IPC Definitions - January 01, 2012
G01K - Definition
This subclass covers:
Apparatus or methods for measuring temperature, i.e. thermometers. The following types of thermometers are therefore covered, the list being non exhaustive:
Testing or calibrating of thermometers.
Apparatus or methods for measuring quantity of heat, i.e. calorimeters.
Testing or calibrating of calorimeters.
Thermally-sensitive elements not otherwise provided for.
Relationship between large subject matter areas
Subclass G01K covers temperature measurements per se, except when performed by radiation pyrometry, in which case the subject matter is classified in subclass G01J.
When temperature measurements are used for the investigation of material properties (e.g. flaw detection), that subject matter falls under the scope of G01N 25/00.
For subject matter relating to sensing temperature changes for compensating measurements of other variables or for compensating readings of instruments for variations in temperature, see G01D or relevant subclass for variable measured.
References relevant to classification in this subclass
This subclass does not cover:
Radiation pyrometry | G01J 5/00 |
Measuring temperature of human body parts for diagnostic purposes | A61B 5/01 |
Heat-sensitive devices for control of fire-fighting equipment | A62C 37/00 |
Heat-sensitive sheets for use in thermography | B41M 5/00 |
Measuring temperature specially adapted to boreholes or wells | E21B 47/06 |
Arrangements of temperature sensing elements for regulating or controlling in gas turbines | F01D 17/08 |
Use of thermally-sensitive elements in systems controlling or regulating combustion | F23N 5/02-F23N 5/14 |
Flow measurement by thermal means | G01F 1/68 |
Investigating or analysing materials by use of thermal means, e.g. by calorimetry | G01N 25/00, G01N 25/20 |
Meteorology; Indication of human comfort | G01W 1/00, G01W 1/17 |
Temperature control | G05D 23/00 |
Fire alarms | G08B 17/00-G08B 19/00 |
Thermally-sensitive members for thermally-actuated switches | H01H 37/00 |
Temperature sensing in car batteries | H01M 10/48 |
Control or measuring devices, e.g. for temperature of metal, in the art of manufacture of metal sheets, wires, rods, tubes or profiles | B21C 31/00 |
Arrangement of indicating or measuring devices, e.g. for temperature or viscosity of the fused mass, in the art of casting of metals | B22D 2/00 |
Measuring, controlling or regulating of temperature in injection moulding | B29C 45/78 |
Indicating devices concerning coolant temperature, in the art of cooling of machines, engines, or internal-combustion engines | F01P 11/16 |
Structural combination of nuclear reactor elements with sensitive instruments for measuring temperature | G21C 17/112 |
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Thermometer holders specially adapted to veterinary purposes | A61D 13/00 |
Ambient temperature regulation specially adapted to passengers or goods spaces in vehicles | B60H 1/00 |
Heating in general | F24B, F24C, F24D |
Sensing temperature changes for compensating measurements of other variables or for compensating readings of instruments for variations in temperature | G01D |
Bimetallic elements | G12B 1/02 |
Compensating for the effects of temperature on instruments | G12B 7/00 |
Thermistors, i.e. thermo-resistors | H01C 7/00-H01C 7/04 |
Electrolytic temperature-sensitive devices | H01G 9/21 |
Peltier elements | H01L 23/38 |
Semiconductor or solid-state thermo-electric or thermo-magnetic devices | H01L 35/00, H01L 37/00 |
In this subclass, the following terms or expressions are used with the meaning indicated:
Thermometer | Includes thermally-sensitive elements not provided for in other subclasses. |
TTI | Time Temperature Integrator |
PTAT | Proportional To Absolute Temperature |
CTAT | Complementary To Absolute Temperature |
NTC/PTC | Negative/Positive Temperature Coefficient |
RTD | Resistance Temperature Detector |
3-wire / 4-wire RTD's | Resistive temperature detectors with additional lead wire for compensation purposes |
OTDR | Optical Time Domain Reflectometry |
FBG | Fiber Bragg Grating |
SAW/BAW | Surface/Bulk Acoustic Wave |
HVAC | Heating Ventilation Air Conditioning |
TAT/SAT | Total/Static Air Temperature (in aircrafts) |