By Current Modifying Sensor Patents (Class 374/183)
  • Patent number: 8517606
    Abstract: In a hydrocarbyl gas the presence and amount of a condensable polar component may be detected by voltage or current excursions over background noise as measured using a probe having at least two common electrodes and optionally a third electrode preferably inert to corrosion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Transcanada Pipelines Limited
    Inventor: Russell M. Given
  • Publication number: 20130214705
    Abstract: The disclosure describes a method for limiting a switch-on current in an electrical system which is supplied with power by a battery. During a switch-on process, an electrical load is connected to the electrical system and precharged by means of a precharging resistor. A monitoring unit regularly records operating data of at least one variable which influences a temperature of the precharging resistor and estimates the temperature of the precharging resistor on the basis of said operating data. The disclosure also describes an apparatus and a battery which are designed to execute the method according to the disclosure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2011
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Applicants: SB LiMotive Company Ltd, Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Armin Steck, Ralf Piscol
  • Patent number: 8514089
    Abstract: A temperature monitoring circuit includes a negative temperature coefficient (NTC) resistor, a zener diode, an alarm, a silicon controlled rectifier. A first terminal of the NTC resistor is connected to a power supply through a first resistor. A second terminal of the NTC resistor is grounded. A cathode of the zener diode is connected to a node between the NTC resistor and the first resistor. An anode is grounded through a second resistor. A first terminal of the alarm is connected to the cathode of the zener diode, and is grounded through a third and fourth resistors in series. A cathode of the silicon controlled rectifier is connected to the anode of the zener diode. An anode of the silicon controlled rectifier is connected to a second terminal of the alarm. A control terminal of the silicon controlled rectifier is connected to a node between the third and fourth resistors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yong-Zhao Huang
  • Patent number: 8491187
    Abstract: A temperature detection apparatus includes a transformer, a thermostat attached directly to an electrically conductive site of the heating element and has contacts that become short-circuited or come into an open-circuit condition depending on whether or not the temperature of the heating element is equal to or higher than a predetermined value, the contacts being connected to a secondary coil in the transformer, a DC voltage source and a transistor configured to supply required AC power to a primary coil in the transformer, a current detection resistor configured to detect a current flowing through the primary coil in the transformer, and a comparison circuit detecting a voltage generated across the current detection resistor when a current flows through the current detection resistor, the comparison circuit outputting an alarm signal when the current flowing through the primary coil in the transformer exceeds a preset threshold current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: NEC Microwave Tube, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yukihira Nakazato, Junichi Matsuoka
  • Patent number: 8491184
    Abstract: A sensor apparatus and sensor apparatus system for use in conjunction with a cassette, including a disposable or replaceable cassette. In some embodiments, the cassette includes a thermal well for permitting the sensing of various properties of a subject media. The thermal well includes a hollow housing of a thermally conductive material. In other embodiments, the cassette includes sensor leads for sensing of various properties of a subject media. The thermal well has an inner surface shaped so as to form a mating relationship with a sensing probe. The mating thermally couples the inner surface with a sensing probe. In some embodiments, the thermal well is located on a disposable portion and the sensing probe on a reusable portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Dean Kamen, N. Christopher Perry, Jason A. Demers, Brian Tracey, Arun D. Chawan, Kevin L. Grant
  • Patent number: 8480301
    Abstract: Systems and methods for dissipating heat generated during an electrical function are disclosed. In particular, the disclosed systems and methods can be used for dissipating heat generated during low impedance measurement on a multimeter. In some embodiments, the multimeter can include a first thermistor coupled in series with a resistor in a measurement path, a second thermistor, and a switch coupled to the measurement path and the second thermistor for selectively including the second thermistor in the measurement path during a low impedance measurement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Fluke Corporation
    Inventor: Benjamin Eng, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8471565
    Abstract: A method of estimating the output light flux of a light emitting diode, comprises applying a drive current waveform to the LED over a period of time comprising a testing period. The forward voltage across the LED is monitored during the testing period, and the output light flux is estimated as a function of changes in the forward voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: NXP B.V.
    Inventors: Viet Nguyen Hoang, Pascal Bancken, Radu Surdeanu
  • Publication number: 20130156072
    Abstract: An internal impedance of an electrical storage device is measured by using a signal of a frequency which ions in the electrical storage device are difficult to follow (e.g., a frequency equal to or higher than 10 kHz), and an internal temperature of the electrical storage device is calculated from a measured value of the internal impedance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2013
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Applicant: ALPS GREEN DEVICES CO., LTD.
    Inventor: ALPS GREEN DEVICES CO., LTD.
  • Publication number: 20130156071
    Abstract: A slot liner is configured for insertion into a slot of a core of an electric machine having a winding arrangement comprised of a plurality of conductors. The slot liner comprises a first insulation layer forming a cavity configured to receive at least one of the plurality of conductors of the winding arrangement. The slot liner also comprises a second insulation layer coupled to the first insulation layer. In addition, the slot liner includes a length of conductive material positioned between the first insulation layer and the second insulation layer. The length of conductive material has a resistance that varies with temperature. A first lead extends from a first end of the length of conductive material and a second lead extends from the second end of the length of conductive material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2011
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Applicant: REMY TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Koon Hoong Wan, Colin Hamer
  • Patent number: 8465201
    Abstract: According to certain embodiments, an electro-magnetic radiation detector includes a sensor coupled to multiple nanostructures and an electro-magnetic radiation indicating device. The nanostructures are adapted to absorb electro-magnetic energy and generate heat according to the absorbed electro-magnetic energy. The sensor is adapted to measure the heat generated by the plurality of nanostructures and to generate a first signal according to the measured heat. The electro-magnetic radiation indicating device is operable to receive the signal from the sensor and indicate a level of electro-magnetic energy absorbed by the plurality of nanostructures according to the received signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventor: Timothy J. Imholt
  • Patent number: 8454230
    Abstract: The invention concerns a method for the indirect determination of local irradiance in an optical system; wherein the optical system comprises optical elements between which an illuminated beam path is formed and a measurement object which absorbs the radiation in the beam path at least partially is positioned in a partial region of the beam path selected for the locally-resolved determination of the irradiance and the temperature distribution of at least one part of the measurement object is determined by means of a temperature detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss SMT GmbH
    Inventors: Frank Melzer, Axel Scholz
  • Publication number: 20130136152
    Abstract: A passive temperature sensor with cordless measurement signal transmission includes: a coupling element that is implemented to draw electric energy from a magnetic or electromagnetic alternating transmission field; an energy rendering element that is implemented to provide an energy supply signal based on the drawn electric energy; a temperature measurement circuit that is implemented to generate, when supplied with the energy supply signal, a sensor alternating signal whose frequency depends on an environmental temperature; and a switching element that is implemented to change, based on the sensor alternating signal, a physical characteristic allocated to the coupling element to obtain an impact on the alternating transmission field based on the sensor alternating signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2012
    Publication date: May 30, 2013
    Applicant: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft
    Inventor: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft
  • Patent number: 8425115
    Abstract: A compact resistive thermal sensor is provided for an integrated circuit (IC), wherein different sensor components are placed on different layers of the IC. This allows the lateral area needed for the sensor resistance wire on any particular IC layer to be selectively reduced. In a useful embodiment, first linear conductive members are positioned in a first IC layer, in parallel relationship with one another. Second linear conductive members are positioned in a second IC layer in parallel relationship with one another. Conductive elements connect the first linear members into a first conductive path, and the second linear members into a second conductive path. A third conductive element extending between the first and second layers connects the first and second conductive paths into a single conductive path, wherein the path resistance varies with temperature. The path resistance is used to determine temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Aquilur Rahman, Lloyd A. Walls
  • Patent number: 8408787
    Abstract: In a process temperature transmitter, a method for providing a process temperature output is described. The method includes providing a measurement current through a circuit including a reference resistor and a resistance temperature device (RTD). A first voltage across the reference resistor is measured while the measurement current flows through it. A first voltage across the RTD is also measured while the measurement current flows through it. A first resistance of the RTD is calculated based on the measured voltage across the reference resistor and the measured first voltage. A first process temperature output is provided based on the first resistance of the RTD. A second voltage is subsequently measured across the RTD while a measurement current flows through it. A second voltage across the reference resistor is then estimated based on the measured second voltage across the RTD and the measured first voltage across the reference resistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Rosemount Inc.
    Inventors: Jason H. Rud, Loren M. Engelstad
  • Publication number: 20130077652
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are an apparatus for measuring temperature and a method for measuring temperature. The apparatus includes: a resistive type sensor having a resistor and sensing pressure or motion to output an electric signal; a sensor signal processor processing the signal outputted from the resistive type sensor to compute a value corresponding to pressure or motion; a temperature dependent frequency signal generator connected to the resistive type sensor, and generating a temperature dependent frequency signal by using current variation information according to the temperature variation of the resistive type sensor; and a temperature compensation signal generator processing the signal outputted from the temperature dependent frequency signal generator to output temperature variation information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2012
    Publication date: March 28, 2013
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRO-MECHANICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: SAMSUNG ELECTRO-MECHANICS CO., LTD.
  • Patent number: 8388224
    Abstract: An assembly for sensing temperature in a gas turbine engine includes a first array of RTDs connected in parallel, a second array of RTDs connected in parallel, and a circuit electrically connected to the first and second arrays. The circuit determines an approximate temperature of a medium as a function of resistance of the first and second arrays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventor: Thaddeus J. Zebrowski
  • Patent number: 8388221
    Abstract: A corresponding relation between heat resistance values of first heat dissipation modules under a non-uniform heat source and heat resistance values of the first heat dissipation modules under a uniform heat source is described through a linear equation. Therefore, before second heat dissipation modules are tested, a calculation is performed with the linear equation, such that a target heat resistance value of the first heat dissipation modules arranged on the non-uniform heat source is corresponding to a standard heat resistance value of the first heat dissipation modules arranged on the uniform heat source. Afterwards, it is predicted whether the second heat dissipation modules arranged on the non-uniform heat source satisfy a test standard or not by using a test heat resistance value acquired by testing the second heat dissipation modules arranged on the uniform heat source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Inventec Corporation
    Inventors: Feng-Ku Wang, Yi-Lun Cheng
  • Publication number: 20130028292
    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: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2012
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Applicant: FANUC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Tatsuya SENOO
  • Patent number: 8360637
    Abstract: A signal processing device is provided including: an alternating voltage generation section that generates a square shaped alternating voltage from plural direct voltages, and applies the square shaped alternating voltage to a sensor that is either a temperature detection sensor or a humidity detection sensor; a current-voltage conversion section that converts current of an output signal output from the sensor to an analog voltage; a selector section that selects a range of the current convertible by the current-voltage conversion section from one or other of plural current ranges; and a resistance value computation section that computes the resistance value of the sensor, based on the voltage value of the analog voltage converted by the current-voltage conversion section, the range of current convertible by the current-voltage conversion section, and the voltage value of the voltage generated by the alternating voltage generation section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Yoshinori Kato
  • Publication number: 20130016756
    Abstract: A thin substrate has a layered structure on one surface, and can also have a layered structure on the other. Each layered structure can include a part of at least one patterned layer that, if patterned by photolithography, would frequently result in damage to the substrate due to fragility. For example, the substrate could be a 3 mil (76.2 ?m) or thinner polyimide film and one patterned layer could be a semiconductor material such as vanadium oxide, while another could be metal in electrical contact with semiconductor material. The layer part, however, can be patterned by a printing operation or can include a printed patterned artifact such as an uneven boundary or an alignment. The printing operation can be direct printing or printing of a mask for etching or liftoff or both. The layered structure can include an array of cells, each with layer parts on each substrate surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Publication date: January 17, 2013
    Applicant: PALO ALTO RESEARCH CENTER INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Michal V. Wolkin, Ana C. Arias
  • Patent number: 8342748
    Abstract: A method of making a probe for an electronic thermometer includes positioning a flex circuit together with a probe shaft. Connecting a locating member to the probe shaft. The locating member comprises a resilient locator that is resiliently deformed by engagement with the flex circuit thereby to bias the flex circuit to a selected position. The biasing of the flex circuit by the resilient locator is independent of movement of the probe shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Tyco Healthcare Group LP
    Inventor: Joseph T. Gierer
  • Patent number: 8313235
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a contact temperature sensor to be used at a temperature of use, including a) supplying a carbon fiber; b) heat treating of the fiber at a temperature higher than 800° C. and higher than the temperature of use; c) full layer depositing on the fiber, at a deposition temperature, an electrically insulating ceramic coating layer stable at the temperature of use, the ceramic material chosen among silica (SiO2), zirconia (ZrO2), and alumina (Al2O3); d) heat treating of the fiber, coated with the coating layer, at a temperature higher than the deposition temperature of the coating layer and higher than the temperature of use, or (c?) full layer depositing on the fiber a first coating layer of silicon carbide; d?) full layer depositing the first coating layer a second coating layer of boron nitride; e?) heat treating the fiber thereby obtained at a temperature above the deposition temperatures and the temperature of use of the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique
    Inventors: Christophe Lorrette, Rene Pailler, Jean-Marc Goyheneche, Jean-Christophe Batsale
  • Patent number: 8308347
    Abstract: In a hydrogen tank, discharge of a hydrogen gas may cause lowering of the temperature to a value at which it is assumed that disconnection has occurred in a thermistor. A temperature detection system for the hydrogen tank estimates the possibility that the temperature of the hydrogen tank is below this temperature value, according to the ambient temperature and the internal pressure. Only when there is no possibility that the temperature is below the value, disconnection is judged to have occurred.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Naoki Kanie
  • Patent number: 8297834
    Abstract: An indication apparatus for indicating temperature status of a motherboard includes a detection module, a comparison module, a switch module, and an indication module. The detection module detects temperatures of the motherboard, and converts the detected temperatures to voltage signals. The comparison module receives the voltage signals, compares the voltage signals with a first reference voltage, and outputs control signals according to a comparison result. The switch module receives the control signals, and turns on or off according to the control signals. The indication module indicates temperature states of the motherboard when the switch module turns on or off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Zong-Bao Xiao
  • Publication number: 20120269229
    Abstract: Disclosed is a temperature measuring apparatus which is provided with: a substrate (2); a temperature sensor (3) disposed on one surface of the substrate (2); and a wire (8) disposed to electrically connect together a circuit, which detects a temperature using the temperature sensor (3), and the temperature sensor (3). In said surface of the substrate (2), a recessed section (7) having a heat capacity smaller than that of the material of the substrate (2) is formed on the periphery of the temperature sensor (3). The recessed section (7) is formed at a predetermined interval from the temperature sensor (3) such that the recessed section surrounds the temperature sensor (3) and has predetermined width and depth. Preferably, the low heat capacity zone is the recessed section (7), i.e., the groove having a recessed cross-section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2010
    Publication date: October 25, 2012
    Applicant: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Hisaki Ishida, Masato Hayashi, Koudai Higashi
  • Publication number: 20120250721
    Abstract: A temperature measurement circuit includes a sensing unit and a temperature translation unit. The sensing unit is arranged for generating a positive temperature coefficient characteristic and a negative temperature coefficient characteristic according to a temperature. The temperature translation unit is coupled to the sensing unit, and is arranged for generating a measured temperature according to the positive temperature coefficient characteristic and the negative temperature coefficient characteristic.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Inventors: Ting-Hao Wang, Jen-Wei Tsai, Tsung-Ping Chou
  • Patent number: 8267576
    Abstract: The present invention is generally in the field of measuring and indicating techniques and relates to a time-temperature indicating device and methods of manufacturing and reading this device. More specifically, the time-temperature indicator (TTI) device comprises at least one active reactant being at least a part of a component that is configured to be either an electrical component or transformable into an electrical component, said at least one active reactant being selected to be affectable by a chemical and/or physical reaction effecting a change in at least an electrical property of said electrical component at a rate that is time-temperature dependent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Freshpoint Holdings SA
    Inventors: Dietrich Haarer, Yoav Levy
  • Patent number: 8256955
    Abstract: The invention discloses an induction type of electronic thermometer probe motion detection device, including a probe and a probe holder; wherein the probe includes a cavity and a probe tip; Inside the probe tip has a heating mechanism, wherein the probe tip and the heating mechanism electrically connected with the host of the electronic thermometer by wires; Inside the cavity locates a magnetic inductive switch, wherein the magnetic inductive switch communicates with the host of electronic thermometer by wires; A magnetic signal source located in the position of the other side of the probe holder after the placement of the probe, where corresponds to the magnetic inductive switch, and then the magnetic signal source and the magnetic inductive switch composed to the probe motion detection device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Edan Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: Jifan Sun, Zhao Qin, Lingfeng Kong
  • Patent number: 8251579
    Abstract: Disclosed herein, among other things, is a stator winding temperature sensor. According to an embodiment, the sensor includes at least one sensing wire coil adapted to be connected to a stator. The sensor also includes a body, including a core material surrounding at least a portion of the sensing wire coil, and a laminate material over the core material. The body has a thickness adapted to protect the sensing wire coil. The sensor includes a lead wire adapted to connect to an external monitoring device. The sensing wire coil is electrically connected to the lead wire at a lead step portion of the sensor. In addition, the sensor includes a tab extending from the lead wire and encompassing the lead step. The tab protects the lead step and the sensing wire coil in a region where the sensor extends over an end of the stator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: RTD Company
    Inventors: Brad Lesmeister, Peter David Bernier, Mark Stewart
  • Patent number: 8246246
    Abstract: According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a temperature sensor mounting unit for mounting a temperature sensor inside a mounting-target member through a mounting hole provided in a mounting wall, the temperature sensor mounting unit including: a base plate; elastic gripping pieces that extend from the base plate to grip the temperature sensor therebetween; elastic locking pieces formed on the base plate to be brought into engagement with the mounting hole; and a passage hole formed on the base plate to lead out a lead wire therethrough, wherein, in a mounted state, at least when an external force to expand the elastic gripping pieces is exerted, the elastic gripping pieces are brought into abutment with an inner circumference of the mounting hole so as to be prevented from expanding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Piolax Inc.
    Inventor: Yasuki Wakabayashi
  • Publication number: 20120201272
    Abstract: A method for determining the temperature of a power semiconductor, wherein a first control contact is connected to a first pole of a series resistor integrated in the power semiconductor. A second pole—which continues to the power semiconductor—of the series resistor is connected to a second control contact. A first control contact and a second control contact are connected to a first connection terminal and second connection terminal via respective bonding wires. The resistance value of the series resistor is determined by an electrical measurement between the two connection terminals. On the basis of the resistance value and a temperature-resistance characteristic curve of the series resistor, the temperature of the power semiconductor is determined based on the temperature of the series resistor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2011
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Applicant: SEMIKRON Elektronik GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Stefan SCHULER
  • Publication number: 20120201273
    Abstract: A converter comprising a comparator having a first input operable to receive a first signal, a second input operable to receive a second signal, and an output, a switch for sinking a portion of the first signal, wherein the switch is responsive to the output, and an integrator connected to the first input, wherein the first signal is a voltage developed by the integrator when a current proportional to the absolute temperature is applied thereto. A method for measuring temperature of a device using a comparator and converting the bitstream of the comparator to a digital output is also given. Because of the rules governing abstracts, this abstract should not be used to construe the claims.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2012
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Sugato MUKHERJEE
  • Patent number: 8226294
    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 with a plurality of contiguous sections. 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 sections. A heater trace is disposed on the first substrate section with the first thermal sensor. The first and second sections are folded together to position the first and second thermal sensors therebetween, and a flexible insulator disposed between the folded-together first and second sections maintains the first and second thermal sensors in a spaced-apart relationship.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Arizant Healthcare Inc.
    Inventors: Mark T. Bieberich, Clifford T. Jue, Jonathan I. Kaplan, Brian J. Mason, Paul J. Silberschatz, Albert P. Van Duren
  • Publication number: 20120183017
    Abstract: Circuitry for measuring and/or monitoring device temperature may include a first node coupled to ground, and a second node and a first resistor coupled in series to ground and in parallel to the first node. A first current driven to the first node and a second current driven to the second node can be selected such that a first voltage measured at the first node and a second voltage measured at the second node are substantially equal. The circuitry may also include a third node and a second resistor coupled in series to ground. A third current driven to the third node can be selected such that a third voltage measured at the third node is substantially equal to a reference voltage. Measures of the second and third currents and measures of the first and second resistors can be used to determine device temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2010
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Inventor: William N. Schnaitter
  • Patent number: 8210744
    Abstract: An apparatus for detecting a temperature using transistors includes a plurality of temperature detecting units that become selectively active according to predetermined temperature intervals; and a detection signal output unit that generates detection signals according to the signals transmitted by the plurality of temperature detecting units, and outputs the detection signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Hynix Semiconductor Inc.
    Inventors: Yoon-Jae Shin, Sang-Jin Byun
  • Patent number: 8206032
    Abstract: According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a temperature sensor mounting unit for mounting a temperature sensor to a mounting-target member at a mounting hole formed on a mounting wall thereof, the temperature sensor mounting unit including: a clip main body including: a base plate that is to be positioned on a front surface side of the mounting wall, the base plate having an installation hole formed therein, the installation hole allowing the temperature sensor to penetrate into a rear surface side of the mounting wall; and a plurality of elastic engagement pieces that extend from the base plate to be engaged with a circumferential edge of the mounting hole at the rear surface side of the mounting wall; and an elastic seal member configured to be disposed between the clip main body and the mounting wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Piolax, Inc.
    Inventor: Yasuki Wakabayashi
  • Patent number: 8197135
    Abstract: A sensor system for determining a physical, measured variable, and includes a sensor and a control/evaluation unit, which are spatially separated from one another and electrically conductively connected via a cable having at least two conductors, wherein provided in the sensor are a temperature measuring element for determining temperature and a sensor identifier for sensor identification. The control/evaluation unit drives the temperature measuring element and the sensor identifier via a shared conductor with a positive voltage or a negative voltage, and, depending on the applied voltage, reads a temperature measured value of the temperature element or an identifying value of the sensor identifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser GmbH + Co. KG
    Inventors: Roland Grozinger, Klaus Ruf
  • Patent number: 8197133
    Abstract: A system and method for compensating for thermal drift. A temperature is measured in a meter as a temperature voltage. The temperature voltage is converted to a digital signal. The digital signal is processed to generate an offset voltage in response to the digital signal. The offset voltage is applied as an input to an amplifier. The amplifier receives as a second input a gauge voltage. An output is generated from the meter that corrects the gauge voltage using the offset voltage to compensate for thermal drift.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Brooks Instruments, LLC
    Inventors: Al Schultz, Chris Mazza, Gary Conner
  • Patent number: 8186877
    Abstract: A system and method for using a common subchannel to assess operating characteristics of one of a plurality of transducers that are coupled to said subchannel is disclosed. The plurality of transducers are divided into subsets and each subset is coupled to a subchannel. The system is configured to activate a selected transducer on the subchannel and the subchannel delivers operational information on the activated transducer. The present invention reduces the number of subchannels required to collect information on the plurality of transducers. The present invention may utilize one or more loading conditions to take at least one measurement, which at least one measurement is then used to derive operational information on the transducer. In one configuration, information on the amount of energy being delivered to the transducer is collected simultaneously with information on the operating temperature. In another embodiment only the temperature is measured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: St. Jude Medical, Atrial Fibrillation Division, Inc.
    Inventors: Gleb V. Klimovitch, Timothy E. Ciciarelli, Shena H. Park
  • Publication number: 20120120987
    Abstract: A temperature-current transducer includes first and second voltage dividers, with the first voltage divider including a thermistor in an environment. An operational amplifier has a first input coupled to an intermediate node of the first voltage divider, and a second input coupled to an intermediate node of the second voltage divider. A cascode stage is configured to be biased in a conduction state and is controlled by the operational amplifier. The cascode stage includes a first current terminal coupled to the intermediate node of the second voltage divider. A current mirror is coupled to a second current terminal of the cascode stage, and is configured to mirror on an output line current flowing through the cascode stage that is representative of temperature differences between a temperature in an environment of the thermistor and a reference temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2011
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Applicant: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: GIUSEPPE TORTI, DARIO ZAMBOTTI
  • Patent number: 8177425
    Abstract: A temperature-measuring device with a sensing head and a pipe piece is disclosed. The sensing head is embedded in the pipe piece. The pipe piece is provided for conducting a medium whose temperature is detected by the sensing head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: EPCOS AG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Grundmann, Bernhard Ostrick, Peter Balzer
  • Publication number: 20120114011
    Abstract: A fast response temperature probe which may be used for a method for measuring an instantaneous temperature of a periodically changing fluid flow within a gas turbine is proposed. The temperature probe includes a substrate and a resistive element arranged at a surface of the substrate. Therein, at least at a surface of the substrate contacting the resistive element, the substrate comprises an insulating material having a thermal product of less than 1.5 kJ/(m2K sqrt(s)). The substrate or at least its surface is made from polyamide-imide such as for example fibre-reinforced Torlon© 5030. The temperature probe may allow measurements of instantaneous local temperatures of very fast fluctuations of more than 50 kHz at high spatial resolutions of, e.g., less than 0.5 mm2. The instantaneous temperature of a periodically changing fluid flow may be determined by correlating first and second sets of temperature measurements taking into account the periodicity of the periodically changing fluid flow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2009
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Applicant: UNIVERSITAT STUTTGART
    Inventors: Martin Rose, Björn Weigel, Christian Eichler, Stephan Staudacher
  • Patent number: 8162541
    Abstract: A two-terminal temperature sensor connects a first end of thermistor or other thermometer device to a first electrical terminal via an inner compression coil. A second electrical terminal is connected to a second end of the thermistor via an outer compression coil and a formed conductor. The inner compression coil and thermistor are positioned within the formed conductor. The inner compression coil and thermistor are prevented from contact with the formed conductor by an inner insulating tube. The first and second electrical contacts are mounted in a molded terminal assembly that insulates the electrical contacts from one another. The entire assembly is housed within a housing that is electrically isolated from the formed conductor and outer compression coil via an outer insulating tube and an insulating disk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Inventors: Vincent H. Rose, Roxanne P. Ostlund, legal representative
  • Publication number: 20120076171
    Abstract: A system and method for rapidly determining ambient temperature in a fluid-analyte meter. The meter includes a housing defining an interior space and an area for receiving a fluid sample. A processor and a first temperature sensor are disposed within the interior space of said the housing. A second temperature sensor is disposed on the housing. One or more processors are configured to determine a first temperature value from temperature data received from the first temperature sensor. The processor(s) are also configured to apply a variable current to a temperature-adjustment source such that the second temperature sensor is adjusted to a predetermined steady-state temperature value different from the first temperature value. The processor(s) are further configured to determine an ambient temperature of an exterior space of the housing based on the applied variable current, pre-determined steady-state temperature, and received first temperature values.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2011
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Applicant: Bayer HealthCare LLC
    Inventor: Mu Wu
  • Patent number: 8136986
    Abstract: A tip element that is capable of being removably attached to an infrared thermometer and includes an axisymetric body having a distal end and an open proximal end. A membrane is located at the distal end of the body that is formed of an infrared transparent material. At least one engagement mechanism is mounted along the proximal edge of the body that has an engagement surface that passes circumferentially about a portion of the proximal edge and which contains an integral rib that extends axially toward said distal end of said body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Welch Allyn, Inc.
    Inventors: John A. Lane, Scott A. Martin
  • Publication number: 20120044972
    Abstract: A temperature sensor (100) includes a heat-sensitive element (21) having a thermistor sintered-body (22), an insulating support (31), an insulation sheath (41) and a housing tube (11). The insulating support (31) is in contact with the rear end of the heat-sensitive element (21) and the insulation sheath (41) is in contact with the rear end of the insulating support (31). The housing tube (11) accommodates the heat-sensitive element (21), the insulating support (31) and the insulation sheath (41). The housing tube (11) includes a sheath accommodation portion (14) which accommodates the insulation sheath (41) and a distal accommodation portion (13). The distal accommodation portion (13) is located toward the distal end of the housing tube (11) with respect to the sheath accommodation portion (14), is smaller in outside diameter than the sheath accommodation portion (14), and accommodates at least half of the insulating support (31) as measured from the axially distal end of the insulating support (31).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2011
    Publication date: February 23, 2012
    Applicant: NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masamichi ITO, Koji MATSUO, Satoshi ISHIKAWA
  • Patent number: 8118485
    Abstract: A very high speed thin film RTD sandwich is provided that can be used in high speed temperature probes for medical applications and in environments that are corrosive or hostile in a protected configuration, as well as ambient and surface temperature measurements in an unprotected configuration. The high speed is achieved by maximizing the transfer of heat from the outside perimeter of the sandwich to its internal thin film RTD element to the absolute minimum of time. The thin film RTD element is electrically insulated by the extremely thin film layers. The insulating layers and thin film RTD are then embedded in two layers of high purity silver, the element with the maximum conduction coefficient of heat transfer k.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: AGlobal Tech, LLC
    Inventor: Johannes F. Nyffenegger
  • Patent number: 8118486
    Abstract: A very high speed temperature probe is provided that can be used in medical applications and in environments that are corrosive or hostile. The probe has a thin wall housing made of a thermally conductive material, a thin film RTD temperature sensor which is mounted within the interior of the housing and is embedded within a temperature cured composite material. A thermally conductive material is used to fill the interior of the housing. The thin wall housing and absence of entrapped air bubbles or voids in the cured composite and thermally conductive materials cooperate to achieve a low thermal time constant and thus, high temperature measuring speed for the probe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: AGlobal Tech, LLC
    Inventor: Johannes F. Nyffenegger
  • Patent number: 8092086
    Abstract: A temperature sensor includes: a temperature-sensing element comprising a temperature-sensing portion and an element electrode wire connected to the temperature-sensing portion; a sheath member comprising a sheath tube and a sheath core wire extending from the sheath tube, the sheath core wire being joined to the element electrode wire to form a joint portion; an enclosing member comprising a closed-bottomed tube having a bottom portion at one end, and enclosing at least the temperature-sensing element and the joint portion; and a holding material filling at least a portion of a space enclosed by the enclosing member extending between a front end face of the temperature-sensing portion and the bottom portion of the enclosing member. The element electrode wire includes a bend at an intermediate portion of the element electrode wire between the temperature-sensing portion and the joint portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: NGK Spark Plug Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tatsuya Suzuki, Go Hanzawa, Takeshi Morita
  • Patent number: 8092085
    Abstract: A thermistor includes a thermistor body and terminal electrodes disposed at both ends of the thermistor body. A first lead is longer than a second lead. The first and second leads include tips having inclined shapes that are cut such that metal lines are surface-exposed, respectively. The thermistor body is attached at a predetermined side position of the first lead such that the first lead and a side folding portion of the terminal electrode form a predetermined angle ?. The terminal electrode and the first lead are connected to each other through solder, and the second lead and the terminal electrode are connected to each other through solder. This can prevent the occurrence of damage even if an excessive thermal stress is applied. The temperature sensor with leads having stable electric connection with the temperature sensor that has satisfactory detection sensitivity and high reliability is achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahiko Kawase, Shiro Tsuji