Thermal Patents (Class 73/170.12)
  • Patent number: 11428707
    Abstract: A probe head of an air data probe includes an insert, a portion of a heater, an outer shell, a tip weld, and a braze. The insert includes a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a body portion extending between the first end and the second end. The body portion includes a groove. The portion of the heater is positioned within the groove. The outer shell surrounds the insert and the portion of the heater. The outer shell includes a tip portion defining a first end of the outer shell and a body portion extending from the tip portion defining a second end of the outer shell. The tip weld is between the outer shell and the first end of the insert, and the braze is between the insert and the second end of the outer shell adjacent a second end of the insert. The portion of the heater is hermetically sealed between the insert and the outer shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: Rosemount Aerospace Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Robert Johnson, Timothy Thomas Golly, Greg Allen Seidel
  • Patent number: 11415593
    Abstract: A portable air fan measurement tool that is configured to measure air flow and air temperature. The air fan measurement tool includes a base comprising a magnet, the magnet being configured to attach the base to an air fan ring of an air fan. The portable air fan measurement tool also includes a vertical support having a first end configured to engage the base. The portable air fan measurement tool further includes an angular support having a first end configured to engage the vertical support and a horizontal support having a first end configured to engage a second end of the angular support. Moreover, the portable air fan measurement tool includes a boom having a first end configured to engage a second end of the vertical support and a second end of the horizontal support, and a plurality of air fan measurement devices that are disposed on the boom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: CHEVRON U.S.A. INC.
    Inventors: Albert E. Butterfield, IV, Jeffrey Brandon Dooley, Ronald W. Hill, Ian Addington Luna
  • Patent number: 11174153
    Abstract: A microelectromechanical (MEMS) device may be coupled to a dielectric material at an upper planar surface or lower planar surface of the MEMS device. One or more temperature sensors may be attached to the dielectric material layer. Signals from the one or more temperature sensors may be used to determine a thermal gradient along on axis that is normal to the upper planar surface and the lower planar surface. The thermal gradient may be used to compensate for values measured by the MEMS device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: INVENSENSE, INC.
    Inventors: Ilya Gurin, Matthew Julian Thompson, Vadim Tsinker
  • Patent number: 11119504
    Abstract: Using a set of airflow sensors disposed on an airfoil of an aircraft, first airflow data including an amount of airflow experienced at each airflow sensor at a first time is measured. Using a trained neural network model, the first airflow data is analyzed to determine an airflow state of the aircraft. In response to determining that the aircraft is in the abnormal airflow state, a control surface and a power unit of the aircraft are adjusted. Responsive to the adjusting, the aircraft is returned to the normal airflow state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Wang Zhou, Huan Hu, Wei Tan, Qianwen Chen
  • Patent number: 10809276
    Abstract: A system includes a probe, a transducer, and a sealing feature. The probe is detachable and includes a first gas path extending from a head to a mount. The transducer is configured to mate with the mount and includes a second gas path with an inlet configured to be in fluid communication with the outlet of the first gas path when the transducer is mated with the mount and at least one sensor disposed along the second gas path. The sealing feature includes a first membrane configured to allow pressure to be conveyed from the first gas path to the second gas path when the transducer is mated with the mount while preventing contaminants from entering the second gas path when the transducer is distant from the probe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: Rosemount Aerospace Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Brent Naslund, Benjamin John Langemo, Matthew Paul Anderson, Andrew Sherman
  • Patent number: 10168349
    Abstract: A sensor comprises a substrate having a first surface; a cap structure connected to the substrate, the cap structure configured to define a cavity between an inner surface of the cap structure and the first surface of the substrate, the cap structure configured to block infrared radiation from entering the cavity from outside the cap structure; a plurality of absorbers, each absorber in the plurality of absorbers being connected to the first surface of the substrate and arranged at a respective position within the cavity and configured to absorb infrared radiation at the respective position within the cavity; and a plurality of readout circuits, each readout circuit in the plurality of readout circuits being connected to a respective absorber in the plurality of absorbers and configured to provide a measurement signal that indicates an amount of infrared radiation absorbed by the respective absorber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Seow Yuen Yee, Gary Yama, Thomas Rocznik
  • Patent number: 9915677
    Abstract: A data acquisition method of a substrate processing apparatus for acquiring data on gas current directions in a plurality of measurement regions on a surface of a substrate, includes: loading a sensing substrate having a plurality of pairs of sensors on a loader, wherein each pair of sensors includes a first sensor and a second sensor configured to acquire vector data of the gas current on the surface of the sensing substrate; acquiring vector data of the gas current in a first linear direction by the first sensor; acquiring vector data of the gas current in a second linear direction slanted to the first linear direction by the second sensor; and combining the gas current vectors based on a starting point associated with the respective pair of sensors; and calculating a gas current direction from the starting point associated with the respective pair of sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventor: Hikaru Akada
  • Patent number: 9791304
    Abstract: An air data probe includes a probe body. The air data probe also includes a housing surrounding the probe body, wherein a cavity is defined between the probe body and the housing. The air data probe also includes a heater element disposed within the cavity between the probe body and the housing. The air data probe also includes a low melting point metal disposed within the cavity between the probe body and the housing, wherein engaging the heater element causes at least a portion of the low melting point metal to transition from a solid state to a liquid state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Yates Wong, Grant A. Gordon, Patrick Flynn, Morris Anderson, James B. Cox
  • Patent number: 9702746
    Abstract: A device for monitoring a mass or volume flow, in a gas stream with a feed line and with a plurality of electrical components, includes a flow generator, a heat-sensitive element and a data processing unit. The flow generator generates a gas stream flowing in a direction of flow through the feed line. At least one of the electrical components comprises at least one electrical element for power data supply, which is arranged in the feed line such that a waste heat of the electrical element heats the gas stream generated by the flow generator. The heat-sensitive element is arranged behind the electrical element in the direction of flow in the feed line and detects a temperature of the gas stream heated by the waste heat of the electrical element. The data processing unit determines a mass or volume flow from the temperature detected by the heat-sensitive element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: Dräger Safety AG & Co. KGaA
    Inventor: Florian Hieke
  • Patent number: 9631965
    Abstract: There is described herein a flow sensing device having offset compensation and an offset compensation method, the flow sensing device having two separate and independent thermal flow sensors, each containing a heater and at least one temperature-sensitive element. The components of the two thermal flow sensors are connected such that flow-dependent contributions of each sensor into a common output signal have opposite signs after passing through a subtracting node. Heating pulses are applied to the heaters of the two thermal flow sensors out of phase, and an output signal is measured for each heat pulse applied. A net output signal is then determined by calculating a difference between a last output reading and at least one previous output reading.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: SENSORTECHNICS GMBH
    Inventors: Gennadiy Frolov, Oleg Grudin
  • Patent number: 9500539
    Abstract: A directional slug calorimeter is provided to enable accurate non-isotropic heat flux measurement in a high-temperature environment. The slug calorimeter includes a tubular member; a plurality of slots formed along a portion of an axial length of the tubular member, insulation disposed within the tubular member and within the plurality of slots; and thermocouples disposed with a thermocouple junction. The plurality of slots divide the tubular member into discrete segments. The thermocouples are disposed in a central region of each of the discrete segments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: David O. Hubble
  • Patent number: 9389242
    Abstract: According to an embodiment of the present invention, a data obtainment method for obtaining data on gas flow directions in a plurality of measurement regions in a surface of a substrate loaded onto a loading unit of a substrate processing apparatus is provided. The method includes loading a sensor substrate onto the loading unit in a first direction, and changing the first direction into a second direction. Further, it is obtained a vector data of a gas flow in a first straight direction and a vector data of a gas flow in a second straight direction from each first sensor of the sensor substrate loaded in the first and second directions. Also, the method includes calculating a gas flow direction at each starting point in the first and second measurement regions by combining the vector data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventor: Hikaru Akada
  • Patent number: 9366689
    Abstract: Systems and methods for thermal imaging for measuring mixing of fluids are provided. In one embodiment, a method for measuring mixing of gaseous fluids using thermal imaging comprises: positioning a thermal test medium parallel to a direction gaseous fluid flow from an outlet vent of a momentum source, wherein when the source is operating, the fluid flows across a surface of the medium; obtaining an ambient temperature value from a baseline thermal image of the surface; obtaining at least one operational thermal image of the surface when the fluid is flowing from the outlet vent across the surface, wherein the fluid has a temperature different than the ambient temperature; and calculating at least one temperature-difference fraction associated with at least a first position on the surface based on a difference between temperature measurements obtained from the at least one operational thermal image and the ambient temperature value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: ALLIANCE FOR SUSTAINABLE ENERGY, LLC
    Inventors: Charles Booten, Jeff Tomerlin, Jon Winkler
  • Patent number: 8959993
    Abstract: A device for characterizing the nature of an aerodynamic stream along a wall, the device including multiple temperature-sensitive optical nodes of Bragg grating type distributed along an optical fiber. The device determining the variations in speed of the aerodynamic stream. The nodes are distributed along a fiber placed substantially following the route of a streamline, and the device processing so as to differentiate the temporal and spatial characteristics of the signals of thermal flowrate among the nodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Thales
    Inventors: Philippe Guichard, Philippe Rondeau
  • Patent number: 8935843
    Abstract: A thermal, flow measuring device for determining and/or monitoring the flow of a measured medium through a measuring tube. The thermal, flow measuring device includes: a first pin-shaped shell and at least a second pin-shaped shell; a first resistance thermometer and at least a second resistance thermometer. At least the first resistance thermometer is embodied so as to be heatable, wherein the resistance thermometers, in each case, have a first surface, and at least a second surface, which lies opposite the first surface. The first pin-shaped shell surrounds the first resistance thermometer, and the second pin-shaped shell surrounds the second resistance thermometer. The pin-shaped shells are fillable with a fill material. In each case, at least one spacer is placeable between the pin-shaped shell and the first surface of the resistance thermometer, and the second surface of the resistance thermometer is at least partially covered with fill material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser FLowtec AG
    Inventors: Dirk Boguhn, Jiri Holoubek, Axel Pfau, Oliver Popp, Jiri Polak
  • Patent number: 8864370
    Abstract: The invention concerns a device for measuring at least one physical parameter of a fluid flow, in particular the total air temperature, comprising: a profiled body (2) of elongate shape along a longitudinal axis (L) and having at least two walls arranged contiguous to each other at an acute angle to form a wedge-shaped portion (7), said wedge-shaped portion (7) extending in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis (L) of the profiled body (2); at least one sensing element (4) for measuring the physical parameter of the fluid flow, said sensing element (4) being positioned in a window (3) formed through the profiled body (2), characterized in that each of the walls (71; 72) forming the wedge-shaped portion (7) comprises at least one notch forming a deflector angle relative to said wall (71; 72) so as to weaken the formation of ice on the wedge-shaped portion (7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Auxitrol S.A.
    Inventors: Sebastien Dijon, David Lapeyronnie, Bruno Lhuillier
  • Patent number: 8549908
    Abstract: A flow body flow meter includes a flow body and a sensor having one or more probes in the flow body. As a wet gas stream enters the flow body, an internal passage imparts angular momentum to the stream to induce a rotating flow. The wet gas stream at least intermittently carries liquid phase particles and the inertia of the denser liquid phase particles separates them from the rotating flow. The probes of the sensor are located in a part of the rotating flow that is free of any liquid phase particles. The internal passage may include an axial swirler and a cylindrical section downstream from the axial swirler. The axial swirler imparts the nonlinear motion to the stream, and tips of the probes are located near a center axis of the cylindrical section so they are free of any liquid phase particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Los Robles Advertising, Inc.
    Inventors: Ralph A. Dalla Betta, Daniel R. Kurz, Bruce B. Burton, Ricardo Martinez, Jerome L. Kurz
  • Patent number: 8392141
    Abstract: A method of reducing de-icing heater error (DHE) in total air temperature (TAT) probes is provided. Using the method, a nominal DHE function is obtained for a particular type of TAT probe, with the nominal DHE function having been derived from a plurality of TAT probes of the particular type. A probe specific correction coefficient is calculated for an individual TAT probe of the particular type as a function of a measured DHE at a first airflow and a predicted DHE at the first airflow. The predicted DHE at the first airflow is determined using the nominal DHE function derived from the plurality of TAT probes of the particular type. The probe specific correction coefficient is then stored for later use, or used to determine DHE with the individual TAT probe over a range of airflows as a function of the probe specific correction coefficient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Rosemount Aerospace Inc.
    Inventor: Scott John Wigen
  • Patent number: 8347543
    Abstract: Measurement of the deviation of a laser beam from a straight line, where the laser beam is of a type which causes thermal blooming, is used to determine the integrated effect which wind will have on an article traveling through airspace, for example, to enable an adjustment in the aim point of the article. The invention includes correcting the aim point of a gun firing a projectile, correcting the flight path of an aircraft, and correcting the path of a watercraft. The invention includes a method and means for measuring the flow of fluid in a conduit or as a free mass, for purposes other than adjusting the path of a projectile or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Inventor: David C. Smith
  • Publication number: 20110308311
    Abstract: A flow body flow meter includes a flow body and a sensor having one or more probes in the flow body. As a wet gas stream enters the flow body, an internal passage imparts angular momentum to the stream to induce a rotating flow. The wet gas stream at least intermittently carries liquid phase particles and the inertia of the denser liquid phase particles separates them from the rotating flow. The probes of the sensor are located in a part of the rotating flow that is free of any liquid phase particles. The internal passage may include an axial swirler and a cylindrical section downstream from the axial swirler. The axial swirler imparts the nonlinear motion to the stream, and tips of the probes are located near a center axis of the cylindrical section so they are free of any liquid phase particles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2010
    Publication date: December 22, 2011
    Applicant: LOS ROBLES ADVERTISING, INC.
    Inventors: Ralph A. Dalla Betta, Daniel R. Kurz, Bruce B. Burton, Ricardo Martinez, Jerome L. Kurz
  • Publication number: 20110303002
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a single-wire anemometric probe, or an n-wire (n>1) probe, for making measurements near a surface, comprising, for at least one of the wires: a) positioning and holding of a straight portion of the wire, comprising a metal core surrounded by a protective sheath, on two surfaces; b) elimination of a part of the sheath, to expose an active wire measurement zone; and c) the wire is soldered on two pins of the probe body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2009
    Publication date: December 15, 2011
    Applicant: COMMISSARIAT A L'ENERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ENERGIES ALTERNATIVES
    Inventor: Jean-Paul Moro
  • Patent number: 8002199
    Abstract: Sensors, apparatus and methods are disclosed for detecting airflow direction between two volumes. The preferred airflow sensor includes a tube for conducting an airflow stream between the volumes, a first temperature sensor sensing ambient temperature in the first volume and a second temperature sensor sensing temperature of the airflow stream in the tube. A heat source heats air in the tube adjacent the end thereof communicating with the second volume and a comparator receives and compares output signals from the temperature sensors, providing an output indicative thereof. Various means are provided responsive to the output advancing appropriate response thereto. The disclosed sensors, apparatus and methods are particularly well adapted for indicating positive and negative pressure differentials at flues associated with combustion appliances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Inventor: Millard A. Habegger
  • Patent number: 7971478
    Abstract: A wind sensor includes first and second elements in an orthogonal axis arrangement and a calibration data array comprising first calibration data associated with the first element and second calibration array data associated with second element. An anemometric processor determines a wind speed (S) and direction (W) for an airflow received by the first and second elements using a first electrical parameter associated with the first element and the first calibration array data and a second electrical parameter associated with the second element and the second calibration array data. A wind sensing probe can have a pair of wind sensing elements, wherein each element has a core formed of a low specific heat, low density, high temperature plastic polymer, with two metal leads extending from the ends of core. A wind sensing element can include a fine Nickel alloy coil wound around an aforementioned core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Inventors: Harvey Harrison, Richard Paskowsky
  • Publication number: 20110079072
    Abstract: A wind sensor includes first and second elements in an orthogonal axis arrangement and a calibration data array comprising first calibration data associated with the first element and second calibration array data associated with second element. An anemometric processor determines a wind speed (S) and direction (W) for an airflow received by the first and second elements using a first electrical parameter associated with the first element and the first calibration array data and a second electrical parameter associated with the second element and the second calibration array data. A wind sensing probe can have a pair of wind sensing elements, wherein each element has a core formed of a low specific heat, low density, high temperature plastic polymer, with two metal leads extending from the ends of core. A wind sensing element can include a fine Nickel alloy coil wound around an aforementioned core.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2009
    Publication date: April 7, 2011
    Inventors: Harvey Harrison, Richard Paskowsky
  • Patent number: 7891238
    Abstract: A flow sensor apparatus and method. A seal with a conductive interconnect is provided that includes a mass flow sense element mounted to a housing containing a thick film and/or thin film bridge structure for sensing media (e.g., mass flow) within a flow tube. The seal effectively isolates wirebond pads and electrical connections from the sensed media. The media, whether liquid or gas, can contain ionics that eventually contaminate the top of the mass flow sense element. The use of the seal with the conductive interconnect thus seals off the electrical connections and prevents exposure to the sensed media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Craig Scott Becke, Lamar Floyd Ricks, Jamie W. Speldrich
  • Publication number: 20110036161
    Abstract: A constant temperature hot-conductor anemometer includes a set of electrically conductive pins including a pair of inner pins and a pair of outer pins. A conductor is electrically and mechanically coupled to the pins. A current source is coupled to the inner pins. The current source is configured to provide a current through the conductor between the inner pins. A voltage sensor is coupled to the outer pins and configured to measure a voltage across the conductor between the outer pins. The current source and voltage sensor are configured to maintain a constant resistance of the conductor between the inner pins. In an example, a second set of pins, a second conductor and a second circuit are also used to measure dynamic temperature of a fluid and also to calibrate resistances at a known ambient temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2009
    Publication date: February 17, 2011
    Applicant: CareFusion 207, Inc.
    Inventors: Dan Graboi, Finn Sveen, John Garriott
  • Patent number: 7870784
    Abstract: A sensor assembly for use in measuring wind velocity is described that includes a body that includes at least one surface a flow path defined at least partially by the at least one surface. The sensor assembly further includes a wire extending from the at least one surface, and the wire further extends at least partially through the flow path. The sensor assembly is configured to determine wind velocity when a current is induced to the wire as air flows through the flow path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Pedro Arsuaga Santos
  • Patent number: 7854164
    Abstract: A flowmeter determines the flow direction of a fluid. The flowmeter has a measuring element, around which the fluid flows. The measuring element has fiber-optic cable and at least two electrical heating elements that lie adjacent to the fiber-optic cable(s) by which a respective heat stream emanating from the respective heating element and directed towards the fiber-optic cable, the directions of the heat streams being at least proportionately reversed. In addition, depending on the flow direction of the fluid, the individual heat streams are correlated to different extents with the flow direction. An electromagnetic wave that can be coupled into the fiber-optic cable(s) can also be influenced according to the temperature of the fiber-optic cable(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Thomas Bosselmann, Michael Willsch
  • Publication number: 20100206065
    Abstract: A wind speed detecting circuit includes a heating unit, a first temperature sensor, a second temperature sensor, a control unit and a driving unit. The first temperature sensor detects a first temperature of an internal portion of an electronic device, thereby generating a first detecting signal. The second temperature sensor detects a second temperature of the heating unit, thereby generating a second detecting signal. The control unit generates a modulation signal according to the first detecting signal and the second detecting signal. In response to the modulation signal, the driving unit generates a driving signal to control operations of the heating unit, so that a temperature difference between the first temperature and the second temperature is maintained constant. A specified relation between the wind speed and the modulation signal facilitates discriminating whether a dust-proof element of the electronic device needs to be replaced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2010
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Applicant: DELTA ELECTRONICS, INC.
    Inventors: Wu-Hua Hsiao, Ren-Chun Chang
  • Publication number: 20100154532
    Abstract: A flow sensor apparatus and method. A seal with a conductive interconnect is provided that includes a mass flow sense element mounted to a housing containing a thick film and/or thin film bridge structure for sensing media (e.g., mass flow) within a flow tube. The seal effectively isolates wirebond pads and electrical connections from the sensed media. The media, whether liquid or gas, can contain ionics that eventually contaminate the top of the mass flow sense element. The use of the seal with the conductive interconnect thus seals off the electrical connections and prevents exposure to the sensed media.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2009
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Inventors: Craig Scott Becke, Lamar Floyd Ricks, Jamie W. Speldrich
  • Publication number: 20100140953
    Abstract: A sensor assembly for use in measuring wind velocity is described that includes a body that includes at least one surface a flow path defined at least partially by the at least one surface. The sensor assembly further includes a wire extending from the at least one surface, and the wire further extends at least partially through the flow path. The sensor assembly is configured to determine wind velocity when a current is induced to the wire as air flows through the flow path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2009
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventor: Pedro Arsuaga Santos
  • Publication number: 20090107231
    Abstract: A flowmeter determines the flow direction of a fluid. The flowmeter has a measuring element, around which the fluid flows. The measuring element has fiber-optic cable and at least two electrical heating elements that lie adjacent to the fiber-optic cable(s) by which a respective heat stream emanating from the respective heating element and directed towards the fiber-optic cable, the directions of the heat streams being at least proportionately reversed. In addition, depending on the flow direction of the fluid, the individual heat streams are correlated to different extents with the flow direction. An electromagnetic wave that can be coupled into the fiber-optic cable(s) can also be influenced according to the temperature of the fiber-optic cable(s).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2007
    Publication date: April 30, 2009
    Inventors: Thomas Bosselmann, Michael Willsch
  • Publication number: 20090084177
    Abstract: A thermal flow measurement system includes at least first and second sensors for detecting heat loss due to fluid flowing in a conduit. The first and second sensors are spaced a predetermined distance apart. An electronics subsystem is responsive to the at least first and second sensors and configured to receive input signals from the first and second sensors including direct current and alternating current components, and to output alternating current signals for determination of flow velocity of the fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2007
    Publication date: April 2, 2009
    Inventors: Xiaolei S. Ao, Edward Randall Furlong, Oleg Khrakovsky
  • Publication number: 20090013776
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of protecting aircraft in flight against clear air turbulence (CAT). Consider an aircraft occupying a position P and moving horizontally at a speed V, a plane PH0 being the horizontal plane passing through P. According to the invention, the method includes performing at least one pair of evaluations of air temperature TB, TC at two points B, C which have positions that are symmetrical relative to the plane PH0. At least one pair of horizontal air speed evaluations are performed VHB, VHC at the two points B, C; An air temperature gradient is determined; A horizontal air speed gradient is determined; An index signifying a presence of CAT is determined; The preceding steps are repeated; A trend is analyzed over time of the index.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2008
    Publication date: January 15, 2009
    Applicant: THALES
    Inventors: Herve Barny, Jean-Claude Lehureau, Patrick Feneyrou
  • Patent number: 7452127
    Abstract: An anemometer with non-contact temperature measurement capability, including a air velocity meter, contained at least partially in a housing and having outputs relating to measured air velocity parameters including air velocity and ambient temperature, an output display contained in the housing, for displaying measurements to a user, a non-contact optically-based internal temperature sensing device, having an output related to optically sensed IR temperature and circuitry contained in the housing for processing both the air velocity or volume meter output and the temperature sensing device output, and transmitting the processed output to the output display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Extech Instruments Corporation
    Inventor: Gerald W. Blakely, III
  • Publication number: 20080276702
    Abstract: Fluid current measurement by means of resistance differentials in thermistor. Input parameters to micro-processor like fluid temperature, depth, change in electrical resistance, direction sensors. Output calculation of fluid current, current direction, temperature, danger level and recommended safe distance from the boat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2007
    Publication date: November 13, 2008
    Inventor: Yaron Ankori
  • Patent number: 7197925
    Abstract: Wind indicator apparatus for indicating air flow comprising: a direction pointer, including a vane member, for providing a visible indication of air flow direction; pivoting means including a fixed portion for coupling to a sailing craft and a pivotable portion able to pivot with respect to said fixed portion and with which said direction pointer is entrained for movement therewith; and a counterbalance extending from said pivotable portion of said pivoting means and arranged to move therewith, the mass of the counterbalance being disposed so as to maintain the direction pointer in a substantially level position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2007
    Inventor: Jude Barker-Mill
  • Patent number: 7054767
    Abstract: A thermal mass flowmeter with temperature correction. The flowmeter includes a bridge, a signal conditioner, and a balancer. The balancer provides a bridge signal as feedback to the bridge that balances a flow sensor signal and the temperature sensor signal from the bridge. The flow sensor signal or the temperature sensor signal are adjusted by an overheat factor and a temperature correction factor. The temperature correction factor is determined using a predetermined function of a temperature of the fluid. Methods of determining parameters of the predefined function and using the flowmeter for determining a flow rate of the fluid are disclosed. The flowmeter provides device for determining a flow rate of a fluid over a wide range of temperature and flow rates as well as providing device for determining the temperature of the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: Eldridge Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark F. Eldridge
  • Patent number: 6895812
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a cup anemometer having at least two cups (1) each attached to an arm (2) of a hub (3) on a rotary shaft. By cup is meant a generally seen cup-shaped body with a concave inner surface (6) and a convex outer surface (7) which meet at the opening of the cup. The opening of the cup is directed essentially along the tangent to the rotational path of the cups. The invention is based on the fact that the cups are truncated at their opening by means of three cuts (14, 15, 16) which are esentially located in three planes that are parallel with the tangent of the rotational path of the cups at the opening and that, projected on a fourth plane (9) having the tangent as normal, essentially form a triangle. The cups are attached to their arms (2) at one of the three corners (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2005
    Inventor: Jan-Ake Dahlberg
  • Patent number: 6826493
    Abstract: A method is provided for determining a load on an object immersed in a fluid stream under a set of flow and attitude conditions associated with unsteady flow phenomena. The method comprises measuring surface heat transfer at a plurality of surface locations on the object under the flow and attitude conditions to provide a set of heat transfer data. The heat transfer data are used to determine an indicator surface location of at least one critical flow feature indicator. The method further comprises calculating a load coefficient using the indicator surface location of the at least one critical flow feature indicator and calculating the load from the load coefficient and the flow and attitude conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2004
    Assignee: Tao of Systems Integration, Inc.
    Inventor: Siva M. Mangalam
  • Patent number: 6705158
    Abstract: A hot wire anemometer comprising a support member having a data processing system, probe head with a hot wire sensor and an ambient temperature sensor and an extendable portion having conductors therein for transfer of collected data and command data between the data processing system in the handle and the hot wire and ambient sensors in the probe head, thus conveniently allowing the probe head to be extended far from the support member and into a desired test area for accurate data collection to determine the velocity of fluid flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Inventor: Phil Louden
  • Patent number: 6543298
    Abstract: A method of generating, for an aircraft, a total air temperature compensated for recovery or deicing heater error includes measuring a total air temperature with a total air temperature probe. A local angle of attack for the total air temperature probe is determined. Then, a corrected total air temperature, compensated for recovery or deicing heater error, is generated as a function of the measured total air temperature and the determined local angle of attack for the total air temperature probe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Rosemount Aerospace Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis J. Cronin, Steve F. Alwin
  • Publication number: 20030010109
    Abstract: A method of generating, for an aircraft, a total air temperature compensated for recovery or deicing heater error includes measuring a total air temperature with a total air temperature probe. A local angle of attack for the total air temperature probe is determined. Then, a corrected total air temperature, compensated for recovery or deicing heater error, is generated as a function of the measured total air temperature and the determined local angle of attack for the total air temperature probe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2001
    Publication date: January 16, 2003
    Inventors: Dennis J. Cronin, Steve F. Alwin
  • Patent number: 6380535
    Abstract: Disclosed are flow separation detectors and, more particularly feedback sensor arrangements adapted to provide for the measurement of surface aerodynamic flow phenomena, and especially with regard to aerodynamic flow separation which is encountered over a surface. In order to obviate or ameliorate the electrical energy requirements in the provision of feedback sensor arrangements, particularly such which are employed for a closed-loop control of aerodynamic flow separation; for instance, that on the wing of an aircraft wherein there can be encountered a breakdown of a boundary-layer flow which may adversely affect the performance of the aircraft, provided is a novel system of flow separation sensors which are based on fiber optics and which may be employed for separation feedback control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Todd G. Wetzel, Sandra F. Feldman