초록 ▼

An integrated environment temperature sensor device provides improved temperature sensitivity by using a diode as the sensing element. The integrated sensor device comprises a heater element for creating a fixed quantity of heat energy. The sensor device also comprises an integrated circuit diode wh

An integrated environment temperature sensor device provides improved temperature sensitivity by using a diode as the sensing element. The integrated sensor device comprises a heater element for creating a fixed quantity of heat energy. The sensor device also comprises an integrated circuit diode which receives the fixed quantity of heat energy from the heater element. The integrated circuit diode has a constant forward bias current applied thereto and a change in environment temperature is reflected in a voltage change across the integrated circuit diode. The integrated circuit diode further comprises an electrically insulating layer positioned substantially between the heater element and the integrated circuit diode for electrically insulating the two from each other.

대표청구항 ▼

[ We claim:] [1.]1. A method of analyzing gas flow, comprising:providing a sensor for measuring changes in environment temperature, the sensor comprising:a heater element for creating a fixed quantity of heat energy, andan integrated circuit diode comprising a first electrical contact and a second e

[ We claim:] [1.]1. A method of analyzing gas flow, comprising:providing a sensor for measuring changes in environment temperature, the sensor comprising:a heater element for creating a fixed quantity of heat energy, andan integrated circuit diode comprising a first electrical contact and a second electrical contact, wherein said integrated circuit diode is electrically isolated from the heater element and receives said fixed quantity of heat energy from the heater element, and changes in temperature are reflected as a change in voltage across said first electrical contact and said second electrical contact,said sensor having a known ratio of the change in temperature measured by the sensor in response to exposing the sensor to at least a first gas having a first thermal conductivity and a second gas having second thermal conductivity to the difference between the first thermal conductivity and the second thermal conductivity;exposing the sensor to a reference gas flow and measuring the temperature as indicated by the voltage across the diode;exposing the sensor to a test gas flow and measuring the temperature of the sensor as indicated by the voltage across the diode;calculating the temperature change between the reference gas flow and the test gas flow; andcalculating the thermal conductivity of the test gas using the ratio, the temperature change from the reference gas flow to the test gas flow, and the thermal conductivity of the reference gas.