Patents Examined by Jewel V Dowtin
  • Patent number: 10908004
    Abstract: Differential pressure airflow sensor devices are disclosed. Disclosed are sensor devices for mounting on a fixed resistance having a low-pressure probe for extending through the fixed resistance from a housing and a high-pressure inlet to the housing. Disclosed are sensor devices having a plurality of pressure transducers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: ONICON INC.
    Inventors: Paresh Davé, Matthew Maragos, William J. Sell
  • Patent number: 10900993
    Abstract: A single axis accelerometer comprising a swing arm pivotally attached to a frame is held in apposition to a stop by a threshold force until an experienced acceleration force greater than the threshold force causes a distal segment of the swing arm to release from the stop and move toward a sensor that is activated by a sensor trigger on the distal segment of the swing arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: MECHOPTIX, INC.
    Inventors: Joseph McGinty, Jeffery B Hammock
  • Patent number: 10895520
    Abstract: A rheometer includes a measuring shaft unit being rotatably mounted in a stationary support unit and having a measuring shaft carrying a measuring part. Transmitting units having optical transmitters are disposed on the support unit and receiving units having optical receivers are disposed on the measuring shaft unit for data transmission therebetween. A measuring sensor disposed on the measuring shaft detects at least one parameter. The transmitting and receiving units are disposed between the measuring shaft unit and the support unit and are associated with one another for exchanging data. The optical transmitters on the support unit transmit data and energy to the optical receivers on the measuring shaft unit. The transmitting units feed or transmit to the optical receivers at least energy required by the optical transmitters on the measuring shaft unit and the measuring sensor to output or transmit data to the optical receivers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2021
    Assignee: Anton Paar GmbH
    Inventor: Anton Ziegler
  • Patent number: 10895479
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes an ultrasonic flowmeter including: a measuring tube with a measuring tube wall and at least one pair of housings extending to an outer side of the measuring tube wall; a pair of ultrasonic transducers, each with a transducing element for generating and/or sensing ultrasonic pulses and a transducer body, wherein each of the housings is arranged to house one of the transducers, and wherein the housings have an inner first diameter; wherein transducer body includes a circumferential surface, and wherein the transducer body includes an end face, wherein the end face has a second diameter, and wherein the transducer includes at least one first protrusion protruding from the circumferential surface into a gap between the transducer body and the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2021
    Assignee: Endress+Hauser Flowtec AG
    Inventors: Panagiotis Papathanasiou, Michal Bezdek, Vivek Kumar, Oliver Berberig
  • Patent number: 10895482
    Abstract: To provide an MFC capable of improving an S/N ratio of a sensor signal even when a pressure difference between both sides of the MFC is small and a flow rate in the sensor flow path is low. Provided is a mass flow controller including a fluid flow path that allows a fluid to pass therethrough, a plurality of flow sensor units that measure a mass flow rate of the fluid, an adjusting valve that adjusts a flow rate of the fluid passing through the fluid flow path, and a control unit that controls a degree of open of the adjusting valve. The flow sensor units are each a thermal flow sensor unit. The control unit calculates a mass flow rate from an added output signal obtained by adding the output signals of the plurality of flow sensor units, and controls the degree of open of the adjusting valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2021
    Assignee: FUJIKIN INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Takuro Murata, Takeshi Nakamura
  • Patent number: 10883865
    Abstract: A fluid component includes a cross-shaped body having laterally extending first and second flow ports and axially extending first and second access ports. The first flow port connected in fluid communication with the first access port by a first branch port. The second flow port connected in fluid communication with the second access port by a second branch port. The first and second access ports are connected in fluid communication by a convoluted flow restricting passage extending generally axially from the first access port to the second access port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: SWAGELOK COMPANY
    Inventors: Michael D. Bestic, David J. Hasak, Bryan S. Reiger, Andrew Creque
  • Patent number: 10871431
    Abstract: A porous micromodel network to simulate formation flows includes a substrate, two or more porous micromodels formed on the substrate and a fluid inlet formed on the substrate. The first porous micromodel defines a first fluidic flow pathway and is representative of a first hydrocarbon-carrying formation. Flow through the first fluidic flow pathway is representative of flow through the first hydrocarbon-carrying formation. The second porous micromodel is fluidically isolated from the first porous micromodel. The second porous micromodel defines a second fluidic flow pathway different from the first fluidic flow pathway. The second porous micromodel is representative of a second hydrocarbon-carrying formation different from the first hydrocarbon-carrying formation. Flow through the second fluidic flow pathway is representative of flow through the second hydrocarbon-carrying formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2020
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Lyla Almaskeen, Amar Jaber M. Alshehri
  • Patent number: 10866131
    Abstract: A reference volume for use with pressure change flow rate measurement apparatus has an internal structure comprising elements with cross section and length comparable to the cross section and length of adjacent interstitial fluid regions. The reference volume may have one or more heat conduction elements exterior to and in good thermal contact with a corrosion resistant material that defines the internal fluid holding region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: FLOW DEVICES AND SYSTEMS INC.
    Inventors: Bhushan Somani, Eric J. Redemann
  • Patent number: 10866127
    Abstract: An ultrasonic meter configured to operate in multiple classes is provided including a flowtube having an inlet at a first end and an outlet at a second end, opposite the first end; and first and second face to face transducers, the first transducer being positioned at the first end of the flowtube and the second transducer being positioned at the second end of the flowtube, wherein the first and second face to face transducers are positioned in line with flow through the ultrasonic meter. Related flowtubes are also provided herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: Sensus Spectrum, LLC
    Inventors: David Healy, Benjamin John Sokol, Hilary Jane Meanwell, Eric Frazee, Charlie Paterson
  • Patent number: 10866214
    Abstract: An element of a photoacoustic sensor combines an optomechanical resonator and a photoacoustic cavity. The photoacoustic cavity is formed by a measurement chamber, traversed by a pulsed excitation beam. The optomechanical resonator is formed by an optical resonator, a mechanical element for being set in rapid oscillations, by an optical signal confined in the optomechanical resonator, and in slow oscillations, by an acoustic wave generated in the photoacoustic cavity. A measurement beam is sent into the optical resonator, where it carries out several passages via the mechanical element. The optical properties thereof at the output of the optical resonator are therefore dependent on the oscillations of the mechanical element. A low-frequency-amplitude-modulated high-frequency signal can be obtained, with the amplitude modulation representing the acoustic wave in the measurement chamber. An accurate, low-noise, and highly compact method is enabled for making measurements with a photoacoustic effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: COMMISSARIAT A L'ENERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ENERGIES ALTERNATIVES
    Inventors: Laurent Duraffourg, Pierre Labeye, Boris Taurel
  • Patent number: 10859416
    Abstract: A sensor for measuring the flow rate of a fluid in a flow tube, the sensor comprising sensing means and a sensor body, wherein a portion of the sensing means is located within the sensor body and a first portion of the sensor body is arranged to fasten the sensor body to the flow tube such that the sensor is positioned for sensing the flow rate of the fluid in the flow tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: Itron Global SARL
    Inventors: Michel Bottner, Daniel Catherin, Stephane Hyvernat, Anthony Renoud
  • Patent number: 10859459
    Abstract: A system for testing and validating the performance of a pressure sensor includes a test fixture operatively connected to the pressure sensor, and the pressure sensor is configured to identify a fluid pressure relative to an atmospheric pressure. A microcontroller is in electrical communication with the test fixture and the pressure sensor, and the microcontroller is configured to cause the test fixture to introduce air and/or vapor through the pressure sensor at a known fluid pressure. The microcontroller is also configured to receive the identified fluid pressure from the pressure sensor, the identified fluid pressure being based on the air and/or vapor flowing through the pressure sensor. A power source is in electrical communication with the microcontroller, and a display is in electrical communication with the microcontroller. The display is configured to display results to a user, the results comprising the determination of the performance of the pressure sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: R.J. REYNOLDS TOBACCO COMPANY
    Inventor: Rajesh Sur
  • Patent number: 10859449
    Abstract: To provide a distribution measuring sensor system and the like having a high spatial resolution and can greatly reduce a wiring region even if many sensor units for the measurement of a contact pressure and a shear stress acting on an interface between a living body and an object are integrated. A distribution measuring sensor 10 has a configuration in which sensor units Uij which measure a shear stress in a direction of a plane and a contact pressure in a direction perpendicular to the plane are arranged at each element of a matrix M. The sensor units Uij are constituted of an upper electrode UijH common to measurement of the shear stress and the contact pressure, and a lower electrode UijL arranged below the upper electrode UijH through a pressure sensitive material 20. Each sensor unit Uij in the x axis direction arranged in the same column j of the matrix M has each upper electrode UijH connected in the column j direction in common through the connecting line Cj.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: HIROSAKI UNIVERSITY
    Inventor: Kazuhiko Sasagawa
  • Patent number: 10852173
    Abstract: A flowmeter system that includes a flowmeter body defining a central bore. A plurality of flanges couple to the flowmeter body. The flowmeter body and the plurality of flanges form a one-piece structure without welded joints. A rotor within the central bore of the flowmeter body. A first vane within the central bore of the flowmeter body. The first vane couples to and supports the rotor within the flowmeter body. The flowmeter body, the flanges, the rotor, and the first vane comprise additive structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: Sensia LLC
    Inventors: Emanuel J. Gottlieb, Gopalakrishna S. Magadi
  • Patent number: 10845228
    Abstract: A flow meter has a meter wheel housing connectable in-line in a liquid conduit such that liquid flows through the meter wheel housing from an input port to an output port. Liquid flowing from the input port to the output port rotates a meter wheel mounted in the housing, and a wheel sensor measures rotational speed of the meter wheel. A first jet member defining a first orifice with a first cross-sectional area is movable into a jet operating position between the upstream end of the liquid conduit and the input port such that liquid passes through the input port into the meter wheel housing only through the first orifice. A second jet member defining a second orifice with a second cross-sectional area is movable into the jet operating position. The second cross-sectional area is less than the first cross-sectional area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: Wilger Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Wilfred H. Wilger, Sean Georget
  • Patent number: 10845225
    Abstract: To improve installation work on piping for a clamp-on type ultrasonic flowmeter including a damping member. A damping member is provided in a state of being in contact with piping, and the damping member is a sheet-shaped molded article which has moderate flexibility and a predetermined thickness. In addition, the damping member has viscoelasticity and has adhesion and peelability to the metal piping. The damping member is fixed to the piping by a damping fixture surrounding an outer periphery of the damping member, and the damping member is pressed against the piping by the damping fixture. A flow sensor body is fixed on the damping member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: KEYENCE CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yasunori Kawaguchi
  • Patent number: 10837812
    Abstract: A flow sensor assembly including a top flowtube that defines an inlet port, an outlet port, and a main channel. An inlet flow channel fluidly may connect the inlet port of the flow sensor assembly to the main channel. An outlet flow channel fluidly may connect the main channel to the outlet port. The bottom flowtube may include a shroud which acts as a cover over an electronic circuit board. The shroud may eliminate a step, created by the flow sensor, to provide a continuous flow path over the sensor. The channels may be formed to utilize the entire footprint of the flow sensor assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC
    Inventors: Jamie Speldrich, William Hoover, Richard C. Sorenson, Ian Bentley
  • Patent number: 10830589
    Abstract: A gyroscopic detection system utilizes magnetic nanoparticles that are suspended in a solution and exposed to a rotating magnetic field. The nanoparticles experience angular deviation from their axes if an external force is applied to the system. Solution composition and oscillation frequency may be varied to optimize the gyroscopic feedback.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: The Board of Trustees of Western Michigan University
    Inventors: Brian G. Krug, Johnson A. Asumadu
  • Patent number: 10830625
    Abstract: The invention relates to a water meter platform and a housing component for a water meter platform. The housing component providing a flow tube, a sealable main compartment adapted to house a meter unit for measuring a flow of a fluid flowing through the flow tube and a flow channel interface in fluid communication with the flow tube adapted for mounting additional functional units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: Kamstrup A/S
    Inventors: Anders Skallebæk, Peter Schmidt Laursen
  • Patent number: 10830621
    Abstract: Transit-time based ultrasonic flow meter with analog-to-digital conversion for measuring ultrasonic signals, wherein accuracy of measurements is improved by making several measurements with different input offset, reference voltage, frame offset or sample rate in an analog-to-digital conversion stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: Apator Miitors ApS
    Inventors: Jens Drachmann, Kresten Helstrup