Abstract: A method for determining parameters of a component using thermography, where at least one component is heated by a hot gas, is provided. Also provided is a device for determining component parameters using thermography, including a device for heating at least one component and a temperature sensor for detecting at least one temperature value of the component, wherein the device for heating the component is a hot gas emission device for the emission of a modulated, mostly pulsed, hot gas.

Abstract: A method of analyzing metal oxides. In this method, metal oxide is provided, heated with microwaves, and a conductivity parameter of the metal oxide is determined. From the conductivity parameter, a determination is made regarding a pyroelectric effect of the metal oxide.

Abstract: Method for the certification of heater blankets by means of infrared thermography, in which a heater blanket (1) to be certified is enclosed in a vacuum bag (3,4,5,5?,8,9,10) arranged above a support (2) and thermally insulated therefrom, the vacuum is formed inside said bag and said heater blanket is connected until its temperature is stabilized at a predefined value, considerably higher than the ambient temperature, whereupon the best infrared image or images of said heater blanket (1) are recorded and stored by means of an infrared camera (14) situated opposite it, then interrupting the electric power supply to said heater blanket and processing the stored images so as to produce, finally, a certification report.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus capable of determining the amount of time remaining before an item such as food reaches a desired temperature such as a cooking temperature or approximately room temperature. In at least one embodiment, determining the amount of time remaining is based at least on the elapsed time and the percentage of temperature range between a first temperature and the desired temperature completed or remaining to be covered.

Abstract: There are provided a process and the like for judging a residual lifetime of a run-flat tire and an end stage of the residual lifetime thereof during continuous running at a run-flat state.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining terminal solid solubility temperature in materials capable of forming hydrides, such as reactor pressure tubes. An inspection device is positioned within the reactor pressure tube under test and a pair of annular seals are radially deployed to seal a section of the pressure tube. Any water within the sealed section is displaced through the injection of gas and the heating of the sealed section to dry the tube and the device. A probe assembly on the device is deployed to contact the interior surface of the pressure tube and measure resistivity changes in the pressure tube wall as a function of temperature. The probe assembly includes a thermocouple probe for measuring temperature and transmit and receive coils for inducing eddy currents within the pressure tube wall. The pressure tube is allowed to cool at a predetermined rate, is reheated at a predetermined rate, and is allowed to cool again.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for optically monitoring the progression of a physical and/or chemical process taking place on a surface of a body in which the surface radiation which emanates from part of the surface during the physical and/or chemical process, is measured with the aid of a measuring device, in particular a sensor. In order to develop a method of this kind such that sintering processes can also be monitored in a firing furnace having thermal radiation equilibrium, the invention proposes to emit the radiation (14) having a radiation spectrum that differs from the surface radiation, to the surface (10) by means of a radiation source (15) and to measure the radiation with the aid of a measuring device (16).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a computer and a method of monitoring wind resistance changes. The computer comprises a wind resistance change monitoring device, the device comprising: one or more first temperature sensors, located at one or more positions inside the computer where an actual ambient temperature can be monitored, and configured to sense one or more ambient temperatures as first temperature; one or more heaters, located at the front end of a cooling duct of the computer, and configured to work at a rated power; one or more second temperature sensors, located corresponding to the one or more heaters, and configured to sense one or more temperatures of the one or more heaters as second temperature; and a control module configured to determine whether the wind resistance of the computer has changed or not based on a comparison of the relationship between the first and second temperature with the relationship between a predetermined ambient temperature and a predetermined heater temperature.

Abstract: A testing apparatus and a method for detecting a contact deficiency of an electrically conductive connection. The testing apparatus comprises a measuring chamber, in which several system elements of the connection that are connected in an electrically conductive fashion are positioned, a heat radiator that is supplied with energy and the transferred thermal radiation of which is emitted into the measuring chamber and directed toward the region of the system elements that, after having been heated, generate a thermal field of the insulated and the metallic system components of these connected system elements, a thermal (image) acquisition unit for optically capturing the generated thermal field and for realizing a signal conversion into a thermal image of the connected system elements, and a thermal (image) reproduction unit for the visual reproduction of the converted thermal image.

Abstract: A rapid image-based method for validating good electrical contact between existing LSP material on a structure, and LSP material on an applied patch, thus ensuring continuous LSP through the patch. The method and apparatus are used in the repair of LSP by validating an electrical connection between new and existing LSP materials. It can also be used during manufacturing to ensure good contact between sections of LSP material.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for monitoring an evaporator (2), whereby a liquid is applied onto a heating unit (3) and evaporated and the temperature drop caused by the evaporation heat in the heating unit (3) is detected. In the absence of a predetermined temperature drop, a signal is generated. In this way, the evaporation process can be controlled in a simple manner.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for operating a sensor, in particular a sensor made of ceramic material. Said sensor is heated to a shock-resistance temperature which is higher than a specific temperature.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for detecting explosives by thermal imaging. The explosive material is subjected to a high energy wave which can be either a sound wave or an electromagnetic wave which will initiate a chemical reaction in the explosive material which chemical reaction will produce heat. The heat is then sensed by a thermal imaging device which will provide a signal to a computing device which will alert a user of the apparatus to the possibility of an explosive device being present.

Abstract: A method for testing a printed circuit board to determining the dielectric loss associated with the circuit board material relative to a standard. Dielectric losses in the material generate heat when a high frequency electronic signal, such as a microwave frequency signal, is communicated through a microstrip that is embedded within the printed circuit board. The temperature or spectrum at the surface of printed circuit board is measured and compared against the temperature or spectrum of the standard to determine whether the material under test is acceptable. While various temperature measurement devices may be used, the temperature is preferably measured without contacting the surface, such as using an infrared radiation probe.

Abstract: A monitoring apparatus configured to monitor a temperature related condition of a compartment of a refrigerator which is cooled by a cooling system. The monitoring apparatus includes a sensor configured to sense a temperature of the compartment when the cooling system is not operating. A processor is configured to send processed information based on the sensed temperature. An indicator is configured to receive the processed information from the processor and to indicate, when the cooling system recommences operation, (i) a duration that the cooling system was not operating and (ii) a temperature of the compartment when the cooling system was not operating.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and a system for determining a set of process parameters of a treatment unit in which unit a product is subjected to a temperature treatment, the method comprising: subjecting a product to an electromagnetic signal before, during and/or after a temperature treatment, wherein said electromagnetic signal is adapted to interact with said product dependent upon the dielectric constant distribution of said product, receiving an electromagnetic signal which has interacted with said product, analysing the received electromagnetic signal in comparison with the transmitted electromagnetic signal and thereby determining a response being dependent upon the dielectric constant distribution of said product and based thereupon determine the temperature (distribution) or water content of the product, and analysing said temperature distribution or temperature of the product or products and based thereupon determining a set of process parameters for a temperature treatment in a treatm

Abstract: A system and method for detecting structural damage in a layered structure, the method compromising: providing an array of optical fibers attached to the layered structure; providing a laser source for emitting light into the optical fibers; providing a thermal imaging device; transferring laser light beam through each of the optical fibers of the array; acquiring at least one thermal image of an external surface of the layered structure; and detecting existence of one or more hot spots on the external surface indicative of a location of damage in the layered structure.

Abstract: The present invention facilitates multi-zone furnace (102) based deposition processes by iteratively adjusting deposition time and zonal setpoint temperatures to mitigate deviations from desired target thickness(es). Coupled feedback loops are employed to update the deposition time (520) and the zonal setpoint temperatures (510) lot to lot and batch to batch while mitigating deviations fro the desired target thickness(es). Error checking is performed by computing an error metric (506) and only updating the setpoint temperatures on the error metric being within an acceptable value (508). Additionally, an excitation parameter (512) is determined that indicates variations in furnace operation.

Abstract: In the present invention, a heating plate is divided into a plurality of regions. Integrated values of temperature fluctuations in each of the regions when a substrate is mounted on the heating plate in a normal state without extraneous matter are collected. A Mahalanobis reference space in the discriminant analysis method is formed based on the integrated values at normal time. During actual heat processing, an integrated value of temperature fluctuation of each of the regions when the substrate is mounted on the heating plate is then detected, so that a Mahalanobis distance about the integrated value during the processing is calculated based on the integrated value during the processing and the Mahalanobis reference space obtained in advance. Whether or not there is extraneous matter on the heating plate is determined by comparing the calculated Mahalanobis distance to a predetermined threshold value.

Abstract: A machine tool capable of detecting an ambient temperature change without a detector for detecting the ambient temperature and capable of detecting an abnormality of a temperature detector for detecting the motor temperature. Motor temperature Ti (i=1, 2 . . . n) and the current feedback Ifi of each motor are read out from the temperature detector for detecting the temperature of each motor of the machine tool. The heating value Qi of each motor is obtained from current feedback Ifi. Motor temperature Ti is calculated and estimated from the heating value Q. Difference ?Ti between the estimated motor temperature Tmi and the detected temperature Tsi is obtained. When difference between maximum and minimum values of difference ?Ti exceeds the first threshold value ?, a temperature detector abnormality is outputted. When it is equal to or less than the first threshold value ?, the mean value ?T? of differences is obtained.

Abstract: A flexible wired circuit board for temperature measurement that can provide an accurate temperature measurement even when placed in a high-temperature atmosphere and can also be provided at a reduced cost. In the flexible wired circuit board for temperature measurement, a conductor layer formed from a metal foil, such as a stainless foil, having a proportional relation between temperature and specific electric resistance is formed on a base insulating layer. Also, a single thin sensor wiring in a sensor portion exposed from a cover insulating layer is formed into a certain pattern by folding back the sensor wiring in a continuous S-shaped form, such that adjacent parts of the wiring extending in parallel are spaced apart from each other at a predetermined interval in a widthwise direction of the conductor layer.

Abstract: A sag calculator (122) computes sag for a span of a section of a power line based at least in part upon a temperature of conductor lines in the line section. A temperature calculator (120) determines the temperature by computing a resistance ascertained through augmented state estimation techniques performed by a state estimator (118). A Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system (104) acquires data used by the state estimator (118) to compute the resistance.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method of monitoring the stay time in a restricted conduit, such as a holding tube in a heat treatment plant. A first measurement registration x of a chemical or physical magnitude, such as the temperature, takes place in the beginning of the restricted conduit. A second measurement registration y of the same chemical or physical magnitude, i.e. the temperature, takes place in the end of the restricted conduit. X and y measure natural temperature variations in the product for which the intention is to control the stay time. The stay time is determined by the time lag t at the best co-variation between x and y. By filtering the measurement registration for y, it is possible to refine the measurement method and compensate for dispersion in the product.

Abstract: Embodiments of methods for improving hot plate substrate monitoring and control in a lithography system are generally described herein. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.

Abstract: An aspect of the invention is directed to a method for operating an analyte collection device of the type that includes at least one plate for storing said analyte. An example method comprises the steps of heating the at least one plate to a first temperature, taking a measurement of a property of the at least one plate, and using the measurement to estimate one or more of the amount of the analyte on the plate and the amount of contaminant on the plate.

Abstract: Ultrasound transducer temperatures are measured in response to a temperature dependent property of the ultrasound transducer. The temperature is measured without addition of new electronics or hardware retrofits of the transducer. By implementing software and/or hardware on the ultrasound system rather than the transducer, the temperature is measured in order to provide a level of fault protection. The upgraded or new ultrasound system uses either old or new transducers while still providing temperature measurement. For example, the temperature of the lens or window is measured as a function of changes in attenuation or acoustic velocity. The receive beamformer already implemented on many ultrasound systems is used to measure a temperature dependent property of the lens or window. As another example, the dielectric constant or capacitance of one or more transducer elements is measured using additional hardware in the ultrasound system.

Abstract: A device with micromachined (a.k.a. MEMS, Micro Electro Mechanical Systems) silicon sensor to measure gas or liquid concentration in a binary mixture formality is disclosed in the present invention. A process for fabricating the said MEMS silicon concentration sensor, which thereby can greatly reduce the sensor fabrication cost by a batch production, is revealed as well. This MEMS process can mass-produce the sensors on silicon substrate in the ways of small size, low power, and high reliability. In addition to the gas or liquid concentration measurement, the present invention further discloses that the said sensor can also readily measure gas or liquid mass flow rate while record the concentration data, which is not viable by other related working principle.

Abstract: Apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture for monitoring a condition of a cavity surface of an elongated member having a cavity therein. In particular, the example apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture emit a first ultrasonic signal that propagates from a first surface of an elongated member having a cavity therein toward a second surface of the cavity having a first temperature value. First and second echoes associated with the first ultrasonic signal are then obtained. At least one of the first and second echoes is associated with a recess in the second surface. A condition of the second surface is monitored by determining a second temperature value of the second surface based on the first and second echoes and the first temperature value.

Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting and analyzing elevated temperatures at a component rack to identify and characterize air recirculation anomalies. In one embodiment, temperatures are sensed in proximity to an air intake of the component rack. Temperature sensors communicate with a workstation having system management software including a thermal management component for analyzing air intake temperatures. Predefined temperature differentials (PTD) are established, corresponding to expected temperature differentials between the selected locations in the absence of any appreciable recirculation. The PTD provides a threshold for comparing with “actual” temperature differentials (ATD) to identify the presence and/or mode of recirculation. If an ATD exceeds a corresponding PTD for a predefined time interval, a signal is output. The mode of recirculation, such as left-side, right-side, or dual-surface recirculation, may be determined using as few as four temperature sensors positioned at a zone of interest (ZOI).

Abstract: An accelerated weathering test apparatus including a target board operatively coupled to a reflector device. The target board is configured to support at least one test specimen for exposure to concentrated solar radiation. The reflector device is configured to reflect and concentrate solar radiation onto the at least one test specimen. The reflector device includes a bed and a plurality of mirrors. Each mirror is disposed on the bed in one of a first operative position, where solar radiation is reflected on the at least one test specimen, and a second operative position, where no solar radiation is reflected on the at least one test specimen.

Abstract: A method and a device for detecting the degree of pollution in an operational converter are disclosed. An operating state of at least one of the converter components that is exposed to the ambient air is determined and a corresponding operating state of said component in an unpolluted state is determined. The two operating states are then compared and the calculated comparison value is used as a measurement for the degree of pollution of the converter. Detecting the degree of pollution of an operational converter permits a reduction in the number of breakdowns caused by unprotected operation of a converter, and associated disadvantages such as costs and damage to a company's image.

Abstract: An apparatus (A) for testing an associated construction material sample includes a housing (20) having an internal chamber (22) divided by a wall portion (30) into first and second portions (24, 26). A support in the housing is dimensioned to mount an associated construction material sample therein. A first burner (60) communicates with first portion of the housing for supplying a flame thereto. A second burner (80) communicates with the second portion of the housing for preheating the first portion. The testing method of an associated construction material sample includes installing the sample in the housing, preheating the housing, introducing a flame toward the sample, monitoring the flame as combustion progresses longitudinally along the sample, and recording data regarding the flame progression.

Abstract: An analytical closed form solution to mean and variance in heat flow is obtained by solving the stochastic heat conduction equation incorporating randomness in the thermal conductivity. The method has a wide range of applications in quantifying the thermal state of the crust and in obtaining closed form expressions for subsurface heat flow structure along with its error bounds. The exact formulae employed can be used to better evaluate the thermal state for related oil and natural gas applications and also in tectonic studies and in studies related to the crystallization of minerals.

Abstract: A method for confirming the presence of termites in a structure, involving a preliminary infrared scan of a structure and confirmation of termite infestation with at least one detector in order to quickly locate potential areas of termite infestation.

Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring and detecting thermal sealing defects includes a thermal imager, a controller, and an output device. The thermal imager is mounted along a process line that transports an object having at least one recently created thermal-seal. The controller includes an input that is communicably coupled to the thermal imager for receiving thermal image data of the thermal-seal and an output. The controller is programmed to detect at least one of a hot zone and a cool zone on the thermal-seal. The output device is communicably coupled to the output of the controller and indicates the results of the seal detection.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to provide leakage power estimation are described. In one embodiment, one or more sensed temperature values (108) and one or more voltage values (110) are utilized to determine the leakage power of an integrated circuit (IC) component. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A wind velocity measuring apparatus. The apparatus includes a thermal sensor and a processor operatively coupled to the thermal sensor. The processor is configured to receive a first temperature reading from the thermal sensor of a beginning temperature sensed by the thermal sensor and to receive a second temperature reading from the thermal sensor of an ending temperature sensed by the thermal sensor after a quantifiable amount of heat is applied to the thermal sensor for a quantifiable amount of time. The processor is further configured to determine a theoretical temperature based on the quantifiable amount of heat, the quantifiable amount of time, and the beginning temperature and to determine a wind velocity based on the difference between the theoretical temperature and the ending temperature.

Abstract: An evaluation method for evaluating safety of a battery having an electrode group including a positive electrode plate, a negative electrode plate and a separator inserted between said electrode plates. The method includes the steps of charging the battery to a predetermined voltage; incorporating conductive foreign matter into the charged battery such that the conductive foreign matter is in contact with the positive electrode plate, and not in contact with the negative electrode plate; immersing said battery into which the conductive foreign matter has been incorporated in an electrolyte to dissolve and deposit the conductive foreign matter, thereby causing an internal short circuit to occur in the battery; and evaluating a thermal behavior of the battery in which the internal short circuit has occurred, and outputting results of the evaluation as safety indices.

Abstract: In a method for determining a state of an apparatus, detected temperatures are received from a plurality of sensors and are compared to at least one preset condition. The state of the apparatus is determined based upon the comparison.

Abstract: An automated ball mounting process is disclosed in which solder balls are tested by heating the solder balls to a temperature between the eutectic temperature of lead-tin and the melting temperature of a lead free solder ball. If the heated solder balls melt they are standard solder balls. If they do not melt they are lead free solder balls. Solder balls that are input into the automated ball mounting process are automatically tested to determine solder ball type. When the test indicates that the wrong type of solder ball is being used an error message is indicated and the solder ball mounting process stops.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a device and a process for determining the hygienic state of an accessory (1) for a medical basic device (3), in which temperature events of the accessory (1) corresponding to the exceeding of a preset temperature are stored with the corresponding times, the stored temperature events with the corresponding times are compared with comparison values for temperature and time, so that a display, output and/or alarm is brought about at the medical basic device (3) in case the temperature exceeds the comparison value for a preset total time or for a preset number of temperature events.

Abstract: A power meter that uses a thermal mount whose response to changes in applied power is exponential, is equipped to digitally sample the conditions within the mount at a rate of many times per time thermal constant. Samples are monitored for an indication that a significant change in power level is occurring. When that condition is detected a forward extrapolation computational algorithm is performed upon several consecutive samples that may be taken over approximately the duration of one time constant. The extrapolation is a prediction the final value that would be obtained for the power sensor's indication of that same applied power after five time constants. The first of the several samples may occur immediately upon or shortly after the discovery that a significant change in power has occurred. An actual step in applied power need not last longer than the time during which the several samples for extrapolation are taken in order to be measured.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for identifying type and distillation properties of light oil. A pulse voltage is applied for a predetermined period of time to a liquid type identification sensor heater comprising a heater and an identification liquid temperature sensor provided in the vicinity of the heater; the light oil to be identified is heated by the heater; and the liquid type is identified with a voltage output difference V0, corresponding to a temperature difference between the initial temperature and the peak temperature of the identification liquid temperature sensor.

Abstract: The present invention measures a structure including multiple narrow metallic regions, each being disposed between neighboring regions comprising a second, non-metallic material. One step of the method is exciting the structure by irradiating it with a spatially periodic excitation field made up of excitation stripes in order to generate a thermal grating. Other steps are diffracting a probe laser beam off the thermal grating to form a signal beam; detecting the signal beam as a function of time to generate a signal waveform; and determining at least one property of the structure based on a thermal component of the signal waveform.

Abstract: A holding frame (2) is mounted in a weathering chamber (1) of a weathering tester so that it can be rotated around a xenon radiation source (3), which is located on the cylinder or rotation axis, and an infrared filter (5) placed around it. Samples (3) to be weathered are fastened to the inside of the holding frame (2) and are exposed to the radiation from the xenon radiation source (4). The surface temperature of the samples (3) can be recorded directly by a black-body radiation detector such as a pyrometer (6), which is aimed at a stationary region of space through which the samples (3) pass periodically during their rotational movement. The surface temperature can be computed in an evaluation circuit from the detected black-body radiation, together with emissivity values stored for the individual samples (3).

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention is a technique for thermal sensing. A sensing structure generates a response according to a local temperature at a first location on a die. A sensor core coupled to the sensing structure via routing lines to provide a measurement of the local temperature from the response. The sensor core is located at a second location remote to the first location and is powered by an analog supply voltage source located in a vicinity of the second location.

Abstract: A system and method to fully characterize the thermal behavior of complex 3D submicron electronic devices. The system replaces and/or supplements laser-based surface temperature scanning with a CCD camera-based approach. A CCD camera records multiple points of light energy reflected from an integrated circuit to obtain a static temperature measurement. The system is used to non-invasively measure with submicron resolution the 2D surface temperature field of an activated device. A CW laser illuminates a single point on the surface of an active device and a photodetector records the reflected light energy to obtain a transient temperature measurement. The measured 2D temperature field is used as input for an ultra-fast inverse computational solution to fully characterize the thermal behavior of the complex 3D device. The system extracts geometric features of a known device, assessing the system's ability to combine measured results and computations to fully characterize complex 3D electronic devices.

Abstract: An on die thermal sensor (ODTS) for use in a semiconductor memory device includes: a temperature information code generation unit for sensing an internal temperature of the semiconductor memory device in response to first and second enable signals and for generating a temperature information code which includes the sensed temperature information; and a flag signal logic determination unit for generating a plurality of first flag signals having temperature information and determining whether the plurality of first flag signals have a predetermined logic level or a variable logic level in response to the first and second enable signals.

Abstract: A method of measuring the recording magnetic field strength distribution of a magnetic head having a recording element is disclosed that includes the steps of: (a) disposing the magnetic head above a measurement medium having a recording layer; (b) heating a partial area of the recording layer opposing the medium-opposing surface of the recording element, and generating a recording magnetic field to emanate therefrom; (c) measuring the reproduction output of a magnetic track in the partial area; (d) repeating steps (b) and (c) while changing the partial area to be heated; and (e) converting the reproduction outputs into the recording magnetic field strength distribution. The coercive force of the measurement medium is reduced by the heating; and step (b) heats the partial area to a temperature at which the coercive force is lower than the strength of the magnetic field applied to the partial area.

Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring environmental conditions favorable for mold, mildew and fungus growth includes a microprocessor having a data map, a temperature sensor attached to the microprocessor, a relative humidity sensor attached to the microprocessor, an indicator array attached to the microprocessor, and a power supply attached to the microprocessor. The map has a plurality of relative humidity and temperature combinations and one or more suggested actions, for the user, based on the combinations. The indicator array may be a single warning light or an array with a plurality of warning lights. The indicator array may also be a text display or an audio speaker for displaying one or more ambient conditions or suggested actions. Barometric pressure data may also be included with the map for more comprehensive suggestions for action.