Thermal Calibration System Patents (Class 374/1)
  • Patent number: 8915645
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for monitoring a sensor unit (20) that is arranged in the exhaust gas region of an internal combustion engine (10). According to the invention, a sensor temperature (31, 32) is directly or indirectly determined by the sensor unit (20), and is compared to an exhaust temperature (33) that is determined by a further sensor unit and/or to model variables and/or to defined threshold values, whereby a dismounting and/or an inappropriate mounting of the sensor unit is indicated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Genssle, Enno Baars, Markus Eitel
  • Publication number: 20140369376
    Abstract: A battery pack thermistor test method includes charging a battery pack, monitoring a rise in average temperature reported by at least one thermistor on the battery pack over a predetermined time period, preparing at least one thermistor slope by calculating a least square fit of time vs. temperature for the at least one thermistor and comparing the at least one thermistor slope to process-defined thermistor slope limits.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2013
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: Robert C. Keeton
  • Publication number: 20140358391
    Abstract: An apparatus for diagnosing a temperature detection unit, mounted in a vehicle having a power conversion circuit including a switching element, a control unit configured to operate the switching element to control a torque of a main rotating machine electrically connected to the power conversion circuit to a demanded torque. The temperature detection unit is configured to detect a temperature of the switching element. In the apparatus, a current supply increasing unit is configured to operate the switching element to increase a current supply to the switching element. A permission unit permits the current supply increasing unit to increase the current supply only when a braking torque is being applied to the vehicle. A diagnostic unit determines that an abnormality is present in the temperature detection unit when it is determined that the detection temperature of the temperature detection unit is out of an acceptable range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2014
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Applicant: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Takayuki KAKIHARA
  • Publication number: 20140355643
    Abstract: A heat flux sensor equipped measurement wafer includes a substrate, a cover thermally coupled to a portion of the substrate, a sensor cavity formed between the substrate and the cover, a thermal barrier disposed within at least a portion of the sensor cavity, a bottom temperature sensor thermally coupled to the substrate and insulated from the cover by a portion of the thermal barrier and a top temperature sensor thermally coupled to the cover and insulated from the substrate by an additional portion of the thermal barrier, wherein a temperature difference between the bottom temperature sensor and the top temperature sensor is related to a heat flux passing through the substrate and cover proximate to the sensor cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2014
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Applicant: KLA-Tencor Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen Sharratt, Farhat Quli, Earl Jensen, Mei Sun
  • Patent number: 8899828
    Abstract: A heat sensor has the ability to correct for errors introduced during temperature changes of the hot junction of the thermopile for the heat sensor. For example, the effect of temperature changes at the hot junction of the heat sensor relative to the cold junction is mathematically modeled such that the effect on the temperature determination can be corrected given certain information relating to the thermopile, its electrical output, and the temperature history and current temperature of the cold junction. By accounting for these factors, a processing device can modify the temperature determination output for the heat sensor while correcting for error introduced by temperature changes at the hot junction as determined by the mathematical model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventor: Habib Sami Karaki
  • Publication number: 20140347419
    Abstract: An image forming system and methods are disclosed. The methods include detecting an ambient temperature of an image forming system by a first thermal sense resistor disposed in a first printhead to obtain a first detected ambient temperature, detecting the ambient temperature of the image forming system by a second thermal sense resistor disposed in a second printhead to obtain a second detected ambient temperature, and determining a temperature difference between the first detected ambient temperature and the second detected ambient temperature of the image forming system by a temperature variation module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Inventors: Hugh W. Rice, David B. Novak, Erik D. Ness
  • Patent number: 8894277
    Abstract: A system and method for providing greatly improved linear heat detection using fiber optic distributed temperature systems (DTS). The invention makes use of correction algorithms based on proportional-integral-derivative notions that anticipate exterior temperature increases based on the rate of measured temperature changes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: SensorTran, Inc.
    Inventors: David Barfoot, Mikko Jaaskelainen
  • Patent number: 8888360
    Abstract: A method of in-situ pyrometer calibration for a wafer treatment reactor such as a chemical vapor deposition reactor desirably includes the steps of positioning a calibrating pyrometer at a first calibrating position and heating the reactor until the reactor reaches a pyrometer calibration temperature. The method desirably further includes rotating the support element about the rotational axis, and while the support element is rotating about the rotational axis, obtaining first operating temperature measurements from a first operating pyrometer installed at a first operating position, and obtaining first calibrating temperature measurements from the calibration pyrometer. Both the calibrating pyrometer and the first operating pyrometer desirably are adapted to receive radiation from a first portion of a wafer support element at a first radial distance from a rotational axis of the wafer support element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Veeco Instruments Inc.
    Inventors: Alexander I. Gurary, Vadim Boguslavskiy, Sandeep Krishnan, Matthew King
  • Patent number: 8892478
    Abstract: An adaptive model training system and method for filtering asset operating data values acquired from a monitored asset for selectively choosing asset operating data values that meet at least one predefined criterion of good data quality while rejecting asset operating data values that fail to meet at least the one predefined criterion of good data quality; and recalibrating a previously trained or calibrated model having a learned scope of normal operation of the asset by utilizing the asset operating data values that meet at least the one predefined criterion of good data quality for adjusting the learned scope of normal operation of the asset for defining a recalibrated model having the adjusted learned scope of normal operation of the asset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Intellectual Assets LLC
    Inventors: Randall L. Bickford, Rahul M. Palnitkar
  • Publication number: 20140328368
    Abstract: In a portable electronic device, a temperature sensor is provided for sensing an ambient temperature of the portable electronic device. At least one other temperature sensor is provided for sensing a temperature inside the portable electronic device. The portable electronic device further comprises a set of components radiating heat in an active state in response to the consumption of electrical energy. A calibration module is adapted to conduct a calibration measurement during or in connection with an active state of at least a first component out of the set, and is adapted to determine a set of calibration parameters in response to the calibration measurement for adjusting the at least one sensed inside temperature. A compensator is provided for determining a compensated ambient temperature dependent on at least the sensed ambient temperature and the at least one adjusted sensed inside temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2014
    Publication date: November 6, 2014
    Inventors: Dominik NIEDERBERGER, Andrea SACCHETTI, Dominik BONI
  • Publication number: 20140328367
    Abstract: In a portable electronic device, a temperature sensor (1) is provided for sensing an ambient temperature (TR) of the portable electronic device. At least one other temperature sensor (3) is provided for sensing a temperature (TI) inside the portable electronic device. The portable electronic device further comprises a set of components (2) radiating heat in an active state in response to the consumption of electrical energy. A calibration module (5) is adapted to conduct a calibration measurement during or in response to an active state of at least a first component out of the set, and is adapted to determine a set of calibration parameters (c1) in response to the calibration measurement for adjusting the at least one sensed inside temperature (T1). A compensator (4) is provided for determining a compensated ambient temperature (TA) dependent on at least the sensed ambient temperature (TS) and the at least one adjusted sensed inside temperature (c1, T1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2014
    Publication date: November 6, 2014
    Inventors: Dominik NIEDERBERGER, Andrea SACCHETTI, Dominik BONI
  • Publication number: 20140321497
    Abstract: There are provided an optical non-destructive inspection apparatus and an optical non-destructive inspection method. The apparatus includes a focusing-collimating unit, a heating laser beam source, a heating laser beam guide unit, an infrared detector, an emitted-infrared guide unit, first and second correcting laser beam source, first and second correcting laser beam guide units, first and second correcting laser detectors, first and second reflected laser beam guide units, and a control unit. The control unit controls the heating laser beam source and the first and second correcting laser beam sources, measures a temperature rise characteristic that is a temperature rise state of a measurement spot based on a heating time, on the basis of a detection signal from the infrared detector and detection signals from the first and second correcting laser detectors, and determines a state of a measurement object based on the measured temperature rise characteristic.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2014
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: JTEKT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Naoki MATSUMOTO, Kouya YOSHIDA, Jun MATSUMOTO
  • Publication number: 20140321498
    Abstract: There are provided an optical non-destructive inspection apparatus and an optical non-destructive inspection method. The apparatus includes a focusing-collimating unit, a heating laser beam source, a heating laser beam guide unit, an infrared detector, an emitted-infrared guide unit, first and second correcting laser beam source, first and second correcting laser beam guide units, first and second correcting laser detectors, first and second reflected laser beam guide units, and a control unit. The control unit controls the heating laser beam source and the first and second correcting laser beam sources, measures a temperature rise characteristic that is a temperature rise state of a measurement spot based on a heating time, on the basis of a detection signal from the infrared detector and detection signals from the first and second correcting laser detectors, and determines a state of a measurement object based on the measured temperature rise characteristic.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2014
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: JTEKT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Naoki MATSUMOTO, Kouya YOSHIDA, Jun MATSUMOTO
  • Publication number: 20140321499
    Abstract: With a precondition that a cooling water temperature sensor 16 and an intercooler exit gas temperature sensor 18 have been determined normal, whether an EGR cooler efficiency calculated is within a normal range is determined. When within the normal range, whether there is divergence between a calculation value of an intake temperature to be detected by an intake manifold gas temperature sensor 19 and an actual detection value of the sensor 19 is determined. When not in the normal range, whether the calculation value is excessively low is determined; and, just like the above, whether there is divergence between the calculation value and the actuation detection value of the intake manifold gas temperature sensor 19 is determined. Based on the determinations categorized, whether the EGR cooler 14, EGR gas temperature sensor 17 and intake manifold gas temperature sensor 19 are normal is determined.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2012
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: HINO MOTORS, LTD.
    Inventor: Hitoshi Nakano
  • Patent number: 8870451
    Abstract: An electrical seat heater of a vehicle has a heating resistor which is connected to a seat ground cable has a temperature-dependent sensor resistor in the vehicle seat. A control unit is outside the vehicle seat is connected to a control unit ground remotely from the vehicle seat. The voltage measurement for determining the temperature is carried out with the seat heater briefly disconnected from the supply voltage. The heating resistor is connected to the supply voltage via a series circuit including the sensor resistor and a further resistor or to the supply voltage via a power path. The control unit measures the voltage drop at the sensor resistor by a measuring signal cable. The control unit measures the potential difference between the seat ground cable and the control unit ground, which is used to correct the seat temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Audi AG
    Inventor: Werner Mayer
  • Publication number: 20140314116
    Abstract: A calibrator is provided for calibrating devices with a temperature function, e.g. thermometers or thermal switches. The calibrating device includes a calibrator block with a cavity for the purpose of receiving a receiving body for at least one temperature measurement device to be calibrated. The calibrator block features a material with thermally insulating properties and the receiving body features a material with thermally conductive properties. At least one heating device is embedded in the calibrator block in the area of the cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2014
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Applicant: SIKA Dr. Siebert & KĂĽhn GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Michael Rehm-Gumbel
  • Publication number: 20140311209
    Abstract: There is provided a portable electronic device with one or more integrated ambient sensors, such as temperature or humidity sensors, for measuring an ambient parameter, a display for displaying the parameter or related information and shared by other elements of the device, and a system receiving input relating to internal or external states of the device and generating in response to the input an accuracy measure of the ambient parameter measurement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2014
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Inventors: Dominik NIEDERBERGER, Andrea SACCHETTI, Dominik BONI
  • Publication number: 20140314117
    Abstract: Methods and systems accurately determine an analyte concentration in a fluid sample. In an example embodiment, a receiving port receives a test sensor. The test sensor includes a fluid-receiving area for receiving a fluid sample. The fluid-receiving area contains a reagent that produces a measurable reaction with an analyte in the fluid sample. The test sensor has a test-sensor temperature and the reagent has a reagent temperature. A measurement system measures the reaction between the reagent and the analyte. A temperature-measuring system measures the test sensor temperature when the test sensor is received into the receiving port. A concentration of the analyte in the fluid sample is determined according to the measurement of the reaction and the measurement of the test sensor temperature. A diagnostic system determines an accuracy of the temperature-measuring system. The calculation of the analyte concentration may be adjusted according to the accuracy of temperature-measuring system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2014
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Inventors: Narasinha Parasnis, Hoi-Cheong Steve Sun, Mu Wu
  • Publication number: 20140314115
    Abstract: A calibrator for calibrating devices with a temperature function, e.g. thermometers or thermal switches has an input and display unit. The calibrator has a capacitive touchscreen with the input and display unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2014
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Applicant: SIKA Dr. Siebert & KĂĽhn GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: René Friedrichs, Michael Göldner
  • Patent number: 8864373
    Abstract: A battery temperature monitoring circuit, which has a cold comparator and a hot comparator, achieves high accuracy in a small cell size by utilizing a cold current optimized for the cold comparator and a cold reference voltage, and a hot current optimized for the hot comparator and a hot reference voltage, along with switching circuitry that provides the cold current to the cold comparator as the battery temperature approaches the cold trip temperature, and the hot current to the hot comparator as the battery temperature approaches the hot trip temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: National Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Luan Minh Vu, Thomas Y. Tse, Tuong Hoang
  • Patent number: 8858069
    Abstract: There is provided an optical fiber temperature distribution measuring device which measures a temperature distribution along an optical fiber (3) using backward Raman scattering light generated in the optical fiber. The device includes: a reference temperature thermometer (11) disposed in the vicinity of the optical fiber so as to measure a reference temperature (T1, T2) of the optical fiber; an arithmetic controller (7) that calculates a temperature (T) of the optical fiber based on the backward Raman scattering light; and a temperature corrector (12) that corrects the calculated temperature (T) based on a correction formula containing the reference temperature as a parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Yokogawa Electric Corporation
    Inventor: Hisao Agawa
  • Patent number: 8851744
    Abstract: A calibrator for calibrating a compatible heat transfer meter comprises a temperature controlled reference thermowell and a reference temperature sensor. The reference thermowell is similar in dimensions to thermowells usable for measuring inlet and outlet temperatures of a heat exchanger so that the reference temperature sensor is selectively insertable into any of the thermowells. The calibrator also comprises temperature measurement circuitry operable to generate a temperature reading from an output of the reference temperature sensor; and control circuitry operable to control the temperature of the reference thermowell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Onicon, Inc.
    Inventor: Murray F Feller
  • Patent number: 8845188
    Abstract: In a method for determining a state of an apparatus, detected temperatures are received from a plurality of sensors and are compared to at least one preset condition. The state of the apparatus is determined based upon the comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Cullen E. Bash, Ratnesh Sharma
  • Publication number: 20140286372
    Abstract: A sensor failure detection device includes a storage, a predictor, a calculator and a detector. The storage stores temperature information of individual sensors. The temperature information includes measured values of temperatures. The measured values of temperatures are measured by a plurality of sensors. The predictor predicts a temperature distribution by performing a thermal fluid simulation, on the basis of the temperature information received from a remaining sensor. The remaining sensor is a sensor of the plurality of sensors other than the test target sensor. The calculator calculates a difference value between a temperature at a position of the test target sensor in the temperature distribution and a temperature measured by the test target sensor. The detector detects that the difference value is higher than a predetermined value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2014
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Applicant: FUJITSU LIMITED
    Inventors: Sachio Kobayashi, Masayoshi Hashima
  • Patent number: 8840301
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Inventor: Hashem M. Hashemian
  • Publication number: 20140269811
    Abstract: An electronic system, or its battery thermal management system, determines a thermal state of a battery used in the electronic system. A temperature at a position proximate the battery's cell is sensed during operation of the electronic system to produce a sensed value. Additionally, a temperature offset value is determined based on an aging factor for the battery. The sensed value is then adjusted based on the offset value to produce an adjusted value representative of the thermal state of the battery. According to one embodiment, a relationship between temperature offset value and battery aging factor is prestored in a memory of the electronic system. In such a case, the offset value may be retrieved from memory periodically or in response to a trigger event based on a determined aging factor. According to another embodiment, the offset value may be computed in real time based on a determined aging factor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Motorola Mobility LLC
    Inventors: Hossein Maleki, Jason N. Howard
  • Publication number: 20140269810
    Abstract: A warpage test system uses a calibration block to calibrate the warpage test system over a temperature profile. The calibration block includes a first metal block bonded to a second metal block. The first metal block includes a first metal and a second different metal. The first metal block includes a CTE different than a CTE of the second metal block. The calibration block is disposed in the warpage test system. A warpage of the calibration block is measured over a temperature profile ranging from 28° C. to 260° C. A deviation between the measured warpage of the calibration block and a known thermal expansion of the calibration block over the temperature profile is recorded. The warpage measurement in a semiconductor package is compensated by the deviation between the measured warpage of the calibration block and the known thermal expansion or warpage of the calibration block over the temperature profile.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: STATS CHIPPAC, LTD.
    Inventors: WonJun Ko, SeungYong Chai, OhHan Kim, GwangTae Kim, Kenny Lee
  • Publication number: 20140269812
    Abstract: A temperature probe for determining a calibrated temperature value is described. The temperature probe includes a sensing element, a memory, and a probe communication interface. The sensing element provides a measured value corresponding to a temperature of the temperature probe. The memory stores calibration data from a calibration procedure performed on the temperature probe. The probe communication interface outputs the measured value and the calibration data for determination of the calibrated temperature value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Primex Wireless, Inc
    Inventors: Stephen Deutscher, Paul Shekoski
  • Publication number: 20140269809
    Abstract: A method is provided for calibrating a thermal conductivity sensor in a first medium A from measurements in a second medium B. The method includes maintaining the sensor at a substantially fixed temperature T1, and measuring a heat flux IB(T1) from the thermal element in the second medium B. A corresponding heat flux IA(T1) in the first medium A is calculated using known thermal conductivities of the first medium A and the second medium B.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventor: Alkis C. Makrides
  • Publication number: 20140269813
    Abstract: This document discusses, among other things, a temperature and power supply calibration system configured to compensate for temperature and supply voltage variation in MEMS or other circuits using representations of positive and negative supply voltages and first and second base-emitter voltages, wherein the second base-emitter voltage is a scaled representation of the first base-emitter voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventors: Shungneng Lee, Justin Seng, Marwan Ashkar, Ion Opris
  • Publication number: 20140254622
    Abstract: The present invention pertains to a method suitable for analysing the temperature control of a device which is supposed to establish a defined temperature in a micro-environment, said method comprising a first Optical Temperature Verification step which comprises a) providing one or more thermochromatic liquid crystals in a micro-environment, wherein each thermochromatic liquid crystal has a specific event temperature, b) providing one or more temperature dependent luminophores in a micro-environment, c) varying the temperature in the micro-environments and irradiating the micro-environments with light, d) recording the luminescence of the one or more temperature dependent luminophores when the event temperature of the one or more thermochromatic liquid crystals is reached in the micro-environment and wherein said method preferably comprises a second Optical Temperature Verification step, which comprises the following a) providing one or more temperature dependent luminophores that were used in the First
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2012
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Inventors: Dirk Leber, Stephan Baehler, Hansueli Meyer
  • Patent number: 8827546
    Abstract: A method for calibrating a superheat sensor (5) for a refrigeration system is provided. The method comprises the following steps. Increasing an amount of liquid refrigerant in the evaporator (1), e.g. by increasing an opening degree of the expansion valve (3). Monitoring one or more parameters, e.g. the temperature of refrigerant leaving the evaporator (1), said parameters reflecting a superheat value of the refrigerant. Allowing the value of each of the parameter(s) to decrease. When the value(s) of the monitored parameter(s) reaches a substantially constant level, defining the superheat value corresponding to the constant level to be SH=0. The superheat sensor (5) is then calibrated in accordance with the defined SH=0 level. When the parameter(s) reaches the substantially constant level it is an indication that liquid refrigerant is allowed to pass through the evaporator (1), and thereby that the superheat of the refrigerant leaving the evaporator (1) is zero.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Danfoss A/S
    Inventors: Asbjoern Leth Vonsild, Claus Thybo, Lars Finn Sloth Larsen, Jakob Spangberg, Jesper Hoeyer, Jes Vogler
  • Publication number: 20140241393
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device (100) for calibrating the temperature of a fiber-optic temperature sensor, with which an optical fiber (10) of a fiber-optic temperature sensor is to be provided. The device (100) comprises a device body (101) having a passage (109) through which the optical fiber (10) is to pass, and a means for transferring heat energy. The device (100) further comprises at least one portion (160a), referred to as a first fixed point, which is made from a first material having at least a first predefined temperature at which the state thereof changes. The first fixed point (160a) is thermally connected to the optical fiber (10) when the optical fiber (10) is provided with the device (100). The heat-transferring means is arranged in the device body (101) such that, during the actuation thereof, the heat-transferring means exchanges heat energy with the first fixed point (160a) so as to cause a change in the state thereof at the first predefined temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2012
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicants: Laboratoires national de métrologie et d'essais, Agence nationale pour la gestion des déchets radioactifs
    Inventors: Johan Bertrand, Jean-Philippe Dubois, Ronan Morice, Patrick Sollet, Alain Lesauvage
  • Patent number: 8814427
    Abstract: An optical measurement instrument includes one or more temperature sensors (122) arranged to measure sample well specific temperatures from sample wells (111-117) arranged to store samples (103-109) to be optically measured. A processing device (121) of the optical measurement instrument is arranged to correct, using a pre-determined mathematical rule, measurement results obtained by the optical measurements on the basis of the measured sample well specific temperatures. Hence, the adverse effect caused by temperature differences between different samples on the accuracy of the temperature correction of the measurement results is mitigated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Wallac Oy
    Inventors: Jyrki Laitinen, Markku Ojala
  • Publication number: 20140233600
    Abstract: System and method for correcting the potential errors occurring in a fiber optic temperature measurement system are disclosed. In one respect, a dual light sources configuration is provided. The primary light source may illuminate a sensing fiber, and an Anti-Stokes band may be detected. The secondary light source may illuminate a sensing fiber, and a Rayleigh band may be detected, where the Rayleigh band is substantially wide enough to cover the Anti-Stokes band of the primary light source. A ratio between these Anti-Stokes and the Rayleigh bands may be used to measure the temperature and undesired errors due to the perturbations falling on the sensing fiber is continuously corrected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2014
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Inventor: Chung Lee
  • Publication number: 20140230519
    Abstract: A method for correcting offset drift effects of a thermal measurement device (10) which comprises at least one temperature sensor (15a, 15b) arranged at a defined distance from a heating device (12) for a fluid to be measured, for measuring at least one measurement variable describing the temperature and/or temperature profile during operation of the heating device (12), in which a reference measured value (35) is measured at a reference time in a first measurement of the measurement variable with the heating device (12) turned off, in which a drift measured value (36) is measured at at least one later time in a second measurement of the measurement variable with the heating device (12) turned off, and in which a drift correction is carried out during the measurement by using the heating device (12) on the basis of a difference between the drift measured value (36) and the reference measured value (35).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2014
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: HYDROMETER GMBH
    Inventors: Thomas KLEINER, Philippe PRETRE, Andreas KEMPE, Hans-Michael SONNENBERG
  • Patent number: 8810447
    Abstract: A calibration device, capable of calibrating a gain of a radiometer, includes an actuator and a micro-electromechanical-system (MEMS) unit. The actuator receives a calibration signal outputted from a control unit. The MEMS unit is coupled to the actuator, in which the actuator enables the MEMS unit to shield an antenna of the radiometer according to the calibration signal, such that the radiometer generates an environmental signal according to an equivalent radiant temperature received from the MEMS unit, and the control unit calibrates the gain of the radiometer according to the environmental signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Chun-Yen Huang, Chin-Chung Nien, Li-Yuan Chang, Chen-Ming Li, Ya-Chung Yu
  • Patent number: 8801271
    Abstract: A calibration apparatus for temperature probes comprising an elongate calibration chamber (1) with an opening (2) for receiving an insert (3) that has passages (4) for receiving temperature probes (6), and wherein the chamber (1) has several heat energy elements (-11) that are controlled by temperature probes (12-14). In the insert as such one or more external probes (7) are provided, each of which has one or more temperature sensors to the effect that at least two sensors (19, 20 or 15, 17) are provided at respective dissimilar distances to an end of the insert (3). The latter sensors are connected to electronic regulation (20, 23) and measurement units (21, 24) for regulating the supply of power to the heat energy elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Ametek Denmark A/S
    Inventors: Jan Haakon Harslund, Folke Galsgaard
  • Patent number: 8801272
    Abstract: A zero-heat-flux DTT measurement device is constituted of a flexible substrate supporting an electrical circuit including a heater trace defining a heater, thermal sensors, and a thermal sensor calibration circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Mark T. Bieberich, Gary L. Hansen, Ryan J. Staab, Albert P. Van Duren, Allen H. Ziaimehr
  • Patent number: 8801282
    Abstract: The invention pertains to flexible devices used for zero-heat-flux, deep tissue temperature measurement, especially to disposable temperature measurement devices. Such a device is constituted of a flexible substrate. An electrical circuit is disposed on a side of the substrate. The electrical circuit includes first and second thermal sensors disposed, respectively, on first and second substrate layers. A heater trace is disposed on the first substrate layer with the first thermal sensor. The first and second substrate layers are separated by a flexible layer of insulation disposed between the first and second substrate layers. The heater trace defines a heater with a central portion that operates with a first power density and a peripheral portion around the central portion that operates with a second power density greater than the first power density.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Mark T. Bieberich, Gary L. Hansen, Ryan J. Staab, Albert P. Van Duren, Allen H. Ziaimehr
  • Patent number: 8794831
    Abstract: The invention relates to systems and methods for calibrating and using resistance temperature detectors. In one embodiment, the system includes a calibration circuit comprising a resistance temperature detector in a bridge circuit with at least one potentiometer, and a programmable gain amplifier coupled to the bridge circuit. Embodiments of the invention further comprise methods for calibrating the bridge circuit and the programmable gain amplifier for use with the resistance temperature detector and methods for determining the self heating voltage of the bridge circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Canon U.S. Life Sciences, Inc.
    Inventors: Johnathan S. Coursey, Kenton C. Hasson, Gregory H. Owen
  • Publication number: 20140208821
    Abstract: A method for re-calibrating installed downhole sensors used in hydrocarbon wells by the application of a calibration string inserted in the wells and deployed in close proximity to the installed downhole sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2013
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: Halliburton Energy Services
    Inventor: Mikko Jaaskelainen
  • Patent number: 8783949
    Abstract: A self-calibrating, wide-range temperature sensor includes a current reference, impervious to process and voltage, with the current reference mirrored into two oppositely-sized bipolar transistors or diodes. Duplicate current sources are used with a ratio of geometries between them, such that the larger current biases the smaller bipolar transistor (less cross-sectional area) and the smaller current source biases the larger bipolar transistor (higher cross-sectional area). The current source in conjunction with the differential temperature sensing provides inherent calibration without drift while the differential sensing, from the ratio of geometries in the current paths also increases sensitivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Atmel Corporation
    Inventors: Jed Griffin, Daniel J. Russell
  • Publication number: 20140198820
    Abstract: Systems and methods for an auto-ranging temperature sensor are provided. In at least one embodiment, a system for sensing and measuring temperature comprises at least one analog signal amplifier that generates an amplified analog signal output based on an analog signal from at least one of a biased thermistor circuit and a calibration circuit and a digital to analog converter that generates an analog offset signal as an input to the at least one analog signal amplifier, wherein the analog offset signal shifts the amplified analog signal within an analog to digital converter input operating range when the amplified analog signal is equal to or greater than a limit of the analog to digital converter input operating range, wherein the analog offset signal is determined based on the magnitude of the amplified analog signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2013
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Lance LeRoy Sundstrom, Shane Michael Kirkpatrick, Darryl I. Parmet
  • Publication number: 20140192834
    Abstract: A calibration body (140) for calibration of a temperature sensor (170). The calibration body comprises a volume (142) capable of containing a calibration fluid with a predetermined temperature and an opening (160) for receiving the temperature sensor. The opening has a flexible opening wall (131) which delimits the sensor (170) from the volume and is capable of tightly engaging the sensor (170). The opening wall (131) comprises a non-elastic wear resistant region (231) facing the opening. The non-elastic wear region (231) is connected to a path compensator (232) capable of adjusting a length of the opening wall (131) with an amount corresponding to the path around the temperature sensor (170) in the non-elastic region (231). The non-elastic region (231) can comprise a reinforced sheet material and/or a coating. An apparatus comprising the calibration body (140) and a separate pressure body (120) is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2012
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Inventor: Ole Einar Brønlund
  • Patent number: 8770834
    Abstract: A thermostat diagnostic apparatus is provided with a cooling medium temperature sensor, an engine operating condition sensor and a malfunction diagnosing device. The malfunction diagnosing device is configured to diagnose a stuck-open malfunction of a thermostat provided in a coolant flow passage of an engine installed in a mobile body based on a comparison of a real cooling medium temperature detected by the cooling medium temperature sensor and an estimated cooling medium temperature estimated based on an engine operating condition of the engine detected by the engine operating condition sensor. The malfunction diagnosing device determines that the thermostat is stuck in an open state upon determining that either the estimated cooling medium temperature or the real cooling medium temperature exceeds a prescribed reference value during a period in which an increased heat exchange rate condition of a radiator is satisfied continuously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hideyuki Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20140185646
    Abstract: Certain exemplary embodiments can provide a system, which can comprise a thermocouple input module. The thermocouple input module can be adapted to determine one or more calibration factors. The thermocouple input module can be adapted to store the calibration factors. The thermocouple input module can be adapted to apply the calibration factors to an incoming thermocouple voltage value to obtain an adjusted thermocouple voltage value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2014
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: SIEMENS INDUSTRY, INC.
    Inventors: Stephen Mowry, Robert Alan Weddle
  • Patent number: 8764288
    Abstract: A temperature measuring apparatus includes a light source, a first splitter, a second splitter, a reference beam reflector, an optical path length adjuster, a reference beam transmitting member, a first to an nth measuring beam transmitting member and a photodetector. The temperature measuring apparatus further includes an attenuator that attenuates the reference beam reflected from the reference beam reflector to thereby make an intensity thereof closer to an intensity of the measurement beam reflected from the temperature measurement object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Jun Abe, Tatsuo Matsudo, Chishio Koshimizu
  • Patent number: 8757870
    Abstract: A method for calibrating distributed temperature sensing (DTS) systems is disclosed. The method includes: receiving temperature data associated with one or more locations along a length of an optical fiber; calculating a set of unique calibration coefficients specific to each of the one or more locations along the fiber length; and applying the set of calibration coefficients specific to each of the one or more locations along the fiber length to the temperature data for calibrated correction thereof. Also disclosed is a system for calibrating DTS data and a wellbore for providing calibrated DTS data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Travis S. Hall, Brooks A. Childers
  • Publication number: 20140169398
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a temperature detector for detecting a temperature of a component. The temperature detector may receive a first signal indicative of the temperature of the component, with the first signal being received from a first type of temperature sensor. The temperature detector may further receive a second signal indicative of the temperature of the component, with the second signal being received from a second type of temperature sensor different from the first type of temperature sensor. The temperature detector may combine the first and second signals to generate an output indicative of the temperature of the component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2012
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: Progress Rail Services Corporation
    Inventors: Donald J. Arndt, Mark J. Bartonek