The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Mar. 18, 2003
Filed:
Apr. 26, 1999
Edo Lang, Trimmis, CH;
Roland Obrist, Scharans, CH;
Other;
Abstract
A method for generating an electrical signal and a sensor device ( ) for executing the method. The signal is generated because of a change in a fluid-filled space. A sensor element ( ) of the sensor device ( ) detects the heat transfer over time between the sensor element ( ) and the fluid. The sensor element ( ), which has a temperature-dependent electrical conductivity and to which a voltage has been applied, is brought to a temperature which lies outside the range of the fluid temperatures. In the passive phase, the fluid is brought to a constant passive temperature by a heat transfer between the sensor element ( ) and the surroundings. The sensor device ( ) provides a constant passive output voltage. A heat transfer between the sensor element ( ) and its surroundings takes place in the active phase by changes in the fluid-filled space. The sensor device ( ) provides an active output voltage, which is different from the passive output voltage. When a difference between the output voltages is exceeded, the signal is generated. The device can be used for triggering the flushing action in sanitary installations, and for keeping a level constant, for example in aquarium installations.