Thermometer calibration
First Claim
1. A method for calibrating a thermometer, said thermometer comprising a primary temperature sensor and a reference temperature sensor, said reference temperature sensor being positioned proximate to the primary temperature sensor and being responsive to an extraneous temperature affecting the primary temperature sensor, said method comprising:
- controlling the temperature of the reference temperature sensor to a first temperature value;
measuring a characteristic of the reference temperature sensor at said first temperature value;
repeating the controlling and measuring for at least one other temperature value different than the first temperature value;
utilizing the temperature values and the measured characteristics to solve a calibration equation, said calibration equation relating temperature and measured characteristic of the reference temperature sensor wherein said repeating comprises;
controlling the temperature of the reference temperature sensor to a second temperature value;
measuring a characteristic of the reference temperature sensor at said second temperature value;
controlling the temperature of the reference temperature sensor to a third temperature value; and
measuring a characteristic of the reference temperature sensor at said third temperature value;
wherein said utilizing comprises utilizing the first, second, and third temperature values and the three corresponding measured characteristics to solve the following calibration equation for a, b, and c;
where Ts is the temperature of the reference temperature sensor, R is the measured characteristic of the reference temperature sensor, and a, b, and c are calibration coefficients of the reference temperature sensor calculated based upon the three temperature values end the three corresponding measured characteristics; and
using the calibrated reference temperature sensor to calibrate the primary temperature sensor.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method for calibrating a thermometer is disclosed. The thermometer comprises a primary temperature sensor for determining the temperature of a target. The thermometer also comprises a reference temperature sensor positioned proximate to the primary temperature sensor and being responsive to an extraneous temperature affecting the primary temperature sensor. One calibration method calibrates the reference temperature sensor. This calibration can utilize a non-electrically conductive liquid bath for temperature control. Another calibration method calibrates the reference temperature sensor and the primary temperature sensor.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. A method for calibrating a thermometer, said thermometer comprising a primary temperature sensor and a reference temperature sensor, said reference temperature sensor being positioned proximate to the primary temperature sensor and being responsive to an extraneous temperature affecting the primary temperature sensor, said method comprising:
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controlling the temperature of the reference temperature sensor to a first temperature value; measuring a characteristic of the reference temperature sensor at said first temperature value; repeating the controlling and measuring for at least one other temperature value different than the first temperature value; utilizing the temperature values and the measured characteristics to solve a calibration equation, said calibration equation relating temperature and measured characteristic of the reference temperature sensor wherein said repeating comprises; controlling the temperature of the reference temperature sensor to a second temperature value; measuring a characteristic of the reference temperature sensor at said second temperature value; controlling the temperature of the reference temperature sensor to a third temperature value; and measuring a characteristic of the reference temperature sensor at said third temperature value;
wherein said utilizing comprises utilizing the first, second, and third temperature values and the three corresponding measured characteristics to solve the following calibration equation for a, b, and c;where Ts is the temperature of the reference temperature sensor, R is the measured characteristic of the reference temperature sensor, and a, b, and c are calibration coefficients of the reference temperature sensor calculated based upon the three temperature values end the three corresponding measured characteristics; and using the calibrated reference temperature sensor to calibrate the primary temperature sensor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method for calibrating a thermometer, said thermometer comprising a primary temperature sensor, said method comprising:
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positioning a reference temperature sensor proximate to the primary temperature sensor for detecting an extraneous temperature affecting the primary temperature sensor;
in combination with;calibrating the reference temperature sensor; and calibrating the primary temperature sensor based upon the calibration of the reference temperature sensor;
wherein said calibrating the reference temperature sensor further comprises;controlling the temperature of the reference temperature sensor to a first temperature value; measuring a characteristic of the reference temperature sensor at said first temperature value; repeating the controlling and measuring for at least one other temperature value different than the first temperature value; and utilizing the temperature values and the measured characteristics to solve a calibration equation, said calibration equation relating temperature and measured characteristic of the reference temperature sensor for use in calibrating the reference temperature sensor, wherein said repeating comprises controlling the temperature of the reference temperature sensor to a second temperature; measuring a characteristic of the reference temperature sensor at said second temperature; controlling the temperature of the reference temperature sensor to a third temperature; and measuring a characteristic of the reference temperature sensor at said third temperature; wherein said utilizing comprises utilizing the first, second, and third temperature values and the three corresponding measured characteristics to solve the following calibration equation for a, b, and c; where Ts is the temperature of the reference temperature sensor, R is the measured characteristic of the reference temperature sensor, and a, b, and c are calibration coefficients of the reference temperature sensor calculated based upon the three temperature values and the three corresponding measured characteristics. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16)
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10. A method for calibrating a thermometer, said thermometer comprising a primary tem return sensor, said method comprising:
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positioning a reference temperature sensor proximate to the primary temperature sensor for detecting an extraneous temperature affecting the primary temperature sensor;
in combination with;calibrating the reference temperature sensor; and calibrating the primary temperature sensor based upon the calibration of the reference temperature sensor; wherein said calibrating the reference temperature sensor further comprises; controlling the temperature of the reference temperature sensor to a first temperature value; measuring a characteristic of the reference temperature sensor at said first temperature value; repeating the controlling and measuring for at least one other temperature value different than the first temperature value; and utilizing the temperature values and the measured characteristics to solve a calibration equation, said calibration equation relating temperature and measured characteristic of the reference temperature sensor for use in calibrating the reference temperature sensor; wherein said calibrating the primary temperature sensor comprises; exposing the primary temperature sensor to a first radiation source at a predetermined first source temperature value; measuring the output voltage of the primary temperature sensor during exposure of the primary temperature sensor to the first radiation source; measuring the characteristic of the reference temperature sensor during exposure of the primary temperature sensor to the first radiation source; repeating the exposing and both measurings for at least one other radiation source emitting a different amount of radiation at a predetermined temperature value different than the first radiation source; and utilizing the measured output voltages, the measured characteristics of the reference temperature sensor, and the predetermined temperature values of the radiation sources to solve a second calibration equation, said second calibration equation relating measured output voltage of the primary temperature sensor, measured characteristic of the reference temperature sensor, and the predetermined temperature values of the radiation sources for use in calibrating the primary temperature sensor. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12)
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Specification