Patent US4123939A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4123939A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Thermal standard
Assignee: United States Department of the Navy
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Filing: 1977-04-19
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Granted: 1978-11-07
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Expires: 1997-04-19
Abstract
Abstract The invention disclosed is a device capable of sensing and recording the al thermal energy received by an object in a given location. The device can sense the energy received from any direction by any source of thermal energy. The sensors are attached to a recorder so that variations over time can be observed.
Inventors
- 👤 Crill Maples
- 👤 Howard C. Schafer
- 👤 Richard D. Ulrich
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 16:39
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01J; G01J5/00; G01J5/10; G01J5/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
134 words
A thermal environment monitor comprising: a receiving body for absorbing thermal energy from all directions; insulating material which is a low thermal conductor placed within said receiving body for supporting a thermal gradient across said receiving body when said thermal energy has a spatial variation; a plurality of temperature sensors distributed over and/or through said insulating material within said receiving body such that the temperature at said sensors can be used to calculate the temperature gradients throughout said insulating material; a stand for supporting the receiving body a predetermined distance from the ground connected to said receiving body; and a recorder operatively connected to the temperature sensors for logging the temperatures observed at each sensor over a period of time, whereby calculations of the temperature gradient as a function of time can be made.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
134 words
A thermal environment monitor comprising: a receiving body for absorbing thermal energy from all directions; insulating material which is a low thermal conductor placed within said receiving body for supporting a thermal gradient across said receiving body when said thermal energy has a spatial variation; a plurality of temperature sensors distributed over and/or through said insulating material within said receiving body such that the temperature at said sensors can be used to calculate the temperature gradients throughout said insulating material; a stand for supporting the receiving body a predetermined distance from the ground connected to said receiving body; and a recorder operatively connected to the temperature sensors for logging the temperatures observed at each sensor over a period of time, whereby calculations of the temperature gradient as a function of time can be made.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
A thermal environment monitor as described in claim 1 where the temperature sensors are thermocouples.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
A thermal environment monitor as described in claim 1 where the sphere is made of stainless steel.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
77 words
A thermal environment monitor as described in claim 3 where the plurality of temperature sensors totals five and they are placed such that one is located at the center of said insulating material and the rest between said steel sphere and said insulating material with one on the side receiving morning sunlight, one on the side receiving noon day sunlight, one on the side receiving setting sunlight and one of the side against or facing the ground.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
A thermal environment monitor as described in claim 1 where the insulating material is rubber.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
108 words
A thermal environment monitor comprising: a stainless steel receiving body for absorbing thermal energy from all directions; insulating material within said receiving body which is a low thermal conductor for supporting a thermal gradient across said receiving body; a plurality of thermocouples within said receiving body and distributed over and/or throughout said insulating material such that the thermal gradients in said receiving body can be calculated from the individual temperature measurements of said thermocouples; a stand for supporting the receiving body a predetermined distance from the ground connected to said receiving body; and a recorder operatively connected to said thermocouples for logging the temperatures observed at each thermocouple.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
108 words
A thermal environment monitor comprising: a stainless steel receiving body for absorbing thermal energy from all directions; insulating material within said receiving body which is a low thermal conductor for supporting a thermal gradient across said receiving body; a plurality of thermocouples within said receiving body and distributed over and/or throughout said insulating material such that the thermal gradients in said receiving body can be calculated from the individual temperature measurements of said thermocouples; a stand for supporting the receiving body a predetermined distance from the ground connected to said receiving body; and a recorder operatively connected to said thermocouples for logging the temperatures observed at each thermocouple.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
A thermal environment monitor as described in claim 6 where the insulating material is rubber.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1981-11-06 | 1982-05-08 | 1982-11-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-11-06 | 1986-05-08 | 1986-11-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-11-06 | 1990-05-08 | 1990-11-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |