Patents Examined by Tamiko Bellamy
  • Patent number: 8813562
    Abstract: A sensor apparatus measures wet-bulb temperature. The sensor apparatus comprises a casing. A measuring device comprises a sock at its probe end. A washing unit having a fluid outlet in the casing projects a fluid on the sock to remove residue and to humidify the sock. An actuator displaces the measuring device between a washing position and a measuring position. In the washing position, the sock is in register with the washing unit in the casing. In the measuring position, the measuring device has the sock out of the casing and away from the washing unit to measure an ambient wet-bulb temperature. A method for measuring a wet-bulb temperature is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Inventor: Guy Prud'Homme
  • Patent number: 8813543
    Abstract: A method for reducing imbalance correction weight usage during a balancing operation of a vehicle wheel assembly. An imbalance of the vehicle wheel assembly is initially determined and utilized together with an established acceptable threshold of imbalance for the vehicle wheel assembly to compute a reduced imbalance value having a magnitude less than the determined imbalance. Using the reduced imbalance value, correction weight amounts and placement locations for application to the vehicle wheel assembly are identified. Determined differences between the identified correction weight amount using the reduced imbalance value and a convention correction weight amount are identified as imbalance correction weight savings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Hunter Engineering Company
    Inventor: Michael W. Douglas
  • Patent number: 8800393
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for selectively capturing substantially separate phases from a multiphase fluid mixture flowing through a flowline. The apparatus is preferably substantially aerofoil shaped, and includes sample ports which are positioned on the apparatus in such an orientation that takes advantage of the low density and high density flow around the aerofoil shape, as well as the pressure distribution around the aerofoil shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Malcolm Atkinson, Muhammad Adeel Zahid Khan, Bernard Theron
  • Patent number: 8794062
    Abstract: A stepped reflector on the outside of a bottomhole assembly produces two reflections in response to excitation of a transducer. The velocity of the fluid in the borehole is estimated using the two reflections. Alternatively, a change in the gas content of the borehole fluid is estimated from changes in the electrical impedance of a transducer in contact with the borehole fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Rocco DiFoggio, Douglas J. Patterson, Eric B. Molz, Volker Krueger
  • Patent number: 8783092
    Abstract: An apparatus and a system is provided that may be utilized to determine oil migration and oil displacement from a pre-oiled air filter. The present invention may also be utilized to determine if oil is displaced from the air filter onto a portion of the apparatus for visualization to a user. The present invention utilizes a demonstration apparatus having a system for forcing air through the oil subjected air filter thereby attempting to force displacement of the oil from the air filter. The apparatus utilizes a blowing means whereby the oil infused air filter is subject to higher than normal air flow and whereby the apparatus has a deflection portion whereby if oil is displaced from the air filter, it is deflected onto the deflection portion where it would be physically viewable to an observer present in the vicinity of the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: K&N Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: John Reedy, Steve Rogers, Richard Dwyer
  • Patent number: 8776596
    Abstract: A floating storage tank roof having a roof cover level monitor apparatus uses a flexible rod having a first end in contact with the storage tank cover bottom surface and a second end in contact with a base mounted to the top of the storage tank roof. As the rod flexes the second end of the rod is pushed into a slot within the base and against a resilient member within the slot. Within the slot are disposed proximity switches. As the rod second end sinks into the slot the proximity switches are actuated by mechanical or magnetic means. The spacing of the switches within the slot is calibrated to represent the level of the storage tank roof. A force transducer may also be used in lieu of the switches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Inventors: Nikolay Nikolov Tzonev, Dale John Shpak, David William Sime, Kevin James Gans
  • Patent number: 8763454
    Abstract: The invention relates to apparatuses (100) for the capacitive determination of the fill level in the individual containers (5.1, 5.2) of a group (10) of regularly disposed containers of the same dimensions, wherein the apparatus (100) comprises a transmitter electrode (201.1) and a receiver electrode (201.2, 201.3) as well as a circuit for carrying out a capacitive measurement. The measuring circuit comprises a transmitting circuit (57) and a receiving circuit (58) and the apparatus (100) comprises a horizontal base plate (200) having a plurality of electrodes (201.1, 201.2, 201.3) which protrude in one direction in relation to a horizontal plane defined by the base plate (200) and which are uniformly mutually spaced apart such that a plurality of working zones of the same dimensions are formed. A plurality of connections (202) are provided through which some of the electrodes (201.1) are connectable to the transmitting circuit (57) and controllable by said circuit and some of the electrodes (201.2, 201.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Tecan Trading AG
    Inventors: Johann Camenisch, Werner Hinn, Lars Kamm, Simon Kuenzi
  • Patent number: 8752441
    Abstract: Method for assessing damages of keratin fibers using color measurements and area measurements. Said methods are useful for assessing the degree of damages of keratin fibers and also to compare the damages of fibers of different origin, different portions of fibers and/or fibers treated with different cosmetic, chemical and/or mechanical treatments. Said methods are also useful for supporting advertising claims about the efficacy of a treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventor: Sachiko Asaoka
  • Patent number: 8752417
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for separating fractions of a mixture to be separated including the steps of providing a device comprising at least two chromatography columns mounted in series, discontinuously injecting a mixture to be separated, in a single point of the device, discontinuously drawing off the fraction enriched in the product of interest, in a single point of the device, and injecting eluents in each column and displacing the points for injection eluents, the eluents having a different eluting power. The method allows efficient separation which is simple to perform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Novasep
    Inventors: Eric Valery, Hector Osuna Sanchez, Michel Bailly
  • Patent number: 8746037
    Abstract: In an ultrasonic apparatus for measuring the concentration of gas provided with two ultrasonic oscillators for transmitting/receiving an ultrasonic wave, arranged opposite to each other in piping through which a sample gas flows, a temperature sensor, and a pressure sensor, an ultrasonic method and apparatus that can accurately measure gas concentration regardless of pressure of the sample gas are provided as an ultrasonic apparatus for measuring the concentration of gas comprising concentration calculating means for calculating sample gas concentration based on a propagation speed correction coefficient by pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Teijin Pharma Limited
    Inventor: Taiga Matsuzaki
  • Patent number: 8739601
    Abstract: Air bubbles may be characterized by an air bubble detector by choosing an optimum set of frequencies and then comparing a return signal from a sensor receiving those frequencies against an internal reference. The number of pulses that exceed the internal reference represents a width and may be counted. The width, as counted, may be correlated to bubble characteristics including volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Zevex, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Stringham, Roger Millis, John Foley, David Blaine
  • Patent number: 8726748
    Abstract: A probe apparatus includes a plurality of prober chamber arranged in a straight line; and a loader chamber having a substrate transfer mechanism that takes out a test target substrate from a container provided in an upper area of the prober chamber, lowers the test target substrate to a height corresponding to a loading/unloading port of the prober chamber, moves in front of a row of the prober chambers in parallel to the row of the prober chambers and transfers the test target substrate into the prober chamber. A reading mechanism for reading information recorded on the test target substrate held on the substrate transfer mechanism is installed at a horizontal moving mechanism that moves the substrate transfer mechanism in front of the row of the prober chambers in parallel to the row of the prober chambers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Tadashi Obikane, Kazuya Yano, Hiroshi Yamada, Masaru Suzuki, Yasuhito Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 8714005
    Abstract: A transducer for use with a downhole tool, where the transducer includes concentric piezoelectric elements coupled with a member that extends from the top surface of one element to the bottom surface of another element. The elements expand and contract to vibrate by applying electrical potential to the elements. The element having the member on its bottom surface expands and contracts with applied electrical potential and also is urged upward, by the coupling member, an amount equal to the vertical displacement of the element having the member on its top surface. Thus the element having the member on its bottom surface is vertically displaced by an amount substantially equal to the expansion of the elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventor: Thomas Vetter
  • Patent number: 8707752
    Abstract: A calibration assembly is disclosed. In one embodiment, a calibration assembly calibrating a downhole formation evaluation tool includes a calibration base having a first geometry, a calibration insert including a first material and having a second geometry, and a second material having a third geometry and being different from the first material. The second geometry enables the calibration insert to receive the second material to form a first composite region, wherein the first and second materials and the second and third geometries are selected such that a calibration property of the calibration assembly apparatus substantially matches a corresponding calibration property of a third material. Additional apparatuses, devices, and methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Richard J. Radke, Christopher Scott Del Campo, Dale Wayne Clinton, Qingyan He, Augdon John Sampa
  • Patent number: 8707765
    Abstract: A fuel vapor leak detection device for detecting a leakage of fuel vapor includes a pump which pressurizes or depressurizes insides of a fuel tank and a canister, a motor which drives the pump, an electrical current detector which detects a current value applied to the motor, a switching valve, and a controller. The switching valve includes an air passage having a narrowing part therein and communicating with atmosphere, a first passage connecting to the pump, a canister connection passage connecting to the canister, and a second passage connecting to the pump. The controller controls a switching operation of the switching valve based on the current value detected by the electrical current detector to select one of a communication between the air passage and the first passage, and a communication between the canister connection passage and the second passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Taiki Yasuzaka
  • Patent number: 8701481
    Abstract: A sensing system configured for use in a borehole. The sensing system includes a body portion and a clamp arm engaged with the body portion. The clamp arm is configured to move between a retracted position and an extended position. The sensing system also includes an energy storage element engaged with the body portion. The energy storage element provides energy to move the clamp arm from the retracted position to the extended position. A method of using the sensing system is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: US Seismic Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: James Kengo Andersen, Eric Lee Goldner, Peter Karalskos, Agop Hygasov Cherbettchian
  • Patent number: 8695420
    Abstract: A liquid level sensing system includes waveguides disposed in a liquid and distributed along a path with a gap between adjacent waveguides. A source introduces electromagnetic energy into the waveguides at a first end of the path. A portion of the electromagnetic energy exits the waveguides at a second end of the path. A detector measures the portion of the electromagnetic energy exiting the second end of the path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Valentin Korman, John T. Wiley, Amanda G. Duffell
  • Patent number: 8695447
    Abstract: A probe end module system for an arm comprising: a probe end module having an arm end and an opposing probe end; a module-arm interface located at the arm end; at least one module-probe interface located at the probe end; the arm further comprising a movable member and a movable position reporting device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Nikon Metrology N.V.
    Inventor: Stephen James Crampton
  • Patent number: 8677839
    Abstract: Novel rapid, efficient sample collection systems, devices and methods are disclosed which remove and capture particles, and especially biological particles from surfaces into a liquid sample. The devices were developed primarily for obtaining samples of biological contamination from environmental surfaces. Biological particles, as described here, include bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms, and other particles of biological origin including nucleic acids, proteins, and toxins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: InnovaPrep LLC
    Inventors: Andrew Edward Page, David Scott Alburty, Zachary A. Packingham, Pamela S. Murowchick, Alec D. Adolphson
  • Patent number: 8677840
    Abstract: Novel rapid, efficient sample collection systems, devices and methods are disclosed which remove and capture particles, and especially potential bioterrorism particles from surfaces into a liquid sample. The devices were developed primarily for obtaining samples of biological contamination from environmental surfaces. Biological particles, as described here, include bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms, and other particles of biological origin including nucleic acids, proteins, and toxins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: InnovaPrep LLC
    Inventors: Andrew Edward Page, David Scott Alburty, Zachary A. Packingham, Pamela S. Murowchick, Alec D. Adolphson