With Compensation For Sensor Nonlinearity Or Lead Impedance Patents (Class 374/172)
  • Patent number: 6997605
    Abstract: The device for detection of the temperature in the interior of a vehicle, particularly for an air-conditioning system of a vehicle, is provided with an interior temperature sensor (28) arranged in a housing (18) arranged in or at a wall (12) adjacent to the interior (14) of the vehicle and being at least partially adjacent to the interior (14) of the vehicle, and a radiation sensor (30) detecting solar radiation leading to the heating of the housing (18) of the interior temperature sensor (28). Further, the device is provided with a compensation temperature sensor (36) arranged behind the wall (12) and such that it is thermally decoupled from the interior temperature sensor (28) and detecting the heat of air and/or assemblies behind the wall (12), which leads to a falsification of the measured value of the interior temperature sensor (28). The two temperature sensors (28,36) and the radiation sensor (30) are combined in a common assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Behr-Hella Thermocontrol GmbH
    Inventors: Ralph Trapp, Bernd Stich, Otto Knittel, Marwin Hamann
  • Patent number: 6910804
    Abstract: An RTD system includes multiple pluralities of RTDs and RTD bank assembly to which each plurality of RTDs are connected. Each RTD bank assembly includes a current source for the RTDs connected thereto, a multiplexer switching system for switching the current source successively between the RTDs, and a measurement function for measuring the voltage drop across the RTDs produced by the current source. The system includes a circuit for determining resistance of the RTD from the current applied thereto and the voltage drop there across. The system further includes a plurality of low pass filters associated, respectively, with each RTD, wherein the low pass filters are charged before the voltage measurement is made. The system includes a precharging arrangement where the low pass filter associated with the next RTD in a voltage sampling sequence is precharged, so that the delay between sampling of the voltage from the low pass filters associated with successive RTDs is significantly reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2005
    Assignee: Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Carl V. Mattoon, Travis L. Mooney
  • Patent number: 6908224
    Abstract: A centrifuge temperature pre-calibration apparatus including a memory storage device having correction coefficients for temperature, a controller, an un-calibrated temperature sensor and a calibrated temperature display device connected to a computer which based on data from these connections calculates a slope of a line and calculates actual temperature based on this slope and an offset value. The slope is determined by the ratio of the difference between a second data point and a first data point of the calibrated temperature display device and the difference between the second data point and the first data point of the un-calibrated temperature sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2005
    Assignee: Kendro Laboratory Products, LP
    Inventors: Harvey Schneider, David M. Carson, Ellen Deutsch
  • Publication number: 20040223534
    Abstract: The device for detection of the temperature in the interior of a vehicle, particularly for an air-conditioning system of a vehicle, is provided with an interior temperature sensor (28) arranged in a housing (18) arranged in or at a wall (12) adjacent to the interior (14) of the vehicle and being at least partially adjacent to the interior (14) of the vehicle, and a radiation sensor (30) detecting solar radiation leading to the heating of the housing (18) of the interior temperature sensor (28). Further, the device is provided with a compensation temperature sensor (36) arranged behind the wall (12) and such that it is thermally decoupled from the interior temperature sensor (28) and detecting the heat of air and/or assemblies behind the wall (12), which leads to a falsification of the measured value of the interior temperature sensor (28). The two temperature sensors (28,36) and the radiation sensor (30) are combined in a common assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2004
    Publication date: November 11, 2004
    Applicant: Behr-Hella Thermocontrol GmbH
    Inventors: Ralph Trapp, Bernd Stich, Otto Knittel, Marwin Hamann
  • Publication number: 20040208225
    Abstract: A slope correction signal setting unit is configured to output selectively one of a plurality of direct current signals according to the sensed temperature parameter signal. Levels of the plurality of direct current signals are determined to correspond to the predetermined temperature dependent characteristic of the sensor signal. An analog amplifying circuit is connected to the slope correction signal setting unit and configured to amplify the outputted direct current signal according to the sensed temperature parameter signal. An analog arithmetic circuit is connected to the analog amplifying circuit and configured to carry out a predetermined arithmetic operation based on the amplified direct current signal and the sensor signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2004
    Publication date: October 21, 2004
    Inventor: Yuzuru Otsuka
  • Publication number: 20040190592
    Abstract: A remotely programmable integrated sensor transmitter device for measuring and reporting a physical quantity of a given medium comprises a sensor for measuring a physical quantity of a medium and providing an electrical output as a function of the property measured, a scaler module for receiving the electrical output and for producing a scaled analog signal as a function of the physical quantity and a scale selection input, and a data interface for receiving programming data from an external computer and for providing the scale selection output to the scaler module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2003
    Publication date: September 30, 2004
    Applicant: INTEMPCO CONTROLS, LTD.
    Inventor: John Lojen
  • Patent number: 6749335
    Abstract: An adjustment and calibration system for post-fabrication treatment of an on-chip temperature sensor is provided. As explained in detail below, the adjustment and calibration system includes at least one adjustment circuit, to which the on-chip temperature sensor is responsive, and a storage device that selectively stores control information (1) associated with a state of the adjustment circuit and/or (2) from a tester that writes such control information to the storage device, where the control information stored in the storage device is subsequently selectively read out in order to adjust the adjustment circuit to a state corresponding to the control information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2004
    Assignee: Sun Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Claude Gauthier, Brian Amick, Spencer Gold, Pradeep Trivedi, Lynn Ooi
  • Publication number: 20040013165
    Abstract: Described are a device and a method for correcting a temperature signal, in particular, a temperature signal which characterizes the temperature of the gases which are fed to the internal combustion engine and/or which are emitted by the of an internal combustion engine. A first correction takes into account the response of the sensor. A second correction takes into account the dynamic behavior of the internal combustion engine and/or of the associated components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2003
    Publication date: January 22, 2004
    Inventors: Holger Plote, Andreas Krautter, Michael Walter
  • Patent number: 6554470
    Abstract: The present invention provides an improved method and apparatus to measure p-n junction device temperature by testing a device with M-Levels of applied collector current, sensing changes in output characteristics, and calculating the device current offset error and leakage current error due to parasitic parallel resistance where the leakage current error due to parasitic parallel resistance may be treated and eliminated as current offset error. Application of M levels of excitation values, where M is greater than or equal to four, eliminates device series parasitic effects, comprised of voltage offset and a series parasitic resistance, and parallel parasitic effects, comprised of current offset error and leakage current error due to parasitic parallel resistance, from temperature measurements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Maxim Integrated Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Hong Zhang, William Robert Rypka, Emy Tan, Mansour Izadinia
  • Patent number: 6519546
    Abstract: A transmitter in a process control system includes a resistance-based sensor sensing a process variable and providing a sensor output. Self heating circuitry coupled to the sensor provides a self heating signal related to the sensor. Analog-to-digital conversion circuitry coupled to the sensor output provides a digitized sensor output, and transmitter output diagnostic correction circuitry provides an auto corrected output as a function of the self heating signal output or in another embodiment, the transmitter outputs a residual life estimate of the sensor as a function of the self heating index. A novel method of calculating the self heating index is also disclosed, which is applicable to various methods for providing a diagnostic transmitter output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: Rosemount Inc.
    Inventors: Evren Eryurek, Jogesh Warrior
  • Patent number: 6449574
    Abstract: A device in a process control system includes an electrical element which has a resistance. Self heating circuitry coupled to the element provides a self heating signal related to the resistance of the element. Diagnostic circuitry provides a diagnostic output as a function of the self heating signal output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Assignees: Micro Motion, Inc., Rosemount Inc.
    Inventors: Evren Eryurek, Jogesh Warrior, Andrew T. Patten
  • Patent number: 6402371
    Abstract: A radiation detector for axillary temperature measurement comprises a wand having an axially directed radiation sensor at one end and an offset handle at the opposite end. The radiation sensor is mounted within a heat sink and retained by an elastomer in compression. The radiation sensor views a target surface through an emissivity compensating cup and a plastic film. A variable reference is applied to a radiation sensor and amplifier circuit in order to maintain full analog-to-digital converter resolution over design ranges of target and sensor temperature with the sensor temperature either above or below target temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Assignee: Exergen Corporation
    Inventors: Francesco Pompei, Janus Ternullo
  • Publication number: 20010019574
    Abstract: A radiation detector for axillary temperature measurement comprises a wand having an axially directed radiation sensor at one end and an offset handle at the opposite end. The radiation sensor is mounted within a heat sink and retained by an elastomer in compression. The radiation sensor views a target surface through an emissivity compensating cup and a plastic film. A variable reference is applied to a radiation sensor and amplifier circuit in order to maintain full analog-to-digital converter resolution over design ranges of target and sensor temperature with the sensor temperature either above or below target temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2001
    Publication date: September 6, 2001
    Applicant: Exergen Corp
    Inventors: Francesco Pompei, Janus Ternullo
  • Patent number: 6224255
    Abstract: A temperature pickup for an oil-filled transformer or tap changer has within a resistance thermometer standard housing, the circuitry for duty-factor-modulated output of a measurement signal, interference circuitry which can slur the resulting wave form and an interface circuit which subjects the output signal to polarity reversal to produce an output symmetrical with respect to ground potential. This enables zero crossings to be detected and the time lapse between zero crossings or passages to be ascertained and the temperature calculated from the duty-factor ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2001
    Assignee: Maschinenfabrik Reinhausen GmbH
    Inventors: Manfred Stadelmayer, Karsten Viereck
  • Patent number: 6183131
    Abstract: A temperature sensor corrects the parabolic curvature error in the output signal without attempting to linearize the reference voltage itself. A temperature sensor produces a temperature output signal that is a function of the ratio of a temperature dependent voltage to a reference voltage. The temperature sensor uses a nonlinear reference voltage, e.g., the reference voltage conforms to a curve with an approximately hyperbolic shape over a temperature range, so that the ratio of the temperature dependent voltage to the hyperbolic reference voltage will be linear. The hyperbolic reference voltage is generated by summing a reference voltage with an appropriate temperature dependent voltage. The “gain” or slope of the ratio is altered by adjusting a scaling factor. Finally, the offset of the ratio is adjusted so that the temperature sensor produces the appropriate output signal at ambient temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Assignee: National Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Peter R. Holloway, Ravi Subrahmayan, Gary S. Sheehan
  • Patent number: 6169442
    Abstract: An IC monitoring chip (10) for remotely monitoring the output of a thermal diode (5) formed in the substrate of a CPU (2) for monitoring the temperature of a thermal plate (3) of the CPU (2) comprises a signal conditioning circuit (12) which relays the output from the diode (5) to an analog-to-digital converter (14), which in turns outputs a two's compliment signal to an adder (22). The adder (22) adds the two's compliment signal to a temperature offset value stored in a temperature offset register (17), which compensates for the temperature difference between the diode (5) and the thermal plate (3). Comparators (24) and (25) compare the output from the adder (22) with upper and lower predetermined temperature limits in upper and lower limit registers (19) and (20) for determining the temperature of the thermal plate (3). The temperature offset value is stored in ROM (35) of the computer (1) and is written to the register (17) each time the computer (1) is powered up.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: Analog Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick Meehan, John Blake, David Thomson
  • Patent number: 6099163
    Abstract: A circuit for correcting a non-linear output of an electronic temperature sensor due to a non-linear drift over an operating range of temperature. The circuit includes a first circuit portion for adjusting a bias voltage of the sensor to a select initial voltage. The circuit also includes second circuit portion interfacing with the first circuit portion. The second circuit portion comprises at least one electronic element with a non-linear drift over the operating range of temperature, but in a direction opposite that of the drift of the temperature sensor. Thus, the drift of the electronic element alters the bias voltage over the operating range in a manner that compensates (at least partially) for the non-linear drift of the temperature sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2000
    Assignee: Airpax Corporation, LLC
    Inventor: Shaun Goodwin
  • Patent number: 5857777
    Abstract: A smart temperature sensing device 10 includes a sensor 16 and a memory 25 on a sensor unit 14. The memory contains a plurality of custom nonlinear calibration coefficients which uniquely characterize the sensor 16. A temperature system includes the smart temperature sensing device 10 and a FSAU 12 having a processor 28 which downloads the calibration coefficients and utilizes them in converting electrical signals from the sensor 16 into temperature values that represent the temperature at the sensor 16. A method of calibrating a sensor 16 includes measuring an output signal of the sensor 16 over a temperature range, thereby obtaining a plurality of paired data points. The paired data points are used in a curve-fitting algorithm to obtain coefficients to a polynomial that characterizes the nonlinear temperature-voltage relationship of the sensor 16. The coefficients are stored within the memory 25 until downloaded by the processor 28 for use in signal conversion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1999
    Assignee: Claud S. Gordon Company
    Inventor: William C. Schuh
  • Patent number: 5764246
    Abstract: A printing apparatus has a control unit for controlling the driving of a print head in accordance with a temperature measured by a sensor which is provided on a movable carriage for mounting the print head. The control unit controls a sensor such that the sensor measures the temperature when the carriage is in a position where the heat from motors or the like in the printing apparatus does not affect the sensor on the carriage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masafumi Wataya, Shinji Kanemitsu, Makoto Kashimura, Makoto Takemura, Shinya Matsui, Toshiyuki Onishi, Tetsuhiro Nitta, Yasuhiro Unosawa, Satoshi Saikawa, Masaru Satou, Hiroshi Yoshino
  • Patent number: 5655841
    Abstract: An error-compensated temperature measurement system has a temperature sensor, an amplifying circuit and a compensation circuit for compensating non-linearities in the amplifying circuit of the temperature sensor. Specifically, the amplifying circuit has an analogue to digital converter exhibiting non-linearity characteristics, and the compensating circuit automatically compensates these non-linearities as well as correcting for the self-zero and self gain characteristics of the amplifying circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 12, 1997
    Assignee: Whessoe Varec, Inc.
    Inventor: Harvey Storm
  • Patent number: 5639163
    Abstract: A pair of on-chip thermal sensing diodes are formed together and interconnected with a common cathode to form a differential sensing pair. A pair of precision resistors external to the chip generates two constant currents, one for each diode, with a ratio of one to the other on the order of 100 to 1. The precision resistor values are selected so that variations about the nominal values of metal and via resistances between the diode contacts and the chip contact pads (e.g. C4 contacts) are negligible compared to the precision resistor values. Leads, connected respectively to two pads on the chip, couple a differential output of the anode voltages of the diode pair to the input of a high impedance amplifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 17, 1997
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Evan Ezra Davidson, Francis Edward Bosco, Charles Kyriakos Vakirtzis
  • Patent number: 5495093
    Abstract: A soldering system is disclosed having a stored program microcontroller by which one or more temperatures can be selected for a soldering iron tip. The system then automatically maintains such tip temperature during the soldering operation. The programmed microcontroller is coupled through input/output and interface circuits to a heating control that in turn is connected to the iron heater element for switching AC power in units of full waveform cycles across the element while the temperature of the tip is measured by a resistor sensor and an associated bridge measurement circuit so as to produce a signal that is applied to an input of the microcontroller forming a feedback loop. This causes the resistor sensor and hence the iron tip to reach the desired temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 27, 1996
    Assignee: Edsyn, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert C. Griffith
  • Patent number: 5351010
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining a characteristic of a resistor and/or an environment occurring as a voltage across a measuring resistor (e.g., a voltage across a temperature-dependent resistor) by comparing it with a reference value that occurs as a voltage across a reference resistor (e.g., a voltage across a temperature-stabilized reference resistor) to determine, for example, temperature. A total of four voltages are measured. That is, positive and negative currents are passed through the measuring resistor and the resulting first and second voltages across the measuring resistor are detected. Positive and negative currents then are passed through the reference resistor and the resulting third and fourth voltages across the reference resistor are detected. The difference between the first and second voltage and the third and fourth voltages is determined to eliminate the effect of thermo-electric voltages in the lines to the resistors and the lines of the contact terminals in the switches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 27, 1994
    Assignees: Hans Leopold, Hans Stabinger
    Inventors: Hans Leopold, Hans Stabinger, Klaus P. Schrocker
  • Patent number: 5345064
    Abstract: A temperature probe conditioner, while developing a voltage output proportional to probe temperature, generates a verify and a calibration output. A verify output to check the correctness of the conditioner's output voltage and a calibration output to confirm the range of the conditioner as well as to calibrate the port of an external circuit. These signals are connected to a microprocessor or similar device which makes decisions on whether to turn cooking elements "on" or "off" or to stop due to detected errors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 6, 1994
    Assignee: Appliance Control Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Gary L. Hesse
  • Patent number: 5317520
    Abstract: A microprocessor-controlled remote resistance measurement system is disclosed wherein the connection leads to the three- or four-wire resistance temperature devices (RTDs) are multiplexed via a four-channel analog multiplexer at the input of the unit. A separate two-channel multiplexer is also used to multiplex a fifth input for measurement of a reference resistor. The output of the multiplexer is coupled to a voltage-to-frequency converter, wherein the frequency output is utilized as an input to the microprocessor-based controller. The microcontroller can check for broken wires by addressing the multiplexers to individually isolate any of the connecting wires to the remote RTD sensors. The output of the multiplexer is monitored in a Test Mode by connecting a known impedance to the multiplexer output to determine if any RTD connections are defective.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 31, 1994
    Assignee: Moore Industries International Inc.
    Inventor: Jonathan Castle
  • Patent number: 5282685
    Abstract: An electronic thermometer for use in food and dairy processing is disclosed. The thermometer utilizes a passive trimming circuit in conjunction with high quality Resistive Temperature Devices (RTDs), along with four-wire measurement circuitry to create an extremely accurate signal so that all probes are interchangeable and require no adjustment to maintain accuracy. The current source is modulated to linearize the RTDs response over a broad temperature range. To substantially eliminate the possibility of false temperature readings, dual RTDs and redundant electronic circuitry are employed, along with a detection circuit which will blank out the display should an error be detected. To prevent undue display blanking, a rapid temperature change sensing circuit will temporarily override the display blanking feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 1, 1994
    Assignee: Anderson Instrument Company, Inc.
    Inventor: John H. Koegler
  • Patent number: 5281872
    Abstract: A current detectable transistor T.sub.r comprises a main transistor in which a main current flows and a sense transistor for detecting the current flowing in the main transistor. A sense resistance R.sub.S having a temperature coefficient .alpha..sub.S suitable for maintaining the constancy of a sense voltage V.sub.S regardless of a temperature change .DELTA.T is provided at the emitter of the sense transistor. Because the sense voltage V.sub.S can be measured between the two ends of a sense resistor R.sub.S with little temperature drift, the sense voltage V.sub.S obtained as a detection result remains constant regardless of the temperature change .DELTA.T, thereby enabling a current to be detected with high precision.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 25, 1994
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toyoda Jidoshokki Seisakusho
    Inventor: Shogo Mori
  • Patent number: 5226733
    Abstract: The voltage across a temperature responsive diode supplied with constant current is sensed and applied to two analog amplifiers with different gains. The output from each amplifier is applied to a sample and hold circuit. The output from each sample and hold circuit is applied to an analog to digital converter to produce two binary signals. The minimum binary value of one signal corresponds to the minimum voltage drop; the maximum to the drop at an intermediate temperature. The minimum binary value of a second signal corresponds to the drop at the intermediate temperature and the maximum binary value of this signal corresponds to the drop at a maximum temperature. Both binary signals are applied to the multiplexer which selects one signal to address a stored temperature in a look-up table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1993
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Michael D. Mitchell, David C. Smith
  • Patent number: 5224777
    Abstract: A temperature measurement equipment in which the accuracy of temperature measurement is improved by smoothly connecting the characteristic curves measured by two sensors having different characteristics, and dividing the characteristic curve into a plurality of curves, in particular in the vicinity of 4 K., digital processing being performed with a set resolution for each of these divided regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1993
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Soichiro Hayashi, Masami Simizu, Katsuto Ishii, Yoshio Tanaka, Hiroyasu Okamura
  • Patent number: 5195827
    Abstract: The temperature at a semiconductor device having a generally non-linear, temperature dependent relationship between a pair of device parameters is determined by applying a plurality of sequential excitations to the device at different excitation levels, sensing the levels of the device parameters that correspond to the sequential excitations, and determining the device temperature from the sequential device parameter levels. The device may include a p-n junction, and is preferably a bipolar transistor whose collector current and base-emitter voltage serve as the parameters from which the temperature is obtained. Using three sequential excitations, an accurate temperature reading can be obtained that substantially cancels the effects of the transistor's parasitic base and emitter resistances. p-n junction diodes and Schottky diodes may also serve as the device, in which case the current through and voltage across the diode are used to determine temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1993
    Assignee: Analog Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan M. Audy, Barrie Gilbert
  • Patent number: 5178468
    Abstract: Provided are a temperature measuring probe separable from a main body which includes a signal processor, and an electronic clinical thermometer equipped with this probe. The temperature measuring probe includes a temperature measuring circuit supported by a flat, flexible, strip-shaped base member, in which the temperature measuring circuit is sealed by a coating member, such as a film, and/or a filler, one end thereof being treated to form a connector. This structure allows the overall probe to be formed into a film-, sheet- or plate-like configuration. Preferably, a core member is provided between the base member and coating member, with the flexibility and rigidity of the overall probe being decided by selecting the thickness, material and cross-sectional configuration of the core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1993
    Assignee: Terumo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masahiro Shiokawa, Makoto Ikeda, Kiyoshi Sohma, Masami Iriki, Kinji Uchino, Yoshikatsu Kawashima, Masahiro Kusakabe
  • Patent number: 5149200
    Abstract: A temperature measuring probe includes a temperature measuring circuit having a temperature sensing body supported by a flat, flexible strip-shaped base member, in which the temperature measuring circuit is sealed by a coating member, such as a film, and/or a filler, one end thereof being treated to form a connector. This structure allows the overall probe to be formed into a film-, sheet-, or plate-like configuration. Preferably, a core member is provided to the base member and coating member, with the flexibility and rigidity of the overall probe being decided by selecting the thickness, material and cross-sectional configuration of the core. The core includes at least one cavity. The thickness of the core member at a portion of the at least one cavity being approximately the same as that of the temperature sensing body. The core member has a smoothly diminishing thickness from the at least one cavity toward the rearward end of the probe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1992
    Assignee: Terumo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masahiro Shiokawa, Makoto Ikeda, Kiyoshi Sohma, Masami Iriki, Kinji Uchino, Yoshikatsu Kawashima, Masahiro Kusakabe
  • Patent number: 5088837
    Abstract: Provided are a temperature measuring probe separable from a main body which includes a signal processor, and an electronic clinical thermometer equipped with this probe. The temperature measuring probe includes a temperature measuring circuit supported by a flat, flexible, strip-shaped base member, in which the temperature measuring circuit is sealed by a coating member, such as a film, and/or a filler, one end thereof being treated to form a connector. This structure allows the overall probe to be formed into a film-, sheet- or plate-like configuration. Preferably, a core member is provided between the base member and coating member, with the flexiblity and rigidity of the overall probe being decided by selecting the thickness, material and cross-sectional configuration of the core. The temperature measuring circuit preferably is composed of the minimum number of required circuit elements, and individual probes are provided with interchangeability by trimming, selection of characteristics or other treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1992
    Assignee: Terumo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masahiro Shiokawa, Makoto Ikeda, Kiyoshi Sohma, Masami Iriki, Kinji Uchino, Yoshikatsu Kawashima, Masahiro Kusakabe
  • Patent number: 5066141
    Abstract: An electronic clinical thermometer of the present invention can maintain a high precision of prediction in a wider range of changes in temperature by storing a plurality of prediction methods and setting a prediction method for the equilibrium temperature in accordance with changes in detected temperature with the passage of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 19, 1991
    Assignee: Terumo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Makoto Ikeda, Makoto Toriumi
  • Patent number: 5038303
    Abstract: A method and apparatus accurately measures temperature even if a temperature difference exists between cold junctions of the main thermocouple. An auxiliary thermocouple is connected to one leg of the main thermocouple to provide cold junction compensation. Extension leads are connected to both cold junctions to take thermo emf from the thermocouple. The leads are made from a material having a thermoelectromotive characteristic in agreement with the thermoelectromotive characteristic of the other leg at low temperatures at which the cold junction compensation is provided. A converter converts the thermo emf of the composite thermocouple into temperature. The converter can separately set interpolations for converting the thermo emf of the auxiliary thermocouple into thermo emf of the main thermocouple and for coverting the sum of the converted thermo emf and the thermo emf of the main thermocouple into temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1991
    Assignee: Yamari Industries, Limited
    Inventor: Hideo Kimura
  • Patent number: 4901257
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for calibrating a temperature measuring device by operating a heat source at a preset temperature as determined by a temperature sensing resistor and a digitally calculated temperature which varies nonlinearly with the resistance of the resistor, and obtaining the coefficients for the calculation by operating the device at a preset temperature and comparing this temperature with that of a standard temperature measuring device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1987
    Date of Patent: February 13, 1990
    Assignee: King Nutronics Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel Y. Chang, Bradley C. Waldron, James M. Walthers, Sr.
  • Patent number: 4847794
    Abstract: A method of error compensation for transducers having non-linear characteristics is shown. A computer-supported measuring circuit is used. In a first factory alignment, the output characteristic of the transducer is set so that it can be linearized by the computer using a power function. The appropriate exponent of the power function is stored. At the place of use, at least three calibration measurements are performed with the installed transducer using defined calibration measured values substantially spanning the measuring range of the transducer equidistantly. The power function is solved with the calibration measuring results and the stored exponent, so that the constants not yet known can be calculated. During every following service measurement, the actual measuring result is put into the now solved power function. The result of the equation is then outputted as the error-compensated measuring result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1986
    Date of Patent: July 11, 1989
    Assignee: Micro-Epsilon Messtechnik GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Franz Hrubes
  • Patent number: 4844623
    Abstract: An electronic thermometer includes: an oscillator capable of changing from a connection between a reference and a capacitor and a resistance bulb and the capacitor. A counter is used for counting the oscillation frequency of the oscillator, and a clock is used to measure the time needed for the counter to count up to a specified number. The thermometer uses a memory circuit for preliminarily storing data to be used in a linearization process. A control circuit is included for linearizing the temperature to be detected by suppressing certain count pulses on a count by count basis according to data stored in a one-bit ROM. The temperature is then displayed by a display device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1987
    Date of Patent: July 4, 1989
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yoshihiro Wada
  • Patent number: 4788490
    Abstract: A method for measuring resistance of an electromagnetic servovalve associated with a brake torque limiting control system. The servovalve is controlled by two parallel connected controllers, one a current driver controller and the other a voltage driver controller whose output is dependent upon the resistance value being measured. The method includes a short series of sequential steps and computation executed by the voltage driver controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1987
    Date of Patent: November 29, 1988
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Andrew M. Valaas
  • Patent number: 4636092
    Abstract: A diode thermometer wherein a current source is operated to cause a temperature sensing diode to be subjected to operation at a first current level and then a second current level different from the first current level. A voltage generated from the diode by the switching of the current is applied to a circuit which up integrates the voltage for a certain time interval at the conclusion of which a known reference voltage is applied to the integrator, of opposite sense to the previous signal so that the integrator now integrates in the opposite direction. A capability is provided such that the integrator starts from a zero reference level when it begins to integrate, and when it is integrating the known reference signal it returns toward this zero reference. A comparator detects return of the integrator output signal to the zero reference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1985
    Date of Patent: January 13, 1987
    Inventor: Dennis J. Hegyi
  • Patent number: 4629336
    Abstract: An electronic clinical thermometer capable of executing plural temperature prediction functions in which elapsed measurement time is a variable, each function prescribing a temperature change up to a final, stable temperature. One of the temperature prediction functions is set, and actual body temperature is sensed at a specific point in time. Then, based on the sensed temperature and selected function, a final temperature is obtained at least twice in accordance with a time series and the temperatures are compared to obtain a difference between them. When the difference falls outside prescribed limits, a new temperature prediction function is selected, a final temperature is obtained based thereon, and the foregoing process is repeated until a difference is found which lies within the prescribed limits. The final temperature obtained at such time is delivered as an output indicative of measured temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1985
    Date of Patent: December 16, 1986
    Assignee: Terumo Corp.
    Inventor: Hideo Ishizaka
  • Patent number: 4627745
    Abstract: There is disclosed a fast responding temperature transducer circuit which provides an accurate steady-state output representing temperature in short periods of time. The circuit includes a temperature sensor which is sampled during alternate periods of time so that during one period, the temperature sensor provides a signal representing temperature, and during the alternate periods, the sensor output is shorted to prevent heat dissipation within the temperature sensor. The system may be used to achieve steady-state outputs in environments requiring fast response without a loss of accuracy and operable over wide temperature ranges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1983
    Date of Patent: December 9, 1986
    Assignee: Rockwell International Corporation
    Inventor: Billie F. Rider
  • Patent number: 4628316
    Abstract: A circuit and method to compensate for thermal effects on potentionmeter based sensors by presenting two input signals at different times to a comparator; the first utilizing one leg of the potentiometer and the second utilizing both legs. The comparator output will change states after receiving each input signal. The time periods between the receipt of the input signal and the outputs' change of state are stored.The quotient of the time periods cancels out most of the thermal effects on the potentiometer and is still a representative of the original potentiometer signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1984
    Date of Patent: December 9, 1986
    Assignee: Chrysler Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Salim A. Momin
  • Patent number: 4624582
    Abstract: Apparatus for making a transition from leads (12-26) of a temperature measuring thermocouple to extension wires (44-58) within a hermetically sealed cable sheath (60) of small diameter. The interior of the cable sheath (60) is shielded from electromagnetic radiation by an electrically conductive liner (62). A thermally conductive, electrically insulating material (66) surrounds the intermediate junctions (28-42). The temperature of the intermediate junctions (28-42) is measured (64) providing a signal to compensate the voltage generated by the temperature measuring thermocouples due to the thermoelectric effect of the intermediate junctions (28-42).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 1984
    Date of Patent: November 25, 1986
    Inventors: Lionel A. Banda, Thomas J. Devon
  • Patent number: 4619140
    Abstract: In a circuit arrangement for the electrothermal measurement of level with a resistance sensor (1) which can be fed by a source of constant current (3), a flow-of-operation control (12) for timed operation of the circuit arrangement in scanning periods is provided. By the flow-of-operation control the resistance sensor is heated periodically, namely only during a heating time (t.sub.0 to t.sub.1) at the start of a scanning period. By the flow-of-operation control the compensation voltage is, in this connection, detected by the resistance sensor and provisionally stored. At the end of the heating time another detection is effected, this time of the measurement voltage. By dividing the measurement voltage by the compensation voltage a value which is analogous to the level of a fluid surrounding the resistance sensor is formed. This value contains practically no disturbing variables.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 1984
    Date of Patent: October 28, 1986
    Assignee: VDO Adolf Schindling AG
    Inventor: Frank Kuhnel
  • Patent number: 4575806
    Abstract: An improved system for precisely measuring temperatures at remote locations using a microprocessor and resistance temperature detectors is achieved by providing means for pre-selecting a particular temperature range and using this temperature range information to generate a comparison level for determining the measured temperature. By employing the present invention, the fixed number of bits used to produce the temperature information output is concentrated over a limited range of temperatures, thereby achieving greater precision, since each information bit represents a much smaller number.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1982
    Date of Patent: March 11, 1986
    Assignee: Gould, Inc.
    Inventors: Wilbert H. Aldrich, Alan Rich, Dennis Picker
  • Patent number: 4563098
    Abstract: A gradient compensated temperature probe including a probe body and a temperature responsive element in the probe body at a measuring location couplable to a conventional temperature sensing circuit. The probe further includes a heating element spaced apart from the temperature responsive element for heating the probe to compensate for a temperature gradient along the probe. The probe further includes a bridge circuit, the legs of which each include a temperature dependent resistor located in the probe body between the heating element and the temperature responsive element. A comparator detects a temperature difference between the two temperature dependent resistors to control the application of power to the heating element to provide temperature gradient compensation for the probe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1983
    Date of Patent: January 7, 1986
    Inventor: David S. Bartran
  • Patent number: 4541734
    Abstract: An electronic clinical thermometer capable of executing plural temperature prediction functions in which elapsed measurement time is a variable, each function prescribing a temperature change up to a final, stable temperature. One of the temperature prediction functions is set, and actual body temperature is sensed at a specific point in time. Then, based on the sensed temperature and selected function, a final temperature is obtained at least twice in accordance with a time series and the temperatures are compared to obtain a difference between them. When the difference falls outside prescribed limits, a new temperature prediction function is selected, a final temperature is obtained based thereon, and the foregoing process is repeated until a difference is found which lies within the prescribed limits. The final temperature obtained at such time is delivered as an output indicative of measured temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 1983
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1985
    Assignee: Terumo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hideo Ishizaka
  • Patent number: 4525792
    Abstract: A fuel-gauging system has a capacitive probe mounted in a fuel tank and supplied with an alternating voltage V.sub.s from a drive unit. The output of the probe is rectified by a diode mounted in the tank, prior to supply to a measuring unit. The voltage V.sub.D across the diode varies with temperature and is measured periodically by reducing the input voltage V.sub.s by a known factor X. The voltage V.sub.D is calculated by the measuring unit from the two output currents I.sub.1 and I.sub.2 produced respectively at the two different voltages V.sub.s and V.sub.s /X. The capacitance and hence the depth of fluid is calculated using the known voltage V.sub.D across the diode. The drive unit has a transformer that is used to reduce the voltage periodically by switching between different tappings of its secondary windings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1983
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1985
    Assignee: Smiths Industries Public Limited Company
    Inventor: Peter Clinton
  • Patent number: 4516865
    Abstract: A resistance thermometer in which a temperature sensing resistor is connected in parallel with a series combination consisting of a signal output resistor and a compensating resistor. By choosing the resistance ratio between two resistors to be equal to the ratio of the desired resistance value to the error of the temperature sensing resistor, the output voltage developed on the signal output resistor reflects the voltage expected on the temperature sensing resistor without the resistance error thereof. The temperature sensing resistor and the compensating resistor constitute a circuit unit which is detachable from the rest of the resistance thermometer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1983
    Date of Patent: May 14, 1985
    Inventor: Sugimori Hideo