By Electrical Or Magnetic Heat Sensor Patents (Class 374/163)
  • Patent number: 9004756
    Abstract: A temperature sensor includes a constant current source and a transistor stack connected to the constant current source. The transistor stack includes a first transistor having a base connected to the constant current source and a collector coupled to a supply voltage. The collector of the first transistor is electrically isolated from the base of the first transistor. The transistor stack includes a second transistor connected to the first transistor. The second transistor has a collector connected to an emitter of the first transistor and has a base connected to the collector of the second transistor. The transistor stack includes an output node disposed between the constant current source and the base of the first transistor. A voltage of the output node is indicative of a temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Jay P. John, David G. Morgan
  • Patent number: 8974116
    Abstract: There is provided a heat sink for measuring temperature of electronic component. The heat sink includes a heat radiating plate, a fin, a heat receiving plate, and a temperature detector. The heat radiating plate has a first surface that receives heat from the electronic component. The fin is for radiating heat energy conducting through the heat radiating plate and is connected to the heat radiating plate. The heat receiving plate arranged apart from the heat radiating plate has a second surface movable to be parallel to the first surface. The temperature detector that detects a temperature is disposed on the heat receiving plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Tomomi Okamoto, Hiroshi Yamada, Ryuji Ito, Osamu Higashi
  • Publication number: 20150063419
    Abstract: To provide a signal generation circuit having a short settling time of an output voltage. In a PTAT signal generation circuit, a trimming circuit is coupled between the cathodes of 0-th to K-th diodes and a line of a ground voltage, the anode of the 0-th diode is coupled to a first node, the anodes of the first to the K-th diodes are coupled to a second node via a resistive element, the first node and the second node are set to the same voltage, a first current flowing through the 0-th diode and a second current flowing through the first to the K-th diodes are set to have the same value, and a third current flowing through the trimming circuit is set to have the value 2 times that of each of the first current and the second current.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2014
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Inventors: Shigeki OBAYASHI, Hiroki SHIMANO, Masataka MINAMI, Hiroji OZAKI
  • Patent number: 8967857
    Abstract: A temperature detection device that detects a temperature of a rotor of a motor. The temperature detection device has a current detection unit configured to detect a current value of a current flowing through a winding with which any one of a stator and the rotor of the motor is provided, an iron loss estimation unit configured to estimate an iron loss of the rotor using the current value, and a rotor temperature estimation unit configured to estimate the temperature of the rotor using the iron loss.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Fanuc Corporation
    Inventor: Tatsuya Senoo
  • Patent number: 8967855
    Abstract: An electronic device that determines an external temperature is described. During operation, the electronic device uses a sensor mechanism (such as an integrated temperature sensor) to determine an internal temperature of the electronic device. Then, a thermoelectric device (which may be based on the Peltier effect and/or the Seeback effect) determines the relative temperature difference between the internal temperature and the external temperature. Next, the external temperature may be determined based on the internal temperature and the temperature difference. For example, the external temperature may be determined relative to a threshold value. Furthermore, an electrical signal (such as a voltage or a current) output by the thermoelectric device may be used to recharge a battery and, more generally, a power source in the electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Leeo, Inc.
    Inventors: Nina S. Joshi, Aaron H. Squier, Andrew G. Stevens
  • Patent number: 8961004
    Abstract: Methods and systems to determine an internal temperature of a rechargeable lithium-ion cell based on a phase shift of the cell. Internal cell temperature may be determined with respect to an internal anode temperature and/or an internal cathode temperature. Internal anode temperature may be determined based on a phase shift of a frequency within a range of approximately 40 Hertz (Hz) to 500 Hz. Internal cathode temperature may be determined based on a phase shift of a frequency of up to approximately 30 Hz. A temperature sensor as disclosed herein may be powered by a monitored cell with relatively little impact on cell charge, may be electrically coupled to cell but housed physically separate from the cell, and/or may monitor multiple cells in a multiplex fashion. A rate of change in phase shift may be used to initiate pre-emptive action, without determining corresponding temperatures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: The Johns Hopkins University
    Inventors: Rengaswamy Srinivasan, Michael H. Butler, Bliss G. Carkhuff, Terry E. Phillips, Jeremy D. Walker, Oscar M. Uy, Andrew C. Baisden
  • Publication number: 20150036720
    Abstract: A method is described for ascertaining a surface temperature of a sheathed element glow plug in an internal combustion engine, in which a physical parameter is utilized for ascertaining the surface temperature. In order to be able to ascertain a precise surface temperature at a reduced outlay in terms of computation and development, at least two physical parameters of only the sheathed element glow plug are used for ascertaining the surface temperature of the sheathed element glow plug.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2012
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Inventor: Peter Kappelmann
  • Publication number: 20150030052
    Abstract: A measurement system including: a radial external hole on a cover of a railway axle-box on the side of an edge of the cover facing towards a rolling bearing of the axle-box; a smaller axial hole made on the edge of the cover facing towards a ring of the bearing and opening in the radial hole; a cup-shaped body accommodated in the radial hole; a fork shaped spring integrally carried by a bottom wall of the cup-shaped body, projecting in front of the axial hole; a temperature probe slidingly accommodated within the axial hole and including a tubular element incorporating an electrical temperature sensor and an electric cable protruding from a first end of the tubular element accommodated within the cup-shaped body; and an abutting element removably coupled to the first end to cooperate with the spring, which pushes a second end of the probe out of the axial hole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2014
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Applicant: AKTIEBOLAGET SKF
    Inventors: Maurizio Martinetti, Mario Rossi, Silvano Sema, Fabrizio Sozzi
  • Patent number: 8935843
    Abstract: A thermal, flow measuring device for determining and/or monitoring the flow of a measured medium through a measuring tube. The thermal, flow measuring device includes: a first pin-shaped shell and at least a second pin-shaped shell; a first resistance thermometer and at least a second resistance thermometer. At least the first resistance thermometer is embodied so as to be heatable, wherein the resistance thermometers, in each case, have a first surface, and at least a second surface, which lies opposite the first surface. The first pin-shaped shell surrounds the first resistance thermometer, and the second pin-shaped shell surrounds the second resistance thermometer. The pin-shaped shells are fillable with a fill material. In each case, at least one spacer is placeable between the pin-shaped shell and the first surface of the resistance thermometer, and the second surface of the resistance thermometer is at least partially covered with fill material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser FLowtec AG
    Inventors: Dirk Boguhn, Jiri Holoubek, Axel Pfau, Oliver Popp, Jiri Polak
  • Patent number: 8936396
    Abstract: A thermometer includes a body member and a tip member with a thermal contact surface secured to the body member. A thermal sensor mounted on the inside of the tip member is adapted for sensing a thermal contact surface and producing a temperature signal. A set of lead wires is coupled to the thermal sensor for transmission of the temperature signal. A display module is disposed in the body member. A processor is electrically connected to the set of lead wires to receive the temperature signal for display of a corresponding temperature reading. An electric generator having a motor with a rotary shaft is disposed in the body member. The motor is driven for generating electric energy when the rotary shaft is rotated. A capacitor is electrically connected to the electric generator for storing the electric energy generated by the electric generator and supplying the electric energy to the processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: Mesure Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chu-Yih Yu
  • Patent number: 8931954
    Abstract: A thermometer includes a body member and a tip member with a thermal contact surface secured to the body member. A thermal sensor mounted on the inside of the tip member is adapted for sensing a thermal contact surface and producing a temperature signal. A set of lead wires is coupled to the thermal sensor for transmission of the temperature signal. A display module is disposed in the body member. An electric generator with a start voltage and an operation voltage is disposed in the body member. A capacitor is electrically connected to the electric generator for storing the electric energy generated by thereof and supplying the electric energy to the processor. A voltage switch with a threshold voltage is electrically connected between the capacitor and the processor, in which the threshold voltage is lower than the operation voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Mesure Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chu-Yih Yu
  • Patent number: 8926174
    Abstract: A controller of a power converter has: an average loss calculator (202) calculating an average loss in a semiconductor device; and a partial temperature variation estimation part (204), while regarding the semiconductor device as a thermal network including at least one combination of a thermal resistance and a thermal time constant, estimating a partial temperature variation of the combination from a loss in the semiconductor device and the combination of the thermal resistance and the thermal time constant. The partial temperature variation estimation part (204) estimates an average temperature from the loss, the thermal resistance, and the thermal time constant; extracts a pulsation envelope temperature exceeding the maximum value of a pulsation temperature dependent on the average loss and the pulsation frequency; and estimates a temperature variation in the semiconductor device by adding the average temperature and the pulsation envelope temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiromichi Kawamura
  • Publication number: 20150002023
    Abstract: A light-emitting diode (LED) device includes first and second LED dies with the same structure and that are both encapsulated by the same silicone layer. The first LED is supplied with sufficient drive current to illuminate the LED. Control circuitry supplies the second LED with a constant current, determines the voltage across the second LED, and calculates the temperature of the second LED based on the voltage across the second LED. The constant current has a maximum magnitude that never exceeds the maximum magnitude of the drive current. The LED device is able to calculate the temperature of a diode with a gallium-nitride layer (GaN or GaInN) that is receiving a large drive current and emitting blue light by determining the voltage across an adjacent similar diode with a gallium-nitride layer through which a small constant current is flowing. Preferably, the band gap of the LEDs exceeds two electron volts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2013
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Inventors: Babak Imangholi, Michael Neal Gershowitz, R. Scott West
  • Publication number: 20140368209
    Abstract: In a method for monitoring a battery which includes a number of cells, in each instance, at least one electronic unit is situated so as to be in contact with at least two of the cells, in order to record a variable of this cell and forward it to a central receiver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2012
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Inventor: Fabian Henrici
  • Patent number: 8911148
    Abstract: A temperature detector for a contact thermometer of process measurement technology having a thermowell, at least one thermal sensor element arranged in a process-side end of the thermowell, and at least one electrical connecting means connected to the thermal sensor element with a first connection side and extending in the thermowell at least up to an evaluation-side end of the thermowell, so that the thermal sensor element can be electrically contacted via a second connection side of the electrical connecting means, and in which the electrical connecting means is formed by a connection printed circuit board with conducting paths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: INOR Process AB
    Inventor: Hans-Owe MÃ¥rtensson
  • Publication number: 20140362890
    Abstract: A miniature wireless electronic thermometer is disclosed, the thermometer includes a medical adhesive tape serving as a securing means and a temperature measurement means attached to the securing means. The temperature measurement means includes a controller, a battery connected to the controller, a temperature sensor, and a wireless module coupled to an antenna. The thermometer is capable of convenient body temperature measurement, by allowing, when attached on human body, repeated temperature readings taken in a non-interventional manner, and sending the measurement data to an external receiver in a wireless way.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2014
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Inventor: Dahong Qian
  • Publication number: 20140355643
    Abstract: A heat flux sensor equipped measurement wafer includes a substrate, a cover thermally coupled to a portion of the substrate, a sensor cavity formed between the substrate and the cover, a thermal barrier disposed within at least a portion of the sensor cavity, a bottom temperature sensor thermally coupled to the substrate and insulated from the cover by a portion of the thermal barrier and a top temperature sensor thermally coupled to the cover and insulated from the substrate by an additional portion of the thermal barrier, wherein a temperature difference between the bottom temperature sensor and the top temperature sensor is related to a heat flux passing through the substrate and cover proximate to the sensor cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2014
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Applicant: KLA-Tencor Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen Sharratt, Farhat Quli, Earl Jensen, Mei Sun
  • Patent number: 8899830
    Abstract: A thermal flow measuring device and method for the manufacture of a thermal flow measuring device with a housing, which has at least one shell. A temperature sensor element is arranged in the shell which borders the housing. Each first point of an edge terminating the outside of the shell in the region of a second end section of the shell has a distance to the longitudinal axis of the shell, which is at least 0.2 mm greater than the distance of all second points of the outside of the shell to the longitudinal axis of the shell, with a first point of the edge, in each case, having a distance projected on the longitudinal axis of the shell from the first point of the edge of at least 0.2 mm in the direction of the first end section of the shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser Flowtec AG
    Inventors: Axel Pfau, Torsten Iselt, Dirk Boguhn
  • Publication number: 20140334523
    Abstract: A probe thermometer comprises a main body, a probe, a self-tapping thread, a temperature sensing unit and a display unit. The interior of the main body has a circuit board. The probe includes a measuring end and a coupling end which couples the main body. The self-tapping thread is formed on the measuring end. The temperature sensing unit is disposed within the probe and the temperature sensing unit is electrically connected to the circuit board. The display unit is disposed on the main body. The display unit, the temperature sensing unit and the circuit board are electrically connected. Thereby, the probe thermometer of the instant disclosure is convenient and effectively reduces cost.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2013
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Applicant: RADIANT INNOVATION INC.
    Inventors: TSENG-LUNG LIN, HSIAO-YU TSAI, AN-CHIN LAI
  • Publication number: 20140328373
    Abstract: Techniques described herein generally relate to methods of manufacturing devices and systems including devices including a substrate with a surface, a conductive polymer film arranged on the surface of the substrate, wherein the conductive polymer film has one or more temperature reactive characteristics, and a pair of electrodes coupled to the polymer film, wherein the pair of electrodes are configured to communicate electrical signals to the conductive polymer film effective to measure the one or more temperature reactive characteristics. The conductive polymer film may be arranged on the surface of the substrate such that a thickness and dopant ratio of the conductive polymer film on the substrate is configurable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2014
    Publication date: November 6, 2014
    Inventors: SIDDHARTHA PANDA, HAKEEM ABRAR AHMED
  • Patent number: 8876374
    Abstract: A temperature sensor generates a variable voltage whose level decreases linearly as a temperature increases, and compares the variable voltage with first and second reference voltages to generate first and second temperature codes to measure the temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: SK Hynix Inc.
    Inventor: Hyun Sik Jeong
  • Patent number: 8876373
    Abstract: A protective cover for an insertion probe of a medical instrument. The cover contains a flexible tubular body that compliments the probe geometry and a radially disposed flange that surrounds the proximal end of the body. A series of snap-on fasteners removably connect the cover to the instrument. A camming surface is located on the outer face of the flange which coacts with a cam follower that is movably mounted upon the instrument to flex the cover sufficiently to open the fastener and release the cover from the instrument and move the cover axially toward the distal end of the tip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Welch Allyn, Inc.
    Inventors: John A. Lane, David E. Quinn, Ray D. Stone, Scott A. Martin, John R. Strom, Matthew David Mullin, Richard Thrush, Richard G. McDuffie
  • Patent number: 8864372
    Abstract: A device for measuring the temperature of water covering a road surface includes a member for measuring water temperature and channelling means for channelling the water covering the road surface. The channelling means includes a measuring chamber for measuring the temperature of the water covering the road surface. The measuring member includes a temperature measuring head situated in the measuring chamber. The device also includes driving means for driving the device over the road surface, the means being arranged in such a way that the temperature measuring head is situated at some distance from the road surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignees: Compagnie Generale des Etablissements Michelin, Michelin Recherche et Technique S.A.
    Inventor: Jeremy Buisson
  • Patent number: 8864370
    Abstract: The invention concerns a device for measuring at least one physical parameter of a fluid flow, in particular the total air temperature, comprising: a profiled body (2) of elongate shape along a longitudinal axis (L) and having at least two walls arranged contiguous to each other at an acute angle to form a wedge-shaped portion (7), said wedge-shaped portion (7) extending in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis (L) of the profiled body (2); at least one sensing element (4) for measuring the physical parameter of the fluid flow, said sensing element (4) being positioned in a window (3) formed through the profiled body (2), characterized in that each of the walls (71; 72) forming the wedge-shaped portion (7) comprises at least one notch forming a deflector angle relative to said wall (71; 72) so as to weaken the formation of ice on the wedge-shaped portion (7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Auxitrol S.A.
    Inventors: Sebastien Dijon, David Lapeyronnie, Bruno Lhuillier
  • Patent number: 8864375
    Abstract: The temperature sensor 1 is equipped with a temperature sensitive device 2 to be disposed inside an exhaust pipe of an internal combustion engine, signal lines 31 connected at a top end side to the temperature sensitive device 2 and at a rear end side to leads for connection with an external circuit, an inner member 18 having a sheath pin 3 in which the signal lines 31 are disposed, and an outer member 13 disposed to cover at least a portion of an outer periphery of the inner member 18. The outer member 13 includes a fixed portion (rib 6) to be fixed to an upper wall of the exhaust pipe, a retainer portion 132 retaining the inner member 18, and an extending portion 131 formed closer to a top end side than the retainer portion 132.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Nobuo Abe, Tsunenobu Hori, Masatoshi Kuroyanagi
  • Patent number: 8858075
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an apparatus and method for remote monitoring that includes immersing a first temperature sensor at least partially into a heat transfer material situated in a thermo-well of a mobile container housing a material for transport, wherein the first temperature sensor includes a conductor routed through a first passage of a fitting, while providing access to the thermo-well for the insertion of a second temperature sensor through a second passage of the fitting, and receiving a signal from the first temperature sensor at a remote communication unit secured at least indirectly to the mobile container, wherein the signal is representative of the temperature of the material being transported.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Indorama Ventures (Oxide & Glycois) LLC
    Inventors: Dave Douglas, Jim Trippett
  • Patent number: 8847586
    Abstract: A magnetic sensor inspection apparatus has a rectangular frame including a stage, a probe card, and a plurality of magnetic field generating coils. A wafer-like array of magnetic sensors is mounted on the stage, which is movable in horizontal and vertical directions. The probe card includes a plurality of probes which are brought into contact with a plurality of magnetic sensors encompassed in a measurement area. The magnetic field generating coils are driven to generate a magnetic field toward the stage. A plurality of magnetic field environment measuring sensors is arranged in the peripheral portion of the probe card surrounding the probes. A magnetic field controller controls magnetic fields generated by the magnetic field generating coils based on the measurement result of the magnetic field environment measuring sensors. Thus, it is possible to concurrently inspect a wafer-like array of magnetic sensors with the probe card.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventor: Takashi Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20140269835
    Abstract: A method, device, and system for improved measurement of fluid temperatures are provided. In one embodiment, a temperature probe structure comprises a header having a cavity; a longitudinal probe disposed at least partially within the cavity of the header; a temperature detector disposed within the longitudinal probe; and an insulator disposed between the header and the longitudinal probe for insulating the longitudinal probe from the header.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Kulite Semiconductor Products, Inc.
    Inventors: ROBERT GARDNER, Louis DeRosa
  • Publication number: 20140269833
    Abstract: A thermometer includes a temperature sensor, a controller configured to receive a signal from the temperature sensor, and an output configured to display a temperature determined by the controller from the signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventors: Jason E. Durant, Roger J. Babineau
  • Publication number: 20140269837
    Abstract: A system to continuously and redundantly monitor a magnetic drive system includes temperature sensors coupled to the magnetic drive system. The temperature sensors are coupled to a transmitter, which generates output signals representing the temperatures of the temperature sensors. The system includes a transreceiver and a controller, where the transreceiver is coupled to the transmitter and configured to receive the output signals of the transmitter. The controller is communicatively coupled to the transreceiver and the magnetic drive system and is configured to control operation of the magnetic drive system based on one or more signals received from the transreceiver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: MagnaDrive Corporation
    Inventors: Dan Durland, Mike Tomczak, Jeongkwan Lee, Stephen Knudsen
  • Publication number: 20140269831
    Abstract: A power device temperature monitor is provided. The power device temperature monitor includes a power device having a control terminal and an output terminal, where the output terminal is configured to output a current as directed by a voltage of the control terminal. The power device temperature monitor includes an inductor coupled to the output terminal of the power device and an amplifier coupled to the inductor. The power device temperature monitor includes a computing device that receives an output of the amplifier, the computing device is configured to derive a temperature of the power device based upon the output of the amplifier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Atieva, Inc.
    Inventor: Atieva, Inc.
  • Publication number: 20140254630
    Abstract: A analog integrated sensor device has an interface with only a single ground line and a single signal line configured to receive power and output an analog value. A power capacitor is coupled between the ground line and the single signal line. An analog sensor circuitry is operable to be powered by the power capacitor and further operable to output an analog output signal on the single signal line once the power capacitor has bee charged sufficiently.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2013
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Ge Wang, Ezana H. Aberra, Ronaldo Francisco, Chi Lung Wong
  • Patent number: 8827553
    Abstract: The exemplary embodiments relate to an autonomous temperature transmitter for use in process installations. In order to feed an electronic component with energy, a thermoelectric transducer is arranged such that it is thermally operatively connected to at least one thermal conducting element between an internal thermal coupling element and an external thermal coupling element, the internal thermal coupling element being thermally coupled to the process medium and the ambient air flowing around the external thermal coupling element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: ABB Technology AG
    Inventors: Holger Kaul, Manfred Wetzko, Marco Ulrich, Peter Krippner, Philipp Nenninger, Yannick Maret
  • Patent number: 8821009
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) resonator to monitor the platform temperature. Fabricating the resonator on a relatively low cost flexible polymer substrate rather than silicon provides mechanical flexibility as well as design flexibility with respect to sensor placement. Sensor readout and control circuits can be on silicon if desired, for example, a positive feedback amplifier to form an oscillator in conjunction with the resonator and a counter to count oscillator frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Mohamed A. Abdelmoneum, David A. Kaysen
  • Patent number: 8821012
    Abstract: Both a device-identification feature and a temperature-sensor feature are combined on a single integrated circuit. In various embodiments, both features are not operative simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Semiconductor Components Industries, LLC
    Inventor: Shen Wang
  • Patent number: 8810267
    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: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Truesense Imaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Shen Wang, Edward T. Nelson
  • Patent number: 8801281
    Abstract: A temperature detection circuit on an integrated circuit has a temperature sensitive oscillator, at least one temperature insensitive oscillator, a reference clock, process detection circuitry coupled to an output of the temperature insensitive oscillator and the output of the reference clock, the process detection circuitry to compare the outputs and produce a process signal, and temperature reference circuitry coupled to an output of the temperature sensitive oscillator, the output of the reference clock, and the process signal, the temperature detection circuitry to produce a temperature for the integrated circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Pixelworks, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronny C. Chan, Jenkin Wong, Kirk Lau
  • Patent number: 8801280
    Abstract: A temperature measuring method using a temperature probe in which a temperature-sensitive magnetic substance having an arbitrary Curie point is arranged in a portion to be measured. A magnetic field is generated from a magnetic field generation source disposed at a position away from the portion to be measured. A change of the magnetic flux vector of the magnetic field depending on the temperature of the temperature-sensitive magnetic substance is detected by a magnetic sensor to measure the temperature of the portion to be measured, thereby the temperature of the portion to be measured can be wirelessly measured from the position away from the portion to be measured and the reduction in size can be easy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Akita University
    Inventors: Noboru Yoshimura, Kazutaka Mitobe, Jun-ichi Ogawa, Hajime Saito
  • Patent number: 8801282
    Abstract: The invention pertains to flexible devices used for zero-heat-flux, deep tissue temperature measurement, especially to disposable temperature measurement devices. Such a device is constituted of a flexible substrate. An electrical circuit is disposed on a side of the substrate. The electrical circuit includes first and second thermal sensors disposed, respectively, on first and second substrate layers. A heater trace is disposed on the first substrate layer with the first thermal sensor. The first and second substrate layers are separated by a flexible layer of insulation disposed between the first and second substrate layers. The heater trace defines a heater with a central portion that operates with a first power density and a peripheral portion around the central portion that operates with a second power density greater than the first power density.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Mark T. Bieberich, Gary L. Hansen, Ryan J. Staab, Albert P. Van Duren, Allen H. Ziaimehr
  • Patent number: 8801272
    Abstract: A zero-heat-flux DTT measurement device is constituted of a flexible substrate supporting an electrical circuit including a heater trace defining a heater, thermal sensors, and a thermal sensor calibration circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Mark T. Bieberich, Gary L. Hansen, Ryan J. Staab, Albert P. Van Duren, Allen H. Ziaimehr
  • Patent number: 8796807
    Abstract: By incorporating germanium material into thermal sensing diode structures, the sensitivity thereof may be significantly increased. In some illustrative embodiments, the process for incorporating the germanium material may be performed with high compatibility with a process flow for incorporating a silicon/germanium material into P-channel transistors of sophisticated semiconductor devices. Hence, temperature control efficiency may be increased with reduced die area consumption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Rolf Stephan, Markus Forsberg, Gert Burbach, Anthony Mowry
  • Patent number: 8794829
    Abstract: An apparatus, system and method for temperature measurement of a target site, such a human body site. The invention includes an intelligent temperature probe configured to physically contact a target site and to communicate with a host device, which can be implemented as a hand-held device or as a personal computer. The host device can compute, store and display an accurate predicted temperature, or an actual temperature at thermal equilibrium, of the target site for each of a plurality of different intelligent temperature probes that each have unique and varied operating characteristics. A set of unique operating characteristics for each temperature probe is represented by information communicated between each respective temperature probe and the host device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Welch Allyn, Inc.
    Inventors: Craig M. Meyerson, David E. Quinn, John A. Lane, Anthony P. Wagner, Matthew J. Kinsley, Scott A. Martin, Matthew D. Mullin
  • Patent number: 8790008
    Abstract: A device for measuring the temperature of a substrate comprising a thermocouple comprising electric wires joined to each other at least one junction; a fixing element suitable for fixing said junction to said substrate in order to measure its temperature; characterized in that the fixing element comprises a thermally conductive element suitable for bearing a portion of electric wires adjacent to said junction; said thermally conductive element being capable of thermally coupling said portion of electric wires to said substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Astrium SAS
    Inventor: Christian Flemin
  • Patent number: 8783945
    Abstract: A superheat sensor (1) for sensing superheat of a fluid flowing in a flow channel (3) is disclosed. The sensor (1) comprises a flexible wall defining an interface between an inner cavity (5) having a charge fluid (6) arranged therein and the flow channel (3). The flexible wall is arranged in the flow channel (3) in thermal contact with the fluid flowing therein, and the flexible wall is adapted to conduct heat between the flow channel (3) and the inner cavity (5). Thereby the temperature of the charge fluid (6) adapts to the temperature of the fluid flowing in the flow channel (3), and the pressure in the inner cavity (5) is determined by this temperature. A first wall part (7, 14) and a second wall part (9, 16) are arranged at a variable distance from each other, said distance being defined by a differential pressure between the pressure of the charge fluid (6) and the pressure of the fluid flowing in the flow channel (3), i.e.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Danfoss A/S
    Inventors: Asbjoern Leth Vonsild, Claus Thybo, Leo Bram, Jakob Spangberg
  • Patent number: 8786449
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for using a thermal management core to control temperature on a system-on-chip (SoC). The method provides an SoC with an internal thermal management core and an internal temperature sensor. For example, the sensor may be located on or near a processor core die. The thermal management core monitors temperatures recorded by the SoC temperature sensor, and sends commands for controlling SoC device functions. In response to these commands, the thermal management core monitors a change in the temperature at SoC temperature sensor. The temperature sensor may be monitored via a dedicated SoC internal interface connecting the processor and the thermal management core. Alternately, the thermal management core may poll for temperatures via a system management bus (SMBUS) SoC external interface connecting the processor and thermal management core. Further, a dedicated SoC external alert interface connecting the processor and thermal management core may be monitored.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Applied Micro Circuits Corporation
    Inventors: Waseem Saify Kraipak, George Bendak
  • Patent number: 8783948
    Abstract: Techniques described herein generally relate to methods of manufacturing devices and systems including devices including a substrate with a surface, a conductive polymer film arranged on the surface of the substrate, wherein the conductive polymer film has one or more temperature reactive characteristics, and a pair of electrodes coupled to the polymer film, wherein the pair of electrodes are configured to communicate electrical signals to the conductive polymer film effective to measure the one or more temperature reactive characteristics. The conductive polymer film may be arranged on the surface of the substrate such that a thickness and dopant ratio of the conductive polymer film on the substrate is configurable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur
    Inventors: Siddhartha Panda, Hakeem Abrar Ahmed
  • Publication number: 20140198824
    Abstract: An eddy current sensor that works in contact-free manner, for temperature measurement on an electrically conductive measurement object or component, wherein the measurement is independent of the distance between the sensor and the measurement object/component, characterized by determination of the inherent temperature of the sensor, preferably at the location of the measurement coil of the sensor, wherein the influence of the inherent temperature of the sensor or of a temperature gradient at the sensor on the result of the temperature measurement on the measurement object or component is compensated. A system comprises a corresponding sensor and an electrically conductive measurement object. A method serves for temperature measurement on a measurement object or component, by means of a corresponding sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2012
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Applicant: MICRO-EPSILON MESSTECHNIK GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Josef Nagl, Reinhold Hoenicka, Felix Mednikov, Werner Groemmer
  • Patent number: 8777484
    Abstract: A resistance temperature sensor with a first temperature sensor element and a second temperature sensor element, wherein the first temperature sensor element comprises a first measuring path and the second temperature sensor element a second measuring path, wherein the first and the second measuring paths extend on a substrate, wherein the substrate has an anisotropic thermal expansion with at least two mutually differing expansion directions (a, c), and wherein a projection of the first measuring path on the expansion directions (a) differs from a projection of the second measuring path on the expansion directions (c).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser Wetzer GmbH + Co. KG
    Inventors: Peter Seefeld, Reinhard Buchner
  • Publication number: 20140177674
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a circuit is configured to produce a magnetic field signal having a frequency spectrum. The circuit may also produce a temperature signal. A modulation circuit may modulate the temperature signal with a frequency outside the frequency spectrum of the magnetic field signal. The modulated signal and the magnetic field signal may be combined to produce a combined signal. A separation circuit may be configured to separate component signals from the combined signal. The separation circuit may include a first filter, which, when applied to the combined signal, produces a filtered signal; a modulation circuit configured to shift the data representing the temperature signal to a baseband frequency; and a second filter configured to separate the data representing the temperature signal from the combined signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2012
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Inventors: Mathew Drouin, Devon Fernandez, William P. Taylor
  • Publication number: 20140174494
    Abstract: A thermoelectric material including a compound represented by Formula 1: MxBiy?aAaSez?bQb ??Formula 1 wherein, 1<x<2, 4<y?a<5, 7<z?b<9, 0?a<5, and 0?b<9; M is at least one transition metal element; A is at least one element of Groups 13 to 15; and Q is at least one element of Groups 16 to 17.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2013
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jung-young CHO, Sang-il KIM, Sung-woo HWANG, Jong-wook ROH, Kyu-hyoung LEE