With Electric Circuitry Or Electric Circuit Component Detail Patents (Class 73/335.02)
  • Patent number: 11313129
    Abstract: A roof vent assembly may include a vent tube, a vent cap, an air plate and one or more airflow extension members. The airflow extension members may extend outward beyond the periphery of the air plate to create external air plenums. The roof vent assembly may be operable to draw air from the external air plenums under a roof membrane, into an internal air plenum defined by the air plate, through the vent tube and out of the vent cap to remove moisture from the roof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Inventors: Paul A. Gray, Jesse Gray
  • Patent number: 11287549
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for calibrating temperature and humidity of a radio-sonde to be adapted to the upper air environment using an upper air simulation chamber including: an isotemperature-isohumidity unit calibrating temperature and humidity measured via the radio-sonde; a sunlight generation unit coupled to the isotemperature-isohumidity unit and generating sunlight to be irradiated to the isotemperature-isohumidity unit; an air supply unit coupled to the isotemperature-isohumidity unit and controlling the pressure and temperature of atmospheric air, allowing supplying air to the isotemperature-isohumidity unit; a sonic nozzle coupled to the isotemperature-isohumidity unit and creating an air flow set at below a set pressure; and a vacuum pump coupled to the isotemperature-isohumidity unit and discharging air which penetrates the isotemperature-isohumidity unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science
    Inventors: Yong-Gyoo Kim, In-Seok Yang, Sang-Bong Woo, Byung-Il Choi, Sang-Wook Lee, Woong Kang, Youn-Kyun Oh, Sung-Hun Kim, Seong-Chong Park, Young-Hee Lee
  • Patent number: 11262325
    Abstract: A sensor semiconductor device comprises a transducer which comprises a capacitor with at least two electrodes. The transducer further comprises a polymer which is arranged between at least two electrodes of the capacitor, and a top surface of the transducer. The polymer is able to absorb water and the top surface is arranged such that it is exposed to the environment of the sensor semiconductor device. Furthermore, at least a part of the top surface is superhydrophobic and the sensor semiconductor device is capable of measuring the humidity of the environment of the sensor semiconductor device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: SCIOSENSE B.V.
    Inventors: Micha In't Zandt, Frederik Willem Maurits Vanhelmont, Nebojsa Nenadovic, Dimitri Soccol
  • Patent number: 10876904
    Abstract: A system, a method of use, and a Carbon Nanotube (CNT) condensation sensor for determining a dew point and/or ice point is provided. For example, a sensing system may include a thermal device configured to generate heating or cooling to change a temperature of a surface, a temperature sensor for measuring the temperature of the surface, a controller configured to control the thermal device, a carbon nanotube (CNT) condensation sensor mounted on the surface having a moisture sensitive resistance and a processor configured to determine one or more parameters based on the moisture sensitive resistance of the CNT condensation sensor and the temperature measured by the temperature sensor. The one or more parameter can be used to determine the dew point and/or ice point. A method for forming a carbon nanotube (CNT) condensation sensor is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignees: The Research Foundation for The State University of New York, Cosa Xentaur
    Inventors: Vladimir Samuilov, John Lewis Ayres
  • Patent number: 10787551
    Abstract: Cross-linked polymer networks that are at least partially conjugated (e.g., phenylene vinylene polymer networks). The cross-linked polymer networks may be thin-films disposed on a substrate. The cross-linked polymer network may be covalently bonded to the substrate. The cross-linked polymer networks can be used, for example, in methods of detecting explosives (e.g., RDX (cyclotrimethylenetrinitramine)) and degradation products thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: Cornell University
    Inventors: William R. Dichtel, Deepti Gopalakrishnan
  • Patent number: 10724758
    Abstract: The heat index thermostat is an electronic, programmable thermostat having a microcontroller or microprocessor programmed to regulate the temperature of an enclosed space, such as a room or building. The thermostat has a user interface that permits the user to select a mode of operation and to enter a set temperature, and input terminals for receiving signals from relative humidity, indoor temperature, and other sensors. In a heat index mode of operation, the temperature is regulated by reference to a lookup table based on a heat index equation. The microcontroller uses the table inversely by using the set temperature as the heat index temperature, looking up the room temperature that would result in that heat index temperature given the measured relative humidity in the room. The thermostat then turns the cooling/heating unit on or off until the measured room temperature is equal to the temperature determined from the lookup table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development
    Inventor: Abdlmonem H. Beitelmal
  • Patent number: 10627360
    Abstract: A sensor body has a body recess portion, in which a sensor element is housed and the body recess portion opens at a body opening portion. A sensor cover has a cover window which communicates between the intake passage and the body opening portion, and the sensor cover covers the sensor body. A sensor filter is provided with a sensor peripheral portion which extends along a virtual surface. In a projection view with respect to the virtual plane the body opening portion and the cover window are positioned within a filtering area which is defined as an inner side of a contour of the filter peripheral portion, such that the filter peripheral portion contacts the sensor body and the sensor cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Akuzawa, Takashi Enomoto, Junzo Yamaguchi, Takuma Tsuchiya
  • Patent number: 10571141
    Abstract: A roof moisture detection and removal system that is operable to provide detection and removal of moisture for low slope or no slope roof types. The present invention further includes a roof vent having a vent riser tube with a roof vent cap proximate the upper end and a split base ring proximate the lower end. The split base ring further includes a plurality of airflow spacers and airflow extension tubes mounted thereto that function to increase the air intake plenum for the roof vent in order to optimize the moisture reduction delivered by the roof vents of the present invention. The roof vents of the present invention further include a roof vent cap having a photovoltaic panel configured to supply power to a detection-communications module. A plurality of sensors are integrated into the detection-communications module and are configured to measure parameters such as humidity, temperature and pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Inventors: Paul A Gray, Jesse L Gray
  • Patent number: 10502702
    Abstract: A capacitor type humidity sensor may include a semiconductor substrate comprising a humidity sensing region and a peripheral circuit region, a sensing capacitor disposed on the humidity sensing region and the sensing capacitor comprising a humidity sensitive layer, a dielectric layer made of a material different than from the humidity sensitive layer, and a reference capacitor configured to provide a reference capacitance value, wherein the sensing capacitor and the reference capacitor are disposed on different planes from each other. A reference capacitor is disposed at an arbitrary region under a sensing capacitor among a humidity sensing region or at a peripheral circuit region. The reference capacitor is a metal-insulator-metal (MIM) capacitor or a polysilicon-insulator-polysilicon (PIP) capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: MagnaChip Semiconductor, Ltd.
    Inventor: Ju Hyun Hong
  • Patent number: 10294622
    Abstract: A method of reducing the swell potential of an expansive clayey soil comprising expansive clay mineral(s) at a proportion of the total weight of the expansive clayey soil (PECM). The method includes (a) calculating a first amount of a swelling reduction agent to be incorporated into the expansive clayey soil to form a first swelling reduction agent incorporated expansive clayey soil with a reduced swell potential no greater than a pre-set level T with a nano-level constitutive modeling based on the water content and the CEC of the expansive clayey soil and PECM. The swelling reduction agent is at least one selected from calcite, gypsum, potassium chloride, a composition comprising exchangeable K+, a composition comprising exchangeable Ca2+, and/or a composition comprising exchangeable Mg2+, and (b) incorporating the first amount of the swelling reduction agent into the expansive clayey soil to form the first swelling reduction agent incorporated expansive clayey soil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals
    Inventors: Habib Ur-Rehman Ahmed, Sahel Nishat Abduljauwad
  • Patent number: 10267756
    Abstract: A dryness/wetness responsive sensor having decreased size, and improved sensitivity and responsiveness. The present invention comprises a thin wire of a first metal and a thin wire of a second metal, which is different from the first metal, wherein the thin wires run in juxtaposition with each other on an insulating substrate, and wherein the spacing between the first thin wire and the second thin wire is in the range of 5 nm or more and less than 20 ?m.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR MATERIALS SCIENCE
    Inventors: Jin Kawakita, Tadashi Shinohara, Toyohiro Chikyo, Toshihide Nabatame, Akihiko Ohi, Tomoko Ohki
  • Patent number: 10175198
    Abstract: A system and method for chemical analysis are described herein. The system includes a probe, a sample collection cartridge, and a chemical analyzer. The probe is configured to collect the optimal amount of sample for a future analysis and to store this chemical sample in the sample collection cartridge. The probe also collects sample data. The chemical analyzer is configured to determine the optimal analysis settings based on the sample data and analyze the chemical sample stored in the sample collection cartridge based on the optimal analysis settings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: Inficon, Inc.
    Inventors: Shawn Michael Briglin, Katherine Abigail Bartholomew
  • Patent number: 9429535
    Abstract: A humidity determining device 20 includes first and second humidity determining sensors 17, 18 and a control unit 21. When the first and second humidity determining sensors 17, 18 react with a chemical substance, the humidity determining performance of the first humidity determining sensor 17 and the humidity determining performance of the second humidity determining sensor 18 change with time at different amounts of change. The control unit 21 computes a difference value between a first humidity value and a second humidity value determined by the first and second humidity determining sensors 17, 18. When the difference value is greater than a predetermined reference value, the control unit 21 outputs an anomaly signal indicating that the humidity determining performance of at least one of the first or second humidity determining sensors 17, 18 has been reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: Nagano Science., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hidetoshi Yoshida
  • Patent number: 9201033
    Abstract: A water-concentration detection device is configured to detect a water concentration of insulating gas filled in a gas-insulated device. The water-concentration detection device includes: a gas chamber in which the insulating gas introduced from the gas-insulated device is enclosed; electrodes that are porous and are arranged to face each other within the gas chamber; a solid electrolyte membrane that is hydrogen-ion conductive and is held between and fixedly attached to the electrodes; an impedance measurement unit that measures an alternating-current impedance between the electrodes by applying an alternating-current voltage to the electrodes; a water-concentration detection unit that detects the water concentration of the insulating gas based on the alternating-current impedance measured by the impedance measurement unit; and a drying unit that removes water from an atmosphere in the gas chamber before the insulating gas is introduced into the gas chamber from the gas-insulated device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Chieko Nishida, Tatsuya Yabe
  • Patent number: 9032791
    Abstract: An apparatus for measuring humidity or moisture, such as in concrete, is described comprising a sensor module comprising a humidity or moisture sensor in electrical communication with a first set of terminals and a hand-held reader module comprising a controller in electrical communication with a second set of terminals that are mateable with the first set of terminals such that the hand-held reader module is electrically connectable to and electrically disconnectable from the sensor module. The hand-held reader module is configured to read data from the sensor in response to making electrical connection with the sensor module. One set of terminals can comprise plural connector pins and the other set of terminals can comprise plural landing pads, such that the plural connector pins and the plural landing pads make a same electrical connection regardless of the rotational orientation of the hand-held reader module relative to the sensor module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: Construction Technology Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy Duncan
  • Publication number: 20150059471
    Abstract: An apparatus including a first sensor including a sensing material that is sensitive to a first parameter and a second parameter, wherein sensitivity to the first parameter changes sensitivity to the second parameter. The sensitivity of the first sensor to one of the first and the second parameters may be controlled by maintaining, as a constant, the other of the first and the second parameters. The apparatus may include a second sensor sensitive to at least one of the first parameter and the second parameter. The first parameter may be deformation and the second parameter may be a concentration of a gaseous analyte such as, for example, humidity. The second sensor may include the sensing material that is sensitive to the first parameter and the second parameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2014
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Inventors: Samiul HAQUE, Stefano Marco Borini, Richard White
  • Publication number: 20150064603
    Abstract: Flexible electrical devices are provided that include a coated inner carbon nanotube electrode that has an exterior surface, an outer carbon nanotube electrode disposed on the exterior surface of the coated inner carbon nanotube electrode, and an overlap region in which the coated inner carbon nanotube electrode and the outer carbon nanotube electrode overlap one another, in which the device has a fiber-like geometry and first and second electrode ends. Methods are provided for fabricating an electrical component that includes a flexible electrical component having a fiber-like geometry and includes carbon nanotube electrodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2014
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Inventors: Jesse Smithyman, Zhiyong Liang
  • Patent number: 8915121
    Abstract: An encapsulated device comprising an integrated gas permeation sensor is provided, comprising a base substrate with an electronic component arranged thereon being enclosed within an encapsulation for protecting the electronic component from moisture and/or oxygen; at least one sensor is arranged within the encapsulation to measure the permeation of gas into the encapsulation; each sensor comprises an electrically conductive sensing element comprising a moisture and/or oxygen sensitive material, wherein the reaction of said material with moisture and/or oxygen results in a change in the electrical resistance/conductivity of the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Agency for Science, Technology and Research
    Inventors: Ramadas Senthil Kumar, Adrian Paul Burden, Soo Jin Chua
  • Publication number: 20140366629
    Abstract: An electronic device includes a temperature and humidity sensor, a timing unit, and a storage unit storing a number of temperature values provided by weather forecast. Each of the temperature values provided by the weather forecast is associated with one time point. The electronic device obtains the temperature value and the humidity value sensed by the temperature and humidity sensor, obtains current time from the timing unit, associates the obtained temperature value and the humidity value with the current time, and stores the associated temperature value, humidity value, and the current time. The electronic device further compares each obtained temperature value with each temperature value provided by the weather forecast to find at which time point there is a match, searches in the storage unit to determine that each determined humidity value associated with one found time point is a humidity value with accuracy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2013
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Applicants: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD., FU TAI HUA INDUSTRY (SHENZHEN) CO., LTD.
    Inventor: HUA-YU HUANG
  • Publication number: 20140290359
    Abstract: A highly sensitive humidity measurement device is provided. The humidity measurement device has: a housing component integrally including a connector for performing input/output to/from the outside and a connector terminal component; an electronic circuit board mounted on the housing component and electrically connected to the connector terminal; and a humidity sensing element provided on the electronic circuit board. When the humidity measurement device is installed in an installation hole that is provided in a part of a main air flow passage through which suction air flows, apart of the housing component is exposed to the suction air flowing through the main air flow passage. The housing component is provided with a bypass passage to suction a part of the suction air. The bypass passage includes a bypass inlet opening that serves as a suction port of the suction air and a bypass outlet opening that discharges the suction air. The bypass outlet opening is exposed to the suction air.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2012
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Inventors: Takayuki Saito, Keiji Hanzawa, Takayuki Yogo
  • Publication number: 20140283596
    Abstract: To provide a humidity detection device by which good accuracy in measurement is achieved even under severe environmental conditions, in the humidity detection device which includes an electronic circuit board 1 and a humidity detection element 2 mounted on one surface of the electronic circuit board and detects humidity in air by exposing to air the whole of the humidity detection element and a portion of the electronic circuit board, a plurality of heating resistors 3 are mounted on the same surface as the surface on which the humidity detection element is mounted, and the heating resistors are provided around the humidity detection element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2012
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Inventors: Takeo Hosokawa, Takayuki Saito
  • Publication number: 20140260604
    Abstract: A moisture meter detects one or more conditions within an environment. The moisture meter includes a housing and one or more detection pins structurally supported by the housing. The detection pins being can measure moisture. The moisture meter further includes a sensing probe structurally supported by the housing. The sensing, probe being can measure humidity within the environment. Operation of one of the one or more detection pins and the sensing probe does not interfere with operation of the other of the one or more detection pins and the sensing probe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventor: Christopher James Elliott Ranwell
  • Publication number: 20140216153
    Abstract: A gas sensing device that includes humidity compensation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Inventor: Albert PION
  • Patent number: 8783101
    Abstract: A rapid response relative humidity sensor based on nano-structured aluminum oxide thin film is disclosed. The main body of the sensor is an anodic aluminum oxide thin film of about 2-20 ?m thick formed from an Al substrate which serves as one electrode. A porous metal layer of about 20-200 nm thick is formed over the anodic aluminum oxide thin film and functions as a second electrode. The alumina thin film contains nano-sized channels of about 10-100 nm in diameter, serving as a capacitive relative humidity sensor having high sensitivity and short response time. Thermal annealing at elevated temperature improves the linearity of the capacitance versus humidity curve, giving a full range humidity sensing range. Hysteresis and degradation are negligible for the humidity sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Nano and Advanced Materials Institute Limited
    Inventors: Chun Zhang, Jianying Miao, Ning Wang
  • Patent number: 8673649
    Abstract: A wireless chemical sensor includes an electrical conductor and a material separated therefrom by an electric insulator. The electrical conductor is an unconnected open-circuit shaped for storage of an electric field and a magnetic field. In the presence of a time-varying magnetic field, the first electrical conductor resonates to generate harmonic electric and magnetic field responses. The material is positioned at a location lying within at least one of the electric and magnetic field responses so-generated. The material changes in electrical conductivity in the presence of a chemical-of-interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Stanley E. Woodard, Donald M. Oglesby, Bryant Douglas Taylor
  • Patent number: 8646311
    Abstract: A sensor for detecting hydrogen or ammonia gas uses a gas sensitive material based on Cr2O3 with a small percentage of the chromium replaced by transition metal ions having a valency greater than four, but still having a corundum crystal structure. Electrodes in contact with the gas sensitive material are connected by conductors to electrical measuring means for measuring the resistance, conductance, capacitance, or impedance of the gas sensitive material. A temperature sensing means and heating means allow the temperature of the gas sensitive material to be regulated. The gas sensitive material is formed on an insulator substrate over one or both electrodes. One electrode can be on the non-substrate side of the gas sensitive material. The gas sensitive material can be formed by deposition from a suspension or colloidal dispersion and firing. The gas sensitive material is contacted with gas and changes in electrical properties of the material are observed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Atmospheric Sensors Ltd.
    Inventor: Patrick T. Moseley
  • Patent number: 8621923
    Abstract: A humidity sensor has, on a substrate, at least one voltage sensor with a sensor region and at least one control electrode. The control electrode is connected to a signal source which is designed such that a variable control voltage can be applied to the control electrode. A moisture-permeable sensor layer whose dielectric constant depends on humidity is located on the sensor region. The control electrode is adjacent to the sensor layer in such a manner that the measured voltage signal of the voltage sensor depends on the control voltage and the humidity. The voltage sensor is connected to an analysis unit for ascertaining the humidity on the basis of the measured voltage signal. In the vertical projection onto the plane in which the substrate extends, the control electrode is located laterally next to the sensor region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Micronas GmbH
    Inventor: Heinz-Peter Frerichs
  • Publication number: 20130327141
    Abstract: A monitoring system for use with electrically operated devices such as portable combustion heaters and having a carbon monoxide sensor, a relative humidity sensor and a supply voltage sensor and controller in a common enclosure mountable on the heater or alternatively in proximity. A user interface provides an indication of the sensor measurements which is readily discernible to persons in proximity to the system. The user interface may provide digital readouts, analog voltage outputs, serial data or logic level outputs. The system provides an alarm or disable the heater in response to one of the sensors measuring a predetermined level of sensed humidity, carbon monoxide or humidity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2012
    Publication date: December 12, 2013
    Inventors: Franklin B. Floyd, JR., Valentino Di Giovanni
  • Publication number: 20130233073
    Abstract: A moisture sensor includes a first electrode (a conductive substrate) having a first sensor portion and a first terminal portion as well as a second electrode having a second sensor portion and a second terminal portion. The moisture sensor also includes a layer of porous dielectric material sandwiched between the first sensor portion and the second sensor portion. Further the moisture sensor includes a layer of dense insulating material sandwiched between the first terminal portion and the second terminal portion. Leads are then connected to the two terminal portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2012
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Applicant: THE UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY RESEARCH FOUNDATION
    Inventors: Zhi David Chen, Ibrahim Yucedag
  • Publication number: 20130160518
    Abstract: A device having an integrated circuit that includes a relative humidity sensor as well as a memory element for storing calibration information for the relative humidity sensor. Because of the nature of fabrication of an integrated circuit for a relative humidity sensor, variances in the creation of electronic components therein may lead to a need to calibrate the sensor after assembly. Such calibration information may be ascertained at the time of fabrication and stored in a memory component disposed on the integrated circuit chip. By storing the calibration information, which may be determined at the time of fabrication, one does not need to determine such calibration information later at assembly or store the already determined calibration information in a remote location until assembly if it was, in fact, ascertained at fabrication. Then, at assembly, one needs only to read the calibration information in order to calibrate the relative humidity sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2011
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Applicant: STMICROELECTRONICS ASIA PACIFIC PTE LTD.
    Inventors: Olivier LENEEL, Ravi SHANKAR
  • Patent number: 8413505
    Abstract: The present invention provides a temperature and humidity measuring and recording device deployed on substrate for measuring and recording temperature and humidity of the interior of any station for reticles and of any SMIF POD. The temperature and humidity measuring and recording device comprises a substrate with a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface on another side of the substrate, a first measurement unit embedded in and fixed to the first surface of the substrate for measuring the temperature and humidity of the surrounding environment, and a second measurement unit embedded in and fixed to the second surface of the substrate for measuring the temperature and humidity of the interior between the substrate and the pellicle film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Gudeng Precision Industrial Co, Ltd
    Inventors: Ke-Chih Chien, Ming-Long Chiu, Pao-Yi Lu
  • Publication number: 20120260732
    Abstract: A sensor (2) for sensing a first substance and a second substance, the sensor comprising first (3) and second (5) sensor components each comprising a first material (20), the first material being sensitive to both the first substance and the second substance, the sensor further comprising a barrier (18) for preventing the second substance from passing into the second sensor component (5).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2010
    Publication date: October 18, 2012
    Applicant: NXP B.V.
    Inventors: Aurelie Humbert, Youri Victorovitch Ponomarev, Roel Daamen, Matthias Merz
  • Publication number: 20120103092
    Abstract: The present invention provides a temperature and humidity measuring and recording device deployed on substrate for measuring and recording temperature and humidity of the interior of any station for reticles and of any SMIF POD. The temperature and humidity measuring and recording device comprises a substrate with a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface on another side of the substrate, a first measurement unit embedded in and fixed to the first surface of the substrate for measuring the temperature and humidity of the surrounding environment, and a second measurement unit embedded in and fixed to the second surface of the substrate for measuring the temperature and humidity of the interior between the substrate and the pellicle film.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2010
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Inventors: Ke-Chih Chien, Ming-Long Chiu, Pao-Yi Lu
  • Publication number: 20120053872
    Abstract: A system and method for determining humidity based on determination of an offset voltage shift are disclosed. In one embodiment, a system for determining humidity comprises an electromechanical device comprising a first layer, a second layer, and a dielectric between the two layers, wherein the dielectric is spaced apart from at least one of the first and second layers in an unactuated state of the electromechanical device, and wherein the dielectric contacts both the first and second layers in an actuated state of the electromechanical device, a voltage source configured to apply, between the first and second layers, one or more voltages, and a processor configured to control the voltage source, to determine an offset voltage shift based on the applied voltages, and to determine information regarding humidity about the device based on the offset voltage shift.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2010
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Applicant: QUALCOMM MEMS TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Daniel Felnhofer, Wihelmus A. de Groot
  • Publication number: 20110297401
    Abstract: A smoke detector system includes a smoke detector sensor and oxygen sensor mounted to a housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2010
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Inventors: Paul Rennie, Beth A. Jones
  • Publication number: 20110296912
    Abstract: Disclosed is an integrated circuit comprising an electrode arrangement for detecting the presence of a liquid, said electrode arrangement comprising a first electrode and a second electrode, wherein, prior to exposure of the electrode arrangement to said liquid, a surface of at least one of the first electrode and second electrode is at least partially covered by a compound that is soluble in the liquid; the electrical properties of the electrode arrangement being dependent on the amount of the compound covering said surface. An package and electronic device comprising such an IC and a method of manufacturing such an IC are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2010
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Applicant: NXP B.V.
    Inventors: Matthias Merz, Roel Daamen, Aurelie Humbert, Youri Victorovitch Ponomarev
  • Publication number: 20110290015
    Abstract: A sensor control apparatus (3) includes a full-range gas sensor composed of an oxygen concentration detection cell having a pair of electrodes (21, 22) and an oxygen pump cell having a pair of electrodes (19, 20). In an electric circuit section (30), an Ip current flowing between the electrodes (19, 20) is controlled such that an electromotive force Vs produced between the electrodes (21, 22) becomes equal to a reference voltage. The reference voltage is usually set to a first reference voltage. However, when the subject gas is air, the reference voltage is set to a second reference voltage. Humidity of the subject gas is detected on the basis of an error ?Ip between an Ip current detected when the reference voltage is set to the first reference voltage, and an Ip current detected when the reference voltage is set to the second reference voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2010
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Applicant: NGK Spark Plug Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Noboru Ishida, Kentaro Mori, Tomohiro Tajima
  • Publication number: 20110277547
    Abstract: An apparatus for measuring humidity or moisture, such as in concrete, is described comprising a sensor module comprising a humidity or moisture sensor in electrical communication with a first set of terminals and a hand-held reader module comprising a controller in electrical communication with a second set of terminals that are mateable with the first set of terminals such that the hand-held reader module is electrically connectable to and electrically disconnectable from the sensor module. The hand-held reader module is configured to read data from the sensor in response to making electrical connection with the sensor module. One set of terminals can comprise plural connector pins and the other set of terminals can comprise plural landing pads, such that the plural connector pins and the plural landing pads make a same electrical connection regardless of the rotational orientation of the hand-held reader module relative to the sensor module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2011
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Inventor: Timothy Duncan
  • Patent number: 8047056
    Abstract: One embodiment of the invention comprises a moisture vapor probe comprising a hollow sleeve and a removable electronics module. The probe has a generally cylindrical hollow sleeve having a sidewall with an inner surface and an outer surface. The sleeve comprises a sensor plate having a moisture vapor sensor and forming a water impermeable barrier with the sidewall. The sleeve has an opening such that a volume is defined by the opening, the sidewall and the sensor plate. The probe further comprises an electronics module removably disposable within the sleeve. The electronics module includes an information transfer unit. The information transfer unit in communication with the moisture vapor sensor and adapted to receive relative humidity information from the moisture vapor sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Construction Technology Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Howard M. Kanare, Ed Wagner, Tim Duncan
  • Patent number: 8015872
    Abstract: A SAW-based humidity sensor apparatus with integrated signal conditioning on the same substrate. A micro-electronic circuit can be processed at a silicon substrate to obtain on-chip signal conditioning internally and the silicon substrate can be covered with a protective layer of, for example, silicon nitride. Surface acoustic wave media (e.g., a ZnO film) can be coated on top of the protective layer. A humidity sensitive film and two sets of interdigital transducers can then be deposited on the surface acoustic wave media. The humidity sensitive film absorbs moisture and changes the receiving frequency at the two sets of interdigital transducers. The output from the two sets of interdigital transducers can be processed by the micro-electronic circuit, which eliminates common mode noise and generates an output signal proportional to the humidity value tested.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Wenwei Zhang
  • Publication number: 20110088466
    Abstract: A humidity sensor has, on a substrate, at least one voltage sensor with a sensor region and at least one control electrode. The control electrode is connected to a signal source which is designed such that a variable control voltage can be applied to the control electrode. A moisture-permeable sensor layer whose dielectric constant depends on humidity is located on the sensor region. The control electrode is adjacent to the sensor layer in such a manner that the measured voltage signal of the voltage sensor depends on the control voltage and the humidity. The voltage sensor is connected to an analysis unit for ascertaining the humidity on the basis of the measured voltage signal. In the vertical projection onto the plane in which the substrate extends, the control electrode is located laterally next to the sensor region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2010
    Publication date: April 21, 2011
    Inventor: Heinz-Peter FRERICHS
  • Patent number: 7899346
    Abstract: The humidity detecting device includes a detection unit and a controller. The detection unit includes a humidity sensor for producing a humidity detection signal by detecting a humidity, a temperature sensor for producing a temperature detection signal by detecting a temperature surrounding the humidity sensor, and a common power supply line connected to the humidity sensor and the temperature sensor. The controller includes an application circuit for applying a power supply voltage to the humidity sensor and the temperature sensor through the common power supply line, a read circuit for producing a read-out humidity value corresponding to the humidity detection signal and a read-out temperature value corresponding to the temperature detection signal, and a correction circuit for correcting the read-out humidity value based on the read-out temperature value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Isao Kubo, Kenichi Dan
  • Patent number: 7803632
    Abstract: A method for detecting a substance in a liquid with high accuracy and high sensitivity includes recording frequency drifts of output frequencies of oscillator circuit outputs of m sensing oscillator circuits respectively including sensing SAW elements and frequency drifts of output frequencies of oscillator circuit outputs of n reference oscillator circuits respectively including reference SAW elements; determining at least one of the sensing oscillator circuits whose frequency drifts fall within a predetermined range and at least one of the reference oscillator circuits whose frequency drifts fall within the predetermined range to be acceptable; selecting at least one of the sensing oscillator circuits from among the acceptable sensing oscillator circuits and at least one of the reference oscillator circuits from among the acceptable reference oscillator circuits; and comparing an oscillator circuit output of the selected at least one of sensing oscillator circuits with an oscillator circuit output of the se
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Kenjiro Okaguchi, Michio Kadota
  • Publication number: 20100192687
    Abstract: A gas sensitive material comprising SnO2 nanocrystals doped with In2O3 and an oxide of a platinum group metal, and a method of making the same. The platinum group metal is preferably Pd, but also may include Pt, Ru, Ir, and combinations thereof. The SnO2 nanocrystals have a specific surface of 7 or greater, preferably about 20 m2/g, and a mean particle size of between about 10 nm and about 100 nm, preferably about 40 nm. A gas detection device made from the gas sensitive material deposited on a substrate, the gas sensitive material configured as a part of a current measuring circuit in communication with a heat source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2006
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Inventors: Leonid Israilevich Trakhtenberg, Genrikh Gerasimov, Vladimir Fedorovich Gromov, Valeriya Isaakovna Rozenberg
  • Patent number: 7737700
    Abstract: Detecting air ingredients is obtained, a heater and gas sensitive acting layers are arranged on a substrate, which are connectable to an analyzing unit. Electrical resistances of n acting layers are connected in series; heater is a temperature sensor connected in parallel with this series connection, electrical resistance of heater is smaller than the sum of electrical resistances of acting layers and resistances are connected with a total of n+1 electrical terminals via electrodes so that heater is connected with two terminals and n?1 other terminals are connected with a respective junction that interconnects two acting layers. Heater is intermittently heated so that a predefined constant temperature of acting layers is achieved, temperature of acting layers is acquired by determining electrical resistance of heater; voltages in the series connection of acting layers are analyzed and a concentration of gases are determined from electrical resistances of acting layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: UST Umweltsensortechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Olaf Kiesewetter, Anatolij Ewert, Volkmar Melchert, Sven Kittelmann
  • Patent number: 7710128
    Abstract: A humidity sensor apparatus and method of forming the same. A substrate can be provided upon which a plurality of humidity sensing components are disposed to form a humidity sensor thereof. Each humidity sensing component generally includes an associated particular parasitic capacitance. This parasitic capacitance is utilized to reduce and/or control a sensitivity and a total capacitance value associated with the humidity sensor without increasing a size of the humidity sensor and/or humidity sensor components (e.g., capacitors).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Yousef M. Alimi, Richard A. Davis
  • Publication number: 20100089150
    Abstract: An apparatus for determining and/or monitoring at least one process variable, especially the moisture content or the temperature of a medium, including at least one sensor unit. A supply canal is provided, and the supply canal is embodied, positioned and matched at least to the sensor unit in such a manner that the medium has access through the supply canal essentially only to the sensor unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2006
    Publication date: April 15, 2010
    Inventor: Jiri Polak
  • Publication number: 20100058857
    Abstract: A SAW-based humidity sensor apparatus with integrated signal conditioning on the same substrate. A micro-electronic circuit can be processed at a silicon substrate to obtain on-chip signal conditioning internally and the silicon substrate can be covered with a protective layer of, for example, silicon nitride. Surface acoustic wave media (e.g., a ZnO film) can be coated on top of the protective layer. A humidity sensitive film and two sets of interdigital transducers can then be deposited on the surface acoustic wave media. The humidity sensitive film absorbs moisture and changes the receiving frequency at the two sets of interdigital transducers. The output from the two sets of interdigital transducers can be processed by the micro-electronic circuit, which eliminates common mode noise and generates an output signal proportional to the humidity value tested.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2008
    Publication date: March 11, 2010
    Inventor: Wenwei Zhang
  • Publication number: 20100005881
    Abstract: A protective device for a humidity sensor protects the sensor from aggressive substances in a fluid to be analyzed. The protective device for the humidity sensor comprises a protective cap having openings that are covered with a membrane in such a manner that mass transfer between a measuring medium present in the environment and the interior of the protective cap can only take place through the membrane, said membrane including a plastic material which is highly permeable to water vapor, has high thermal stability and high corrosive resistance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2007
    Publication date: January 14, 2010
    Inventors: Axel Broedel, Mike Muhl
  • Patent number: 7643941
    Abstract: A system and method for providing a statistical measure of the size of liquid water droplets in a cloud, as well as a system and method for the detection and/or measurement of the presence of a cloud, liquid water content in the cloud and ice water content in the cloud, among other parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: Science Engineering Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Lyle E. Lilie, Christopher P. Sivo, Daniel B. Bouley