Patent US6964514B2 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6964514B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Temperature measuring apparatus
Assignee: MPRD Ltd
•
Filing: 2002-09-06
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Granted: 2005-11-15
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Expires: 2022-09-06
Abstract
Abstract An improved apparatus for measuring the temperature of an object such as a food object. Also, a related method, container, transportation member and production line which utilizes this apparatus. The apparatus includes a coupling device for coupling radiation emanating from the object to at least a first radiation temperature measuring radiometer, and a first device for switching measurement circuitry between measuring the radiation temperature of at least a first reference temperature and the radiation temperature of the object.
Inventors
- 👤 David Victor Land
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 08:21
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01K; G01K11/00; G01K11/006
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 59
Claim 1
Independent Claim
143 words
An apparatus for measuring a temperature of at least a portion of an object comprising: means for coupling radiation emanating from the object to at least a first radiation temperature measuring radiometer receiver; measurement circuitry; and first and second means for switching the measurement circuitry between measuring a radiation temperature of at least a first reference temperature source, a second reference temperature source and a radiation temperature of the object as received by said first radiation temperature measuring radiometer receiver, wherein the measurement circuitry includes two synchronous detectors which operate in phase quadrature with each other to form radiometric temperature signals at a Dicke switching frequency in the absence of low frequency filtering or integration components, and utilizes a synchronous source-reference switching sequence and a post-detection signal demodulation process to provide continuous and substantially simultaneous object temperature measurements from the radiometric temperature signals.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
143 words
An apparatus for measuring a temperature of at least a portion of an object comprising: means for coupling radiation emanating from the object to at least a first radiation temperature measuring radiometer receiver; measurement circuitry; and first and second means for switching the measurement circuitry between measuring a radiation temperature of at least a first reference temperature source, a second reference temperature source and a radiation temperature of the object as received by said first radiation temperature measuring radiometer receiver, wherein the measurement circuitry includes two synchronous detectors which operate in phase quadrature with each other to form radiometric temperature signals at a Dicke switching frequency in the absence of low frequency filtering or integration components, and utilizes a synchronous source-reference switching sequence and a post-detection signal demodulation process to provide continuous and substantially simultaneous object temperature measurements from the radiometric temperature signals.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 , including means for collecting and coupling naturally occurring thermal radiation emanating from the object being measured to the measurement circuitry.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein there are provided means for establishing a standing wave pattern of the radiation from the object.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein there are provided means for coupling the radiation to a second radiometer.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein first and second reference temperatures are utilized that are chosen to be above and below a main measurement temperature.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
An apparatus according, to claim 1 , wherein the radiation is in the microwave region.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
An apparatus according to claim 6 , wherein the microwave radiation has a frequency in the range of 0.1 GHz to 30 GHz.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the measurement circuitry completes a switching cycle sufficiently quickly for the object temperature measurements to be obtained in real time.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
An apparatus according to claim 8 , wherein the real time duration is on the order of about 1 millisecond.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the first and second switching means operate out of phase with one another.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
65 words
An apparatus according to claim 10 , wherein the first switching means is switched at a predetermined frequency and the signals connected to the measuring circuitry by the first and second switching means are demodulated by the synchronous detectors at a switching frequency of the first switching means which frequency is also used as a means of determining a ratio of in-phase to quadrature signals.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
32 words
An apparatus according to claim 11 , wherein the means of determining includes or comprises analogue electronic synchronous detector circuitry, or analogue to digital conversion means and numerical (digital) signal processing means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
26 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 , which further comprises: means for splitting a signal from the switching means between at least two frequency selective channels.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
28 words
An apparatus according to claim 13 , which include means for collecting and coupling naturally occurring thermal radiation emanating from the object being measured to the measurement circuitry.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
25 words
An apparatus according to claim 13 , which provides one or more frequency dependent radiometer temperature measurements and via demodulation a ratio for each channel.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
24 words
An apparatus according to claim 13 , wherein there are provided means for establishing a standing wave pattern of the radiation from the object.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
49 words
An apparatus according to claim 13 , wherein the synchronous detectors comprise demodulation means for demodulating the switched signals after amplification and detection and computing the ratio of in-phase and phase-quadrature components relative to the sequential switching by synchronous demodulation at a frequency of operation of the switching means.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
15 words
An apparatus according to claim 13 , wherein the radiation is in the microwave region.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
23 words
An apparatus according to claim 18 , wherein the microwave radiation has a frequency in the range of 0.1 GHz to 30 GHz.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
23 words
A container including an apparatus for measuring a temperature of at least a portion of an object as claimed in claim 13 .
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
24 words
A transportation means including an apparatus for measuring a temperature of at least a portion of an object as claimed in claim 13 .
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
24 words
A production line including an apparatus for measuring a temperature of at least a portion of an object as claimed in claim 13 .
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
89 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein there are provided at least two radiation temperature measuring radiometers receivers each having at least on reference temperature signal source; and means for controlling the receivers such that when one of the receivers is detecting the radiation another one of the receivers is detecting the at least one reference temperature signal source and when the said one of the receivers is detecting the at least one reference temperature signal source the said another one of the receivers is detecting the radiation.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
17 words
An apparatus according to claim 23 which includes means for allowing throughput of objects to be measured.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
25 words
An apparatus according to claim 23 which includes means for enabling collection and coupling of naturally occurring thermal radiation emanating from the object being measured.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
15 words
An apparatus according to claim 23 , wherein the radiometers are Dicke or comparator radiometers.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus according to claim 23 , wherein the reference temperature signal source of each of the receivers is the same source.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
20 words
An apparatus according to claim 23 , wherein the reference temperature signal source of each receiver has a different source.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
29 words
An apparatus according to claim 23 , wherein each of the one and another receivers have the same switching frequency between the radiation and the reference temperature signal source.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
25 words
An apparatus according to claim 23 , wherein the one and the another receivers are substantially 180° out of phase with one another, in operation.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
25 words
An apparatus according to claim 23 , wherein, in use, thermal radiation emanating from the object is used to set up a standing wave pattern.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
15 words
An apparatus according to claim 31 , wherein the radiation is in the microwave region.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
23 words
An apparatus according to claim 32 , wherein the microwave radiation has a frequency in the range of 0.1 GHz to 30 GHz.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
23 words
A container including an apparatus for measuring a temperature of at least a portion of an object as claimed in claim 23 .
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
24 words
A transportation means including an apparatus for measuring a temperature of at least a portion of an object as claimed in claimed 23 .
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
24 words
A production line including an apparatus for measuring a temperature of at least a portion of an object as claimed in claim 23 .
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
23 words
A container including an apparatus for measuring a temperature of at least a portion of an object as claimed in claim 1 .
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
24 words
A transportation means including an apparatus for measuring a temperature of at least a portion of an object as claimed in claim 1 .
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
24 words
A production line including an apparatus for measuring a temperature of at least a portion of an object as claimed in claim 1 .
Claim 41
Independent Claim
107 words
A method for measuring a temperature of at least a portion of an object comprising: coupling radiation emanating from the object to at least a first measuring radiometer; switching measurement circuitry between a signal representative of a temperature of a first reference temperature source, a signal representative of a temperature of a second reference temperature source, and a signal representative of a temperature of the object to form radiometric temperature signals at a Dicke switching frequency in the absence of low frequency filtering and integrating, and using a synchronous source-reference switching sequence and a post-detection signal demodulation process to provide continuous and substantially simultaneous object temperature measurements.
Claim 42
Independent Claim
107 words
A method for measuring a temperature of at least a portion of an object comprising: coupling radiation emanating from the object to at least a first measuring radiometer; switching measurement circuitry between a signal representative of a temperature of a first reference temperature source, a signal representative of a temperature of a second reference temperature source, and a signal representative of a temperature of the object to form radiometric temperature signals at a Dicke switching frequency in the absence of low frequency filtering and integrating, and using a synchronous source-reference switching sequence and a post-detection signal demodulation process to provide continuous and substantially simultaneous object temperature measurements.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method according to claim 40 , which includes collecting and coupling naturally occurring thermal radiation from the object being measured by the measurement circuitry.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method according to claim 40 , which also comprises, preceding coupling radiation from the object to the at least first measuring radiometer, establishing a standing wave pattern of radiation emanating from the object.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method according to claim 40 , which further comprises selecting first and second reference temperatures to be above and below a main measurement temperature.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
85 words
A method according to claim 40 , comprising: coupling radiation emanating from the object to at least first and second measuring radiometers receivers each having at least one reference temperature signal source; and controlling the receivers such that when one of the receivers is detecting the radiation another one of the receivers is detecting the reference temperature signal source and when the said one of the receivers is detecting the reference temperature signal source the said another one of the receivers is detecting the radiation.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 44 , which includes collecting and coupling naturally occurring thermal radiation emanating from the object being measured.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method according to claim 40 , which further comprises switching the measurement circuitry to complete a switching cycle sufficiently quickly for the object temperature measurements to be obtained in real time.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 46 , wherein the real time duration is on the order of about 1 millisecond.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method according to claim 40 , further comprising: splitting a signal from the switching means between at least two frequency selective channels.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 48 which includes collecting and coupling naturally occurring thermal radiation from the object being measured.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method according to claim 48 , includes providing one or more frequency dependent radiometric temperature measurements and via demodulation a ratio for each channel.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method according to claim 48 , which comprises, preceding coupling radiation from the object to the at least first measuring radiometer, establishing a standing wave pattern of radiation emanating from the object.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method for measuring a temperature of at least a portion of an object as claimed in claim 40 , wherein the method is carried out in a production line.
Claim 55
Independent Claim
190 words
An apparatus for measuring a temperature of at least a portion of an object comprising: means for coupling radiation emanating from the object to a first radiation temperature measuring radiometer receiver; measurement circuitry comprising two synchronous detectors which operate in phase quadrature with each other; first and second means for switching the measurement circuitry between measuring a radiation temperature of at least a first reference temperature source, a second reference temperature source and a radiation temperature of the object as received by said first radiation temperature measuring radiometer receiver, wherein the first and second switching means operate out of phase with one another, and the signals from the first and second switching means are demodulated by the synchronous detectors at a switching frequency of the first switching means which is used as a means of determining a ratio of in-phase to quadrature signals to form radiometric temperature signals at a Dicke switching frequency in the absence of low frequency filtering or integration components, and utilizes a synchronous source-reference switching sequence and a post-detection signal demodulation process to provide continuous and substantially simultaneous object temperature measurements from the radiometric temperature signals.
Claim 56
Independent Claim
190 words
An apparatus for measuring a temperature of at least a portion of an object comprising: means for coupling radiation emanating from the object to a first radiation temperature measuring radiometer receiver; measurement circuitry comprising two synchronous detectors which operate in phase quadrature with each other; first and second means for switching the measurement circuitry between measuring a radiation temperature of at least a first reference temperature source, a second reference temperature source and a radiation temperature of the object as received by said first radiation temperature measuring radiometer receiver, wherein the first and second switching means operate out of phase with one another, and the signals from the first and second switching means are demodulated by the synchronous detectors at a switching frequency of the first switching means which is used as a means of determining a ratio of in-phase to quadrature signals to form radiometric temperature signals at a Dicke switching frequency in the absence of low frequency filtering or integration components, and utilizes a synchronous source-reference switching sequence and a post-detection signal demodulation process to provide continuous and substantially simultaneous object temperature measurements from the radiometric temperature signals.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
27 words
An apparatus according to claim 53 , wherein first and second reference temperatures are utilized that are chosen to be above and below a main measurement temperature.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
28 words
An apparatus according to claim 53 , wherein the measurement circuitry completes a switching cycle sufficiently quickly for the object temperature measurements to be obtained in real time.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus according to claim 55 , wherein the real time duration is on the order of at least about 1 millisecond.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2008-11-14 | 2009-05-16 | 2009-11-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2012-11-14 | 2013-05-16 | 2013-11-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2016-11-14 | 2017-05-16 | 2017-11-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |