IP Library Granted Patent US 12,040,204
Granted Patent B2
US 12,040,204 · App. 16/229,782 · Granted Jul 16, 2024

Thermal dynamic response sensing systems for heaters

Inventor: Louis P. Steinhauser (St. Louis, MO)
Assignee: Watlow Electric Manufacturing Company
H01L21/67248H01L21/67103H01L21/67109H01L21/67259H01L21/6831H05B1/0233H05B3/22Y10T156/10
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,040,204
App. No.
16/229,782
Granted
Jul 16, 2024
Kind
B2
Abstract

The present disclosure is directed toward a method that includes acquiring, by an imaging device, a thermal image of a heating surface of a heater assembly. The heater assembly includes a heating surface for heating a heating target, and the heating surface defines a plurality of heating zones. The further includes determining variations in the plurality of heating zones based on the thermal image of the heating surface. The thermal image includes a plurality of pixels corresponding to the plurality of heating zones in the heater assembly.

Claims (7)

1. A method comprising:

acquiring, by an imaging device, a thermal image of a heating surface of a heater assembly when a heating target is placed on the heating surface, wherein the heater assembly includes the heating surface for heating target, and the heating surface defines a plurality of heating zones, the thermal image of the heating surface including a thermal image of the heating target and a thermal image of at least an area of the heating surface not covered by the heating target;

determining variations in the plurality of heating zones based on the thermal image of the heating surface, wherein the thermal image includes a plurality of pixels; and

identifying a location of the heating target based on the variations.

2. The method according to claim 1 further comprising determining specific heating zones in the heater assembly in which the heating target is located based on the thermal image.

3. The method according to claim 2 further comprising selectively activating or increasing a power to the specific heating zones having the heating target.

4. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the imaging device is one of an infrared camera and a video camera.

Assignments (2)
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT (SHORT FORM) Recorded Mar 3, 2021
From: WATLOW ELECTRIC MANUFACTURING COMPANY
To: BANK OF MONTREAL, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 055479/0708 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 19, 2019
From: STEINHAUSER, LOUIS
To: WATLOW ELECTRIC MANUFACTURING COMPANY
Reel/Frame 049514/0903 →
Continuity (5)
Continuation 14530670 · Oct 31, 2014
Continuation In Part 13599648 · Aug 30, 2012
Provisional Application 61635310 · Apr 19, 2012
Provisional Application 61528939 · Aug 30, 2011
Related Publication 20190157123A1 · May 23, 2019
Cited By (1)
US 12,720,643