Patents Examined by Timothy P Graves
  • Patent number: 11879809
    Abstract: In a vehicle action simulation method according to the present invention, a behavior of an actual vehicle during travel is predicted, and an attitude of a tire and a rotational speed of a rotary drum are changed to reproduce a transient change in a tire attitude that occurs during the travel of the actual vehicle on the tire while the predicted behavior of the actual vehicle during travel is reflected, stress applied to the tire in contact with the rotary drum of a tire ground contact characteristic measuring portion is measured, tire ground contact characteristics are calculated, the behavior of the actual vehicle during travel is predicted while vehicle characteristics predicted from the tire ground contact characteristics are reflected, and the prediction, the reproduction, the measurement of stress, and the calculation are performed in parallel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: BRIDGESTONE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takahisa Kamikura, Hiroshi Kato
  • Patent number: 11874198
    Abstract: A tire inspection device includes a gas sensor disposed outside of a tire and facing an outer surface of the tire. The gas sensor detects a gas that fills the tire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: YAMAHA FINE TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yuichi Doki, Takeshi Kato, Akane Iizuka
  • Patent number: 11867634
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a thin-film element that enables analytes to be analyzed on separate surfaces. In an example, a thin-film element includes a first layer for processing a fluid sample to generate a first analyte and a second analyte. The thin-film element also includes a second layer configured to be impermeable to the first analyte to enable the first analyte to be retained by the first layer and permeable to the second analyte to enable the second analyte to pass through the second layer. The thin-film element further includes a third layer configured to retain the second analyte. The second layer includes a first reflective surface and a second reflective surface to provide reflectance signals indicative of analytes present in the first and third layers to sensors located on opposite sides of the thin-film element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Ortho-Clinical Diagnostics, Inc.
    Inventors: Qi Sun, Jian Zheng, Stephen Daggett
  • Patent number: 11867648
    Abstract: A fluid sensor for sensing a concentration or composition of a fluid, the sensor comprising: a semiconductor substrate comprising a first etched portion and a second etched portion; a dielectric region located on the semiconductor substrate, wherein the dielectric region comprises a first dielectric membrane located over the first etched portion of the semiconductor substrate, and a second dielectric membrane located over the second etched portion of the semiconductor substrate; two temperature sensing elements on or within the first dielectric membrane and two temperature sensing elements on or within the second dielectric membrane; an output circuit configured to measure a differential signal between the two temperature sensing elements of the first dielectric membrane and the two temperature sensing elements of the second dielectric membrane; wherein the first dielectric membrane is exposed to the fluid and the second dielectric membrane is isolated from the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Flusso Limited
    Inventors: Syed Zeeshan Ali, Cerdin Ching Ching Lee, Ethan Gardner, Jonathan Owen Hardie, Jonathan Sean Callan, Florin Udrea
  • Patent number: 11860000
    Abstract: A level gauge includes a housing, a vertical member, and a perpendicular member. The housing includes a bottom wall and a side wall. A surface of the side wall includes a first scale. The bottom wall and the side wall enclose a receiving cavity. The vertical member is arranged in the receiving cavity and includes an axis maintained in a vertical orientation in a natural state. A center of gravity of the perpendicular member is arranged on top of the vertical member. A plane of the perpendicular member is maintained perpendicular to the axis of the vertical member. When the bottom wall is placed on a gauging surface, an inclination angle and inclination direction of the gauging surface are obtained simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: TRIPLE WIN TECHNOLOGY(SHENZHEN) CO.LTD.
    Inventor: Jui-Jan Huang
  • Patent number: 11860061
    Abstract: A track component for use with a track assembly includes a gyro sensor that monitors a track wrap angle of the track chain assembly about the idler wheel, or the drive sprocket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Eric James Johannsen
  • Patent number: 11846565
    Abstract: An adjustable automobile subframe alignment fixture for inspecting a subframe includes one or more bases; one or more rails, connected to the one or more bases, having indexing positions to accommodate multiple sized subframes; and one or more connection points, adjustably mounted on the one or more rails, configured to receive risers and/or jigs for adjusting to a geometry of the subframe and allowing structural integrity of the subframe to be determined. If the geometry of the subframe matches the geometry of the fixture, the subframe is structurally sound. If the geometry of the subframe fails matches the geometry of the fixture, the subframe lacks structural integrity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: RDI (Robaina Design Innovations) LLC
    Inventor: Roberto E. Robaina
  • Patent number: 11842866
    Abstract: To provide a vacuum valve pressure diagnosis device for an opening/closing device equipped with a vacuum valve, the diagnosis device which permits downsizing of the vacuum valve and achieves enhanced safety and reliability. Accordingly, the vacuum valve pressure monitoring device is disposed in a vacuum breaker including: a main circuit opening/closing part including the vacuum valve and an insulating frame covering the vacuum valve; and an operation mechanism part for opening/closing a contact of the vacuum valve. The pressure monitoring device for vacuum valve includes: a first electrode disposed on one side surface of the insulating frame and grounded via an impedance; a second electrode disposed on another side surface of the insulating frame and grounded via a switch; and a potential measuring device connected in between the impedance and the first electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: HITACHI INDUSTRIAL EQUIPMENT SYSTEMS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Satou, Takashi Sato, Shindai Satou, Masanori Shishido
  • Patent number: 11835419
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for the rapid assessment of the service life of a hub bearing under multiaxial random road loading, comprising the following steps: acquiring a measured load spectrum of a wheel center of an automobile, and converting the wheel center load into an axial load and a radial load borne by a hub unit; performing load level division on the axial load and radial load borne by the hub unit, and performing joint distribution counting; according to the deformation coordination relationship between a roller and a raceway of the bearing, establishing a bearing contact model under a joint load, and according to the bearing contact model and the result of joint distribution counting, calculating the actual contact load of the bearing under different loads; and calculating the equivalent dynamic load and the life of the bearing through the actual contact load of the bearing to obtain the total equivalent damage of the bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: UNIVERSITY OF SHANGHAI FOR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Lihui Zhao, Qichen Li, Zhen Wang, Jinzhi Feng, Songlin Zheng, Dawei Gao, Shuo Weng
  • Patent number: 11821588
    Abstract: System and methods for analyzing a multiphase production fluid, calculating production fluid phase flow rates, and calculating an oil/gas and oil/gas/water volume fractions of the multiphase production fluid, are provided. Contemplated systems and method may utilize fluidic piping, a production fluid supply valve, a fluidic separation chamber, an inert gas exhaust valve, a separation chamber pressure sensor, a fluidic separation detector, and a fluidic supply and analysis unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventor: Jose Oliverio Alvarez
  • Patent number: 11815229
    Abstract: System and methods for analyzing a multiphase production fluid include a fluidic supply and analysis unit configured to transition the fluidic separation chamber to a static state after a complete gaseous phase column and a complete oil phase column are formed within the fluidic separation chamber; communicate with the fluidic separation detector to measure the absolute or relative sizes of the complete gaseous phase column and the complete oil phase column; and calculate an oil/gas volume fraction as a function of the measured sizes of the gaseous phase and oil phase columns in the fluidic separation chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventor: Jose Oliverio Alvarez
  • Patent number: 11808662
    Abstract: A device for measuring the characteristics of an air flow in an annular passage of a turbo-machine. The device includes a rod which extends along a first axis and carries means for measuring air flow characteristics. The rod also sealingly engages and slides in a first tubular part extended by a second tubular part. The second tubular part sealingly passes along the first axis through a slider mounted in a slide for sliding along a second axis perpendicular to the first axis. The rod engages the second tubular part with an annular clearance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: Safran Aircraft Engines
    Inventors: Jean-Luc Verniau, Gilles Polo Filisan, Adnan Sozuan, Simon Paris
  • Patent number: 11807179
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method for checking the correct deployment of an airbag device comprises, in a vehicle or test vehicle model, optionally arranging a dummy or model of a vehicle occupant in the vicinity of the airbag device, triggering the deployment of the air chamber of the airbag device, taking at least one image of a scene including the air chamber at a plurality of discrete times following the triggering of its deployment and verifying the volume of inflation and/or deployment of the air chamber at the plurality of discrete times following the triggering of its deployment on the basis of the at least one image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: ITALDESIGN-GIUGIARO S.P.A
    Inventors: Davide Casini, Nikolas Vinci
  • Patent number: 11808746
    Abstract: A concentration sensor assembly can include a vaporization chamber having a compound. The concentration sensor assembly may include a first flow path coupled to the vaporization chamber. The first flow path may direct a first gas to the vaporization chamber. A second flow path can direct a second gas out of the vaporization chamber. The second gas can include the compound and the first gas. A first sensor is disposed along the first flow path. The first sensor measures first data indicative of a first mass flow rate of the first gas. A second sensor is disposed along the second flow path. The second sensor measure second data indicative of a second mass flow rate of the second gas. A computing device may determine a concentration of the vaporizable substance within the second gas based on the first data and the second data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Vivek B. Shah, Varoujan Chakarian, Upendra Ummethala
  • Patent number: 11796522
    Abstract: A gas sensor includes a support structure with a cavity, a sensing element sensitive to a gas and arranged in the cavity, and a filter spanning the cavity. The filter is a size selective filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: SENSIRION AG
    Inventors: Pernilla Andersson, Roman Pavelko, Aline Rotzetter
  • Patent number: 11761857
    Abstract: The device for rotating and inspecting tires includes a housing having opposed upper and lower surfaces, with a ramp portion of the upper surface being inclined and a support portion of the upper surface having a depression formed therein. A pair of spaced apart slots are formed through the upper surface within the depression. A pair of rollers are mounted within the housing beneath the pair of spaced apart slots. Each of the rollers has an adjustable height such that the pair of rollers may be selectively raised and lowered through the pair of spaced apart slots. The rollers are driven to rotate by motors or the like such that, in use, each tire may be lifted off the upper surface of the housing by raising the rollers, and the rollers may be driven to rotate the tire. Optical sensors are provided to inspect the tire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2023
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: KING FAISAL UNIVERSITY
    Inventor: Mohieddine Rahmouni
  • Patent number: 11761849
    Abstract: A wind tunnel for a motor vehicle, with a fan, a test section, through which an air stream generated by the fan can flow, a recording device for recording different motor vehicles within the test section, and a testing device for determining aerodynamic characteristics of the motor vehicle. The wind tunnel also includes an optical sensing device for sensing an outer contour of the motor vehicle recorded by the recording device, an evaluating unit and a linking unit. The evaluating unit determines a vehicle configuration from the outer contour of the motor vehicle sensed by the optical sensing device. The linking unit links the vehicle configuration of the motor vehicle determined by the evaluating unit with the test results determined by the testing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Inventors: Tim Kayser, Marcel Straub, Jan-Niklas Helbach, Matthias Braun, Jin Gong
  • Patent number: 11754471
    Abstract: Techniques and methods for testing a structural integrity of a vehicle. For instance, the vehicle may use suspension(s) to lift corners of the vehicle, where lifting the corners creates a torsion force in the body of the vehicle. The vehicle may then use sensor(s) to determine a deflection that is caused by the torsion force. Next, the vehicle may determine a stiffness associated with the body of the vehicle using the force that was applied to lift the corners and the deflection. After determining the stiffness, the vehicle may compare the stiffness to a baseline stiffness in order to determine whether there is a problem with the structural integrity of the vehicle. The baseline stiffness may include s standard stiffness or be based on a previous test of the vehicle. If the vehicle determines that there is no problem, then the vehicle may continue to operate as intended.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: Zoox, Inc.
    Inventors: Johannes Edren, Ahditya Melkote, Keith David Myers
  • Patent number: 11754470
    Abstract: The present disclosure belongs to the technical field of tests of automobile wheels and automobile chassis suspension systems, and provides a simulated pavement rotary drum and automobile test equipment. A simulated cobblestone pavement, and a simulated impact pavement, so that a testing pavement at a test field is reproduced; an impact load caused by the track pavement, the cobblestone pavement, and the impact pavement can be applied to wheels and a chassis system; and a road simulation test of wheels and a suspension system of an automobile can be performed on bench test equipment. As verified, the simulated pavement rotary drum of the present disclosure can reproduce the simulated track pavement at the test field; and the consistency of radial impact loads is greater than 95% at the same speed and under the same vehicle load operating condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: CITIC Dicastal Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shide Li, Desheng Chen, Zhigao Yin, Jun Wang, Zuo Xu, Hanqi Wu
  • Patent number: 11753981
    Abstract: A particulate matter detecting apparatus (S) comprises a sensor body (S1) which has a sensor device (1) which is retained in a housing (H) secured to an exhaust pipe (101) of an internal combustion engine (ENG) and detects particulate matter contained in exhaust gas, a sensor temperature determining unit (2) which works to determine a temperature of the sensor device, and a mounted condition diagnosis unit (3) which diagnoses a mounted condition where the sensor body is mounted in the exhaust pipe. The mounted condition diagnosis unit includes a diagnosis threshold setting unit (31) and a mount error determining unit (32). The diagnosis threshold setting unit determines a diagnosis threshold (Tth), as used in a diagnosis of the mounted condition, as a function of an operating condition of the internal combustion engine to have a temperature value lower than a temperature of the sensor device when the sensor body is normally mounted in the exhaust pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takashi Araki, Masato Katsuno