Device and a method for thermal sensing
First Claim
1. A device for monitoring processes which are accompanied by changes in heat content or enthalpy comprising:
- a support;
a membrane having a first surface and a second surface, said membrane mechanically supported by said support on at least one point on one of said first surface or said second surface;
at least one pair of devices, wherein one device of said pair of devices is located in a first region of said first surface of said membrane and the other device of said pair of devices is located in a second region of said first surface of said membrane, wherein said membrane thermally and electrically isolates said first region and said second region, and wherein each device of said pair of devices yields an electrical output signal in response to having an input signal of the thermal type;
a first supply for bringing a first substance in thermal contact with said first region; and
a second supply for bringing a second substance in thermal contact with said second region, wherein said first substance is separated and thermally isolated from said second substance.
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Abstract
A device for thermal sensing is disclosed based on only one thermopile. The cold junctions of said thermopile are coupled thermally to a first channel comprising a first substance while the hot junctions of said thermopile are coupled thermally to a second channel comprising a second substance, said first and said second channel are separated and thermally isolated one from another. Said device can further comprise a membrane to thermally and electrically isolate said thermopile and to mechanically support said thermopile. Particularly a liquid rubber, i.e. ELASTOSIL LR3003/10A, B can be used as a membrane material. Further disclosed is a method for fabricating such a device using micromachining techniques.
47 Citations
26 Claims
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1. A device for monitoring processes which are accompanied by changes in heat content or enthalpy comprising:
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a support;
a membrane having a first surface and a second surface, said membrane mechanically supported by said support on at least one point on one of said first surface or said second surface;
at least one pair of devices, wherein one device of said pair of devices is located in a first region of said first surface of said membrane and the other device of said pair of devices is located in a second region of said first surface of said membrane, wherein said membrane thermally and electrically isolates said first region and said second region, and wherein each device of said pair of devices yields an electrical output signal in response to having an input signal of the thermal type;
a first supply for bringing a first substance in thermal contact with said first region; and
a second supply for bringing a second substance in thermal contact with said second region, wherein said first substance is separated and thermally isolated from said second substance. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A device for monitoring processes which are accompanied by changes in heat content, comprising:
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a support having a first opening and a second opening;
a membrane having a first surface and a second surface, said membrane mechanically supported by said support on at least one point on one of said first surface or said second surface; and
at least one pair of devices wherein one device of said pair of devices is located in a first region of said first surface of said membrane and the other device of said pair of devices is located in a second region of said first surface of said membrane, said first region being positioned above said first opening and said second region being positioned above said second opening, wherein said membrane thermally and electrically isolates said first and second regions, and wherein each device of said pair of devices yields an electrical output signal in response to an input signal of the thermal type.
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26. A device for monitoring processes which are accompanied by changes in heat content or enthalpy, comprising:
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a support layer having an opening;
a membrane with a first surface and a second surface, said membrane being supported by said support layer on at least one point and spanning at least a part of said opening; and
a pair of devices, one device of said pair of devices located in a first region of said first surface of said membrane and the other device of said pair of devices located in a second region of said first surface of said membrane, said first region and said second region being positioned at least partially above said opening, wherein said membrane thermally and electrically isolates said first region and said second region.
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Specification