Determination Of Inherent Thermal Property (e.g., Heat Flow Coefficient) Patents (Class 374/43)
  • Patent number: 11821759
    Abstract: The present invention provides an auxiliary device for detecting a damp-hot performance of fabric, including: a working table provided with a mounting frame; a first fabric fixing plate fixedly provided on the working table; a second fabric fixing plate fixedly provided on the mounting frame; a rotating part rotatably connected between the first fabric fixing plate and the second fabric fixing plate; a simulation block detachably connected to the rotating part and provided with a simulation layer; and a rotating motor connected to the rotating part; wherein a damp-hot detection cavity is enclosed among the to-be-detected fabric, the first fabric fixing plate and the second fabric fixing plate, and the damp-hot detection cavity is provided with a damp-hot air supply device and a temperature and humidity sensor group. Damp-hot air is introduced into the damp-hot detection cavity, and the simulation block rotates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: SOOCHOW UNIVERSITY
    Inventor: Lili Zhang
  • Patent number: 11719657
    Abstract: A mechanism for thermal testing is described. A test vehicle includes a heating element, a thermal sensor and a processor. The processor is configured to control the heating element to output an amount of the energy per unit time. Temperature readings are received using the thermal sensor. A thermal property associated with a thermal mass is determined based at least in part the amount of the energy output and the received temperature readings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: Meta Platforms, Inc.
    Inventors: Ahmad Byagowi, Michael Maroye Lambeta
  • Patent number: 11703470
    Abstract: A sensor device for determining at least one heat transfer parameter of a gas comprises a sensor unit (10) comprising at least one heater element and at least one temperature sensor. A first (inner) housing (20) receives the sensor unit. The first housing comprises a first membrane (22) allowing a diffusive gas exchange between the exterior and the interior of the first housing. The first housing is received in a second (outer) housing (30). The second housing comprises a second membrane (32) allowing a diffusive gas exchange between the exterior of the second housing and the exterior of the first housing. Thereby temperature gradients inside the first housing are reduced. The second housing can be made of metal and can be disposed on a support plate (40), taking the form of a cap. An auxiliary sensor (50) can be arranged in the space between the first and second housings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: Sensirion AG
    Inventors: Mark Hornung, Eric Monnin
  • Patent number: 11592408
    Abstract: A system for characterizing thermal properties of thermally anisotropic heterogeneous samples includes a heating element, a first temperature sensing device, a second temperature sensing device, and a computing system. The heating element is positioned at a first location within a sample and heats the sample. The first temperature sensing device outputs data indicative of temperatures of the first location to the computing device. The second temperature sensing device outputs data indicative of temperatures of the second location to the computing device. The computing device computes a thermal conductivity of the sample based upon the temperatures of the first location. The computing device further outputs an indication of a portion of the sample to which the thermal conductivity pertains based upon the second temperatures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: National Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC
    Inventor: Karla Rosa Reyes
  • Patent number: 11543377
    Abstract: A probe comprises a resistive element configured to be brought into thermal contact with an entity to be sensed. A measurement system applies a plurality of heating pulses to the resistive element by driving an electrical current through the resistive in element and measures an electrical response of the resistive element to the heating pulses in order to determine information about either or both of the composition and state of the entity. The measurement system generates an output signal using the measured electrical response, wherein the output signal is generated by progressively offsetting the measured electrical response such that, in the event of an average temperature of the resistive element changing between different heating pulses due to a drift in the average temperature of a portion of the entity being sensed, a variance over the plurality of heating pulses of a value of the output signal at a predetermined common reference point within each heating pulse is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: OXFORD UNIVERSITY INNOVATION LIMITED
    Inventors: Kamaljit Singh Chana, Vikram Sridhar
  • Patent number: 11360038
    Abstract: A mechanism for thermal testing is described. The system includes a heating element, a thermal sensor and a processor. The processor is configured to control the heating element to output an amount of the energy per unit time; receive temperature readings using the thermal sensor; and determine a thermal property associated with a thermal mass based at least in part the amount of the energy output and the received temperature readings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: Meta Platforms, Inc.
    Inventors: Ahmad Byagowi, Michael Maroye Lambeta
  • Patent number: 11327035
    Abstract: A method for measuring thermal resistance between a thermal component of an instrument and a consumable includes contacting a known consumable with a thermal component to be tested; driving the thermal component using a periodic sine wave input based on a predetermined interrogation frequency; measuring temperature outputs from a thermal sensor responsive to the periodic sine wave input; multiplying the temperature outputs by a reference signal in phase with the periodic sine wave input and calculating the resultant DC signal component to determine an in-phase component X; multiplying the plurality of temperature outputs by a 90° phase-shifted reference signal and calculating the resultant DC signal component to determine a quadrature, out-of-phase component Y; calculating a phase offset responsive to the periodic sine wave input based on tan?1 (Y/X) or a tan 2(X,Y); and determining a resistance value for the thermal interface using a calibrated resistance-phase offset equation and the calculated phase offset
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: ILLUMINA, INC.
    Inventor: W. Craig Bauer
  • Patent number: 11313819
    Abstract: A method for determining a thermal impedance of a sample device is described. According to the method, a sample device is heated to an initial temperature. A pulsed power including a sequence of pulses is applied to the sample device. Temperature of the sample device is measured in a time-dependent manner. A thermal impedance of the sample device is determined based on the temperature of the sample device and the pulsed power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: Technische Hochschule Ingolstadt
    Inventors: Gordon Elger, Maximilian Schmid, Alexander Hanss
  • Patent number: 11237122
    Abstract: The invention discloses a apparatus and a method for rapid measurement of heat capacity of a thin film material. Specifically, the apparatus comprises a control device, a clock synchronizer, a flat peak laser device, a rapid thermometer and a heat capacity output device; the control device and the clock synchronizer are signally connected, and the clock synchronizer is signally connected to the flat peak laser device and the rapid thermometer; In the working state, the control device sends a start signal to the clock synchronizer, and the flat peak laser device and the fast thermometer coordinately cooperate; the flat peak laser device irradiates a laser with a spatially flat peak to the surface of the sample; At the same time, the rapid thermometer captures the surface temperature of the sample at a certain point in time during the heating process of the sample, and inputs the measured data into the heat capacity output device to obtain the desired heat capacity parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: NINGBO GALAXY MATERIALS TECHNOLOGY CO. LTD.
    Inventors: Xiao-dong Xiang, Yuewei Wu, Xiao-ping Wang
  • Patent number: 11035809
    Abstract: To provide a thermal diffusion factor measurement device, a thermal diffusion factor measurement method and a program capable of measuring thermal diffusion with high accuracy, even when an object to be measured has anisotropy in which thermal diffusion factors differ greatly between the in-plane direction and the thickness direction and a thick thickness. In a thermal diffusion factor measurement method, a heating location H on a tabular sample is made to generate periodically varying thermal waves and the thermal waves at a detection location S on the sample are detected by a non-contact temperature sensor. In addition, the phase delay of the thermal waves at the detection location S is detected in consideration of a detection sensitivity distribution DS of the non-contact temperature sensor and the thermal diffusion factor in the in-plane direction of the sample is measured using the phase delay.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignees: BETEL CO. LTD., NATIONAL UNIVERSITY CORPORATION NAGOYA UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Takaaki Awano, Kimihito Hatori, Makoto Sekine, Takahiko Kubota, Hosei Nagano, Ryohei Fujita
  • Patent number: 11022574
    Abstract: The invention discloses a method and a apparatus for rapid measurement of thermal conductivity of a thin film material. The apparatus comprises a control device, a clock synchronizer, a laser, a rapid thermometer and a thermal conductivity output device; the control device and the clock synchronizer are signally connected, and the clock synchronizer is simultaneously signally connected with the laser and the rapid thermometer; in the working state, the control device sends a start signal to the clock synchronizer, and the laser and the rapid thermometer coordinately cooperate, and the laser emits laser light to the surface of the sample; at the same time, the rapid thermometer captures the surface temperature of the sample at the same specified position at different time points during the heating of the sample, and inputs the measured data into the thermal conductivity output device to obtain the thermal conductivity parameter. The apparatus of the invention has simple structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Inventors: Xiao-dong Xiang, Yuewei Wu, Xiao-ping Wang
  • Patent number: 10847494
    Abstract: Some embodiments are directed to a method of determining a sintering thermal impedance of a sintering layer by: providing a substrate having a predetermined substrate thermal impedance and disposing the sintering layer on the substrate forming with the sintering layer a stack. Placing at least one semiconductor die, that includes a semiconductor element with at least two element electrodes on the sintering layer. Injecting an electrical current through the at least two element electrodes for measuring a temperature sensitive parameter of the semiconductor element. Heating the stack with a predetermined heat power and determining, while sintering, a semiconductor element temperature from the measured temperature sensitive parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignees: AGILE POWER SWITCH 3D-INTEGRATION APSI3D, IRT SAINT EXUPERY (AESE), ECOLE NATIONALE D'INGENIEURS DE TARBES
    Inventors: Jacques Pierre Henri Favre, Jean-Michel Francis Reynes, Raphaël Riva, Paul-Etienne Joseph Vidal, Baptiste Louis Jean Trajin
  • Patent number: 10763008
    Abstract: Disclosed are cable types, including a type THHN cable, the cable types having a reduced surface coefficient of friction, and the method of manufacture thereof, in which the central conductor core and insulating layer are surrounded by a material containing nylon or thermosetting resin. A silicone based pulling lubricant for said cable, or alternatively, erucamide or stearyl erucamide for small cable gauge wire, is incorporated, by alternate methods, with the resin material from which the outer sheath is extruded, and is effective to reduce the required pulling force between the formed cable and a conduit during installation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: Southwire Company, LLC
    Inventors: Philip Sasse, Terry Chambers, Randy D. Kummer, John Armstrong, David Reece, Hai Lam
  • Patent number: 10712315
    Abstract: A device for supervising biofilm culturing, the device including: a fixed seat including an upper end; a supervision chamber; two ultrasonic sensing probes; a first mounting chamber; a second mounting chamber disposed between the fixed seat and the supervision chamber; an ultrasonic generator; an oscilloscope; and a controller. The first and second mounting chambers are disposed at two opposite ends of the supervision chamber, respectively. The two ultrasonic sensing probes are disposed in the first and second mounting chambers, respectively. The second mounting chamber is connected to the upper end of the fixed seat. The two ultrasonic sensing probes each are respectively connected to the ultrasonic generator, the oscilloscope, and the controller successively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: NANJING UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Hongqiang Ren, Jinfeng Wang, Lili Ding, Jianxin Li, Huimin Fu, Hui Huang
  • Patent number: 10655197
    Abstract: A method for determining the ferrite phase fraction xa after heating or when cooling a steel strip (2) in a metallurgic system. Also, a device for carrying out the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: PRIMETALS TECHNOLOGIES AUSTRIA GMBH
    Inventors: Rainer Burger, Robert Linsbod, Bernd Linzer, Josef Mikota, Axel Rimnac
  • Patent number: 10429749
    Abstract: A method of reducing effects of reticle heating and/or cooling in a lithographic process, the method including calibrating a linear time invariant reticle heating model using a system identification method; predicting distortions of the reticle using the reticle heating model and inputs in the lithographic process; and calculating and applying a correction in the lithographic process on the basis of the predicted distortions of the reticle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: ASML Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Nick Kant, Mark Jan Hendrik Luttikhof
  • Patent number: 10386734
    Abstract: A method of reducing effects of reticle heating and/or cooling in a lithographic process, the method including calibrating a linear time invariant reticle heating model using a system identification method; predicting distortions of the reticle using the reticle heating model and inputs in the lithographic process; and calculating and applying a correction in the lithographic process on the basis of the predicted distortions of the reticle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: ASML Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Nick Kant, Mark Jan Hendrik Luttikhof
  • Patent number: 10345130
    Abstract: Embodiments relate generally to a sensor for sensing a thermal property of a fluid and may comprise an upstream resistive element having a first resistance that changes with temperature; a downstream resistive element having a second resistance that changes with temperature, wherein the downstream resistive element is situated downstream of the upstream resistive element in the flow direction of the fluid; and at least one tail resistor configured to determine one or more thermal properties of the fluid, wherein the upstream resistive element and the downstream resistive element are operatively connected in a bridge circuit, wherein the at least one tail resistor is stable with temperature, and wherein the at least one tail resistor is electrically coupled to at least one of the upstream resistive element or the downstream resistive element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Ian Bentley, Lamar Floyd Ricks, Scott Edward Beck, Robert Higashi
  • Patent number: 10338016
    Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product for verifying a purported composition of material in a solid metal object based on heat transfer characteristics. Embodiments include determining, using a group of temperature sensors included in a heat sink, a heat transfer profile for the heat sink when connected to the solid metal object. One or more embodiments include comparing the heat transfer profile for the solid metal object to a baseline heat transfer profile determined based on dimensions of the solid metal object and the purported composition. One or more embodiments include determining, based on the comparing, a difference between the heat transfer profile and the baseline heat transfer profile. And one or more embodiments include indicating that the purported composition is verified in response to determining that the difference between the heat transfer profile and the baseline heat transfer profile is within a threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Inventor: Jeffrey Callister
  • Patent number: 10234411
    Abstract: A method and system for calorimetrically measuring the temperature-dependent absorptivity of a homogeneous material dimensioned to be thin and flat with a predetermined uniform thickness and a predetermined porosity. The system includes a material holder adapted to support and thermally isolate the material to be measured, an irradiation source adapted to uniformly irradiate the material with a beam of electromagnetic radiation, and an irradiation source controller adapted to control the irradiation source to uniformly heat the material during a heating period, followed by a cooling period when the material is not irradiated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC
    Inventors: Alexander Rubenchik, Ilya V. Golosker, Mary M. LeBlanc, Scott C. Mitchell, Sheldon S. Wu
  • Patent number: 10209209
    Abstract: An internal temperature measuring device is configured to include an acquisition unit that acquires a one side temperature and a one side heat flux of a measurement target on a one side surface side and an opposite side temperature and an opposite side heat flux of the measurement target on an opposite side surface side; and a computation unit that computes an internal temperature of the measurement target by applying the one side temperature, the one side heat flux, the opposite side temperature, and the opposite side heat flux.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Akira Ikeda, Sakiko Shimizu, Kazuhiro Nishida
  • Patent number: 10161812
    Abstract: A technique for performing thermal analysis of an electronics rack is disclosed. In one embodiment, the electronics rack having multiple heat generating components is modeled. Further, thermal boundary conditions for each of the heat generating components are computed, by a computation fluid dynamics tool (CFD) tool, based on an initial temperature and a heat flux corresponding to each of the heat generating components in a first cycle, upon modeling the electronics rack. Furthermore, an actual temperature of each of the heat generating components is determined, by a one dimensional (1D) tool, using the computed thermal boundary conditions for estimating heat dissipated by each of the heat generating components in the first cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: AIRBUS GROUP INDIA PRIVATE LIMITED
    Inventors: Punit Tiwari, Krishan Chugh, Tim Giese
  • Patent number: 10140426
    Abstract: The invention provides an improved method to predict the solubility of a drug or other molecule in a solid polymer or other matrix at any temperature. The instant invention provides a method to determine the difference in specific enthalpy, specific entropy and specific Gibbs energy between a solid solution and the unmixed components, as well as a method to use those data to predict the solubility of a drug or other molecule in a solid polymer or other matrix. The method uses known thermodynamics equations and thermal analysis data, such as obtained from DSC (differential scanning calorimetry) at temperatures that are lower than the temperature at which the solubility is predicted. The method allows prediction of the drug-in-polymer solubilities without the use of elevated temperatures, but still avoids impractically long experiments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Inventor: Robert A. Bellantone
  • Patent number: 10119866
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for detecting defects in a composite is provided. After a ply of material for a workpiece is positioned, thermal energy is applied to a top surface of the ply of material, and a digital thermographic camera captures images of the top surface. A computer processor determines heat characteristics of the top surface to identify regions of the top surface with different heat characteristics. Such different areas are identified as regions that include a defect. The defect regions can be repaired prior to disposing additional plies of material over previously-applied plies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Jeffrey G. Thompson, Gary E. Georgeson, Jill P. Bingham
  • Patent number: 10082500
    Abstract: One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a calorimeter for detecting the presence of a target analyte in a fluid sample. The calorimeter can include a support structure, a hermetically-sealed, thermally decoupled central reaction zone associated with the support structure, at least one droplet transport region, and detection electronics. The at least one droplet transport region can be associated with the support structure and configured to merge a reagent droplet with a sample droplet including the fluid sample to form a reaction droplet in the central reaction zone. The detection electronics can be in electrical and/or thermal communication with the central reaction zone and associated with the support structure. The calorimeter can be configured to detect a heat of reaction produced by a reaction event between the target analyte and a capture reagent upon formation of the reaction droplet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Inventors: Franz Baudenbacher, Raymond Mernaugh, John Mayo, Brad Lubbers, Robert G. Wiley
  • Patent number: 9845757
    Abstract: A controller for a diesel engine has a fuel injector which injects a fuel into a cylinder. The controller has a middle-combustion time computing portion which computes a middle-combustion time period that has elapsed from the fuel is injected until a half of the fuel has combusted, based on a detection value of a cylinder pressure sensor. Further, the controller has a fuel component computing portion which computes a ratio of a carbon quantity relative to a hydrogen quantity contained in the fuel based on the middle-combustion time period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hideo Naruse
  • Patent number: 9696270
    Abstract: An apparatus for thermal conductance measurement includes a first heater assembly having a beam, a platen disposed at an end of the beam, and a heating element and a Resistance Temperature Device (RDT) disposed on the platen. The embodiment further includes a second heater assembly having a second beam, a second platen disposed at an end of the second beam, and a second heating element and a second Resistance Temperature Device (RDT) disposed on the platen. A test rig is also included, and the first heater and second heater assembly are mated to the test rig and separated by a gap length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force
    Inventors: Ajit K Roy, Robert Wheeler, IV, Sabyashachi Ganguli
  • Patent number: 9625399
    Abstract: The application relates to a device based on the electrothermal method for determining thermal conductivity, which allows the examination of various phenomena, with a high level of reliability, through the study of the thermal behavior of materials. The device is constituted by a sample-carrying cylinder surrounded by a resistance element that creates a radial heat flow in the sample, a cooling system based on a spiral-form heat exchanger incorporated into the thermal device, means for the storage of a fluid and a data-storage device. Furthermore, the present application describes the use of the device in processes for determining the productive potential of the soil (“PPS”) and the examination of the nutritional quality of agro-ecological produce and foods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: UNIVERSIDAD DEL VALLE
    Inventor: Orlando Zuñiga Escobar
  • Patent number: 9618402
    Abstract: A thermal insulation performance measurement apparatus which measures thermal insulation performance of a thermal insulator by heat flux to the thermal insulator, measured by a heat flux sensor, and a measurement method using the same includes a heat flux sensor provided with one surface adapted to contact an object to be measured, a first heat source arranged on the upper surface of the heat flux sensor to supply heat to the heat flux sensor, a thermal insulator arranged on the upper surface of the first heat source, a third heat source arranged on the upper surface of the thermal insulator, and a second heat source arranged around the heat flux sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jae Sung Kwon, Hyung Sung Kim, Jong Sung Park, Young Sung Jung
  • Patent number: 9612168
    Abstract: A sensor for differential calorimetric measurement including a thermometric cell and another cell, each cell including: a membrane of a low thermal conductivity material, having first and second surfaces; and a mechanism supporting the membrane, of a high thermal diffusivity coefficient material, in contact with the first surface of the membrane, the thermometric cell including at least two active thermometric elements located on the first surface of the membrane, the two cells configured to be assembled such that the second surfaces of the membranes of the cells are opposite one another, a sample and a reference used for taking measurement configured to be placed between the two membranes and directly in contact with the second surfaces, and at least one of the cells including a sealing mechanism opposite the first surface of the membrane, wherein a free space for a gas is arranged between the sealing mechanism and the membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignees: CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE, SETARAM INSTRUMENTATION
    Inventors: Jean-Luc Garden, Gael Moiroux, Pierre Lachkar
  • Patent number: 9587856
    Abstract: Example methods, apparatus and articles of manufacture to detect impurities in flow-through water heaters are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a flow-through water heater having a conduit to conduct a fluid flowing therethrough, a heating element extending around at least a portion of the conduit, and first and second temperature measuring elements to determine respective first and second temperatures at different locations on the conduit; and a computing unit to at least detect an impurity deposit in the conduit based on a difference between the first and second temperatures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Saadat Hussain, Alvaro Vallejo Noriega, Rodney M. Welch
  • Patent number: 9534967
    Abstract: A method includes determining a relationship between indirect thermal data for a processor and a measured temperature associated with the processor, during a calibration process, obtaining the indirect thermal data for the processor during actual operation of the processor, and determining an actual significant temperature associated with the processor during the actual operation using the indirect thermal data for the processor during actual operation of the processor and the relationship.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Timothy J. Chainer, Pritish R. Parida, Mark D. Schultz
  • Patent number: 9347898
    Abstract: An in situ method for deriving the thermal properties of a layered structure represents physical layers by effective thermal layers. The method requires access to only one side of a structure and performs a series of tests wherein a periodic heat flux is applied to the surface of the structure. Each test employs a unique frequency, which is associated with an effective thermal layer of the structure. During the tests the temperature of the surface is monitored and a record of transient temperature is kept. A thermal model of effective layers is created based on the number of tests/frequencies available. The values of the applied heat fluxes are incorporated into this thermal model of effective layers. An optimization technique is used to find the thermal capacity and thermal resistance of the effective layers by best matching the predicted response to that of the measured transient temperature response.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AS REPRESENTED BY THE SECRETARY OF THE ARMY
    Inventors: Robert E. Smith, Mark A. Hepokoski
  • Patent number: 9261313
    Abstract: A method of controlling a heat transfer apparatus comprising the steps of: providing a heat transfer apparatus; providing a control apparatus comprising a thermal sensor configured to control operation of the heat transfer apparatus; providing a casing comprising a casing wall enclosing a casing chamber, a casing entrance, and a casing seal; and inserting the thermal sensor into the casing chamber through the casing entrance an aperture in the casing seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Inventor: Carleton Saunders
  • Patent number: 9165854
    Abstract: Electronic devices incorporating a heat dissipation feature include an enclosure, and at least one heat-generating component positioned within the enclosure. The heat dissipation feature is sufficiently coupled to the at least one heat-generating component to facilitate conductive heat transfer from the heat-generating component. The heat dissipation feature includes a plurality of protrusions exposed externally to the enclosure. A thermally insulating material may be disposed on at least a tip portion of at least some of the protrusions. The thermally insulating material is selected to provide a touch temperature that is below a predetermined threshold. In some instances, the thermally insulating material can provide such a touch temperature by selecting the material to include properties for thermal conductivity (k), density (?), and specific heat (Cp) such that the product of k*?*Cp results in a value less than a product of k*?*Cp for human skin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Dexter T. Chun, Victor A. Chiriac, James H. Thompson, Stephen A. Molloy
  • Publication number: 20150110150
    Abstract: The present invention relates to frequency domain thermoreflectance (FDTR) imaging of a thermophysical property or a set of thermophysical properties of a sample. A method comprises measuring the amplitude and/or phase of a beam of radiation reflected from a sample surface, while a heat source applied to the sample is modulated at at least two modulation frequencies simultaneously. Such measurement can be reiterated as a probe beam is scanned across the sample surface or a portion thereof. A 2D image or map of a thermophysical property or a set of thermophysical properties can be generated from data processing. Also provided herein is an apparatus for performing FDTR imaging.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2014
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Applicant: TRUSTEES OF BOSTON UNIVERSITY
    Inventor: Aaron J. SCHMIDT
  • Patent number: 8939012
    Abstract: The present invention provides a thermal conductivity detector capable of realizing high detection performance even with the use of a miniaturized heating element, and expanding an effective applicable temperature range of a heating element, and to provide a gas chromatograph using the same. The thermal conductivity detector comprises a flow-path through which a measurement gas is caused to flow, a heating element disposed inside the flow-path, the heating element being formed on the substrate, for detecting thermal conductivity of the measurement gas according to magnitude of an amount of heat taken away from the heating element by the measurement gas, wherein said heating element is provided with a beam including a part where the beam is folded at a predetermined angle, the part being formed at the central part of the beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Yokogawa Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Naoki Kishi, Hitoshi Hara, Tetsuya Watanabe, Kentaro Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20140348202
    Abstract: A method for detecting the presence of a droplet on a heated temperature sensor, especially on a heated temperature sensor of a thermal, flow measuring device for measuring flow of a fluid. The method steps are as follows: ascertaining the greatest value of a measure for heat transfer from the heated temperature sensor to the fluid in a first time window of predetermined length; testing values of the measure for heat transfer in the first time window for the presence of values of the measure for heat transfer before and after the greatest value of the measure for heat transfer, which are less than the difference between the greatest value and a predetermined ?1; and applying the results of the testing for detecting the presence of a droplet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2012
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Inventors: Fanos Christodoulou, Axel Pfau, Martin Arnold, Michel Wagner
  • Patent number: 8851746
    Abstract: A subterranean grouting method including (a) placing a sample of a grout mixture within a test container, (b) separating a sand component from the sample, (c) determining if the grout mixture exhibits a thermal conductivity within a predetermined thermal conductivity range based upon a proportion of the sand component within the sample, and (d) upon determining that the grout mixture exhibits a thermal conductivity with the predetermined thermal conductivity range, securing a conduit within a subterranean bore with the grout mixture, wherein (a), (b), (c), and (d) are carried out proximate each other at a job site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Ryan Patrick Collins, Shantel Stone, Laura Kuri
  • Patent number: 8834018
    Abstract: This disclosure is directed to apparatuses, systems, and methods that can quickly and reliably determine a stationary or non-stationary change in temperature. During a simulated test of, for example, the heater system of an automated and/or high-speed composite material placement machine may be evaluated at any single location along a course whether a lay down material is heated below, at, or beyond its particular temperature requirements. Temperature measurements can be of a heat source that is moving at a rate from zero to over 3000 inches/minute. Temperature measurements of a moving heat source are reliable within a variance of approximately plus or minus 3° F. In addition, temperature measurements of a moving heat source on a laminated material may be had with a plurality of sensors along at least one direction and to various depths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Mark Kim
  • Patent number: 8807718
    Abstract: An inkjet printhead assembly includes: a reservoir for ink; an ink inlet for supplying ink to the reservoir; and an ink outlet disposed proximate a bottom side of the reservoir for supplying ink to a nozzle array; a first valve; a valve opening and closing mechanism for the first valve including: an inflatable bag immersed in ink and having an opening to atmosphere; and a biasing mechanism tending to force air to exit the bag; and a filter disposed in the reservoir of a printhead body, wherein the filter is tilted relative to a nozzle face; a replaceable ink tank including: an ink chamber; a vent to atmosphere; and a tank outlet disposed proximate a bottom side of the ink tank; a second valve disposed at the tank outlet; and an ink conduit for providing ink between the tank outlet and the ink inlet of the printhead body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Richard A. Murray
  • Patent number: 8810644
    Abstract: The present application provides a thermal imaging and machining system for a machine component. The thermal imaging and machining system may include a machining subsystem with a machining device for drilling one or more holes in the machine component and a thermal inspection subsystem positioned about the machining subsystem. The thermal inspection subsystem may include an imager and one or more fluid supply lines such that a thermal response of the holes in the machine component may be determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Ronald Scott Bunker, Jason Randolph Allen, Jared Crosby
  • Patent number: 8777484
    Abstract: A resistance temperature sensor with a first temperature sensor element and a second temperature sensor element, wherein the first temperature sensor element comprises a first measuring path and the second temperature sensor element a second measuring path, wherein the first and the second measuring paths extend on a substrate, wherein the substrate has an anisotropic thermal expansion with at least two mutually differing expansion directions (a, c), and wherein a projection of the first measuring path on the expansion directions (a) differs from a projection of the second measuring path on the expansion directions (c).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser Wetzer GmbH + Co. KG
    Inventors: Peter Seefeld, Reinhard Buchner
  • Patent number: 8768646
    Abstract: A method for measurement of a film cooling effect is disclosed. Film cooling is a technique developed to protect gas turbine engine components from the extremely high temperatures created during its operation. A controlled air pressure is ducted into the hollow interior of the component and the mass rate of air flowing through the plurality of film cooling features or openings is measured. A coolant is then injected into the hollow interior of the component and allowed to flow out of a film cooling feature onto the heated outer surface of the component. The resulting infrared signature is a measure of the relative cooling effect generated by the individual film cool feature. The film cooling effect for an individual feature is quantified as the proportion of mass rate of airflow contributed by its relative individual cooling effect. The area, location and shape of the cooling effect are further classified to determine the degree of conformance to its design intent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Meyer Tool, Inc.
    Inventor: Douglas E. Key
  • Patent number: 8708554
    Abstract: A leak detection apparatus for aircraft bleed air systems includes a supporting spacer positioned within the shroud and supported upon the bleed air duct of the aircraft. A sleeve supported on the exterior of the shroud further supports a plenum having generally cylindrical sensor tubes through which sensor wire sets pass. A director positioned within the shroud above the bleed air duct is coupled to a generally cylindrical accumulator which in turn is in communication with the plenum. Appropriate apertures are provided to vent and direct bleed air from the shroud interior to the sensor wire sets and thereafter vent outwardly into cooler ambient air. The sensor wire sets respond to the temperature of the bleed air leakage to trigger alarm apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Arrowhead Products Corporation
    Inventors: William W. Thompson, Allen W. Harwood, Glenn Stark
  • Patent number: 8708557
    Abstract: An apparatus for measuring thermal diffusivity includes a Raman spectroscope, a heating device, and a signal analyzing unit. The Raman spectroscope is utilized to measure a Raman scattering intensity of different sites of a film to be measured. The heating device is utilized to provide a controllable thermal driving wave. The signal analyzing unit is utilized to analyze the Raman scattering intensity from the Raman spectroscope and the thermal driving wave so as to evaluate the thermal diffusivity of the film to be measured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Chih-Chao Shih, Jin-Bao Wu, Ming-Sheng Leu
  • Publication number: 20140107965
    Abstract: A testing system for use in measuring thermal properties of material is described herein. The testing system includes a testing apparatus and monitoring system coupled to the testing apparatus. The testing apparatus includes a housing assembly that is configured to receive a material. A heating assembly is coupled to the housing assembly to supply a heat to at least a portion of the material to increase the temperature of the material. A sensing assembly is coupled to the housing assembly and is configured to sense a temperature of the material. The monitoring system comprises a controller having a processor comprising computer-readable instructions for operating the heating assembly to apply a heat to the material volume, receiving signals from the sensing assembly indicative of a temperature of the material, and estimating at least one thermal property of the material utilizing the sensed temperature of the material volume.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2013
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Inventors: Dharmendra K. Mishra, Kirk D. Dolan, James V. Beck
  • Patent number: 8641271
    Abstract: A method for testing heat pipes includes the following steps. A plurality of bar-shaped heat pipes having the same size is provided, and the heat pipes are deformed. The deformed heat pipes are placed in a temperature regulator, such that a temperature of the heat pipes is periodically changed between a first temperature and a second temperature. The heat pipes are then taken out of the temperature regulator. One end of each heat pipe is maintained at a third temperature by a thermostatic device, and a heat pipe temperature difference of two opposite ends of the heat pipe is measured. The heat pipes having the heat pipe temperature difference greater than a standard temperature difference in the heat pipes are marked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Inventec Corporation
    Inventors: Feng-Ku Wang, Yi-Lun Cheng, Chih-Kai Yang
  • Patent number: 8628237
    Abstract: A method for measuring a contacting thermal resistance of one-dimensional structures is provided. A first one-dimensional structure and A second one-dimensional structure are crossed and in contact with each other to form a suspended junction. A point P of the first one-dimensional structure is heated until the first one-dimensional structure and the second one-dimensional structure reach a thermal equilibrium. A point A and a point B are selected on the first one-dimensional structure and a point C and a point D are selected on the second one-dimensional structure, wherein the point B, the point A, the suspended junction, the point C and the point D are arranged equidistantly with a distance ?x. A temperature difference ?Tj is calculated by the formula ?Tj=?TAC??TBA??TCD. The heat flux Qj is calculated by the formula Qj=2k?TCD/?x. The contacting thermal resistance Rj is calculated by the formula Rj=?Tj/Qj.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignees: Tsinghua University, Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jun-Ku Liu, Qun-qing Li, Yuan Zou, Shou-Shan Fan
  • Patent number: 8585283
    Abstract: A method of using Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) techniques for determining whether changes in thermal conductivity have occurred to a particular interface between two joined structural members is described, which is particularly useful in satellites or other structures ordinarily subjected to vacuum pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Secretary of the Air Force
    Inventors: Derek Doyle, Derek Hengeveld