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US4136566A
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US
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Semiconductor temperature sensor
Assignee: CENTRAL BANK & TRUST COMPANY A KY BANKING CORP
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Filing: 1977-06-24
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Granted: 1979-01-30
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Expires: 1997-06-24
Abstract
Abstract A temperature sensor utilizing a semiconductor sensing element which absorbs monochromatic radiant energy as a function of temperature. The apparatus includes a monochromatic radiant energy source, radiant energy guide means, a semiconductor sensing element interposed in the radiant energy guide means and a detector for detecting the intensity of the monochromatic radiant energy transmitted by the semiconductor sensing element. Advantageously, optical fibers may be used as the radiant energy guide means for directing the monochromatic radiant energy to the semiconductor and returning the transmitted radiant energy to the detector. The semiconductor sensing element is fabricated from a suitable semiconductor material such as galium arsenide. Additionally, the semiconductor material can be fabricated as a mirror or reflecting prism so that it serves both as the sensing element and as part of the optical components for the radiant energy guide means.
Inventors
- 👤 Douglas A. Christensen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 15:00
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01K; G01K11/00; G01K11/12; G01K11/18
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
160 words
A temperature sensor comprising in combination: a radiant energy path means comprising a first optical fiber waveguide means and a second optical fiber waveguide means; sensing means prismatically configurated so as to provide a direct reflective path from said first waveguide means, through said sensing means, to said second waveguide means, said sensing means being fabricated from material which absorbs a portion of a monochromatic radiant energy transmitted along said direct reflective path through said sensing means as a function of temperature; a monochromatic radiant energy source means optically coupled to said first optical fiber waveguide means, thereby introducing said monochromatic radiant energy into said first optical fiber waveguide means; and detecting means optically coupled to said second optical fiber waveguide means for detecting the intensity of the monochromatic radiant energy transmitted along said direct reflective path through said sensing means, the detecting means correlating the intensity of the transmitted monochromatic radiant energy with the temperature of the sensing means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
160 words
A temperature sensor comprising in combination: a radiant energy path means comprising a first optical fiber waveguide means and a second optical fiber waveguide means; sensing means prismatically configurated so as to provide a direct reflective path from said first waveguide means, through said sensing means, to said second waveguide means, said sensing means being fabricated from material which absorbs a portion of a monochromatic radiant energy transmitted along said direct reflective path through said sensing means as a function of temperature; a monochromatic radiant energy source means optically coupled to said first optical fiber waveguide means, thereby introducing said monochromatic radiant energy into said first optical fiber waveguide means; and detecting means optically coupled to said second optical fiber waveguide means for detecting the intensity of the monochromatic radiant energy transmitted along said direct reflective path through said sensing means, the detecting means correlating the intensity of the transmitted monochromatic radiant energy with the temperature of the sensing means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The temperature sensor defined in claim 1 wherein the radiation source is operable to emit radiant energy in the near infrared and infrared region of the electromagnetic spectrum.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
The temperature sensor defined in claim 1 wherein the detecting means further comprises comparing means for comparing intensity of radiant energy emitted by the radiant energy source with the intensity of the energy reflected through said sensing means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
39 words
The temperature sensor defined in claim 1 wherein the sensing means comprises a bulk semiconductor sample having the characteristic of absorbing radiant energy at a preselected wavelength near the band edge of the semiconductor as a function of temperature.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The temperature sensor defined in claim 1 wherein the sensing means comprises a semiconductor having a temperature coefficient of gap energy.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The temperature sensor defined in claim 5 wherein the semiconductor is fabricated from galium arsenide.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
The temperature sensor defined in claim 1 wherein the sensing means is fabricated as a mirror to further improve reflection of the unabsorbed portion of monochromatic radiant energy.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
173 words
A method for sensing temperature in the presence of an electromagnetic field without disturbing said electromagnetic field, the method comprising: fabricating a temperature sensor from a semiconductor material having an optical transmission characteristic for a preselected wavelength as a function of the temperature of the sensor, said sensor being prismatically configurated so as to provide a direct reflective path through said temperature sensor; providing a radiation source for said preselected wavelength; optically coupling the sensor to the radiation source with a first optical fiber waveguide; providing a detector capable of detecting intensity changes in the radiation transmitted along said direct reflective path through the sensor as a function of temperature; optically coupling the sensor to the detector with a second optical fiber waveguide; and sensing temperature by directing the radiation along a direct reflective path from said first optical fiber waveguide through said temperature sensor to said second optical fiber waveguide, and detecting the intensity of the radiation transmitted by the sensor through said second optical fiber waveguide as a function of temperature.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
173 words
A method for sensing temperature in the presence of an electromagnetic field without disturbing said electromagnetic field, the method comprising: fabricating a temperature sensor from a semiconductor material having an optical transmission characteristic for a preselected wavelength as a function of the temperature of the sensor, said sensor being prismatically configurated so as to provide a direct reflective path through said temperature sensor; providing a radiation source for said preselected wavelength; optically coupling the sensor to the radiation source with a first optical fiber waveguide; providing a detector capable of detecting intensity changes in the radiation transmitted along said direct reflective path through the sensor as a function of temperature; optically coupling the sensor to the detector with a second optical fiber waveguide; and sensing temperature by directing the radiation along a direct reflective path from said first optical fiber waveguide through said temperature sensor to said second optical fiber waveguide, and detecting the intensity of the radiation transmitted by the sensor through said second optical fiber waveguide as a function of temperature.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1982-01-29 | 1982-07-31 | 1983-01-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1986-01-29 | 1986-07-31 | 1987-01-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1990-01-29 | 1990-07-31 | 1991-01-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |