US4480312A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Temperature sensor/controller system
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1981-08-14
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Granted: 1984-10-30
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Expires: 2001-08-14
Abstract
Abstract A highly accurate electronic temperature sensor/controller system employs one or more sensing devices, a precision voltage reference, a pair of analog multiplexers, a voltage-to-frequency converter, a microcomputer, a keyboard, an output display, and one or more solid state switches.
Inventors
- 👤 Steven L. Wingate
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 19:08
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01D; G01D5/00; G01D5/12; G01D5/244; G01D5/248
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
198 words
A temperature sensor/controller comprising: temperature sensing means having a current output, said temperature sensing means being positioned at a point at which it is desired to measure temperature; analog multiplexing means coupled to said temperature sensing means and to a voltage-to-frequency converter means for providing a voltage that is proportional to the current output of said temperature sensing means; precision voltage reference means for providing as an output a substantially temperature insensitive source of reference voltage; said voltage-to-frequency converter means being further coupled to said precision voltage reference means for alternately providing a first output signal whose frequency is proportional to the current output of said temperature sensing means and a second output signal whose frequency is proportional to the output of said precision voltage reference means; and processor means coupled to said voltage-to-frequency converter means for alternately applying the output of said analog multiplexing means and the output of said precision voltage reference means to said voltage-to-frequency converter means and for computing the temperature sensed by said temperature sensing means in accordance with a predetermined mathematical relationship involving parameters derived from the output of said temperature sensing means and the output of said precision voltage reference means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
198 words
A temperature sensor/controller comprising: temperature sensing means having a current output, said temperature sensing means being positioned at a point at which it is desired to measure temperature; analog multiplexing means coupled to said temperature sensing means and to a voltage-to-frequency converter means for providing a voltage that is proportional to the current output of said temperature sensing means; precision voltage reference means for providing as an output a substantially temperature insensitive source of reference voltage; said voltage-to-frequency converter means being further coupled to said precision voltage reference means for alternately providing a first output signal whose frequency is proportional to the current output of said temperature sensing means and a second output signal whose frequency is proportional to the output of said precision voltage reference means; and processor means coupled to said voltage-to-frequency converter means for alternately applying the output of said analog multiplexing means and the output of said precision voltage reference means to said voltage-to-frequency converter means and for computing the temperature sensed by said temperature sensing means in accordance with a predetermined mathematical relationship involving parameters derived from the output of said temperature sensing means and the output of said precision voltage reference means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
146 words
A temperature sensor/controller as in claim 1 wherein said processor means is operative for computing the temperature T sensed by said temperature sensing means in accordance with the mathematical expression T=Kf n f ro /f cn f ri , where K is a scaling constant equal to the ambient absolute temperature at a point proximate said temperature sensing means at a time of calibration, f n is the frequency of the first output signal of said voltage-to-frequency converter means at a time of temperature measurement, f ro is the frequency of the second output of said voltage-to-frequency converter means at the time of calibration, f cn is the frequency of the first output signal of said voltage-to-frequency converter means at the time of calibration, and f ri is the frequency of the second output signal of said voltage-to-frequency converter means at the time of temperature measurement.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
83 words
A temperature sensor/controller as in claim 1 wherein: said temperature sensing means comprises a plurality of temperature transducers having a linear current output, each of said plurality of temperature transducers being positioned at a different point at which it is desired to measure temperature; said processor means is operative for applying the output of a selected one of said plurality of temperature transducers to said voltage-to-frequency converter means through said analog multiplexing means to compute the temperature sensed by that selected temperature transducer.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
A temperature sensor/controller as in claim 3 further comprising display means coupled to said processor means for visually displaying the temperature computed by said processor means as having been sensed by the selected temperature transducer.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
A temperature sensor/controller as in claim 4 further comprising keyboard input means coupled to said processor means for enabling the user to enter information into said processor means for controlling the operation of the temperature sensor/controller.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
A temperature sensor/controller as in claim 5 further comprising one or more solid state switches coupled to said processor means for controlling a corresponding one or more external devices in response to said processor means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
A temperature sensor/controller as in claim 6 wherein said processor means includes real time clock means for controlling said processor means.
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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) | 1987-10-30 | 1988-04-30 | 1988-10-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-10-30 | 1992-04-30 | 1992-10-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-10-30 | 1996-04-30 | 1996-10-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |