Patents Examined by Alexander A Mercado
  • Patent number: 11933807
    Abstract: A measuring device for determining the density, the mass flow and/or the viscosity of a gas-charged liquid includes an oscillator, having a media-conducting measuring tube and two vibrational modes having media-density-dependent natural frequencies; an exciter for exciting the two vibrational modes; a vibrational sensor for detecting vibrations of the oscillator; and an operating and evaluating circuit to apply an excitation signal to the exciter, detect signals of the vibration sensor, determine current values of the natural frequencies of the two vibrational modes of the oscillator and fluctuations of the natural frequencies. The operating and evaluating circuit is designed to determine a first media state value, wherein the operating and evaluating circuit is furthermore designed to determine a second media state value which represents a gas charge of the medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: Endress+Hauser Flowtec AG
    Inventors: Hao Zhu, Michael Wiesmann
  • Patent number: 11928983
    Abstract: An artificial eye assembly (100) comprising: —an anterior layer (50) comprising an anterior cavity (52); —a flow constricting (40) layer comprising a first aperture (42), and wherein the first aperture (42) is in fluid communication with the anterior cavity (52); —a shaping layer (30) comprising a second aperture and a shaping structure (32), wherein the shaping structure (32) is located within, partially within, or outside of the second aperture, and wherein the shaping structure comprises (32) one or more webs (33), the webs (33) connecting the structure (32) to the rest of the shaping layer (30), and wherein the second aperture is in fluid communication with the first aperture (42); —a flow resistive layer (20) comprising pores, and wherein pores of the layer are in fluid communication with the second aperture; —a posterior layer (10) comprising a posterior cavity (12), and wherein the posterior cavity (12) is in fluid communication with pores of the flow resistive layer (20); —a fluid inlet (13) located i
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: Optceutics Limited
    Inventors: Sahar Awwad, Yann Bouremel, Nkiruka Ibeanu, Stephen James Brocchini, Peng Tee Khaw
  • Patent number: 11918837
    Abstract: There is provided a fit testing method comprising: providing a respirator donned by a wearer; providing a sensor in electrical communication with a sensing element, where the sensor is configured to monitor a particulate concentration parameter of a gas space within the respirator, and a second particulate concentration parameter of a gas space outside the respirator, where the sensor is attached to the respirator such that the respirator such that the weight of the sensor is supported by the respirator; and providing a reader configured to communicate with the sensor, where the reader is configured to provide a respirator fit parameter based on a comparison of the particulate concentration within the respirator to the particulate concentration parameter outside the respirator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Richard C. Webb, Andrew S. Viner, Daniel B. Taylor, Jessica L. T. Hauge, Jennifer L. Kamarainen, Jacob P. Vanderheyden, Silvia G. Guttmann, Kenneth B. L. Stanford
  • Patent number: 11913855
    Abstract: A system may include a hose assembly; a sensor device; and a controller. The hose assembly may be configured to be connected to a hydraulic circuit of a machine. A first layer, of a hose of the hose assembly, may be configured to transport a hydraulic fluid. A second layer, of the hose, may comprise a tracer material that is configured to be released into the hydraulic fluid when the first layer is experiencing a failure. The sensor device may be configured to detect the tracer material in the hydraulic fluid, and generate sensor data indicating that the tracer material has been detected. The controller may be configured to determine that the hose assembly is experiencing the failure based on the sensor data and cause an action to be performed based on determining that the hose assembly is experiencing the failure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Stefano Morone
  • Patent number: 11906339
    Abstract: The invention relates to a Coriolis measuring transducer of a Coriolis measuring device comprising: at least one measuring tube; at least one exciter; at least two sensors; wherein at least one exciter or at least one sensor has a coil device and a magnet device, wherein the magnet device has a holder and at least a first magnet group and at least a second magnet group, wherein the holder has a body with a body length axis and a first end and a second end wherein the first end has an end surface, wherein the body has three recesses, wherein a central recess is separated, in each case, from an outer recess by, in each case, an intermediate wall, wherein each intermediate wall has an opening, and wherein the first magnet group is arranged in a first opening, and wherein the second magnet group is arranged in a second opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: Endress+Hauser Flowtec AG
    Inventors: Benjamin Schwenter, Marc Werner, Claude Hollinger, Gebhard Gschwend
  • Patent number: 11906495
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a sensor includes a sensor part including a first film, and a structure body including a second film. The first film has a first density, and a first concentration of a first element. The second film has at least one of a second density, or a second concentration of the first element. The second concentration is greater than the first concentration. The second density is greater than the first density.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Yumi Hayashi, Hiroaki Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 11906340
    Abstract: A separation assembly for the flow measurement of a gas flow and a liquid flow of a multiphase fluid includes separator with a housing and a separation element inside the housing. The separation element provides the fluid to rotate at high-speed causing strong centrifugal forces on the multiphase fluid. The housing has an inlet for a multiphase mixture and two outlets, one primarily for pre-separated gas and the second primarily for pre-separated liquid. These outlets lead to a regulator. The regulator is part of the separation assembly and includes at least two outlets, one for gas and one for liquid. The regulator ensures the proportional regulation and the final separation of gas and liquid phases over an entire flow rate to provide monophase liquid and gas at the outlets of the regulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: L'ATELIER DE MATOURNE S.A.S.
    Inventors: Ton Leenhoven, Goncalo Gil Vieira Amaro
  • Patent number: 11885784
    Abstract: An apparatus for sampling landfill gas from a landfill flowing through a pipe. The apparatus may comprise: an enclosure configured to receive a section of the pipe; a gas sampling port in the section of the pipe; at least one sensor device disposed in a region of the enclosure, the at least one sensor being coupled to the section of the pipe through the gas sampling port; and thermal insulation positioned to retain heat from the section of the pipe in the region of the enclosure. A method of operating a landfill gas recovery system. The method may comprise: flowing gas from a well riser pipe through a sampling subsystem to a collection system; and heating a portion of the sampling subsystem with the gas flowing from the well riser pipe to the collection system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: Loci Controls, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Campanella, Ian Martin, Joseph G. Michels, Nathan Pallo, Peter Quigley
  • Patent number: 11879805
    Abstract: A method for spin set bearing setting verification in a preload state on a shaft. An inertia wheel may be disposed on the shaft. The inertia wheel or the shaft is rotated. A first rotational speed is measured at a first time. The inertia wheel may decelerate over time to achieve a second rotational speed measured at a second time. The second speed is less than first speed. The change in time between the first time and the second time is measured. The bearing setting may be adjusted if the change in time is outside a predetermined time range. The bearing setting may remain unchanged if the change in time is within a predetermined time range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Clayton P. Neumann, Kevin R. King
  • Patent number: 11871722
    Abstract: A robotic milking system includes a milking control, a milk line, and a sampling and analysis device for the milk, wherein the milking control controls the robotic milking device based on the analysis of the milk sample. The sampling and analysis device includes a control unit, a tape reel with a tape with reagent pads that detect the presence of a substance in the sample, a tape mover, a dosing device to provide a sample onto a reagent pad, a camera to image of the reagent pad with said sample, and to analyse the images to indicate a presence or concentration of said substance. The lengthwise consecutive substantially rectangular reagent pads are separated by a hydrophobic line, and the control unit recognises said line in the image and determines a position thereof. The control unit controls the tape mover on the basis of the obtained image and line position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: LELY PATENT N.V.
    Inventor: Abram Christiaan Knip
  • Patent number: 11872145
    Abstract: A linear force-measuring device for a hydraulic actuator of an orthopedic device. The force-measuring device includes a base, a bearing receptacle and at least one sensor for detecting changes in length between the base and the bearing receptacle, wherein the bearing receptacle is connected to the base via two opposing connecting parts, and the at least one sensor is secured to one of the connecting parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: OTTO BOCK HEALTHCARE PRODUCTS GMBH
    Inventors: Christian Breuer-Ruesch, Andreas Gradischar, Juan Pablo Mejia Nino, Roland Auberger, Alexander Noah Spring
  • Patent number: 11860082
    Abstract: A method for evaluating a weld in a formed object includes performing a contact mechanics test of a first region that includes the weld and storing one or more corresponding weld surface mechanical property measurements, performing a contact mechanics test of a second region that excludes the weld and storing one or more corresponding base material surface mechanical property measurements, determining a relative difference in the weld surface mechanical property measurements and the base material surface mechanical property measurements, determining one or more weld width measurements on the exterior surface of the formed object, and evaluating the weld based on the determined relative difference in the weld surface mechanical property measurements and the base material surface mechanical property measurements in relation to the determined weld width measurements in order to provide an index of weld quality that is traditionally measured through a destructive test or examination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Massachusetts Materials Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Simon C. Bellemare, Steven D. Palkovic, Brendon M. Willey, Soheil Safari Loaliyan, Parth P. Patel
  • Patent number: 11852572
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for analytical wettability assessment of fracturing proppants for improving fluid recovery are disclosed. Embodiments include determining, for a proppant sample, a first value related to an oil-wet index of the proppant sample. Embodiments further include determining, for the proppant sample, a second value related to a water-wet index of the proppant sample. Embodiments further include determining, for the proppant sample based on the first value and the second value, a third value related to a wettability index of the proppant sample. Embodiments further include determining, based on the third value, a wetting characteristic of the proppant sample. Other embodiments may be described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Fawaz M. Al-Boghail, Abdullah M. Al Moajil
  • Patent number: 11841262
    Abstract: By implementing a monitoring system to a fluid meter set, the meter set can be monitored for abnormalities including fluid leaks or other system failures as well as gas blend or gas density. A monitoring system that uses sensors such as vibration sensors can detect fluid leaks or other system failures based on abnormal conditions such as vibrations of the meter set. Sensors may be positioned at various locations along the meter set where leakage of fluids or other system failures may be possible. Sensory information detected by sensors are communicated to processing or control unit which can trigger an alarm signaling unit alerting of a potential fluid leak. Such a system of monitoring the integrity of a fluid meter set can help to quickly identify and respond to a fluid leak without necessarily relying on visual or olfactory cues associated with the fluid being leaked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: ROMET LIMITED
    Inventors: Frederick Joseph Maly, Jr., Mohammadreza Soudmand-Asli
  • Patent number: 11815524
    Abstract: A volume fraction meter that includes a flow meter coupled to a flow line. The flow line includes a turned portion and the flow meter is positioned upstream from the turned portion with respect to a flow direction. The flow meter is configured to measure a volumetric flow rate of a multiphase fluid flowing in the flow direction through the flow line. The flow line includes a nozzle opening downstream the turned portion. The volume fraction meter also includes a strain gauge coupled to the flow line between the flow meter and the turned portion of the flow line. The strain gauge is configured to measure a bending strain on the flow line upon discharge of the multiphase fluid through the nozzle opening, such that the bending strain and the volumetric flow-rate provide inputs for determining a mixture density of the multiphase fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventor: Thomas Joseph Theodore Hillman
  • Patent number: 11815377
    Abstract: A vortex flowmeter for measuring a flow rate of a fluid. The meter includes a flowtube, a bluff body, and a vortex sensor. The bluff body, which is positioned in the flowtube, sheds vortices in the fluid when the fluid flows through the flowtube and the vortex sensor detects the vortices and generates a vortex signal representing the detected vortices. A pressure sensor arrangement is configured to detect a differential pressure in the fluid between a first location upstream of at least a portion of the bluff body and a second location downstream of at least a portion of the bluff body and generate a differential pressure signal representing the pressure differential between the two locations. The flowmeter determines the fluid flow rate based on the pressure differential.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC SYSTEMS USA, INC
    Inventors: Jeffrey Mattar, Harry DesRosiers
  • Patent number: 11815492
    Abstract: Aspects of the technology described herein relate to built-in self-testing (BIST) of circuitry (e.g., a pulser or receive circuitry) and/or transducers in an ultrasound device. A BIST circuit may include a transconductance amplifier coupled between a pulser and receive circuitry, a capacitor network coupled between a pulser and receive circuitry, and/or a current source couplable to the input terminal of receive circuitry to which a transducer is also couplable. The collapse voltages of transducers may be characterized using BIST circuitry, and a bias voltage may be applied to the membranes of the transducers based at least in part on their collapse voltages. The capacitances of transducers may also be measured using BIST circuitry and a notification may be generated based on the sets of measurements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: BFLY Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Chao Chen, Youn-Jae Kook, Jihee Lee, Kailiang Chen, Leung Kin Chiu, Joseph Lutsky, Nevada J. Sanchez, Sebastian Schaetz, Hamid Soleimani
  • Patent number: 11802864
    Abstract: A system includes at least one sensing device located within a structure being built as part of a construction project. The sensing device obtains measurements relating to a first characteristic of concrete of the structure and transmits the data wirelessly. The system also includes a memory, and a processor adapted to receive the data from the sensing devices, determine a second characteristic of the concrete based on the data, and generate a schedule of activities based on the second characteristic. The schedule may be a project schedule specifying tasks associated with the construction project. The processor is also adapted to cause at least one activity to be performed based on the schedule of activities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: QUIPIP, LLC
    Inventor: Farrokh F. Radjy
  • Patent number: 11802813
    Abstract: A device for testing a needle roller bearing of a planet gear set consists of two identical helical planet gear sets, a piston, an end cover, a spindle, and can simulate the actual operating condition of a needle roller bearing of the planet gear set; the rotating speed difference between an inner raceway and an outer raceway of the needle roller bearing is determined by adjusting the rotating speed of a sun gear and a planet carrier; the load on the needle roller bearing includes a centrifugal load and a radial load, and the centrifugal acceleration and the centrifugal load are determined by adjusting the rotating speed of the planet carrier; a method of determining the radial load by adjusting the hydraulic pressure difference of hydraulic chambers at both ends of the piston, generating a tangential force to load the planet gear, and balancing the radial load of the bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Inventors: Peng Dong, Shumiao Zuo, Jiadong Sheng, Xiangyang Xu, Peter Tenberge, Yanfang Liu, Shuhan Wang, Wei Guo, Yan Cheng
  • Patent number: 11788918
    Abstract: A fluid detection system, method, and apparatus are disclosed. A fluid detection fabric includes a top layer, a middle layer, a bottom layer, a fluid detection sensor, and a control hub. The middle layer separates the top layer and bottom layer. The top layer, middle layer, and bottom layer are configured to connect electrically using a liquid pathway when liquid is present.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: TREVILLYAN LABS, LLC
    Inventor: William George Trevillyan