Detector Detail Patents (Class 73/25.05)
  • Patent number: 11898980
    Abstract: A gas sensor includes a feedback circuit part and a sensor circuit part. The feedback circuit part includes a reference resistor and a first temperature sensing element which are connected in series, a first heater resistor that heats the first temperature sensing element, and a first amplifier circuit that controls the amount of current to flow in the first heater resistor based on an internal potential. The sensor circuit part includes a second temperature sensing element and a second heater resistor that heats the second temperature sensing element. A current according to the output of the first amplifier circuit flows in the second heater resistor. With this configuration, it is possible to automatically change the amount of current to flow in the second heater resistor according to ambient temperature without digital processing to thereby heat the second temperature sensing element to a constant temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: TDK Corporation
    Inventor: Kei Tanabe
  • Patent number: 11691872
    Abstract: Methods are provided for manufacturing well-controlled, solid-state nanopores and arrays thereof. In one aspect, methods for manufacturing nanopores and arrays thereof exploit a physical seam. One or more etch pits are formed in a topside of a substrate and one or more trenches, which align with the one or more etch pits, are formed in a backside of the substrate. An opening is formed between the one or more etch pits and the one or more trenches. A dielectric material is then formed over the substrate to fill the opening. Contacts are then disposed on the topside and the backside of the substrate and a voltage is applied from the topside to the backside, or vice versa, through the dielectric material to form a nanopore. In another aspect, the nanopore is formed at or near the center of the opening at a seam, which is formed in the dielectric material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip Allan Kraus, Joseph R. Johnson
  • Patent number: 11686695
    Abstract: Evaluation arrangement for a thermal gas sensor with at least one heater and at least one detector. The evaluation arrangement is configured to obtain information about an amplitude of a detector signal of a first detector, and information about a first phase difference between a heater signal and the detector signal of the first detector. In addition, the evaluation arrangement is configured to form as an intermediate quantity, dependent on the information about the amplitudes of the detector signal and dependent on the information about the first phase difference, a combination signal, and to determine information about a gas concentration or information about a thermal diffusivity of a fluid on the basis of the combination signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignees: Hahn-Schickard-Gesellschaft für angewandte Forschung e.V., GS Elektromedizinische Geräte G. Stemple GmbH
    Inventors: Frank Hedrich, Bernd Ehrbrecht, Gerhard Kattinger, Kurt Kliche
  • Patent number: 11680990
    Abstract: A system and method of estimating the state of health of an all-solid-state battery are provided to detect the amount of hydrogen sulfide that is generated in all-solid-state battery cells and using the amount as a factor for estimating the state of health of the battery. The method of estimating a state of health (SOH) of an all-solid-state battery includes detecting whether hydrogen sulfide is generated in each cell of the all-solid-state battery, and estimating the state of health of the all-solid-state battery corresponding to an amount or an increase rate of generated hydrogen sulfide based on data prepared in advance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Corporation
    Inventors: Yong Sub Yoon, Hajime Tsuchiya, Yuki Sasaki, Hironari Takase
  • Patent number: 11543378
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a gas sensor that includes an active sensor area that is exposed to an environment for detection of elements. The gas sensor may be an air quality sensor that can be fixed in position or carried by a user. The gas sensor includes a heater formed above chamber. The gas sensor includes an active sensor layer above the heater that forms the active sensor area. The gas sensor can include a passive conductive layer, such as a hotplate that further conducts and distributes heat from the heater to the active sensor area. The heater can include a plurality of extensions. The heater can also include a first conductive layer and a second conductive layer on the first conductive layer where the second conductive layer includes a plurality of openings to increase an amount of heat and to more evenly distribute heat from the heater to the active sensor area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: STMICROELECTRONICS PTE LTD
    Inventors: Olivier Le Neel, Alexandre Le Roch, Ayoub Lahlalia, Ravi Shankar
  • Patent number: 11382182
    Abstract: A planar heating element comprising a PTC resistive structure, which is arranged in a defined surface region of a first surface of a support substrate. The electrical connection contacts for connection to an electrical voltage source are associated with the PTC resistive structure, wherein the PTC resistive structure—starting from the two electrical connection contacts—has at least one internal conductive trace and a parallel connected, external conductive trace. The internal conductive trace has a greater resistance than the external conductive trace and the resistances of the internal conductive trace and external conductive trace are so sized that upon applying a voltage an essentially uniform temperature distribution is present within the defined surface region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: Innovative Sensor Technology IST AG
    Inventors: Jiri Holoubek, Mirko Lehmann, Josef Vik
  • Patent number: 11325827
    Abstract: Methods are provided for manufacturing well-controlled, solid-state nanopores and arrays thereof. In one aspect, methods for manufacturing nanopores and arrays thereof exploit a physical seam. One or more etch pits are formed in a topside of a substrate and one or more trenches, which align with the one or more etch pits, are formed in a backside of the substrate. An opening is formed between the one or more etch pits and the one or more trenches. A dielectric material is then formed over the substrate to fill the opening. Contacts are then disposed on the topside and the backside of the substrate and a voltage is applied from the topside to the backside, or vice versa, through the dielectric material to form a nanopore. In another aspect, the nanopore is formed at or near the center of the opening at a seam, which is formed in the dielectric material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip Allan Kraus, Joseph R. Johnson
  • Patent number: 11300532
    Abstract: A particulate matter detection system detects a particulate matter in exhaust gas. The particulate matter detection system includes: a particulate matter detection sensor in which at least one detection portion is provided, the at least one detection portion including at least one pair of multiple electrodes and a deposition surface which is interposed between the pair of electrodes and which the particulate matter is deposited on; a capacitor connected to the at least one detection portion in series; a power supply configured to apply a direct voltage to a series body including the at least one detection portion and the capacitor; and a voltage measurement portion configured to measure a voltage of the capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kota Yamakoshi, Shingo Nakata, Shusaku Yamamura
  • Patent number: 11092059
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a device and a method for monitoring an SCR exhaust gas after-treatment device. The method involves monitoring of a ratio between reducing agent quantity and nitrogen oxide conversion, especially a ratio between ammonia quantity and nitrogen oxide conversion, of the SCR exhaust gas after-treatment device. The nitrogen oxide conversion is detected or determined with a cross sensitivity to ammonia. The method furthermore involves determining of an ammonia slip condition based on the monitored ratio between reducing agent quantity and nitrogen oxide conversion. The method may offer the benefit of being easily carried out and implemented in an easy manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: MAN TRUCK & BUS AG
    Inventor: Thomas Grünbeck
  • Patent number: 11002582
    Abstract: A process transmitter includes a transmitter housing and a liquid detector coupled to the transmitter housing. The liquid detector includes a temperature sensor configured to generate signals indicative of a presence of liquid within the transmitter housing. The process transmitter also includes a controller coupled to the liquid detector configured to receive the generated signals, determine the presence of liquid within the transmitter housing based on the received signals, and generate an output indicative of the determined presence of liquid within the transmitter housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: Rosemount Inc.
    Inventor: Clarence E. Holmstadt
  • Patent number: 10605791
    Abstract: A device for analyzing a gaseous sample including a first housing including a detection assembly housed in the housing including a preconcentrator, a chromatography column and a detector intended to detect the presence of the separated compounds, a sampling assembly including a cartridge that is removable relative to the first housing, a control and processing unit housed in the housing and configured to execute an analysis operating mode capable of generating a first command for the detection assembly to analyze a first gaseous sample, a second command to determine the exceeding of at least one alert threshold and, if an alert threshold is exceeded, a third command for the sampling assembly to take a second gaseous sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: Commissariat a l'energie atomique et aux energies alternatives
    Inventors: Bertrand Bourlon, Jean-Francois Beche, Florence Ricoul, Bruno Truong
  • Patent number: 10330039
    Abstract: A safety device intended to detect a leakage in a dry area of an automotive liquid used in a fluid circuit onboard a vehicle, the automotive liquid containing at least one dangerous substance other than water, such as urea, the device including a detection cell sensitive, on the one hand, to the presence of a liquid in the dry area and, on the other hand, to the possible dangerous substance content of the liquid, the device also including a selective analysis unit, capable of distinguishing on the one hand whether the detection cell is in the presence of a liquid or not, and on the other hand, in the presence of liquid, whether the present liquid corresponds to the automotive liquid containing the dangerous substance or to another liquid, called neutral liquid, such as a water condensate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: AKWEL SA
    Inventor: Regis Munoz
  • Patent number: 10145812
    Abstract: A humidity-sensing device and a method of producing the humidity-sensing device. The humidity-sensing device is of capacitive type and includes a dielectric material with low permeability to moisture and an electrode with permeability to moisture greater than that of the dielectric material with which it is in contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: Commissariat à l'énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives
    Inventors: Abdelkader Aliane, Jean-Marie Verilhac
  • Patent number: 10101285
    Abstract: A thermal flow sensor for determining a gas or the composition of a gas mixture as well as its flow velocity, comprising: a substrate onto which at least a first dielectric layer is applied; at least one heating structure that is applied onto the first dielectric layer and serves to heat the gas or the gas mixture; at least a first temperature sensor element that is applied onto the first dielectric layer at a distance from the heating structure and captures the temperature of the gas or gas mixture heated at the heating structure; a control device that controls the heating structure in a first operating mode in such a way that the heating structure shows a predetermined temperature, and controls the heating structure in a second operating mode in such a way that a power input into the heating structure corresponds to a predetermined power; and an evaluation unit which determines at least one physical characteristic of the gas present or the gas mixture on the basis of the operating modes and determines the g
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: INNOVATIVE SENSOR TECHNOLOGY IST AG
    Inventors: Christoph Hepp, Florian Krogmann
  • Patent number: 9755132
    Abstract: A thermoelectric generation unit according to the present disclosure includes a plurality of thermoelectric generation tubes. Each tube has a flow path defined by its inner peripheral surface, and generates an electromotive force in an axial direction based on a temperature difference between its inner peripheral surface and outer peripheral surface. The thermoelectric generation unit includes a container housing the tubes inside, and a plurality of electrically conductive members providing electrical interconnection for the tubes. The container includes a shell surrounding the tubes and a pair of plates being fixed to the shell and having a plurality of openings, with channels being formed so as to house the electrically conductive members and interconnect at least two of the openings. The respective ends of the tubes are inserted in the openings of the plates. The tubes are connected electrically in series by the electrically conductive members housed in the channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Tsutomu Kanno, Akihiro Sakai, Kohei Takahashi, Hiromasa Tamaki, Hideo Kusada, Yuka Yamada
  • Patent number: 9410909
    Abstract: Methods and devices for detecting a concentration of one or more element in hydrocarbon and/or natural gas in an oil and gas field application. The device including a microstructure having a low thermal mass suspended within a channel, the microstructure includes a supporting layer and a insulating layer; a controllable thermal device in communication with the supporting layer of the microstructure, wherein the controllable thermal device is controllably heated to one or more release temperature of the one or more element; a sensing layer arranged on the insulating layer to absorb molecules of the one or more element from hydrocarbon and/or natural gas; a detecting and measuring resistance device in communication with the sensing layer for measuring the resistance changes caused by absorption of molecules of the one or more element onto the sensing layer at a first temperature and a second temperature, and storing the data on a processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Ronald E. G. Van Hal, Hua Chen
  • Patent number: 9032780
    Abstract: A gas detector can be releasibly coupled to one of a group of elongated probes each of the probes includes a detector connecting end and a gas in flow/outflow end. The connecting end includes a helical attaching feature which when coupled to the detector defies a plurality of spaced apart angular locking positions. A locking position is selected in response to a flow of air in an adjacent duct to which the detector is being attached. Where the detector carries an elongated display device, the locking position can be selected so that the display device exhibits a desired presentation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Randy Anderson, JeYong Jin, Andrea Rella
  • Patent number: 9027386
    Abstract: A hydrogen sensor includes a support having a first temperature sensor, a heating element and an evaluation unit. The hydrogen sensor furthermore includes a mass flow reduction apparatus by which a gas mass flow over the first temperature sensor and the heating element is reduced. The evaluation unit determines a hydrogen concentration in a gas or gas mixture based on a first temperature detected by the first temperature sensor. A detection method for hydrogen concentration having the hydrogen sensor and a motor vehicle having a fuel cell drive having the hydrogen sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Rudolf Bierl, Philippe Grass, Stephan Heinrich, Thorsten Knittel, Andreas Wildgen
  • Patent number: 9021861
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Michael Ludwig
  • Patent number: 8955368
    Abstract: An apparatus for aerosol collection and fluid analysis includes a rotary motor, an aerosol-collection disk configured for mounting on the rotary motor, and a fluid-analysis disk that is also configured for mounting on the rotary motor. The aerosol-collection disk includes at least one interior inlet, at least one peripheral outlet and a passage coupling the interior inlet with the peripheral outlet, and a particle collector opposite the peripheral outlet. The fluid-analysis disk includes at least one fluid in each of a first reservoir and in a second reservoir on or in the fluid-analysis disk and offset from a central axis of the disk, wherein each reservoir has an outlet and a stopper in the outlet of each reservoir to seal the reservoirs; and release of the fluids from the reservoirs is spin-induced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventor: John P. D'Angelo
  • Patent number: 8866240
    Abstract: Systems and methods for preparing freestanding films using laser-assisted chemical etch (LACE), and freestanding films formed using same, are provided. In accordance with one aspect a substrate has a surface and a portion defining an isotropically defined cavity; and a substantially continuous film is disposed at the substrate surface and spans the isotropically defined cavity. In accordance with another aspect, a substrate has a surface and a portion defining an isotropically defined cavity; and a film is disposed at the substrate surface and spans the isotropically defined cavity, the film including at least one of hafnium oxide (HfO2), diamond-like carbon, graphene, and silicon carbide (SiC) of a predetermined phase. In accordance with still another aspect, a substrate has a surface and a portion defining an isotropically defined cavity; and a multi-layer film is disposed at the substrate surface and spans the isotropically defined cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: The Aerospace Corporation
    Inventors: Margaret H. Abraham, David P. Taylor
  • Publication number: 20140290335
    Abstract: A fluid measurement system and method for determining distributed measurement of a fluid type and a fluid velocity in a wellbore, pipeline or other conduit in which fluid is moving. Measurement is made by immersing one or more cables having sequential sampling sections in the fluid and monitoring a cooling effect across a cable on the sampling sections and the response to injection of a high frequency pulse each sampling section. A probabilistic model is then used to determine the distributed velocity and fluid types along the conduit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2012
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Inventor: David Sirda Shanks
  • Publication number: 20140260541
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for sensing the amount of a gas in a fluid are disclosed. The apparatus may include a gas sensor, a temperature sensor, a first temperature adjusting unit, or a second temperature adjusting unit. The first and second temperature adjusting units may control the temperature of the gas sensor. The first and second temperature adjusting units may each be used to control the temperature of the gas sensor. According to one technique, they may be used simultaneously to control the temperature of the gas sensor. The temperature sensor may be used to sense the temperature of the gas sensor when it has stabilized to the fluid temperature in which it is being used and the temperature of the gas sensor when it is being controlled by at least one of the first or second temperature adjusting units.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventors: Vikas Lakhotia, An Trong Nguyen Le, Timothy Wayne Howard, Matthew Robert Phillipps
  • Patent number: 8826725
    Abstract: A gas detector for use in, for example, measuring the concentration of flammable gas or detecting leakage of flammable gas. The gas detector has a gas detection element in which at least a heat-generating resistor and an insulation layer are laminated on a semiconductor substrate made of silicon while the insulation layer encloses the heat-generating resistor. The gas detector detects flammable gas on the basis of temperature and resistance of the heat-generating resistor which vary according to flammable gas. In the gas detection element, a protection layer in the form of a gas impermeable oxide film is provided on its outermost surface which comes into contact with an environmental atmosphere that contains flammable gas. Thus, alkali resistance is ensured. Since the protection layer is impermeable to gas, entry of impurities (organic silicon) contained in the environmental atmosphere into the protection layer is restrained, whereby output is stabilized and becomes accurate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: NGK Spark Plug Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshihiro Matsuno, Masaya Watanabe, Shoji Kitanoya
  • Patent number: 8813539
    Abstract: An electrochemistry apparatus comprises a supporting body and a reaction layer for generating electromotive force. The supporting body is made of a first material. The reaction layer covers the surface of the supporting body and comprises an ion conductive layer, a first film electrode and a second film electrode. The first and the second film electrodes are separately formed on two opposite surfaces of the ion conductive layer. The ion conductive layer is made of a second material having a thermal expansion coefficient approximating to the thermal expansion coefficient of the first material. The second material has an ionic conductivity greater than the ionic conductivity of the first material. The first material has a toughness greater than the second material. The electrochemistry apparatus employs the supporting body with improved toughness and the ion conductive layer with improved ion conductivity, so as to increase sensitivity and thermal shock resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: National Taiwan University of Science and Technology
    Inventors: Chen-Chia Chou, Tsung-Her Yeh
  • Patent number: 8815161
    Abstract: A gas-sensing element configured to measure a concentration of a specific component of a gas is mounted to a first circuit board which includes a driving circuit configured to drive the gas-sensing element. A moisture-proof material is disposed over at least one side of the first circuit board disposed in a tubular gas-sensing element case fixed to a sensor case. A gas-sensing chamber is defined by the first circuit board and an inner tubular surface of the gas-sensing element case, and opens at an open end of the gas-sensing element case to receive the gas to be monitored. A second circuit board which includes a control circuit configured to control the gas-sensing element via the driving circuit is fixed to a sensor case, and disposed in a position separate from the gas-sensing chamber such that the second circuit board is kept out of contact with the gas to be monitored.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Hidetoshi Oishi, Tsuyoshi Eguchi, Takashi Sasaki, Akihiro Suzuki, Shunji Tsukabayashi
  • Publication number: 20140208828
    Abstract: A gas sensor comprises a metal oxide sensing patch, a heater for heating the sensing patch, electrodes for measuring the conductivity of the sensing patch and an evaluation unit for generating a resulting parameter indicative of at least one analyte. Further, a temperature sensor is provided for measuring the temperature at the location of the sensing patch. The evaluation unit is adapted to derive a first parameter indicative of the conductivity of the sensing patch and a second parameter indicative of the heating power required to maintain a desired temperature of the sensing patch or indicative of the deviation of the temperature at the sensing patch from the desired temperature. The evaluation unit further combines the first and second parameters for evaluating the resulting parameter, thereby using the sensing patch not only as a chemiresistor but also as a pellistor-type measurement device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2014
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Inventor: Marc VON WALDKIRCH
  • Patent number: 8776578
    Abstract: A gas sensor having high detection sensitivity and a low output signal noise includes a laminate of thermistor ceramic, a catalytic electrode, an internal electrode, and external electrodes. When coming into contact with a detection target gas, the catalytic electrode generates heat, and the resistance of a thermistor layer of a sensing portion is decreased. Since the heat generated by the catalytic electrode is directly transferred to the thermistor layer without passing through an insulating layer or the like, high detection sensitivity is obtained. In addition, the structure can be formed in which heat of the sensing portion is insulated by a hollow portion and heat diffusion is prevented, so that the heat capacity of the sensing portion is further decreased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tadamasa Miura
  • Patent number: 8771613
    Abstract: A large volume preconcentrator device for concentrating analytes. A housing accepts an analyte vapor flow, and a plurality of collection surfaces are disposed within the housing. A selectively actuatable heater is disposed on each of the plurality of collection surfaces. At least one selectively actuatable damper is disposed within the housing for selectively restricting a collection flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: University of Louisville Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Martin, Robert Keynton, Thomas Roussel, Kevin M. Walsh, Douglas J. Jackson, John Naber, Julia W. Abersold, Richard B. Hageman, III, Suraj Alexander, Scott Cambron
  • Patent number: 8713990
    Abstract: A simple gas sensor for detecting a concentration of a detected gas with high accuracy, in which a thermal interference can hardly occur between a normal detection element pair and a reference detection element pair, is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shunji Tsukabayashi, Hidetoshi Oishi, Kazuhiro Okajima
  • Patent number: 8689609
    Abstract: The gas sensor includes: a cylindrical member which includes a gas detection chamber therein and extends along an axial thereof; a base member which closes an opening of a first axial end of the cylindrical member; a status sensor which is disposed at a substantially central portion of the base member, and detects at least the temperature or the humidity in the gas detection chamber; a gas detection element disposed around the status sensor on the base member; a lid member which closes an opening of a second axial end of the cylindrical member; and a gas inlet port which penetrates the lid member at a location not coinciding with the status sensor and the gas detection element when seen from the axial direction, and enables the introduction of an inspection target gas from an outside into the gas detection chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hidetoshi Oishi, Akihiro Suzuki, Shunji Tsukabayashi, Kazuhiro Okajima
  • Patent number: 8689608
    Abstract: The present invention provides a high-responsiveness and high-accuracy thermal gas sensor configured to enable gas to be analyzed based on a variation in heat conductivity. The thermal gas sensor includes a substrate 2 with a cavity portion 5, a thin-film support 6 stacked in the cavity portion and comprising a plurality of insulating layers 8a and 8b, and a first heating member 3 and a second heating member 4 both sandwiched between the insulating layers in the thin-film support. The second heating member is located around a periphery of the first heating member. The first heating member is controlled to a temperature higher than a temperature to which the second heating member is controlled. The concentration of ambient gas is measured based on power applied to the first heating member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Nakano, Masamichi Yamada, Masahiro Matsumoto, Keiji Hanzawa
  • Patent number: 8646310
    Abstract: A gas sensor includes a catalyst layer and a pipe-shaped thermoelectric power generation device. The pipe-shaped thermoelectric power generation device includes an internal through-hole along the axial direction of the pipe-shaped thermoelectric power generation device, a plurality of first cup-shaped components each made of metal, a plurality of second cup-shaped components each made of thermoelectric material, and first and second electrodes disposed at the ends of the pipe-shaped power generation device. The plurality of the first cup-shaped components and the plurality of the plurality of second cup-shaped components are arranged alternately and repeatedly along the axial direction. The catalyst layer is arranged on the internal surface of the internal through-hole. A method for detecting or measuring gas by using the gas sensor includes supplying a fluid containing the gas into the internal through-hole of the gas sensor, and detecting voltage between the first and second electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Kohei Takahashi, Tsutomu Kanno, Akihiro Sakai, Atsushi Omote, Yuka Yamada
  • Publication number: 20140007654
    Abstract: A system for detecting the presence of ice crystals in a cloud comprising two thin walled semicylinder-shaped sensors, one having a concave inner surface and oriented longitudinally in a leading edge of an airfoil and the other having a convex outer surface being oriented longitudinally in the leading edge of the airfoil so that cloud water flows towards and into contact with the convex outer surface; a temperature controlling arrangement for heating the two sensors and maintaining them at a substantially constant temperature; and a comparison arrangement for finding a difference between (i) a power to maintain the temperature of the first sensor at its substantially constant temperature (ii) a power to maintain the temperature of the second sensor at its substantially constant temperature; and comparing the difference of the powers to a threshold value for evidencing the presence or predetermined amount of ice in the cloud water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2012
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Inventors: Lyle E. Lilie, Christopher P. Sivo, Daniel B. Bouley
  • Patent number: 8578756
    Abstract: In a PM detection sensor with a sensor element having a pair of detection electrodes formed on a substrate, quantity of PM accumulated in the detection electrode is calculated on the basis of a resistance change between the detection electrodes. A series circuit composed of a temperature detection resistance and a capacitor connected in series is formed on a conductive path in the sensor element. A microcomputer in an ECU instructs a power source to supply a DC voltage to the resistance and the capacitor to make a first state in which no current flows in the resistance when a quantity of PM accumulated in the sensor element is detected. The microcomputer instructs the power source to supply an AC voltage to the resistance and the capacitor to make a second state in which a current flows in the resistance when a temperature of the sensor element is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Toshiyuki Suzuki
  • Patent number: 8423301
    Abstract: An initial concentration of the residual concentration of a causative substance contained in an insulating oil is compared with a reference value. The causative substance reacts with a conductor forming a winding of an oil-filled electrical device to generate an electrically conductive compound. The reference value is defined as a value for determining whether a main determinant that determines the lifetime of the oil-filled electrical device is generation of the electrically conductive compound or degradation of insulating paper. Based on the initial concentration of the causative substance and the reference value, the lifetime of the oil-filled electrical device is assessed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Fukutaro Kato, Eiichi Nagao, Tsuyoshi Amimoto, Satoru Toyama, Kota Mizuno
  • Patent number: 8395086
    Abstract: Isopotential heaters used in the preconcentration stage of sample detection systems are described. The heaters have at least two electrically conducting paths of which the resistances of the electrically conducting baths are substantially equal such that in use uniform heat distribution is achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Qinetiq Limited
    Inventors: David J Combes, Timothy I Cox, Ian C Sage
  • Publication number: 20130042668
    Abstract: A hot gas path measurement apparatus is provided and includes a substrate having a coating applied on a surface thereof such that the coating is interposed between the substrate and a hot gas path; and a measurement device fixed in a recess formed in the substrate, the measurement device including a sensor, and a holder configured to position the sensor in an alignment condition with a plane of a surface of the coating or at least partially within a span of the hot gas path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2011
    Publication date: February 21, 2013
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: David Richard Johns, Ariel Harter Lomas, James Stewart Phillips
  • Patent number: 8368155
    Abstract: Systems and methods for preparing freestanding films using laser-assisted chemical etch (LACE), and freestanding films formed using same, are provided. In accordance with one aspect a substrate has a surface and a portion defining an isotropically defined cavity; and a substantially continuous film is disposed at the substrate surface and spans the isotropically defined cavity. In accordance with another aspect, a substrate has a surface and a portion defining an isotropically defined cavity; and a film is disposed at the substrate surface and spans the isotropically defined cavity, the film including at least one of hafnium oxide (HfO2), diamond-like carbon, graphene, and silicon carbide (SiC) of a predetermined phase. In accordance with still another aspect, a substrate has a surface and a portion defining an isotropically defined cavity; and a multi-layer film is disposed at the substrate surface and spans the isotropically defined cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: The Aerospace Corporation
    Inventors: Margaret H. Abraham, David P. Taylor
  • Patent number: 8342019
    Abstract: A probe unit includes a gas sensor having multiple gas introduction bores for introducing a gas into an inside of the gas sensor, and a sensor holder inside of which the gas sensor is held and that is arranged inside of a duct so as to introduce an exhaust gas flowing in the duct into the gas sensor. A calibration gas flow channel is arranged in the sensor holder and has an opening at an inner surface of a side wall, surrounding the gas introduction bores of the gas sensor, of the sensor holder so as to supply a calibration gas to the gas sensor. A guide groove is arranged continuous to the opening of the calibration gas flow channel and arranged on the inner surface of the side wall along an arranging direction of the multiple gas introduction bores to face the multiple gas introduction bores.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Horiba, Ltd.
    Inventor: Shigeyuki Hokamura
  • Patent number: 8302459
    Abstract: The measurement sensitivity is improved by suppressing the surrounding temperature influence as much as possible, while realizing scale reduction, and by enlarging the detection signal, while reducing the production errors in enclosing a reference gas. Provided is a thermal conductivity sensor that detects thermal conductivity of a sample gas by using a Wheatstone Bridge circuit constructed in such a manner that measurement resistors that are brought into contact with the sample gas are disposed on a first side, and reference resistors that are brought into contact with a reference gas are disposed on a second side, and comparing the potential difference between connection points of the reference resistors and the measurement resistors. The measurement resistors disposed on the first side are assembled in one measurement space, and the reference resistors disposed on the second side are assembled in one reference space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: HORIBA, Ltd.
    Inventors: Makoto Matsuhama, Tomoko Seko, Shuji Takada, Hiroshi Mizutani, Takuji Oida, Masahiko Endo, Takuya Ido
  • Patent number: 8302475
    Abstract: A probe unit includes a gas sensor having multiple gas introduction bores for introducing a gas into an inside of the gas sensor, and a sensor holder inside of which the gas sensor is held and that is arranged inside of a duct so as to introduce an exhaust gas flowing in the duct into the gas sensor. A calibration gas flow channel is arranged in the sensor holder and has an opening at an inner surface of a side wall, surrounding the gas introduction bores of the gas sensor, of the sensor holder so as to supply a calibration gas to the gas sensor. A guide groove is arranged continuous to the opening of the calibration gas flow channel and arranged on the inner surface of the side wall along an arranging direction of the multiple gas introduction bores to face the multiple gas introduction bores.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Horiba, Ltd.
    Inventor: Shigeyuki Hokamura
  • Publication number: 20120247184
    Abstract: A gas detecting apparatus including: a heating resistor exposed to a detected atmosphere, and a control circuit for controlling the heating resistor at two different temperatures, wherein each output voltage from the heating resistor corresponding to the different temperatures is detected when the heating resistor is controlled to the different temperatures, and a state of a gas is obtained based on the detected output voltage. For example, two different offset voltages are set, each potential difference obtained by subtracting each of the offset voltages from corresponding detected output voltages is amplified and the state of the gas is obtained using the amplified potential differences.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2012
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Applicant: NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD.,
    Inventors: Shoji Kitanoya, Masahiro Yamashita, Masaya Watanabe, Daisuke Ichikawa
  • Publication number: 20120227465
    Abstract: A gas analyzer for a vacuum chamber includes processing electronics configured to receive mass spectral data, receive input of total pressure in the vacuum chamber, receive external input from at least one sensor, and employ the mass spectral data, the total pressure in the vacuum chamber, and the external input from the at least one sensor to calculate a vacuum quality index based on at least one criteria of quality.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2010
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Inventors: Gerardo A. Brucker, Kenneth D. Van Antwerp, JR.
  • Publication number: 20120111314
    Abstract: The invention relates to a sensor unit (2) for a suction hood (1), wherein the sensor unit (2) controls the suction hood (1), wherein the sensor unit (2) comprises a, preferably first, sensor operated mode, wherein the operation of the suction hood (1) is dependent on the measured values of at least one sensor (21, 22) and to a suction hood with a sensor unit according to the invention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2010
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Applicant: ELECTROLUX HOME PRODUCTS CORPORATION N.V.
    Inventor: Francesco Corleoni
  • Publication number: 20120103067
    Abstract: A gas sensor includes a catalyst layer and a pipe-shaped thermoelectric power generation device. The pipe-shaped thermoelectric power generation device includes an internal through-hole along the axial direction of the pipe-shaped thermoelectric power generation device, a plurality of first cup-shaped components each made of metal, a plurality of second cup-shaped components each made of thermoelectric material, and first and second electrodes disposed at the ends of the pipe-shaped power generation device. The plurality of the first cup-shaped components and the plurality of the plurality of second cup-shaped components are arranged alternately and repeatedly along the axial direction. The catalyst layer is arranged on the internal surface of the internal through-hole. A method for detecting or measuring gas by using the gas sensor includes supplying a fluid containing the gas into the internal through-hole of the gas sensor, and detecting voltage between the first and second electrodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2012
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kohei Takahashi, Tsutomu Kanno, Akihiro Saka, Atsuschi Omote, Yuka Yamada
  • Publication number: 20120103066
    Abstract: A gas detection system is provided for identifying a gas. The gas detection system includes a sensing module with a hollow chamber enclosed by a chamber housing. Additionally, the sensing module includes an optical sensing fiber positioned within the hollow chamber. The optical sensing fiber includes a gas sensor including a fiber Bragg grating positioned at a grating location along the optical sensing fiber, and a sensing layer affixed to an exterior surface of the optical sensing fiber at the grating location. After the gas is directed into the hollow chamber, the sensing layer and the gas exchange heat energy, based in part on a heat transfer coefficient of the gas. The exchange of the heat energy induces a shift in a Bragg resonant wavelength of the fiber Bragg grating which exceeds a threshold shift required for detection, where the shift is used to identify the gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2010
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Inventors: Hua Xia, Renato Guida, Juntao Wu, Axel Busboom, Aniceto Bantug, Pramod Chamarthy
  • Publication number: 20120031169
    Abstract: A sensor controller is applied to a particulate matter detection sensor that includes an attachment portion to which conductive particulate matter contained in gas is attached, and a pair of opposed electrodes spaced from each other at the attachment portion. The particulate matter detection sensor is adapted to output a detection signal corresponding to a resistance between the pair of opposed electrodes, and the sensor controller is adapted to calculate an amount of attached particulate matter based on a sensor detection value from the particulate matter detection sensor. The sensor controller includes a heater for heating the attachment portion so as to burn and remove the particulate matter attached to the attachment portion, and an abnormality diagnosis portion for obtaining the sensor detection value during a heating of the heater and for performing diagnosis of abnormality of the particulate matter detection sensor based on the obtained sensor detection value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2011
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Applicant: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yuuki Sakamoto, Mikiyasu Matsuoka, Yuuzou Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 8110783
    Abstract: A tubular heater includes a continuous heat-generating resistance element formed in a predetermined pattern on one surface of a tubular insulating substrate, and first and second lead wires connected opposite ends of the heat-generating resistance element and extending from one end of the tubular insulating substrate in a common axial direction of the tubular insulating substrate. The first and second lead wires are disposed in diametrically opposed relation to each other about a central axis of the tubular insulating substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Sasaki, Akihiro Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20110283773
    Abstract: In a PM detection sensor with a sensor element having a pair of detection electrodes formed on a substrate, quantity of PM accumulated in the detection electrode is calculated on the basis of a resistance change between the detection electrodes. A series circuit composed of a temperature detection resistance and a capacitor connected in series is formed on a conductive path in the sensor element. A microcomputer in an ECU instructs a power source to supply a DC voltage to the resistance and the capacitor to make a first state in which no current flows in the resistance when a quantity of PM accumulated in the sensor element is detected. The microcomputer instructs the power source to supply an AC voltage to the resistance and the capacitor to make a second state in which a current flows in the resistance when a temperature of the sensor element is detected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2011
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Applicant: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Toshiyuki SUZUKI