Patents Examined by Helen C. Kwok
  • Patent number: 11644374
    Abstract: A left and right feet pedaling analysis system is disclosed, comprising a pedaling sensing device and an electronic carrier, wherein the pedaling sensing device includes one or more transmission units and one or more accelerometers which are applied to detect the acceleration change data during pedaling, and the pedaling sensing device or/and the electronic carrier can analyze the signals coming from the accelerometer during riding the bicycle in order to acquire the pedaling rotation number, the ratio of the left and right foot forces as well as the installation direction thereby understanding the pedaling distribution ratio of the left and right foot when riding; as such, it can help improve the pedaling skills and adjust the pedaling force mode so as to reduce the risk of injury caused by excessively unbalanced pedaling asymmetry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: NATIONAL TAIWAN NORMAL UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Tzyy-Yuang Shiang, Yin-Shin Lee, Ming-Hsiu Lee, Yu-Cheng Chiu
  • Patent number: 11619648
    Abstract: An inertial measurement device includes: an inertial sensor; a battery supplying electric power to the inertial sensor; a first case accommodating the inertial sensor; and a second case accommodating the battery. The battery and the first case are spaced apart from each other. The second case is fixed outside the first case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Inventors: Kenta Sato, Jun Watanabe
  • Patent number: 11614462
    Abstract: A physical quantity sensor includes a physical quantity sensor element including a lid joined to a substrate to define a housing space in the inside and a physical quantity sensor element piece housed in the housing space and a circuit element bonded to the outer surface of the lid via an adhesive material. In the lid, an electrode is provided to extend from an inner wall of a through-hole, which pierces through the lid from the housing space to a surface on the opposite side of the side of the physical quantity sensor element piece and is sealed by a sealing member, to a peripheral edge of the through-hole at the surface on the opposite side. In a sectional view, thickness of a region at the peripheral edge of the electrode is smaller at the opposite side of the side of an opening of the through-hole than the opening side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Inventor: Atsuki Naruse
  • Patent number: 11614463
    Abstract: There is provided a resonant sensor comprising: a substrate; a proof mass suspended from the substrate by one or more flexures to allow the proof mass to move relative to the frame along a sensitive axis; a first and a second resonant element connected between the frame and the proof mass; wherein the proof mass is positioned between the first and the second resonant element along the sensitive axis, and wherein the first and the second resonant elements have a substantially identical structure to one another; and drive and sensing circuitry comprising: a first electrode assembly coupled to first drive circuitry configured to drive the first resonant element in a first mode; a second electrode assembly coupled to second drive circuitry configured to drive the second resonant element in a second mode, different to the first mode; and a sensing circuit configured to determine a measure of acceleration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: CAMBRIDGE ENTERPRISE LIMITED
    Inventors: Xudong Zou, Ashwin Arunkuman Seshia
  • Patent number: 11614427
    Abstract: Non-limiting examples of the present disclosure relate to devices, systems and methods of manufacture for an exemplary waveguide usable for acoustic signal transmission for non-destructive evaluation (NDE) of a specimen (e.g., a wooden specimen) as well as apparatuses usable therewith. An exemplary waveguide comprises a mating portion for interfacing with a transducer horn of an ultrasonic transducer. The mating portion comprises at least a contact well configured to enable a connection between the transducer horn and the waveguide. The waveguide further comprises a body portion that comprises an upper body portion, that has a flat-faced distal end that is usable to establish contact with a surface of the specimen, and a lower body portion that is attached to and extends outwardly from the upper body portion and is further attached to the mating portion. Other technical examples are further described in the present disclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: VOLT HOLDINGS LIMITED
    Inventors: Yishi Lee, Wayne Hall
  • Patent number: 11603310
    Abstract: A MEMS device with teeter-totter structure includes a mobile mass having an area in a plane and a thickness in a direction perpendicular to the plane. The mobile mass is tiltable about a rotation axis extending parallel to the plane and formed by a first and by a second half-masses arranged on opposite sides of the rotation axis. The first and the second masses have a first and a second centroid, respectively, arranged at a first and a second distance b1, b2, respectively, from the rotation axis. First through openings are formed in the first half-mass and, together with the first half-mass, have a first total perimeter p1 in the plane. Second through openings are formed in the second half-mass and, together with the second half-mass, have a second total perimeter p2 in the plane, where the first and the second perimeters p1, p2 satisfy the equation: p1×b1=p2×b2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: STMICROELECTRONICS S.R.L.
    Inventors: Francesco Rizzini, Alessandro Tocchio
  • Patent number: 11604207
    Abstract: The invention provides a resonant sensor comprising: a substrate; one or more proof masses suspended from the substrate to allow for movement of the one or more proof masses along a sensitive axis; a first resonant element having a first end and a second end, the first resonant element extending between the first end and the second end along the sensitive axis, wherein the first end is connected to the one or more proof masses through a non-inverting lever and the second end is connected to the one or more proof masses through an inverting lever; and an electrode assembly positioned adjacent to the first resonant element. A resonant sensor in accordance the invention comprises a resonant element that is suspended between two proof masses or between two portions of a single proof mass, and so is not connected directly to the substrate. This isolates the resonant element from thermal stress that might otherwise be transferred from the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: CAMBRIDGE ENTERPRISE LIMITED
    Inventors: Ashwin Arunkumar Seshia, Xudong Zou
  • Patent number: 11592423
    Abstract: Disclosed are apparatus and methods for enhancing operation of an ultrasonic sensing device for determining the status of an object near such ultrasonic sensing device. From the ultrasonic sensing device, an emission signal having a current frequency or band in an ultrasonic frequency range is emitted. Ultrasonic signals are received and analyzed to detect one or more objects near or contacting the ultrasonic sensing device. After expiration of a predefined time period of emitting the emission signal, a background noise signal is detected from an environment of the ultrasonic device and background noise metrics are estimated based on the background noise signal. It is then determined whether the current frequency of the emission signal is optimized based on the background noise metrics. A next frequency or band is selected and the emission signal is emitted at the next frequency or band if it is determined that the current frequency or band is not optimum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: QEEXO, CO.
    Inventors: Taihei Munemoto, Leslie J. Schradin, III
  • Patent number: 11592457
    Abstract: Described herein are new methods and systems for profiling tunnels. A method comprises moving a shuttle within a shuttle track extending between a boring apparatus (inside a tunnel) and a base station (outside the tunnel). The shuttle is equipped with a movement sensor, which records various movement parameters (e.g., linear and/or angular accelerations) while the shuttle moves within the shuttle track. These movement parameters are then transferred to a tunnel profiler (e.g., a base station) and the profile of the tunnel is determined based on these movement parameters. For example, a shuttle track can be a flexible tube (e.g., continuous or segmented) with the shuttle positioned within the tube. The shuttle can be removed from the tube or remain in the tube while the movement parameters are transferred and, in some examples, while the shuttle is recharged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: ArcByt, Inc.
    Inventor: Ian Wright
  • Patent number: 11595026
    Abstract: A vibration element includes a base and a vibrating arm extending from the base. The vibrating arm includes an arm positioned between the base and a weight. A weight film is disposed on the weight. The weight has a first principal surface and a second principal surface in a front and back relationship with respect to a center plane of the arm. A center of gravity of the weight is located between the first principal surface and the center plane of the arm. A center of gravity of the weight film is located between the second principal surface and the center plane of the arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Inventors: Seiichiro Ogura, Keiichi Yamaguchi, Masahiro Oshio, Takashi Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 11584634
    Abstract: A micromechanical component for a sensor device. The component includes a first seismic mass, the first seismic mass displaced out of its first position of rest by a first limit distance into a first direction along a first axis mechanically contacting a first stop structure, and including a second seismic mass which is displaceable out of its second position of rest at least along a second axis, the second axis lying parallel to the first axis or on the first axis, and a second stop surface of the second seismic mass, displaced out of its second position of rest into a second direction counter to the first direction along the second axis, mechanically contacting a first stop surface of the first seismic mass adhering to the first stop structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Johannes Classen
  • Patent number: 11579161
    Abstract: A mechanism to reduce the amplitude of acceleration experienced by IMUs for tracked objects while maintaining a more accurate estimate of the device orientation. The invention uses parallel mechanisms to maintain the correct orientation of an IMU while allowing for damped translational degrees of freedom to limit the degradation of performance while spatially tracking a body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Inventors: Colin Gallacher, Felix Desourdy, Yi Ding
  • Patent number: 11573208
    Abstract: A scanning device is provided. The scanning device includes a frame having a first portion and a second portion pivotably coupled to the first frame portion. The scanning device also includes a couplant source disposed in the first frame portion along with a couplant assembly. The couplant assembly includes a first couplant line disposed completely within the first frame portion and the second frame portion. The couplant assembly also includes a second couplant line extending from the first couplant line and out of the second frame portion at a first end of the second couplant line. The couplant assembly has a couplant line branch extending from the second couplant line where a sensor assembly of the ultrasound scanning device couples with the couplant line branch at an end opposite the second end of the second couplant line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: Olympus NDT Canada Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin Spay, Patrick Mimeault
  • Patent number: 11573157
    Abstract: An air sampling actuator and associated method are disclosed. The air sampling actuator may include a housing configured to mount on a canister, a motor configured to be accommodated in the housing, and an adaptor. The motor may generate a mechanical action, in response to a control signal received by the motor. The adaptor may be coupled to the motor, and configured to interface with a valve-controlling knob of the canister. In a first configuration of the air sampling actuator, the adaptor may be uncoupled from the valve-controlling knob of the canister, and the hook portion may be unengaged with the canister. In a second configuration of the air sampling actuator, the adaptor may be coupled with the valve-controlling knob of the canister, and the hook portion may be engaged with the canister.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: PROJECT CANARY, PBC
    Inventors: Julian Cyrus, Luke Bowersox, Colby Moxham
  • Patent number: 11573205
    Abstract: Apparatus for performing multiple different measurements on a small specimen sample, enabling testing and diagnoses in real time at the point of care are described. The core of the apparatus includes an ultrasonic resonator cavity where acoustic resonances are used to determine the speed of sound and sound attenuation in a single droplet. Acoustic measurements are made in the reflection mode using electrical impedance of a small piezoelectric crystal transducer that operates in the thickness longitudinal mode. Combination of this technology with electromagnetic, electrical, and magnetic fields permits multiple types of measurements to be made using the same resonator cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: AWE Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Dipen N. Sinha, Peter G. Espina
  • Patent number: 11566900
    Abstract: A sensor for measuring rate of rotation is disclosed which includes a disk resonator, an anchor coupled to the disk resonator and further coupled to a substrate, and an optical waveguide wrapping around at least a portion of the perimeter of the disk resonator, the optical waveguide having an input end and an output end, wherein the disk resonator is configured to expand radially when subject to a rotational input, and wherein said radial expansion is adapted to cause a change in an optical signal passing through the optical waveguide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: Purdue Research Foundation
    Inventor: Sunil Bhave
  • Patent number: 11549918
    Abstract: An ultrasound probe assembly comprises a housing and a wedge, wherein wedges configured for pipes of different diameter may be easily interchanged in the assembly. Four wheels are attached to the housing, there being a front wheel pair and a rear wheel pair. Wheels of each pair are positioned on either side of a linear probe array, wherein the distance between wheels in each pair in a direction perpendicular to the array length is as small as possible. A position encoder monitors the position of the assembly during scanning, and a push lock switch is used to disable the encoder and the data acquisition while indexing to a new scan position on the pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: Olympus America Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin Spay, Simon Alain, Martin Dupuis, Sylvain Sauvageau, Francois Houde
  • Patent number: 11543428
    Abstract: An inertial structure is elastically coupled through a first elastic structure to a supporting structure so as to move along a sensing axis as a function of a quantity to be detected. The inertial structure includes first and second inertial masses which are elastically coupled together by a second elastic structure to enable movement of the second inertial mass along the sensing axis. The first elastic structure has a lower elastic constant than the second elastic structure so that, in presence of the quantity to be detected, the inertial structure moves in a sensing direction until the first inertial mass stops against a stop structure and the second elastic mass can move further in the sensing direction. Once the quantity to be detected ends, the second inertial mass moves in a direction opposite to the sensing direction and detaches the first inertial mass from the stop structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: STMICROELECTRONICS S.r.l.
    Inventors: Gabriele Gattere, Francesco Rizzini, Alessandro Tocchio
  • Patent number: 11536700
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a control method of a probe with ultrasonic phased array transducers in a hinge array, and belongs to the technical field of ultrasonic detecting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: HARBIN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Bo Zhao, Jiaxin Li, Weijia Shi, Jiubin Tan
  • Patent number: 11531042
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a sensor includes a base body, a first supporter fixed to the base body, and a first movable part separated from the base body. The first movable part includes a first movable base part supported by the first supporter, a second movable base part connected with the first movable base part, and a first movable beam. The first movable beam includes a first beam, a first movable conductive part, and a first connection region. The first beam includes a first beam portion, a second beam portion, and a third beam portion between the first beam portion and the second beam portion. The first beam portion is connected with the first movable base part. The second beam portion is connected with the second movable base part. The first connection region connects the third beam portion and the first movable conductive part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Kei Masunishi, Yasushi Tomizawa, Etsuji Ogawa, Ryunosuke Gando, Shiori Kaji, Hiroki Hiraga, Fumito Miyazaki