Temperature Measuring System Patents (Class 702/130)
  • Patent number: 8660813
    Abstract: Illustrative embodiments of the present invention are directed to a method and system for disaggregating climate control energy use from non-climate control energy use for a building. The method includes receiving a series of building energy use values and corresponding outdoor temperature values for a time period. Each of the energy use values and outdoor temperature values is associated with a time interval. The method further includes determining a series of temperature difference values for the time period based on a difference in temperature between a predetermined baseline temperature and each of the outdoor temperature values. A regression analysis is used to determine a climate control coefficient and a non-climate control coefficient from the energy use values and temperature difference values. The climate control coefficient and/or the non-climate control coefficient is used to determine climate control energy use and/or non-climate control energy use for the building.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: OPOWER, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Curtis, David Copeland, Daniel J. Yates
  • Patent number: 8660848
    Abstract: In the method of these teachings for detection of physical phenomena from or analysis of physical signals, an improved Empirical Mode Decomposition method decomposes physical signals representative of a physical phenomenon into components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Worcester Polytechnic Institute
    Inventor: Mayer Humi
  • Publication number: 20140052888
    Abstract: An RS-485 bus is directly connected to transportation refrigeration unit sensors for transmitting information from the sensors to a remote location and for controlling sensor parameters from the remote location. The GENSET associated with the transportation refrigeration unit also utilizes the RS-485 bus, in which the bus is directly connected to the GENSET sensors for bi-directional communication therewith.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2010
    Publication date: February 20, 2014
    Inventors: Ronald E. Wagner, Rex T. Logan
  • Publication number: 20140046619
    Abstract: A method for determining a temperature of fuel in an injection system, in which the temperature of the fuel is ascertained as a function of a temperature of a coil of a metering unit of the injection system, a total resistance of the circuit of the metering unit being measured, and a proportion of a resistance of the coil in the total resistance of the circuit being calculated, and the temperature of the coil being calculated from the resistance of the coil.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2012
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Inventor: Andreas Heinrich
  • Patent number: 8649997
    Abstract: A system for a meter configured to determine an analyte concentration of a fluid sample includes a housing and a temperature sensor disposed within the housing. The system also includes a processor configured to receive temperature data from the temperature sensor upon the meter entering one of a charge state and a discharge state. The processor is further configured to predict a temperature value that approximates the ambient temperature outside of the housing. The predicted temperature value is based on historical temperature data received from the temperature sensor such that the predicted temperature value remains constant if a recently received temperature value remains within predetermined upper and lower temperature thresholds and the recently received temperature value exceeds the at least one predicted temperature value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Bayer HealthCare LLC
    Inventors: John Farrell, Harris Lieber, Hoi-Cheong Steve Sun, Mu Wu, Jun Chen, Igor Gofman, Jeffery S. Reynolds, Xin Wang, Gregory Stefkovic, Bern Harrison
  • Patent number: 8649986
    Abstract: A process for predicting longitudinal cracks during continuous casting of steel slabs. The local strand temperature is measured by thermocouples distributed in the mold wall. In this process, the risk of the strand rupturing as a result of longitudinal cracking is assessed statistically taking into account the current temperature values measured by the thermocouples arranged in the mold and the temperature values determined when no cracks are present.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: SMS Siemag AG
    Inventors: Dirk Lieftucht, Markus Reiferscheid, Matthias Arzberger
  • Publication number: 20140039823
    Abstract: Positioning systems and methods comprise a network of transmitters that broadcast positioning signals comprising ranging signals and positioning system information. A ranging signal comprises information used to measure a distance to a transmitter broadcasting the ranging signal. A reference sensor array comprising at least one reference sensor unit is positioned at a known location. A remote receiver includes an atmospheric sensor collecting atmospheric data at a position of the remote receiver. A positioning application is coupled to the remote receiver and generates a reference pressure estimate at the position of the remote receiver using the atmospheric and reference data from the reference sensor array. The positioning application computes the position of the remote receiver using the reference pressure estimate and information derived from at least one of the positioning signals and satellite signals that are signals of a satellite-based positioning system. The position includes an elevation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2013
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: NextNav, LLC
    Inventors: Arun Raghupathy, Subramanian S. Meiyappan, Thomas Wolf
  • Patent number: 8645067
    Abstract: A road data apparatus is disclosed that predicts road conditions comprising a land surface data generator which derives a land surface data output from a plurality of current and forecast weather and location data, said current and forecast weather and location data comprising surface temperature, subsurface temperature, and precipitation depth, a pavement data generator which derives a road temperature and a road condition from said land surface data output and a plurality of pavement generator input data, said plurality of pavement generator input data comprising road layer data; and a roadway status indicator generator which derives a roadway status indicator from said road temperature, road condition and precipitation data. In one embodiment, the roadway status indicator is communicated to an end user through a distribution network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Baron Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel R. Gallagher, Robert J. Dreisewerd, John N. McHenry
  • Patent number: 8636406
    Abstract: An apparatus determines cooling characteristics of an operational cooling device used for transferring heat from an electronic device. The operational cooling device is thermally coupled to a heat pipe. The heat pipe has an exposed surface for selective application of heat thereon. Heat from a localized heat source is selectively applied to at least one region of the exposed surface. The heat source is preferably capable of being varied both positionally relative to the exposed surface and in heat intensity. A heat shield is preferably positioned around the exposed surface of the heat pipe to isolate the operational cooling device from the heat from the localized heat source. A temperature detector repeatedly measures a temperature distribution across the exposed surface while the cooling device is in a heat transfer mode. The temperature distribution is then used to thermally characterize the operational cooling device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Hendrik F. Hamann, Madhusudan K. Iyengar, James A. Lacey, Roger R. Schmidt
  • Publication number: 20140025316
    Abstract: A method performed by a processing device, the method comprising: obtaining first waveform data indicative of traversal of a first signal through a structure at a first time; applying a scale transform to the first waveform data and the second waveform data; computing, by the processing device and based on applying the scale transform, a scale-cross correlation function that promotes identification of scaling behavior between the first waveform data and the second waveform data; performing one or more of: computing, by the processing device and based on the scale-cross correlation function, a scale factor for the first waveform data and the second waveform data; and computing, by the processing device and based on the scale-cross correlation function, a scale invariant correlation coefficient between the first waveform data and the second waveform data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2013
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Inventors: Joel B. Harley, Jose M.F. Moura
  • Patent number: 8635044
    Abstract: Embodiments of systems and methods for improved measurement of transient thermal responses in electronic systems are described herein. Embodiments of the disclosure use the known thermal transfer function of an electronic system to generate an equivalent resistor-capacitor (RC) network having a dynamic response that is identical to a given power excitation as the actual electronic system would have to that power excitation. Using the analogy between thermal and electrical systems, a Foster RC network is constructed, comprising a plurality of RC stages in which resistors and capacitors are connected in parallel. Subsequently, the analog thermal RC network is converted into an infinite impulse response (IIR) digital filter, whose coefficients can be obtained the Z-transform of the analog thermal RC network. This IIR digital filter establishes the recursive relationship between temperature output at the current time step and measured power input at the previous time step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignees: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc., ATI Technologies ULC
    Inventors: Maxat Touzelbaev, Yizhang Yang, Gamal Refai-Ahmed
  • Publication number: 20140019048
    Abstract: An embodiment of an apparatus includes a first component determiner configured to determine a component of a first signal, a second component determiner configured to determine a component of a second signal, and an interpolator configured to interpolate a portion of the second signal in response to the components of the first and second signals. For example, such an apparatus may include an altitude-component determiner, a lapse-rate-component determiner, and an interpolator. The altitude-component determiner is configured to determine an altitude component of a first signal, and the lapse-rate-component determiner is configured to determine a lapse-rate component of a second signal having an empty portion. And the interpolator is configured to interpolate an altitude component of the second signal in response to the altitude component of the first signal, and to interpolate the empty portion of the second signal in response to the lapse-rate and altitude components of the second signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2012
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Applicant: TOKITAE LLC
    Inventor: Guillaume CHABOT-COUTURE
  • Patent number: 8628240
    Abstract: Various embodiments provide systems and methods measuring the temperature of a device using a semiconductor temperature sensor, such as a diode. This invention allows the use of an uncalibrated diode to be used as a temperature sensor by applying a sinusoidally varying forcing current to the diode and measuring the rate of change of the voltage across the diode. Embodiments advantageously provide for a rapid, responsive temperature measuring, substantially eliminating the effect of lead resistance associated with the temperature sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Delta Design, Inc.
    Inventors: Jerry Ihor Tustaniwskyj, James Wittman Babcock
  • Publication number: 20140012533
    Abstract: An embodiment of an apparatus includes first and second component determiners configured to determine, respectively, first and second components of a signal, and includes an interpolator configured to interpolate a portion of the signal in response to the first and second components. For example, where the portion of the signal is empty, such an apparatus may include a periodic-component determiner, an aperiodic-component determiner, and an interpolator. The periodic-component determiner is configured to convert the signal into a frequency-domain transformed signal, and to convert the transformed signal into a time-domain periodic component of the signal, the periodic component having a periodic-component portion that corresponds to the empty portion of the signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2012
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Applicant: TOKITAE LLC
    Inventor: TOKITAE LLC
  • Patent number: 8626643
    Abstract: A utility financial model involves the setting of a new utility rate after the introduction of a new utility technology that provides immediate capacity relief, reducing the base load capacity and the peak load capacity to electric power providers. The new utility rate is not based solely on performance of the new utility technology but rather based on fixed and variable costs to introduce the new utility technology.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Orion Energy Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Neal R. Verfuerth, Michael H. Potts
  • Patent number: 8620632
    Abstract: A static heat transfer model is derived from a system of dynamic equations by integrating the dynamic equations over different time periods. That static heat transfer model links periodic (e.g., monthly) energy usage with cooling and heating degree hours, humidifying and dehumidifying hours. Its coefficients of measuring correlations correspond to the thermal parameters of buildings. Temporal data from a building may be used to estimate the overall heat transfer parameters. A clustering scheme may be developed to decompose all the buildings into different clusters based on one or more similarity criteria. The overall heat transfer parameters are separated into values for the wall, roof and window using multiple buildings' data in the same cluster or group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Lianjun An, Young T. Chae, Raya Horesh, Young Min Lee, Chandrasekhara K. Reddy
  • Patent number: 8620614
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are described for characterizing the temporal-spatial properties of a dynamic fluid front within a mold space while the mold space is being filled with fluid. A method includes providing a mold defining a mold space and having one or more openings into the mold space; heating a plurality of temperature sensors that extend into the mold space; injecting a fluid into the mold space through the openings, the fluid experiencing a dynamic fluid front while filling the mold space with the fluid; and characterizing temporal-spatial properties of the dynamic fluid front by monitoring a temperature of each of the plurality of heated temperature sensors while the mold space is being filled with the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: UT-Battelle, LLC
    Inventor: Richard L. Battiste
  • Publication number: 20130341581
    Abstract: A memory device, a programmable insulator-semiconductor bipolar transistor (PISBT) and a method for measuring a temperature of a filament, the method may include: providing base voltages of different values to a base of the PISBT; obtaining measurement results by measuring a minority carrier current that flows from a collector of the PISBT in response to the providing of the base voltages of the different values; and calculating the temperature of the filament, based upon the measurement results; wherein the filament is formed in a variable resistance layer of the PISBT when the PISBT is programmed to a certain value out of multiple programmable values, wherein the filament facilitates a flow of minority carriers from an emitter of the PISBT.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2013
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Inventors: Dan Ritter, Eilam Yalon
  • Patent number: 8608439
    Abstract: A system for arranging and operating an array of wind machines to protect crops from damaging weather conditions, such as freezing frost, rain and heat. The method includes a wind machine positioned to force air across the crop. The wind machine is preferably a propeller/tower configuration. The operational method of the wind machine array includes the steps of sensing ambient meteorological and the hardiness of the crop to withstand a particular adverse weather condition and operating the wind machines in response to these factors. Multiples of wind machines are employed in the preferred embodiment of the method, the siting of the wind machines preferably based upon topographic and historical meteorological conditions. The operation of the wind machines can be automatically and remotely operated with the aid of satellite communications including internet links.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Inventor: Daryl G. Hill
  • Patent number: 8608376
    Abstract: A method for modeling the performance of a laterally diffused metal oxide semiconductor (LDMOS) device across a wide temperature range is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of positioning the device in an environment chamber operable to create a plurality of environment temperatures; connecting the pins of the device to a measurement system operable to measure at least one device characteristic; operating the environment chamber to set a series of four environment temperatures, acquiring a value of the device characteristic from the measurement system at each temperature, and extracting a temperature parameter set based on the value of the device characteristic at each temperature, then generating a temperature-scaling model for the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Board of Trustees of the University of Arkansas
    Inventors: Avinash S. Kashyap, H. Alan Mantooth
  • Publication number: 20130330847
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method and system for characterizing a pattern loading effect. A method may include performing a reflectivity measurement on a semiconductor wafer and determining an anneal process technique based on the reflectivity measurement. The determining the anneal process technique may include determining a spatial distance for a reflectivity change using a reflectivity map generated using the reflectivity measurement. This spatial distance is compared with the thermal diffusion length associated with each of the plurality of anneal process techniques. In an embodiment, a thermal profile map and/or a device performance map may be provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2012
    Publication date: December 12, 2013
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd. ("TSMC")
    Inventors: Chun Hsiung Tsai, Sheng-Wen Yu, De-Wei Yu
  • Publication number: 20130332103
    Abstract: A system and method for measuring a temperature in at least one energy storage unit. They system includes at least one temperature sensor thermally coupled to the at least one energy storage unit, and a battery management controller in communication with the at least one temperature sensor. The battery management controller is configured to process a temperature of the at least one energy storage unit to obtain an internal temperature in the at least one energy storage unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2012
    Publication date: December 12, 2013
    Applicant: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventor: Texas Instruments Incorporated
  • Patent number: 8602645
    Abstract: A temperature detection system includes a power semiconductor device, a chip temperature detection device for detecting a temperature of the power semiconductor device, loss-related characteristic value acquiring means for acquiring a loss-related characteristic value that is a characteristic to decide a loss of the power semiconductor device, difference value calculating means for calculating, from the loss-related characteristic value, a difference value between the temperature of the power semiconductor device and a temperature detected by the chip temperature detection device, a corrected temperature signal generating part for generating a corrected temperature signal by adding the temperature detected by the chip temperature detection device and the difference value, and an output part for outputting the corrected temperature signal to the outside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Noboru Miyamoto, Akira Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 8606429
    Abstract: An electronic device and a method for controlling fan speed of the electronic device include setting a speed range corresponding to a variety of pulse-width modulation (PWM) duty cycles of the fan, and setting a speed variation value of the fan. The method further includes reading the PWM duty cycle and detecting an actual speed of the fan, and adjusting the PWM duty cycle in the PWM duty cycle instruction according to the speed variation value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Meng-Hsien Lin, Yao-Ting Chang
  • Publication number: 20130325391
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a circuit and a method for sensing a temperature. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a circuit for sensing a temperature including: a bipolar transistor unit connected to a current source to output an output voltage which is inversely proportional to temperature; a variable reference voltage unit for providing a variable reference voltage which varies according to setting; a first amplifying unit for receiving the output voltage of the bipolar transistor unit and the variable reference voltage and performing differential amplification to output the amplified voltage; and a second amplifying unit for variably amplifying a variation of the output voltage of the first amplifying unit using a feedback variable resistor is provided. Further, a method for sensing a temperature using the same is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2013
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Inventors: Yong Il Kwon, Jae Hyung Lee, Byeong Hak Jo, Tah Joon Park
  • Patent number: 8600697
    Abstract: A method for managing thermal condition of a thermal zone that includes multiple thermally controllable components include determining thermal relationship between the components and reducing temperature of a first component by reducing thermal dissipation of a second component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Guy M. Therein, Robert T. Jackson
  • Patent number: 8600693
    Abstract: A monitoring, tracking, and calibration system tracks temperature data and the validity of temperature measuring devices. If an item is temperature sensitive, the system permits temperature readings to be taken by a remote transmitter or other temperature measuring device and stored by a computer. A calibration device is built into the remote transmitter or attached in line to a temperature sensor and include at least one fixed value. The remote transmitter samples that fixed value periodically or in response to an instruction from the computer. The computer, in turn, compares the fixed value to a respective expected value. If the comparison indicates that the fixed value compares favorably to the at least one respective expected value, the remote transmitter is considered calibrated and functioning correctly. Otherwise, the remote transmitter is considered faulty and an error is reported so that corrective action may be taken.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: The Veracity Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Jack J. Kennamer
  • Patent number: 8594967
    Abstract: A method for measuring a temperature rise induced by bias current/bias voltage in a magnetic tunnel junction includes: (a) applying an external time-changing magnetic field to the magnetic tunnel junction; (b) measuring different first outer pin flip field values under different temperature values; (c) correlating the temperature values with the outer pin flip field values; (d) measuring different second outer pin flip field values under different bias current/bias voltage values; (e) correlating the different bias current/bias voltage-values with the measured different second outer pin flip field values; and (f) correlating temperature values and bias current/bias voltage values according to the results produced by (c) and (e). The method can determine what kind of TMR reader design provides more stable and reliable reading performance, especially under higher operational temperatures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: SAE Magnetics (H.K.) Ltd.
    Inventors: Mankit Lee, Chiuming Lueng, Cheukwing Leung, Juren Ding, Rongkwang Ni
  • Patent number: 8594966
    Abstract: Information of a first type is determined at an integrated circuit die of a data processing device included an integrated circuit package. The integrated circuit package includes the first integrated circuit die and a second integrated circuit die. Information of a second type is determined at the integrated circuit die. The first and second type of information is transmitted from the integrated circuit die to another integrated circuit die using a time-divided multiplexed protocol by transmitting the first information during a first time slot of the protocol and transmitting the second information during a second time slot of the protocol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip E. Madrid, Stephen C. Ennis
  • Patent number: 8594968
    Abstract: A system and method is provided for predicting a physical quality such as temperature, the measurement of which tends to be hindered by a time-related impediment. A single sensor is configured to detect, in real time, the physical quality Qdetect, and one or more infinite impulse response filters are configured with time constants correlated to the time-related impediment. The infinite impulse filter(a) are configured to filter Qdetect to output a filtered quality measurement (Qfiltered). A processor is configured to calculate, in real time, the estimated or predicted quality Qestimate using Qdetect and Q filtered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Invensys Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Spencer K. Howe
  • Publication number: 20130311799
    Abstract: The subject matter of this application is embodied in an apparatus that includes a data processor, and two or more hardware monitors to measure parameters associated with the data processor. The apparatus also features a power supply to provide power to the data processor and the hardware monitors, and a controller to control the power supply to adjust an output voltage level of the power supply according to measurements from the hardware monitors. Different weight values are applied to the hardware monitors under different conditions, and the power supply output voltage level is controlled according to weighted measurements or values derived from the weighted measurements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2012
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Inventors: Sean Fitzpatrick, Anand Satyamoorthy
  • Patent number: 8589112
    Abstract: An energy analysis system provides valuable input into building energy expenditures. The system assists with obtaining a detailed view of how energy consumption occurs in a building, what steps may be taken to lower the energy footprint, and executing detailed energy consumption analysis. The analysis may include, as examples, a balance point pair analysis to determine either or both of a heating balance point and a cooling balance point, an exception rank analysis to identify specific data (e.g., energy consumption data) in specific time intervals for further review, or other analysis. The system may display the analysis results on a user interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Accenture Global Services Limited
    Inventors: Boris Tsypin, Deepak Raghu
  • Patent number: 8583398
    Abstract: A temperature sensing device includes a bandgap voltage generator, N mirror current sources, a temperature voltage generator, and a temperature calculating unit. The mirror current sources mirror N mirror currents according to a positive temperature coefficient current. The temperature voltage generator sets the conducting number M of the mirror current sources based on a control signal, so as to generate a temperature voltage. The temperature calculating unit gradually counts the control signal and compares a potential of the temperature voltage with a potential of a reference voltage generated by the bandgap voltage generator after counting the control signal, so as to calculate and obtain temperature information. Thus, the temperature sensing device controls the conducting number M of the mirror current sources to generate the temperature voltage instead of applying serially-connected resistors, so as to reduce a circuit area of the temperature sensing device and reduce noise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Sunplus Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chuan-Fu Cheng, Hao-Chang Chang, Hui-Yi Cheng
  • Patent number: 8583397
    Abstract: A device for determining the thermal exchange coefficient between a fluid and a wall at a point PN of a surface of the wall in contact with the fluid, including a measuring device (DT) which measures at least two temperature values TC1 and TC2 of the wall and a temperature value TF of the fluid, and a computer for calculating, from the temperature values TC1 and TC2, a temperature value Tp of the wall and a thermal flow ? given by the following equation: ?=??grad (TC1?TC2), where ? is the thermal conductivity of the wall, and for calculating, from the fluid temperature TF, the average temperature TP and the thermal flow ? the thermal exchange coefficient h in the following form: h=?/(TF?TP).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique et aux Energies Alternatives
    Inventor: Olivier Braillard
  • Patent number: 8583385
    Abstract: Thermal, flow measuring device and method for operating a thermal, flow measuring device. The thermal, flow measuring device has a first sensor with a first heatable resistance thermometer and at least an additional, second sensor with a second heatable resistance thermometer; wherein a decision coefficient is calculated according to the formula DC=(PC1?PC2)/PC1, with PC1(t=t1)=P1,1(t1)/(T1,heated;actual(t=t1)?Tmedium;actual(t=t1)) and PC2(t=t2)=P2,2(t2)/(T2,heated;actual(t=t2)?Tmedium;actual(t=t2)), with P being the heating powers consumed by the corresponding resistance thermometers at the points in time t, and T being the temperature values; wherein the value of the decision coefficient indicates the flow direction of a measured medium in the measuring tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser Flowtec AG
    Inventors: Axel Pfau, Vivek Kumar, Anastasios Badarlis
  • Publication number: 20130297249
    Abstract: An overheating detection processing system monitors in real time and stores data samples from the different types of power plant overheating detectors. The system determines a likelihood of whether a stored detector output sample reading, alone or in combination with other readings, is indicative of monitored power plant equipment overheating. The system references previously stored information in an information storage device that associates respective types of detector sample reading levels with equipment overheating. The system also compares a combination of stored sample readings and establishes overheating determination confidence levels. The confidence levels information is combined to derive an overall confidence level of whether the power plant equipment is overheated. An overheating alarm response is initiated if an overheating condition is determined at any confidence level. Additional responses are made based on a combination of calculated confidence levels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2012
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Inventor: Edward D. Thompson
  • Patent number: 8577642
    Abstract: A user obtains an individual's body temperature data and transmits the data to a medical monitor (e.g., a medical device) for display. Additional data includes a timestamp and location of the body temperature data. Once the data is transmitted, a user may view the medical monitor for a temperature reading. For example, a doctor may take a patient's temperature and the temperature reading is displayed on a medical monitor. The body temperature data of each patient is detected using a preferred temperature detector, such as a temporal artery thermometer using an arterial heat balance approach. After collecting an individual's body temperature data, the body temperature data can be transferred to a processor. By sending body temperature data for many individuals for a geographic region, the processor can identify a pattern (e.g., a pandemic) in the body temperature data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Exergen Corporation
    Inventors: Francesco Pompei, Janette H. Lee, Jason N. Jarboe
  • Patent number: 8576084
    Abstract: A flowmeter method and system. In an implementation, a signal is received from a flowmeter and a value is determined based on the signal. The value is compared to a threshold. A heartbeat value is provided when the value is greater than a threshold value. In some implementations, a flow rate of a fluid is based on the heartbeat value. In some implementations, the heartbeat value is monitored and an alarm is selectively generated based on the monitoring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Invensys Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Reese, Peter E. Allstrom
  • Patent number: 8573840
    Abstract: The invention relates to an integrated temperature sensor (1) comprising: means (2000) for generating a pulse train (DATA_IN) at an oscillation frequency, means (3000) for counting the number of pulses during a fixed period of time independent of a temperature to be measured (T) and for generating a plurality of bits (b11, b10, . . . , b0) indicating the number of pulses in the pulse train (DATA_IN), and means (4000) for generating a serial digital signal (DATA_OUT) from said bits (b11, b10, . . . , b0), in which the means (2000) for generating a pulse train (DATA_IN) include a plurality of logic gates (2410, 2420, 2430, 2440, 2450) which can introduce a delay dependent on the temperature to be measured (T), said means (2000) generating a pulse train (DATA_IN) the oscillation frequency of which is dependent on said temperature to be measured (T). The invention also relates to a temperature measurement method and to a transponder for a wireless system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Incide, S.A.
    Inventors: Aritz Ubarretxena Belandia, Roc Berenguer—Pérez, César Matinez Antón, Daniel Egurrola López, Javier Hernández de Miguel
  • Patent number: 8573842
    Abstract: A sensor control circuit for controlling a sensor unit for measuring a physical value includes a timing controller which selects periodically one or more sensor units among multiple sensor units and converts an output signal from the sensor unit to a continuous serial input signal, an oscillator which receives the serial input signal input by the controller and outputs a frequency signal corresponding to the output signal detected by the sensor unit, a counter which counts for a predetermined duration a number of pulses of the frequency signal output from the oscillator, a data converter which converts the number of pulses to voltage data and outputs the data, and an RLC selector which inputs to the converter information indicating a characteristic value on which the number of pulses is based. The characteristic value is resistance, inductance or electrostatic capacitance. The sensor units measure physical values, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Ibiden Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Zhenhua Shao, Christopher Lee Keller, Masataka Ito, Dongdong Wang
  • Publication number: 20130289927
    Abstract: A computer-based method includes collecting a sequence of measurements related to a controllable environmental parameter in a monitored space over time, deriving a master curve based on the sequence of collected measurements to characterize normal periodic variations in the controllable environmental parameter over time, collecting one or more subsequent measurements that represent the controllable environmental parameter of the monitored space, and evaluating a likelihood that the controllable environmental parameter will, at some future point in time, exceed an acceptable level by comparing a curve associated with one or more of the subsequent measurements to the master curve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2013
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Applicant: Magpie Sensing LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Smith, Robert Douglas, Brendan Ebers, Jonathan Smalletz, Sinan Ozdemir
  • Publication number: 20130289928
    Abstract: A method of generating a risk-controlled ambient temperature profile including measuring a distribution network and constructing an ambient temperature profile based on results of the measuring by determining a length of the ambient temperature profile, determining a target risk or target failure rate, and generating at least one of hot and cold versions of the ambient temperature profile in accordance with the determined length that facilitate minimization of package expense while achieving the target risk or target failure rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2011
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Applicant: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Jonathan Cherneff, Paul Timothy Della Villa, David E. Magargee, II, Mark Maurice, Nicole Nepomuceno
  • Publication number: 20130289926
    Abstract: Certain aspects of the present disclosure are directed to a computer system, including: a hypervisor configured to run on a CPU and to provide a first domain; and a virtual baseboard management controller (BMC) stack configured to run in the first domain or as part of the hypervisor. Certain aspects of the present disclosure are directed to a non-transitory computer readable medium that stores instructions executable by at least one processor, the instructions including loading a virtual baseboard management controller (BMC) stack in a first domain of, or as a part of, a hypervisor running on the processor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2012
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Applicant: AMERICAN MEGATRENDS, INC.
    Inventors: Sanjoy Maity, Samvinesh Christopher, Baskar Parthiban
  • Publication number: 20130289909
    Abstract: A method of monitoring the working conditions and states of an electronic device sets a first time-interval to read the parameter values of the electronic device. When the electronic device is working normally, the first time-interval is replaced by a second time-interval, which is longer than the first time-interval, to reduce reading frequency, relieve the load on a baseboard management controller (BMC) of the electronic device, and save power.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2012
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Applicant: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: CHIEN-LIANG LIN
  • Publication number: 20130276464
    Abstract: A measurement method, a measurement apparatus, and a computer program product for measuring a thermoelectric module are provided. A temperature is provided to the thermoelectric module. A current is applied to the thermoelectric module to turn both sides of the thermoelectric module into a hot side and a cold side. The temperature of the hot side is higher than that of the cold side. A terminal voltage of the thermoelectric module, a hot side temperature of the hot side, and a cold side temperature of the cold side are measured at different time points. A thermoelectric relationship between the terminal voltages and differences between the hot side temperatures and the corresponding cold side temperatures is obtained according to the terminal voltages, the hot side temperatures, and the cold side temperatures. At least one first parameter of the thermoelectric module is estimated according to the thermoelectric relationship.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2013
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Inventors: Heng-Chieh Chien, Ming-Ji Dai, Sheng-Tsai Wu, Huey-Lin Hsieh, Jing-Yi Huang
  • Patent number: 8562210
    Abstract: A system and a method for measuring temperature within an operating circuit use a Wheatstone bridge within a temperature sensing circuit. One of the resistors in the Wheatstone bridge is a thermally sensitive resistive material layer within the operating circuit. The other three resistors are thermally isolated from the operating circuit. Particular configurations of NFET and PFET devices are used to provide enhanced measurement sensitivity within the temperature sensing circuit that includes the Wheatstone bridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Cathryn J. Christiansen, John A. Fifield, Dimitris P. Ioannou, Tom C. Lee, Lilian Kamal
  • Patent number: 8554515
    Abstract: A system and method for evaluating equipment in an improper cluster in a data center, the equipment including a plurality of equipment racks, and at least one cooling provider. In one aspect, the method includes receiving data regarding each of the plurality of equipment racks and the at least one cooling provider, the data including a layout of the improper cluster of equipment racks and the at least one cooling provider, storing the received data, identifying at least one gap in the layout, determining cooling performance of at least one of the plurality of equipment racks based, at least in part, on characteristics of the at least one gap, and displaying the layout of the data center, wherein the layout includes an indication of the cooling performance of the at least one of the plurality of equipment racks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Schneider Electric IT Corporation
    Inventors: James W. VanGilder, Xuanhang Zhang
  • Publication number: 20130248140
    Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus for the temperature control of a component within a storage system wherein the storage system includes a heat exchanger in thermal communication with the component, the method comprising: generating a flow of heat transfer fluid through the heat exchanger, to transfer heat to or from the heat exchanger; receiving a set point signal indicative of the desired temperature of the component in the storage system; receiving temperature data regarding the component and the heat transfer fluid, and in dependence on set point signal and the temperature data regarding the component and the heat transfer fluid generating an output signal to control the flow of heat transfer fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2012
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: Xyratex Technology Limited
    Inventor: David C. HAIGH
  • Patent number: 8541720
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a temperature sensing apparatus includes a temperature sensor disposed in a structure at a first depth from a first surface of the structure. A heat flux sensor is also disposed in the structure at substantially the same depth as the first depth. A measurement circuit is coupled to the temperature sensor and the heat flux sensor. The measurement circuit calculates a surface temperature of the first surface based on a temperature of the temperature sensor and a heat flow of the heat flux sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventor: Michael S. Schwerer
  • Patent number: 8540423
    Abstract: An temperature sensor circuit is disclosed. In one embodiment, the temperature sensor comprises an input circuit with a current mirror for forcing a current down a reference stage and an output stage. The reference stage and the output stage include P-N junctions (e.g., using bipolar transistors) with differing junction potentials. By tailoring the resistances in the reference and output stages, the input circuit produces two output voltages, one of which varies predictably with temperature, and one which is stable with temperature. The input circuit is preferably used in conjunction with an amplifier stage which preferably receives both the temperature-sensitive and non-temperature-sensitive outputs. Through various resistor configurations in the amplifier stage, the output of the temperature sensor can be made to vary at a higher sensitivity than produced by the temperature-sensitive output of the input circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Bo Liu