Patents Examined by Nigel Plumb
  • Patent number: 9963956
    Abstract: A technique facilitates evaluation of a fluid, such as a fluid produced from a well. The technique utilizes a modular and mobile system for testing flows of fluid which may comprise mixtures of constituents. A modular flow meter system comprises a plurality of modules which each have a multiphase flow meter coupled into a flow circuit. The flow circuits of the plurality of modules are selectively connectable to each other via flow connectors. Additionally, portions of the flow circuits may be selectively opened and closed to enable controlled routing of the fluid being tested through the desired multiphase flow meter or meters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Alexander Tuborg Vilstrup, Muhammad Fuad Bin Mohamed Zain, Guillaume Jolivet, Jean-Philippe Hussenet
  • Patent number: 9958348
    Abstract: A micromechanical pressure sensor device and a corresponding manufacturing method. The micromechanical pressure sensor device includes an ASIC wafer having a front side and a rear side, and a rewiring system, formed on the front side of the ASIC wafer, which includes a plurality of stacked strip conductor levels and insulation layers. The pressure sensor device also includes a MEMS wafer having a front side and a rear side, a first micromechanical functional layer which is formed above the front side of the MEMS wafer, and a second micromechanical functional layer which is formed above the first micromechanical functional layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Johannes Classen, Jochen Reinmuth, Arnd Kaelberer
  • Patent number: 9958301
    Abstract: Yield monitoring systems for harvesting machines and methods that can provide yield monitoring of crops are described. Machines include those that pneumatically convey crop through the machine such as peanut harvesting machines. The yield monitoring system includes a force sensor that can be located in conjunction with a duct of the harvesting machine such that impact of the crop materials on an impact plate within the duct will be registered by the force sensor. This registration can be used to determine a mass flow rate for the crop, which can be correlated to yield of the crop. The systems can include additional components such as optical monitors, moisture sensors, and pressure sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Clemson University
    Inventors: Kendall R. Kirk, J. Warren White, W. Scott Monfort, Hunter F. Massey, D. Hollens Free, Stanley A. Brantley, Joel S. Peele, Jacob B. Fravel, William G. Henderson, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9958339
    Abstract: Temperature sensing circuitry for an Implantable Medical Device (IMD) is disclosed that can be integrated into integrated circuitry in the IMD and draws very little power, thus enabling continuous temperature monitoring without undue battery depletion. Temperature sensor and threshold setting circuitry produces analog voltage signals indicative of a sensed temperature and at least one temperature threshold. Such circuitry employs a Ptat current reference stage and additional stages, which stages contains resistances that are set based on the desired temperature threshold(s) and to set the voltage range of the sensed temperature. These analog voltages are received at temperature threshold detection circuitry, which produces digital signal(s) indicating whether the sensed temperature has passed the temperature threshold(s). The digital signal(s) are then provided to digital circuitry in the IMD, where they can be stored as a function of time for later review, or used to immediately to control IMD operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation
    Inventors: Emanuel Feldman, Goran N. Marnfeldt
  • Patent number: 9952079
    Abstract: A flow sensor assembly includes a housing that defines an inlet port, an outlet port, a main channel and a bypass channel. An inlet flow channel fluidly connects the inlet port of the flow sensor assembly to the main channel and an outlet flow channel fluidly connects the main channel to the outlet port. A bypass feeder input channel fluidly connects the main channel to the bypass channel and a bypass feeder output channel fluidly connect the bypass channel to the main channel. In some instances, at least 40 percent of an input pressure differential applied between the inlet port and the outlet port of the flow sensor assembly drops across the inlet flow channel and the outlet flow channel collectively. A sensor is exposed to a fluid in the bypass channel and senses a measure related to a flow rate of the fluid flowing through the bypass channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Jamie Speldrich, Richard C. Sorenson
  • Patent number: 9945706
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a thermal-type air flow meter with a high measurement accuracy by reducing influence of a thermal stress generated in a resistor in an LSI while securing a high positioning accuracy flow rate detection unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: HITACHI AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventors: Masatoshi Ogata, Norio Ishitsuka, Shinobu Tashiro, Noboru Tokuyasu, Takeshi Morino
  • Patent number: 9927313
    Abstract: A pressure sensing device is disclosed in the present disclosure. The pressure sensing device includes a bottom plate, a flexible shell and a MEMS pressure sensor. The flexible shell covers the bottom plate for forming a hermetical cavity, and the MEMS pressure sensor is accommodated in the hermetical cavity. Air in the hermetical cavity is compressed when the flexible shell is pressed, the MEMS pressure sensor is configured for detecting variation of an air pressure within the hermetical cavity when the flexible shell is pressed, and convert the variation of the air pressure into an electric signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: AAC TECHNOLOGIES PTE. LTD.
    Inventors: Jinyu Zhang, Rui Zhang
  • Patent number: 9903702
    Abstract: A body deformation sensor includes a telescopic arm that is collapsible along a longitudinal axis. The telescopic arm includes a length sensor for detecting a length of the telescopic arm. The telescopic arm also includes at least one angle sensor for detecting a rotation of the telescopic arm around an axis that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The detection of the length of the telescopic arm and the detection of a rotation of the telescopic arm are performed with a temporal resolution of at least 10 kHz.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: KISTLER HOLDING AG
    Inventors: Roderick Verschut, Sascha Rundel, Thomas Warkentin
  • Patent number: 9903784
    Abstract: A testing device is provided which can provide a testing force to smoking articles of various types, in order to determine if ash breakage is appropriate or if the heating element of a heat not burn smoking article becomes loose under normal working conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: R.J. REYNOLDS TOBACCO COMPANY
    Inventors: Balager Ademe, John Larkin Nelson
  • Patent number: 9895902
    Abstract: A compliant micro device transfer head and head array are disclosed. In an embodiment a micro device transfer head includes a spring portion that is deflectable into a space between a base substrate and the spring portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Andreas Bibl, John A. Higginson, Hsin-Hua Hu
  • Patent number: 9885624
    Abstract: The present invention includes a strain body having a connecting part and a fixing part, and a first strain detection element disposed on the strain body. The strain body includes a void, and the first strain detection element is disposed between the connecting part and the void.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takaaki Ogawa, Kazuhiro Nomura, Akira Matsuura, Masahiko Obayashi, Kouichi Aburata
  • Patent number: 9829400
    Abstract: A magnetic torquer sensor for a steering system includes a magnetic unit, a magnetism-collecting unit, and a magnetic sensing element. The magnetic unit has a magnet ring. The magnetism-collecting unit has an inner magnetism-collecting ring and an outer magnetism-collecting ring. The inner magnetism-collecting ring has inner magnetism-collecting portions. The outer magnetism-collecting ring has outer magnetism-collecting portions. The outer magnetism-collecting portions and the inner magnetism-collecting portions are arranged alternately. The inner magnetism-collecting portions have their inner surfaces spaced from the magnet ring by a predetermined interval and level with inner surfaces of the outer magnetism-collecting portions. The magnetic sensing element is arranged at outer surfaces of the inner and outer magnetism-collecting rings for sensing magnetic-field variation between the inner and outer magnetism-collecting rings when they rotate with respect to the magnet ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: Rotatech International Corp.
    Inventor: Shao-Syuan Syu
  • Patent number: 9829423
    Abstract: A method for determining characteristics of a mesoporous material using a desiccation or hydration test is disclosed. The test may involve using a test fluid and exposing sample of a core to a controlled environment, then weighing the samples. The samples may be core samples, comminuted samples, or cuttings. Utilizing the determined characteristics, properties of the mesoporous material, such as porosities, absolute permeabilities and relative permeabilities may be determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jerald J. Hinkel, Dean M. Willberg, Matthew J. Miller
  • Patent number: 9831040
    Abstract: The present invention provides an electret sheet which can maintain a high generated voltage even if a large amount of pressure has been applied. Disclosed is an electret sheet of the present invention including an electrically charged propylene-based resin foam sheet which contains a crosslinked propylene-based resin that includes a propylene-?-olefin random copolymer having a weight average molecular weight of 370,000 to 420,000 at a proportion of 60% by weight or more, and has a gel fraction of 30% to 50% by weight, and in which the average thickness is 90 to 150 ?m, and the average number of foam cells in the thickness direction is 2 to 4 cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: SEKISUI CHEMICAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Nobuto Kamiya, Bungo Hatta, Takazumi Okabayashi
  • Patent number: 9804033
    Abstract: A sensor for measuring pressure, temperature or both may be provided. The sensor may include a diaphragm that may respond to a change in temperature or pressure, a base connected to the diaphragm, a cavity, and an optical fiber that may conduct light reflected off of a surface of the diaphragm. The diaphragm and base may be sapphire elements. An interrogator may be provided for detecting a deflection of the diaphragm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: SENTEK INSTRUMENT LLC
    Inventors: Bo Dong, Anbo Wang
  • Patent number: 9797790
    Abstract: A medical examination, treatment, or examination and treatment device is provided. The medical examination, treatment, or examination and treatment device includes a cover panel. The cover panel includes a sensor for detecting a collision. The sensor includes a first plate mounted on the examination, treatment, or examination and treatment device, and a second plate mounted on the inside of the cover panel and spaced apart from the first plate. Spring elements are disposed between the first plate and the second plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Robin Kusch, Stefan Sattler, Stefan Schuster
  • Patent number: 9772243
    Abstract: A differential pressure measuring device (10, 50) comprising a housing (18) having two pressure areas (20, 22) which are sealed relative to each other and are separated from each other by a membrane (12, 54). The membrane (12, 54) comprises a pressure plate (14) surrounded by an elastic circumferential area (16) allowing axial movement of the pressure plate (14). An indicator element (24, 56) is permanently connected to the pressure plate (14) and whose position can be evaluated in a non-contact manner by a sensor (34, 58). At least one pair of springs (28, 52) is provided, with one spring (30, 32) each of said pair of springs being located in an allocated pressure area (20, 22). Each spring (30, 32) of said pair of springs (28, 52) exerts an opposing spring force on the pressure plate (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: SAMSON AG
    Inventors: Frank Valentin-Rumpel, Sven Rausch
  • Patent number: 9766145
    Abstract: A fluid filled pressure measurement system having a pressure sensor or pressure gauge and a diaphragm seal to a process wherein the diaphragm seal is moveable by changing the volume behind the diaphragm seal by the volume member. In a first position the diaphragm seal is seated or is a parked position such that the diaphragm seal is fixed to avoid deformations during cleaning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: WIKA Alexander Weigand SE & Co. KG
    Inventors: Jason Deane, Giovanni Filippi, Albrecht Kalisch
  • Patent number: 9757505
    Abstract: A pressure output device (POD) assembly for sensing fluid pressure in a fluid processing system, is provided. This POD assembly includes a shell defining a shell interior, and a movable diaphragm disposed in the shell interior and separating the shell interior into a flow-through chamber and a pressure sensing side. A sensor port is in fluid communication with the pressure sensing side. An inlet port and an outlet port are in fluid communication with the flow-through chamber. The inlet port and the outlet port define an inlet and an outlet, respectively, of a flow-through channel that passes through the flow-through chamber. A boss protrudes from the interior wall of the shell and extends into the flow-through channel to prevent occlusion of flow under different pressure conditions within the flow-through chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: Fresenius Medical Care Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: DeLoy Lindley, Jose Antonio Badillo, Michael Parry Smith, Richard Allen Lasher, Troy Calvin Dayton, Lynn E. Jensen
  • Patent number: 9739678
    Abstract: The invention describes a pressure transducer having a pressure measuring cell, a position sensor, and an analysis device which has at least one signal processing device and a position correction device for the purpose of determining a position error, wherein the at least one position sensor is arranged in a stationary position relative to the pressure measuring cell, and the position sensor is electrically connected to the position correction device, wherein a first signal is provided by the signal processing device, said signal being determined from a signal provided by the pressure measuring cell, wherein a second signal is provided by the position sensor, and wherein an output signal is provided by the position correction device, determined from the first and the second signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: VEGA GRIESHABER KG
    Inventor: Joern Jacob