A gauge including a housing, a measuring port, an opening formed in the housing and a cover for covering the opening. The cover of the gauge is selected from a range of flexible and translucent materials.

Thermal probe (10) for a scanning thermal microscope (100), use, and process of manufacturing. The thermal probe (10) comprises a single-material (M1) thermal conducting body (12) consisting of a probe frame (14) ending in a probe tip (11). A bi-material (M1,M2) cantilever strip (13) is connected to the probe frame (14) in thermal communication with the probe tip (11). The cantilever strip (13) in unbended state lies in-plane (X,Z) with the probe tip (11). The cantilever strip (13) comprises layers of material (M1,M2) having different coefficients of thermal expansion configured to bend the cantilever strip (13) with respect to the single-material thermal conducting body (12) as a function of the heat exchange (H) between the probe tip (11) and the microscopic structure (2) for measuring heat exchange (H) with a sample interface (1) by means of measuring the bending of the cantilever strip (13).

Thermal probe (10) for a scanning thermal microscope (100), use, and process of manufacturing. The thermal probe (10) comprises a single-material (M1) thermal conducting body (12) consisting of a probe frame (14) ending in a probe tip (11). A bi-material (M1,M2) cantilever strip (13) is connected to the probe frame (14) in thermal communication with the probe tip (11). The cantilever strip (13) in unbended state lies in-plane (X,Z) with the probe tip (11). The cantilever strip (13) comprises layers of material (M1,M2) having different coefficients of thermal expansion configured to bend the cantilever strip (13) with respect to the single-material thermal conducting body (12) as a function of the heat exchange (H) between the probe tip (11) and the microscopic structure (2) for measuring heat exchange (H) with a sample interface (1) by means of measuring the bending of the cantilever strip (13).

Cookware is provided having a temperature sensing assembly for indicating a temperature of the cookware. In one embodiment, a cooking pan is provided having a pan body with a cooking surface and a heating surface opposite the cooking surface. A handle can be attached to the pan body, and a thermal gauge can be mounted on the handle. A thermal probe can extend from the gauge into the pan body to measure a temperature of the pan body. In some embodiments, a shield can surround at least a portion of the thermal probe to block the thermal probe from radiant heat.

Cookware is provided having a temperature sensing assembly for indicating a temperature of the cookware. In one embodiment, a cooking pan is provided having a pan body with a cooking surface and a heating surface opposite the cooking surface. A handle can be attached to the pan body, and a thermal gauge can be mounted on the handle. A thermal probe can extend from the gauge into the pan body to measure a temperature of the pan body. In some embodiments, a shield can surround at least a portion of the thermal probe to block the thermal probe from radiant heat.

A device for quantifying a useful thermal energy available in a tank for storing a heated or cooled fluid or solid includes: a plurality of thermoelectric converters configured to be distributed in plural locations of the storage tank; an electric circuit interconnecting the thermoelectric converters; a device measuring a single electrical variable of the electric circuit; and a converter converting a single measurement of the single electrical variable into a value for quantification of the useful thermal energy available in the storage tank.

A device for quantifying a useful thermal energy available in a tank for storing a heated or cooled fluid or solid includes: a plurality of thermoelectric converters configured to be distributed in plural locations of the storage tank; an electric circuit interconnecting the thermoelectric converters; a device measuring a single electrical variable of the electric circuit; and a converter converting a single measurement of the single electrical variable into a value for quantification of the useful thermal energy available in the storage tank.

A humidifier includes: moisture permeable members each having a tubular shape; a case housing the moisture permeable members; a first flow path portion in which one of cathode gas to be supplied to a fuel cell and cathode off-gas discharged from the fuel cell flows inside the moisture permeable members; a second flow path portion in which the other of the cathode gas and the cathode off-gas flows outside the moisture permeable members within the case; and a temperature sensitive member attached to at least one of the moisture permeable members, deformable in response to temperature, and deforming so as to decrease a gap between the moisture permeable members as the temperature decreases.

A humidifier includes: moisture permeable members each having a tubular shape; a case housing the moisture permeable members; a first flow path portion in which one of cathode gas to be supplied to a fuel cell and cathode off-gas discharged from the fuel cell flows inside the moisture permeable members; a second flow path portion in which the other of the cathode gas and the cathode off-gas flows outside the moisture permeable members within the case; and a temperature sensitive member attached to at least one of the moisture permeable members, deformable in response to temperature, and deforming so as to decrease a gap between the moisture permeable members as the temperature decreases.

A thermally responsive element in which the degree of freedom in setting a differential is high across a wide range of temperature zones and a relatively small differential is settable is provided. The element may be a plate-like member having a shape that changes in accordance with a temperature change. A cross-section of the thermally responsive element at room temperature may have a compound curved shape. A cross-section of the thermally responsive element after the shape change may have a compound curved shape. A border between the central portion and the outer peripheral portion is the same before and after the shape change of the thermally responsive element.