Patents Examined by Matthew Krcha
  • Patent number: 9714913
    Abstract: A control device for an exhaust gas sensor includes first means for estimating a temperature of a sensor element in accordance with impedance of a solid electrolyte, and second means for estimating the temperature of the sensor element in accordance with resistance of a heater. A first element temperature according to impedance of the sensor element in a predetermined detection timing is detected by the first means, and a second element temperature according to resistance of a heater of the sensor element in the predetermined detection timing is detected by the second means. The control device corrects the temperature of the sensor element that is estimated in accordance with heater resistance by the second means in accordance with a difference between the first element temperature and the second element temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Hiroki Nishijima
  • Patent number: 9696242
    Abstract: A separation device that can include a separation tube or container that has a wall defining an internal volume into which a material can be placed is disclosed. The material can include a multi-component mixture or solution. A secondary tube or withdrawal cannula can be placed and/or moved within the tube to withdrawal a material form the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Biomet Biologics, LLC
    Inventors: Trenton Walker, Matthew D. Landrigan, Michael D. Leach, Scott R. King, Randel Dorian, Richard W. Storrs
  • Patent number: 9689781
    Abstract: Sample taking device for extracting a fluid sample from a vessel comprising: a cover portion for closing the vessel such that, in use a headspace is defined between the cover portion and fluid held in the vessel, a sampling chamber comprising a sampling inlet and a sampling outlet, a cannula adapted to provide, in use, fluid communication between the fluid held in the vessel and the sampling chamber through the sampling inlet, and ports to operate the device in at least two operating conditions: a sample preparing condition in which a pressure in the headspace is greater than that of the sampling chamber such that fluid flows through the cannula towards the sampling chamber and can be retained therein, and a sample dispensing condition in which fluid retained in the sampling chamber can be delivered through the sampling outlet and fluid remaining inside the cannula can return to the vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: RUAG SCHWEIZ AG
    Inventors: Andreu Fontova Sosa, Enric Sarró Casanovas
  • Patent number: 9689783
    Abstract: A Z-axis test coupon structure and method for additive manufacturing process are disclosed. An example method of fabricating Z-axis test coupons for additive manufacturing processes, includes fabricating tensile specimens, the fabricating of the tensile specimens including providing a web between adjacent ones of the tensile specimens, and the fabricating of the tensile specimens including using an additive manufacturing process, removing the web from between the adjacent ones of the tensile specimens, and testing a tensile strength of one of the tensile specimens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: David M. Dietrich, Michael W. Hayes
  • Patent number: 9664643
    Abstract: A method of determining the charge of at least one test particle, comprising: applying one of an electric current or a voltage across an aperture connecting two chambers, whereby the chambers are at least partially filled with electrolyte and whereby the at least one test particle is suspended in the electrolyte of at least one of the chambers; measuring the other of the electric current or voltage across the aperture; varying a pressure differential between the two chambers; and determining the charge based on the measurements of the electric current or voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: IZON SCIENCE LIMITED
    Inventors: Johannes Adrianus Van Der Voorn, Robert Vogel, Benjamin Mark Glossop
  • Patent number: 9651548
    Abstract: A chemo-mechano-chemical (C1-M-C2) system includes a base supporting an actuatable structure, said structure comprising a functionalized portion and being embedded in an environmentally responsive gel capable of volume change in response to an environmental stimulus; a first fluid layer disposed over the base and in contact with the actuatable structure, said first fluid layer comprising the environmentally responsive gel; and a second fluid layer in contact with the actuatable structure, wherein the layers are positioned such that the functionalized portion is in contact with the second layer in a first relaxed state and in contact with the first layer in a second actuated state and wherein the functionalized portion interacts with at least one of the layers to provide a chemical or physical response.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: President and Fellows of Harvard College
    Inventors: Joanna Aizenberg, Ximin He, Michael Aizenberg
  • Patent number: 9637440
    Abstract: Derivatization of an elemental carbon surface is accomplished by exposing the carbon surface to an aprotic solvent containing a hydrazone molecule of formula (I) or the corresponding salt of formula (II) wherein R1 is an organic group, and R2 is an organic group or hydrogen and decomposing the hydrazone in the presence of elemental carbon to create a carbene moiety of formula (III): which attaches to the carbon surface. The attached groups may be redox active so that the derivatized carbon may be used in an electrochemical sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Lynne Crawford, Nathan Lawrence, Timothy Jones
  • Patent number: 9624809
    Abstract: A monitoring system for a single can oxidation catalyst (OC)/particulate filter (PF) member includes a controller including a first temperature sensor input configured to receive a first exhaust temperature upstream of an OC portion of the single can OC/PF member, a second temperature sensor input configured to receive a second exhaust temperature downstream of the first temperature. The controller is configured and disposed to calculate an exothermic capacity of the OC portion and determine washcoat deterioration of a PF portion of the single can OC/PF member based on the exothermic capacity of the OC portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Vincent J. Tylutki, David N. Belton, Janean E. Kowalkowski, Igor Anilovich
  • Patent number: 9623410
    Abstract: Provided are a simple, quick, and low-processing cost method capable of reliably separating part of an accommodated substance accommodated in a vessel only by simple mechanical operation while maintaining a hermetically-sealed state without any contact with an outside atmosphere, as well as a vessel with which the method may be used. A separable vessel comprises a first vessel portion, a second vessel portion which is contiguous with the first vessel portion, a fracture-inducing portion formed between the first vessel portion and the second vessel portion, and a self-fusing material provided on an outer surface so as to cover the fracture-inducing portion; and may contain an accommodated substance therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: SHIMADZU CORPORATION
    Inventor: Tetsuo Ohashi
  • Patent number: 9623349
    Abstract: This invention discloses a disposable integrated polymeric vacuum filtration funnel. The integrated polymeric vacuum filtration funnel comprises a filtration funnel body having a filter frit disposed inside at the bottom, an outlet stem connected with an outlet at the outer bottom of the filtration funnel body; the outlet stem is integrated with the filtration funnel body; the filter frit is sealed to the inner bottom and the inner side surface of the filtration funnel body; the integrated polymeric vacuum filtration funnel comprises a sealing joint disposed underneath the outer bottom of the filtration funnel body, the sealing joint having a side-arm for vacuum connection and a standard adaptor to connect the receiving receptacle; the outlet stem protrudes from the standard adaptor; the filter frit, filtration funnel body, and sealing joint are integrated as one device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Inventors: Haitao Chi, Haifeng Zhu, Yawu Thomas Chi
  • Patent number: 9610518
    Abstract: A fluid vapor distillation system. The system includes a control system for controlling a fluid vapor distillation apparatus including a blow down controller for controlling a blow down valve, a source flow controller for controlling a source flow valve, and a blow down level sensor in communication with a blow down controller and a source flow controller, the blow down level sensor sends signals related to the blow down level to the blow down controller and the source flow controller indicative of the blow down level, wherein the source flow controller actuates the source flow valve based at least on the blow down level sensor signals, and wherein the blow down controller actuates the blow down valve based at least on the blow down level sensor signals, whereby the blow down level and the source flow level are maintained using the blow down level sensor signals as input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Dean Kamen, Ryan K. LaRocque, Christopher C. Langenfeld, Stephen M. Ent, Andrew A. Schnellinger, Prashant Bhat, Stanley B. Smith, III, Otis L. Clapp
  • Patent number: 9604858
    Abstract: A fluid vapor distillation system. The system includes a control system for controlling a fluid vapor distillation apparatus including a blow down controller for controlling a blow down valve, a source flow controller for controlling a source flow valve, and a blow down level sensor in communication with a blow down controller and a source flow controller, the blow down level sensor sends signals related to the blow down level to the blow down controller and the source flow controller indicative of the blow down level, wherein the source flow controller actuates the source flow valve based at least on the blow down level sensor signals, and wherein the blow down controller actuates the blow down valve based at least on the blow down level sensor signals, whereby the blow down level and the source flow level are maintained using the blow down level sensor signals as input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Dean Kamen, Ryan K. LaRocque, Christopher C. Langenfeld, Andrew A. Schnellinger, Prashant Bhat, Otis L. Clapp, Stanley B. Smith, III, Stephen M. Ent
  • Patent number: 9599369
    Abstract: A control system for controlling a gas powered water heater includes a thermoelectric generator to provide electrical power at a first voltage, a valve control system to selectively hold a main gas valve in an open position, a valve pick system to selectively pick the main gas valve from a closed position to the open position using the electrical power at the first voltage, and a power converter. The controller is electrically powered by a boosted electrical power at the second voltage from the power converter. The controller is communicatively coupled to the valve control system, the valve pick system, and the safety system. The controller is configured to control operation of the main burner and the main gas valve using the valve control system, the valve pick system, and the safety system to provide water heated to substantially a setpoint temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.
    Inventors: Daniel L. Furmanek, Thomas P. Buescher
  • Patent number: 9598666
    Abstract: The invention relates to fluid distribution in an exposure device. The exposure device, in some examples, is a device for exposing living cell cultures or cellular tissues to a fluid such as cigarette smoke, air and/or other gases or gas mixtures, for use in studies of the effects on the cell cultures or tissues of their exposure to the fluid. A fluid distribution member is described for distributing the fluid in the exposure device, the member including a plurality of apertures in a surface arranged such that, when the distribution member is fitted to the fluid exposure device, the distribution member receives fluid applied to the surface of the member and distributes the fluid, via the apertures, to samples to be exposed to the fluid in the exposure device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: BRITISH AMERICAN TOBACCO (INVESTMENTS) LIMITED
    Inventors: Jason Adamson, Marianna Gaca
  • Patent number: 9599547
    Abstract: A chemical pre-concentrator includes a conduit defining a flow path between two ends and having a heating element disposed within the conduit, such that the heating element has at least one sorbent material deposited directly on at least a portion of a conductive surface of the heating element. Some such heating elements are in the form of electrically conductive strips defining both a plurality of apertures through the strip and a series of undulations spaced along the flow path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: 1st DETECT CORPORATION
    Inventors: David Rafferty, Michael Spencer, James Wylde, Pedro Ojeda, Thomas Bowden
  • Patent number: 9594068
    Abstract: In an internal combustion engine, a hydrocarbon feed valve (15), NOx storage catalyst (13), particulate filter (14), and electric resistance type sensor (29) are arranged in an engine exhaust passage in this order from an upstream side. The electric resistance type sensor (29) generates an output value corresponding to the amounts of deposition of particulate matter and hydrocarbons which are contained in the exhaust gas and deposited at the sensor part thereof. From the change of the output value of the electric resistance type sensor (29), it is judged if the hydrocarbons have slipped through the NOx storage catalyst (13) and if the particulate matter has slipped through the particulate filter (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Teruhiko Miyake
  • Patent number: 9555142
    Abstract: The method for the heat treatment of waste includes introducing the waste by into a bag and placing the bag inside an apparatus for treating waste, the apparatus including a cylindrical barrel, a removable closure lid and a bottom moveable inside the barrel, at least in the direction of the lid. After the bag has been placed in the apparatus heat treatment of waste is carried out by raising the temperature of the lid and the bottom and by providing this lid and this bottom with a hold temperature. At least during the rise in temperature of the lid and the bottom, and before the hold temperature is reached, this lid and this bottom are moved towards each other at least once. A temperature conferred on the lid differs by at most 2° C. from the temperature of the bottom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Inventor: Christophe Beraud
  • Patent number: 9546996
    Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for analyzing the sequence of nucleotides in a nucleic acid sample, said apparatus comprising a substrate and a plurality of nanopores provided therein suitable for the passage of nucleic acid molecules therethrough; at least one sample holding chamber disposed upstream of the inlet of said nanopores, at least one detection window juxtaposed within or downstream of the outlet of each nanopore adapted to detect a property characteristic of one or more detectable elements associated with the nucleic acid as each nucleic acid molecule passes therethrough and a detector adapted to generate a data stream characteristic of the various detection events occurring in the detection window characterized in that the apparatus further comprises a means located within the sample holding chamber adapted to increase the local concentration of the nucleic acid sample adjacent the inlet of the nanopores relative to the bulk concentration thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: BASE4 INNOVATION LTD.
    Inventors: Bruno Flavio Nogueira de Sousa Soares, Cameron Alexander Frayling, Barnaby Balmforth, Michele Amasio
  • Patent number: 9526446
    Abstract: A testing member for eliciting blood samples is provided that can be rotatably mounted inside a cartridge and having a lancet for lancing a body part of a user. The lancet can protrude from an edge of the testing member. The testing member also can have a second blood collection part, and second contact pads, where the second contact pads being electrically connected to the second blood collection part, the second blood collection part and second contact pads together being configured to facilitate an analysis of the quantity of blood in a first blood sample in the second blood collection part. A blood analysis part and first contact pads can be included, where the first contact pads are electrically connected to the blood analysis part, the blood analysis part and first contact pads together being configured to facilitate an analysis of a second blood sample in the blood analysis part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: SANOFI-AVENTIS DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
    Inventors: Frank Richter, Ross MacArthur, Elizabeth Wolseley-Hext, Joseph Cowan, Lee Smith, David Mills
  • Patent number: 9527006
    Abstract: Apparatus, methods, and systems for separating a fluid mixture are provided which employ gas-handling equipment operable to introduce a gas into the liquid mixture prior to being dispersed within the apparatus, vacuum conditions, and internal condensing. The liquid mixture is dispersed within the separation apparatus as micro-sized droplets. A more volatile portion of the liquid mixture is vaporized when exposed to the vacuum conditions and separates from the non-vaporized liquid portion. The vaporized portion is directed to a condensing structure within the apparatus, which condenses the vaporized portion into a liquid product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: Perpetual Water, LLC
    Inventors: Sam J. Burton, Dick Burton