US4819658A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for measuring the temperature profile of a surface
Assignee: Nokia Bell Labs
•
Filing: 1987-06-30
•
Granted: 1989-04-11
•
Expires: 2007-06-30
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for measuring the temperature profile of a surface exhibiting spatial and/or temporal variations in temperature, e.g., the surface of a machine or of a biological system, is disclosed. The inventive method involves forming a layer of fluorescent material, less than about 10 μm in thickness, in thermal contact with the surface. The fluorescent material is subjected to fluorescence-inducing energy, and the resulting fluorescence, which varies as the temperature of the surface varies, is detected.
Inventors
- 👤 Paul R. Kolodner
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 18:17
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N25/00; G01N25/72; G01K; G01K11/00; G01K11/20
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 27
Claim 1
Independent Claim
72 words
A method for measuring a temperature profile of a surface exhibiting spatial and/or temporal variations in temperature, comprising the steps of: forming a layer, including fluorescent material, in thermal contact with said surface, the fluorescence of said material varying as the temperature of said surface varies; subjecting said material to fluorescence-inducing energy; and detecting the resulting fluorescence of said material, characterized in that said fluorescent material is essentially free of inorganic material.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
72 words
A method for measuring a temperature profile of a surface exhibiting spatial and/or temporal variations in temperature, comprising the steps of: forming a layer, including fluorescent material, in thermal contact with said surface, the fluorescence of said material varying as the temperature of said surface varies; subjecting said material to fluorescence-inducing energy; and detecting the resulting fluorescence of said material, characterized in that said fluorescent material is essentially free of inorganic material.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said surface is a surface of a biological system.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 2 wherein said biological system is a human being.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 2 wherein said biological system is an internal organ of a human being.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said material fluoresces in first and second wavelengths or wavelength bands.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method of claim 5 wherein a ratio of an intensity of the fluorescence in said first wavelength or wavelength band to an intensity of the fluorescence in said second wavelength or wavelength band varies as a known function of the temperature of said surface.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said fluorescent material includes organic material.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 7 wherein said organic material includes Europium Thenoyltrifluoroacetonate.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 7 wherein said organic material includes perdeutero-(tris-6,6,7,7,7,8,8-heptafluoro-2,2-dimethyl-3,5 octanedionate).
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 7 wherein said organic material includes p-bis[2-(5-phenyloxazolyl)]benzene (POPOP).
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 7 wherein said organic material includes dimethyl POPOP.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 7 wherein said organic material includes dimethyl stilbene.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 7 wherein said organic material includes 1,6-disphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 7 wherein said organic material includes bis(isopropylstyryl) benzene.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 7 wherein said organic material includes p-bis(o-methylstyryl)benzene.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 7 wherein said organic material includes 1,3,6,8-tetraphenyl pyrene.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 7 wherein said organic material includes decacyclene.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 7 wherein said organic material includes 2,5-bis[5-tert-butylbenzoxazolyl(2 )]thiophene.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said layer has a thickness less than 8c 10 μm.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said layer has a thickness less than 5 μm.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said layer has a thickness less than 1 μm.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
73 words
An apparatus for measuring a temperature profile of a surface exhibiting spatial and/or temporal variations in temperature, comprising: a layer, including fluorescent material, capable of being positioned in thermal contact with said surface, the fluorescence of said material varying as the temperature of said surface varies; means for inducing said fluorescent material to fluoresce; and means for detecting the resulting fluorescence, characterized in that said fluorescent material is essentially free of inorganic material.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
73 words
An apparatus for measuring a temperature profile of a surface exhibiting spatial and/or temporal variations in temperature, comprising: a layer, including fluorescent material, capable of being positioned in thermal contact with said surface, the fluorescence of said material varying as the temperature of said surface varies; means for inducing said fluorescent material to fluoresce; and means for detecting the resulting fluorescence, characterized in that said fluorescent material is essentially free of inorganic material.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 22 wherein said means for detecting fluorescence includes a CCD camera.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
88 words
A method for measuring a temperature profile of a surface exhibiting spatial and/or temporal variations in temperature, comprising the steps of: forming a layer, including fluorescent material, in thermal contact with said surface, the fluorescence of said material varying as the temperature of said surface varies; subjecting said material to fluorescence-inducing energy; and detecting the resulting fluorescence of said material, characterized in that said forming step includes the steps of spin-depositing said layer onto a substrate, and positioning the resulting layer-covered substrate in thermal contact with said surface.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
88 words
A method for measuring a temperature profile of a surface exhibiting spatial and/or temporal variations in temperature, comprising the steps of: forming a layer, including fluorescent material, in thermal contact with said surface, the fluorescence of said material varying as the temperature of said surface varies; subjecting said material to fluorescence-inducing energy; and detecting the resulting fluorescence of said material, characterized in that said forming step includes the steps of spin-depositing said layer onto a substrate, and positioning the resulting layer-covered substrate in thermal contact with said surface.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1992-04-10 | 1992-10-10 | 1993-04-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-04-10 | 1996-10-10 | 1997-04-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-04-10 | 2000-10-10 | 2001-04-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |