Total Radiant Energy Or Power Measurement Patents (Class 374/32)
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Patent number: 9590126Abstract: The present invention relates to a solar cell assembly that includes a solar cell attached to a bonding pad and a cooling substrate, wherein the bonding pad is attached to a surface of the cooling substrate by a thermally conductive adhesive and electrically contacted to the bonding pad and cooling substrate by a bonding wire. Alternatively, the bonding pad is attached to a surface of the cooling substrate by a thermally and electrically conductive adhesive.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2011Date of Patent: March 7, 2017Assignee: Soitec Solar GmbHInventors: Martin Ziegler, Sascha Van Riesen
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Patent number: 8985846Abstract: A laser power meter incorporating an absorber disc with a peripheral thermopile ring, either continuous or segmented, and an additional temperature detection element in the central portion, that enables measurement of beam size. This detection element can be a thermopile element, generally a ring of smaller diameter than the peripheral thermopile used, and located closer to the center of the absorber disc. With this arrangement the beam size can be measured, in addition to measurements of the power and the position of the beam. Alternatively, this centralized detection element can be a single thermocouple junction located at the center of the disc, which acts as the hot junction of a thermocouple pair. The second or cold junction is effectively located on the disc close to the peripheral thermopile. Alternatively, two temperature measuring elements can be used, one at the disc center and one at the periphery.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2010Date of Patent: March 24, 2015Assignee: Ophir Optronics Solutions Ltd.Inventors: Eliyahu Bender, Shimon Elstein, Mark Ivker
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Publication number: 20150049782Abstract: A thermal substitution power measurement system includes an electromechanically-resonant temperature sensor, a temperature measurement circuit coupled to the temperature sensor, an RF power source, and a power controller. The temperature sensor has a temperature-dependent resonance at a first frequency. The temperature measurement circuit generates a temperature signal dependent on the first frequency. The RF power source delivers to the temperature sensor a controllable level of RF power at a second frequency corresponding to a resonance of the temperature sensor and outputs a measure of the RF power delivered to the temperature sensor. The power controller operates in response to the temperature signal to control the RF power delivered to the temperature sensor to maintain the temperature signal constant notwithstanding variations in external power input to the temperature sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 14, 2013Publication date: February 19, 2015Inventor: Richard K. Karlquist
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Publication number: 20150049783Abstract: An IR camera includes: a thermal radiation capturing arrangement for capturing thermal radiation of an imaged view in response to input control unit(s) receiving user inputs from a user of the IR camera; a processing unit arranged to process the thermal radiation data in order for the thermal radiation data to be displayed by an IR camera display as thermal images; and an IR camera display arranged to display thermal images to a user of the IR camera. The processing unit is further arranged to determine at least one temperature reference value representing the temperature of the surrounding environment of the imaged view; and calculate at least one output power value indicative of an amount of energy dissipated in a part of the imaged view by using the temperature value of the thermal radiation data corresponding to said part of the imaged view and the at least one determined temperature reference value.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 27, 2014Publication date: February 19, 2015Inventors: Katrin Strandemar, Henrik Jönsson, Torbjörn Hamrelius, Gunnar Palm
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Patent number: 8814425Abstract: A power measurement transducer includes a thermally conductive heat spreading device having a first surface configured to thermally couple the power measurement transducer to a device under test. Two or more temperature measurement elements are positioned within the thermally conductive heat spreading device.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2011Date of Patent: August 26, 2014Assignee: EMC CorporationInventors: John K. Bowman, Steven R. Cieluch, David Boudreau, Daniel A. Field, Dale T. Morgan
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Patent number: 8814424Abstract: A method of determining thermal output of a device under test includes attaching a power measurement transducer to a device under test, wherein the power measurement transducer includes two or more temperature measurement elements. A test sequence is applied to the device under test. One or more signals produced by the power measurement transducer are monitored to determine a quantity of power produced by the device under test during the test sequence.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2011Date of Patent: August 26, 2014Assignee: EMC CorporationInventors: John K. Bowman, Steven R. Cieluch, David Boudreau, Daniel A. Field, Dale T. Morgan
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Patent number: 8659753Abstract: A laser energy sensor and methodology for measuring laser energy in a laser beam by photoacoustic means. Laser energy is converted into acoustic energy which is then measured and converted to an energy reading corresponding to the energy of a laser beam.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2011Date of Patent: February 25, 2014Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Secretary of the ArmyInventor: Jerry B. Cabalo
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Patent number: 8613545Abstract: The present invention describes a scan adiabatic resistive calorimeter (SARC) 1 with ohm heating of the sample 20, which measures the heating enthalpy and is formed of an inner cylinder 11 and a couple of pistons 15 and 16, thus forming said elements a cylindrical chamber hermetically closed 10, which avoids that during its operation can be material losses by leaks. Pistons 15 and 16 have, in one of their ends an electrode 31 and 36 respectively and they pass the electrical heating flow through the sample 20. In reference to this electric flow, the applied power is calculated and therefore, the supplied heat to the sample 20, which is equal to the specific enthalpy. To assure that the whole of the electric flow is conducted through the sample 20, the inner cylinder 11 is electrically isolated.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2008Date of Patent: December 24, 2013Assignee: Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico NacionalInventors: Alberto Herrera Gómez, José Martín Yáñez Limón, Guadalupe Barreiro Rodríguez, Carlos Alberto Contreras Servín
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Patent number: 8272779Abstract: A calorimeter which includes a casing in which a sample is combusted, a jacket around the casing, and temperature sensors in an outer surface of the jacket.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 2010Date of Patent: September 25, 2012Inventor: John Anthony Bonnard
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Publication number: 20120134386Abstract: A laser power meter incorporating an absorber disc with a peripheral thermopile ring, either continuous or segmented, and an additional temperature detection element in the central portion, that enables measurement of beam size. This detection element can be a thermopile element, generally a ring of smaller diameter than the peripheral thermopile used, and located closer to the center of the absorber disc. With this arrangement the beam size can be measured, in addition to measurements of the power and the position of the beam. Alternatively, this centralized detection element can be a single thermocouple junction located at the center of the disc, which acts as the hot junction of a thermocouple pair. The second or cold junction is effectively located on the disc close to the peripheral thermopile. Alternatively, two temperature measuring elements can be used, one at the disc center and one at the periphery.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 10, 2010Publication date: May 31, 2012Applicant: OPHIR OPTRONICS LTD.Inventors: Eliyahu Bender, Shimon Elstein, Mark Ivker
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Patent number: 7954993Abstract: A measuring apparatus comprises a detector device for detecting a variable to be measured, and a controller operative to control the detector device and generate an output signal indicative of the magnitude of the variable being measured. The detector device comprises a housing on which are mounted two Peltier-Seebeck detectors, the detectors being arranged on the housing such that only the first Peltier-Seebeck detector is exposed, in use, to the variable to be measured. The controller is operative to generate the output signal based on the output of the first Peltier-Seebeck detector and the output of the second Peltier-Seebeck detector so as to account for the effect of the ambient heat on each Peltier-Seebeck detector.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2008Date of Patent: June 7, 2011Assignee: Lasermet LimitedInventors: John Hewinson, Stuart Ward
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Patent number: 7909505Abstract: A device and method for investigating phase transformation properties and structural changes of materials. In one form, the device simulates actual thermal processing conditions, while the method can be used in both simulations as well as in actual processing conditions. An analysis using at least one of the device and method is referred to as a single sensor differential thermal analysis, as it compares the temperature recorded in a measured specimen against a reference thermal history without requiring the derivation of the reference thermal history from measured reference temperatures.Type: GrantFiled: January 6, 2009Date of Patent: March 22, 2011Assignee: The Ohio State UniversityInventors: Boian Todorov Alexandrov, John C. Lippold, Seth Jason Norton
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Patent number: 7670045Abstract: A power sensor having a microstrip transmission line, comprising: a dielectric substrate; a strip conductor disposed on one surface of the substrate; and a ground plane conductor disposed on an opposite surface of the substrate. The power sensor includes a plurality of thermocouples extending from the strip conductor, proximal end portions of the thermocouples being thermally coupled to the strip conductor. A plurality of electrical conductors is provided, each one having a first end electrically connected to a distal end of a corresponding one of the thermocouples and a second end electrically connected to the proximate end of one of the plurality of thermocouples disposed adjacent to such corresponding one of the thermocouples. The proximal ends of the thermocouples are electrically insulated one from the other.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 2004Date of Patent: March 2, 2010Assignee: Raytheon CompanyInventors: Katherine J. Herrick, John P. Bettencourt, Alan J. Bielunis
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Patent number: 7448798Abstract: An apparatus and method of measuring a parameter associated with a sample is provided. The method includes providing a probe adapted to heat the sample and applying a measuring current having a frequency ?1 to the probe. In operation, the method measures the amplitude of the voltage across the probe at a frequency ?1. This amplitude is indicative of a temperature of the probe. The preferred embodiment also provides a method of separating contamination of the thermal data caused by the probe from thermal data associated with the sample under test.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 2003Date of Patent: November 11, 2008Assignee: Veeco Instruments Inc.Inventor: Chunhai Wang
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Patent number: 7419835Abstract: A method for screening of compounds for binding differentiation at various drug target binding sites is used with a device measuring the enthalpy of reaction for the binding. The method includes merging test ligand with target compound and merging test ligand with target compound in the presence of at least one blocking agent. A first heat of reaction is detected for the merged test ligand and target compound solution and a second heat of reaction is detected for the merged test ligand and target compound solution in the presence of a blocking agent. The two heats of reaction are compared to determine whether a reaction has occurred.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2003Date of Patent: September 2, 2008Assignee: Palo Alto Research Center IncorporatedInventors: Francisco E. Torres, Richard H. Bruce, Rodney Turner
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Patent number: 7416897Abstract: A method is disclosed for high-throughput screening assay sample preparation and testing for the identification of binding between drug targets and library compounds, for use with a calorimetric device measuring the enthalpy of reaction for the binding. The method includes mixing a library compound with a specified solvent and mixing a target compound solution with a second specified solvent on a calorimetric device. The library compound/solvent is merged with the target compound/solvent solution and the library compound/solvent solution is also merged with a third solvent solution on the calorimetric device. The heats of reaction are detected for both merged solutions and are compared.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2003Date of Patent: August 26, 2008Assignee: Palo Alto Research Center IncorporatedInventors: Richard H. Bruce, Francisco E. Torres, Alan G. Bell, Eric Peeters
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Patent number: 7413706Abstract: A measurement operation, such as a calorimetry measurement, is performed using a measurement array and a replaceable passivation membrane (e.g., a parylene membrane). The passivation membrane is used to cover the measurement array to provide temporary electrical and chemical passivation, while still allowing measurement of the parameter of interest (e.g., temperature, in a calorimetry measurement). By only replacing the membrane instead of the entire measurement array between measurement operations, the cost of the measurements can be significantly reduced over conventional methods. The passivation membrane can be mounted on a frame to simplify handling of the membrane.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2003Date of Patent: August 19, 2008Assignee: Palo Alto Research Center IncorporatedInventors: Eric Peeters, Gregory B. Anderson
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Patent number: 7399118Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for measuring a gas consumption by means of a gas meter. A gas meter with thermal mass flow sensor for determining mass flow signals (SM) and with a calibration as energy meter for outputting energy value signals (SE) is known. According to the invention, a gas type is determined by the gas meter insofar as combustible and non-combustible gas mixtures are differentiated. The gas meter is operated, in the case of a non-combustible gas mixture, with calibration in mass or standard volume units (I/min) and, in the case of a combustible gas mixture, with calibration in energy units (kWh). Embodiments concern inter alia: measurement of a gas parameter (?, ?, c, ?) of the gas or determining the gas type; gas quality sensor with an identical construction to thermal flow sensor; measuring intervals lengthened in the case of non-combustible gas and shortened in the case of combustible gas.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 2003Date of Patent: July 15, 2008Assignee: EMS-Patent AGInventors: Daniel Matter, Rolf Luchsinger, Beat Kramer, Bruno Sabbattini
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Publication number: 20080164429Abstract: The present invention describes a bolometric device with receiving cavity for measuring a beam of high frequency microwaves, comprising a hollow body (1) with receiving cavity (50) having an opening (2) for the entrance of said beam of high frequency microwaves in said receiving cavity (50), a diverging mirror (3) located in the lower part of said cavity (50) for reflecting said beam of microwaves on an absorbent coating material (4) applied on the internal surface (5) of the hollow body (1), a cooling circuit (7) for transferring the thermal energy accumulated on the absorbent coating material (4) and a circuit (6) for measuring the power of the beam of high frequency microwaves entering the hollow body (1). Said absorbent coating material (4) consists of boron carbide. In addition a procedure is described for coating with an absorbent material the internal surface (5) of a hollow body (1) being part of the aforementioned device for measuring a beam of high frequency microwaves (FIG. 1).Type: ApplicationFiled: February 1, 2006Publication date: July 10, 2008Inventors: Nicolo Spinicchia, Alessandro Bruschi, Sante Giovanni Cirant, Valerio Muzzini, Antonio Nardone
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Patent number: 7249881Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing characterization of devices is presented. The characteristic of the device are determined by obtaining a first temperature measurement in a first location of a device, obtaining a second temperature measurement, computing the difference between the temperature measurements and, using the temperatures and/or the temperature difference, a characteristic of the device is determined.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 2005Date of Patent: July 31, 2007Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyInventors: Kevin P. Pipe, Rajeev J. Ram
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Patent number: 7077564Abstract: A laser power meter and associated method are disclosed. The laser power meter has an absorber that is placed in a path of a laser beam during a power measurement, a temperature sensor for measuring the temperature of the absorber, a differentiator for determining a rate of change of the temperature of the absorber, and a processor that computes an estimated power of the laser beam based on the temperature and its rate of change without considering power related loss effects and then computes the power of the laser beam based on the estimated power and the temperature and its rate of change.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 2004Date of Patent: July 18, 2006Assignee: Coherent, Inc.Inventors: James Schloss, Sidney E. Levingston, Sean Bergman
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Patent number: 6971792Abstract: A device for measuring the flux received by a specimen in fire test apparatuses has a copper disk or plate of the same dimensions and the same type of surface coating as a typical material specimen, an embedded heating coil and thermocouple, and an insulated sample holder similar to that used for a specimen. The transient response of the embedded thermocouple is measured for several different levels of imposed incident radiation without electrical heating and for several different known levels of electrical heating without any imposed radiation. The principle of Electrical Substitution Radiometry (ESR) is applied, and the transient responses to incident radiation and electrical heating under identical thermal conditions are compared to determine the amount of incident radiation that is actually absorbed by the device while it is being irradiated. The situations are kept thermally identical, thereby insuring that all effects due to heat losses (e.g. convection, radiation and conduction) are exactly the same.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 2003Date of Patent: December 6, 2005Assignee: FM Global Technologies LLCInventors: John L. de Ris, Mohammed M. Khan
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Patent number: 6921195Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing characterization of devices is presented. The characteristic of the device are determined by obtaining a first temperature measurement in a first location of a device, obtaining a second temperature measurement, computing the difference between the temperature measurements and, using the temperatures and/or the temperature difference, a characteristic of the device is determined.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2003Date of Patent: July 26, 2005Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyInventors: Kevin P. Pipe, Rajeev J. Ram
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Patent number: 6854881Abstract: In accordance with the presence or absence of heat, a transistor shows a relatively rapid change, while a cooling water CLW shows a relatively gentle change. The temperatures of both members settle down to approximately equal temperatures when no heat is generated in the transistor. At this time, the temperature of one of the transistor or the cooling water and the amount of energization of the transistor are used to estimate the temperature of the other member. This method is applied to other temperature estimations, such as estimation of the temperature between a stator coil and a stator iron core of a motor etc.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2001Date of Patent: February 15, 2005Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Mitsuhiro Nada
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Patent number: 6836677Abstract: A bolometer thin film having a high temperature coefficient of resistance (|TCR|) is produced in a simple and easy production process to provide a highly sensitive infrared sensing element. The invention provides a bolometer using a thin film of an oxide represented by ZyCuOx, wherein Z is one or more alkaline earth metals, one or more rare earth element selected from yttrium and lanthanide elements, one or more elements belonging to Period 5 or Period 6 of the Periodic Table selected from bismuth, lead, thallium, mercury, and cadmium, or potassium or sodium, y is a number satisfying 0≦y≦2, and x is a number satisfying 0.5y<x≦1.5+2y. The bolometer has a temperature coefficient of resistance (|TCR|) higher than that of conventional bolometers.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2002Date of Patent: December 28, 2004Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Hiroko Higuma, Shoji Miyashita
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Patent number: 6767128Abstract: The invention concerns a sensor for direct measurement of electromagnetic power, comprising a guiding structure (2) for bringing the power, a dissipative charge (3) and a thermometer. The invention is characterized in that the charge (3) and the thermometer are formed by a single element.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2002Date of Patent: July 27, 2004Assignee: Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)Inventors: Armelle Daulle, Jacques Richard, Pascal Xavier, Dominique Rauly
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Patent number: 6767129Abstract: A microwave power sensor and a method for manufacturing the same. The microwave power sensor includes a semiconductor substrate with a nitride or oxide film formed thereon. A membrane which is a portion of the nitride or oxide film is floated by removing a portion of the semiconductor substrate. First and second thermocouple groups are formed to be symmetrically spaced apart from each other on the membrane. An RF input end is formed on the nitride or oxide film. A heating resistor is formed on the membrane to be connected with the RF input end. First and second ground plates are formed on the nitride or oxide film at both sides of the RF input end. A third ground plate is formed on the nitride or oxide film to be connected with the heating resistor and electrically connected with the first and second ground plates. The first and second output terminals are formed on the semiconductor substrate to be connected with the first and second thermocouple groups, respectively.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2002Date of Patent: July 27, 2004Assignee: Korea Electronics Technology InstituteInventors: Dae Sung Lee, Kyung Il Lee, Hak In Hwang
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Patent number: 6764215Abstract: The present invention relates to a method, a measuring cell and a system for measuring very small heat changes in a sample. The system comprises a measuring cell 16 for containing the sample during the measurement process, at least one electromagnetic radiation unit 14 for radiating one or several samples with modulated monochromatic or polychromatic radiation 46 inside said measuring cell 16. Said measuring cell 16 comprises at least one acoustic transducer 22 for generating a first output signal V(t) and at least one heat measuring device 24 for generating a second output signal T(t). Both signals are connectable to a combining unit 18 that generates an information signal by means of a reference signal f(t). Said information signal is connectable to a signal processing unit 20 for determining at least one relevant reaction parameter as a function of the measured heat change.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2002Date of Patent: July 20, 2004Assignee: Amersham Biosciences UK Ltd.Inventors: Phil Meyler, Rudi Labarbe
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Patent number: 6748129Abstract: In accordance with the invention, the optical power level in an optical waveguide is monitored by enclosing a length of the waveguide within an insulated cavity of comparable length and cross section, measuring a first temperature T1 within the cavity, measuring a second temperature T2 outside the cavity and deriving from the difference, T1−T2, a measure of the optical power level. Exemplary apparatus for monitoring the optical power level in an optical waveguide comprises a substrate with an insulated groove for receiving an optical fiber, an insulated lid for sealing the fiber within the groove, and internal and external temperature sensors.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2002Date of Patent: June 8, 2004Assignee: Lucent Technologies Inc.Inventors: Linda M. Braun, Jane D. LeGrange, Alexandru Paunescu
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Patent number: 6726356Abstract: The present invention is intended to provide a calorimeter for converting a quite small amount of heat into an electrical signal, especially a radiation detector providing improved energy resolution and count rate, by using a superconducting transition edge. The calorimeter has an absorber for absorbing radiation and producing heat. This absorber is formed on a resistor whose resistance value is varied by the heat. The resistor is formed on a membrane that controls escape of the heat. The calorimeter is characterized in that it is further fitted with a heat dissipation device for letting active electrons produced in the calorimeter escape to the outside.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2002Date of Patent: April 27, 2004Assignee: SII NanoTechnology Inc.,Inventors: Keiichi Tanaka, Toshimitsu Morooka
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Patent number: 6589370Abstract: The invention relates to a device that absorbs infra-red radiation, which comprises as a coupler element for the infra-red radiation, an element made of a quasi-crystalline alloy, made up of one or more quasi-crystalline phases, the volume of which represents at least 40% by volume of the quasi-crystalline alloy, a quasi-crystalline phase being either a quasi-crystalline phase in the strict sense, or an approximating phase or an approximating compound. The invention is used in applications such as in a bolometer, infra-red filter, thermocouple, or hot plate.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 2000Date of Patent: July 8, 2003Assignees: Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Societe Nouvelle de Metallisation IndustriesInventors: Jean-Marie Dubois, Francis Machizaud
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Patent number: 6587202Abstract: A method for testing a material block prior to forming the material block into one or more optical components for use with a sub-micron lithographic, high power, narrow bandwidth laser system having high wavelength stability includes the step of selecting a block of material having appropriate characteristic optical properties for the source laser system being used. The next step is to test the material block for absorption performance. Then, if the block exhibits a sufficient absorption performance, then one of more optical components such as one or more prisms, etalons, and/or windows, etc. are formed from the material block. Finally, the optical components formed from the block are inserted into a wavelength selection module of the resonator of the laser to participate in producing a high power, narrow bandwidth laser beam which may be used in sub-micron photolithographic applications.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2000Date of Patent: July 1, 2003Assignee: Lambda Physik AGInventor: Ulrich Rebhan
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Patent number: 6561692Abstract: A modulated differential scanning calorimeter (MDSC) and a method for practicing MDSC that uses two separate temperature difference signals—the difference between the temperatures of the sample and reference positions and the difference between the temperatures of the sample position and a base position. This approach accounts for heat flows associated with the sample and reference pans, and for the difference in sample and pan heating rates to provide more accurate heat flow measurement and improve resolution. It also greatly reduces or eliminates the frequency dependence of the heat capacity calibration factor, which allows for the use of shorter modulation periods. Shorter modulation periods allow the use of higher underlying heating rates, allowing users to decrease the duration of their MDSC experiments.Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 2001Date of Patent: May 13, 2003Assignee: TA Instruments-Waters LLCInventor: Robert L. Danley
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Publication number: 20030086472Abstract: The invention relates to a method and means for measuring the power loss in a fibre optical connector of the type which includes an optical fibre (3) for transmitting high optical power, specifically power exceeding 1 kW, and wherein incident radiation (1) falling outside the fiber core is absorbed at least partially in a flowing coolant (2). The connector comprises means, for instance thermo-elements (8), for measuring the temperature difference (&Dgr;T) between the in- and outgoing coolant as a measure of the generated power loss. Preferably the flow speed is adapted to different power losses.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 27, 2002Publication date: May 8, 2003Inventors: Daniel Bengtsson, Sven-Olov Roos, Per-Arne Torstensson
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Publication number: 20030043880Abstract: The present invention relates to a method, a measuring cell and a system for measuring very small heat changes in a sample. The system comprises a measuring cell 16 for containing the sample during the measurement process, at least one electromagnetic radiation unit 14 for radiating one or several samples with modulated monochromatic or polychromatic radiation 46 inside said measuring cell 16. Said measuring cell 16 comprises at least one acoustic transducer 22 for generating a first output signal V(t) and at least one heat measuring device 24 for generating a second output signal T(t). Both signals are connectable to a combining unit 18 that generates an information signal by means of a reference signal f(t). Said information signal is connectable to a signal processing unit 20 for determining at least one relevant reaction parameter as a function of the measured heat change.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 28, 2002Publication date: March 6, 2003Inventors: Phil Meyler, Rudi Labarbe
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Patent number: 6523998Abstract: An improved differential thermal analysis/differential scanning calorimetry (collectively, DSC) assembly with a furnace block assembly having a measurement chamber and a furnace heater. The measurement chamber has a sensor assembly for receiving a sample material and a reference material. The furnace block assembly is coupled to a generally cylindrical cooling flange through a distributed thermal resistor that allows a constrained heat flow between the furnace assembly and cooling flange. The thermal resistor can also withstand the mechanical stresses associated with the differential expansion and contraction of the furnace assembly and cooling flange without permanent deformation of the thermal resistor. The cooling flange can be coupled to various cooling devices, permitting operation of the overall DSC instrument in a variety of temperature regimes for a variety of applications.Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 2001Date of Patent: February 25, 2003Assignee: TA Instruments, Inc.Inventors: Robert L. Danley, John W. Schaefer
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Patent number: 6508585Abstract: An insulating substrate provided with two types of metallic or alloy circuit patterns for detecting temperature difference between a sample side and a reference side, and also a metallic resistance circuit pattern, is fixed to a heat sink, and the heat sink is temperature controlled. If a temperature difference between the sample and the reference is detected, electrical power supplied to a compensation heater using metallic resistors is adjusted by a differential heat compensation circuit so that the temperature difference is immediately returned to zero, and a difference in supplied power is output as a differential heat flow.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2001Date of Patent: January 21, 2003Assignee: Seiko Instruments Inc.Inventors: Nobutaka Nakamura, Ryoichi Kinoshita
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Publication number: 20030012252Abstract: An optical power meter using a thermal detector, with improved response time, in which a fast response sensor is mounted close to the thermal detector, in such a location that it senses a part of the incident beam to be measured. The output signal of the fast response sensor, and the output signal of the thermal detector are electronically combined, such that response characteristics of the fast response sensor are impressed on the output of the thermal detector, thus providing a power meter combining the power handling ability and the accuracy of the thermal detector with a response characteristic of the fast response sensor. This method of combining fast and slow response sensors is also applicable to other measurements, whether physical, chemical or biological, such as those of flow, velocity, temperature, pressure, electrical, electronic, magnetic, thermal, optical, radiative, dimensional or acoustic properties of a material or article.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 30, 2002Publication date: January 16, 2003Inventor: Eliyahu Bender
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Patent number: 6488406Abstract: A method for calculating sample heat flow in a differential scanning calorimeter. A preferred embodiment of the invention calculates the heat flow to the sample while accounting for the effect of heat storage in the sample pans and the difference in heating rate between sample and reference. Accounting for heat flow associated with the pans and the difference between sample and reference heating rates gives a more accurate sample heat flow measurement and improves resolution, which is the ability to separate closely spaced thermal events in the heat flow result.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2001Date of Patent: December 3, 2002Assignee: TA Instruments-Waters, LLCInventor: Robert L. Danley
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Patent number: 6431747Abstract: A sensor for a heat flux differential scanning calorimeter in which one absolute temperature measurement and two differential temperature measurements are used. The sensor is calibrated and used based on a four-term model heat flow equation. The calibration is carried out in two experiments which are used to calculate the sensor thermal resistance for the sample and reference positions, respectively, and the sensor heat capacity for the sample and reference positions, respectively. Differential scanning calorimeters using this sensor exhibit improved resolution, improved baseline performance and improved dynamic response.Type: GrantFiled: August 23, 2000Date of Patent: August 13, 2002Assignee: TA Instruments, Inc.Inventor: Robert L. Danley
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Patent number: 6428203Abstract: A power compensation differential scanning calorimeter that uses one absolute temperature measurement, two differential temperature measurements, a differential power measurement, and a five-term heat flow equation to measure the sample heat flow. The calorimeter is calibrated by running two sequential calibration experiments. In a preferred embodiment, the first calibration experiment uses empty sample and reference pans, and the second calibration experiment uses sapphire specimens in the sample and reference holders. In an alternate embodiment, sapphire calibration specimens are used in both the first and second calibration experiments.Type: GrantFiled: August 23, 2000Date of Patent: August 6, 2002Assignee: Ta Instruments, Inc.Inventor: Robert L. Danley
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Publication number: 20020003830Abstract: It is an object to obtain a calorimeter characterized by excellent mechanical strength, and a manufacturing method thereof, when a plurality of calorimeters are arranged inside a single substrate. The calorimeter has an absorbent for converting energy of radioactive rays into heat and a resistor for converting heat into an electrical signal using superconductive transition are arranged on a membrane for determining thermal conductivity with the membrane being attached to a substrate, the substrate having a tri-layer structure comprising an etching layer, an etching stop layer and a support substrate, the membrane being arranged separated by the thickness of the etching stop layer and the etching layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 12, 2001Publication date: January 10, 2002Inventors: Keiichi Tanaka, Toshimitsu Morooka
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Patent number: 6099162Abstract: The curing of a resin in a continuous manufacturing process is monitored by a sensor which measures the surface thermal energy of the resin. The surface thermal energy is measured without physically touching the resin. The surface thermal energy measurements are processed and sent to an automatic controller. The controller adjusts either the speed of the resin or the heat applied to the resin or both in order to optimize the curing process.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 1997Date of Patent: August 8, 2000Assignee: Hydril CompanyInventor: Thomas J. Walsh
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Patent number: 6025587Abstract: Device for the detection of optical parameters consisting of a first sensing element that is sectioned into a plurality of equal regions each able to produce an electric signal, proportional to the power of the incident laser beam. Before said first sensing element with respect to the direction of the incident laser beam, at least a second sensing element is provided, lined up with the first sensing element and thermally insulated from it, that has a hole with a shape equal to the shape of the incoming laser beam and with dimensions increasing with the distance from that first element.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 1998Date of Patent: February 15, 2000Assignees: Cise S.p.A., Laser Point s.r.l.Inventors: Emanuele Stucchi, Laura Serri, Vincenzo Fantini, Flavio Ferretti
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Patent number: 6017147Abstract: A calorimetric wattmeter for testing a microwave oven. The wattmeter comprises a housing which defines an interior chamber for holding a quantity of a microwave absorbing liquid. Attached to the housing is a thermometer having a sensor portion which extends into the interior chamber and an indicator portion which moves in response to temperature changes sensed by the sensor portion. Additionally, rotatably attached to the housing is a scale which circumvents the indicator portion and includes indicia thereon for correlating the position of the indicator portion to a microwave oven wattage reading. The scale is selectively rotatable for purposes of resetting the microwave oven wattage reading to zero relative to the position of the indicator portion. The housing also includes a pair of neon gas filled enclosures attached thereto for providing a visual indication of the presence of microwaves.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 1998Date of Patent: January 25, 2000Inventor: Oliver E. Gibson, Jr.
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Patent number: 6015234Abstract: A device (5) for measuring temperatures without mechanical contact comprises a bolometer with thermistors (20.sub.1, 20.sub.2, 20.sub.3, 20.sub.4) arranged as a Wheatstone bridge. Some of the thermistors (202, 204) are shielded and some of the thermistors (20.sub.1, 20.sub.3) are not shielded so as to allow or not to allow them, respectively, to receive thermal radiation (25) from an object (OBJ). The thermal radiation heats the non-shielded thermistors and produces an unbalance (v) of the bridge. This unbalance is canceled by heating all the thermistors by an additional heating (18, 26). In the balanced state the temperature of the object is equal to that of the thermistors. The additional heating is preferably achieved by causing the electric power supplied to the bridge to be varied. Computing means (14) enable the temperature of the object to be derived from current/voltage ratios relating to the thermistors.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 1997Date of Patent: January 18, 2000Assignee: U.S. Philips CorporationInventors: Serge Gourrier, Jean-Pierre Hazan
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Patent number: 5980101Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for accurately measuring the energy of a laser pulse. The method according to one embodiment comprises directing a first laser pulse to an energy sensor which produces a first signal responsive to the first laser pulse, determining a time constant of the energy sensor based on the first signal, directing a second laser pulse to the energy sensor which produces a second signal responsive to the second laser pulse, and determining the pulse energy of the second laser pulse based on the second signal and the time constant.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 1997Date of Patent: November 9, 1999Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Josef Robert Unternahrer, Phillip Randall Staver
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Patent number: 5894352Abstract: The preferred embodiment of the invention measures the temperature increase of a light-transmitting optical component to determine the optical absorption of the optical component. Accurately determining the optical absorption of light-transmitting optical components advantageously allows for the accurate and efficient selection of light-transmitting optical components for use in an optical system. In one embodiment, an optical absorption tester holds multiple optical components and, for each optical component, the tester includes a temperature sensor placed in contact with the optical component and a reference temperature sensor placed in the vicinity of the optical component.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 1997Date of Patent: April 13, 1999Assignee: Cymer, Inc.Inventor: Richard George Morton
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Patent number: 5779362Abstract: A calorimeter is disclosed comprising a sample chamber (12) adapted to enclose a sample, a thermally conductive reference surface (14) surrounding and insulated from the sample chamber (12) and a casing (16) surrounding and insulated from the reference surface. Temperature transducers, in communication with a micro-computer, record the temperatures of the sample chamber (VS) and reference surface (V1) at periodic intervals. The micro-computer is programmed to calculate the theoretical temperature (VT) of the sample chamber from the measured values of the temperature of the reference surface (V1) and estimated values of the thermal power of the sample (I), the thermal resistance from the sample to the sample chamber (RS) and the thermal capacity of the sample (CS), and to optimize the fit between the theoretical calculations (VT) and the corresponding measured values (VS) of the temperature of the sample chamber.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 1995Date of Patent: July 14, 1998Inventor: John Adrian Lightfoot
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Patent number: 5758969Abstract: In an instrument for measuring the energy of optical radiation, particularly laser radiation, a number of radiation absorbing plate-like foraminous elements are disposed in a tubular housing such that the radiation entering at one end of the housing is successively absorbed by the radiation absorbing elements which are heated thereby, and a fan disposed at the other end of the housing moves cooling air through the housing and through the radiation absorbing elements whereby the air is heated. From the temperature increase of the cooling air which is measured by a temperature measuring element, the energy of the optical radiation entering the housing is determined.Type: GrantFiled: January 6, 1997Date of Patent: June 2, 1998Assignee: Urenco Deutschland GmbHInventor: Udo Freyaldenhoven