Patents Examined by Jeff W Natalini
-
Patent number: 11674911Abstract: In an embodiment, a system for wear monitoring, includes a wear surface, a metallic reflector embedded in the wear surface, a radio-wave transmitter, and a radio-wave receiver. The metallic reflector reflects radio waves transmitted by the radio-wave transmitter for detection by the radio wave receiver. Attenuation of the radio waves between transmission by the radio-wave transmitter and detection by the radio-wave receiver indicates a degree of wear of the wear surface.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 2021Date of Patent: June 13, 2023Assignee: REI, Inc.Inventors: Daniel J. Brunner, Randy Richardson, Robert Koontz, Alex Schumacher, Jeffrey J. Schwoebel, Randall Johnson
-
Patent number: 11675016Abstract: A diagnostic device for a battery includes a measurement unit configured to acquire a current value and a voltage value of the battery, and a diagnostic unit configured to calculate an internal resistance value of the battery based on the current value and the voltage value acquired by the measurement unit, and diagnose the battery based on the internal resistance value. The diagnostic unit is configured to cause the battery to perform discharge at a first current value and a second current value smaller than a predetermined target current value during a first period and a second period shorter than a predetermined target period, respectively, estimate the internal resistance value when the battery is caused to perform the discharge at the target current value during the target period, and diagnose the battery.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2021Date of Patent: June 13, 2023Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Linyu Sun
-
Patent number: 11668586Abstract: Disclosed is a sensor assembly comprising: a first mounting device for mounting the sensor assembly to a first fixation part; a second mounting device for mounting the sensor assembly to a second fixation part, the second fixation part being displaceable relative to the first fixation part; and a sensor device arranged in a sensor cavity for provision of a sensor signal, the sensor device comprising a first attachment part attached to the first mounting device, a second attachment part attached to the second mounting device, and a sensing part, the sensing part being arranged between the first attachment part and the second attachment part.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 2018Date of Patent: June 6, 2023Assignee: ELASTISENSE APSInventors: Rahimullah Sarban, Alan Poole, Benjamin Thomsen
-
Patent number: 11668737Abstract: A self-calibrating transmission line resonator oscillating driver apparatus, including: a first output driver module configured to transmit a first forward signal along a transmission line; a second output driver module configured to transmit a second forward signal along the transmission line; a first reflection detection module configured to detect a first return signal of the first forward signal reflected along the transmission line; and a second reflection detection module configured to detect a second return signal of the second forward signal reflected along the transmission line; wherein, when the first reflection detection module detects the first return signal of the first forward signal reflected along the second direction of the transmission line, providing a signal to i) change a power state of the first output driver module to an off-power state and to ii) change a power state of the second output driver module to an on-power state.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2021Date of Patent: June 6, 2023Assignee: Dell Products L.P.Inventor: Steven Jay Lash
-
Patent number: 11662370Abstract: A frequency spectrum detection system including: a frequency-scan light source, a phase modulator, an optical filter, an optical fiber, a photodetector, a power divider, an electric amplifier, a combiner, an electric filter, and an oscilloscope. The frequency-scan light source, the phase modulator, the optical filter, the photodetector, and the electric amplifier form a ring-shaped optoelectronic oscillator resonant cavity, which is configured to generate a frequency-scan signal. The combiner is configured to receive a signal to be measured. The phase modulator is configured to modulate the combined electrical signal onto a frequency-scan optical signal. The optical filter is configured to selectively attenuate or amplify one sideband of double sidebands of the double-sideband phase-modulated optical signal. The photodetector is configured to detect a signal filtered by the optical filter.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 2020Date of Patent: May 30, 2023Assignee: INSTITUTE OF SEMICONDUCTORS, CHINESE ACADEMY OF SCIENCESInventors: Ming Li, Tengfei Hao, Jian Tang, Nuannuan Shi, Wei Li, Ninghua Zhu
-
Patent number: 11656268Abstract: Various technologies described herein pertain to a testing apparatus that enables an analog frequency response of a device under test to be analyzed. The testing apparatus includes a laser source and an optical resonator. The laser source is optically injection locked to the optical resonator. The testing apparatus also includes a modulator configured to apply a time-varying voltage to the optical resonator. The time-varying voltage causes the laser source optically injection locked to the optical resonator to generate a frequency modulated optical signal that can include time-varying chirps. The testing apparatus further includes an interferometer (e.g., variable delay, fixed length) configured to receive the frequency modulated optical signal from the laser source optically injection locked to the optical resonator. The interferometer outputs an optical test signal having a range of frequencies. The frequencies in the optical test signal are based at least in part on the time-varying chirps.Type: GrantFiled: December 31, 2019Date of Patent: May 23, 2023Assignee: GM CRUISE HOLDINGS LLCInventors: Vladimir Ilchenko, Ayan Chakrabarty, Scott Singer, Richard Kalantar Ohanian
-
Patent number: 11656194Abstract: Disclosed is a TDR measuring apparatus for determining the dielectric constant and material properties derived therefrom of a medium flowing through a pipeline. The apparatus includes signal generation electronics which generate TDR measurement signals, transmitting and receiving electronics, a coupling-in/coupling-out apparatus which couples the TDR measurement signals into and out of an electrically conductive measuring probe of a predefined length, and control/evaluation electronics which use the propagation time of the TDR measurement signals to determine the dielectric constant. The measuring probe is arranged in an electrically insulated manner outside of the pipeline.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 2019Date of Patent: May 23, 2023Assignee: Imko Micromodultechnik GmbHInventors: Timo Camek, Gerd Gritsch, Stefan Rolf
-
Patent number: 11652347Abstract: A method, system and apparatus of fault detection in line protection for a power transmission system. A voltage (u) at a measurement point on an electrical line is obtained. The measurement point is a point at which a protection device for the line protection is installed. A current (i) at the measurement point is further obtained and a differential value of the current is determined. Then, a voltage (uq) at a setting point on the electrical line is determined from the voltage (u) at the measurement point, the current (i) at the measurement point and the differential value of the current (i) according to a time domain lumped parameter model for the electrical line. The voltage change between the determined voltage at the setting point during the fault period and a voltage at the setting point determined during a pre-fault period can be further determined. The fault detection can be performed based on the determined voltage change and a fault threshold.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 2018Date of Patent: May 16, 2023Assignee: Hitachi Energy Switzerland LtdInventors: Kai Liu, Youyi Li, Jianping Wang
-
Patent number: 11604217Abstract: The present invention discloses an insulation detection circuit and a detection method thereof for a two-way on-board charger. The detection circuit comprises an inverter circuit, a first Y capacitor connected between an output live line and a ground line of the inverter circuit, a second Y capacitor connected between an output neutral line and the ground line of the inverter circuit, a live line sampling circuit and a neutral line sampling circuit which are connected with the output live line and the output neutral line of the inverter circuit, and a controller. The controller determines an insulation state of the two-way on-board charger according to two sampling voltages.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2020Date of Patent: March 14, 2023Assignee: SHENZHEN VMAX NEW ENERGY CO., LTD.Inventors: Jun Liu, Yingying Feng, Jinzhu Xu, Yuanzhao Zhang
-
Patent number: 11585865Abstract: A transformer fault detection, where the transformer includes a primary winding coupled to a medium voltage power line and a secondary winding providing a stepped down voltage of the medium voltage. The detection system includes a switching device, where the switching device includes a first voltage measuring device for measuring the voltage on the primary winding, a controller for processing measured voltages and a transceiver for receiving and transmitting messages. The detection system also includes a second voltage measuring device for measuring the stepped down voltage on the secondary winding, where the second voltage measuring device includes a transmitter for transmitting the measured step down voltage to the switching device. The controller uses the measured voltages to calculate a transformer turns ratio (TTR) of the transformer to determine whether a transformer fault.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 2021Date of Patent: February 21, 2023Assignee: S&C Electric CompanyInventor: Marshall Mauney
-
Patent number: 11549796Abstract: The present disclosure provides a thickness measuring device including a base, a first moving component, a second moving component, a frame and a linking component. The base includes a base main body and a sensor. The first moving component moves along a first direction and includes a contacting end. The second moving component moves along a second direction and includes a sensing element corresponding to the sensor. The frame is connected to the base and includes a frame main body, a first guiding groove and a second guiding groove. The first and second guiding grooves are formed on the frame main body for accommodating the first and second moving components. The linking component includes a rotating element, a first connection portion and a second connection portion. The first and second connection portions are disposed on a surface of the rotating element and connected to the first and second moving components.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 2020Date of Patent: January 10, 2023Assignee: TECO IMAGE SYSTEMS CO., LTD.Inventors: Chien-Ying Chen, Yu-Jen Chang, Ken-Te Chou
-
Patent number: 11536691Abstract: A low-cost, portable potentiostat capable of performing several different electrochemical experiments (e.g. cyclic voltammetry and anodic stripping voltammetry) was designed. The potentiostat runs on one or more batteries and has a battery life of over two weeks. Further, the potentiostat of the present invention is capable of self-calibrating and has a linear dynamic range spanning several orders of magnitude. It is also capable of saving data onto an onboard data storage card and is able to export the data to a computer for additional analysis. The potentiostat requires no peripheral hardware and is suitable for use by those with even minimal training in electrochemistry.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 2017Date of Patent: December 27, 2022Assignee: ARIZONA BOARD OF REGENTS ON BEHALF OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONAInventors: Michael L. Heien, Drew Farrell
-
Patent number: 11531424Abstract: An asynchronous capacitance-to-digital converter (CDC) is described that allows for very low-power operation when during inactive periods (when no conductive object is in contact or proximity to the sensing electrodes). Asynchronous operation of the CDC provides for capacitance-to-digital conversion without the use of system resources and more power intensive circuit elements.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2018Date of Patent: December 20, 2022Assignee: Cypress Semiconductor CorporationInventors: Paul M. Walsh, Dermot MacSweeney, Said Hussaini, Hui Jiang, Kofi Makinwa
-
Patent number: 11493467Abstract: Provided is a sensor that can appropriately sense the amount of abrasion powder (conductive substance) in a mechanical device of any size, and thereby to provide a sensor that can be generally used for preventive maintenance of any mechanical parts. The sensor includes a first electrode and a second electrode. A voltage is applied between the first electrode and the second electrode to accumulate conductive substance between the first and second electrodes in order to sense a decrease in electric resistance between the first and second electrodes. The distance between the first electrode and the second electrode is adjustable.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2018Date of Patent: November 8, 2022Assignee: NABTESCO CORPORATIONInventors: Koji Nakamura, Kazuhiko Sakurai, Masaki Harada, Toshihide Fujii
-
Patent number: 11486938Abstract: Various embodiments are described that relate an electrical current connector. The electrical current connector can be configured to provide electrical current when pressure is applied to a prong set. This pressure can cause a contact to engage with a connector. This can complete a circuit that allows the electrical current to flow. The connector can be coupled to a cable that can be configured to transfer data along with the electrical current. The cable can have an inner portion that transfers the data while an outer portion that surrounds the inner portion transfers the current.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2020Date of Patent: November 1, 2022Assignee: The Government of the United States, as represented by the Secretary of the ArmyInventors: Thomas Podlesak, Michael Gonzalez
-
Patent number: 11490072Abstract: An image sensor system includes an image sensor and a prediction part. The image sensor includes an illumination module and a processing part. The illumination module includes a light emitting part for emitting light and a nonvolatile memory. The processing part stores a first data and a second data in the memory. The first data includes an electric parameter value when the light emitting part is applied with a power and a cumulative power-on time obtained by accumulating a time when the light emitting part is applied with the power. The second data includes a value obtained by multiplying the electric parameter value when the light emitting part is applied with the power by the cumulative power-on time. The prediction part obtains the first data or the second data from the memory and predicts a lifetime of the light emitting part based on the first data or the second data.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2018Date of Patent: November 1, 2022Assignee: OMRON CorporationInventor: Masaru Horie
-
Patent number: 11486737Abstract: A capacitive measurement device for indicating when two surfaces moving relative to each other are spaced less than a predetermined distance apart. The device comprises a probe having an elongated conductor, an insulating core, a conducting inner guard, an insulating interlayer, and a conducting sheath. A portion of the conductor, insulating core and conducting inner guard form a probe tip which extends beyond the insulating interlayer and conducting sheath by a predetermined offset. The probe is configured to extend from a first surface by a predetermined distance and to generate a signal when the tip is contacted by a second surface.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2019Date of Patent: November 1, 2022Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE CORPORATIONInventor: Kenneth Fuller
-
Patent number: 11467102Abstract: Various examples related to microwave dielectric analyzers and their use are provided. In one example, a microwave dielectric analyzer includes a measurement apparatus having a conductive electrode that can couple to a microwave analyzer and processing circuitry that can determine a dielectric characteristic of the dielectric specimen using a reflection coefficient measured by the microwave analyzer. The dielectric characteristic can be determined using a computational electromagnetic model of the measurement apparatus. The reflection coefficient can be measured by the microwave analyzer with the dielectric specimen in contact with the conductive electrode and/or sandwiched between conductive electrodes. The conductive electrodes can be axially aligned, and the second electrode may not be coupled to the microwave analyzer.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2019Date of Patent: October 11, 2022Assignee: COMPASS TECHNOLOGY GROUP LLCInventor: John Weber Schultz
-
Patent number: 11447877Abstract: Assemblies and methods for monitoring the cathodic protection of underground or submerged structures may include a coupon assembly including a conductive test coupon and a reference electrode for determining the voltage potential difference of the protected structure without substantially interrupting surrounding current sources. The reference electrode may be at least partially covered with an electrolytic material in electrical contact with the surrounding environment via a plug including a porous material. A method of installation of the assembly may allow a single technician to install the coupon assembly using a probe rod without extensive on-site excavation. The coupon assembly may be configured to seat securely with the probe rod for stability during installation, and release from the probe rob when the probe rod is separated from the coupon assembly and withdrawn from the ground, leaving the coupon assembly at a preselected depth or preselected distance from the protected structure.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2022Date of Patent: September 20, 2022Assignee: MARATHON PETROLEUM COMPANY LPInventor: Ryan Grant Ell
-
Patent number: 11448699Abstract: An input device (10) is connectable to a switch (20) to receive a state of the switch (20) input as a voltage corresponding to the state. The input device (10) includes an output circuit (120) to output a first voltage or a second voltage different from the first voltage, an input circuit (150) to receive the voltage input from the output circuit (120) via the switch (20) in a closed state and output input signals (33) corresponding to the input voltage, a diagnoser (112) to determine whether the input signals change in response to switching of the voltage from the output circuit (120) to the second voltage, and a generator (113) to generate a state signal (34) indicating the state of the switch (20) based on the input signals (33). The second voltage differs from a reference voltage input to the input circuit (150) while the switch (20) is open.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 2020Date of Patent: September 20, 2022Assignee: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATIONInventor: Hiroki Koga