1185 results about "Threshold temperature" patented technology

Apparatus for forming a lesion in body tissue includes a probe having an active region with an electrode for contacting tissue to be treated, and an inactive region including an insulative sleeve around a portion of the electrode. The temperature of the inactive region is monitored using a temperature sensor. A controller supplies radio frequency energy to the electrode and samples signals from the temperature sensor. By performing a calculation using the sampled signals and a predetermined inactive region threshold temperature, and by adjusting the supplied radio frequency power, the inactive region of the probe can be maintained at or below an inactive region maximum temperature whilst the controller continues to supply radio frequency energy to the electrode. The probe has a second temperature sensor, mounted at a distal end of the electrode, the controller being configured to reduce the supplied radio frequency power when the electrode temperature reaches a predetermined maximum electrode temperature.

A method and apparatus for controlling the safe delivery of thermosensitive liposomes containing medicant to a targeted tissue region using ultrasound. Thermosensitive liposomes containing medicants are delivered to a region of interest, the region of interest is located using ultrasound imaging, ultrasound therapy is applied to heat the region of interest, and the temperature of the region is monitored to determine whether a designated threshold temperature has been reached which allows for the release of medicants from the liposomes. If the threshold temperature is reached, and the liposomes are melted, the treatment stops. If the threshold temperature has not been reached, the application of ultrasound therapy and ultrasound imaging are alternated until the threshold temperature is reached. The ultrasound imaging, temperature monitoring and ultrasound therapy are preferably performed with a single transducer.

The thermally switched reflective optical shutter is a self-regulating “switchable mirror” device that reflects up to 100% of incident radiant energy above a threshold temperature, and reflects up to 50% of incident radiant energy below a threshold temperature. Control over the flow of radiant energy occurs independently of the thermal conductivity or insulating value of the device, and may or may not preserve the image and color properties of incoming visible light. The device can be used as a construction material to efficiently regulate the internal temperature and illumination of buildings, vehicles, and other structures without the need for an external power supply or operator signals. The device has unique aesthetic optical properties that are not found in traditional windows, skylights, stained glass, light fixtures, glass blocks, bricks, or walls. The device can be tailored to transmit sufficient visible light to see through in both the transparent and reflective states, while still providing significant control over the total energy transmission across the device.

A system and method for controlling the heat of an ultrasonic transducer is disclosed. In the presently preferred embodiments, the system and method controls the temperature of the transducer by changing operating system parameters based on feedback from temperature sensing elements placed in the transducer. The chosen mutable system parameters may be preset by the construction of the ultrasonic system, under the control of the ultrasonic system user, or a combination of the two. In several exemplary embodiments, the one or more mutable system parameters are altered by an amount proportionate to the difference between the current temperature and a preferred operating temperature. In another exemplary embodiment, the system switches to a lower power imaging mode when the temperature feedback indicates a threshold temperature has been reached.

A thermal interface material includes a mechanically compliant vertically aligned nanofiber film and a binder material for joining the nanofibers of the film to the surfaces of two substrates. Preferably, the binder material comprises a non-hydrocarbon-based material such as a metallic eutectic with a melting temperature below a nanofiber thermal damage threshold temperature of the film. The film is grown on a substrate which is then bonded to another substrate by the binder material in an adhesion process that may include pressure and heat. Alternatively, the film may be released from the substrate to produce a stand-alone thermal tape which may later be placed between two substrates and bonded.

An system includes a first battery having a first desired operating temperature range between a first lower threshold temperature and a first upper threshold temperature and a second battery having a second desired operating temperature range between a second lower threshold temperature and a second upper threshold temperature. The system further includes a temperature control system coupled to the first and second batteries and configured to convey heat energy from the first battery to the second battery when the temperature of the second battery is less than the second lower threshold temperature to increase the temperature of the second battery toward the second desired operating temperature range and to convey heat energy away from the second battery when the temperature of the second battery is greater than the second upper threshold temperature to decrease the temperature of the second battery toward the second desired operating temperature range.

A cleansing composition is disclosed that changes color during use. The cleansing composition contains a plurality of thermochromic dyes that cause a color change to occur at a threshold temperature and continue to cause a color change over a temperature range. The range of temperatures corresponds to approximately the amount of time sufficient to properly wash or scrub using the product.

A remote communication device, that receives temperature indicia concerning a container and / or its contents and communicates such temperature indicia along with an identification indicia to a reader. The remote communication device can measure and communicate temperature indicia associated with a container in a periodic manner. The remote communication device can also measure and communicate temperature indicia associated with a container when such temperature indicia exceed a certain minimum or maximum threshold temperature. The remote communication device can also include power circuitry to store energy when energized in the range of an interrogation reader so that the remote communication device can be powered for temperature indicia measurements when not in the range of an interrogation reader.

An apparatus for detecting the presence of an overheat condition in a fluid pump includes a pump head for receiving a fluid at a first pressure and outputting the fluid at a second pressure that is greater than the first pressure. A motor is positioned adjacent the pump head to drive the pump head to pressurize the fluid. A single overheat sensor senses an overheat condition in the pump head and an overheat condition in the motor. When a threshold temperature is sensed by the overheat sensor, a switch is activated to prevent operation of the motor. In one embodiment, the overheat sensor and switch are integral and may, for example, take the form of a bi-metal switch formed in the stator windings of the motor. In alternate embodiments, the overheat sensor and switch are separate.

A system comprising a photovoltaic module and a terminal box. Two terminals of the box output voltage generated by the photovoltaic module. A thermal switch shorts the two terminals in response to temperature rise to a threshold temperature and is structured to prevent short-circuit due to the temperature rise of the normally operating photovoltaic module and bypass diodes in the terminal box.

Methods, systems, and media for thermal analysis are disclosed. Embodiments of the invention receive temperatures associated with elements of a system. The temperatures received are dependant upon airflow and heating patterns of the elements. Differences between the temperatures received and expected temperatures are detected. Potential airflow and heating patterns associated with a thermal problem are then determined, the potential airflow and heating patterns being substantially consistent with the temperatures received, to identify a root cause of the thermal problem as a probable source of the differences. More specifically, embodiments collect temperature readings from temperature sensors within an enclosure of the system; identify and upward temperature gradient or temperature that exceeds a threshold temperature; and select a failure scenario associated with a root cause of a thermal problem that is similar to the thermal problem described by the temperature readings collected.

An automatic control system that protects downhole equipment and surface equipment from high temperatures resulting from the breakthrough of injection vapor. The system operates to derive an estimate of the temperature of production fluid at a location upstream from the downhole equipment. An alarm signal is generated in the event that this temperature exceeds a threshold temperature characteristic of injection vapor breakthrough. Electric power to the downhole equipment is automatically shut off in response to receiving the alarm signal. A bypass valve selectively directs production fluid to a bypass path. The system operates to derive an estimate of the temperature of the production fluid at a location upstream from the surface equipment. An alarm signal is generated when this temperature exceeds a threshold temperature characteristic of injection vapor breakthrough. The bypass valve is automatically controlled to direct production fluid to the bypass path in response to receiving the alarm signal.

A method of removing MEMS devices (2) from a handle substrate (1), where the MEMS devices are individually bonded to it via a thermal release adhesive (3) that reduces its adhesion when heated above a threshold temperature. The method heats the MEMS devices (2) individually with a heat source (10) to conductively heat the thermal release adhesive (11) above the threshold temperature. With the adhesive (11) directly in contact with the back side (5) of the MEMS device (2) no longer bonding it to the glass handle (1), the devices (2) can be individually removed by a die picker (6). This method quickly heats the adhesive to release each die in about 1 second. This is comparable to UV release adhesive and does not require a prior 30 minute drying bake. Furthermore, heating the die by conduction, will in turn conductively heat the adhesives that only that adhesive which is closely localized to the die is released. The adhesive that bonds the adjacent dies to the glass handle remains unaffected.

A temperature-based cooling device controller is implemented in an integrated circuit such as a microprocessor. The temperature-based cooling device controller includes a register to store a threshold temperature value, a thermal sensor, and clock adjustment logic to activate a cooling device in response to the thermal sensor indicating that the threshold temperature value has been exceeded. In a microprocessor implementation, the microprocessor contains a plurality of thermal sensors each placed in one of a plurality of different locations across the integrated circuit and an averaging mechanism to calculate an average temperature from the plurality of thermal sensors. Threshold adjustment logic increases the threshold temperature value to a new threshold temperature value in response to the thermal sensor indicating that the threshold temperature value has been exceeded. Threshold adjustment logic further lowers the new threshold temperature to detect decreases in temperature.

A thermal management system for reducing or eliminating heat-mediated degradation of LED performance and / or operating life. The system may include a thermal controller arranged to respond to an LED operating condition, and to responsively limit temperature in the LED. The thermal controller in one implementation includes a bypass circuit containing a bypass control element, such as a varistor, Zener diode, or antifuse device, and arranged to divert current from flowing to the LED so that the LED remains in a cool state, e.g., below 75° C. The system may be arranged to (I) at least partially attenuate the power supplied to an LED so as to reduce heat generation in such LED and maintain the LED below a threshold temperature and / or (II) remove heat from the LED to maintain temperature of the LED below a threshold temperature.

Freeze indicators providing a visual indication of exposure of the freeze indicator to a freezing or near-freezing temperature and their manufacture are disclosed. The freeze indicators employ colloidal dispersions as active elements and include flexible freeze indicators, freeze indicators protected against drying out and freeze indicators employing core shell composites, for example gold coated pigments as active indicator elements. Also disclosed are: a combination freeze indicator and threshold temperature indicator; a combination threshold indicator and cumulative temperature indicator; and three-way combination indicators that can provide indications of cumulative past temperature exposure, exposure to freezing temperatures and exposure to a temperature above a threshold.

A fixation device includes a fixation member including a heating member, a pressure-application member press-contacting the fixation member forming a nip portion, an exciting coil induction-heating the heating member, a first temperature detection unit detecting a first temperature of the pressure-application member or a first ambient temperature of the fixation member, a second temperature detection unit detecting a second temperature of the fixation member, and a control unit selecting a temperature control mode or power control mode controlling power to the exciting coil. When the first temperature exceeds a first threshold temperature or the first ambient temperature exceeds a first ambient threshold temperature, the control unit selects the temperature control mode, and while the first temperature is equal to or lower than the first threshold temperature or the first ambient temperature is equal to or lower than the first ambient threshold temperature, the control unit selects the power control mode.

The thermally switched reflective optical shutter is a self-regulating “switchable mirror” device that reflects up to 100% of incident radiant energy above a threshold temperature, and reflects up to 50% of incident radiant energy below a threshold temperature. Control over the flow of radiant energy occurs independently of the thermal conductivity or insulating value of the device, and may or may not preserve the image and color properties of incoming visible light. The device can be used as a construction material to efficiently regulate the internal temperature and illumination of buildings, vehicles, and other structures without the need for an external power supply or operator signals. The device has unique aesthetic optical properties that are not found in traditional windows, skylights, stained glass, light fixtures, glass blocks, bricks, or walls. The device can be tailored to transmit sufficient visible light to see through in both the transparent and reflective states, while still providing significant control over the total energy transmission across the device.

Very low resistance, scaled in MOSFET devices are formed by employing thin silicidation-stop extension that act both as a silicidation “stop” barriers and as thin interface layers between source / drain silicide regions and channel region of the MOSFET. By acting as silicidation stops, the silicidation-stop extensions confine silicidation, and are not breached by source / drain silicide. This permits extremely thin, highly-doped silicidation-stop extensions to be formed between the silicide and the channel, providing an essentially ideal, low series resistance interface between the silicide an the channel. On an appropriately prepared substrate, a selective etching process is performed to expose the sides of the channel region (transistor body). A very thin layer of a silicidation-stop material, e.g., SiGe, is disposed in the etched away area, coating the exposed sides of the channel region. The silicidation-stop material is doped (highly) appropriately for the type of MOSFET being formed (n-channel or p-channel). The etched away areas are then filled with silicon, e.g., by an Si epi process. Silicidation is then performed (to form, e.g., CoSi2) on the newly filled areas. The silicidation stop material constrains silicidation to the silicon fill material, but prevents silicide expansion past the silicidation stop material. Because the germanium (Ge) in SiGe is insoluble in CoSi2, the SiGe acts as a barrier to silicidation, permitting silicidation to go to completion in the Si fill but stopping silicidation at the SiGe boundary when silicidation is performed at a temperature above a silicidation threshold temperature for Si, but below a silicidation threshold temperature for SiGe. This results in a very compact, well-defined lateral junction characterized by a thin layer of SiGe disposed between silicide lateral extensions and the sides of the channel region. Because of the thin, highly-doped SiGe layer between the channel and the silicide lateral extensions, the extension resistance is very low.

A system for improving operation of an engine having a particulate matter sensor is presented. The system may be used to improve engine operation during cold starts especially under conditions where water vapor or entrained water droplets are present in vehicle exhaust gases. In one embodiment, degradation of a particulate matter sensor is indicated after a temperature of a substrate of the particulate matter sensor exceeds a threshold temperature and an output of the particulate matter sensor is below a threshold value.

A system and method for removing SOx and particulate matter from an emission control device receiving exhaust gases from an engine is provided. The method includes adding a reductant to the exhaust gases to increase a temperature of the emission control device above a threshold temperature. The method further includes ceasing adding the reductant to the exhaust gases to remove particulate matter from the device. The method further includes adding additional reductant to the exhaust gases to remove SOx from the device.

Various methods and systems are provided for lowering exhaust gas temperature. In one embodiment, a method comprises increasing an air-to-fuel ratio of an engine in response to an exhaust gas temperature exceeding a threshold temperature value to lower the exhaust gas temperature to a temperature below the threshold temperature value.