Patents Examined by Anthony W Megna Fuentes
  • Patent number: 11971428
    Abstract: An accelerometer arrangement and method are described for determining accelerations of an inground tool. First and second triaxial accelerometers are supported such that a normal sensing axis of the first triaxial accelerometer is at least generally orthogonal to the normal sensing axis of the second triaxial accelerometer for determining the accelerations along the three orthogonal axes based on a combination of sensing axis outputs from one or both of the triaxial accelerometers. A weaker sensing axis of one triaxial accelerometer can be supported at least approximately normal to a weaker sensing axis of another triaxial accelerometer such that the weaker axes are not used. The triaxial accelerometers can be supported such that one axis of one accelerometer can be redundant with respect to another axis of another accelerometer. One triaxial accelerometer can be mounted on a tilted plane with respect to another triaxial accelerometer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: Merlin Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Albert W. Chau, John E. Mercer, Scott Phillips
  • Patent number: 11959834
    Abstract: A manufacturing method of a sample collection component, by which a removable light shielding component is disposed on a main body of the sample collection component to shield at least a portion of the light that passes through a storing space of the sample collection component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: Materials Analysis Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Pin Chang, Ying-Chan Hung, Hung-Jen Chen
  • Patent number: 11958510
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to a bearing hub assembly of a rail guide wheel apparatus for a rail vehicle. The bearing hub assembly may couple rail wheels to the rail guide wheel apparatus. The rail guide wheel apparatus may be included on a Hi-Rail vehicle or any other vehicle configured to travel along railroad tracks. The bearing hub assembly includes a sensor that is integrally mounted within the bearing hub assembly. The sensor collects information associated with rotation of the rail wheels. Information collected by the sensor may be used to determine a speed, direction, location, and/or distance traveled of the rail vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: HARSCO TECHNOLOGIES LLC
    Inventors: John Wiggins, Eric Carter
  • Patent number: 11951459
    Abstract: A photocatalyst made of cuprous bromide, wherein the cuprous bromide expresses a photocatalytic property of decomposing a substance brought into contact with the cuprous bromide by irradiation with light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: FUJITSU LIMITED
    Inventors: Michio Ushigome, Masato Wakamura, Osamu Tsuboi
  • Patent number: 11953357
    Abstract: A flow sensor chip includes a substrate in which a cavity having an opening is formed, a membrane provided on a surface of the substrate so as to cover the opening, a heater provided inside the membrane, a first thermopile and a second thermopile provided in the membrane, and a heat conduction member for heat conduction between the substrate and the membrane. A first hot junction and a first cold junction of a thermocouple provided in the first thermopile and a second hot junction and a second cold junction of a thermocouple provided in the second thermopile are arranged at positions overlapping with the opening in a plan view. The heat conduction member includes a first heat conduction member for heat conduction between the first cold junction and the substrate and a second heat conduction member for heat conduction between the second cold junction and the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: MMI SEMICONDUCTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takashi Kasai, Koji Momotani
  • Patent number: 11953399
    Abstract: Pressure sensors having ring-tensioned membranes are disclosed. A tensioning ring is bonded to a membrane in a manner that results in the tensioning ring applying a tensile force to the membrane, flattening the membrane and reducing or eliminating defects that may have occurred during production. The membrane is bonded to the sensor housing at a point outside the tensioning ring, preventing the process of bonding the membrane to the housing from introducing defects into the tensioned portion of the membrane. A dielectric may be introduced into the gap between the membrane and the counter electrode in a capacitive pressure sensor, resulting in an improved dynamic range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: THE ALFRED E. MANN FOUNDATION FOR SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH
    Inventors: Siegmar Schmidt, William A. Dai, Boon Khai Ng
  • Patent number: 11953354
    Abstract: A sensor apparatus may include a channel structure configured to couple with an external element and a fluid conduit, such that the channel structure may receive a fluid, at least partially drawn through the external element from an ambient environment, and direct the fluid through the fluid conduit. A sensor may generate sensor data indicating a flow rate of the fluid through the fluid conduit based on monitoring a variation in a pressure at a location in hydrodynamic contact with the fluid conduit and in relation to an ambient pressure of the ambient environment. The sensor apparatus may enable generation of improved topography information associated with flows of fluid drawn from the external element based on measuring a local pressure at the location in hydrodynamic contact with the fluid conduit and determining the ambient pressure based on monitoring the local pressure over time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: David B. Kane, Yezdi B. Pithawalla, Srinivasan Janardhan, Gerd Kobal
  • Patent number: 11946737
    Abstract: A system and method for measuring an inside diameter of a pipe to determine if it exceeds a predetermined value using a plurality of fingers operatively connected to a spring. When in a fully extended position, the distance between opposite fingers is the predetermined value. The fingers are pivotable between a starting position, through the fully extended position, and to a failing position. In the starting position, an outer end of each finger engages an inside surface of the pipe to compress the spring. If the diameter exceeds the predetermined value as the system moves through the pipe, the pipe inside surface will no longer engage the fingers, which releases the spring causing the fingers to pivot to the failing position, where they remain until the system is removed from the pipe and manually reset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: Mewbourne Oil Company
    Inventor: Erin McMath
  • Patent number: 11946823
    Abstract: A thermal conductivity gauge measures gas pressure within a chamber. A sensor wire and a resistor form a circuit coupled between a power input and ground, where the sensor wire extends into the chamber and connects to the resistor via a terminal. A controller adjusts the power input, as a function of a voltage at the terminal and a voltage at the power input, to bring the sensor wire to a target temperature. Based on the adjusted power input, the controller can determine a measure of the gas pressure within the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: MKS Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerardo A. Brucker, Timothy C. Swinney
  • Patent number: 11940347
    Abstract: A pressure sensor has a stem in which a pressure introduction hole into which a pressure medium is introduced and a diaphragm deformable according to the pressure of the pressure medium are formed, and a strain detecting element which is arranged on the diaphragm via an insulating film and being configured to output a detection signal according to the deformation of the diaphragm. The strain detecting element is configured to have a portion made of polysilicon. A low doping layer having a higher electrical resistivity than polysilicon and a higher crystallinity than the insulating film is arranged between the insulating film and the strain detecting element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignees: DENSO CORPORATION, NAGANO KEIKI CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Kodama, Naoki Yoshida, Kaori Miyashita, Eiji Takeda, Nobuaki Yamada, Yoshihiro Tomomatsu, Yasushi Yanagisawa, Yusuke Midorikawa, Shirou Kamanaru, Kenichi Yokoyama, Inao Toyoda, Hisayuki Takeuchi, Naohisa Niimi, Masao Takahashi, Yasutake Ura, Kouji Asano, Yukihiro Kamada
  • Patent number: 11927465
    Abstract: A flow sensor system for detecting the presence or absence of flow of a liquid nutrient formula through a conduit of an enteral feeding system. The flow sensor system includes a channel configured to retain the conduit therein, a heat source disposed at a first location at a first portion of the conduit, and a heat detector disposed at a second location at a second portion of the conduit. The heat source may include an IR LED, and the heat detector may include a thermopile sensor. A method for using the flow sensor system to detect the presence or absence of flow of a liquid nutrient formula through a conduit of an enteral feeding system is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Inventors: Peter J. Sacchetti, Hannu Pulli
  • Patent number: 11927571
    Abstract: Methods for determining the hardness and/or ductility of a material by compression of the material are provided as a first aspect of the invention. Typically, compression is performed on multiple sides of a geologic material sample in a contemporaneous manner. Devices and systems for performing such methods also are provided. These methods, devices, and systems can be combined with additional methods, devices, and systems of the invention that provide for the analysis of compounds contained in such samples, which can indicate the presence of valuable materials, such as petroleum-associated hydrocarbons. Alternatively, these additional methods, devices, and systems can also stand independently of the methods, devices, and systems for analyzing ductility and/or hardness of materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Inventor: Michael P. Smith
  • Patent number: 11923138
    Abstract: A collecting device includes a stage configured to place a substrate. A magnetic field generating unit holds, by a magnetic field, a first liquid containing a magnetic fluid and a collecting liquid to bring the first liquid into contact with at least an end portion of the substrate. A collecting unit collects the first liquid from the magnetic field generating unit. A separating unit separates the collecting liquid from the first liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: KIOXIA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Sho Kato, Yuji Yamada, Jiahong Wu
  • Patent number: 11906399
    Abstract: A well sampling apparatus is described herein. The well sampling apparatus includes one or more pressure-activated samplers in a sampling assembly. The samplers are coupled to an activating mechanism that includes a remotely activated local actuator. The remotely activated local actuator is coupled to a pressure source that, when released by the remotely activated local actuator, operates the pressure-activated sample to obtain a sample fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Brian Abbott, Ian James Mainwaring, Akhil Bahl, Carlos Merino
  • Patent number: 11898940
    Abstract: A method of inspecting a leak detection system in a short time is disclosed. The leak detection system includes a leak detection line, an on-off valve, a flow mater, an operation controller configured to detect a fluid leak from a fluid line based on a first flow rate measured by the flow mater, a drain line, and a drain valve attached to the drain line. The inspection method includes: opening the on-off valve and the drain valve, with a supply valve and a return valve closed; measuring a second flow rate of fluid in the leak detection line by the flow mater; and determining that the leak detection system has a defect when the second flow rate is lower than a predetermined reference value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: EBARA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Toru Maruyama, Mitsunori Komatsu, Keisuke Kamiki
  • Patent number: 11897608
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an apparatus for facilitating sampling water of water bodies, in accordance with some embodiments. Further, the apparatus comprises a primary housing, a secondary housing, a movement assembly, a sensor, a storage device, and a power source. Further, the secondary housing is submerged in a water body based on disposing of the primary housing. Further, the secondary housing receives a water sample from a depth of the water body in a secondary interior cavity through an opening of the secondary housing based on submerging of the secondary housing in the water body in the depth. Further, the movement assembly transitions the secondary housing between a retracted position and an extended position for the submerging. Further, the sensor generates sensor data based on detecting a characteristic of the water sample. Further, the storage device stores the sensor data. Further, the power source powers the sensor, and the storage device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Inventor: Daniel Marion
  • Patent number: 11892383
    Abstract: A system and method for sampling a sample material includes a device for directing sample into a capture probe. The device for supplying sample material to the probe can be a device for radiating energy to the sample material to eject sample from the sample material. A probe includes an outer probe housing having an open end. A liquid supply conduit has an outlet positioned to deliver liquid to the open end. An exhaust conduit removes liquid from the open end of the housing. The liquid supply conduit can be connectable to a liquid supply for delivering liquid at a first volumetric flow rate to the open end of the housing. A liquid exhaust system can be in fluid connection with the liquid exhaust conduit for removing liquid from the liquid exhaust conduit at a second volumetric flow rate such that gas with sample is withdrawn with the liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: UT-BATTELLE, LLC
    Inventors: Vilmos Kertesz, Gary J. Van Berkel
  • Patent number: 11892361
    Abstract: A device and method for measuring temperature during tribological examination of sample materials. More specifically, the device includes a sample holder that provides for surface temperature measurement for sample materials undergoing tribological testing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: SOUTHWEST RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Carlos Sanchez, Michael Moneer, Peter Lee
  • Patent number: 11881321
    Abstract: A device for measuring a total gas content of a primary circuit of a PWR nuclear power plant includes a shielding protective cover, and a sampling assembly and a sample measuring assembly that are detachably connected to the shielding protective cover; the sampling assembly includes a sampling bottle; a valve connected to one mouth of the sampling bottle through a pipeline; a second valve connected to the other mouth of the sampling bottle through a pipeline; a first quick female connector connected with the first valve through a pipeline; a second quick female connector connected to the second valve through a pipeline; a balance pipeline, one end being connected to the pipeline between the first valve and the first quick female connector, and the other end being connected to the pipeline between the second valve and the second quick female connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: SANMEN NUCLEAR POWER CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Dong Chen, Tao Hou, Li Miao, Xudong Wu, Gaoyong Liu
  • Patent number: 11867676
    Abstract: A multi-gas sensing system includes a sensing circuit comprising one or more sensing elements. Each sensing element includes a sensing material configured to detect at least one gas analyte. A management circuit is configured to excite the sensing elements with an alternating current at at least one predetermined frequency. The management circuit measures one or more electrical responses of the sensing elements responsive to exciting the sensing elements with the alternating current. The management circuit determines one or more characteristics of the sensing circuit. One or more processors receive the electrical responses of the sensing elements and the characteristics of the sensing circuit. The one or more processors determine a concentration of the at least one gas analyte based on the electrical responses of the sensing elements and the characteristics of the sensing circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Radislav Alexandrovich Potyrailo, Richard St. Pierre, Bruce Courtney Amm