By Thermal Property Patents (Class 73/25.01)
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Publication number: 20130091927Abstract: A system for detecting aberrations within a workpiece having a conduit with an input end and an output end is disclosed. The system comprises a fluid delivery device arranged proximate to input end of conduit to pass fluid into input end of the conduit, the fluid delivery device having one or more fluid controllers that control one or more conditions of the fluid passed thereby, a sensor having an input and an output, the input arranged proximate to output end of conduit to measure one or more conditions of the fluid experienced by input, a workpiece exciter situated to excite workpiece and a processor having an input connected to the output of sensor, the processor having a correlator to correlate any changed of the one or more conditions of the fluid experienced by input of sensor with an excitement of workpiece by sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 10, 2012Publication date: April 18, 2013Applicant: THERMAL WAVE IMAGING, INC.Inventor: THERMAL WAVE IMAGING, INC.
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Publication number: 20130091926Abstract: Systems and methods to determine ozone concentration in a gas mixture of ozone and oxygen, based on measurements of the total gas mixture properties, can enable the measurements of ozone concentration at low pressure settings. The ozone concentration determination can be applied to vacuum processing chamber, using either novel ozone sensor or existing mass flow meter or controller.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 12, 2011Publication date: April 18, 2013Applicant: INTERMOLECULAR, INC.Inventors: ShouQian Shao, Jay DeDontney, Jason Wright
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Publication number: 20130091925Abstract: Black shales differ from conventional gas plays in that in most cases there exists minimal geological scale gas migration. Thus, it is difficult to perform accurate reservoir characterization using classic geophysical and geological techniques (i.e. seismic analysis, gravity anomalies, structural geology, etc.). The principal technique that has traditionally been applied to determine the genetic history of gases or other fluids in the Earth's crust is the analysis of carbon isotopic composition of hydrocarbon gases and carbon dioxide, which has significant gaps in differentiating thermal and migrational histories. The present invention describes a method to determine the genetic fingerprint (i.e. identify the source formation and migration histories) of hydrocarbon gases or other crustal fluids of a geological system at lower cost and greater accuracy than existing methods (carbon and hydrogen isotopes) by analyzing the intrinsic, atmospheric and radiogenic (i.e.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 12, 2012Publication date: April 18, 2013Inventors: Thomas Henry Darrah, Robert Joseph Poreda
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Publication number: 20130081445Abstract: The described sensor allows determination of the concentration of a gas in a two-component mixture at variable pressure by measuring the diffusivity and the thermal conductivity. The sensor is provided to alternately heat the membrane (12) of a thermally conductive cell (1) and allow it to cool such that the temperature TM of the membrane passes from a first stable value to a second stable value and vice versa via a transient mode. The cell produces a signal representative of the temperature TM of the membrane and the sensor extracts from the signal a first and a second parameter that respectively relate to said first stable value and said transient mode of the signal. A value of the concentration of said gas and of the pressure of said two-mixture is calculated from these two parameters.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 20, 2012Publication date: April 4, 2013Applicant: BELENOS CLEAN POWER HOLDING AGInventor: BELENOS CLEAN POWER HOLDING AG
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Patent number: 8405991Abstract: A heat transfer element temperature variation system is disclosed. In one embodiment, the system includes: a heat transfer element configured to thermally couple to an insulating fluid within an electrical device; an ambient temperature sensor; and a control system coupled to the heat transfer element and the ambient temperature sensor, the control system for instructing the heat transfer element to adjust a temperature of the insulating fluid within the electrical device based upon a temperature indicator from the ambient temperature sensor.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2011Date of Patent: March 26, 2013Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Anik Roy Trudel, Mariana Barbulescu, Yong Ng Tong
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Publication number: 20130000384Abstract: Gas pressure in a cavity is detected with a rod-shaped casing that attaches to an hole that opens into the cavity. A porous filter whose top end face matches with a mold cavity face at a top end of the rod-shaped casing separates gas from melt. Cavity gas from an introduction chamber introduces gas through the porous filter, and a gas pressure sensor detects pressure in the chamber. Melt pressure in the cavity is detected with a pressure transmission rod inserted into the rod-shaped casing whose top end face matches with the mold cavity face, and a pressure sensor fixed and held facing a rear end of the pressure transmission rod detects the cavity melt pressure. Cavity melt temperature is detected with a temperature sensor attached to a thin hole formed at the pressure transmission rod's center and includes a thermocouple at a top end part side of the hole.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 18, 2011Publication date: January 3, 2013Inventors: Masahiro Yamaguchi, Yutaka Iwamoto
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Patent number: 8340468Abstract: Feature points (41, 42, 43) in the heat image (10) of a casting die (1) are extracted and a predetermined geometrical conversion processing is performed on the heat image (10) such that the feature points are superimposed on the reference feature points (61, 62, 63) set in a reference heat image (30) picked up previously to generate a corrected heat image (20). A difference image (40) is generated by superimposing the corrected heat image (20) and the reference heat image (30) such that the corrected feature points (51, 52, 53) in the corrected heat image (20) is superimposed on the corresponding reference feature points (61, 62, 63). With such an arrangement, a highly reliable difference image can be generated even when the imaging field of vision slips off among a plurality of heat images.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2008Date of Patent: December 25, 2012Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, MEIWA e-TEC co., ltd.Inventors: Yuichi Furukawa, Shingo Nakamura, Yuji Okada, Fumio Kawahara
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Publication number: 20120309100Abstract: A sample preparation chamber for gas analysis that includes a heating element within is provided. The heating element is maintained at an elevated temperature, such that organic compounds that may be present in an input gas sample are removed via oxidation and/or thermal decomposition to provide a treated gas sample that is substantially free of organic contaminants. The treated gas sample may then be analyzed in a gas analysis instrument (e.g., an optical spectroscopic instrument, a mass spectrometer, etc.) to provide results that are free from interference due to organic contaminants. Preferably, the heating element is configured as a Ni—Cr wire. An important feature of this approach is that the heating element (and the rest of the sample preparation chamber) are not altered in operation to remove the organic compounds.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 31, 2011Publication date: December 6, 2012Inventors: Gregor Hsiao, Joshua T. Oen
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Publication number: 20120304739Abstract: According to one embodiment, a generated gas collecting method collects a generated gas after exposing the interior of a chamber to an organic gas having a boiling point higher than that of the generated gas.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 3, 2012Publication date: December 6, 2012Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBAInventors: Akihiro KOMATSU, Takahiro IMAMURA
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Patent number: 8256267Abstract: In a method of determining amounts of condensable species present in a gas containing condensable species a probe is placed into a gas containing condensable species. The probe has a plurality of spaced apart contacts on an outer non-conductive surface. That surface is heated at a selected heating rate and then cooled at a selected cooling rate over a selected time period. During that time period current flow between the contacts and the temperature of the non-conductive surface is monitored over the selected time period. Peaks in a plot of the current flow over the selected time period and the temperature for the time corresponding to each peak are then correlated to the condensable species has a kinetic dew point at each identified temperature. The identified temperature for each identified species is compared to a predetermined correlation of dew point temperature and concentration for that species to determine the concentration of that condensable species present in the gas.Type: GrantFiled: August 12, 2009Date of Patent: September 4, 2012Assignee: Breen Energy SolutionsInventors: Chetan Chothani, Charles A. Lockert, Bernard P. Breen
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Publication number: 20120204622Abstract: Gas analyzer systems and methods for measuring concentrations of gasses and in particular dry mole fraction of components of a gas. The systems and method allow for rapid measurement of the gas density and/or dry mole fraction of gases for a number of environmental monitoring applications, including high speed flux measurements. A novel coupling design allows for tool-free removal of a cell enclosing a flow path to enable in field cleaning of optical components.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 20, 2012Publication date: August 16, 2012Applicant: Li-Cor, Inc.Inventors: Michael D. Furtaw, Robert D. Eckles, Georgiy G. Burba, Dayle K. McDermitt, Jonathan M. Welles
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Publication number: 20120192621Abstract: A heatable flow-through measuring cell for a gas analyzer having an inner tube made of a corrosion-resistant material, such as stainless steel, and is terminated at each end with a respective end piece and a radiolucent window held therein. The measuring cell also includes an electrical heating apparatus for heating each end piece, an outer tube that coaxially surrounds the inner tube so as to form a narrow gap and is made of material with good thermal conductivity, such as aluminum, and includes thermal insulation that surrounds the outer tube.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 16, 2010Publication date: August 2, 2012Applicant: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventor: Michael Ludwig
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Publication number: 20120161796Abstract: A gas-sensitive material is disclosed for detecting CO2 for use in semiconductor-based gas sensors. The gas-sensitive material may comprise one or more Ba-containing phases and one or more W-containing phases, at least one of the Ba-containing phases being different than at least one of the W-containing phases; the one or more Ba-containing phases comprising at least one of BaCO3, BaO-rich glass, BaWO4, or any combination thereof; and the one or more W-containing phases comprising at least one of BaWO4, WO3, W(OH)6, or any combination thereof. The material may further comprise one or more oxides selected from the group CuO, Bi2O3, Sb2O3, Sb2O5, La2O3, Cr2O3, Fe2O3, NiO, and TiO2, and any combination thereof. The material may further comprise one or more dopants such as Pt, Pd, Ag, Au or their compounds, and any combination thereof. In one embodiment, the material comprises a mixture of BaO-rich glass, BaWO4, and WO3.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2010Publication date: June 28, 2012Inventors: Peter Smith, Leon Cavanagh
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Publication number: 20120151996Abstract: A gasoline blend and a method for producing a gasoline blend containing low concentrations of a butanol isomer and having good cold start and warm-up driveability characteristics are disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 16, 2011Publication date: June 21, 2012Applicant: BUTAMAX(TM) ADVANCED BIOFUELS LLCInventors: James J. Baustian, Leslie R. Wolf
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Patent number: 8201992Abstract: New sensors and methods for qualitative and quantitative analysis of multiple gaseous substances simultaneously with both high selectivity and high sensitivity are provided. The new sensors rely on a characteristic difference in energy between the interaction of a particular substance with a catalyst coated heat transfer device (HTD) and a non-catalyst coated (or one coated with a different catalyst) reference HTD. Molecular detection is achieved by an exothermic or endothermic chemical or physical reaction between the catalytic surface of the sensor and the molecule, tending to induce a temperature change of the sensor. Both high temperature and non-destructive low temperature detection are possible. The magnitude and rate of endothermic or exothermic heat transfer from a specific molecule-catalyst interaction is related to molecular concentration.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 2007Date of Patent: June 19, 2012Assignee: Sensor Tech, Inc.Inventors: Michael L. Horovitz, Karl F. Anderson
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Patent number: 8186201Abstract: A multi-sensor gas detector includes a solid state heatable gas sensor, and at least one, different, infrared gas sensor. Emitted radiant energy from a heated surface of the solid state gas sensor, incident on the infrared gas sensor generates an output signal indicative thereof. The output signal and a signal from the solid state gas sensor can be coupled to evaluation circuits. The evaluation circuits can be implemented with a programmable processor and associated, executable control software to establish the presence of a target gas. One or more gas detectors can be incorporated into a regional monitoring system that includes a control unit coupled to a plurality of fire, smoke or gas detectors.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2008Date of Patent: May 29, 2012Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventor: Dragan Petrovic
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Patent number: 8156789Abstract: To provide a gas sensor chip, and a gas sensor provided therewith, capable of producing stable output characteristics over an extended period of time even when installed in a harsh environment such as a boiler smokestack carrying exhaust gasses. There is a backside structure wherein a catalyst carrier that contacts a gas to be measured is disposed on one side of a thermal conductor, a temperature sensing portion is disposed in a location that does not contact the gas to be measured, on the other side of the thermal conductor, and the temperature sensing portion measures the temperature corresponding to the temperature of the catalyst carrier through the thermal conductor, to enable the sensing of the amount of flow over an extended period of time without the temperature sensing portion being negatively affected by the gas to be measured.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 2009Date of Patent: April 17, 2012Assignee: Yamatake CorporationInventors: Tomohisa Tokuda, Shinsuke Matsunaga, Yoshiyuki Nakazaki, Kouichirou Hotta
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Patent number: 8146403Abstract: A gas sensor includes a gas responsive pellistor and associated information specific to that pellistor. The information can include environmental compensation information, such as temperature or humidity compensation information or other manufacturing information, and is stored in a computer readable medium. Such information can be used by local circuitry in compensating the sensor while making ambient gas level determinations.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2008Date of Patent: April 3, 2012Assignee: Life Safety Distribution AGInventors: Anthony R. Cowburn, David F. Davies, Jonathan H. Gilby
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Patent number: 8139905Abstract: A temperature sensor is disclosed. The sensor includes an optical fiber and at least one twin-grating structure formed on the optical fiber. Each twin-grating structure includes a first optical grating structure, a second optical grating structure adjacent the first optical grating structure, and a sensing cavity disposed between the first and second optical grating structures. Each twin-grating structure is selectively responsive to a unique wavelength of light to generate an optical interference fringe signal. For each twin-grating structure, an optical property of the twin-grating structure and a phase of the optical interference fringe signal generated by the twin-grating structure are determined by a temperature of the twin-grating structure.Type: GrantFiled: October 8, 2010Date of Patent: March 20, 2012Inventor: Michael Louis Bazzone
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Patent number: 8118481Abstract: A detector for identifying a fluid is disclosed. The detector comprises a probe having a thermistor, the probe being arranged to be exposed to a fluid and to allow thermal flow between the fluid and the thermistor; a temperature sensor to measure the ambient temperature of the fluid and a controller. The controller is arranged to supply electrical power to the thermistor and to provide an output indicative of the identity of the fluid based upon whether the electrical power supplied to the thermistor is above or below a threshold value. The threshold value is adjustable in accordance with the measured ambient temperature of the fluid. Examples of such a detector provide reliable fluid identification despite variations in ambient temperature of the fluid and such a detector may be compact, inexpensive, reliable and robust.Type: GrantFiled: September 5, 2008Date of Patent: February 21, 2012Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventor: Philip George Camp
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Patent number: 8098967Abstract: A magnetic flux sensor is disclosed. The sensor comprises an optical fiber and at least one twin-grating structure formed on the optical fiber. Each twin-grating structure comprises a first optical grating structure, a second optical grating structure adjacent the first optical grating structure, and a sensing cavity disposed between the first and second optical grating structures. Each twin-grating structure is selectively responsive to a unique wavelength of light to generate an optical interference fringe signal. The sensor also includes a magnetostrictive coating disposed over each twin-grating structure to change an optical property of the twin-grating structure and a phase of the optical interference fringe signal when the magnetostrictive coating is exposed to changing magnetic flux.Type: GrantFiled: October 8, 2010Date of Patent: January 17, 2012Inventor: Michael Louis Bazzone
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Publication number: 20120006097Abstract: The method and apparatus are intended for monitoring the concentration of a gas in a fluid medium, such as in a liquid or gas medium. In a probe for measuring the temperature and gas concentration in the fluid medium, a gas concentration sensor comprising first and second electrodes is supported at a probe end of a tubular support. The probe end, in use, contacts the fluid medium. A thermocouple comprising a thermocouple junction and two thermocouple wires extends within the tubular support and the first electrode of the gas concentration sensor is electrically connected to the thermocouple. In the method for monitoring gas concentration, the gas concentration is measured by monitoring a voltage between at least one of the thermocouple wires and the second electrode.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 10, 2009Publication date: January 12, 2012Applicant: Environmental Monitoring and Control LimitedInventors: Mark Anthony Steele Henson, Matthew Paul Hills
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Publication number: 20110305606Abstract: A vaporizer unit having two air streams that converge to one. The vaporizer measures temperature differentials between a heating chamber and a chamber outlet and based on such measurements indicates to a user whether or not compound is present in an air stream, Additionally, the vaporizer is connectible to a smartphone. A connected smarthphone controls the functions of the vaporizer and receives information about conditions of the same.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 10, 2011Publication date: December 15, 2011Inventor: Thomas Kilby
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Publication number: 20110283772Abstract: A method is described for measuring a flow of gas passing a flow meter device. The device causes a pressure drop when a gas flows through it. The pressure drop across the device is a measure of the gas flow. The device is configured as a gas permeable tube that has a flow channel on the upstream side along the tube configured so as to decrease the cross-section of the channel downstream of the gas permeable tube. This provides for a minimum volume in the channel upstream of the device's pressure-drop-generating component.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 16, 2011Publication date: November 24, 2011Applicant: MINDRAY MEDICAL SWEDEN ABInventor: Göran Cewers
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Patent number: 8056394Abstract: In a procedure for measuring the concentration of a target gas, a gas sensor is provided whose sensor signal at constant temperature is dependent on a target gas concentration and has a lower measurement sensitivity in a first modulation range than in a second modulation range. The position of the modulation ranges is dependent on the temperature. The temperature of the gas sensor is controlled so that the sensor signal is essentially independent of the target gas concentration and lies within the second modulation range. The temperature of the gas sensor is then a measurement for the target gas concentration.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2009Date of Patent: November 15, 2011Assignee: Micronas GmbHInventors: Heinz-Peter Frerichs, Hans-Günter Zimmer, Tobias Kolleth, Christoph Wilbertz
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Publication number: 20110226041Abstract: A single chip wireless sensor comprises a microcontroller connected to a transmit/receive interface, which is coupled to a wireless antenna by an L-C matching circuit. The sensor senses gas or humidity and temperature. The device is an integrated chip manufactured in a single process in which both the electronics and sensor components are manufactured using standard CMOS processing techniques, applied to achieve both electronic and sensing components in an integrated process. A Low-K material with an organic polymer component is spun onto the wafer to form a top layer incorporating also sensing electrodes. This material is cured at 300° C., which is much lower than CVD temperatures. The polyimide when cured becomes thermoset, and the lower mass-to-volume ratio resulting in K, its dielectric constant, reducing to 2.9. The thermoset dielectric, while not regarded as porous in the conventional sense, has sufficient free space volume to admit enough gas or humidity for sensing.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 18, 2011Publication date: September 22, 2011Inventor: Timothy Cummins
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Publication number: 20110209526Abstract: Method and thermal, flow measuring device for determining at least one variable dependent on at least the chemical composition of a measured medium, wherein the measured medium has n components, wherein n is greater than or equal to two, wherein each mole fraction, volume fraction and/or mass fraction of m components of the medium is measured, wherein m is smaller than or equal to n minus one, wherein the mole fractions, volume fractions and/or mass fractions of the k components of the measured medium which are not measured, and wherein k is equal to n minus m, are established in such a manner, that the sum of the mole fractions, volume fractions and/or mass fractions of the n components amounts to one.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 27, 2009Publication date: September 1, 2011Applicant: Endress + Hauser Flowtec AGInventor: Michel Wagner
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Patent number: 7987082Abstract: A method of estimating a thermophysical property of a fluid using a local model is disclosed herein. The method includes generating, for use within the local model, a series expansion of thermodynamic equations relating to the thermophysical property and one or more derivatives involving the thermophysical property. The method further includes evaluating, based upon a set of specified values of parameters of the fluid, a first order term of the series expansion and a second order term of the series expansion. The values of the first order term and the second order term are then compared. A value of the thermophysical property is then automatically updated when the values of the first order term and the second order term are found to differ by more than a predefined amount.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2010Date of Patent: July 26, 2011Assignee: Invensys Systems, Inc.Inventors: David J. Van Peursem, Gang Xu
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Publication number: 20110162436Abstract: A sensor element having a layered construction and configured to detect a physical property of a gas or a liquid includes a functional component situated in the interior, which functional component is connected electrically to a conductor element, which conductor element extends up to the outer surface or up into the surroundings of the sensor element. The sensor element has at least one sealing element which adjoins the functional component and/or the conductor element. The conductor element and the at least one sealing element are configured to be gas-tight at least regionally in the interior of the sensor element and are situated in such a way that the functional component is separated gas-tight from the surroundings of the sensor element.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 24, 2009Publication date: July 7, 2011Inventors: Thomas Wahl, Georg Rixecker, Steffen Polster, Uwe Glanz, Gudrun Oehler, Ulrich Eisele, Benjamin Hagemann, Alexander Bluthard, Frank Schnell, Jochen Rager, Petra Kuschel
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Publication number: 20110146382Abstract: A gas sensor detects carbon dioxide, for example for use in air-conditioning systems. The gas sensor is based on a field effect transistor construction. It has a polymer-based material sensitive to carbon dioxide as gas-sensitive layer. The material has a cross-sensitivity with respect to air humidity. The influence of humidity is compensated for by using the signal of a humidity sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 14, 2010Publication date: June 23, 2011Applicant: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFTInventors: Maximilian Fleischer, Roland Pohle, Stefan Stegmeier
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Patent number: 7963147Abstract: Provided are a micro gas sensor for measuring a gas concentration configured to achieve a high heating and cooling rate of a gas sensitive layer, achieve temperature uniformity, and achieve durability against thermal impact and mechanical impact; and a method for manufacturing the micro gas sensor. The micro gas sensor includes: a vacuum cavity disposed in a substrate; a support layer covering the vacuum cavity; a sealing layer sealing the support layer and the vacuum cavity; a micro heater disposed on the sealing layer; a plurality of electrodes disposed on the micro heater, insulated from the micro heater; and a gas sensitive layer covering the electrodes.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2007Date of Patent: June 21, 2011Assignee: Electronics and Telecommunications Research InstituteInventors: Chi-Hoon Jun, Sang-Choon Ko, Hyeon-Bong Pyo, Seon-Hee Park
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Publication number: 20110138879Abstract: A method (500, 600) is described for detecting a gas concentration of a gas from a gas mixture, a plurality of gas detectors (304, 402, 404) sensitive to the gas or one gas detector (304, 404) sensitive to the gas being used in different operating states for this detection, and the method (500, 600) includes a step of providing (502) the gas detector (304, 404), the gas detector (304, 404) having a first operating temperature (310). In a next step of the method (500, 600), the gas mixture is supplied (504) to the gas detector (304, 404), a gas concentration of the gas from the gas mixture being measured by the gas detector (304, 404) at the first operating temperature (310), and a first signal (202) characteristic of the measured gas concentration being provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 29, 2010Publication date: June 16, 2011Inventors: Petra Neff, Markus Widenmeyer
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Publication number: 20110098936Abstract: There is disclosed a method for determining the heating value of a fuel, the fuel comprising at least one hydrocarbon including a first hydrocarbon present in the highest molar concentration, the method comprising: measuring the stoichiometric oxidation molar flow ratio of the fuel; determining the ideal molar heating value (HVm,i) from the measured stoichiometric oxidation molar flow ratio; measuring the molar concentration of the first hydrocarbon; and determining the real molar heating value (HVm,r) from the ideal molar heating value (HVm,i) and the molar concentration of the first hydrocarbon. An apparatus is also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 24, 2008Publication date: April 28, 2011Inventors: Johan Bats, Floris J.J Huijsmans
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Publication number: 20110061444Abstract: A ceramic heater including: a ceramic substrate having a heater element which generates heat when energized and an electrode pad disposed on a surface of the ceramic substrate, the electrode pad being electrically connected to the heater element, and a connection terminal electrically connected to the electrode pad through a braze part bonded to the electrode pad, the braze part being made of an alloy of copper and gold and the connection terminal being made of nickel or a nickel alloy, wherein a first region of the braze part within a distance of 15 ?m from a contact face between the braze part and the connection terminal has a gold content of more than 6 wt % and less than 10 wt %.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 14, 2010Publication date: March 17, 2011Applicant: NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD.Inventors: Masahito SUZUKI, Tomohiro KUWAYAMA
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Patent number: 7861575Abstract: A micro gas sensor is disclosed including a substrate; an open cavity formed in the substrate; an electrode pad separation groove formed on the substrate; a first and a second electrode pads formed over the substrate and electrically insulated from each other by the electrode pad separation groove; a micro heater connected to the first electrode pad and configured of a bridge structure suspended over the open cavity; a first sensing electrode extending from the first electrode pad and suspended over the open cavity; a second sensing electrode extending from the first electrode pad and suspended over the open cavity; and a gas sensing film electrically coupled to the micro heater and filling a gap between the first and the second sensing electrodes.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2008Date of Patent: January 4, 2011Assignee: Electronics and Telecommunications Research InstituteInventors: Chi Hoon Jun, Sang Choon Ko, Moon Youn Jung, Seon Hee Park
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Patent number: 7861590Abstract: A method for measuring an amount of a sublimate in real time with respect to a lapse of heating time, comprising: adhering the sublimate from a thermoset film during heating to a surface of a crystal oscillator using a nozzle inserted into a detection part; and measuring the amount of the sublimate from a change in a resonance frequency corresponding to the amount of the sublimate adhered to the crystal oscillator. In the method, the thermoset film may be formed on a silicon wafer and the measurement is performed while the thermoset film is heated by a heat source disposed under the silicon wafer; or the sublimate may be set so as to flow together with an airstream ascending toward an upper part of an enclosure covering the thermoset film, and the airstream directly contacts the crystal oscillator through the nozzle inserted into the detection part disposed in the path of the airstream.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2007Date of Patent: January 4, 2011Assignee: Nissan Chemical Industries, Ltd.Inventor: Yoshiomi Hiroi
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Publication number: 20100313631Abstract: A fluid discrimination apparatus and a fluid discrimination method are provided for carrying out with accuracy a fluid discrimination such as a fluid type discrimination, a concentration discrimination, the fluid existence or nonexistence discrimination, and a fluid temperature discrimination for a discriminated fluid that is stored in a tank or the like. A characteristic measured value as an index value that indicates the characteristics of the fluid to be discriminated is measured, and a discrimination of a fluid is carried out by comparing the fluid discrimination data that indicates the relationship between a fluid that has been measured in advance and a characteristic value of the fluid with the characteristic measured value.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 30, 2009Publication date: December 16, 2010Applicant: MITSUI MINING & SMELTING CO., LTD.Inventors: Kiyotaka Yanagi, Mayuko Tsuruda
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Patent number: 7845209Abstract: An arrangement is disclosed for monitoring an installation for thermal loading, having at least one sensor and having evaluation electronics which are connected to the at least one sensor. An indicator substance is arranged at least one point or on at least one component in the installation. The amount of the indicator substances released into the environment is temperature-dependent. The indicator substance can be detected by the at least one sensor.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2005Date of Patent: December 7, 2010Assignee: ABB AGInventors: Jens Köhler, Hans-Peter Merkel
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Patent number: 7824618Abstract: Provided is a sensor structure comprising a heater and a temperature sensor at the center of a membrane having a well structure, allowing a temperature to be rapidly controlled with low power, and the object is analyzed using a conductivity change measured at two or more substrate temperatures with a pair of detecting electrode and a detecting layer implemented on the heater, wherein the sensing layer can include a conductive particle and a non-conductive organic composite.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 2004Date of Patent: November 2, 2010Assignee: Electronics and Telecommunications Research InstituteInventors: Yong Shin Kim, Yun Tae Kim, Hae Sik Yang, Young Jun Kim, Seung Chul Ha, Yoon Seok Yang
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Patent number: 7805256Abstract: A method of processing time-discrete measured values, which can be described in their time characteristic by a first exponential function which has a first time constant, the method comprising the steps of: detecting a first measured value and storing the first measured value, detecting a second measured value and storing the second measured value according to a defined time interval with respect to the detection of the first measured value, filtering the first measured value and second measured value by calculating a sum of the first measured value and a weighted difference between the second measured value and the first measured value, thereby generating time-discrete output values which can be described in their time characteristic by a second exponential function having a second time constant different from the first time constant, and outputting the output values is disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 2007Date of Patent: September 28, 2010Assignee: Vincotech (Germany) GmbHInventor: Robert Frodl
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Patent number: 7794140Abstract: A method and system for monitoring the quality of a given gas mixture being transmitted under pressure by throttling a sample of the gas mixture to a representative pressure and measuring the hydrocarbon dew point of the sample at the representative pressure. The measured hydrocarbon dew point is indicative of the cricondentherm of the gas mixture. The representative pressure is pre-selected to provide a pre-selected margin of error between measured hydrocarbon dew points of a set of representative gas mixtures at the representative pressure and respective cricondentherms of the set of representative gas mixtures.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2008Date of Patent: September 14, 2010Assignee: Transcanada Pipelines LimitedInventors: Kamal Botros, Steve Hall, John Geerligs
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Patent number: 7780343Abstract: A device with micromachined (a.k.a. MEMS, Micro Electro Mechanical Systems) silicon sensor to measure gas or liquid concentration in a binary mixture formality is disclosed in the present invention. A process for fabricating the said MEMS silicon concentration sensor, which thereby can greatly reduce the sensor fabrication cost by a batch production, is revealed as well. This MEMS process can mass-produce the sensors on silicon substrate in the ways of small size, low power, and high reliability. In addition to the gas or liquid concentration measurement, the present invention further discloses that the said sensor can also readily measure gas or liquid mass flow rate while record the concentration data, which is not viable by other related working principle.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 2007Date of Patent: August 24, 2010Assignee: Siargo Ltd.Inventors: Chih-Chang Chen, Yahong Yao, Gaofeng Wang, Liji Huang
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Patent number: 7779671Abstract: A micro fluid analyzer that may be highly sensitive, fast and very compact. The analyzer may use sufficiently low power per analysis to be easily implemented with an equivalently small battery pack or other portable power source. There may be energy conservation features in the analyzer, such as optimal adsorber film thicknesses in the pre-concentrator, concentrator and chromatographic separators. There may be special timing of the phased heating elements in the concentrators and separators to further reduce energy consumption. Various kinds of detectors and sensors may be incorporated in the analyzer for achieving low probability for false positives and detection versatility. There may be a controller that provides data acquisition and analyzes, drive signals for control, management of wireless signal transmission and reception, processing, and other operational uses of the micro analyzer.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2008Date of Patent: August 24, 2010Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventor: Ulrich Bonne
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Patent number: 7757543Abstract: A method and system of monitoring environmental exposure of stents using radiofrequency identification is disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 2006Date of Patent: July 20, 2010Assignee: Advanced Cardiovascular Systems, Inc.Inventors: Abigail Freeman, David C. Gale, Bin Huang, Daniel Castro
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Publication number: 20100108811Abstract: A fuel tank safety system includes an ullage cooling assembly and a system controller. The ullage cooling assembly includes a compressor configured to extract a quantity of ullage gas from the fuel tank, a heat exchanger coupled in flow communication downstream of the compressor, wherein the heat exchanger is configured to receive the quantity of ullage gas from the compressor and reduce a temperature of the ullage gas. The ullage cooling assembly includes a turbine coupled in flow communication downstream of the heat exchanger, wherein the turbine is configured to further reduce the temperature of the ullage gas and facilitate channeling the ullage gas to the fuel tank. The system controller is operatively coupled to the ullage cooling assembly and is configured to transmit to the ullage cooling assembly one of a start signal to activate the ullage cooling assembly or a stop signal to deactivate the ullage cooling assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 18, 2009Publication date: May 6, 2010Inventor: Alankar Gupta
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Patent number: 7704748Abstract: A novel Flame Temperature Analyzer (FTA) method and apparatus for measuring combustible gas concentration and oxygen content in a sample gas includes supplying a mixture of oxidant and fuel to a sensing flame and measuring the temperature of the flame as the sample is added to the combustion chamber.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2003Date of Patent: April 27, 2010Assignee: Control Instruments CorporationInventors: Christopher G. Schaeffer, Matthew James Schaeffer, Pravin Patel
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Patent number: 7703313Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to a fluid containment structure for a micro analyzer comprising one or more shelled thermal structures in contact with a thermally isolated component of the analyzer and wherein the shelled thermal structure comprises a conformal film and also comprises three walls of a channel and the thermally isolated component forms the fourth wall.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2007Date of Patent: April 27, 2010Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventor: Robert E. Higashi
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Patent number: 7676352Abstract: A method of estimating a thermophysical property of a fluid using a local model is disclosed herein. The method includes generating, for use within the local model, a series expansion of thermodynamic equations relating to the thermophysical property and one or more derivatives involving the thermophysical property. The method further includes evaluating, based upon a set of specified values of parameters of the fluid, a first order term of the series expansion and a second order term of the series expansion. The values of the first order term and the second order term are then compared. A value of the thermophysical property is then automatically updated when the values of the first order term and the second order term are found to differ by more than a predefined amount.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2005Date of Patent: March 9, 2010Assignee: Invensys Systems, Inc.Inventors: David J. Van Peursem, Gang Xu
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Publication number: 20100037678Abstract: In a method of determining amounts of condensable species present in a gas containing condensable species a probe is placed into a gas containing condensable species. The probe has a plurality of spaced apart contacts on an outer non-conductive surface. That surface is heated at a selected heating rate and then cooled at a selected cooling rate over a selected time period. During that time period current flow between the contacts and the temperature of the non-conductive surface is monitored over the selected time period. Peaks in a plot of the current flow over the selected time period and the temperature for the time corresponding to each peak are then correlated to the condensable species has a kinetic dew point at each identified temperature. The identified temperature for each identified species is compared to a predetermined correlation of dew point temperature and concentration for that species to determine the concentration of that condensable species present in the gas.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 12, 2009Publication date: February 18, 2010Applicant: Breen Energy SolutionsInventors: Chetan Chothani, Charles A. Lockert, Bernard P. Breen
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Publication number: 20100031729Abstract: An apparatus for use in a sample monitoring system is provided and includes a first enclosure configured to enclose a probe body into which the sample is drawn, a sensor coupled to the probe body and configured to sense a chemical composition of the sample and at least one first heater configured to heat an interior of the first enclosure, a second enclosure configured to enclose a pump coupled to the probe body and configured to draw the sample therein and a second heater configured to heat the pump, and a third enclosure configured to enclose a pump motor configured to control an operation of the pump and to support heating controlling units configured to control the at least one first heater and the second heater.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 8, 2008Publication date: February 11, 2010Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Mark Wayne Holt, William Howard Eberhardt