Therm-o-disc, Incorporated

Emerson Electric Company

Sensirion Ag

Bernd D Zimmermann

David Reynolds

Prasad S Khadkikar

Tung-Sheng Yang

Thomas C Anderson

Richard L Gerich

Lance A Bostic

Michael R DuHack

Hank E Millet

Richard E Welch

Paul Mark DeSantis

Praveen C Ramamurthy

Donald G Cunitz

Charles A Hirsch

Christian Georgeff

Maximilian Eichberger

Philip S Young

The present invention relates to a vacuum cleaner device () for operation on a floor area (F), comprising: a suction duct () and an actuator () arranged and configured to generate an underpressure in the suction duct () so that air is sucked into the suction duct (), a temperature sensor () configured to sample an air temperature in the vicinity of the device (), wherein said temperature sensor () is arranged in the suction duct () or adjacent an opening () of the suction duct (), and an analyzing unit () configured to detect a wet spot (W) on said floor area (F) using said sampled air temperature.

Vacuum cleaner device

A probe for a thermo-anemometer-type fluid flow rate sensor is disclosed. The probe comprises a tubular body member having a thermally conductive housing disposed within a fluid passageway and a detection module in the housing. The detection module includes a detection circuit and a heating circuit and is adapted to provide an output that varies in response to a change in temperature. The detection module is made from a ceramic substrate upon which the detection circuit and the heating circuit are deposited.

Fluid flow rate sensor and method of operation

A fuel fired appliance exhaust gas parameter sensor for continually detecting gas parameter emissions, such as CO, NOx and O, may be located above the appliance near the appliance exhaust outlet. The sensor may be located near or under a draft hood located near the exhaust outlet. The sensor remains relatively cool by draft air moving from outside the draft hood and into a chimney, the draft being hastened by the heated, rising chimney gases. A sensor bracket may be attached to the appliance and the sensor to appropriately position the sensor under the draft hood. Alternatively, the sensor may be located on a tube that continually samples combustion exhaust. The tube may be located outside of the draft hood perimeter to maintain a low sensor temperature, while multiple tube coils around the exhaust outlet may be used to further cool the sampled gas.

Flue sensor for gas fired appliance

A multi-function sensor is disclosed which provides a reliable and simple device for accurately measuring and/or monitoring the ambient conditions within a container or the like, such as the level of a fluid, the turbidity of a fluid, the temperature of a fluid or surrounding environment and the ambient pressure. The sensor incorporates a fluid level sensor module, a turbidity sensor module, a temperature sensor module and a pressure sensor module. The fluid level sensor module utilizes a plurality of thermocouple junctions grouped in pairs with the pairs being spaced along a line extending generally in the direction in which the liquid level may vary. The thermocouple junctions are connected in series and produce a signal indicative of the level of liquid along the sensor. A turbidity sensor module is also integrally included on the multi-function sensor. Additionally, temperature and pressure sensor modules may also be incorporated in the multi-function sensor. Alternatively, a fluid flow rate sensor module may be included in place of the liquid level sensor module.

Multi-function sensor

A fluid flow rate sensor includes a detection circuit which generates a first signal corresponding to an output voltage of a bridge circuit, and a second signal corresponding to a fluid temperature. A control module can more accurately and quickly determine the fluid flow rate based on the first signal, the second signal and a look-up table. The look-up table includes a plurality of curves plotted according to data, indicating relationship among the fluid temperature, the output voltage and the fluid flow rate. The fluid flow rate sensor is inherently temperature compensated and has a shorter response time.

In many applications, where the level of a liquid needs to be monitored (and possibly controlled), it is not necessary to provide a continuous (analog) liquid level signal, but limit sensing to one (or two) discrete levels over a small level range. In this case, a ceramic substrate sensor with discrete thermistor/heater pairs provides necessary information to control the level of the fluid. Protection of the substrate from liquid (and potential contaminants) is accomplished by coating the surface with an inert glass ('glaze') layer and/or polymer layer (e.g., 'Parylene'). Packaging of the coated substrate is accomplished by protective base, epoxy, and slosh shield. Cost can be significantly reduced over a prior art multiple thermocouple based sensor design, since discrete electronic components are avoided or reduced. Also, the number of pins, and therefore electrical connections, can be significantly reduced.

Liquid level sensor using thick film substrate

A sensor system for detecting the presence of a target analyte. The system comprises a first conductor, a second conductor, and a sensor film. The sensor film is positioned between the first conductor and the second conductor. The sensor film includes a crosslinked siloxane polymer comprising a monomer having a hydrocarbon side group. The sensor film has an absorptive affinity for the target analyte. The electrical capacitance of the sensor system changes upon absorption of the target analyte by the sensor film.

Capacitive vapor sensor

A thermo-anemometer-type fluid flow rate sensor design and a method for its operation that overcome the response time limitations of prior known fluid flow rate sensors is disclosed. The fluid flow rate sensor includes a probe having a detection module adapted to change condition in response to the presence of the flow of the fluid, a control module that is electrically connected to the probe that monitors the condition of the detection module over time (e.g., a temperature), determines a rate of change of that condition over time, and generates an output that is indicative of the rate of flow of the fluid, and a I/O module connected to the control module to provide a means for communicating the output of the control module to another device or a user.

A valve body defines an inlet, an outlet, a valving cavity disposed between the inlet and outlet and a valving surface between the inlet and the outlet. A valve is moveable to a position away from the valving surface for permitting flow from the inlet through the valving cavity to the outlet. The fluid flow rate sensor includes a probe having a detection module adapted to change condition in response to the presence of the flow of the fluid, a control module that is electrically connected to the probe that monitors the condition of the detection module over time (e.g., a temperature), determines a rate of change of that condition over time, and generates an output that is indicative of the rate of flow of the fluid, and a I/O module connected to the control module and communicating the output of the control module to another device or a user.

Fluid flow rate sensor

An improved liquid level sensor is disclosed which provides a reliable and simple device for accurately determining the level of a liquid within a vessel. The sensor utilizes a plurality of thermocouple junctions grouped in pairs with the pairs being spaced along a line extending generally in the direction in which the liquid level may vary. A first thermocouple junction of each pair is located in relatively close thermal proximity to an electrically powered heater and the second of each pair of thermocouple junctions is spaced away from the heater. The thermocouple junctions are connected in series and produce a signal indicative of the level of liquid along the sensor. Alternatively, a single threshold liquid level sensor is provided for use with a hermetic interface to provide a signal to indicate a level of liquid within a container. Additionally, a pressure sensing circuit may also be incorporated with either liquid level sensor.

Liquid level sensor

A method for operating a sensing device. The method comprising: a sensor film having an electrical resistance that is adapted to change in response to the presence of a predetermined condition; detecting the presence of the predetermined condition; measuring the electrical resistance of the sensor film at a first time; measuring the electrical resistance of the sensor film at a second time; determining a rate of change of the electrical resistance between the first time and the second time; and comparing the rate of change of the electrical resistance against a threshold value.

Method and apparatus for the detection of the response of a sensing device

An improved liquid level sensor is disclosed which provides a reliable and simple device for accurately determining the level of a liquid within a vessel. The sensor of the present invention utilizes a plurality of thermocouples grouped in pairs with the pairs being spaced along a line extending generally in the direction in which the liquid level may vary. A first thermocouple of each pair is located in relatively close thermal proximity to an electrically powered heater and the second of each pair of thermocouples is spaced away from the heater. The thermocouples are connected in series and produce a signal directly indicative of the level of the liquid along the sensor. Additionally, a pressure sensing circuit may also be incorporated with the liquid level sensor.

A heating tank assembly for a hot water dispenser having a tank body, an electric heating element, a magnetic switch, and a movable float. The tank body has a plurality of walls and a main heating chamber for storing and heating water. At least a portion of the electric heating element is located within the main heating chamber of the tank body. The magnetic switch is electrically connected to the heating element and acts as a protective switch to the heating element. The movable float is located within the tank body and has a magnet that closes the magnetic switch when sufficient water is present in the tank. The heating tank assembly may also include at least one thermal cutout device. The thermal cutout device acts as a backup and will shut off the heating element if the heating element reaches a preset maximum temperature. The present invention also includes a method for determining whether a heating tank assembly of a hot water dispenser has little or no water by including a step of moving the float to or from the magnetic switch and closing the magnetic switch when sufficient water is present in the tank body. The present invention also includes a method for manufacturing a heating tank assembly of a hot water dispenser.

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Ashland, IN, United States of America

Bernd D Zimmermann