Abstract: Methods and systems for mitigating condensation in a sensor module of a combustion appliance are disclosed. In one example, a fluid flow from a main conduit is cooled with a passive heat exchanger. A sensor of a sensor module may be heated to a temperature above the cooled fluid flow. Cooling the incoming fluid flow with a passive heat exchanger and/or heating the downstream flow sensor may help mitigate condensation in the sensor module, and in particular, on the sensor device. This may help increase the reliability of the system.

Abstract: Method and device for monitoring the flow of a liquid, in which method and device an electronic device (25) carried by an apparatus equipped with a turbine (17) that can be rotated by a stream of fluid comprises a means of detecting at least one determined angular position of said turbine that delivers an electric pulse each time the turbine passes through this angular position. A pulse counter may count the pulses delivered. An electric current generator connected to the turbine may power the electronic device. An electrical energy accumulator may be charged by the current generator and power the electronic device.

Abstract: A flow rate measuring apparatus includes: a flow rate detecting device placed in an intake passage; a detection circuit for outputting an analog signal varying depending on the flow rate; a conversion circuit for converting the analog signal to a digital signal; a temperature detecting device for detecting an ambient temperature; and a correction circuit for primarily correcting the digital signal using a gain and/or an offset (correction coefficient) that can set the temperature coefficient in any appropriate way. The gain and/or the offset vary depending on the temperature coefficient set in any appropriate way and the ambient temperature detected by the temperature detecting device. Also, a plurality of the gains and/or the offsets are set depending on the flow rate, allowing the temperature characteristic error in flow rate measurement to be reduced.

Abstract: An energy harvesting survey apparatus includes a main body having a first end positioned proximate to a machine configured to produce thermal energy and a second end positioned a predefined distance from the first end. At least one first sensor is coupled to the first end and is configured to detect a temperature of a surface of the machine. At least one second sensor is coupled to the second end and is configured to detect a temperature of ambient air substantially surrounding the machine. A circuit is coupled to the first and second sensors, and is configured to generate at least one output representative of an expected power output of a thermoelectric generator coupled to the machine based at least in part on the detected machine surface temperature and the detected ambient air temperature. A display device is coupled to the circuit and is configured to display the output.

Abstract: A measuring arrangement comprising a heat meter having a flow sensor, a first temperature sensor, a second temperature sensor and computing means. The first temperature sensor serves to register a temperature in the feed line of the heat exchanger and the second temperature sensor serves to register a temperature in the drain line of the heat exchanger. The computing means serves to calculate the amount of heat exchanged. A first transfer function, which serves to determine the temperature in the feed line based on a measurement signal of the first temperature sensor, is stored in the computing means; a second transfer function is stored in the computing means; wherein the first transfer function differs from the second transfer function; and the second transfer function serves to determine the temperature in the drain line based on a measurement signal of the second temperature sensor.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed to measure airflow within a chassis-cooling pathway of an appliance. The rate of airflow is determined based on the differential heating among a pair of sensor devices, such as thermistors, transistors, diodes or resistive thermal devices operating at distinctly different power levels. The appliance utilizes the calculated airflow rate to perform safety-related tasks, such as de-energizing heating elements when low or no airflow is detected.

Abstract: A storage device transporter includes a transporter body having first and second body portions. The first body portion is configured to be engaged by automated machinery for manipulation of the storage device transporter. The second body portion is configured to receive and support a storage device. The first body portion is configured to receive and direct an air flow over one or more surfaces of a storage device supported in the second body portion.

Abstract: A liquid container capable of self-generating power and showing temperature, comprising: a) a containing body consisting of a housing and an inner wall, a gap being formed between the housing and the inner wall; b) a circuit board positioned within the gap; c) a temperature sensor positioned in the gap for measuring the temperature of the contained liquid, the temperature sensor being electrically connected to the circuit board; d) a temperature indicator disposed in the gap and electrically connected to the circuit board, a displaying surface thereof being positioned on the surface of the housing; and e) a temperature difference power-generating element positioned within the gap and electrically coupled to the circuit board, a thermoelectric effect being created by the hot water filled into the space defined by the inner wall such that a thermal energy can be converted into the electric energy that is stored by an energy-accumulating element for providing the temperature indicator and the related elements wi

Abstract: The invention relates with the feed-back control system of a heat exchanger by use of the flow resonance phenomenon which maximizes the heat transfer efficiency by generating the flow disturbances of a heat transfer medium. If a heat transfer medium is periodically stimulated at the characteristic frequency of a heat exchanger, the flow resonance frequency, which is dependent upon the flow conditions of heat transfer medium and the geometries of a heat exchanger, the disturbances of heat transfer medium is increased to the extent that heat transfer is dramatically high. This system is composed of the detecting part for the detection of flow characteristics, the processing part for the determination of flow resonance frequency, and the stimulating part which excites a heat transfer medium at the calculated flow resonance frequency.

Abstract: Process and device for controlling the temperature of an outbound secondary flow in a secondary circuit from a heat exchanger by a primary flow in a primary circuit, via a member that regulates the primary flow, influenced by a control unit. The enthalpy difference between inbound and outbound primary flow to and from the heat exchanger and the secondary flow are determined. The flow in the primary circuit is determined, and the parameters are supplied to the control unit for controlling the member, whereby the primary flow is controlled in dependence of the secondary flow, so that power supplied to the heat exchanger substantially equals the sum of the power needed to raise the temperature of the secondary flow from the initial temperature to the desired outbound temperature; the assumed power requirement for compensating for energy stored in the heat exchanger; and the assumed leak power from the heat exchanger.

Abstract: An energy metering method and apparatus for liquid flow systems comprising first and second segments of one or more conduits through which a liquid flows, comprising: attaching a first temperature sensor for connection to an outside of the first conduit segment; attaching a second temperature sensor for connection to an outside of the second conduit segment; via a programmable control unit, receiving data from the sensors and calculating energy data therefrom; and communicating energy data from the meter; whereby the method and apparatus operate without need to temporarily disconnect or alter the first or second conduit segments. The invention operates with both variable and fixed flow systems, and is especially useful for both active and passive solar energy systems.

Abstract: A disc tribometer for measuring tribological, mechanical and thermal phenomena including at least a first rotary support for receiving a test sample, a second rotary support for receiving a second test sample, means for measuring torque applied to each of the supports, and at least one induction coil positioned to heat one of the test samples.

Abstract: A thermal method for studying chemical responses, such as catalyzed polymerization reactions that includes the following three steps. The first step is to flow a chemical substance through a conduit, the conduit being in thermal communication with an electrical conductor, the electrical conductor being co-linear with the conduit, the electrical resistance of the electrical conductor being a function of the temperature of the electrical conductor. A length of stainless steel tubing can be used as both the conduit and the conductor. The second step is to flow electricity through the electrical conductor during the first step. The third step is to measure the electrical resistance of the electrical conductor during the second step to determine any change in the temperature of the conduit caused by a response of the chemical substance.

Abstract: A method for detecting an diagnosing faults in printed circuit boards. Emissivity data and thermal image data of the various components of the board are obtained. The emissivity data is used to correct the thermal image data. The corrected data is converted to device space data, which is then input to a previously trained neural network. The output of the neural network indicates the location of the fault. The method includes an improved method for obtaining an emissivity map and a method for providing suitable neural network input.

Abstract: A composition analyzer and a method of use for determination of the masses of individual components in a multiphase multicomponent fluid system containing a gas. Data and relationships not measured by the analyzer during operation but required by the method are predetermined or researched and stored, and other required data is instantaneously obtained from the composition analyzer during process operation. All these data are used in an iteration process to accurately determine the mass composition of each fluid component. The preferred means for adding energy to the fluid mixture in the test apparatus is comprised of an electrically conductive conduit through which the fluid mixture flows and which heats the fluid mixture when electrically energized.

Abstract: A biocalorimeter and waste management system is provided for making metabolic heat release measurements of animals or humans in a calorimeter (enclosure) using ambient air as a low velocity source of ventilating air through the enclosure. A shroud forces ventilating air to pass over the enclosure from an end open to ambient air at the end of the enclosure opposite its ventilating air inlet end and closed around the inlet end of the enclosure in order to obviate the need for regulating ambient air temperature. Psychrometers for measuring dry- and wet-bulb temperature of ventilating air make it possible to account for the sensible and latent heat additions to the ventilating air. A waste removal system momentarily recirculates high velocity air in a closed circuit through the calorimeter wherein a sudden rise in moisture is detected in the ventilating air from the outlet.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and to an apparatus for monitoring the heat transfer and therefore the efficiency of a condenser. A water column is formed by shutting off a condenser pipe which assumes the steam temperature T.sub.s and whose outflow time after the resumption of the flow can be utilized for measuring the flow velocity. With the knowledge of the water inlet temperature T.sub.1 and the water outlet temperature T.sub.2 measured on the same condenser pipe, it is possible to very accurately establish the heat transfer through the measured condenser pipe, so that on the basis thereof it is e.g. possible to operate a cleaning system with foam rubber balls. Thus, each fraction of the possible efficiency of the condenser is exploited.

Abstract: Is-enthalpic temperature control of the operation of the thermal printing head of a thermal printing device is attained by use of a transfer area at the head to transfer heat from the head to a coolant fluid moved by a fluid mover across the transfer area at a flow rate controlled by a circuit on the basis of a sensor that measures the flow rate of electrical energy being fed to the head, and sensors that sense the mass flow rate of the fluid and its rise in temperature upon flow across the transfer area for determining the flow rate of energy being removed from the head. The circuit controls the fluid mover to adjust the fluid flow rate so that the net energy in the head remains substantially constant.

Abstract: Using the method of this invention, the performance of a heat exchanger is determined by measuring the heat transfer capabilities of an individual tube. A relatively small reservoir of service fluid is connected to the inlet and outlet ports of a tube. The reservoir is provided with a heater or chiller and the service fluid is circulated through the tube. When a steady state is reached, the heat transfer characteristics of the tube are measured using known mathematical relationships.

Abstract: A radiation beam calorimetric power measurement system for measuring the average power of a beam such as a laser beam, including a calorimeter configured to operate over a wide range of coolant flow rates and being cooled by continuously flowing coolant for absorbing light from a laser beam to convert the laser beam energy into heat. The system further includes a flow meter for measuring the coolant flow in the calorimeter and a pair of thermistors for measuring the temperature difference between the coolant inputs and outputs to the calorimeter. The system also includes a microprocessor for processing the measured coolant flow rate and the measured temperature difference to determine the average power of the laser beam.

Abstract: A device for measuring or controlling a property of a flow medium comprises a conduit which carries a flow medium. A choke element located in the conduit has a first open operating position and a second closed operating position. A driver drives the choke element from one operating position to the other. A pressure sensor measures the difference in pressure before and after the choke element in said conduit. A processor responsive to the pressure difference calculates a flow or thermal property of the flow medium. The processor comprises an input for receiving a continuous control signal which indicates a desired value of a flow or thermal property of the flow medium and a converter for converting the continuous control signal into a pulse-pause signal for controlling the driver.

Abstract: A direct convective air flow calorimeter characterized by fast response time, high efficiency, and transient, as well as steady state, heat measurement capability. The calorimeter generally measures sensible and insensible heat losses, and may measure indirect heat losses as well. The calorimeter can be scaled to accommodate animal as well as human subjects. The convective calorimeter includes an adiabatic chamber wherein circulatory air flow is provided about the inner periphery of the chamber while baffles are used to shield the subject from the circulatory air flow. The chamber is also provided with ventilating air flow. Finally, sensors are used for determining the heat addition to the circulatory air flow, which represents the sensible heat loss from the subject being tested, and for determining selected properties of the ventilating air flow.

Abstract: A heat circuit comprises an initial conduit containing a flow medium and a return conduit. A choke element located in a conduit such as the initial conduit of a heat circuit serves to control the flow of the flow medium. The choke element has several active positions in which openings having differently sized cross-sections are inserted into the path of flow. The choke element is moved by a drive so that a particular position of the choke is active. A differential pressure sensor measures the presure difference before and after the choke element. A computer resposive to the differential pressure sensor controls the drive so that a particular cross-section of the choke element takes effect and the flow of the medium is measured with sufficient precision over a wide measuring range. The inventive arrangement may also include a temperature sensor for measuring the temperature difference between the initial and return conduits.

Abstract: Temperaature sensors at the inlet and outlet of a heat exchanger are utilized in the disclosed apparatus to measure the temperature of the fluid and to ascertain the the time taken by a localized gradient in heated or cooled fluid to pass through the heat exchanger at the start of a heating or cooling episode in order to obtain the flow rate of fluid through the heat exchanger; a representation of the flow rate is stored; and thereafter, during that heating or cooling episode, the stored flow-rate representation is utilized in deriving flow-rate and energy transfer measurements.

Abstract: A waste heat reclaimer takes in hot waste gases from stacks or flues, associates them with a primary flow of water, heating the water and cooling the gases. The heated water flows through a heat exchanger transferring that heat to a secondary flow of water. A logic and control unit receives signals from sensors located in the sources of the waste gases, the delivery system of the gases, and the two flows of water. These signals are used to give warnings of insufficient flows, insufficient heat energy gains, and to control the sources of the gases, and to provide the operator with other indications which permit him to obtain more efficiency from the unit while devoting less attention to it.

Abstract: A calorimeter using a remanence type electromagnetic flowmeter includes a core made of a semi-hard or hard magnetic material and having a property in which a remanent magnetic flux density is varied in proportion to a temperature, a coil excited intermittently to magnetize the core, a metallic pipe forming a fluid path, a yoke for conducting remanent magnetic flux of said core, the yoke being fixed to the outer surface of the metallic pipe in close contact therewith without forming an air gap therebetween, and a pair of electrodes attached to the inner surface of the metallic pipe through an insulator.

Abstract: A flow-sensing system is provided which employs a pair of sensing resistors. One of the resistors is disposed within flowing fluid, while the other is shielded from the flow. The sensor resistances are held constant by identical feedback circuits which maintain the relationship between current values in the sensors for this purpose. The required difference in currents in the two resistors enables fluid flow to be computed.Input and output temperature sensors are provided to enable temperature difference to be measured and combined with fluid-flow to indicate the rates of BTU flow. One temperature sensor and the fluid-flow sensors constitute an assembly miniaturized in a solid state chip.

Abstract: Apparatus for measuring the rate of sheet dissipation from a load immersed in a flowing fluid includes an upstream and downstream transducer. These transducers are located upstream and downstream of the load for providing an upstream and downstream signal signifying the temperature of the fluid upstream and downstream, respectively, of the load. A flow transducer is located in the flow of the fluid for providing a flow signal signifying the flow rate of the fluid. A processor is coupled to the flow transducer and the upstream and downstream transducer for providing a power signal proportional to the flow signal and to the difference between the downstream and upstream signal.

Abstract: Energy transmitted to a load in a fluid medium is measured utilizing a probe having an elongate heat transmitter that includes a sensing tip at one end, a heat exchanger at its opposite end, a thermal impedance forming at least a segment of the heat transmitter, and temperature sensors spaced apart along the impedance. The temperature of the sensing tip is maintained different from that of the sensed fluid. A read-out is responsive to the temperature sensors and it is calibrated in terms of the energy content of the fluid flowing in the sensed passage. Corrections for various factors of error are incorporated in the read-out. A relative simple yet reasonably accurate measure is made of the energy in steam, where the heat exchanger of the probe is a passive heat dissipator.

Abstract: A method for allocating energy costs comprises sensing a first parameter; comparing the sensed parameter with a selectable value of the parameter; initiating recording of data when the sensed parameter bears a predetermined relation to the selectable value; and recording data corresponding in a predetermined fashion to the quantity of energy consumed. The invention also extends to a system for allocating energy costs as a function of at least one sensed parameter.

Abstract: A system for submetering artificial energy consumption in a multi-user environment in which a single central system source services the several separate users by means of individual space conditioning subsystems is disclosed which enables accurate proportioning of subsystem energy consumption by monitoring the time intervals of the OFF/ON status of each individual space conditioning subsystem along with the temperature of the conditioned space and utilizes the monitored time intervals and temperature in conjunction with the relative heat capacity of each individual conditioned space to determine the heat consumption of each subsystem relative to all the subsystems served by the central source.

Abstract: A calorimeter for the measurement of a quantity of heat given up by a fluidic medium in at least one heat exchanger, with an impellerless flow velocity measuring device as well as temperature sensors for determining the forward flow-return flow temperature difference, including a multiplier for forming the product from the flow velocity and the forward flow-return flow temperature difference; and also a quantizer for the formation of a pulse train having a frequency which is proportional to the product, as well as a cumulative counting device for the pulses of the pulse train connected to the output thereof.

Abstract: In the direct measurement of thermal energy transferred in heating or air conditioning installations, the difference between voltages from outflow and return flow temperature sensors is integrated during a first timing period and then discharged during a second timing period with a constant current to operate a gate passing a number of pulses proportional to the voltage difference. The first and second timing periods are initiated by impulses from a volume flow sensor. During non-timing-period intervals a reference voltage capacitance is set by integrating circuit feedback.In collection of data from a plurality of thermal energy transfer meters, inputs from the meters are scanned at rates greatly exceeding the pulse frequencies to increment or decrement the count in digital filter stages of corresponding pairs of counters depending upon whether sensed voltage levels are opposite or equal to the last accepted voltage level as recorded in a most significant stage of the digital filter.

Abstract: A system of monitoring energy usage for heating or cooling separate units in a multi-unit structure employing thermostat means to control delivery of hot or cold fluid to the unit, an elapsed time meter, a first circuit interconnecting the thermostat with the power source and meter and a second circuit in parallel with the first interconnecting the means to control delivery of the hot or cold fluid to the unit with the elapsed time meter to provide a tamper-proof, economically installable and reparable system. The system will not meter time of usage when insufficiently hot or cold fluid is delivered to the occupancy unit even when called for by its thermostat. The system also includes a method of determining energy usage in each individual unit using the elapsed time meter reading.

Abstract: A device for monitoring the thermal energy consumed by a single unit of a multi-unit building having a central heating and/or cooling space conditioning system, said device comprising a monitoring system responsive to the temperature levels contained in said single unit and of the space conditioning heat exchanger within said unit and a monitoring circuit which comprises a temperature measuring circuit for monitoring temperature levels. A recording and display circuit is electrically coupled to the temperature measuring circuit to provide a totalization and reading of accumulated temperature levels within a unit during a monitoring interval.

Abstract: A non-intrusive thermal power monitor and method for determining the amount of sensible heat withdrawn from or added to a fluid stream flowing in a conduit by an unknown source includes a thermal power transfer device that supplies or removes a known amount of heat energy to the fluid in a conduit. First and second temperature sensors sense the temperature of the fluid stream across the thermal power transfer device, and this information is used to determine a heat capacity rate of the fluid in the fluid stream. Additional non-intrusive temperature sensors sense the temperature of the fluid stream as it passes through and across a thermal power sink or heat source and provides a temperature differential. These temperatures are processed in a control circuit, and the thermal power added to or extracted from the fluid stream is determined in the control circuit by multiplying the measured temperature differential by the heat capacity rate of the fluid stream.

Abstract: A device for monitoring the thermal energy consumed by a single unit of a multi-unit building having a central heating and/or cooling space conditioning system. Said device comprising a monitoring system responsive to the temperature levels contained in said single unit and of the space conditioning heat exchanger within said unit and a monitoring circuit which comprises a temperature measuring circuit for monitoring temperature levels. A recording and display circuit being electrically coupled to the temperature measuring circuit to provide a totalization and reading of accumulated temperature levels within a unit during a monitoring interval.

Abstract: The disclosed apparatus includes a heat meter and a flow meter. The heat meter includes means for delivering trains of pulses to a heat register, the pulses per train being proportional to the temperature difference between fluid inlet and outlet passages of heat exchange means, and the recurrence rate of the pulse trains being determined by a flow sensor. A visual indicator of the pulse trains facilitates zero-difference adjustment of the temperature sensors when they are both at the same temperature. Compensation for variations in the specific heat of the fluid and temperature-related inaccuracy of the flow sensor is effected by non-linear frequency adjustment of an oscillator that generates the pulses. In a flow meter (omitting the temperature-difference circuit) compensation for temperature-related inaccuracy of flow-sensors is effected correspondingly.

Abstract: Enthalpy quantities such as the degree of moisture of gases, the wetness of steam or the enthalpy of dry steam are measured by passing a specific amount or dosage of a gas or steam through a system such as a cooler or dryer wherein its thermal condition is changed while measuring the inlet and outlet temperature, and measuring heat radiated into the condition changing system whereupon the desired enthalpy quantity is obtained from a heat balance equation set up from the measured and known data.