Patents Examined by Justin Olamit
  • Patent number: 10197425
    Abstract: The invention relates to a flowmeter for liquid/gas two-phase cryogenic fluids, including: a separator of the liquid/gas phases, preferably made up of a vessel, the cryogenic fluid being admitted into the top portion of said vessel; a liquid flow sensor, located on a liquid pipe in fluid communication with the bottom portion of the vessel, the vessel being placed in the top position in the space relative to the liquid flow sensor; a gas pipe, in fluid communication with the upper portion of the vessel, provided with a flow sensor of the gas phase circulating in said gas pipe; a three-way valve capable of recovering, in two of the channels thereof (A/B), the downstream end of said gas pipe and the downstream end of said liquid pipe; and a device for measuring the level of liquid in the vessel, preferably comprising two level sensors: a bottom level sensor and a top level sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide Societe Anonyme Pour L'Etude Et L'Exploitation Des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventors: Didier Pathier, Vincent Alaterre
  • Patent number: 10184817
    Abstract: A sensor system for determining at least one parameter of a fluid medium flowing through a channel structure. The sensor system has a sensor housing, particularly a plug-in sensor that is inserted or insertable into a flow pipe and in which the channel structure is formed. The sensor housing has a housing body and a cover. The channel structure has a main channel and a measuring channel. At least one sensor chip determining the parameter of the fluid medium is disposed in the measuring channel. The sensor housing has an inlet into the channel structure, the inlet pointing counter to a main flow direction of the fluid medium, at least one main-channel outlet from the main channel and at least one measuring-channel outlet from the measuring channel. The main-channel outlet is disposed on an end face or on a downstream side of the cover based on the main flow direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Torsten Mais, Ulrich Wagner, Hans Beyrich
  • Patent number: 10156555
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device and a method for determining at least one physical, chemical and/or biological characteristic of a liquid medium that has been introduced into a sealable container, said device comprising at least: one measuring head system comprising at least one pressure measuring unit for measuring the pressure of a gaseous medium and/or of the liquid medium present in the container and a temperature measuring unit for measuring the temperature of the gaseous medium and/or of the liquid medium; one movement system, at least for moving the container; and one determination system, at least for determining the physical, chemical and/or biological characteristic of the liquid medium from at least one of the individual values relating to the measured pressure and the measured temperature of the medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2018
    Assignee: Steinfurth Mess-Systeme GmbH
    Inventor: Martin Falkenstein
  • Patent number: 10139309
    Abstract: A collision sensor, including a hollow housing having an accommodation space; a collision information generator arranged in the space and adapted to produce an output indicating a directional and/or positioning information of the collision when being triggered during the collision; a collision detecting member arranged over and adapted to trigger the collision information generator upon being driven by the obstacle during the collision; wherein the collision detecting member and the collision information generator are spaced apart from or in contact with each other by one or more resilient members, by which the collision detecting member is switchable between a normal position at which the collision detecting member is spaced apart from the collision information generator, and a working position at which at least a portion of the collision detecting member trigger the collision information generator by a compressive/collision force from the obstacle during the collision.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: DRAGON CROWN INDUSTRIES LIMITED
    Inventor: Wing Yieu Michael Wong
  • Patent number: 10139256
    Abstract: A MEMS flow sensor is provided having a micro flow channel etched in a silicon structure composed of two silicon substrates bonded or fused together. A heater and one or more temperature sensors are, in one embodiment, disposed around the perimeter of the flow channel and outside of the channel. In another embodiment, a heater and one or more temperature sensors are respectively disposed outside the flow channel at the top and bottom of the channel. In further embodiments, a heater and one or more temperature sensors are located inside the flow channel on one or more surfaces thereof or around the inside perimeter of the channel. The flow sensors in accordance with the invention are preferably fabricated using wafer scale fabrication techniques.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: ACEINNA, INC.
    Inventors: Yang Zhao, Ohlan Silpachai, Francis Man, Zhengxin Zhao
  • Patent number: 10139375
    Abstract: A method for monitoring quality of a hydraulic fluid in an electro-hydraulic (EH) valve is disclosed. The method includes applying predetermined signal to a solenoid coil, surrounding a pusher pin in EH valve, to facilitate oscillation of a pusher pin in EH valve to change static friction between the pusher pin and a cavity of EH valve, to dynamic friction. EH valve includes a housing defining the cavity having an end wall. Cavity slidably receiving the pusher pin having a first end and a second end. The hydraulic fluid is received between the first end of the pusher pin and the end wall. The oscillation of the pusher pin generates an acoustic wave that propagates through the hydraulic fluid. The method further includes determining the quality of the hydraulic fluid based on one or more characteristics of the acoustic wave detected by an acoustic sensor positioned on the end wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Xinyu Ge, Hua Gu
  • Patent number: 10118381
    Abstract: A method for embossing a nanostructure, formed on a nanostructure punch, into a punch surface of a curable material which has been applied to a substrate. The method includes the following steps, especially following sequence: alignment of the nanostructure relative to the punch surface, embossing of the punch surface by a) prestressing of the nanostructure punch by deformation of the nanostructure punch and/or prestressing of the substrate by deformation of the substrate, b) making contact of a partial area of the punch surface with the nanostructure punch and c) automatic contacting of the remaining surface at least partially, especially predominantly, by the prestressing of the nanostructure punch and/or the prestressing of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: EV GROUP E. THALLNER GMBH
    Inventor: Gerald Kreindl
  • Patent number: 10113898
    Abstract: A liquid level detector includes: a detecting element having one surface and the other surface opposite to the one surface, the one surface being opposed to a liquid, while being parallel to a height direction of liquid level; a Peltier element provided on the other surface side of the detecting element; and a control unit performing a detection processing for a liquid level of the liquid. The Peltier element forms a heat flow passing through the detecting element from the other surface to the one surface, toward the liquid or a gas. The control unit calculates a liquid level on the basis of an output value of an electrical signal outputted according to the heat flow passing through the detecting element, and a relationship between an output value of the detecting element and a liquid level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Toshikazu Harada, Atusi Sakaida, Toshihisa Taniguchi, Norio Gouko, Yoshitaro Yazaki, Yoshihiko Shiraishi, Yasuhiro Tanaka, Keita Saitou
  • Patent number: 10113896
    Abstract: A liquid reservoir includes at least one liquid surface level detection unit in the liquid reservoir. The at least one liquid surface level detection unit includes a plurality of liquid surface level detection units. The plurality of liquid surface level detection units each include a plurality of self-heating sensors. The plurality of self-heating sensors are positioned at different heights.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Masaki Toyoshima, Yasutaka Ochiai, Makoto Saito
  • Patent number: 10106319
    Abstract: The disclosure provides a method of automatically determining a filling level of a plastic bag fastened via an open end to a vertical post forming a support, the method comprising a step of detecting that the bag has reached a predetermined filling level by means of a first distance sensor positioned on the post, a step of measuring the distance of the bag relative to the post by means of a second distance sensor positioned on the post, step of detecting the presence of the bag fastened via an open end to the post by means of a third distance sensor positioned on the post, and a step of detecting a filling level on the basis of the measurements taken by the distance sensors. The disclosure also provides a unit for performing such a method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: ANTALIOS
    Inventors: Patrick Adam, Christophe Pistoresi
  • Patent number: 10094693
    Abstract: A flow meter includes a housing which accommodates helical guide blades and a core located within the guide blades, and a measuring chamber in which a measuring ball can rotate in a circle. Between the end of the core bounding on the measuring chamber and the end face of the outlet section oriented to the measuring chamber there are no wall portions present, and the distance between the outside edge of the core end bounding on the measuring chamber and the inside edge of outlet-section-end-face oriented to the measuring chamber is smaller than the diameter of the measuring ball. Consequently, the fluid may unimpedely flow out of the measuring chamber as a result of which there is low flow resistance of the flow meter. Moreover, this causes no obstacles to be present between two oppositely arranged spots on the housing that may disturb a light ray for the measurement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Inventor: Marcel Leonardus Josephus Petrus Peters
  • Patent number: 10086629
    Abstract: An image recording device is provided, having a recording unit configured to record an image on a sheet, and a tray disposed below the recording unit. The tray includes a sheet holding surface configured to hold the sheet. Additionally, the image recording device includes a sheet feeder disposed between the recording unit and the tray. The sheet feeder includes a roller for feeding the sheet from the tray. The roller is configured to move between a first roller position in which the roller contacts the sheet holding surface of the tray and a second roller position in which the roller is separated from the sheet holding surface. A return guide, disposed between the recording unit and the sheet feeder, defines a second conveying path to guide the sheet having an image recorded on one side thereof back to the feed guide. The return guide has a first opening configured to accommodate the roller of the sheet feeder when the roller is in the second roller position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tetsuo Asada, Hirotaka Aoki, Satoru Nakakita, Shota Iijima, Kenji Samoto, Yuji Koga
  • Patent number: 10088349
    Abstract: The invention relates to a Coriolis flow sensor. The sensor comprises a housing and at least a Coriolis-tube with at least two ends being fixed in a tube fixation means. The flow sensor comprises excitation means for causing the tube to oscillate, as well as detection means for detecting at least a measure of displacements of parts of the tube during operation. According to the invention, the Coriolis flow sensor comprises a reference mass, as well as further excitation means arranged for causing the reference mass to oscillate during operation, as well as further detection means for detecting at least a measure of displacements of the reference mass during operation. Additionally, control means are provided for controlling the excitation means and/or further excitation means based on vibrations measured by the detection means and/or further detection means. This way a Coriolis flow sensor with active vibration isolation is obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: BERKIN B.V.
    Inventors: Joost Conrad Lötters, Marcel Ronald Katerberg, Wouter Bernardus Johannes Hakvoort, Willem David Kruijswijk, Lubbert Van De Ridder
  • Patent number: 10088454
    Abstract: Apparatus is provided featuring a signal processor or signal processing module configured at least to: receive signaling containing information about a radiation impedance of a piston vibrating a process medium, including a fluid or slurry; and determine a speed of sound or density measurement related to the process medium, based at least partly on the signaling received. The signal processor or signal processing module may determine a speed of sound measurement related to the process medium, based on at least partly on the density of the process medium, including where the density of the process medium is known, assumed or determined by the signal processor or signal processing module, or determine a density measurement related to the process medium, based on at least partly on the speed at which sound travels in the process medium, including where the speed of sound of the process medium is known, assumed or determined by the signal processor or signal processing module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: CiDRA CORPORATE SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Douglas H. Loose, Lambertus J Didden, Alan D. Kersey
  • Patent number: 10082486
    Abstract: A method for recognizing the presence of liquid (30) in a gas flow flowing in a pipeline uses an ultrasound flowmeter (10). Measurement paths are provided in pairs which are displaced vertically by an equal predefined distance with respect to the center axis such that one lies in an upper region above the center axis and one lies beneath the center axis. A check is made in three stages to define various measurement values, turbulence values and speed of sound values. A liquid warning signal is output when an invalid measurement value is delivered in the first stage, or when the ratio of the turbulence values in the second stage differs from 1 by more than a predefined tolerance value, or when the ratio of the speeds of sound in the third stage differs from 1 by more than a predefined tolerance ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: SICK Engineering GmbH
    Inventor: Andreas Ehrlich
  • Patent number: 10080551
    Abstract: A stool collection container includes: a stool collection container main body having a structure in which a stick holder for holding a stool collection stick is detachably mounted on one end side while the stool collection part and the stool collection stick are housed inside; and a collection needle penetrating through a wall surface of the another end side of the stool collection container main body so that a tip thereof is inserted into the stool collection container main body, the collection needle being provided so as to be detachable from the stool collection container main body. When the stick holder is mounted on one end side of the stool collection container main body, the tip of the collection needle is inserted into the opening of the stool collection part housed inside the stool collection container main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: SHIMADZU CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masamitsu Shikata, Naoko Takaoka
  • Patent number: 10073021
    Abstract: Systems and methods for droplet generation are suitable for use in connection with goniometers. Via preferential condensation, droplets of a variety of liquids may be formed at a variety of temperatures and pressures, eliminating the need for expensive and complex conventional droplet generation systems. Condensation and evaporation of a droplet may be controlled in order to evaluate advancing and receding contact angles in the goniometer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: Arizona Board of Regents on behalf of Arizona State University
    Inventor: Konrad Rykaczewski
  • Patent number: 10071392
    Abstract: A flexible-electronic-device manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing an electronic device including a flexible base material and a plurality of functional layers provided thereon includes: an impression cylinder configured to hold and transport the base material; impression-cylinder driving means for rotating the impression cylinder; processing means for performing a plurality of processes for providing the plurality of functional layers by a printing method or a coating applying method on the base material held on the impression cylinder; impression-cylinder phase detecting means for detecting the phase of the impression cylinder; and controlling means for controlling the impression-cylinder driving means and the processing means based on the result of detection by the impression-cylinder phase detecting means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: KOMORI CORPORATION
    Inventor: Ikuo Sugimoto
  • Patent number: 10054475
    Abstract: An immersion detector having a thermoresistive detector with at least two temperature probes. The immersion device has a capacitive detector having a capacitor, a cap surrounding said temperature probes and the capacitor, said cap having orifices putting said temperature probes and the capacitor into fluid flow communication with an external medium (EXT) surrounding said immersion detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: Airbus Helicopters
    Inventors: Gwenael Raguenes, Perry Guttin-Lombard, Georges Bailleul
  • Patent number: 10041823
    Abstract: A mass flow controller and mass flow meter are disclosed. The mass flow controller and mass flow meter include a sensor tube configured to transport a fluid, and an upstream heater element and a downstream heater element which are formed of heating resistance wires provided in an outer periphery of the sensor tube. At least one weld terminal is electrically connected to an end of one or more of the heating resistance wires by spot welding material. A temperature difference between the melting point of the weld terminal and a melting point of the heating resistance wires does not exceed 100 degrees Celsius, and one or more coat layer(s) is provided on a surface of the weld terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: HITACHI METALS, LTD.
    Inventor: Akira Sasaki