US5211480A — TRD temperature sensor and electronics

Claim 1

Independent Claim 103 words

A temperature sensing apparatus, comprising: signal means for providing a signal representative of a temperature responsive luminescence having a characteristic time-rate-of-decay; sampling means coupled to the signal means for sampling the signal during at least two time intervals, a first interval overlapping a second; comparison means coupled to the sampling means for comparing the average values of the sampled signals to provide a difference signal representative of the difference therebetween; and control means responsive to the difference signal for providing an output representing temperature as a function of the time-rate-of-decay, the control means adjusting the intervals as a function of the difference signal.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 103 words

A temperature sensing apparatus, comprising: signal means for providing a signal representative of a temperature responsive luminescence having a characteristic time-rate-of-decay; sampling means coupled to the signal means for sampling the signal during at least two time intervals, a first interval overlapping a second; comparison means coupled to the sampling means for comparing the average values of the sampled signals to provide a difference signal representative of the difference therebetween; and control means responsive to the difference signal for providing an output representing temperature as a function of the time-rate-of-decay, the control means adjusting the intervals as a function of the difference signal.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 34 words

An apparatus as recited in claim 1 where the signal means further includes excitation means for repetitively exciting a luminescent material to luminesce and the sampling means samples the signal after the excitation ceases.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 22 words

An apparatus as recited in claim 1 where the signal means further includes excitation means for exciting a luminescent material containing chromium.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 22 words

An apparatus as recited in claim 1 where the control means adjust the time intervals until the difference signal is substantially zero.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 25 words

An apparatus as recited in claim 4 wherein the control means identifies the temperature from a lookup table when the difference signal is substantially zero.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 26 words

An apparatus as recited in claim 1 where the signal means further comprises a probe tip having pressed therein a luminescent powder for providing the luminescence.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 21 words

An apparatus as recited in claim 1 further including autozeroing means for removing a DC component from the signal before sampling.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 111 words

A temperature sensing apparatus, comprising: probe means thermally coupled to an environment whose temperature is to be sensed, the probe means having an excitation source for repetitively emitting radiation and a luminescing means for luminescing with a thermally responsive time-rate-of-decay; control means coupled to the probe means for measuring luminescence from the luminescing means to provide at least two measured amounts representing average luminescence during at least each of two respective time intervals, the first interval overlapping the second interval; and differencing means for providing a difference signal representative of the difference between the two measured amounts, the control means being responsive to the difference signal for adjusting the time intervals.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 111 words

A temperature sensing apparatus, comprising: probe means thermally coupled to an environment whose temperature is to be sensed, the probe means having an excitation source for repetitively emitting radiation and a luminescing means for luminescing with a thermally responsive time-rate-of-decay; control means coupled to the probe means for measuring luminescence from the luminescing means to provide at least two measured amounts representing average luminescence during at least each of two respective time intervals, the first interval overlapping the second interval; and differencing means for providing a difference signal representative of the difference between the two measured amounts, the control means being responsive to the difference signal for adjusting the time intervals.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 52 words

A temperature sensing apparatus as recited in claim 8 where a temperature measuring means coupled to the excitation source measures the temperature of the excitation source and the control means further comprises timing means for selecting the length of time the excitation source emits radiation as a function of the source temperature.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 49 words

A temperature sensing apparatus as recited in claim 8 where a temperature measuring means coupled to the excitation source measures the temperature of the excitation source and the control means further comprise means for adjusting the intensity of the excitation source output as a function of the source temperature.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 17 words

A temperature sensing apparatus as recited in claim 8 where the luminescing means comprises a luminescent powder.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 17 words

A temperature sensing apparatus as recited in claim 11 where a gas substantially separates the powder particles.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 31 words

A temperature sensing apparatus as recited in claim 11 where the probe means includes a tube and the powder is packed into the tube, and an optical fiber abuts the powder.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 30 words

A temperature sensing apparatus as recited in claim 13 where the luminescent powder is substantially made of particles having a diameter smaller than 2/3 the diameter of the optical fiber.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 48 words

A temperature sensing apparatus as recited in claim 8 where a signal coupling ;means having a numerical aperture is coupled between the probe and the control means for collecting the luminescence, the signal coupling means further includes means for increasing the numerical aperture of the signal coupling means.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 27 words

A temperature sensing apparatus as recited in claim 15 where the signal coupling means is an optical fiber having a tapered end abutted to the luminescing means.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 32 words

A temperature sensing apparatus as recited in claim 15 where the luminescing means is a powder and the signal coupling means is an optical fiber having a tapered end contacting the powder.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 15 words

A temperature sensing apparatus as recited in claim 8 where the luminescing means contains chromium.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 27 words

A temperature sensing apparatus as recited in claim 18 where the luminescing means is a material selected from the group of luminescent materials Cr:GGG, Cr:GSGG, and Cr:Beryl.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 40 words

A temperature sensing apparatus as recited in claim 8 where the probe means further includes blackbody means for emitting blackbody radiation and where the control means further comprises electronics means for representing temperature as a function of the blackbody radiation.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 17 words

A temperature sensing apparatus as recited in claim 8 where an inert material coats the luminescing means.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 31 words

A temperature sensing system for sensing multiple temperatures, comprising a plurality of temperature sensing apparatus as recited in claim 8, each connected to a common optical fiber through an optical coupler.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 24 words

A temperature sensing apparatus as recited in claim 8 where the control means adjusts the time intervals until the measured difference is substantially zero.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 27 words

A temperature sensing apparatus as recited in claim 23 wherein the control means identifies the temperature from a lookup table when the measured difference is substantially zero.

Claim 27

Independent Claim 134 words

The method of sensing temperature comprising: emitting excitation radiation onto a luminescent material which is responsive to the excitation radiation, the luminescent material emitting luminescence with a thermally responsive time-rate-of-decay; sampling emissions from the luminescent material during a first time interval to obtain a first sampled average value; sampling emissions from the luminescent material during a second time interval to obtain a second sampled average value, the first time interval overlapping the second time interval; providing a signal representative of the difference between the first and second sampled average values; adjusting at least one of the first and second time intervals as a function of the difference between the sampled values so that the first and second sampled average values are substantially equal; and representing the temperature as a function of the time intervals.

Claim 28

Independent Claim 134 words

The method of sensing temperature comprising: emitting excitation radiation onto a luminescent material which is responsive to the excitation radiation, the luminescent material emitting luminescence with a thermally responsive time-rate-of-decay; sampling emissions from the luminescent material during a first time interval to obtain a first sampled average value; sampling emissions from the luminescent material during a second time interval to obtain a second sampled average value, the first time interval overlapping the second time interval; providing a signal representative of the difference between the first and second sampled average values; adjusting at least one of the first and second time intervals as a function of the difference between the sampled values so that the first and second sampled average values are substantially equal; and representing the temperature as a function of the time intervals.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 25 words

The method of claim 25 further including repetitively exciting the luminescent material to luminesce and the sampling of the emissions occurs after the excitation ceases.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 25 words

The method of claim 25 wherein the time intervals are adjusted until the difference between the first and second sampled average values is substantially zero.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 28 words

The method of claim 27 further including determining the temperature by a lookup table when the difference between the first and second sampled average values is substantially zero.

Claim 32

Independent Claim 94 words

The method of sensing temperature comprising: repetitively emitting excitation radiation onto a luminescing material which is thermally coupled to the temperature to be sensed, the luminescing material being responsive to the excitation radiation and emitting luminescence with a thermally responsive time-rate-of-decay; measuring the amount of luminescence emitted by the luminescing material in response to the excitation radiation during at least two time intervals, the first interval overlapping the second time interval; providing a signal representative of the difference between the measured amounts; and adjusting the time intervals as a function of the difference signal.

Claim 33

Independent Claim 94 words

The method of sensing temperature comprising: repetitively emitting excitation radiation onto a luminescing material which is thermally coupled to the temperature to be sensed, the luminescing material being responsive to the excitation radiation and emitting luminescence with a thermally responsive time-rate-of-decay; measuring the amount of luminescence emitted by the luminescing material in response to the excitation radiation during at least two time intervals, the first interval overlapping the second time interval; providing a signal representative of the difference between the measured amounts; and adjusting the time intervals as a function of the difference signal.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 21 words

The method of claim 29 wherein the time intervals are adjusted until the difference between the sampled values is substantially zero.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 24 words

The method of claim 29 further including identifying the temperature by a lookup table when the difference between the sampled values is substantially zero.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 33 words

The method of claim 29 further including measuring the temperature of the excitation source and selecting the length of time the excitation source emits excitation radiation as a function of the source temperature.

Claim 37

Dependent Claim 30 words

The method of claim 29 further including measuring the temperature of the excitation source and adjusting the intensity of the excitation source output as a function of the source temperature.

Claim 38

Dependent Claim 37 words

The method of claim 29 where the luminescing material is connected by a coupling means to a control means for measuring the amount of luminescence, the method further including increasing the numerical aperture of the coupling means.

Claim 39

Dependent Claim 25 words

The method of claim 29 where the luminescing material emits blackbody radiation, the method further including representing temperature as a function of the blackbody radiation.

Claim 40

Dependent Claim 27 words

The method of claim 29 where there are a plurality of luminescing materials, the method further including identifying a distinct temperature with each of the luminescing material.

Claim 41

Independent Claim 164 words

The method of measuring temperature in an environment from an emissions signal representative of emissions from a luminescent material having a temperature responsive time-rate-of-decay of luminescent intensity, comprising: emitting excitation radiation onto the luminescent material; sampling the emissions signal over a first time period between time A and time D and over a second time period between time B and time C, where A=ηD, B=A+α(D-A), and C=A+β(D-A), where η, α, and β are constants; providing first and second signals each representative of an average of the emissions from the luminescent material over the respective first and second time periods in accordance with the relationships ##EQU8## where k 1 is an amplitude of the emissions signal at a time no later than time A, k 2 is a DC component of the emissions signal, and e -t/ τ is proportional to the luminescent intensity of the emissions; and identifying the temperature of the environment from a lookup table if x is substantially equal to y.

Claim 42

Independent Claim 164 words

The method of measuring temperature in an environment from an emissions signal representative of emissions from a luminescent material having a temperature responsive time-rate-of-decay of luminescent intensity, comprising: emitting excitation radiation onto the luminescent material; sampling the emissions signal over a first time period between time A and time D and over a second time period between time B and time C, where A=ηD, B=A+α(D-A), and C=A+β(D-A), where η, α, and β are constants; providing first and second signals each representative of an average of the emissions from the luminescent material over the respective first and second time periods in accordance with the relationships ##EQU8## where k 1 is an amplitude of the emissions signal at a time no later than time A, k 2 is a DC component of the emissions signal, and e -t/ τ is proportional to the luminescent intensity of the emissions; and identifying the temperature of the environment from a lookup table if x is substantially equal to y.

Claim 43

Dependent Claim 62 words

The method of claim 37 further including adjusting the value of D if x is not substantially equal to y by an amount, dD in accordance with the relationship dD=χ.sub.0 (x-y)+χ.sub.1 [(x-y)-(x.sub.prev -y.sub.prev)]+χ.sub.2 Σ(x-y), where χ 0 , χ 1 and χ 2 are constants and x prev and y prev are the values of x and y during a previous sampling.

Claim 44

Dependent Claim 45 words

The method of claim 38 wherein the relationships of x, y, and dD are calculated by a processor, the processor containing a lookup table, where the step of identifying the temperature comprises identifying the temperature from the lookup table based on the value of D.

Claim 45

Dependent Claim 17 words

The method of claim 37 further including providing an output representative of the temperature of the environment.

Claim 46

Dependent Claim 15 words

The method of claim 37 further including repetitively exciting the luminescent material to luminesce emissions.

Claim 47

Dependent Claim 78 words

The method of claim 41 where the luminescent material is excited by a radiation source, the method further including measuring the temperature of the radiation source and operating the radiation source a time period, t ON , derived from the relationship t.sub.ON =C.sub.1 D f(T.sub.s), where C 1 is a constant and f(T s ) is a linear function of the temperature of the source, time A being measured from the end of time period t ON .

Claim 48

Dependent Claim 41 words

The method of claim 41 where the luminescent material is excited by a radiation source, the method further including measuring the temperature of the radiation source and adjusting the intensity of the radiation source based on the temperature of the source.

Claim 49

Dependent Claim 135 words

Apparatus for measuring temperature in an environment from a signal representative of emissions from a luminescent material having a temperature responsive time-rate-of-decay of luminescent intensity, comprising: sampling means for sampling the signal over a first time period between time A and time D and over a second time period between time B and time C, where A=ηD, B=A+α(D-A), and C=A+β(D-A), where η, α, and β are constants; and processor means having first means providing representations of ##EQU9## where, k 1 is an amplitude of the signal at time A, k 2 is a DC component of the signal, and e -t/ τ is proportional to the luminescent intensity of the emission, a lookup table, and second means for identifying the temperature of the environment from the lookup table if x is substantially equal to y.

Claim 50

Dependent Claim 135 words

Apparatus for measuring temperature in an environment from a signal representative of emissions from a luminescent material having a temperature responsive time-rate-of-decay of luminescent intensity, comprising: sampling means for sampling the signal over a first time period between time A and time D and over a second time period between time B and time C, where A=ηD, B=A+α(D-A), and C=A+β(D-A), where η, α, and β are constants; and processor means having first means providing representations of ##EQU9## where, k 1 is an amplitude of the signal at time A, k 2 is a DC component of the signal, and e -t/ τ is proportional to the luminescent intensity of the emission, a lookup table, and second means for identifying the temperature of the environment from the lookup table if x is substantially equal to y.

Claim 51

Dependent Claim 69 words

The apparatus according to claim 44 wherein said processor further includes third means for adjusting the value of D if x is not substantially equal to y by an amount, dD, in accordance with the relationship dD=χ.sub.0 (x-y)+χ.sub.1 [(x-y)-(x.sub.prev -y.sub.prev)]+χ.sub.2 Σ(x-y), where χ 0 , χ 1 and χ 2 are constants and x prev and y prev are the values of x and y during a previous sampling.

Claim 52

Dependent Claim 25 words

The apparatus according to claim 44 wherein the second means is responsive to the value of D to identify the temperature from the look-up table.

Claim 53

Dependent Claim 20 words

The apparatus according to claim 44 further including output means providing an output representative of the temperature of the environment.

Claim 54

Dependent Claim 19 words

The apparatus according to claim 44 further including excitation means for repetitively exciting the luminescent material to luminesce emissions.

Claim 55

Dependent Claim 74 words

The apparatus according to claim 48 further including means for measuring the temperature of the excitation means an d means for operating the excitation means during a time period, t ON , derived from the relationship t.sub.ON =C.sub.1 D f(T.sub.S), where C 1 is a constant and f(T S ) is a linear function of the temperature of the excitation means, time A being measured from the end of time period t ON .

Claim 56

Dependent Claim 35 words

The apparatus according to claim 49 further including means for measuring the temperature of the excitation means and means for adjusting the intensity of the excitation means based on the temperature of the excitation means.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1996-05-17	1996-11-16	1997-05-18	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2000-05-17	2000-11-16	2001-05-18	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2004-05-17	2004-11-16	2005-05-18	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

TRD temperature sensor and electronics

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