Patents Examined by Sean Curtis
  • Patent number: 11774621
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for characterizing fluids in a subterranean formation traversed by a borehole, where NMR data is measured by a downhole NMR tool that is conveyed in the borehole that traverses the formation. The NMR data is processed to derive T1-T2 maps at different depths of the formation. The T1-T2 maps at different depths of the formation can be processed to generate a cluster map of different fluids that are present in the formation, wherein the cluster map is a two-dimensional array of grid points in the T1-T2 domain with each grid point being assigned or classified to a specific fluid. The cluster map of different fluids that are present in the formation can be used to characterize properties of the formation, such as fluid volumes for the different fluids at one or a number of depths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Lalitha Venkataramanan, Noyan Evirgen, David Allen, Albina Mutina
  • Patent number: 11754520
    Abstract: A dynamic impedance imaging system includes a dynamic impedance imaging sensor, an impedance detection and flow rate measurement module and an electrical impedance tomography (EIT) instrument. The impedance detection and flow rate measurement module is configured to detect an abnormal particle flowing through the dynamic impedance imaging sensor to obtain a flow rate of the abnormal particle, and generate a synchronous trigger signal. The EIT instrument is configured to inject a sinusoidal excitation current into the dynamic impedance imaging sensor under the trigger of the synchronous trigger signal, perform multi-channel interleaved sampling for the abnormal particle according to the flow rate to acquire multi-channel sampled data, and calibrate the multi-channel sampled data to implement impedance tomography imaging for the abnormal particle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: BEIHANG UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Jiangtao Sun, Xu Bai, Lijun Xu, Wenbin Tian, Yuedong Xie
  • Patent number: 11726226
    Abstract: Proximity detection systems and proximity detections methods are disclosed herein. In one aspect of the disclosure the systems and methods include measuring and analyzing the vector components of a generated magnetic field. In another aspect of the present disclosure, the results of the vector component measurements are used to take safety actions which may result in an alert to an operator or pedestrian, and/or automatic action by a vehicle or machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: Frederick Energy Products, LLC
    Inventors: Larry D. Frederick, Dean Estill, Andrew Nichols
  • Patent number: 11719755
    Abstract: A method of charging a battery, the method comprising the steps of: providing a charging current to the battery; determining a property of the battery substantially continuously during charging; and varying a property of the charging current in dependence on the determined property of the battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: Petalite Limited
    Inventors: Stavros Pressas, Leigh Purnell
  • Patent number: 11719850
    Abstract: A method includes using an electromagnetic (EM) tracking system to track a tangible object, detecting a presence of interference with a magnetic field generated by the EM tracking system, and compensating for the interference. A system includes an EM tracking transmitter, an EM tracking receiver, and a processor based apparatus in communication with the EM tracking transmitter and the EM tracking receiver. The processor based apparatus is configured to execute steps including using the EM tracking transmitter and the EM tracking receiver to implement an EM tracking system. A storage medium storing one or more computer programs is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis D. Castleman, Xiaoyong Ye
  • Patent number: 11719659
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a conductivity measuring system of a fluid including a solvent and an ionic solute, comprising: —a holder comprising an isolated holder wall defining a fluid channel for holding fluid, wherein the holder is shaped to allow an electrical current induced in the fluid to form a current loop; —an excitation device configured to excite an electric field inside a first part of the fluid channel, the excitation device comprising an electrical signal generator configured to generate an alternating current signal and a conducting slab; —a sensing device arranged at a position remote from the first part of the fluid channel and configured to sense a voltage signal (V) resulting from the changing magnetic field resulting from the current generated inside the fluid by the excitation device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: Universiteit Twente
    Inventor: Herman Leonard Offerhaus
  • Patent number: 11709187
    Abstract: An absence of voltage detection system has an isolation module connected to a voltage source to be detected an I/O accessory module connected to the isolation module wherein the I/O accessory module is configured to allow remote activation of the isolation module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: Panduit Corp.
    Inventors: Rachel M. Bugaris, Michael J. Ellis, Donald L. Wallace
  • Patent number: 11709127
    Abstract: Provided is a measurement method for measuring a size of expansion of a surface treatment film occurred in a coated metal material that includes a metal base and the surface treatment film provided on the metal base. The measurement method includes the steps of disposing a water-containing material to be in contact with the expansion and an electrode to be in contact with the water-containing material, and electrically connecting between the electrode and the metal base with an external circuit; applying, with the external circuit, a constant voltage between the electrode and the metal base, as a cathode and an anode, respectively, and measuring a current value flowing therebetween; and calculating a size of the expansion, based on the current value measured and a correlation between the current value and the size of the expansion, the correlation being determined on an exploratory basis in advance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Teruaki Asada, Katsunobu Sasaki, Tsutomu Shigenaga
  • Patent number: 11709145
    Abstract: The present disclosure refers to a sensor assembly for an IVD analyzer, the sensor comprising two opposite substrates with at least one fluidic conduit for receiving a sample. The electrodes of different types of electrochemical sensors are arranged on the two opposite substrates facing the at least one fluidic conduit for coming in contact with the sample and determining sample parameters, wherein the counter electrodes and the reference electrodes are formed on one substrate and the working electrodes are formed on the opposite substrate. This achieves optimal sensor-working conditions in terms of a homogeneous and symmetrical electric field density and enables a sensor assembly with simpler geometry and smaller size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Sascha Lutz, Gregor Ocvirk, Christoph Boehm, Wolfgang Burkhardt, Miriam Ruf, Heinz Kontschieder
  • Patent number: 11692956
    Abstract: Described methods and systems are used for in-situ impedance spectroscopy analysis of battery cells in multi-cell battery packs. Specifically, the cell impedances are determined while the pack continues to operate, such as being charged or discharged. For example, the pack voltage/power output remains unchanged while this analysis is initiated, performed, and ended. Cell impedance is determined based on the cell's response to the signal applied to the cell. For example, a current through the cell is charged while monitoring cells' voltage response. Although the power output of the changes during this testing, but the operation of the pack is not impacted due to the power compensation provided by one or more other cells in the pack thereby ensuring uninterrupted operation of the pack. This in situ testing is provided by the unique architecture of the pack, comprising multiple nodes and individual node controllers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: Element Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Rainer Johannes Fasching, Georgy Zerkalov, Arnaud Devie, Seth Marshall Kahn, Anthony John Stratakos, Corrado Cammi, Anderson Rennie John, Yoosok Saw
  • Patent number: 11693037
    Abstract: A method employs an unmanned aerial vehicle to carry an electromagnetic field measurement system to overcome environmental obstacles in measuring environmental electromagnetic field. The electromagnetic field measurement system senses the electromagnetic field of a spatial position in the environment to generate a sensing signal, then processes the sensing signal to remove the high-frequency electromagnetic interference generated by the operation of the unmanned aerial vehicle itself from the sensing signal, and converts the processed sensing signal into a digital signal. The digital signal is processed to extract at least one wave according to a fundamental frequency and a harmonic order, thereby removing the low-frequency electromagnetic interference from the digital signal. The extracted wave is employed in calculating an environmental electromagnetic field value of the spatial location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: NATIONAL TAIWAN UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Che-Peng Chao, Li-Lu Ko, Kun-Long Chen
  • Patent number: 11686696
    Abstract: A fluid dispensing system with a fluid cartridge having a fluid reservoir and an ejection head. The ejection head has fluid ejectors that are in fluid flow communication with the fluid reservoir. A fluid detection circuit is electrically connected to at least one of the fluid ejectors. The fluid detection circuit is configured to detect and characterize a fluid in the fluid ejector, where the fluid detection circuit characterizes the resistivity of the fluid by adjusting an ejector voltage of the at least one of the fluid ejectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Inventors: Steven W. Bergstedt, Patricia A. Clore
  • Patent number: 11681066
    Abstract: A proximity sensor comprising: a loop comprising an outer surface and an inner surface, at least a portion of the inner surface being a reflective surface; a light emitter positioned to emit light onto the reflective surface; a light detector positioned to preferentially receive light emitted from the light emitter and reflected from the reflective surface; and a processor that is configured, responsive to a set of instructions stored in a memory, to determine a degree of proximity of an object to the inner surface of the loop responsive to a reduction in an intensity of light emitted from the light emitter that is received by the light detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Inventor: Shlomo Zalman Reches
  • Patent number: 11670471
    Abstract: A method for performing a low energy pulse testing in a power distribution network that causes contacts to close and then open in about one fundamental frequency cycle of current flow time and close on a voltage waveform that produces symmetrical fault current. The method includes energizing a magnetic actuator to move the actuator against the bias of a spring to move a movable contact towards a fixed contact. The method also includes de-energizing the actuator when the movable contact makes contact with the fixed contact so as to allow the spring to move the movable contact away from the fixed contact so that the amount of time that the current conducts is about one fundamental frequency cycle of the current, where energizing the magnetic actuator occurs when an applied voltage on the switch assembly is at a peak of the voltage wave so that the current is symmetric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: S&C Electric Company
    Inventors: David G Porter, Stephen E Williams, Peter J Meyer, Martin T Bishop, Thomas J Dyer, Andrew B Berman, Joseph W Milton, Lauren Abramczyk
  • Patent number: 11656169
    Abstract: A test sample is extracted from a hydrogen induced cracking (HIC) resistant material candidate. A control sample is extracted from a prequalified HIC susceptible material that is known to suffer predetermined HIC damage when subjected to preset test conditions of a standardized HIC test (e.g., NACE TM0284). The HIC test is performed on the test and control samples. A value of a predetermined cracking criteria is calculated for the control sample. It is determined whether the calculated value of the predetermined cracking criteria is at least equal to a predetermined minimum threshold value. If yes, respective values of a plurality of predetermined HIC resistance criteria for the test sample are calculated. It is determined whether the calculated respective values of the plurality of predetermined HIC resistance criteria for the test sample are not greater than corresponding predetermined maximum threshold values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventors: Mohammed Al-Anezi, Khalid Ali Babakri, Saad Al-Muaili
  • Patent number: 11656258
    Abstract: The present invention provides a radio field intensity measurement device having a display portion with improved visibility, in the case of measuring a weak radiowave from a long distance. In the radio field intensity measurement device, a battery is provided as a power source for power supply and the battery is charged by a received radiowave. When a potential of a signal obtained from the received radiowave is higher than an output potential of the battery, the power is stored in the battery. On the other hand, when the potential of the signal obtained from the received radiowave is lower than the output potential of the battery, power produced by the battery is used as power to drive the radio field intensity measurement device. As an element to display the radio field intensity, a thermochromic element or an electrochromic element is used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroki Dembo, Atsushi Miyaguchi
  • Patent number: 11656200
    Abstract: A first-order resistor-inductor (RL) circuit is allowed to alternate a direct-current excitation response and a zero-input response so that a direct-current magnetic field generated by an inductor magnetizing coil changes alternately in magnetic field intensity with a change in magnitude of current. After a testing object is placed in the direct-current magnetic field changing alternately in magnetic field intensity, the testing object is magnetized and also causes a change in inductance of the magnetic field. Whether a change occurs in electromagnetic properties of the testing object can be determined and detected by detecting the inductance change of the magnetizing coil or detecting electrical characteristic change caused by the inductance change of the magnetizing coil, thereby determining whether quality defects such as steel wire cracks and wire breakage in a steel wire rope occur. Alternatively, the properties such as a sectional area or a zinc layer thickness can be analyzed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: Jiangyin Tianrun Information Technology Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Zhouyi Hu
  • Patent number: 11640009
    Abstract: An in-wall feature detection device of mutual capacitive technology comprises a housing, a detection baseplate, and at least one capacitive sensing baseplate. The detection baseplate is disposed in the housing and has a central processing module and a capacitance value conversion module and is electrically connected to at least one display module. The capacitive sensing baseplate is provided with driving modules and receiving modules, the driving and receiving modules are arranged in a crisscross manner and electrically connected to the capacitance value conversion module. The in-wall feature detection device is capable of using an electric field change between the driving and receiving modules to determine whether there is a blocking object in a wall, and further generating a corresponding light signal through the central processing module to display a shape of the blocking object. Thereby determining a position and the shape of the blocking object during construction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2023
    Assignee: PEACEFUL THRIVING ENTERPRISE CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Mu-Tsan Yu
  • Patent number: 11635218
    Abstract: A heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) controller, a method of detecting multiplexed input signals and an HVAC system employing the controller or the method. In one embodiment, the HVAC controller includes: (1) a signal conditioner configured to convert received alternating current (AC) input signals into corresponding square wave signals of a digital logic voltage, (2) a multiplexer coupled to the signal conditioner and configured to select one of the square wave signals and (3) a sample analyzer coupled to the multiplexer and configured to evaluate multiple samples of the selected one of the square wave signals to derive a binary state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: Lennox Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Darko Hadzidedic, Sakthi Narayan Kumar Murugesan, Anitha Rajappan
  • Patent number: 11635310
    Abstract: A position sensor system comprising: a magnetic field generator movable relative to two sensor devices or vice versa. The system has at least one processor adapted with a special algorithm for determining a position of the magnetic field generator in a manner which is highly robust against a disturbance field. A method for determining the position of the magnetic field generator based on a set of equations, in particular a set of linear equations which allows to completely eliminate the external disturbance field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: MELEXIS TECHNOLOGIES SA
    Inventor: Javier Bilbao De Mendizabal