Patents Examined by Herbert K Roberts
  • Patent number: 11493376
    Abstract: A level indicator with a cover that measures a water level, includes: a water level indicator that measures pressure; and a protective cover that surrounds the water level indicator. The protective cover includes a pressure transmitter that transmits pressure on an outside of the protective cover to an inside of the protective cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: YOKOGAWA ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takashi Arai, Yusaku Yoshida, Tomoyuki Takahashi
  • Patent number: 11486794
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes methods and systems for determining a flow of a combustible portion of vent gas delivered to an engine. The flow rate measurement may be performed by using the engine response to a relatively short (e.g. 1 to 5 s) interruption of the vent gas flow. A cross-correlation between RPM data of the engine and a reference signal corresponding to a state of a valve configured to interrupt the vent gas flow is determined, and a flow rate of the combustible portion of the vent gas delivered to the engine is determined from the maximum value of the cross-correlation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: REM Technology Inc.
    Inventor: Howard Malm
  • Patent number: 11486751
    Abstract: A device which: optically detects the presence of, measures the flow rate of, and identifies the characteristics of venting fugitive gas emissions. Specifically the device provides a spectral analysis of emission gas constituents; selective detection of the presence of venting hydrocarbons; measurement of venting emissions flow rates, the measurement of shut-in and flowing venting system pressures and the venting system temperatures. The flow rates are corrected, relative to the detection of the gas constituents and standard temperature and pressure (STP). These devices are configured to collect such data electronically and transmit via various telemetry systems, to a secure remote data network for reporting, access, evaluation, real-time monitoring and archiving as required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: Ventbuster Holdings Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Wayne Layher, Deanne Rose Layher, Scott Robert Layher
  • Patent number: 11486782
    Abstract: A micromechanical device that includes a carrier substrate; a sensor device that is situated on the carrier substrate and spaced apart from a surface section of the carrier substrate with the aid of spring elements in such a way that the sensor device is oscillatable relative to the surface section; and at least one stopper element, situated on the sensor device and/or on the surface section of the carrier substrate, which limits a deflection of the sensor device in the direction of the surface section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Friedjof Heuck, Mike Schwarz, Thomas Friedrich, Volkmar Senz
  • Patent number: 11467051
    Abstract: A method for correcting a dual-capacitance pressure sensor for measuring fluid pressure, comprising: at a first time, taking measurements of fluid pressure based on movements of a first membrane and a second membrane of the pressure sensor; at a second time, taking measurements of fluid pressure based on movements of the first membrane and the second membrane; determining a change in the measurement results based on movements of the first membrane between the first point in time and the second point in time; determining a change in the measurement results based on movements of the second membrane between the first point in time and the second point in time; Checking whether the changes in the measurements determined are based solely on a change in fluid pressure or whether the changes in the measurements determined are due to changes in the pressure sensor, and if the latter is the case, determining a correction for the measurements determined at the second point in time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Inventor: Heinz Plöchinger
  • Patent number: 11460141
    Abstract: An assembly is provided that includes first and second end plates adapted to be coaxially aligned when in use. One or more members extend from the end plates or an annular ring, the annular ring provided between the end plates, the other of the end plates or annular ring comprising one or more first slots at one end thereof to be aligned with and for receiving the one or more members of the first end plate, and one or more second slots at the other end thereof to be aligned with and for receiving the one or more members. Resilient sealing members are provided around the one or more members between the end plates and annular ring, and an urging mechanism urges the first and second end plates towards the annular ring to deform the first and second resilient sealing members to engage the inner wall of the pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: Vital Industrial Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas John Lannan
  • Patent number: 11454562
    Abstract: A sensor arrangement and a method of operating a sensor arrangement are disclosed. In an embodiment, a sensor arrangement includes a pressure sensor realized as a capacitive pressure sensor, a capacitance-to-digital converter, a test circuit and a switching circuit coupling the capacitance-to-digital converter and the test circuit to the pressure sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: SCIOSENSE B.V.
    Inventors: Alberto Maccioni, Willem Frederik Adrianus Besling, Olaf Wunnicke, Casper Van Der Avoort, Remco Henricus Wilhelmus Pijnenburg, Anderson Pires Singulani
  • Patent number: 11448564
    Abstract: In an embodiment a sensor arrangement includes a pressure sensor realized as a capacitive pressure sensor, a capacitance-to-digital converter coupled to the pressure sensor and implemented as a delta-sigma analog-to-digital converter and a reference voltage generator having a control input configured to receive a control signal and an output configured to provide a reference voltage, wherein the output of the reference voltage generator is connected to an input of the capacitance-to-digital converter, wherein the reference voltage generator is configured to set a value of the reference voltage as a function of the control signal, and wherein at least two different values of the reference voltage have the same sign and different amounts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: SCIOSENSE B.V.
    Inventors: Alberto Maccioni, Willem Frederik Adrianus Besling
  • Patent number: 11441988
    Abstract: A vibratory meter (5) is provided, having a driver (104) and a vibratory member (103, 103?) vibratable by the driver (104). At least one pickoff sensor (105, 105?) is configured to detect vibrations of the vibratory member (103, 103?). Meter electronics (20) comprise an interface (301) configured to receive a vibrational response from the at least one pickoff sensor (105, 10540 ), and a processing system (303) coupled to the interface (301). The processing system (303) is configured to measure a drive gain (306) of the driver (104), and measure a total density (325) of a multiphase process fluid in the vibratory meter (5), and determine whether the drive gain (306) is below a first threshold. A liquid/liquid phase concentration allocation is determined with the measured total density (325) if the drive gain (306) is below the first threshold, and a flow rate for each liquid phase is calculated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: MICRO MOTION, INC.
    Inventor: Justin Craig Hollingsworth
  • Patent number: 11426096
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a breath tester. The breath tester includes a sensor for sensing a mind-altering substance in breath from a blower (i.e., person blowing and providing a sample). A breath guide is provided for guiding the breath so that it is not returned to the blower. Advantageously, the guide guides the breath so that it is not returned to the blower to thereby minimise the likelihood of spread of infectious disease.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: ALCOLIZER PTY LTD
    Inventors: Roger Alan Hunt, James John Brown
  • Patent number: 11428568
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for determining a remaining empty volume in a container, comprising: measuring a first pressure initially prevailing in the container; feeding in a gaseous pressure-boosting medium through an inlet, into the container; measuring the increased second pressure; determining the pressure increase caused by the infeeding of the pressure-boosting medium; determining a volume of the pressure-boosting medium that has been fed into said container; measuring a temperature prevailing in the container; and determining the remaining empty volume on the basis of the pressure increase, the volume of the pressure-boosting medium, and the temperature. Disclosed also is a method for on-site calibration of a fill-level measuring device in which the volume of the medium in the container is determined on the basis of the method for determining a remaining empty volume, and an on-site calibration module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: Endress+Hauser Group Services AG
    Inventors: Jürgen Abraham, Stefan Brändlin, Torsten Thiel
  • Patent number: 11422140
    Abstract: An autosampler system can include a z-axis mount, a carriage, an autosampler arm, and a compression nut. The carriage can be axially positioned on the z-axis mount. The autosampler arm can define an arm extension and an autosampler arm mount. The autosampler arm mount can define an arm mount aperture, an arm mount inner ledge, and an arm mount compressible section, the arm mount aperture configured to receive the z-axis mount and the carriage therethrough. The arm mount inner ledge can extend from an interior of the arm mount aperture, with the arm mount inner ledge configured to receive the z-axis mount therethrough and be supported on the carriage. The arm mount compressible section can define a set of compressible section threading and at least one compressible section slot. The compression nut can be affixed to the arm mount compressible section via the set of compressible section threading.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: Elemental Scientific, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Smith, Eric Radda, Daniel R. Wiederin
  • Patent number: 11422051
    Abstract: A device for use in pressure sensing such as hydrocephalus shunts, having a housing enclosing a chamber with at least one port communicating with the chamber. A wall of the chamber includes a flexible portion or thin diaphragm that deflects with transitions in pressure to contact an upstand structure of the housing. A pressure sensor is contained within an enclosure sealed from the chamber by a flexible membrane and which receives fluid pressure from the chamber. This arrangement allows for calibration of the device by identifying a knee feature in pressure data associated with the diaphragm making contact with the upstand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: Auckland UniServices Limited
    Inventors: David Mortimer Budgett, Dixon Pok Chung Leung, John Daniel McCormick
  • Patent number: 11408759
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are various techniques and devices for detecting a level of fluid within a fluid collection receptacle. These techniques and devices may further determine a flow rate of fluid entering the fluid collection receptacle or a volume of fluid collected within the fluid collection receptacle. Sensors, including pressure sensors, may be installed in, on, or within the fluid collection receptacle to detect information about the liquid within the receptacle including fluid level, flow rate, and volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: Moxxly LLC
    Inventors: Santhi Analytis, Wisit Jirattigalachote, Gabrielle Guthrie, Jose Luis Cordoba, Jacob Kurzrock, Paul Riemenschneider
  • Patent number: 11402194
    Abstract: The present disclosure discloses a safety pipe loop and method for strain monitoring of mountainous pipelines. The safety pipe loop may include a plurality of magnetic test detectors and a protective shell for protecting the plurality of magnetic test detectors. The number of the plurality of magnetic test detectors may be set to 4n, n is an integer number greater than or equal to 1. An angle between any two adjacent detectors of the plurality of magnetic test detectors may be 180°/2n. At least two of the plurality of magnetic test detectors may be connected in parallel through a data transmission line and output data through a data transmission interface. An outer layer of the protective shell may include non-magnetic hard alloy, and an inner layer of the protective shell may include non-metallic materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: SOUTHWEST PETROLEUM UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Tengjiao He, Kexi Liao, Guoxi He, Shuai Zhao, Shuting Yang, Hongdong Zhu, Jian Tang
  • Patent number: 11402399
    Abstract: A liquid handling system and method includes a liquid handling device with a plurality of pipetting heads and a tip box having a plurality of tips for removable attachment to the pipetting heads. A lever mechanism engages the liquid handling device and tip box during insertion of the pipetting heads into the tips to lesser the required insertion force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: Andrew Alliance S.A.
    Inventors: Sylvain Charmillot, Gregory Jordan, Giorgio Horak, Antoine Jordan
  • Patent number: 11397145
    Abstract: A method for evaluating Dry Eye Disease (“DED”) in a human or animal subject is provided. Thread thinning dynamics of a tear sample of the subject are determined using an acoustically-driven microfluidic extensional rheometry instrument. At least one physical parameter value of the tear sample is calculated based at least in part on the determined thread thinning dynamics. DED is evaluated based at least in part on the at least one calculated physical parameter value of the tear sample. A device for evaluating Dry Eye Disease (DED) in a human or animal subject is also provided. The device includes an acoustically-driven microfluidic extensional rheometry instrument and a processing device configured to evaluate DED based at least in part on the calculated at least one physical parameter value of the tear sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignees: THE UNIVERSITY OF MELBOURNE, ROYAL MELBOURNE INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Laura Elizabeth Downie, Leslie Yeo, Amarin George McDonnell
  • Patent number: 11397120
    Abstract: An interface pressure sensor includes a fluid pressure sensor disposed in a volume defined by a shear wall. The volume is enclosed, and the fluid pressure sensor is encapsulated by, an infill material. The infill material defines a sensing surface that, when pressed, can impart a force that is detectable by the fluid pressure sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Robert K. Montgomery, II, Chin San Han
  • Patent number: 11397157
    Abstract: A water-containing substance detection device that detects a water-containing rubbery polymer, includes a conveyor configured to convey rubbery polymers; and a detector configured to detect the water-containing rubbery polymer among the rubbery polymers, conveyed by the conveyor, by a temperature sensor. The conveyor has a surface with an emissivity of 0.50 or more. The temperature sensor has a frame rate falling within a range of 5 Hz to 120 Hz. The detector detects the water-containing rubbery polymer, near an ejection port of the conveyor, and on a downstream side of the ejection port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: ZEON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Masao Nakamura
  • Patent number: 11397156
    Abstract: A Thermal Conductivity Detector (“TCD”) including: a gas flow switching mechanism that switches between a first state where a measured gas is introduced into a first flow path and a reference gas is introduced into a second flow path, and a second state where the reference gas is introduced into the first flow path and the measured gas is introduced into the second flow path; a first filament unit connected to the first flow path and including a first filament; a second filament unit connected to the second flow path and including a second filament; and a detection circuit unit for detecting an electric signal in accordance with a change in voltage applied to or current through the first filament and the second filament. The first filament unit and the second filament unit have different detection characteristics of thermal conductivity of gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: SHIMADZU CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kazunori Takahashi