Temperature sensing arrangement
AssigneeThorn EMI plc
InventorColin C. Oliver
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A temperature sensor is incorporated within a housing having a silicon window through which infra-red radiation can enter. Mounted on a support structure is a semiconductor fabrication consisting of a reference junction and a sensing junction, covered with a black absorber. The reference junction is responsive to the temperature of the housing, whereas the sensing junction is responsive to the temperature of the housing and also the temperature of a remote zone from which infra-red radiation can enter the housing via the window. A Peltier heater/cooler controls the temperature of the housing, which temperature is monitored by a sensor to provide a measure of that of the remote zone.
Claims7
A temperature sensing arrangement including a temperature sensor device incorporating:
- (a) a housing;
- (b) within the housing a reference sensor for monitoring the temperature of the housing;
- (c) also within the housing a further sensor for monitoring the temperature of a zone remote from the housing by means of infra-red radiation emitted by said zone and entering said housing;
- (d) electrically driven control means for controlling the temperature of said housing;
- (e) an electrical circuit arrangement responsive to the output of said reference sensor and said further sensor including means for producing electrical signals effective to drive said electrically driven control means in a sense tending to cause the temperature of said housing to approach that of said zone;
- (f) means for monitoring the temperature of said housing so as to provide an indication of the temperature of said zone;
- and
- (g) means to vary the drive operation of the electrical circuit arrangement in accordance with the operation of the sensors.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.