring an internal temperature of the electronic device, and controlling a function in accordance with the measured internal temperature of the electronic device and the determined at least one control temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2014
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ki-Youn JANG, Min-Su KIM, Kun-Tak KIM, Chi-Hyun CHO
  • Patent number: 8905634
    Abstract: A temperature detection apparatus includes a transformer, a thermostat attached directly to an electrically conductive site of the heating element and has contacts that become short-circuited or come into an open-circuit condition depending on whether or not the temperature of the heating element is equal to or higher than a predetermined value, the contacts being connected to a secondary coil in the transformer, a DC voltage source and a transistor configured to supply required AC power to a primary coil in the transformer, a current detection resistor configured to detect a current flowing through the primary coil in the transformer, and a comparison circuit detecting a voltage generated across the current detection resistor when a current flows through the current detection resistor, the comparison circuit outputting an alarm signal when the current flowing through the primary coil in the transformer exceeds a preset threshold current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Netcomsec Co. Ltd
    Inventors: Yukihira Nakazato, Junichi Matsuoka
  • Publication number: 20140354185
    Abstract: There are provided a display device which can accurately estimate an ambient temperature around the display device, a computer program, a recording medium, and a method for estimating an ambient temperature. A panel temperature sensor and a switch board temperature sensor are disposed in different positions of a display device. A control unit specifies correlation information indicating the correlation between a first temperature difference between a temperature detected by the panel temperature sensor and an ambient temperature and a second temperature difference between a temperature detected by the switch board temperature sensor and the ambient temperature. The control unit estimates the ambient temperature on the basis of the specified correlation information and the temperatures and detected by the panel temperature sensor and the switch board temperature sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2012
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Applicant: EIZO Corporation
    Inventor: Yuya Yoshida
  • Publication number: 20140355649
    Abstract: There is provided a portable electronic device with one or more integrated temperature sensors (12) for measuring an ambient temperature, a compensator (25,26) for reducing the difference between a sensor output (Ts) and the ambient temperature (Ta) with the compensator (25,26) switching depending on environmental and/or handling conditions between a plurality of compensation modes selected dependent on measurements of one or more other integrated and/or external sensors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2014
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Inventors: Dominik Niederberger, Andrea Sacchetti, Dominic Boni
  • Publication number: 20140334107
    Abstract: A portable electronic device including a temperature sensor embedded in a die is provided. To process temperature measurements the portable electronic device includes a processor circuit coupled to the temperature sensor, the processor circuit configured to read a measurement from the temperature sensor when an integrated circuit in the die is inactive. Furthermore, a memory circuit coupled to the processor circuit and the temperature sensor stores a temperature gradient provided by the temperature sensor. A Printed Circuit Board for use in a portable electronic device as above is also provided. A method for performing thermal control in a portable electronic device as above is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2013
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Amaury J. HERESZTYN, Ihtesham H. CHOWDHURY, Keith COX
  • Patent number: 8864373
    Abstract: A battery temperature monitoring circuit, which has a cold comparator and a hot comparator, achieves high accuracy in a small cell size by utilizing a cold current optimized for the cold comparator and a cold reference voltage, and a hot current optimized for the hot comparator and a hot reference voltage, along with switching circuitry that provides the cold current to the cold comparator as the battery temperature approaches the cold trip temperature, and the hot current to the hot comparator as the battery temperature approaches the hot trip temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: National Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Luan Minh Vu, Thomas Y. Tse, Tuong Hoang
  • Patent number: 8845188
    Abstract: In a method for determining a state of an apparatus, detected temperatures are received from a plurality of sensors and are compared to at least one preset condition. The state of the apparatus is determined based upon the comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Cullen E. Bash, Ratnesh Sharma
  • Patent number: 8845189
    Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a device identification circuit and a temperature sensor diode connected in parallel from a common node. The device identification circuit includes a resistor connected to a diode-connected transistor. The device identification circuit and the temperature sensor diode are adapted to not be simultaneously operating in an ON state. A first voltage is applied to the common node to place the device identification circuit in an ON state and place the temperature sensor diode in an OFF state to identify the integrated circuit. A second voltage is applied to the common node to place the device identification circuit in an OFF state and place the temperature sensor diode in an ON state to determine a temperature of the integrated circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Semiconductor Components Industries, LLC
    Inventors: Shen Wang, Edward T. Nelson
  • Publication number: 20140269830
    Abstract: Systems and methods related to the determination of one or more mechanical characteristics of a structural element are generally described. In some embodiments, a mechanical characteristic (e.g., a crack, a deformation, an inclusion, etc.) can be determined based at least in part upon the determination of a temperature generated, for example, by passing a current through a network of structures within the structural element. For example, in some embodiments, the structural element can comprise a network of electrically conductive nanostructures and, in some cases, a primary structural material that is not substantially electrically conductive. An electrical current can be passed through the network of electrically conductive nanostructures (e.g., by passing current through an electrical circuit comprising the network of electrically conductive nanostructures). This may result in resistive heating (also known as Joule-effect heating) of the nanostructure network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Brian L. Wardle, Roberto Guzman de Villoria, Antonio Miravete
  • Publication number: 20140269829
    Abstract: A process sensor assembly comprises a hollow protective housing, a temperature sensor, a process transmitter, and a transient protector. The temperature sensor includes a probe extending out of the hollow protective housing to a sensing location, and a top plate movably secured to the hollow protective housing so as to allow travel within the hollow protective housing with vibrations of the probe. The process transmitter is configured to process and transmit sensor signals from the temperature sensor, and is retained on the top plate to move with the temperature sensor within the hollow protective housing. The transient protector is configured to condition power for to the process transmitter, and is anchored to the process transmitter so as to move with the process transmitter within the hollow protective housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Rosemount Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew James Bronczyk, Aaron Andrew Perrault, Frank L. Green
  • Patent number: 8801279
    Abstract: A semiconductor device, memory device, system, and method of using a stacked structure for stably transmitting signals among a plurality of semiconductor layers is disclosed. The device includes at least a first semiconductor chip including a first temperature sensor circuit configured to output first temperature information related to the first semiconductor chip, and at least one through substrate via.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jung-sik Kim, Dong-hyuk Lee, Ho-cheol Lee, Jang-woo Ryu
  • Publication number: 20140219314
    Abstract: The present invention pertains to a non-contact temperature monitoring device, wherein: temperature data and image data are simultaneously outputted to a monitoring unit by simultaneously photographing a temperature detection target and detecting the temperature of the temperature detection target in a non-contact manner, in which the temperature state of the temperature detection target and on-site conditions can be monitored in real time; the state of the temperature detection target is photographed using an image capturing unit only when the temperature state of the temperature detection target is abnormal, thereby simplifying an operation in a normal state and more accurately detecting on-site conditions using image information in emergency situations. Accordingly, quicker and more accurate responses are possible, thereby preventing fire accidents in industrial settings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2012
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Inventor: Deog Bong Ryou
  • Publication number: 20140217896
    Abstract: A control system is disclosed for determining an actual temperature of a light emitting diode. The control system uses conductor that supply power to the light emitting diode to supply a pulse to the light emitting diode. The pulse is determined along with a reaction caused by the pulse and the information gained is used in determination of the light emitting diode die temperature which can then be used in controlling current to the light emitting diode to control the temperature of the light emitting diode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Inventors: Anthony W. Catalano, Daniel Harrison
  • Patent number: 8794827
    Abstract: Flexible circuits 2, 3 are formed on a flexible insulating sheet 1. A thermal sensor 4 is connected between the circuits 2, 3. The thermal sensor 4 and connecting parts 5 are integrally covered with an elastic insulating resin 6. While the insulating sheet 1 is bent together with the insulating resin 6, the thermal sensor 4 is pushed onto an object to be sensed 8 via the insulating sheet 1. A plurality of thermal sensors 4 are connected in series in a longitudinal direction of the insulating sheet 1. The insulating resin 6 covers the thermal sensors 4 and the connecting parts 5.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Satoshi Ishikawa, Susumu Yamamoto
  • Publication number: 20140212289
    Abstract: The invention regards a method for estimating the temperature of a semiconductor chip accommodated in a power semiconductor device in operation, such as an IGBT power module, the method comprising the steps of; while the power semiconductor device is in operation determining a voltage drop over the power semiconductor device for a value of applied load current and; estimating the temperature of the semiconductor chip by evaluating the relationship between the determined voltage drop and the value of applied load current on the basis of a semiconductor chip temperature model. The invention also regards the corresponding apparatus for estimating the temperature of a semiconductor chip, as well as a wind turbine comprising such an apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2012
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: kk-electronic A/S
    Inventors: Paul Bach Thogersen, Bjørn Rannestad
  • Publication number: 20140204973
    Abstract: A temperature measuring system of an electric motor, including an electroconductive holding member holding a coil end of an end of a stator coil comprised of a winding wire wound around a stator core, a resistance measuring part measuring a resistance of the holding member, and a temperature calculating part calculating a temperature of the winding wire based on a resistance value measured by the resistance measuring part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2014
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: FANUC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shinichi Kinoshita, Yamato Mishima
  • Patent number: 8765477
    Abstract: A method for measuring the real hot-spot temperature in an electric apparatus containing an oil, such as an electric power transformer. The electric apparatus is operated under predetermined and modifiable operating conditions. This method comprises the use of one or several chemical compounds or tracers present and soluble in the oil. Each tracer may transform, at a given temperature, in order to form a residue, such as a soluble gas. From the presence of the residue in the oil, the operator will be able to determine under which predetermined operating condition the hot-spot has been reached and to deduce the hot-spot for a given condition. Among different used compounds, there are diazoic compounds, carbonyl metals, colorants, pigments, liquid crystals and albumins. The method also allows to check the quality of the apparatus on the market and to estimate its life span.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Hydro-Quebec
    Inventors: Pierre Couture, Michel Duval
  • Publication number: 20140177672
    Abstract: A device for attaching to a power line conductor includes a jaw assembly and at least one jaw slot formed on a portion of the jaw assembly configured to engage a stranded power line conductor. The at least one jaw slot extends at an angle on the jaw assembly configured to match a helical angle of strands on an outer surface of the stranded power line conductor and configured to space the jaw assembly from at least one strand of the stranded power line conductor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2013
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Inventor: Murray W. DAVIS
  • Publication number: 20140176122
    Abstract: A device for attaching to an electric power line conductor includes an electrically conductive housing with an opening for accepting the power line conductor and configured to be grounded to the power line conductor. At least one magnetic core is configured to surround the power line conductor and power a power supply electronics module. An ambient temperature measuring assembly is mounted inside and near the bottom of the electrically conductive housing. The ambient temperature measuring assembly is thermally insulated from the housing for thermally separating the ambient temperature measuring assembly from the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2013
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Inventor: Murray W. DAVIS
  • Patent number: 8762097
    Abstract: In one aspect, a data processing system includes a virtual temperature sensor to provide system temperature for different system configurations, and a controller coupled to the sensor to control operations of the data processing system according to the virtual temperature. The virtual temperature sensor typically derives the temperature of a particular configuration of the data processing system using mathematical models or one or more operating parameters of the data processing system. In one example, the mathematical models include a characterization table which provides the measured temperature data from various system configurations. These measurements are performed with temperature sensors positioned in ideal locations for different configuration, and are preprocessed to provide the virtual temperature computation. The characterization table also includes thermal characteristics, such as thermal time constant and thermal resistance, of the critical components at multiple thermal control states.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy John Millet
  • Patent number: 8756025
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided related to thermal protection of electrical batteries. A sensor senses the temperature of a battery and a corresponding digital signal is digitally derived. Date, time and temperature data are written to storage media. A time-rate-of-change of the battery's temperature is determined and used to establish operational periodicity. Stored digital data can be communicated to another entity, temperature or time-rate-of-change values used to trigger an alarm or system shut-down, and so on. Electronic circuitry toggles between an active mode and a power-conserving sleep mode in accordance with periodic operating schedule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Neel Banerjee, Anton Nicholas Clarkson
  • Publication number: 20140161152
    Abstract: In a method for thermal monitoring of a converter the temperature of the converter is measured. In addition, the output power of the converter is determined. The temperature of the converter is estimated by means of a thermal model of the converter having the output power as an input variable. The estimated temperature is compared with the measured temperature, and a corresponding monitoring signal is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2012
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Inventor: Andreas Kuhn
  • Publication number: 20140133517
    Abstract: A device for monitoring the temperature surrounding a circuit, including: a charge storage element; a charge evacuation device; and a thermo-mechanical switch connecting the storage element to the evacuation element, the switch being capable of closing without the circuit being electrically powered, when the temperature exceeds a threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2014
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicant: STMicroelectronics (Rousset) SAS
    Inventors: Pascal Fornara, Christain Rivero
  • Publication number: 20140112370
    Abstract: Systems and methods of managing memory devices provide for reduced power consumption and better thermal management through enhanced memory throttling. In one embodiment a memory unit includes a memory device and a temperature measurement module coupled to the memory device. The temperature measurement device measures the internal temperature of the memory device. Memory throttling can therefore be implemented based on more accurate measurements and with a much shorter response time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2013
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Inventors: Pochang Hsu, Animesh Mishra, Jun Shi
  • Patent number: 8702304
    Abstract: Methods and systems for determining when an electrical contact reaches the maximum allowable temperature. The methods and systems include defining a plurality of temperature indicators installed in at least one surface of the electrical contact to indicate at least one specific temperature; providing a trace material within the at least one temperature indicator; allowing the electrical contact to reach the at least one specific temperature at which the at least one temperature indicator is designed to activate in or on the at least one surface of the electrical contact; causing the trace material to disperse from the at least one temperature indicator into a surrounding environment; and monitoring the surrounding environment to determine when a predetermined quantity of the trace material has dispersed into the surrounding environment, thereby indicating that the electrical contact has reached the at least one specific temperature at which the at least one temperature indicator is designed to activate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Inventor: Bruce W. Nichols
  • Patent number: 8702303
    Abstract: Methods and devices for mounting a sensor are presented herein. A temperature sensor assembly for a capacitor bank is disclosed that includes two opposing substrates, and a plurality of contact temperature sensors attached to each substrate. Each temperature sensor is configured to directly contact a surface of one of the capacitor cans in the capacitor bank and therefrom generate a signal indicative of the temperature of the capacitor can. A biasing member attaches the two substrates together. The biasing member is configured to selectively contract, such that the width of the sensor assembly is less than the gap distance between adjacent sets of tandem capacitor cans and the sensor assembly can insert between the sets of capacitor cans, and expand, such that the width of the sensor assembly is greater than the gap distance and the sensor assembly is tensioned against and thereby secured between the sets of capacitor cans.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Schneider Electric USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey J. Farago, Marcelo Perez, Stewart J. Harding
  • Publication number: 20140092936
    Abstract: A method, an apparatus, and an electric system for diagnosing a device (104) for determining the temperature of a component (101) of an electric unit (107) are provided. In a first step (203), a first temperature gradient (TG1) of the component (101) is ascertained. A second temperature gradient (TG2) is determined using the device (104) for determining the temperature of a component (101). In a second step (204), a difference between the first and the second temperature gradient (TG1, TG2) is ascertained.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2013
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Inventor: Miguel Casares
  • Patent number: 8684596
    Abstract: An alternating current impedance-estimating section (106) estimates an alternating current impedance (Rh) of the secondary battery based on electric current (I) and voltage (V) of the secondary battery detected when a ripple generating section causes a ripple current to flow in the secondary battery. A temperature estimating section (108) estimates the temperature (T) of the secondary battery based on the alternating current impedance (Rh) estimated by the alternating current impedance-estimating section (106) with the use of the relation, obtained in advance, between the temperature (T) of the secondary battery and the alternating current impedance (Rh) of the secondary battery at a ripple frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yuji Nishi, Hidenori Takahashi, Masatoshi Tazawa, Masanobu Matsusaka, Keiji Kaita
  • Patent number: 8636406
    Abstract: An apparatus determines cooling characteristics of an operational cooling device used for transferring heat from an electronic device. The operational cooling device is thermally coupled to a heat pipe. The heat pipe has an exposed surface for selective application of heat thereon. Heat from a localized heat source is selectively applied to at least one region of the exposed surface. The heat source is preferably capable of being varied both positionally relative to the exposed surface and in heat intensity. A heat shield is preferably positioned around the exposed surface of the heat pipe to isolate the operational cooling device from the heat from the localized heat source. A temperature detector repeatedly measures a temperature distribution across the exposed surface while the cooling device is in a heat transfer mode. The temperature distribution is then used to thermally characterize the operational cooling device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Hendrik F. Hamann, Madhusudan K. Iyengar, James A. Lacey, Roger R. Schmidt
  • Publication number: 20130342362
    Abstract: A system for monitoring operation of a railcar having one or more sensing units, mounted on the railcar, for monitoring operating parameters and or conditions of the railcar, and a communication management unit, in wireless communication with the sensing units, wherein the system can make a determination of an alarm condition based on data collected the sensing units. A temperature sensor device for use in such a system is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Applicant: AMSTED RAIL COMPANY, INC.
    Inventor: AMSTED RAIL COMPANY, INC.
  • Publication number: 20130336358
    Abstract: An electronic cigarette with a thermometer comprises a case body for accommodating at least one electronic cigarette. The case body further comprises a thermometer device disposed therein. The thermometer device comprises a thermometry unit, a display unit and a circuit processing unit. The thermometry unit detects temperatures of articles to be tested or media to be tested and transmits temperature data to the circuit processing unit for controlling the display unit to display measured temperatures. The thermometry unit comprises a temperature sensor and an electrode piece. The thermometry unit comprises a temperature sensor and an electrode piece. The temperature sensor is disposed at an outside of the case body and is electrically connected with the circuit processing unit via the electrode piece. The electronic cigarette case of the present invention is capable of detecting temperatures of human bodies, other objects or media such as surroundings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2012
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Inventor: Qiuming Liu
  • Publication number: 20130336359
    Abstract: The invention relates to an electric plug connector for electrically connecting at least one first and one second thermocouple conductor, comprising at least one electrically conductive first and second contacting means, wherein the first thermocouple conductor is to be connected to the first contacting means, and the second thermocouple conductor is to be connected to the second contacting means, at least one first electrical temperature sensor, which is provided with a temperature sensing region and with at least one first and one second electrical contact, wherein at least one part of the temperature sensing region of the first temperature sensor is directly attached to the first contacting means by a joint.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2013
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Applicant: Phoenix Contact GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Fabian Zink
  • Publication number: 20130308679
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a battery pack including a battery module having a battery cell stack structure in which at least two electrically connected battery cells or unit modules are stacked, a voltage measuring member that measures voltage at an electrode terminal connection part of the battery cells or the unit modules, a voltage measuring circuit that connects the voltage measuring member to a Battery Management System (BMS), a temperature measuring member that measures temperature of the battery cells or the unit modules, a temperature measuring circuit that connects the temperature measuring member to the BMS and that is separated from the voltage measuring circuit, and the BMS electrically connected to the voltage measuring member to control operation of the battery modules.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2013
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Applicant: LG CHEM, LTD.
    Inventors: JunSeok CHOI, Yong Shik SHIN, Jong Moon YOON
  • Patent number: 8568026
    Abstract: A temperature measurement system capable of operating in harsh environments including a temperature sensor having an antenna, diode, and dielectric layer disposed on the object of interest is provided, wherein the antenna includes a buried portion that extends through and is electrically coupled to the object of interest, and an exposed portion disposed upon an outer surface of the dielectric layer and the diode is coupled between the object of interest and the exposed portion of the antenna. The antenna is configured to receive interrogating signals from a transmitter, and to transmit response signals corresponding to the resonant frequency of the temperature sensor and its harmonics, which are indicative of the measured temperature of the object of interest. A receiver detects the response signals and correlates the frequency to a known temperature response of the dielectric material. Methods of making and using the temperature measurement system are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Wireless Sensor Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Otto J. Gregory, John R. Conkle, Thomas J. Birnbaum
  • Patent number: 8568025
    Abstract: A temperature probe for use in oil-filled transformers comprises an optical fiber, a temperature sensitive member, and a protective cylindrical sheath. The optical fiber and the sensitive member are located in the protective sheath, and continuous longitudinal slit is defined along the length of the sheath to allow oil to flow therein. The optical fiber is mounted in and to the sheath using a bonding material and at a distance from the sheath. The sensitive member is adhesively mounted to the optical fiber, within the sheath, and at a distance thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Inventors: Jean-François Meilleur, Jean-Noël Bérubé, Michel Plourde
  • Publication number: 20130259089
    Abstract: A temperature detection apparatus includes a transformer, a thermostat attached directly to an electrically conductive site of the heating element and has contacts that become short-circuited or come into an open-circuit condition depending on whether or not the temperature of the heating element is equal to or higher than a predetermined value, the contacts being connected to a secondary coil in the transformer, a DC voltage source and a transistor configured to supply required AC power to a primary coil in the transformer, a current detection resistor configured to detect a current flowing through the primary coil in the transformer, and a comparison circuit detecting a voltage generated across the current detection resistor when a current flows through the current detection resistor, the comparison circuit outputting an alarm signal when the current flowing through the primary coil in the transformer exceeds a preset threshold current.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2013
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: NEC MICROWAVE TUBE, LTD.
    Inventors: YUKIHIRA NAKAZATO, JUNICHI MATSUOKA
  • Patent number: 8540422
    Abstract: Tools and methods for creating isolated or localized temperature changes on components in an electric circuit. By isolating temperature changes to individual components or small sets of components, the tools and methods allow greater control over the analysis of interactions within a board. This may allow clearer understanding of the effects of temperature on circuit component behavior. The tools and analysis advances analysis such as failure analysis and design testing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Cameron Health, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason J. Edwardson, Timothy A. Fonte, Eric F. King, Ross G. Baker, Jr., Toby Daniel Awender
  • Publication number: 20130243033
    Abstract: Method of assessing the remaining lifetime of a transformer operating at temperatures above IEC 60° C./65° C./78° C. or IEEE 65° C./65° C./80° C. including a core, a winding conductor covered by high temperature insulation material and pressboard material arranged as an insulation barrier and/or a supporting structure. The covered winding conductor and the pressboard material are immersed in a fluid having a fire point of at least 300° C. The method includes at least twice measuring the temperature of the fluid at its top surface and registering the time of each measurement and assessing the remaining lifetime of the transformer as a function of the measured temperatures and the corresponding registered times, and/or obtaining a sample of pressboard material that has been in contact with the fluid at its top surface and analysing the sample to assess the remaining lifetime of the transformer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2013
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Inventor: Roberto Asano, JR.
  • Publication number: 20130234652
    Abstract: The described embodiments include a power-management unit that receives and stores a representation of a temperature state of a battery pack from a battery-monitoring mechanism in a battery pack. For example, an interface circuit (such as a single-wire-interface or SWI circuit) may receive the information from the battery-monitoring mechanism via a signal line, and the information may be stored in a memory (such as a non-transitory computer-readable memory). This stored information is then used by a temperature-monitoring mechanism or circuit to determine the temperature state of the battery pack, which may be used to control or gate charging of a battery in the battery pack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 24, 2012
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Applicant: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Parin Patel, Scott P. Mullins
  • Publication number: 20130235902
    Abstract: A power-management unit is described. This power-management unit allows a common signal line to communicate data between an integrated circuit (which may be external to the power-management unit) and a battery-monitoring mechanism in a battery pack, and to convey a signal that represents a temperature state of the battery pack to a temperature-monitoring circuit or mechanism that monitors the temperature state of the battery pack. In particular, the power-management unit may include a single-wire interface or a multiplexer that, at a given time, selectively couples the signal line from the battery pack either to the integrated circuit or the temperature-monitoring circuit based on a control signal provided by the integrated circuit (for example, via an I2C bus or interface). In this way, the power-management unit may reduce the number of signal lines needed to communicate with the battery-monitoring mechanism and to convey the signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 24, 2012
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Applicant: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Parin Patel, Scott P. Mullins
  • Patent number: 8491187
    Abstract: A temperature detection apparatus includes a transformer, a thermostat attached directly to an electrically conductive site of the heating element and has contacts that become short-circuited or come into an open-circuit condition depending on whether or not the temperature of the heating element is equal to or higher than a predetermined value, the contacts being connected to a secondary coil in the transformer, a DC voltage source and a transistor configured to supply required AC power to a primary coil in the transformer, a current detection resistor configured to detect a current flowing through the primary coil in the transformer, and a comparison circuit detecting a voltage generated across the current detection resistor when a current flows through the current detection resistor, the comparison circuit outputting an alarm signal when the current flowing through the primary coil in the transformer exceeds a preset threshold current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: NEC Microwave Tube, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yukihira Nakazato, Junichi Matsuoka
  • Publication number: 20130160373
    Abstract: A thermal window comprising a thermally transparent window member, a window frame for receiving the thermally transparent window member, and at least one transmitter configured to transmit electromagnetic radiation with a frequency from 3 Hz to 300 GHz. The thermal window also has a cover for protecting the thermally transparent window member, wherein the cover may be mounted to the window frame by a spring loaded hinge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2012
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Applicant: Certification Information Limited
    Inventor: Certification Information Limited
  • Patent number: 8449173
    Abstract: Some embodiments provide a system that tests a computing system. During operation, the system monitors a temperature of a component in the computing system while running a series of calibrated workloads on the component. Next, the system analyzes a fluctuation of the temperature resulting from the calibrated workloads to determine a thermal performance of the component. The system then uses the determined thermal performance to improve the reliability of the computing system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventor: Jasmine Strong
  • Patent number: 8444316
    Abstract: Current reading means detects an output current of a current source whose output current varies with a variation in temperature and outputs a value proportional to the output current. The temperature of the current source corresponding to the output value of the current reading means which is proportional to the output current of the current source is measured, and a parameter for converting the output value to temperature information is determined from the output value of the current reading means and the measured value of the temperature of the current source corresponding to the output value. The output value of the current reading means is converted to the temperature information using the determined parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventors: Eisuke Saneyoshi, Koichi Nose, Mikihiro Kajita, Masayuki Mizuno
  • Patent number: 8439561
    Abstract: Apparatus and method are provided for facilitating simulation of heated airflow exhaust of an electronics subsystem, electronics rack or row of electronics racks. The apparatus includes a thermal simulator, which includes an air-moving device and a fluid-to-air heat exchanger. The air-moving device establishes airflow from an air inlet to air outlet side of the thermal simulator tailored to correlate to heated airflow exhaust of the electronics subsystem, rack or row of racks being simulated. The fluid-to-air heat exchanger heats airflow through the thermal simulator, with temperature of airflow exhausting from the simulator being tailored to correlate to temperature of the heated airflow exhaust of the electronics subsystem, rack or row of racks being simulated. The apparatus further includes a fluid distribution apparatus, which includes a fluid distribution unit disposed separate from the fluid simulator and providing hot fluid to the fluid-to-air heat exchanger of the thermal simulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew R. Archibald, Richard C. Chu, Hendrik F. Hamann, Madhusudan K. Iyengar, Roger R. Schmidt