Abstract: A DC/DC converter includes a metal case, a power converter accommodated in the case, a substrate, and a temperature sensor mounted on a surface of the substrate. The case includes a bottom wall, a side wall extending from the bottom wall, a boss, and a coupling portion. The coupling portion couples the side wall to the boss. The coupling portion extends from the bottom wall along an axis of the boss and along a surface of the side wall. The temperature sensor is arranged to face the coupling portion.

Abstract: A temperature measurement method, a probe, and a device for measuring fluid temperature are disclosed. For the temperature measurement method, a main thermocouple is placed in a fluid to obtain a first temperature, two auxiliary thermocouples are placed on the two wires of the main thermocouple respectively to obtain a second temperature and a third temperature. Applying multiple stimuli to the main thermocouple makes it experience multiple thermal equilibrium states. The first temperature, the second temperature, and the third temperature in each thermal equilibrium state are obtained. In each thermal equilibrium state, energy conservation equations are established for the main thermocouple, and the energy conservation equations of all thermal equilibrium states are solved together to obtain the fluid temperature. The present invention also provides the probe and the device for implementation of the method. With the invention, the fluid temperature measurement accuracy in a steady flow field is improved.

Abstract: A circuit device that is connected to a temperature detection element that detects a temperature of an object via an external signal line and an external signal ground line includes a connector that is connected to the external signal line and the external signal ground line, an internal signal line that is connected to the external signal line via the connector, an internal signal ground line that is connected to the external signal ground line via the connector, a controlling circuit that is connected to the internal signal line and the internal signal ground line and detects the temperature of the object, and a high-frequency filter that is inserted into at least one of a foremost stage of the internal signal line and a foremost stage of the internal signal ground line as viewed from the connector.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a multi-lightpath and multi-angle measurement apparatus, including an electrically controlled rotary table, electronically controlled translation tables, a laser transmitting/receiving end face, laser couplers, a multipath data acquisition card, a laser controller, a translation controller, an etalon, a laser, detectors, and a computer. The measurement apparatus uses an all-fiber coupling structure, and two ends of the laser transmitting/receiving end face are respectively fixed on two electronically controlled translation tables. Therefore, a maximum area measured by the apparatus is 350 mm×350 mm, and an adjustable minimum translation distance is 1 mm. Bottoms of the translation tables are fixed on the electrically controlled rotary table. Featuring an ingenious design and a compact structure, the whole apparatus is easy to disassemble and easy to operate.

Abstract: A device and method of precise distance measurement of a transmission line to any object below it is disclosed, along with a network of such devices. The technique employs ultrasonic or laser sensor technology to measure the distance to the nearest object, be it vegetation or a crossing conductor below, and reports that distance wirelessly to the system operator or transmission asset owner. The ultrasonic measurement package may be part of a Transmission Line Security Monitor, which mounts to a transmission line conductor and is powered by the transmission line, transmitting the data by radio links. The technology is equally applicable to encroachment of objects from the side (for example, other transmission lines), as well as to other electrical lines, such as distribution lines, or to other sensing. A built-in transceiver allows the device to communicate with other devices and forward alerts from these devices in a daisy-chain fashion to the intended recipient.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, a thermoelectric system includes a thermoelectric device having a first surface and a second surface and a power source configured to deliver a voltage across the thermoelectric device to selectively activate or deactivate the thermoelectric device, wherein the first surface is configured to heat and the second surface is configured to cool when the thermoelectric device is activated. The system further includes a processor configured to determine a potential between the first surface and the second surface when the thermoelectric device is deactivated, correlate the potential to a temperature of the first surface and adjust the correlated temperature of the first surface based on an ambient temperature.

Abstract: Provided is an apparatus for measuring a thermoelectric device. The apparatus includes a high temperature heater controlling a temperature of a first side of a sample, a low temperature heater controlling a temperature of a second side of the sample, a fine control heater controlling the temperature of the first side of the sample by a smaller unit than the high temperature heater, a temperature control and voltage measuring unit controlling the high temperature heater, the low temperature heater, and the fine control heater and measuring voltages of the first and second sides of the sample, and a thermal conductivity measuring unit measuring thermal conductivity of the sample by using a high temperature output voltage generated in the first side of the sample and a low temperature output voltage generated in the second side of the sample.

Abstract: The aim of the invention is to reduce the temperature gradient at the connection terminals of a connection unit to which lines can be joined. The inventive temperature compensation element is made of at least one first strip of thermally conducting material on which terminal lugs are arranged in a row at essentially right angles to the strip and are insulted in relation to each other and the strip. The terminal lugs are connected to the strip in a thermally conductive manner and can be respectively contacted to the lines with corresponding contact terminals of the connection unit.

Abstract: A diverse and redundant resistance temperature detector (“D&R RTD”) is provided. The D&R RTD is utilized in obtaining temperature readings in environments, such as fluids and gasses, by measuring electrical characteristics of the D&R RTD that are influenced by the temperature. Furthermore, the D&R RTD's are arranged such that a plurality of measurements can be obtained, which provides sufficient diversity and redundancy of the measurements for enhanced diagnostics to be performed, such as optimization for fast dynamic response, calibration stability, in-situ response time testability, and in-situ calibration testability.

Abstract: A heater is provided that has a temperature sensing control system which can be used for both temperature control and over-temperature protection against element burnout. The temperature control system is comprised of an inlet temperature sensing assembly positioned at the inlet to the heater element and an exit thermocouple positioned in the exit end of the heater element. The exit thermocouple may be used for control the heater temperature and provide over-temperature protection. The inlet temperature sensing assembly is used to detect low or no air flow conditions which could lead to heater element failure.

Abstract: A calibrated isothermal assembly for a thermocouple thermometer is provided to obviate a calibration step after manufacture of the instrument. A compact isothermal block is fabricated on a specialized printed circuit board which includes a thick metal plate to establish sufficient thermal mass and good heat conductivity. A temperature sensor is mounted at the thermocouple reference junction on the printed circuit board to track the reference junction temperature. The calibrated isothermal assembly also includes a current source for the temperature sensor, and a memory device containing stored calibration data specific to the temperature sensor.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for correcting error in temperature readings caused by thermocouple-to-extension wire ambient temperature fluctuations. The device creates an isothermal mass which raises the temperature of terminals to higher than ambient temperature. The isothermal mass consists of a self heating thermistor surrounded by thermal conductive epoxy inside an isothermal mass which contains the terminals. The isothermal mass is enclosed within insulating discs using a closure casing to complete the assembly. Using these higher than ambient temperature terminals for the connection between a thermocouple and extension wires, any error due to ambient temperature fluctuations is minimized.

Abstract: A method of controlling the tip temperature of a soldering iron of the kind to which rectified commercial AC power is supplied. The tip temperature is controlled by setting a control cycle at N times the cycle of AC power and adjusting the number of supply pulses of rectified voltage during each control cycle.

Abstract: A thin film thermocouple having junctions (2, 7) of metal and semiconducting metal oxides such as tin oxide/silver, and used as surface temperature sensors in conjunction with thin film heating elements (1) to control temperature.

Abstract: An integrated circuit includes: a comparator coupled in a configuration to compare two voltages. One of the two voltages includes a semiconductor junction voltage drop. The other of the two voltages includes a voltage signal, X V.sub.t, where V.sub.t is a thermal voltage and X includes a selected signal value, which modulates the thermal voltage. The configuration includes a feedback path to vary X until X V.sub.t approximately equals the voltage including the semiconductor junction voltage drop.

Abstract: A heater/sensor with an electric heating coil has an insulating pipe with a bore therein has nonheating wire threaded therethrough. The nonheating wire is attached to a first end of a heating wire which is wound about the periphery of the insulating pipe. A second end of the heating wire is attached to a second nonheating wire. A first ceramic coating of a binder and a coarse grade alumina is formed on the pipe and wires through a dip process. A second ceramic coating of a binder and a fine alumina coating is formed on the first ceramic coating though a second dip process. The twice coated heater/sensor complex is secured in a soldering iron tip.

Abstract: An external connection mechanism of a printed-circuit board 1 has a U-shaped elastic metal piece 2 having two parallel legs adapted to receive one edge of a printed-circuit board 1 therebetween. An insulating terminal base 3 holds both the metal piece 2 and an electric terminal 4 while keeping them in contact. The printed-circuit board 1 carries a temperature sensor 13 which is connected to a temperature-responsive circuit of the board 1. A contact lug 6 is formed by bending one of the two legs so as to be engageable with a conductive portion of the board 1, and a temperature-measuring station 7 is formed by bending root portion of the other one of the two legs toward close vicinity of the electric terminal 4 so as to be engageable with the temperature sensor 13.

Abstract: A uniform temperature reference block for connection with the cold reference terminations of thermocouples inserted into a plurality of cavities in the block using a novel thermally conducting bridging bar having an electrically insulating covering and a corresponding plurality of electrically conducting uninsulated projections secured at successive spaced points of the bar along the insulating covering thereof and parallely extending transversely from the bar for inserting within the block cavities.

Abstract: A uniform temperature reference block for connection with the cold reference wires of a plurality of thermocouples employing a corresponding plurality of screw terminal modular connectors each provided with an insulated termination cavity containing a terminal conductor compressable, upon tightening the screw, against the thermocouple input wire and, in turn, the wire against an adjacent electrically insulated but thermally conductive projection of a thermal bridging bar, preferably of anodized aluminum, within the termination cavity, to establish electrical termination connection of the thermocouple wire with thermal coupling along the block.

Abstract: A cold junction compensation device for a thermocouple, comprising a thermostatically interface casing (1) receiving directly the wires (3, 3') of the thermocouple (2) and ensuring the interconnection of these latter with an extension cord (4). The interface casing (1) contains moreover a cold junction compensation circuit (5).

Abstract: A thermoelectric array, such as a thermocouple array, includes a pair of dissimilar conductors disposed adjacent to each other at a plurality of locations. A switch is provided which selectively electrically couples and decouples the conductors at each such location, and an effective thermoelectric element is formed at the location where a switch is closed. The switches may be easily controlled to ensure that only the switch at the desired location is closed to form an effective thermoelectric element. Switches may include MOSFET pairs in series or dual-gate MOSFETs, and arrays of such switched thermoelectric elements may be integrated and fabricated on a common semiconductor substrate.

Abstract: A temperature regulator is provided which includes a temperature sensor, a temperature regulating unit, a cold junction temperature measuring device and a double-wall insulating partition. Temperatures measured by the temperature sensor are compensated with the temperatures measured by the cold junction temperature measuring device. Since the double-wall insulating partition insulates the cold junction measuring device from the heat generated inside the temperature regulating unit, the cold junction measuring device can correctly measure the temperature of the cold junction.

Abstract: Temperature measurement with thermocouples is made more accurate, and the cost of disposable thermocouples is reduced by locating the cold junction close to the hot junction, utilizing a thermistor in thermal communication with the cold junction in developing a compensating voltage which varies with temperature as does the voltage produced by the cold junction, and applying the compensating voltage to cancel the cold junction voltage. The presence of radio frequency fields in the region of the thermocouple is detected and utilization of the thermocouple voltage is interrupted in intervals when the interference is greater than some preselected intensity. Further, the thermocouple voltage information is utilized to simulate the resistance a thermistor would have at the temperature represented by the thermistor voltage information and that simulated resistance is applied to instrumentation designed to measure temperature with a thermistor.

Abstract: A specific heat based moisture sensor comprises: a cylindrical member formed with two parallel axially-extending hollow portions; a heater provided on an outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical member; a temperature sensor formed by leads passed through the two hollow portions of the cylindrical member; and a waterproof synthetic resin formed so as to cover said cylindrical member and the heater. Since the difference in distance between the heater and the temperature sensor lead is determined precisely, the sensing reliability can be improved. Since the ceramic cylindrical member is used, temperature sensitivity can be improved. Since the sensor is covered with a waterproof resin, it is possible to prevent metallic ions from entering the substance to be sensed, without increasing the size and cost of the moisture sensor.

Abstract: A multi-channel remote-temperature-sensing system has a reference temperature assembly for the reference junctions of a plurality of temperature sensors for determining temperatures at remote points. The assembly comprises an array of components each adapted to make thermal contact with a reference junction of a remote-temperature-sensing thermocouple, an absolute reference thermometer situated within the array for measuring an absolute reference temperature, a thermocouple for sensing a temperature difference between the absolute reference thermometer and a component of the array, and data processing means for calculating the temperature of the component of the array from the absolute reference temperature and the temperature difference.

Abstract: A biomedical thermometer for taking the temperature of a person at various body sites, including the ear, includes a radiation detector, a temperature detector for measuring the temperature of the radiation detector, and a heating and cooling unit for changing the temperature of the radiation detector. The system also includes a temperature processor for generating an output proportional to the absolute temperature of the radiation detector, responsive to signals generated by the radiation detector and the temperature detector.

Abstract: In a temperature measurement system using a thermocouple connected to a pair of circuit wires coupled to a voltmeter for providing an output reading, an isothermal block (48) formed of alumina ceramic contains a series of openings (58-66) in linear juxtaposition. Metal connectors (68) located in two of the openings to interconnect the thermocouple and printed circuit wires of a circuit board (52) establish a reference junction. A temperature sensor (50), preferably a transistor, in a third opening measures the temperature of the isothermal block (48) to compensate the output reading for error created by the reference junction. The connectors (68) are in resilient contact with the interior wall of the isothermal block (48) to maintain good heat conductivity between the connectors and the temperature sensor (50). Portions of the connectors (68) extending outside the isothermal block (48) retain the isothermal block (48) to the circuit board (52).

Abstract: A temperature probe using a first thermocouple junction at the end of a metal tip for measuring the temperature of an object is also provided with a second thermocouple junction on the metal tip at a predetermined distance from the first thermocouple for detecting heat flow in the tip from the first thermocouple toward the second thermocouple. Electronics responsive to both themocouples drive a heater which maintains the second thermocouple at substantially the same temperature as the first thermocouple, thereby to eliminate heat loading by the probe on the object being measured. A single adjustable resistance temperature detector electronically connected in series with the metal tip is used to calibrate the probe and compensate for errors in the temperature readings of the first and second thermocouples. The resistance temperature detector is made up of a wire located in the handle of the probe and is adjusted by stretching the wire to reduce its diameter and bulk resistance.

Abstract: An adapter to permit a temperature measuring instrument ordinarily used with a thermistor temperature sensor to be used with a temperature probe of the thermocouple type. The adapter has an output for connection to the temperature measuring instrument and has circuitry for processing the signal from the thermocouple probe to produce at the adapter output a resistance which a thermistor sensor would generate at the same temperature. A temperature measuring instrument for efficient use of an electrical source has circuitry for processing a temperature related signal according to a sequence of operations to provide an electrical variable having a value which is a function of the temperature being measured. The sequence commences with connection of the electrical source to the processing circuitry. At the completion of the sequence a signal indicative of completion is produced. In responsive to the completion signal the electrical source is disconnected from the processing circuitry.

Abstract: A temperature-controlled thermoelectric cooling system regulates the flow of electric current into the thermoelectric cooler in order to maintain a desired cold-side temperature without directly measuring the temperature of the device affixed to the cold side of the cooler. The system includes an apparatus for periodically interrupting the current flowing to the cooler, and during these interruptions measuring the open circuit voltage across the cooler induced by the temperature difference between the hot and cold sides. Computational means use this voltage measurement in conjunction with the temperature of the hot side of the cooler to determine the cold side temperature. From the cold side temperature determination, a controller regulates the current flow to the cooler to maintain a desired cold side temperature.

Abstract: A temperature controller comprises a temperature controller body having a positioning hollow raised portion and a plurality of pins, and a socket having a positioning recessed portion corresponding to the raised portion, a plurality of connection terminals for external wiring and pin holes corresponding to the plurality of pins. The socket is formed with a communication hole to face only receptacle members connected to thermocouple connecting external terminal, among receptacle members embedded in the pin holes, to the recessed portion. The raised portion of the temperature controller body houses therein a temperature sensitive element for compensating the temperature of the thermocouple and is formed with a communicating hole in communication with the recessed portion.

Abstract: A panel assembly for terminating a plurality of thermocouple leads is disclosed. The panel assembly has sufficient mass that it can stabilize at the temperature of the surrounding air. All thermocouple termination posts are of a common metal such as copper so that all subsequent leads can be copper and thereby reduce termination errors due to subsequent thermoelectric effects. A temperature measuring device is embedded in the mass of the panel assembly for measuring the temperature of the termination points of the thermocouple leads. Recorder jacks are provided so that an external recorder may record the outputs of the thermocouple.

Abstract: An integrated-circuit thermocouple signal conditioner having on a single chip an amplifier and a transistor circuit responsive to the chip temperature for developing a cold-junction compensation signal referred to 0.degree. Celsius. The amplifier includes two matched differential input amplifiers the outputs of which are summed and used to control a high-gain main amplifier. Thermocouple signals are applied to one of the input amplifiers, serving as a floating input stage, and the main amplifier output is connected through a feedback network to the input of the other differential amplifier. A cold junction compensation signal also is applied to the input of the other differential amplifier. The compensation is a differential voltage proportional to the Celsius temperature of the chip; the compensation voltage comprises two components having positive and negative temperature coefficients.

Abstract: A hand-held digital readout thermometer measures temperatures over the range -50.degree. C. to +1100.degree. C. with a maximum error less than 3.degree. C. in that range. The thermometer includes a thermocouple, a temperature stable and temperature independent power supply, a temperature stable differential first amplifier, a second amplifier that compensates for the nonlinear response of thermocouple voltage to temperature, and an analog/digital converter controlling a digital display indicating temperature according to a preselected scale. A particular feature of the invention is a latching comparator capable of activating a low battery indicator when the supply voltage drops below a preselected value.