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  Temperature sensor apparatus and methodUSPTO Application #: 20070019704Title: Temperature sensor apparatus and method Abstract: A system and method for determining a temperature including: a temperature sensor including: a substrate resistance configured to be primarily responsive to a temperature of a substrate; and a membrane resistance configured to be primarily responsive to a temperature of a membrane. The substrate resistance and the membrane resistance are arranged in a series circuit configured to facilitate measurement of a voltage responsive to a temperature change. The system also includes a controller in operable communication with the temperature sensor. The method includes: receiving a temperature signal, the temperature signal indicative of a composite temperature variation including a first varying portion and a second varying portion; configuring the temperature signal to eliminate the second varying portion; and generating a temperature value based on the configuring wherein the temperature value is substantially based on the first varying portion. (end of abstract)
Agent: Delphi Technologies, Inc. - Troy, MI, US Inventors: Michel F. Sultan, Charles R. Harrington, Da Yu Wang USPTO Applicaton #: 20070019704 - Class: 374141000 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Thermal Measuring And Testing, Temperature Measurement (e.g., Thermometer), Combined With Diverse Art Device The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070019704. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
BACKGROUND [0001] This invention relates to a temperature sensor bridge apparatus and an algorithm for processing signals therefrom. Temperature sensors with fast response-time are desirable for a number of applications. A conventional approach for fast temperature sensing a micromachined MEMS device with a low thermal mass membrane where the temperature detector is located. The detector typically responds very quickly during the initial phase of a thermal event, followed by a much slower phase that is representative of the slower dynamics of the bulk of the silicon device. Unfortunately, the slower response due to the bulk of the silicon impedes detection of the faster dynamics. [0002] Therefore, it would be beneficial to provide an approach whereby the fast response component is detected and extracted through a novel use of a temperature detector bridge and associated electronics. BRIEF SUMMARY [0003] Disclosed herein is a temperature sensor comprising: a first substrate resistance configured to be primarily responsive to a temperature of a substrate; a first membrane resistance configured to be primarily responsive to a temperature of a membrane; and wherein the first substrate resistance and the first membrane resistance are arranged in a series circuit configured to facilitate measurement of a voltage across each responsive to a temperature change. [0004] Also disclosed herein is a system for determining a temperature comprising: a temperature sensor comprising: a first substrate resistance configured to be primarily responsive to a temperature of a substrate; and a first membrane resistance configured to be primarily responsive to a temperature of a membrane. The first substrate resistance and the first membrane resistance are arranged in a series circuit configured to facilitate measurement of a voltage across each responsive to a temperature change. The system also includes a controller in operable communication with the temperature sensor, the controller configured to receive and condition a signal indicative of a temperature. [0005] Further disclosed herein is a method of determining a temperature comprising: receiving a temperature signal, the temperature signal indicative of a composite temperature variation including a first varying portion and a second varying portion; configuring the temperature signal to eliminate the second varying portion; and generating a temperature value based on the configuring wherein the temperature value is substantially based on the first varying portion. [0006] Also disclosed herein, in yet another embodiment, is a system for determining a temperature. The system comprising: a means for receiving a temperature signal, the temperature signal indicative of a composite temperature variation including a fast varying portion and a slowly varying portion; a means for configuring the temperature signal to eliminate the slowly varying portion; and a means for generating a temperature value based on the configuring wherein the temperature value is substantially based on the fast varying portion. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0007] The present invention will now be described, by way of an example, with references to the accompanying drawings, wherein like elements are numbered alike in the several figures in which: [0008] FIG. 1 depicts a simplified block diagram for employing an implementation of an exemplary embodiment; [0009] FIG. 2A is a diagram depicting an implementation of a temperature sensor; [0010] FIG. 2B is a selected cross sectional view of the sensor of FIG. 2A depicting an implementation of a temperature sensor; [0011] FIG. 3A is a diagram depicting an implementation of a temperature sensor in accordance with an exemplary embodiment; [0012] FIG. 3B is a selected cross sectional view of the sensor of FIG. 3A depicting an implementation of a temperature sensor in accordance with an exemplary embodiment; [0013] FIG. 4 is a simplified schematic diagram depicting a bridge amplifier network utilizing an exemplary temperature sensor in accordance with an exemplary embodiment; [0014] FIG. 5 is simplified schematic diagram depicting a bridge amplifier network utilizing an exemplary temperature sensor in accordance with an exemplary embodiment; and [0015] FIG. 6 is a block diagram depicting a flow chart of methodology in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. DESCRIPTION OF AN EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT [0016] Temperature sensors with fast response-time are desirable for a number of applications including, but not limited to automotive engine control and emission control. A conventional approach for fast temperature sensing includes a micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) device. A low thermal mass membrane includes the temperature detector. The detector typically responds very quickly during the initial phase of a thermal event, followed by a much slower phase that is representative of the slower dynamics associated with the bulk of the silicon device. Disclosed herein in an exemplary embodiment is an apparatus and methodology whereby the fast response component is extracted utilizing a temperature detector bridge and associated electronics. [0017] Referring to FIG. 1, reference numeral 10 generally designates a control system suitable for implementation of the disclosed embodiments. It should be noted that although the disclosed embodiments may be described by way of reference to temperature sensors for engine and emission control applications, it will be appreciated that such references are illustrative only and the disclosed embodiments may be applied to any instance where temperature sensing is desired [0018] The temperature sensor 20 transmits temperature signal(s) 22 to controller 16 for processing in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. Controller 16 executes a processing algorithm performing a methodology 100 (See FIG. 5) for processing the temperature signal(s) 22. Preferably, the sensing electronics associated with the temperature sensor 20 are configured integral with the temperature sensor 20 or controller 16. Advantageously, this approach further reduces cost and simplifies the interface electronics. Further details of the algorithm 100 may be found at a later point herein. [0019] The temperature signal 22, among others, is applied to the controller 16. The controller 16 processes all input signals to generate values corresponding to each of the signals resulting in a temperature value being made available for processing in various algorithms as prescribed herein. Measurement signals, such as the abovementioned are also commonly linearized, compensated, and filtered as desired or necessary to enhance the characteristics or eliminate undesirable characteristics of the acquired signal. For example, the signals may be linearized to improve processing speed, or to address a large dynamic range of the signal. In addition, frequency or time based compensation and filtering may be employed to eliminate noise or avoid undesirable spectral characteristics. [0020] In order to perform the prescribed functions and desired processing, as well as the computations therefore (e.g., the temperature sensor signal processing, control algorithm(s), and the like), controller 16 may include, but not be limited to, a processor(s), computer(s), DSP(s), memory, storage, register(s), timing, interrupt(s), communication interface(s), and input/output signal(s) interfaces, and the like, as well as combinations comprising at least one of the foregoing. Moreover, controller 16 may include or be implemented with various processors, controllers, microcontrollers, logic/gate arrays, programmable logic arrays (PLA), programmable logic devices, and the like, as well as combinations including any of the foregoing. For example, controller 16 may include input signal processing and filtering to enable accurate sampling and conversion or acquisitions of such signals from communications interfaces. Additional features of controller 16 and certain processes therein are thoroughly discussed at a later point herein. Continue reading... Full patent description for Temperature sensor apparatus and method Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Temperature sensor apparatus and method patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. 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