Gm Global Technolgoy Operations, Inc.

Other

Delphi Technologies, Inc.

Antonio B Catalan

Joseph V Mantese

Adolph L Micheli

Norman William Schubring

Michel Farid Sultan

Andrew Mark Mance

Jeffrey A Sell

Charles Robert Harrington

Martin Stephen Meyer

Aboud H Hamdi

Michael James O'Rourke

Joseph Vito Mantese

Andrew W Schubring

A ferroelectric/pyroelectric sensor that employs a technique for determining a charge output of a pyroelectric element of the sensor by measuring the hysteresis loop output of the element several times during a particular time frame for the same temperature. An external AC signal is applied to the pyroelectric element to cause the hysteresis loop output from the element to switch polarization. Charge integration circuitry, such as a combination capacitor and operational amplifier, is employed to measure the charge from the element. A mechanical shutter is not used, and thus the charge integration output from the element is directly proportional to the incident radiation thereof.

Ferroelectric thermometry and pyrometry by active operation

A ferroelectric/pyroelectric sensor that employs a technique for determining a charge output of a pyroelectric element of the sensor by measuring the hysteresis loop output of the element several times during a particular time frame for the same temperature. An external AC signal is applied to the pyroelectric element to cause the hysteresis loop output from the element to switch polarization. The frequency of the external AC signal is greater than the frequency of a chopper selectively applying a reference temperature and a scene temperature alternately to the pyroelectric element. Each time the chopper provides the reference temperature or the scene temperature to the element, the alternating external source covers multiple cycles so that the hysteresis loop output is switched multiple times for increased signal averaging. Because the shape and size of the loop is different for the reference temperature and the scene temperature, a comparison between the measured charge for both time periods can be provided to give a signal having an increased signal-to-noise ratio.

Pyroelectric sensor sensitivity enhanced by active hysteresis excitation

A low cost, bi-directional manifold air flow sensing device based on sensed temperature differential due to airflow achieves improved sensitivity and frequency response by eliminating the heater element of the conventional sensor topology, and operating the sensor elements at a relatively higher current so that each temperature sensing element heats both itself and the other temperature sensing element. The sensitivity is significantly increased due to the increased current in the sensor elements, and the frequency response is significantly increased due to closer spacing of the sensor elements. With this new topology, the sensor elements are said to be mutually heated. In a particularly advantageous mechanization, the sensing device includes two separate pairs of upstream and downstream sensing elements, and the sensing elements are connected in the four legs of a Wheatstone bridge. The sensitivity is doubled since sensor elements are connected in each of the bridge legs, and performance and cost are improved through the elimination of off-chip bridge components. A simple, low cost, temperature compensation circuit compensates for ambient temperature variations.

Bi-directional mass air flow sensor having mutually-heated sensor

A film having a unique asymmetrical hysteresis, a method of making, and a method of using such a film in and/or as a device. An example describes a distinctive ferroelectric device as an infrared detector that operates at generally ambient conditions.

Transpacitor

Patterned films of superconducting materials are formed using focused beam techniques, such as electron beam, ion beam, and laser beam techniques. A solution comprising the neodecanoates of yttrium, barium, and copper is formed which is soluble in an organic solvent. The solution is spun onto an appropriate substrate. The solution is dried and subsequently selectively exposed using focused beam techniques, so that the exposed regions are no longer soluble in the organic solvent. The solution is immersed in the organic solvent, so that the only the exposed, insoluble regions remain on the substrate. The solution is then heated at a temperature sufficient to decompose the neodecanoates, about 500.degree. C., and then heated again, preferably using rapid thermal annealing techniques, to promote recrystallization and grain growth of the remaining metal oxides. The resulting patterned film exhibits superconductive characteristics.

Patterning thin film superconductors using focused beam techniques

Fine line superconductors of yttrium-barium-copper were formed on &lt;100&gt; strontium titanate substrates by the completely non-vacuum techniques of metallo-organic deposition in selective laser pyrolysis. Lines 125 micrometers wide were written in a film of metal neodecanoates, using an argon laser, prior to complete pyrolysis. An organic dye which absorbs selective laser light wavelengths, is added to the metallo-organic solution comprising the metal neodecanoates prior to laser exposure, so as to enhance absorption of the laser light at the regions of the metallo-organic film which are subsequently exposed to the laser light. The increased light absorbance at the exposed regions, results in at least partial pyrolysis of the exposed metal neodecanoates. Regions of the metallo-organic film not exposed to laser pyrolysis is developed away using a xylene wash. Subsequent complete pyrolysis of the metal neodecanoates and rapid thermal annealing produced lines having superconducting onsets above 90 K and zero resistance at 40 K.

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Sterling Heights, MI, United States of America

Antonio B Catalan