Patents Examined by Helen Kwok
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Patent number: 9851239Abstract: A meter electronics (20) for a vibrating meter (5) is provided. The vibrating meter (5) includes a sensor assembly located within a pipeline (301). The sensor assembly (10) is in fluid communication with one or more fluid switches (309). The meter electronics (20) is configured to measure one or more flow characteristics of a fluid flowing through the sensor assembly (10). The meter electronics (20) is further configured to receive a first fluid switch signal (214) indicating a fluid condition within the pipeline (301) from a first fluid switch (309) of the one or more fluid switches. The meter electronics (20) is further configured to correct the one or more flow characteristics if the fluid condition is outside a threshold value or band.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2012Date of Patent: December 26, 2017Assignee: Micro Motion, Inc.Inventors: Joel Weinstein, Aart R Pruysen, Steven M Jones, John Ansdell Houghton
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Patent number: 9846175Abstract: A rotational sensor for measuring rotational acceleration is disclosed. The rotational sensor comprises a sense substrate; at least two proof masses, and a set of two transducers. Each of the at least two proof masses is anchored to the sense substrate via at least one flexure and electrically isolated from each other; and the at least two proof masses are capable of rotating in-plane about a Z-axis relative to the sense substrate, wherein the Z-axis is normal to the substrate. Each of the transducers can sense rotation of each proof mass with respect to the sense substrate in response to a rotation of the rotational sensor.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2015Date of Patent: December 19, 2017Assignee: INVENSENSE, INC.Inventors: Steven S. Nasiri, Goksen G. Yaralioglu, Joseph Seeger, Babak Taheri
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Patent number: 9840409Abstract: A system and method for providing a MEMS sensor are disclosed. In a first aspect, the system is a MEMS sensor that comprises a substrate, an anchor region coupled to the substrate, at least one support arm coupled to the anchor region, at least two guiding arms coupled to and moving relative to the at least one support arm, a plurality of sensing elements disposed on the at least two guiding arms to measure motion of the at least two guiding arms relative to the substrate, and a proof mass system comprising at least one mass coupled to each of the at least two guiding arms by a set of springs. The proof mass system is disposed outside the anchor region, the at least one support arm, the at least two guiding arms, the set of springs, and the plurality of sensing elements.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2015Date of Patent: December 12, 2017Assignee: InvenSense, Inc.Inventors: Matthew Julian Thompson, Joseph Seeger
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Patent number: 9841432Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an inertia measurement module for an unmanned aircraft, which comprises a housing assembly, a sensing assembly and a vibration damper. The vibration damper comprises a first vibration-attenuation cushion; and the sensing assembly comprises a first circuit board, a second circuit board and a flexible signal line for connecting the first circuit board and the second circuit board. An inertia sensor is fixed on the second circuit board, and the first circuit board is fixed on the housing assembly. The inertia measurement module further comprises a weight block, and the second circuit board, the weight block, the first vibration-attenuation cushion and the first circuit board are bonded together. The present disclosure greatly reduces the influence of the operational vibration frequency of the unmanned aircraft on the inertia sensor and improves the measurement stability of the inertia sensor.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 2016Date of Patent: December 12, 2017Assignee: SZ DJI TECHNOLOGY CO., LTDInventors: Tao Wang, Tao Zhao
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Patent number: 9835641Abstract: An angular velocity detection device includes an outer frame including fixed portions, outer beam portions connected to the fixed portions, a sensing part surrounded by the outer frame with first slit therebetween, and a joint connecting the outer frame and the sensing part. The sensing part includes an inner beam portion, a flexible portion, and a detector. The inner beam portion has a hollow region inside and is square-shaped when viewed from above. The flexible portion is formed in the hollow region of the inner beam portion, and is connected to the inner edge of the inner beam portion. The detector is disposed in the flexible portion. The first slit is formed to surround the sensing part excluding the joint.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 2015Date of Patent: December 5, 2017Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.Inventor: Kensaku Yamamoto
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Patent number: 9835454Abstract: A system and/or method for efficiently operating a MEMS gyroscope without drive circuitry and/or with drive circuitry and a non-constant oscillating amplitude. In a non-limiting example, drive circuitry may be utilized to drive the MEMS gyroscope proof mass to a desired oscillating amplitude, and then the drive circuitry may be powered off. Rotational velocity may be sensed while the proof mass is being driven to a desired oscillating amplitude, while the proof mass is being maintained at a desired oscillating amplitude, and/or while the proof mass amplitude decays.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 2015Date of Patent: December 5, 2017Assignee: INVENSENSE, INC.Inventor: Stephen Lloyd
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Patent number: 9835592Abstract: Examples of determining tuberculation in a fluid distribution system are disclosed. In one example implementation according to aspects of the present disclosure, an acoustical wave generator generates an acoustical wave within a fluid path of a fluid distribution system. A first acoustical sensor and a second acoustical sensor sense the acoustical wave. An acoustical signal analysis module determines an amount of tuberculation within the fluid distribution system by analyzing the sensed acoustical wave.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2015Date of Patent: December 5, 2017Assignee: Mueller International, LLCInventors: Shabbir Yusuf, Werner Guenther Richarz
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Patent number: 9829469Abstract: The present invention relates to a technology for measuring a nonlinear parameter of an object to be measured, and more particularly, to an apparatus and method for measuring a nonlinear parameter of an object to be measured.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 2013Date of Patent: November 28, 2017Assignee: Korea Research Institute of Standards and ScienceInventors: Dae Cheol Seo, Seung Hyun Cho, Choon Su Park, Seung Seok Lee, Young Min Seong
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Patent number: 9829363Abstract: Acoustic volume indicators for determining liquid or gas volume within a container comprise a contactor to vibrate a container wall, a detector to receive vibration data from the container wall, a processor to convert vibration data to frequency information and compare the frequency information to characteristic container frequency vs. volume data to obtain the measured volume, and an indicator for displaying the measured volume. The processor may comprise a microprocessor disposed within a housing having lights that each represent a particular volume. The microprocessor is calibrated to provide an output signal to a light that indicates the container volume. The processor may comprise a computer and computer program that converts the data to frequency information, analyzes the frequency information to identify a peak frequency, compares the peak frequency to the characteristic frequency vs. volume data to determine the measured volume, and displays the measured volume on a video monitor.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2014Date of Patent: November 28, 2017Assignee: Young Engineering & Manufacturing, Inc.Inventors: Winston B. Young, Huey Wai
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Patent number: 9823170Abstract: A method and system for locating subsurface ore bodies. Samples of near surface soil are collected over a predetermined geographical area. The samples are analysed to discover any chemical anomalies in the dust particles as a way of identifying possible subcropping mineralization. A tine (22) and collection tube (24) engage into subsurface soil and samples are drawn up the tube into a dust collection module (12). Sub 5 micron particles are captured on an electrostatically charged tape (40). Consecutive samples are indexed on the tape e.g. with a barcode. Collected dust samples are ablated by a laser ablation cell (72) and the ablated sample analysed by a mass spectrometer for presence of ions indicating presence of a resource body, such as a body of ore, minerals or hydrocarbons.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2012Date of Patent: November 21, 2017Assignee: GLOBAL SCIENTIFIC SERVICES PTY LTDInventors: Stephen Coote, John Watling
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Patent number: 9823073Abstract: A rotation-rate sensor having a substrate with main extension plane, for detecting a rotation rate, extending in a direction parallel/orthogonal to the main plane; the sensor including a primary/secondary pair of seismic masses; the primary pair having first/second primary masses; the secondary pair having first/second secondary masses; the first/second primary masses being movable relative to the substrate along a primary deflection direction extending parallel to the main plane; the first/second secondary masses being movable relative to the substrate along a secondary deflection direction extending parallel to the main plane; the first/second primary masses and the first/second primary masses being movable antiparallel or parallel to one another corresponding to the deflection direction, essentially extending orthogonally to the secondary deflection direction; and the primary pair and/or secondary pair being drivable so that, based on sensor rotation, the Coriolis force leads to deflection of the first/secType: GrantFiled: May 14, 2014Date of Patent: November 21, 2017Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBHInventors: Thorsten Balslink, Rolf Scheben, Benjamin Schmidt, Ralf Ameling, Mirko Hattass, Burkhard Kuhlmann, Robert Maul
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Patent number: 9821821Abstract: A measuring device is applied to an active damping system, the active damping system including a damper having a plurality of sensors and a plurality of actuators, the damper being arranged on an object to be subjected to damping. The measuring device includes: a transmission characteristic storage unit configured to store a plurality of transmission characteristics calculated from driving signals and vibration state signals; a damping performance setting unit configured to set damping performance including the amount of vibration reduction required of the active damping system and a frequency of vibration; and a damper configuration calculator configured to calculate how many the number of the sensors and actuators for the damper is increased or decreased on the basis of the transmission characteristics and the damping performance, with the increase or decrease being necessary in order that the damping performance set in the damping performance setting unit is satisfied.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2015Date of Patent: November 21, 2017Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.Inventors: Takashi Saegusa, Toshihiro Arisaka, Hiroki Takahashi
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Patent number: 9823112Abstract: Relative displacements related to a structure are measured for use of a feedback signal in real time for the structural monitor of active and semi-active vibration. The monitors reduce structural movement caused by any source of natural or artificial vibration. A pre-stressed axial element is installed between two different points of the structure using a fixed connector and a flexible one. As the structure vibrates in response to an external “source”, a relative displacement is caused between two connecting points of the axial element, which can be measured based on the rotation ? of the flexible connector of the axial element. Discrete displacement can be obtained in real time of the whole structure where the axial element is installed. A modal monitor through active or semi-active devices can improve the structural behavior in some cases.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2013Date of Patent: November 21, 2017Assignee: Pontificia Universidad Catolica de ChileInventors: René Zemp, Juan Carlos De La Llera
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Patent number: 9823177Abstract: A permeation standard is provided. The permeation standard may include a substrate that is impermeable to an analyte, an orifice disposed in the substrate, and a permeable material filling the orifice. The orifice and the permeable material are configured to provide a predetermined transmission rate of the analyte through the permeation standard. Also provided herein are methods for forming the permeation standard.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2015Date of Patent: November 21, 2017Assignee: Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLCInventors: Arrelaine A. Dameron, Matthew O. Reese, Michael D. Kempe
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Patent number: 9816853Abstract: Fiber optic cable structures suitable for distributed acoustic sensing that are capable of discriminating between stimuli acting on the cable in different directions, the cable structure including a core structure (202, 203, 204) with an optical fiber wound around the periphery of the core structure, the core further including a mass (203) which is movable in a preferred direction within the cable such that movement of said mass in said preferred direction causes a change in length of the fiber wound around the periphery of the core.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2013Date of Patent: November 14, 2017Assignee: Optasense Holdings LimitedInventors: Roger Crickmore, David Hill
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Patent number: 9813037Abstract: A detection device includes a driving circuit which drives a vibrator, and a detection circuit which detects a desired signal. The driving circuit includes a current-voltage conversion circuit which receives a feedback signal, and performs a current-voltage conversion, a drive signal output circuit which amplifies an input voltage signal after being subjected to the current-voltage conversion, and outputs a drive signal of a sine wave, and a gain control circuit which controls a gain of amplification of the drive signal in the drive signal output circuit. When a resistance for a current-voltage conversion is set to RI, the gain of the amplification of the drive signal in the drive signal output circuit is set to K, and an equivalent series resistance in a fundamental wave mode of the vibrator is set to R, the gain control circuit performs a gain control such that K×RI=R is satisfied.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 2014Date of Patent: November 7, 2017Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventors: Katsuhiko Maki, Masahiro Kanai
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Patent number: 9810678Abstract: A drifting buoy sampler system for a stormwater discharge plume formed from stormwater discharged into coastal waters. The system compresan electronics sampling pod for collecting integrated water samples within the stormwater plume as the buoy system drifts with the stormwater plume near the water surface as the plume travels out to sea. The pod includes a watertight section including a GPS/radio module for providing GPS (geo-position) location information and a processor for monitoring and controlling the sampling rate, a pump module and a battery module; a passive sampler bag for collecting the integrated water samples; a free flooding section including a composite sample bag module such that the pump module pumps collected samples from the passive sampler bag to the composite sample bag module at a predetermined sampling rate and a ballast module for providing ballast to the system when drifting within the plume.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 2015Date of Patent: November 7, 2017Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the NavyInventors: David Bartholomew Chadwick, Jonathon Keith Oiler, Matthew Joseph Nicholson
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Patent number: 9804002Abstract: An integral sensor system is provided. In one embodiment, the system includes a sensor installed in a carrier and a component having a body for receiving a fluid. The carrier is integrated into the component to enable the sensor to detect one or more characteristics of the fluid, and the carrier is integrated into the component such that an interface between the carrier and the component is a fully integral pressure boundary without a seal connection between the carrier and the component. The carrier can be welded to the component to form the integral pressure boundary. Additional systems, devices, and methods are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 2013Date of Patent: October 31, 2017Assignee: Cameron International CorporationInventors: Edmund McHugh, Michael D. Mullin
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Patent number: 9804051Abstract: Method for analyzing blending mixer performance is provided, which includes providing an apparatus for blending solid particles with a liquid composition, a rotating slinger, and at least one accelerometer positioned adjacent a rotating component for producing a signal that is proportional to an acceleration of the rotating slinger over a frequency range. A recorder for receiving and storing over a time interval the signal is in communication with the accelerometer. The recorded signals are converted to numeric values indicative of a vibrational amplitude of the rotating slinger over the frequency range, and harmonics from the numerical values are identified and used to determine the condition of the rotating slinger.Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 2015Date of Patent: October 31, 2017Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATIONInventors: Dean Moakler, Rajesh Luharuka
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Patent number: 9804130Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for generating ultrasound results having a simulated level of porosity for a composite. Data for a set of composite coupons having different levels of porosity is obtained. An attenuation distribution function is fit to a back wall signal generated from the data for each coupon and a library of echo patterns based on such data is created. An interpolated attenuation distribution function is calculated based on an interpolation of two stored attenuation distribution functions having the closest porosity values to the selected level. A main attenuation distribution function value is assigned to one portion of a selected region in a zero porosity coupon and attenuation distribution functions values within a predetermined percentage of the main attenuation distribution function are assigned to other portions of the region. Waveforms associated with the portions are modified based on such values and selected echo patterns from the library.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 2015Date of Patent: October 31, 2017Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Hong H. Tat, Gary E. Georgeson, Richard H. Bossi