Patents Examined by Jamel Williams
  • Patent number: 10041867
    Abstract: A flexible device including sensors for shape detection is provided. The flexible device includes a measurement unit including a plurality of bending sensors disposed along at least one edge of the flexible device, and configured to output measurement values sensed by the plurality of bending sensors, and a controller configured to detect a position of at least one curve point on the flexible device by receiving the sensed measurements values from the measurement unit, and to detect at least one bending line of the flexing device according to information about positions of curve points, which are detected on at least two different sides of the flexible device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hyung Sun Lee, Youn-Ho Choi, Seok-Myong Kang, Shi-Yun Cho
  • Patent number: 10041817
    Abstract: An embodiment of the present disclosure provides a damping component. The damping component includes a housing, at least one sliding piece, a fluid, and at least one damping elastomer. The housing may have at least one opening. The sliding piece slidably seals the opening, and partially protrudes outside the opening, to form an accommodation space within the housing. The fluid can fill up the accommodation space. The damping elastomer can be disposed inside the accommodation space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignees: GLOBAL UNICHIP CORPORATION, TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chih-Chieh Liao, Yu-Min Sun, Chih-Feng Cheng
  • Patent number: 10041531
    Abstract: A sensor device for monitoring a component of interest, including at least one sensor for measuring at least one parameter indicative of condition of the component of interest, signal processing device for processing the signals of the sensor, and a mounting element for mounting the sensor device close to the component of interest. The mounting element can be made of a zinc alloy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: AKTIEBOLAGET SKF
    Inventors: Andrew Campbell, Allan Thomson
  • Patent number: 10041818
    Abstract: A wireless sensor assembly for monitoring conditions in an ambient environment, such as for use in a climate control system for a data center is disclosed. The sensor assembly has a small form-factor housing extending along a longitudinal axis and defining an interior space. A sensor circuit is disposed within the housing and includes at least one sensor element for detecting temperature and/or humidity that is enclosed within a vented sub-chamber of the housing. A mounting member forming part of an exterior surface of the housing mounts the sensor assembly vertically along the at an installation location within an ambient environment being monitored.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: Thermo-O-Disc, Incorporated
    Inventors: Timothy Graff, Gary D. Dinges, David Connell
  • Patent number: 10024772
    Abstract: A device and method for applying an internal pressure and resultant hoop stress to a hollow cylindrical object, such as a test cylinder, utilizing an expandable cylinder and upper and lower conically shaped rams. The device is inserted into a test cylinder, and when a compressive force is applied to the upper and lower conically shaped rams, the rams move vertically into upper and lower conically shaped cavities of the expandable cylinder. The sloped inner surfaces of the conically shaped upper and lower cavities convert the vertical motion into an outward radial motion, applying an internal pressure and resultant hoop stress to the cylindrical object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Timothy David Ponshock, Young Wuk Kwon
  • Patent number: 10018486
    Abstract: Improved instrument encasing systems may solve a variety of problems associated with existing systems. In one aspect, an improved instrument encasing system may include a suspension bracket and back plate that enable tool-less mounting and/or disassembly and/or security in mobile installations. Optionally, the system suspension bracket also may provide a template for easy alignment and selection of a mounting position and/or installation thereto. In some embodiments, the back plate may be temporarily reduced in diameter to enable quick and easy access to instruments mounted on an inner housing, or for access to the dial face for personalization. In another aspect, an inner housing of the instrument encasing system may provide one or more spring blades that receive instrument mounting sub-assemblies that provide for easy mounting and replacement of instruments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: Phoenix lntl Marketing, LLC
    Inventors: Kevin Baird, Barrie H. Bowen
  • Patent number: 10016331
    Abstract: The subject matter of the invention is an articulation (1) with controllable stiffness and a force-measuring system, comprising a first device (20) that comprises a frame (4) having a curved face and connected to a first motor element (2), the first device (20) regulating the position of the articulation (1), and a second device (22) that regulates the stiffness of the articulation (1) and comprises a thrust element (15), the movement (D) of which determines the pre-compression of a resistive element (11) and thus the stiffness of the articulation (1); the first motor element (2) causes the frame (4) to rotate such that a wheel (8) of the second device (22) rolls on the curved face of the frame (4), causing the resistive element (11) to be compressed (C) via a transmission rod (7) associated with the wheel (8) and with the resistive element (11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignees: CONSEJO SUPERIOR DE INVESTIGACIONES CIENTIFICAS (CSIC), UNIVERSIDAD POLITECNICA DE MADRID
    Inventors: Manuel Javier Cestari Soto, Daniel Sanz Merodio, Elena Garcia Armada
  • Patent number: 10017381
    Abstract: A microfabricated pressure transducer is formed in a multilayer substrate by etching a plurality of shallow and deep wells into the layers, and then joining these wells with voids formed by anisotropic etching. The voids define a flexible membrane over the substrate which deforms when a force is applied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: Innovative Micro Technology
    Inventor: Benedikt Zeyen
  • Patent number: 10012557
    Abstract: A pressure sensor which detects variation in pressure, the pressure sensor including a cantilever which bends according to a pressure difference between the inside and the outside of a cavity in a sensor main body, and a first gap, a second gap, and a third gap which are formed on a proximal end portion of the cantilever. The first to third gaps electrically partition the proximal end portion of the cantilever into a first support portion, a second support portion, a first displacement detection portion, and a second displacement portion in a second direction orthogonal to a first direction in which the proximal end portion and a distal end portion of the cantilever are connected to each other in plan view. The first and second displacement detection portions detect displacement according to the bending of the cantilever between the first and second support portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignees: SEIKO INSTRUMENTS INC., THE UNIVERSITY OF TOKYO
    Inventors: Isao Shimoyama, Kiyoshi Matsumoto, Hidetoshi Takahashi, Minh-Dung Nguyen, Takeshi Uchiyama, Manabu Oumi, Yoko Shinohara
  • Patent number: 10006795
    Abstract: A measuring vessel (1) for determining the accuracy with which a liquid fuel dispenser dispenses liquid fuel comprises a neck (4) of transparent material. A primary arcuate panel (16) having three primary graduated scales (14) corresponding to three different kinds of liquid fuels is secured to the neck (4). Primary graduations (17) of the respective primary graduated scales (14) indicate the level to which the meniscus of actual volumes of the respective liquid fuel dispensed at the temperatures corresponding to the primary graduations (17) should rise so that the energy content of the actual volumes of the respective liquid fuels dispensed is equal to the energy content of a predefined calibration volume of the corresponding liquid fuel at a predefined reference temperature typically of 15° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: PUMPWATCH LIMITED
    Inventors: Henry Benjamin Sisk, Siobhan Keogh, Silvano Burella
  • Patent number: 9999356
    Abstract: A strain sensor element comprises a laminated film which has a magnetic free layer, a spacer layer, and a magnetic reference layer. The free layer has a variable magnetization direction and a out-of-plane magnetization direction. The reference layer has a variable magnetization direction which is pinned more strongly than the magnetization of the free layer. The spacer layer provided between the free layer and the reference layer. A pair of electrodes is provided with a plane of the laminated film. A substrate is provided with either of the pair electrodes and can be strained. The rotation angle of the magnetization of the free layer is different from the rotation angle of the magnetization of the reference layer when the substrate is distorted. Electrical resistance is changed depending on the magnetization angle between the free layer and the reference layer, which allows the element to operate as a strain sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Alexander Devin Giddings, Hideaki Fukuzawa, Yoshihiko Fuji, Hiromi Yuasa, Michiko Hara, Shuichi Murakami
  • Patent number: 10001397
    Abstract: A device includes: an outer case; an inner case; a cylindrical base having a distal end that penetrates through a cylinder of the outer case to be fixed to the outer case; and a fastener configured to be mounted on the distal end of the base, the fastener including: an exterior configured to be guided by a guide provided to the inner case; a fastener-side engaging portion engageable with the inner case; and a contact peripheral portion configured to be contact with the outer case to prevent the inner case from rotating relative to the outer case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: NAGANO KEIKI CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takahiro Matsuda, Jinichi Todoroki
  • Patent number: 9995642
    Abstract: A pressure sensor includes a sensor main body having a cavity, a cantilever having a lever main body and lever support-portion, which is bent according to a pressure difference between the cavity and sensor outside main body, and a displacement detection unit detects cantilever displacement based on resistance variation in resistance values of the main body-resistance portion formed in the lever main body and lever-resistance portion formed in the lever support-portion. A division groove is formed in the lever support; the division divides the lever-resistance portion into a first resistance portion electrically connected to a detection-electrode in series and second resistance portion closer to other adjacent lever support-portion than the first resistance portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignees: THE UNIVERSITY OF TOKYO, SEIKO INSTRUMENTS INC.
    Inventors: Isao Shimoyama, Kiyoshi Matsumoto, Hidetoshi Takahashi, Minh-Dung Nguyen, Takeshi Uchiyama, Manabu Oumi, Yoko Shinohara, Masayuki Suda
  • Patent number: 9995671
    Abstract: In a computer-implemented method and system for capturing the condition of a structure, the structure is scanned with a three-dimensional (3D) scanner. The 3D contact scanner includes a tactile sensor system having at least one tactile sensor for generating 3D data points based on tactile feedback resulting from physical contact with at least part of the structure. A 3D model is constructed from the 3D data and is then analyzed to determine the condition of the structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY
    Inventors: Patrick H. Boyer, Nathan L. Tofte, Jackie O. Jordan, II, Brian N. Harvey
  • Patent number: 9983084
    Abstract: A pressure sensing assembly includes: a substrate; a pressure sensor on the substrate; a package, the substrate and the pressure sensor being embedded in the package; and a pressure adapter, with a first interface, external to the package and having a first area, and a second interface, coupled to the pressure sensor and having a second area, different from the first area. The pressure adapter is configured to transfer a force between the first interface and the second interface so that a pressure on the second interface is different from a pressure on the first interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: STMICROELECTRONICS S.R.L.
    Inventor: Mario Giuseppe Pavone
  • Patent number: 9983077
    Abstract: A capacitive force sensor includes a base body, a diaphragm body, two spacers arranged between the base body and the diaphragm body, the two spacers supporting the diaphragm body on the base body, a free end formed by the diaphragm body projecting beyond one of the two spacers, a cavity formed between the diaphragm body and the base body in a region between the two spacers so that the diaphragm body bends when a force acts on the diaphragm body in the region between the two spacers, a first electrode arranged at the free end, a second electrode arranged on the base body, and an electrical contact device which makes an electrical contact with the first and second electrode. The first and second electrode define a precision capacitance meter with a measuring capacitance which changes with an action of the force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: PREH GMBH
    Inventors: Thilo Schultheis, Johannes Duenninger
  • Patent number: 9983040
    Abstract: An all-in-one measuring tool. has multiple measuring components embedded into a structure of any shape or size. The measuring components are positioned at various locations along the surface of the structure. Each measuring component is unique and can hold an amount of liquid or ingredient that is identified by a particular measurement. The measuring components can respectively include handles to enable a user to hold the measuring components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Inventor: Mark Ross
  • Patent number: 9983031
    Abstract: A sensor includes a housing, at least one sensor component disposed within the housing such that there is space between the housing and the sensor component, and a vibrational damping material disposed within the space to dampen vibration of the sensor components relative to the housing. The sensor can be a thermal sensor. For example, the thermal sensor can be a linear thermal detector, an optical flame detector, or any other suitable type of sensor or combination of sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Kidde Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron S. Rogers, Mahamadou Yamoussa
  • Patent number: 9976921
    Abstract: A pressure sensor may comprise a socket, an upper CB, a lower CB, and a hex housing. The socket may include a plurality of co-molded electrical pin conductors extending axially from electrical connectors defined within a top end of the socket for receiving an external electrical cable to a bottom end of the socket. A top side of the upper CB may have electrical contacts configured to contact the electrical pin conductors. The lower CB may be connected to the upper CB by at least one structural member, and electrically coupled to the upper CB and to strain gauges coupled to a diaphragm. The hex housing may have an interior axial port extending from a bottom of said hex housing to a counterbore for holding the diaphragm, thereby exposing a first side of said diaphragm to the fluid within the axial port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: Measurement Limited
    Inventor: Steven Petrucelli
  • Patent number: 9952192
    Abstract: Probe for producing signals indicative of a local phase composition of a fluid flowing in a well, comprising a body of electrically insulating material having a tip adapted for contact with the fluid, at least two electrodes of conductive material located in the body on opposite sides relatively to a central axis of the body and insulated from each other, the electrodes having ends exposed to the fluid located on either side of the tip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: OPENFIELD SA
    Inventors: Eric Donzier, Emmanuel Tavernier, Linda Abbassi