Abstract: A microcalorimeter device capable of measuring cellular bioenergetics and systems that are limited in analytic volume. The microcalorimeter device provides sub-nWatt resolution and even tens of pico-Watt resolution, thus enabling resolution of the metabolic rate of a single cell.

Abstract: A multi-purpose Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) thermopile sensor able to use as a thermal conductivity sensor, a Pirani vacuum sensor, a thermal flow sensor and a non-contact infrared temperature sensor, respectively.

Abstract: An airflow sensor for a heat sink has a substantially flat base portion and a deformable upper portion electrically coupled to the base portion that contacts a conductive strip. As airflow increases, the deformable upper portion deforms and moves away from the source of airflow, which moves the point of contact between the deformable upper portion and the conductive strip farther away from the source of the airflow. The difference in the point of contact is measured, and is used to characterize the airflow sensor for different airflows. Data from the airflow sensor can then be logged during system operation. When needed, the data from the airflow sensor can be read from the log and converted to airflow using the airflow sensor characterization data. In this manner the airflow through a heat sink may be dynamically measured, allowing analysis and correlation between system events and airflow through the heat sink.

Abstract: A small item holder for holding small items that includes a pocket opened on one side and formed from a thin material. The pocket can include a guide stich having a first end in close proximity to a corner of the pocket near the opening and a second end at a centerline of the pocket slightly below the opening. The guide stich can be positioned parallel to or at an angle and with respect to the opening. The pocket can further include a partition stich being partially positioned along the centerline of the pocket. The partition stich can start at the second end of the guide stich and continue to an approximate midpoint of the centerline. The partition stich partitions the pocket into a first compartment and a second compartment with the first compartment and the second compartment being interconnected.

Abstract: This invention is related to a microfabricated microelectromechanical systems (a.k.a. MEMS) silicon thermal mass flow sensor integrated with a micromachined thermopile temperature sensor as a flow inception detection sensor. The micromachined thermopile sensor is used to detect the inception of mass flow and therefore to trigger the operation of mass flow sensor from its hibernating mode. By this method, the battery-operated flow speed measuring apparatus can save great deal of electricity and significantly extend the life span of battery. A new design of micromachined thermopile sensor with serpentine shape is used to reduce the complexity of microfabrication process and to increase the flexibility and options for material selection. In order to enhance the sensitivity of the thermopile temperature sensor, a method to maximize the quantity of the junctions is provided as well.

Abstract: Provided is a highly accurate, highly reliable gas flow rate measurement device that provides an enlarged temperature range over which the resolution at a high temperature and at a low temperature can be increased to achieve high accuracy no matter whether the characteristics of a gas temperature detection element are nonlinear. The gas flow rate measurement device includes a plurality of resistors that are disposed in a gas flow path, a gas flow rate detection circuit that outputs a gas flow rate detection signal in accordance with the flow rate of a gas flowing in the gas flow path by detecting a current flowing in the resistors or by detecting a voltage generated in accordance with the current, and a gas temperature detection element 1 that detects the temperature of the gas in the gas flow path.

Abstract: This invention is related to a microfabricated microelectromechanical systems (a.k.a. MEMS) silicon thermal mass flow sensor integrated with a micromachined thermopile temperature sensor as a flow inception detection sensor. The micromachined thermopile sensor is used to detect the inception of mass flow and therefore to trigger the operation of mass flow sensor from its hibernating mode. By this method, the battery-operated flow speed measuring apparatus can save great deal of electricity and significantly extend the life span of battery. A new design of micromachined thermopile sensor with serpentine shape is used to reduce the complexity of microfabrication process and to increase the flexibility and options for material selection. In order to enhance the sensitivity of the thermopile temperature sensor, a method to maximize the quantity of the junctions is provided as well.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention provides a flow sensing apparatus including: a fluid channel that allows a fluid to flow in a first direction; a first thermoelectric sensing element arranged at a first position along the fluid channel such that it senses a temperature of the fluid; a second thermoelectric sensing element arranged at a second position along the fluid channel and separated from the first sensing element by a predetermined distance along the fluid channel; and a heating element arranged between the first and second thermoelectric sensing elements, the heating element being equally spaced from the first and second thermoelectric sensing elements.

Abstract: A velocity probe capable of measuring all the three components of a velocity vector simultaneously by correlating data from three or more thermocouples is shown and described.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring a fluid microflow velocity within a capillary conduit, comprises: a) at least one thermoelectric cooler having a heating and a cooling surface, said heating surface being suitable for heating a fluid flowing over it and said cooling surface being suitable for cooling said fluid; and b) a capillary conduit through which said fluid flows, said capillary conduit passing through said at least one thermoelectric cooler in heat-exchanging positioned relationship with its heating and cooling surfaces.

Abstract: A temperature control system for controlling the rate of flow of a flammable fluid at generally constant pressure is disclosed. The system may include a flow control apparatus that is free of a regulator mechanism, for affecting the flow of the fluid. The flow control apparatus may be operable between at least a first flow rate and a second flow rate, and may have at least one upstream opening and at least one downstream opening. The system may also include a first burner in fluid communication with the downstream opening of the flow control apparatus and a conduit in fluid communication at one end thereof with the upstream opening of the flow control apparatus, and configured at the other end thereof for connection to a fuel supply. A thermocouple may be located in the vicinity of the burner, for converting a sensed thermal state into an electrical signal.

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.

Abstract: A temperature measuring device comprises a thermocouple junction having a plurality of conductors and a length of cable having at least one conductor coupling to at least one of the conductors of the thermocouple junction, wherein at least one the conductor in the length of cable comprises an iron, copper, constantan, or nickel-based alloy material having a grain size number of four or greater, measured by a grain size method defined by ASTM E112. The use of such a small grain size prevents fracture of the conductors. The length of cable may comprise mineral insulated cable, and the conductors in the length of cable may be of type K or type N.

Abstract: A simple method and apparatus for contactless rapid and inexpensive motion checking of flat objects, preferably of currency papers. The objects need not be identical in size, thickness, surface appearance, configuration nor deterioration. The checking is carried out by detecting of airflow oscillation under unexpected stoppage of testing object or air movement around the object especially on its front and back edges.

Abstract: A simple method and apparatus for contactless rapid and inexpensive motion checking of flat objects, preferably of currency papers. The objects need not be identical in size, thickness, surface appearance, configuration nor deterioration. The checking is carried out by detecting of airflow oscillation under unexpected stoppage of testing object or air movement around the object especially on its front and back edges.

Abstract: A gas detection sensor permits precise measurement of the concentration of flammable gas in a detection or subject gas and the concentration of oxygen in a detection gas containing flammable gases. In the sensor, the heating of the sensor by contact catalytic reaction of flammable gas gives off a detection signal of the flammable gas. The gas detection sensor has a first detection sensor including a diaphragm having a platinum coat on a side which the flowing detection gas comes in contact with, and a thermocouple having respective ends of two different metals placed close to each other and fixed on the side of the diaphragm not coming in contact with the flowing detection gas and which is heated by the contact catalytic reaction of flammable gas. A second detection sensor similar to the first detection sensor detects the temperature of the flowing detection gas.

Abstract: Embodiments of a flowmeter and velocity measurement method are described, which include preferably a dual element thermocouple that is immersed in a flowing fluid and a computer that processes, validates, and calculates data to arrive at a velocity measurement for fluids at low flow rates. A temperature differential is created by the Peltier effect when electric current is applied to one thermocouple pair in the dual element thermocouple, and this temperature differential causes heat transfer to occur between the fluid and the thermocouple. The temperature response of the cooled junction of the thermocouple is preferably measured using the second pair of the dual element thermocouple while the electric current is pulsed on and off.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for providing a velocity flow profile near a reference surface. A measuring device utilizes a plurality of thermojunction pairs to provide the velocity flow profile in accordance with behavior of a gas relative to a constant thickness strut which stands vertically from the reference surface such that the span is normal to the surface, and the chord is parallel to the surface along the initial flow direction. Each thermojunction is carried on either side of a heater formed on a measuring surface in a constant thickness portion of a strut. Additionally, each thermojunction of a given pair is located at a predetermined height from the reference surface. Gas velocity data obtained from temperature differentials from one side of the heater to the other at each successive height is utilized to generate the velocity and turbulence level profiles.

Abstract: A device for measuring the velocity of flow of a fluid, with at least one thermocouple (10), whose junction point is arranged in the fluid, with an a.c. power source (11) heating the thermocouple to a working temperature higher than the temperature of the fluid and with an evaluating circuit (12, 13) processing the thermocouple voltage, is to be improved such that the temperature dependence of the heat conductivity of the fluid to be investigated is compensated in a simple manner. To accomplish this object, the temperature coefficient of the ohmic resistance of the thermocouple (10) is adapted to the temperature dependence of the heat conductivity of the fluid such that the heating power converted in the thermocouple (10) during a change in temperature and unchanged current varies by exactly the same amount as the amount of heat released to the fluid due to the changed heat conduction.