Patents Examined by J M Saint Surin
  • Patent number: 10203306
    Abstract: A solution for evaluating the condition of a vehicle component based on resonant response profiles across a set of bands of vibrations. The vibrations can be induced into the target component during normal operation of the target component. The resonant response profile of the vehicle component can vary depending on wear or damage, and thus can be used to determine whether the vehicle component can safely remain in use. An embodiment comprises an isolated segment of rail of a length selected to allow a single railroad wheel on it at a time, with a set of devices which can induce specific vibrations into the wheel as it passes, and another set of devices which can acquire the resonance signals from the wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: International Electronic Machines Corp.
    Inventors: Zahid F. Mian, William B. Johnson
  • Patent number: 10203266
    Abstract: A bearing testing machine comprising: a testing machine shaft to which at least one test piece being a bearing is attached, the testing machine shaft being a rotation shaft extending in a Y axis direction being a horizontal direction; a rotational driving unit configured to rotate the testing machine shaft; a test piece holding unit configured to elastically holds the test piece; and an at least one axle driving unit configured to drive the testing machine shaft in a vertical direction and in an X axis direction which is a horizontal direction orthogonal to the Y axis direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: KOKUSAI KEISOKUKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takeshi Teramoto, Sigeru Matsumoto, Kazuhiro Murauchi
  • Patent number: 10197436
    Abstract: A fluid pulse device includes a piezo actuated valve, a piezo injector, a delivery system, and a control system. The piezo actuated valve has a valve body, a tube, and a piston assembly. The valve body defines a first opening, a second opening, and a valve cavity that is disposed between the first opening and the second opening. The tube extends from the valve body. The piston assembly includes a piston head and a stem that is connected to the piston head. The piezo injector has an injector tip that extends through the first opening. The delivery system is fluidly connected to the piezo injector. The control system is operatively connected to the piezo injector and is configured to actuate the piezo injector to provide a fluid pulse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Keven G. Van Duyn, Richard W. Monahan
  • Patent number: 10197437
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present application disclose a method and an apparatus for obtaining vibration information and a piece of user equipment. The method comprises: obtaining multiple groups of electromagnetic wave receiving signals corresponding to multiple receiving locations; obtaining, according to transmission channel information between the multiple receiving locations and the multiple reflective units and the multiple groups of electromagnetic wave receiving signals, multiple reflected electromagnetic wave signals respectively corresponding to the multiple reflective units; and obtaining, according to the multiple reflected electromagnetic wave signals, multiple pieces of vibration information respectively corresponding to the multiple reflective units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: Beijing Zhigu Rui Tuo Tech Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Lin Du
  • Patent number: 10184917
    Abstract: A resonance estimation system implements resonance detection methods that can obtain accurate estimates of a motion system's resonance and amplitude without the need for a high-resolution encoder or high-frequency sampling. The system solves for resonance information by removing the slow motion dynamics and fast torque control dynamics from the measured speed transfer function in order to obtain resonance transfer function. Smoothing functions are applied to the obtained resonance frequency response data to remove spikes and obtain relatively smooth gain and phase curves for the resonance frequency response. The system then applies a searching algorithm to determine the locations of the phase peaks in the phase curve data, and uses these phase peak locations to locate the gain peaks in the gain curve data, which correspond to the resonance frequencies and amplitudes. This approach allows the gain peaks to be located even when analyzing non-ideal gain curves that are degraded by noise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: LINESTREAM TECHNOLOGIES
    Inventors: Gang Tian, Chris Knaack
  • Patent number: 10180347
    Abstract: An acoustic wave acquiring apparatus is used that includes: an array light source including a plurality of elements emitting measurement light; a controller controlling the wavelength of the measurement light, for each of or the plurality of elements; a Fabry-Perot interferometer including a first mirror upon which the measurement light is incident and a second mirror upon which an acoustic wave from a subject is incident; an optical sensor measuring a light quantity of reflected light by the first and the second mirror; and a processor acquiring an intensity of the acoustic wave on the basis of a change of the light quantity of the reflected light, which is a distance between the first mirror and the second mirror, occurring due to the incidence of the acoustic wave.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2019
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takao Nakajima, Takeshi Uchida
  • Patent number: 10180348
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for detecting infrasound that determines the direction and position of an infrasound source. The detection method includes a container exposed to an infrasound source and partially filled with a mist (N) which is embedded in a carrier medium so that the resulting pressure change over time results in the formation of a directed front at the mist surface that can be optically detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2019
    Inventor: Petra Sonja Biedermann
  • Patent number: 10175093
    Abstract: Embodiments of apparatus for sensing a level of a processing medium in a chemical delivery apparatus are provided herein. In some embodiments, a chemical delivery apparatus includes: a support structure; a container coupled to the support structure to hold a chemical precursor within an interior of the container; an excitation source configured to cause vibrations in an exterior surface of the container; and a measurement device configured to measure a frequency of the vibrations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventor: Faruk Gungor
  • Patent number: 10175205
    Abstract: In accordance with an aspect of the present application, a system is provided for crack monitoring in a structure of interest, comprising means for extracting wave modes existing in a frequency interval of interest, means for finding a source of emission on the structure of interest, means for correcting for dispersion to reconstruct an original ratio of wave modes at the source of emission, and means for correlating the original ratio of wave modes to a crack depth. One advantage of this solution in contrast to prior art techniques is that no a priori knowledge on propagation speed is necessary since actual wave modes can be detected from dispersion relations of wave modes, e.g. Lamb waves at a fixed frequency band in accordance with their calculated speeds. Decentralized acquisition and processing, i.e. monitoring a structure from a localized area, is an important feature of this solution, consequent to which, the data transfer and storage are reduced substantially.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: NEDERLANDSE ORGANISATIE VOOR TOEGEPAST-NATUURWETENSCHAPPELIJK ONDERZOEK TNO
    Inventors: Lotfollah Pahlavan, Arno Willem Frederik Volker
  • Patent number: 10168202
    Abstract: A load-weighing assembly has a substantially laterally-extending beam-type load-weighing platform, and a substantially laterally-extending cantilever-type fork blade member located beneath the platform, interconnected by a load weight-measuring cell. The weight measuring cell is laterally movable with respect to at least one of the platform and blade member during an initial part of a load weighing process so as to minimize transmission of lateral force between the platform and the weight-measuring cell, thereby compensating for load-weighing errors which would otherwise occur.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: Cascade Corporation
    Inventor: Lawrence E. Richards
  • Patent number: 10160153
    Abstract: Provided is a resin pelletizer device capable of monitoring cavitation. A resin pelletizer device (100) includes a die (6) including a die surface (61) in which die holes (63) are formed, rotary blades (21) that rotate on the die surface (61) in the water, thereby cutting resin extruded from the die holes (63) in the water into a pellet form, a sensor (150) that detects an elastic wave generated during the rotation of the rotary blades (21) on the die surface (61), and a determination unit (121) that monitors an output value of the sensor (150), and determines that cavitation occurs when the output value of the sensor (150) becomes less than a predetermined threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: Kobe Steel, Ltd.
    Inventors: Ryo Tabuse, Eiji Takahashi, Chitaka Manabe, Kaname Araki, Shin Iwasaki, Tatsuru Miyamoto
  • Patent number: 10161914
    Abstract: Various aspects include methods of inspecting a substantially round hole in a material. One method can include: feeding a probe axially into the substantially round hole until the probe completely passes through the substantially round hole while the probe is activated; rotating the probe at least ninety degrees around a primary axis of the substantially round hole after feeding the probe completely through the substantially round hole; removing the probe axially from the substantially round hole after rotating the probe at least ninety degrees while the probe is activated; and compiling at least one of eddy current data or ultrasound data about the hole from the feeding of the probe axially into the substantially round hole and the removing of the probe axially from the substantially round hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Robert William Bergman, Thomas James Batzinger, Thomas Earnest Moldenhauer
  • Patent number: 10161916
    Abstract: An ultrasonic sensor which includes a substrate where an opening section is formed, a vibration plate that is provided on the substrate so as to close the opening section, and a piezoelectric element that is layered on a surface of the vibration plate on an opposite side to the opening section and includes a first electrode, a piezoelectric element, and a second electrode, includes a reflection layer that is provided in a space around the piezoelectric element on the surface of the vibration plate on an opposite side to the opening section, to reflect other ultrasonic waves which are transmitted in a different direction from a transmitted ultrasonic wave transmitted to a measuring target side on an interface between the piezoelectric element and the reflection layer, and has a thickness so as to superimpose other ultrasonic waves on the transmitted ultrasonic wave.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Chikara Kojima, Koji Ohashi
  • Patent number: 10151625
    Abstract: An inspection system includes a first ultrasonic probe positioned on and configured to move along a surface of a component. The first ultrasonic probe transmits ultrasonic energy. The inspection system also includes a second ultrasonic probe positioned on and configured to move along the surface of the component opposite the first probe. The second ultrasonic probe receives the ultrasonic energy transmitted by the first ultrasonic probe. Additionally, the inspection system includes a probe alignment system in communication with the first ultrasonic probe and the second ultrasonic probe. The probe alignment system is configured to analyze an energy characteristic for the ultrasonic energy received by the second ultrasonic probe to determine if a displacement characteristic for at least one of the first ultrasonic probe and the second ultrasonic probe requires adjustment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Robert William Bergman
  • Patent number: 10151612
    Abstract: A flow sensor package comprises a chip comprising a sensitive structure for sensing the flow of a fluid and an encapsulation at least partly encapsulating the chip. A recess in the encapsulation contributes to a flow channel for guiding the fluid, which recess exposes at least the sensitive structure of the chip from the encapsulation, and which recess extends beyond an edge of the chip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: Sensirion AG
    Inventors: Werner Hunziker, Mark Hornung, Eric Monnin
  • Patent number: 10145724
    Abstract: A case holder with weighing sensor that weighs accurately, has a fixing base of a weighing sensor built in the holder, and ensures the fixed end and the loading end of the weighing sensor meet weighing principle. It includes a grip and a lifting arrangement arranged at two ends of the lower surface of the grip and allowed to pass through a case surface to be fixedly connected with a stressed plate below the case surface. A neutral zone of the grip provides a fixing base for arranging a weighing sensor. A fixed end of the weighing sensor is fixedly connected on the fixing base with screw. A loading end of the weighing sensor includes a rigid and structurally closed lifting bushing fixedly connected thereon. The lifting bushing is arranged around the grip, the fixing base, and the weighing sensor and has two ends separately arranged to the corresponding lifting arrangement. The inner wall of the lifting bushing and the grip have a gap therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: Shenzhen Lanter Er Electronics,Company Limited
    Inventor: Xuefeng Guan
  • Patent number: 10145820
    Abstract: A nondestructive evaluation method for determining the material used in a below ground service line includes inserting a probe with a wave measurement device therein into an area corresponding to a location of a service line; inciting a service line wave through an exposed portion of the service using a vibratory shaker; measuring, by the wave measurement device, a substrate wave created by the service line wave passing thought the service line and into the substrate; identifying, by a data acquisition system, the service line wave velocity; comparing the service line wave velocity to a known set of wave velocities in service line according to a service line material; and identifying the service line material in the service line by comparing the wave velocity in the service line with the known set of wave velocities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: Drexel University
    Inventors: Kurt Sjoblom, Matteo Mazzotti, Charles Nathan Haas, Ivan Bartoli
  • Patent number: 10139124
    Abstract: A method of monitoring component health of a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system. The method includes measuring, by an accelerometer associated with at least one component of the HVAC system, of vibration of the at least one component, receiving, by a controller, actual vibration data reflective of the measured vibration, determining, using the controller, whether the actual vibration data differs from pre-defined acceptable baseline vibration data by more than an acceptable amount, and responsive to a positive determination in the determining step, forwarding, by the controller, information regarding the determination to a monitoring device to monitor operation of the component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: Lennox Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Berg, Payam Delgoshaei
  • Patent number: 10139268
    Abstract: A method and device for monitoring oil field operations with a fiber optic distributed acoustic sensor (DAS) that uses a continuous-wave fiber optic distributed acoustic sensor with a very small spatial sampling while being able to sense acoustic events that have a large bandwidth by employing a demodulation/decoding method utilizing multiple spread-spectrum codes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Leonardo de Oliveira Nunes, Christopher Lee Stokely
  • Patent number: 10132877
    Abstract: A micro-electromechanical apparatus may include a substrate, a first frame, a plurality of first anchors, a region and a plurality of pivot elements. The plurality of first anchors and the region is disposed on the substrate. The region is surrounded by the plurality of first anchors. Each of the pivot elements includes a pivot end and a rotary end. Each of the pivot ends is connected to a corresponding first anchor and each of the rotary ends is connected to the first frame such that the first frame is able to rotate with respect to an axis passing the region. The micro-electromechanical apparatus having the pivot elements and the region is adapted for detecting multi-degree physical quantities such as angular velocities in at least two axes, angular velocities and accelerations, angular velocities and Earth's magnetic field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Chung-Yuan Su, Chao-Ta Huang, Sheng-Ren Chiu