Patents Examined by Sean Curtis
  • Patent number: 11965818
    Abstract: A system for monitoring an underground propane tank, comprising a controller; a moisture sensor coupled in communication with the controller, wherein the controller is configured to measure a moisture associated with the tank; a voltage probe coupled in communication with the controller, wherein voltage probe is adapted to be disposed at least partially underground, and wherein the controller is configured to measure a potential difference between the tank and soil surrounding the tank, when the moisture associated with the tank is measured to be above a predetermined threshold; and an anode sensor coupled to an anode of the tank and coupled in communication with the controller, wherein the controller is configured to monitor the anode using the anode sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: Mopeka Products LLC
    Inventors: Joel Reese Moore, Jonathan Louis Kaufmann, Jason Duane Peck
  • Patent number: 11946894
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are devices, systems, and methods that can improve the SNR of nanopore measurements by mitigating the effect of parasitic capacitance between the sense electrode and the counter electrode. In some embodiments, a feedback circuit is used to inject a charge into the sense electrode to at least partially cancel the parasitic capacitance between the sense electrode and the counter electrode. In some embodiments, bootstrapping of a signal from the amplifier output or from the sense electrode is used to inject a charge on the counter electrode to substantially cancel the parasitic capacitance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: Western Digital Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel Bedau
  • Patent number: 11940580
    Abstract: A system for near-surface geophysical subsurface imaging for detecting and characterizing subsurface heterogeneities comprises an instrument that outputs probing electromagnetic signals through a ground surface that interact and are affected by scattered signals of acoustic waves that travel through the ground surface and further senses vibrational modes of a subsurface below the ground surface; an imaging device that dynamically generates a time sequence of images of properties of the acoustic waves and maps elastic wave fields of the acoustic waves; and a processor that analyzes dynamic multi-wave data of the images to quantify spatial variations in the mechanical and viscoelastic properties of the subsurface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignees: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, The Trustees of Boston University
    Inventors: Stephen Brown, Thomas Szabo, Daniel R. Burns, Michael Fehler
  • Patent number: 11940478
    Abstract: Electronic device characterization platforms, systems, devices, and methods for use in testing instruments, devices, and sensors that is portable, modular, multiplexed, and automated are disclosed. The system includes a substrate, a chip adapter, such as a chip socket, and an optional housing. Chip samples to be tested can be disposed in the chip adapter and various environmental modules designed to supply different environmental conditions to the chip sample can be disposed over the chip adapter, enabling testing of the chip samples to be performed in the different environment conditions. The system can further include various connectors that allow for add-on modules to be included as part of the system. Methods of characterizing electronic devices and sensors are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: Duke University
    Inventors: Aaron D. Franklin, Steven G. Noyce, James L Doherty
  • Patent number: 11914093
    Abstract: A method for human movement classification includes a plurality of radio frequency (RF) antennas to expose a body surface of a human user to an E-field, at least a part of the human user positioned within a near-field region relative to the RF antennas. The plurality of RF antennas are scanned to determine ground-relative changes in electrical conditions. A differential-scanning subset of RF antennas are selected, including two or more RF antennas for which the changes in electrical conditions exceed a threshold. For each RF antenna in the differential-scanning subset, a set of antenna-relative changes in electrical conditions are determined by comparing the RF antenna to one or more other RF antennas in the differential-scanning subset as a plurality of pairs. Based at least in part on the ground-relative changes in electrical conditions and the antenna-relative changes in electrical conditions, a movement performed by the human user is classified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Jouya Jadidian, Emily Po-Kay Chung, James Chester Meador
  • Patent number: 11898978
    Abstract: A sensor system, particularly for monitoring the mixing of at least two fluids and a method for monitoring the mixture of at least two liquids. The present invention provides a sensor system for fluids, comprising at least two level sensor which are arranged vertically one upon the other on and connected to an electronic circuit board, four electrodes of four conductivity sensors which are arranged horizontally next to each other at the bottom of and connected to the electronic circuit board; and a temperature sensor which is connected to the electronic circuit board; a connector for connecting the electronic circuit board to a controller; wherein the electronic circuit board is embedded in a hot melt compound which is surrounded by an injection molded housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: STRATEC SE
    Inventors: Michael Burkart, Ralf Maier
  • Patent number: 11892587
    Abstract: A distributed three-dimensional (3D) induced polarization (IP) data acquisition and processing device, including: a transmitter module, a computer and multiple receiver modules, where the transmitter module is configured to transmit a preset current signal to a ground where a region to be measured is located, and record the current signal in real time; the receiver modules each are configured to acquire a voltage signal and an apparent polarizability of the ground where the region to be measured is located, and record the voltage signal and the apparent polarizability in real time; and the computer is configured to acquire the current signal, the voltage signal and the apparent polarizability, respectively process the current signal and the voltage signal to obtain an apparent resistivity of the region to be measured, and analyze, according to the apparent polarizability and the apparent resistivity, a polarizability and a conductivity of the region to be measured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: CHINESE ACADEMY OF GEOLOGICAL SCIENCES
    Inventors: Ronghui Xue, Guixiang Meng, Jiayong Yan
  • Patent number: 11892421
    Abstract: An electrical stability testing device includes a cup configured to receive a fluid sample. The testing device also includes a pair of electrodes positioned at least partially within the cup. The electrodes are spaced apart from one another by a predetermined gap. The electrodes are configured to have the fluid sample positioned within the predetermined gap while performing an ES test on the fluid sample in the cup. The testing device also includes a wiper positioned at least partially within the cup. The wiper is configured to pass between the electrodes after the ES test has concluded. A width of the wiper is greater than the predetermined gap between the electrodes. The wiper is configured to deform as the wiper passes through the predetermined gap such that the width becomes substantially equal to the predetermined gap and sides of the wiper contact ends of the electrodes to clean the electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Timothy Lesko, Jerry Thomas Connaughton, Zakhar Chizhov, Kenneth Slater, Bojan Mitric, Mauricio Tassano
  • Patent number: 11892391
    Abstract: An electrochemical method for field monitoring of protective properties of organic coatings in seawater environment includes: Step 1: Determine the actual service environment of the coating structure and prepare the simulated electrolyte solution. Step 2: Select the anode block for testing. Step 3: Test the corrosion current and potential of the coating structure under different manual peeling areas. Step 4: Fit the peeling area model of organic coating. Step 5: Real-time monitoring of the actual service coating peeling area. Through the method, we reached to map the deteriorating state of the organic coating to metal substrate for coating on the activity of area of the effect of stripping state recognition, resolved to organic anticorrosive coating anticorrosion performance timely and accurate assessment of the actual problem, achieved by monitoring the anode current to evaluate the organic coating stripping area. This method is scientific and has good technics and broad application value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: BEIHANG UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Xiaobing Ma, Haodi Ji, Yikun Cai
  • Patent number: 11879931
    Abstract: Systems and methods for testing a lightning protection circuit are provided. Aspects include providing an alternating current (AC) test signal source coupled to a circuit under test, the circuit under test comprising a lightning protection circuit having a threshold voltage, a first filter, and a second filter, providing a direct current (DC) voltage supply in series with a filtering device, the filtering device coupled to the AC test signal source, providing a first capacitor coupled between the AC test signal source and the circuit under test, operating the DC voltage supply and the AC test signal source to provide a first test signal to the circuit under test, wherein the first test signal comprise a first voltage that exceeds the threshold voltage, measuring a first impedance of the circuit under test responsive to providing the first test signal, wherein the first impedance corresponds to the first filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORPORATION
    Inventor: Huazhen Chai
  • Patent number: 11879861
    Abstract: A method for measuring an electrical conductivity of a medium with a conductive conductivity sensor with four electrodes includes measuring a first impedance dependent on a first total impedance of the first voltage electrode and a medium layer adjacent to the first voltage electrode, measuring a second impedance dependent on a second total impedance of the second voltage electrode and a medium layer adjacent to the second voltage electrode, and making a conductivity measurement using an alternating electrical signal introduced into the medium via the first current electrode and measuring a potential difference between the first voltage electrode and the second voltage electrode. Based on the measured potential difference, the first impedance, and the second impedance a corrected potential difference is determined. Based on the corrected potential difference, a measured conductivity is determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: Endress+Hauser Conducta GmbH+Co. KG
    Inventors: Stefan Paul, Andre Thieme
  • Patent number: 11860230
    Abstract: A testing system includes a truck carrying a circuit breaker, a fixed contact, and an actuator piston connected to a movable contact. A test platform supports the truck in a contact testing position and includes a sensor circuit mounted on the test platform and positioned under the truck and aligned with the circuit breaker when the truck is on the test platform in the contact testing position. The sensor circuit is configured to acquire displacement data of the actuator piston when the movable electrical contact is moved between the open and closed positions. A controller is coupled to the sensor circuit and configured to receive the displacement data and determine electrical contact erosion within the circuit breaker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: JST POWER EQUIPMENT, INC.
    Inventors: Patrick R. Fischer-Carne, Matthew Polk
  • Patent number: 11852601
    Abstract: According to the present invention, an electrode terminal assembly for a liquid quality meter apparatus for measuring liquid quality on the basis of the electrical resistance of a liquid to be measured comprises: a pair of electrode terminals comprising a body, which contacts the liquid being measured when liquid quality is measured and has an overall rod shape, and a protruding step formed at a predetermined portion between the opposite ends of the body; and a fixing body comprising a pair of electrode through-holes through which the pair of electrode terminals pass. In the electrode terminal assembly having the above-described structure, each of the pair of electrode terminals is arranged such that, when the electrode terminals are inserted into the electrode through-holes of the fixing body by a predetermined length, the protruding step is caught by the fixing body so that the electrode terminals are no longer inserted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: Kyungdong Navien Co., LTD.
    Inventors: Tae Seong Kwon, Ji Hyung Yoon, Jong Kil Kim
  • Patent number: 11856678
    Abstract: Example embodiments relate to a method of measurement, an apparatus for measurement, and an ingot growing system that measure properties relating an induction heating characteristic of a graphite article. The method of measurement comprises an arranging step of arranging a graphite article to the coil comprising a winded conducting wire; and a measuring step of applying power for measurement to the coil through means of measurement connected electronically to the coil, and measuring electromagnetic properties induced in the coil. The method of measurement and the like measure electromagnetic properties of graphite articles like an ingot growing container, and an insulating material, and provide data required for selecting so that further enhanced reproducibility for growth of an ingot can be secured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: SENIC INC.
    Inventors: Eun Su Yang, Jong Hwi Park, Jung Woo Choi, Byung Kyu Jang, Sang Ki Ko, Jongmin Shim, Kap-Ryeol Ku, Jung-Gyu Kim
  • Patent number: 11828816
    Abstract: A method and telecommunication equipment item for detecting a cable of a network of cables, in particular of a network of electrical cables, especially ones which are not detectable to the naked eye. For example, a network of electrical cables may be embedded inside the partitions of a building. The telecommunication equipment item has a receiver and a detector of a predefined electrical signal injected into a network of cables as a function of electromagnetic signals received by the receiver. Thus, the receiver is not required to be a specific equipment item dedicated solely to this use but may be implemented in a telecommunication equipment item with which users are widely equipped such as a smartphone, a tablet, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: Orange
    Inventors: RĂ©gis Esnault, Pascal Pagani
  • Patent number: 11828901
    Abstract: System and methods for nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) fluid substitution are provided. NMR logging measurements of a reservoir rock formation are acquired. Fluid zones within the reservoir rock formation are identified based on the acquired measurements. The fluid zones include water zones comprising water-saturated rock and at least one oil zone comprising rock saturated with multiphase fluids. Water zones having petrophysical characteristics matching those of the oil zone(s) within the formation are selected. NMR responses to multiphase fluids resulting from a displacement of water by hydrocarbon in the selected water zones are simulated. A synthetic dataset including NMR T2 distributions of multiphase fluids is generated based on the simulation. The synthetic dataset is used to train a machine learning (ML) model to substitute NMR T2 distributions of multiphase fluids with those of water. The trained ML model is applied to the NMR logging measurements acquired for the oil zone(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Songhua Chen, Wei Shao
  • Patent number: 11815444
    Abstract: A method and a system for monitoring a mechanical device for internal corrosion are provided. An exemplary method includes placing a sampling thermoelectric polymer sheet (TEPS) on an external surface of the mechanical device to be monitored for internal corrosion, and placing a reference TEPS on an external surface of the mechanical device not susceptible to internal corrosion. A current from the sampling TEPS is measured, and a current from the reference TEPS is measured. Potential internal corrosion is identified from changes between the current from the sampling TEPS and the current from the reference TEPS.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Salem A. Al-Otaibi, Alaa M. Benmahfoudh, Meshary A. Al-Bahli, Abdulaziz A. Al-Juaid
  • Patent number: 11815548
    Abstract: A new test system includes a programmed device having an input port for receiving a signal for testing or measuring on the programmed device, and a reprogrammable test accessory having an output coupled to the input port of the programmed device. The reprogrammable test accessory further includes a test port structured to accept one or more test signals from a Device Under Test (DUT), and a reprogrammable processor. The reprogrammable processor may further include reprogrammable standards and protocols, reprogrammable triggers and margin detection, reprogrammable link training, reprogrammable handshaking, and reprogrammable setup and control facilities for either or both of the DUT and the programmed device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: Tektronix, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles W. Case, Daniel G. Knierim, Joshua J. O'Brien, Josiah A. Bartlett, Julie A. Campbell
  • Patent number: 11808782
    Abstract: Driving an electromotor and a brushed electromotor in particular results in ripples in the supply current. The amount of pulses is proportional to the amount of revolutions of the rotor of the electromotor. With a flawless motor, the amount of pulses is the same with each revolution. Flaws of the electromotor, in brushes, rotor, windings and/or other components, results in fluctuations of pulses in the supply current per revolution of the rotor. By comparing an expected amount of pulses to counted pulses and using various physical parameters of the electromotor, various methods may be employed to correct a counted amount of pulses or otherwise provide an appropriate value representing displacement of the rotor of the electromotor. The time between counted pulses may also be used for determining slip of a slip coupling comprised by a drive train to which the electromotor may be coupled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: MCI (Mirror Controls International) Netherlands B.V.
    Inventor: Jinku Hu
  • Patent number: 11796416
    Abstract: A system for detecting the formation of a crack in a metal joint includes an electrochemical electrical current detection device. Carrier material surrounds the metal joint, at least partially, with conductive media having electrolyte therein. An auxiliary electrode is in electrical contact with the carrier material. The placement of the auxiliary electrode in electrical contact with carrier material forms a passive layer on the metal joint. The formation of a crack in the metal joint ruptures the passive layer to generate a current for detection by the electrochemical electrical current detection device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: Matergenics, Inc.
    Inventors: Mehrooz Zamanzadeh, Carolyn Tome, Aaron Ulmer