Patents Examined by Truong D Phan
  • Patent number: 11391686
    Abstract: A sensor is driven at a first heating power value. The sensor generates a sensing signal that is indicative of a sensed entity. A possible onset of a sensor contamination condition is detected as a function of the sensing signal generated by the sensor. If such detecting fails to indicate onset of a sensor contamination condition, the sensor continues to be driven at the first heating power value. However, if such detecting indicates onset of a sensor contamination condition, a protection mode is activated. In the protection mode, the sensor is driven at a second heating power value for a protection interval, where the second heating power value is lower than the first heating power value. Furthermore, the operation may refrain from supplying power to the sensor for a further protection interval, wherein the further protection interval is longer than the protection interval.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Fabio Passaniti, Enrico Rosario Alessi
  • Patent number: 11385217
    Abstract: Online measurement of dispersed oil phase in produced water can be implemented a method on-site of a flowline transporting a fluid that includes dispersed oil in water. A sample of the fluid flowed through the flowline is obtained. The sample includes the oil phase and the water phase. The sample is combined with a chemical element that can separate the oil phase in the sample from the water phase in the sample. The separated oil phase and the chemical element are transferred into a measurement cell. The chemical element is removed from the measurement cell. After the chemical element is removed from the measurement cell, a quantity of the oil phase in the sample in the measurement cell is determined by a capacitive measurement technique. The determined quantity of the oil phase in the sample is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Elaf A. Ahmed, Sebastien A. Duval, Simone Less, Ali S. Aldossary
  • Patent number: 11378496
    Abstract: A device includes a sample rack having a mounting region for mounting a sample plate that holds a sample, a housing in which a temperature adjustment space for adjusting a temperature of the sample plate mounted on the sample rack while accommodating the sample rack inside is provided therein, and the housing having, in a lateral surface, a rack insertion opening through which the sample rack is inserted into the temperature adjustment space; and an air temperature adjustment part having an air intake port for taking in air in the temperature adjustment space, a temperature adjustment element for cooling or heating air taken in from the air intake portion, and an outlet for blowing out air cooled or heated by the temperature adjustment element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: Shimadzu Corporation
    Inventors: Koki Miyazaki, Shinji Tanaka
  • Patent number: 11353445
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method for determining and/or monitoring the state of a transformer oil, comprising the steps of a) performing an acoustic spectroscopy of the transformer oil, multiple ultrasonic emission signals of different frequencies and/or amplitudes being emitted into the transformer oil and corresponding reflected and/or transmitted ultrasonic reception signals of different frequencies and/or amplitudes being received after having passed through the transformer oil; and b) comparing the ultrasonic emission signals with the corresponding ultrasonic reception signals, an n-dimensional function characteristic of the transformer oil being ascertained; and c) matching the ascertained characteristic n-dimensional function from step b) with a reference function of corresponding dimension known for transformer oils, a reference transformer oil being determined; and d) registering a first value of at least one characteristic physical property of the transformer oil; and e) comparing the first val
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: PASSERRO GMBH
    Inventor: Matthias Wrobel
  • Patent number: 11326924
    Abstract: Disclosed in one embodiment are a device for measuring water level by using a capacitive technique, and a method therefor. A device for measuring water level comprises: an electrode unit which includes a first electrode and a second electrode arranged in parallel in a lengthwise direction, and which allow voltages to be applied to the first electrode and the second electrode; and a control unit for measuring the applied voltages, calculating the amount of reference charging time it takes to reach a second voltage from a predetermined first voltage on the basis of the measured voltages, and determining water level on the basis of the calculated reference charging time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: Korea Institute of Civil Engineering and Building Technology
    Inventor: Dong Sop Rhee
  • Patent number: 11320347
    Abstract: A portable, hydrocarbon well test unit for use with high temperature and high-pressure hydrocarbon wellbore flow includes a two-phase separator unit having a hydrocarbon inlet, a vapor outlet and a liquid outlet. A static mixer is in fluid communication with the liquid outlet. A liquid sampler positioned downstream of the static mixer ensures that liquid and gas are mixed to accurately represent a sample of the wellbore hydrocarbon flow. The sampler can be actuated to extract a sample of the mixed fluid. The sampler directs samples to a multi-position valve having a plurality of valve outlets, each outlet being in fluid communication with one of a plurality of sample bottles. A controller actuates the multi-position valve to direct a sample into a particular sample bottle, thereby allowing different types of samples to be taken over different time periods without the need for intervention for extended periods of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Inventors: Mayur Borad, Juan Pablo Rodriguez, Dane Anderson
  • Patent number: 11320567
    Abstract: Snow sensors methods and mechanisms for snow sensor reading, methods for controlling assemblies used with snow sensors, such as snow removal systems and assemblies and related components, as well as component combinations and related methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: CEM Products, LLC
    Inventor: Charles Edgar Pierce
  • Patent number: 11313838
    Abstract: An apparatus includes an acoustic source for directing an acoustic wave towards a workspace, a variable acoustic diffractive device positioned in a path of the acoustic wave between the acoustic source and the workspace, the variable acoustic diffractive device including an array of elements each having independently variable acoustic properties, and an electronic controller in communication with the acoustic source and the variable acoustic diffractive device, the electronic controller programmed to supply signals to cause the acoustic source to produce the acoustic wave and the variable acoustic diffractive device to diffract the acoustic wave from the acoustic source to provide non-uniform acoustic forces in a medium located in the workspace.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: X Development LLC
    Inventors: Matthew Dixon Eisaman, Dominico P. Julian, Benoit Schillings, Brian John Adolf
  • Patent number: 11300472
    Abstract: The invention relates to an installation (1) for detecting and locating a leak in at least one fluid transport circuit (Ps, Pt), notably an anemometer circuit of an aircraft, having a leak test apparatus (10) including means (12) for detecting a leak in the said at least one fluid transport circuit (Ps, Pt). In one example, the means for locating a leak includes injecting means (Pp, 14, Ev2) of a trace gas under pressure into the said at least one fluid transport circuit (Ps, Pt), which means are situated in the said leak test apparatus (10), and a trace-gas detection probe (30) intended to be moved along the said at least one fluid transport circuit (Ps, Pt) on the outside thereof, in order to locate the leak.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: ATEQ
    Inventors: Frederic Platel, Gabriel Nativel
  • Patent number: 11275057
    Abstract: A system for measuring gas concentration includes a package having a cavity and a port, a photoacoustic gas sensor device within the package, and a Micro Electro Mechanical System (“MEMS”) valve separate from the photoacoustic gas sensor device placed over the port of the package and to allow ambient gas diffusion into the cavity in a first mode of operation, and to prevent ambient gas diffusion into the cavity and to acoustically isolate the cavity in a second mode of operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: INFINEON TECHNOLOGIES AG
    Inventors: Johannes Manz, Wolfgang Klein, David Tumpold
  • Patent number: 11248982
    Abstract: A pipeline inspection device, including a rotatable drum housing a cable, where the cable is extendable into a pipe, a camera positioned on an end of the cable, and a hub housing electrical components of the pipeline inspection device and including a battery housing. A stand includes a mounting assembly having a first portion rotatably supporting the drum and a second portion supporting the hub within an interior of the drum, the second portion including a core, where the hub is removably coupled to the mounting assembly via the core. The hub is removably coupled to the mounting assembly by a first engagement member on the hub and a second engagement member on the core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: MILWAUKEE ELECTRIC TOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Samuel J. Krohlow, Christopher J. Turner
  • Patent number: 11231399
    Abstract: A sample temperature adjustment device includes a temperature control space for controlling a temperature of a sample by containing the sample inside, a heat insulating layer enclosing the temperature control space so that the temperature control space is thermally separated from outside air of the sample temperature adjustment device, a cooling part for cooling the temperature control space, a heat transfer plate covering at least a part of outer surfaces of the heat insulating layer, and a heater that heats the heat transfer plate to prevent dew condensation on a surface of the heat transfer plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: Shimadzu Corporation
    Inventor: Kosuke Wada
  • Patent number: 11231339
    Abstract: Various embodiments relate to systems and methods for determining a thickness of a nonaqueous phase liquid layer (NAPL) that is disposed adjacent a second layer of aqueous phase liquid (APL). The system can include a pressure transducer assembly having a total density value between a first density value of the NAPL and a second density value of the APL. The pressure transducer assembly can be configured to measure a first pressure associated with the pressure exerted by the first layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: AECOM
    Inventors: Daniel Avery Buckley, Brad William Koons, Steven Thomas Gaito, Monal Gajjar
  • Patent number: 11226276
    Abstract: A device has a sensor (1) for detecting a contamination in the form of metal particles in a fluid, and is at least partially encompassed by a partition wall (17). Partition wall (17) is at least partially penetrated via a receiving opening (55) by the sensor device (1) arranged in its functional position and comprising its sensor (25) detecting the metal particles. The sensor (1) can be removed from the partition wall (17) into an inoperative functional position, in particular for maintenance or replacement purposes. The sensor (1) interacts with a closing device (3) such that upon removal of the sensor (1) to its inoperative functional position, the closing device (3) closes the receiving opening (55). In the opposite direction, when the sensor (1) is brought into its functional position, this receiving opening (55) is released.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: HYDAC ELECTRONIC GMBH
    Inventors: Patrik Fuchs, Heinz Jacobus
  • Patent number: 11192099
    Abstract: The invention relates to a manually-operated mono-channel or multi-channel pipette for the sampling and dispensing of a liquid sample in accordance with a given protocol, comprising a control button equipped with an autonomous control device which can supply a user with information relating to a pipetting operation in real time during the pipetting operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: GILSON SAS
    Inventors: Nicolas Paris, Frédéric Sanquer, Frédéric De Maack
  • Patent number: 11187610
    Abstract: A liquid leak detection device is used in an oven. The oven has an oven casing having a sealed inner space provided with a sample flow path through which a liquid sample flows and a heater provided in the inner space that heats the inner space. The liquid leak detection device includes a gas sensor that is provided in the inner space and detects a liquid sample that has leaked from the sample flow path to the inner space and has been evaporated. The liquid leak detection device further includes a liquid leak pipe path that communicates with the inner space and leads a non-vaporized liquid sample that has leaked from the sample flow path to the inner space out of the oven casing, and a liquid sensor that is provided outside of the oven casing and detects a liquid sample led out by the liquid leak pipe path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: Shimadzu Corporation
    Inventor: Bo Xu
  • Patent number: 11181409
    Abstract: A monitoring and control system for a flow duct and a method for determining a component status of an operational component disposed within a flow passage of the flow duct utilizing the system are provided. In one exemplary aspect, the system includes at least two sensors that are disposed within the flow passage and configured to sense a characteristic of a fluid flowing therethrough. The sensors may be averaging sensors. Each sensor extends circumferentially about an axial centerline defined by the flow duct. The sensors are arranged in an overlapped arrangement. Particularly, the sensors extend circumferentially about the axial centerline such that the sensors physically overlap one another circumferentially. Additionally, the sensors may be disposed within the same or substantially the same plane axially. Signals generated by the sensors may be utilized to monitor and control the fluid and various operational components disposed within the flow passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: James Ryan Reepmeyer, Gagan Adibhatla
  • Patent number: 11181436
    Abstract: The present invention is a bleeding air regulator control pneumatic circuit for supplying air to a leakage detection system for testing a device under test for leakage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: Leakmaster, Inc
    Inventor: Barry Money
  • Patent number: 11165077
    Abstract: A method of measuring a water level in a water trap of a fuel cell system, the method including outputting a detected water level of a capacitive level sensor having a plurality of electrodes in the water trap. The method includes resetting a reference output value of each electrode and determining the water level depending on the speed at which water is introduced while detecting the water level in the water trap depending on an output value measured by the plurality of electrodes. Thereby, the influence of temperature and electrode differences is removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA MOTORS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hyo Sub Shim, Hak Yoon Kim, Hyeon Seok Ban
  • Patent number: 11143567
    Abstract: A plumbing system may include a first conduit that supplies a fluid to a destination device. The plumbing system may also include a second conduit concentric to the first conduit. The second conduit includes an indicator material that changes one or more properties of the fluid supplied to the destination device when the fluid contacts the indicator material via an opening present in the first conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: United Service Automobile Association (USAA)
    Inventors: Matthew Flachsbart, Snehal Desai, Richard D. Graham