With Indicator, Register, Recorder, Alarm Or Inspection Means Patents (Class 137/551)
  • Patent number: 11919038
    Abstract: The invention relates to a sanitary fitting (1), at least comprising: —a fitting housing (2) having an outer surface (3); —a radiation transmitter (4) or radiation receiver (5) which is arranged at least in part in the fitting housing (2); and —a housing part (6) which covers, at least in part, the radiation transmitter (4) or radiation receiver (5) on the outer surface (3) of the fitting housing (2) and has a coating (7) that is translucent at least in part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: GROHE AG
    Inventors: Torsten Meier, David Mainka
  • Patent number: 11829113
    Abstract: The problem addressed by the present invention is to suitably generate or update an algorithm for a water treatment system. In a filter management server 1 for managing a water circulation management system W for treating wastewater using one or more filters 31, an acquisition unit 101 acquires information necessary for analyzing filter 31 performance or sample water DW. An analytical unit 102 analyzes the one or more filters 31 on the basis of the information acquired by the acquisition unit 101. An analysis results analytical unit 104 analyzes the one or more filters 31 or sample water DW on the basis of the results of the analysis by the analytical unit 102. An update unit 105 updates the algorithm for water treatment on the basis of the results of the analysis by the analysis results analytical unit 104. This configuration solves the aforementioned problem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: WOTA CORP.
    Inventors: Riki Kitagawa, Shohei Okudera, Manabu Nishio, Ryo Yamada
  • Patent number: 11796369
    Abstract: A gas meter includes: a box-shaped body, an inlet mouth and an outlet mouth suited to allow the passage of a gas flow and defined on the box-shaped body, wherein inside the box-shaped body there is a metering device designed to measure one or more parameters for the determination of the gas flow rate, the metering device being provided with an inlet opening and an outlet opening. The gas meter includes: an inlet duct extending from the inlet mouth towards an opposite side of the box-shaped body, an outlet duct extending between the outlet mouth and an opposite side of the box-shaped body, the metering device being positioned in an intermediate area between the inlet duct and the outlet duct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: Pietro Fiorentini S.P.A.
    Inventors: Mario Vianello, Marcello Ghidina, Claudio Imboccioli
  • Patent number: 11762373
    Abstract: This present disclosure provides a method for gate station compressor operation optimization for smart gas, which is implemented based on an Internet of Things system for gate station compressor operation optimization for smart gas. The Internet of Things system includes a smart gas device management platform, a smart gas sensor network platform, and a smart gas object platform interacting in sequence. The method is executed by the smart gas device management platform, comprising: obtaining user features of a downstream gas usage based on the smart gas object platform, the user features including at least a user type; obtaining operation parameters of a compressor based on the smart gas object platform, the operation parameters including at least a rated outlet pressure set by the compressor; and determining a rated outlet pressure adjustment amount of the compressor based on the user features and the operation parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2023
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: CHENGDU QINCHUAN IOT TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Zehua Shao, Yaqiang Quan, Guanghua Huang, Haitang Xiang, Yuefei Wu
  • Patent number: 11755204
    Abstract: Provided a data management system which includes a data acquisition unit that acquires measurement data obtained by measuring a fluid flowing in a flow path from each of a plurality of sensors, a data recording unit that records the acquired measurement data, and a data volume reduction unit that reduces a data volume to be recorded for a target sensor based on the measurement data acquired from another sensor installed in either an upstream or a downstream from itself in the flow path among the plurality of sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: Yokogawa Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Nobuaki Ema, Yoshitaka Yoshida
  • Patent number: 11733081
    Abstract: Aspects generally relate to methods, systems, and apparatus for conducting a calibration operation for a plurality of mass flow controllers (MFCs) of a substrate processing system. In one aspect, a corrected flow curve is created for a range of target flow rates across a plurality of setpoints. In one implementation, a method of conducting a calibration operation for a plurality of mass flow controllers (MFCs) of a substrate processing system includes prioritizing the plurality of MFCs for the calibration operation. The prioritizing includes determining an operation time for each MFC of the plurality of MFCs, and ranking the plurality of MFCs in a rank list according to the operation time for each MFC. The method includes conducting the calibration operation for the plurality of MFCs according to the rank list and during an idle time for the substrate processing system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Bindusagar Marath Sankarathodi, Zhiyuan Ye, Jyothi Rajeevan, Ala Moradian, Zuoming Zhu, Errol Antonio C. Sanchez, Patricia M. Liu
  • Patent number: 11684714
    Abstract: A device and method for controlling operation of an ambulatory infusion device drive. The drive may have a spindle drive with a stepper motor, a drive member operatively coupled to a rotary encoder, and a driver controller that executes several steps, including actuating the stepper motor to execute a requested number of steps in a current drive control sequence, receiving a drive member position that indicates an actual position of a drive member following the actuation, computing an executed steps number from the drive member position, computing a missed steps number for the current drive control sequence, which is the difference between the requested number of steps and the executed steps number, determining when the ambulatory infusion device drive is blocked based on a statistical evaluation of a time-distribution of the missed steps number over a history of drive control sequences, and generating a blockage alarm signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: Roche Diabetes Care, Inc.
    Inventor: Markus Poetschke
  • Patent number: 11649616
    Abstract: Techniques for managing delivery of water or other fluids have been disclosed. A central server provides real-time data and cost analysis to a client. In addition, fluid delivery techniques provide alerts or automatic schedule suspensions to reduce risk of loss. The techniques reduce or eliminate the impact of air or gas captured with water or other fluid of a fluid delivery system. The techniques allow a preexisting fluid delivery system to be retrofitted to communicate with a central system and one or more sensors of a fluid delivery system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: Banyan Water, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert B. Johnson, Justin E. Manuel, Gillan A. Taddune, David M. Bradham
  • Patent number: 11536624
    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: September 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: United Services Automobile Association (USAA)
    Inventors: Matthew Flachsbart, Snehal Desai, Richard D. Graham
  • Patent number: 11530532
    Abstract: In the case of a sanitary outlet device (1), it is provided that a jet former receptacle (3) be formed on a housing (2), in which jet former receptacle an adapter (4) is removably inserted and arranged so as to be rotatable about its axis of rotation (6), wherein the adapter (4) can be rotated between a fixing position, in which the adapter (4) is secured against removal, and a releasing position, in which the adapter (4) is removable (cf. FIG. 1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: Neoperl GmbH
    Inventor: David Birmelin
  • Patent number: 11408316
    Abstract: An aftertreatment system includes: a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) system configured to decompose constituents of exhaust gas; an exhaust conduit configured to deliver the exhaust gas to the SCR system; a hydrocarbon insertion assembly; a valve operably coupled to the exhaust conduit, the valve configured to be selectively opened so as to allow a first gas to enter the exhaust conduit and mix with the exhaust gas; and a controller configured to: determine a SCR system temperature, in response to the SCR system temperature being less than a target temperature, instruct the hydrocarbon insertion assembly to insert hydrocarbons into the exhaust gas, and in response to the SCR system temperature being greater than the target temperature, instruct the valve to open so as to allow the first gas to enter the exhaust conduit, a first gas temperature of the first gas being lower than the SCR system temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: Cummins Emission Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: Sriram Srinivasan
  • Patent number: 11408451
    Abstract: The embodiments disclosed herein relate to an apparatus for monitoring a valve having a control element, wherein the control element is actuated by an actuator, including a valve stem having a bore therethrough, wherein the bore is defined by a wall of the valve stem, and further wherein the valve stem is connected at a first end to the actuator and at a second end to the control element; and an electronics module within the bore of the valve stem, wherein the electronics module further includes one or more sensors within the valve stem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: Bray International, Inc.
    Inventors: Jim Schmidt, Brindesh Dhruva, Michael Kitchens, Stan Allen, Craig Brown
  • Patent number: 11384777
    Abstract: An actuator operable to move a valve stem between an opened position and a closed position includes a cylinder including an open side and a close side, the cylinder coupled to the valve stem, a first pump connected to the cylinder and operable to deliver a first high-pressure fluid to the open side of the cylinder to move the valve stem toward the opened position, and a second pump separate from the first pump, the second pump connected to the cylinder and operable to deliver a second high-pressure fluid to the close side of the cylinder to move the valve stem toward the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: Siemens Energy, Inc.
    Inventor: John Casey
  • Patent number: 11130107
    Abstract: A method includes mixing a first deionized water (DI) water from a first pipe and a second DI water from a second pipe in a merging pipe that is in fluid communication with the first pipe and the second pipe. An electrical resistivity of the first DI water is different from an electrical resistivity of the second DI water. A mixture of the first DI water and the second DI water is applied from the merging pipe onto a wafer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chi-Hung Liao, Wei-Chang Cheng, Chien-Hung Wang
  • Patent number: 11109943
    Abstract: A powder-blasting device for cleaning the surfaces of teeth via application with a powder-gas mixture, including a stationary unit having a connection region for a mixing chamber for producing the powder-gas mixture, a hand part having a nozzle device for blasting the powder-gas mixture onto a surface of a tooth, and a joining unit for joining the hand part to the stationary unit wherein the joining unit has at least one joining guide between the stationary unit and the hand part, and wherein a tube section that can be blocked via elastic deformation is arranged in a powder-gas line between the mixing chamber and the nozzle device, wherein the joining unit is detachably joined to the stationary unit and the lockable tube section is arranged in the detachable joining unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: FERTON HOLDING S.A.
    Inventors: Etienne Lebreton, Martin Limon, Florent Jean-Claude Georges Beani, Pierre Fridez, Marcel Donnet
  • Patent number: 11112132
    Abstract: A system to characterize water in a building includes a processor; a water sensor coupled to the processor; a water valve coupled to the processor; an encryption module executed by the processor to secure water data; and a transceiver to communicate secured water data over a network to a remote processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Inventors: Bao Tran, Dave Nyhof
  • Patent number: 11105291
    Abstract: Systems and methods for unsticking intake and exhaust valves of an engine are described. In one example, valves that may be adjustably timed relative to an engine crankshaft position may be adjusted to unstick intake and/or exhaust valve that are stuck open or closed. In addition, fuel injection timing and spark timing may be adjusted in an effort to unstick intake and/or exhaust valves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Michiel J. Van Nieuwstadt
  • Patent number: 11039582
    Abstract: A user terminal may be configured to communicate with a gateway. The gateway may be configured to communicate with sensor equipment including one or more sensors and watering equipment via a first network. The gateway may also be configured to communicate with the user terminal via a second network. The user terminal may include processing circuitry that is configured to provide a remote interface for communication with the sensor equipment and the watering equipment via the gateway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: HUSQVARNA AB
    Inventors: Sonja Gilliam, Stefan Keller, Thomas Schabel, Christian Kienzle, Sandra Weiser
  • Patent number: 11035105
    Abstract: Water quality maintenance system are disclosed herein. The systems are configured to automatically switch between an open state allowing for purging of water from a water line and a closed state preventing water flow. The systems comprise a controller is configured to automatically generate a control signal and a purge valve comprising an electromagnetic actuator in electromechanical communication with the controller. Also disclosed herein are fixtures comprising the systems and methods of using the systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: Lead Out Manufacturing, LLC
    Inventors: Michael A. Ramos, Robert M. Christlieb
  • Patent number: 11028938
    Abstract: A valve actuating system including a drive device having an axial extension, and having an actuator with an axial output side provided for coupling to a valve and with an opposing axial rear side, wherein the actuator has an attachment interface on the axial rear side thereof for the attachment of an auxiliary device interacting with the actuator, such as a display module, a control head, a position controller or a stroke-limiting module, wherein the attachment interface has a sectional surface onto which the auxiliary device can be tensioned by means of an axial locking device, wherein the axial locking device has a main body and a collar with a locking edge, with which at least one locking element is in contact on the side facing the actuator in order to tension the auxiliary device on the support surface, wherein the collar is formed by a retaining ring secured on the main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: FESTO SE & CO. KG
    Inventors: Markus Dreher, Marcel Heimroth, Michael Kanthack
  • Patent number: 10969295
    Abstract: A sensor terminal includes: a vibration sensor; an L-shaped attachment main body portion on which the vibration sensor is mounted and that is detachably attached to a truncated quadrangular pyramid structure portion of a valve cap attached to an opening/closing shaft portion of a water regulating valve provided in a water service pipe; side surface magnets that are provided in the attachment main body portion; and an upper surface magnet that is attached to a lower surface of a base on which the vibration sensor is mounted. Further, the truncated quadrangular pyramid structure portion includes a quadrangular upper surface and four side surfaces, and the attachment main body portion of the sensor terminal is fixed using magnet to each of the upper surface of the truncated quadrangular pyramid structure portion and at least one side surface among the four side surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: HITACHI, LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroaki Furuichi, Hiroyuki Oota, Tomonori Sekiguchi
  • Patent number: 10912966
    Abstract: Disclosed is a valve assembly for a fire suppression system, the valve assembly having: a valve armature having a top portion and a bottom portion spaced from the top portion along a longitudinal axis, the bottom portion including an armature cavity that includes a cavity inlet for receiving fluid and a cavity outlet proximate a bottom portion of the cavity for delivering fluid, a plunger slidable along the longitudinal axis within the armature cavity, between a closed state and an open state, wherein: in the closed state the plunger is at a predetermined bottom position in the armature cavity proximate the cavity outlet for fluidly sealing the cavity outlet; and in the open state the plunger is in a predetermined top position in the cavity distal the cavity outlet, and a monitoring system operatively connected to the valve armature, the monitoring system acoustically sensing whether the plunger is longitudinally misaligned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: MARIOFF CORPORATION OY
    Inventor: Nazar Krutskevych
  • Patent number: 10852282
    Abstract: Systems and methods for determining a concentration of a constituent gas in a gas stream using pressure measurements are disclosed. A method may include a vaporizer receiving a carrier gas and a source material, and vaporizing the source material in the vaporizer to produce a gas stream including the carrier gas and the constituent vapor. Then, a pressure of a chamber of the vaporizer is obtained, a mass flow rate of the gas stream is measured, and a temperature of the chamber of the vaporizer is measured. A constituent-vapor-concentration signal indicative of the concentration the constituent vapor in the gas stream is then generated. The mass flow rate of the constituent vapor may be determined using the concentration of the constituent vapor, and the mass flow rate of the constituent vapor may then be controlled using the determined mass flow rate of the constituent vapor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: Hitachi Metals, Ltd.
    Inventors: Patrick Albright, Ryan Johnson
  • Patent number: 10710693
    Abstract: A fuel tank arrangement in a marine vessel has a tank container, a first fuel line having a first fuel line port opening into the tank container so as to provide a flow path exclusively for a first fuel, a second fuel line having a second fuel line port opening into the tank container so as to provide a flow path exclusively for a second fuel. The first fuel line port and/or the second fuel line port is provided with a plug or alike to close the flow path from the tank container into the fuel line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: WÄRTSILÄ FINLAND OY
    Inventors: Emanuele D{acute over ( )}Urso, Giammario Meloni, Piero Zoglia, Yves Bui, Pasquale Tripodi, Vincenzo Bosco
  • Patent number: 10697373
    Abstract: Various examples of an active combustion control valve, combustion systems, and method of controlling the flow of liquid fluid in a gas combustion system are described. In one aspect of the present invention, an active combustion control valve includes a core valve housing, an actuator, a valve seat in communication with the actuator, and a passageway in fluid communication with the core valve housing and the valve seat. The control valve is responsive to change in voltage applied to the actuator and is capable of a first condition permitting a first fluid flow through the passageway and a second condition permitting a second fluid flow through the passageway, the first fluid flow being different than the second fluid flow. The combustion control valve is small, robust, responsive and self-cooling to operate in severe thermal environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: WASK ENGINEERING INC.
    Inventors: Wendelin M. Burkhardt, John M. Crapuchettes
  • Patent number: 10525198
    Abstract: A flow meter for intravenous liquids comprising a vertical inlet passage (2), a parallel indicating chamber (9), a ‘U’ shaped flow-resistant liquid passage (6), and an exit chamber (11). Liquid to be dispensed enters the inlet passage (2) via inlet (5) and moves down the passage to a junction with both the ‘U’ shaped flow-resistant passage (6), and the indicator passage. From the junction, the liquid rises up the indicator passage to a height proportional to the flow rate set by an external flow meter, and also through the flow resistant passage, which has an outlet (8) that delivers the liquid to the exit chamber (11) and from there to a patient through an outlet (12). The meter may be formed by an assembly of two injection molded components, thus reducing manufacturing costs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Inventor: Jonathan Charles Devlin West
  • Patent number: 10464032
    Abstract: A system for providing deionized (DI) water with a dynamic electrical resistivity is provided. The system includes plural DI water sources, source pipes, flow control devices, a merging pipe and a flow controller. The DI water sources respectively have different electrical resistivities. The source pipes are respectively connected to the DI water sources in a one-to-one manner. The flow control devices are respectively disposed in the source pipes in a one-to-one manner. The merging pipe joins the source pipes. The flow controller includes a resistivity sensor disposed in the merging pipe, and the flow controller is configured to control a flowrate of the DI water through the source pipes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chi-Hung Liao, Wei-Chang Cheng, Chien-Hung Wang
  • Patent number: 10428498
    Abstract: A faucet assembly having an inlet port connected to a water passageway for receiving water from a water supply line, and a soap passageway for receiving liquid soap. An upwardly extending stalk having both a water discharge port connected to the water passageway and a soap discharge port connected to the soap passageway. A soap cartridge provides liquid soap to the soap passageway. A water activation sensor on the stalk is in electrical communication with a water valve in the water passageway. A soap activation sensor on the stalk is in electrical communication with a soap pump in the soap passageway. The soap discharge port is below the water discharge port. The water activation sensor selectively causes water to flow from the water discharge port while the soap activation sensor selectively causes liquid soap to flow from the soap discharge port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Inventor: Sarah Montague
  • Patent number: 10401963
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to a smart material for providing haptic feedback, as well as haptic actuators, and suitably haptic actuation resulting from electroactive materials. Such haptic actuators are useful in structural materials, including as elements of wearables or accessories.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: IMMERSION CORPORATION
    Inventors: Vahid Khoshkava, Juan Manuel Cruz-Hernandez
  • Patent number: 10336552
    Abstract: A proximity detector includes a sensor providing a proximity reading. The proximity detector is capable of comparing the reading to a rising threshold level and a falling threshold level, wherein the falling threshold level is less than the rising threshold level. The proximity detector continuously stores a minimum reading value for the proximity reading. The proximity detector will report the presence of granular material only if the proximity reading remains less than the falling threshold level and within an epsilon value of the minimum reading value for a predetermined period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: BECS TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventor: Todd Steinbrueck
  • Patent number: 10317718
    Abstract: A smart valve positioner is provided with a local user interface with but-tons and a display inside a positioner housing under a housing cover for locally operating the valve positioner. The valve positioner is further provided with a detector detecting whether the housing or the housing cover is open or closed. The operation mode of the local user interface is configured to be different depending on whether the housing or housing cover is open or closed. For example, a larger variety of operations may be available when the housing or housing cover is open.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: METSO FLOW CONTROL OY
    Inventors: Tero Ihalainen, Juha Yli-Petäys
  • Patent number: 10281317
    Abstract: A bottle according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a sidewall, at least one cap removably attached to the sidewall, and a control unit. The control unit is configured to determine whether fluid expelled from the bottle is consumed by a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Inventor: Dilan Dubey
  • Patent number: 10236875
    Abstract: A potential is held stably. A negative potential is generated with high accuracy. A semiconductor device with a high output voltage is provided. The semiconductor device includes a first transistor, a second transistor, a capacitor, and a comparator. The comparator includes a non-inverting input terminal, an inverting input terminal, and an output terminal. A gate and one of a source and a drain of the first transistor are electrically connected to each other. One of a source and a drain of the second transistor is electrically connected to the non-inverting input terminal of the comparator, one electrode of the capacitor, and a gate of the second transistor. The other of the source and the drain of the second transistor is electrically connected to the one of the source and the drain of the first transistor. The first transistor and the second transistor each contain an oxide semiconductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kiyoshi Kato, Yutaka Shionoiri, Takanori Matsuzaki
  • Patent number: 10229579
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to a flow detection system. The system may include a flow detection hub fluidly connected to a fluid supply pipe including a flow sensor that detects a flow rate of fluid flowing through the fluid supply pipe and a processing element in communication with the flow sensor and a user device. The processing element performs the following operations: determining a first delta based on a first flow rate data from the flow sensor; determining a second delta based on a second flow rate data from the flow sensor; correlating the first delta and the second delta to a first event; and transmitting a message to a user device corresponding to the first event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: Rachio, Inc
    Inventors: Bradley Wilson Alcorn, Franz David Garsombke, Eric Lester Miles, Christopher Michael Klein
  • Patent number: 10221960
    Abstract: A valve assembly with at least two valve modules is described, wherein the valve modules are arranged one beside the other in a line-up direction. The valve assembly also comprises an indicating device for displaying a state of the valve modules and/or of the valve assembly and/or of a component connected to the valve assembly. In the line-up direction the indicating device continuously extends over all valve modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: BUERKERT WERKE GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Thomas Hamm, Thomas Diem, Ina Schmetzer
  • Patent number: 10197212
    Abstract: Pipeline segments can contain cables, such as communication cables (e.g., fiber optic cables) within insulation material surrounding the pipeline segments. Cables can be embedded within the insulation material, run through conduits embedded within the insulation material, placed in channels formed in the insulation material, or otherwise. Channels containing one or more cables can be filled with supplemental insulation material, thus securing the cables within the channels. Pipelines created as disclosed herein can enable data transfer between distant points without the need to lay fiber optic cable in addition to the pipeline. Further, fiber optic cable embedded thusly can be used to sense conditions in the pipeline, such as leaks, seismic activity, strain, and temperature information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Todd J. Green, Alexis Wachtel, William Markus, John L. Maida
  • Patent number: 10192694
    Abstract: An interlocking control device for a multiple-unit safety circuit is provided, which includes: a protective grounding switch control branch which includes: a pantograph rising pneumatic circuit cut-off valve, a protective grounding switch turn-off pneumatic circuit cut-off valve and a protective grounding switch turn-off solenoid valve which are connected in series. When high-voltage equipment of a multiple-unit train is under maintenance or is powered by an external power supply, a protective grounding switch is turned on, cocks of the pantograph rising pneumatic circuit cut-off valve and the protective grounding switch turn-off pneumatic circuit cut-off valve are rotated to open a cover of a key box, the protective grounding switch control branch is disconnected, the protective grounding switch turn-off solenoid valve connected in series in the protective grounding switch control branch is powered off to maintain the protective grounding switch in an on state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: CRRC QINGDAO SIFANG CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Buzhao Niu, Jinghai Jiao, Xinkai Fang, Donghua Wu, Guidong Tao, Guimei Deng
  • Patent number: 10179256
    Abstract: An example system in a fire pump room may comprise a monitoring component that is configured to receive data from two or more pump room devices of a fire pump room. The monitoring component may include a plurality of input ports and each of the two or more pump room devices may be communicatively coupled to the monitoring component via a corresponding input port. The system may further comprise a wireless network interface controller communicatively coupled to a server in a network via a wireless access point, and a memory configured to store subscription information for one or more subscribing parties. Additionally, the system may comprise a processing component configured to send an indication of the received data to at least one of the one or more subscribing parties via the wireless network interface controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2019
    Assignee: ASCO Power Technologies, L.P.
    Inventor: Douglas A. Stephens
  • Patent number: 10047653
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for regenerating exhaust-gas aftertreatment systems capable of storing nitrogen oxides in lean exhaust gas, and in rich exhaust gas of reducing nitrogen oxides to nitrogen. The invention is used in exhaust-gas aftertreatment systems which consist of at least one NOx storage catalyst arranged near the engine and at least one NOx storage catalyst located in the underbody of the vehicle and are intended to clean the exhaust gas of spark-ignition engines predominantly run on a lean mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: UMICORE AG & CO. KG
    Inventors: Frank Adam, Sebastian Mueller, David Palm, Susanne Kunert
  • Patent number: 10009025
    Abstract: The invention relates to a sensor (1) comprising a pulse generator (2) and an electrode (3) connected to an output of the pulse generator (2). A detector (61) detects a change in the amplitude of the signal being present at the electrode, and a control unit (62) operatively connected to the output of the detector (61), detects the presence of a person interacting with the sensor based on the output signal of the detector (61). Furthermore, the electrode (3) is connected to the pulse generator (2) via an inductive circuit such that the sensor can detect the presence of a user but can also be used as a touch sensor. In one embodiment, the pulse generator (2) via an inductive circuit is adapted to generate a pulse train with repetition rate equal to the resonance frequency of the inductive circuit or to an integer multiple of an octave of said resonance frequency. An automatic faucet (100) using such sensor is further described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: S.T.S.R. S.R.L.
    Inventor: Fabio Pandini
  • Patent number: 10001224
    Abstract: A solenoid fluid control valve for controlling fluid flow. The solenoid fluid control valve may comprise a transceiver that receives a signal via a controller area network (CAN) bus, and a micro controller unit that decodes the signal to determine a temperature. The micro controller unit may send a signal to a driver circuit based on the temperature. The driver circuit may send a current through a coil in response to the signal, wherein an armature moves in response to the current through the coil. The movement of the armature may direct a cooling fluid flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: FLEXTRONICS AP, LLC
    Inventors: David Phillips, Richard Guzorek
  • Patent number: 9988796
    Abstract: Pull out sprayhead (1) for a faucet, comprising: an inlet fitting (10), provided with a coupling end (10d) connectable to a extractable water supply pipe; a supply mouth (11a) in fluid connection with said attachment end (10d); and a magnet (12) fixed at the inlet fitting (10) and prearranged to allow a releasable connection of said pull-out sprayhead (1) to a faucet neck (20), said magnet (12) being arranged in a housing chamber (13), defined between an outer wall of said inlet fitting (10) and a covering nut (14), within which an insulating sleeve (30) is placed, distinct from the covering nut (14) and interposed between the inlet fitting (10) and the magnet (12), so as to minimize the heat flow occurring between a supplied fluid and the magnet (12) through the inlet fitting (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: AMFAG S.R.L.
    Inventor: Orlando Bosio
  • Patent number: 9983078
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for analyzing effects of friction on process control devices are disclosed herein. An example method includes determining, by executing an instruction with at least one processor, a first value corresponding to friction associated with at least one of an actuator or a process control device to be operated by the actuator; determining a second value indicative of an effect of the friction on operation of the process control device via the actuator based on the first value corresponding to the friction and a first threshold value; and changing a force input to move a plug of the process control device 1) a distance or 2) a distance within a time period when the second value satisfies a second threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Fisher Controls International LLC
    Inventor: Shawn William Anderson
  • Patent number: 9943869
    Abstract: The showerhead includes a main body; a power generator disposed in the main body; a power monitor module, disposed in the main body, electrically connected to the power generator, and configured for monitoring quality of power from the power generator and switching on/off power supply of the power generator; and a control module, disposed in the main body, electrically connected to the power monitor module, and configured for controlling functions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: NATIONAL APPLIED RESEARCH LABORATORIES
    Inventors: Chun-Ming Huang, Chen-Chia Chen, Chien-Ming Wu
  • Patent number: 9930980
    Abstract: A beverage container includes a container body, a plurality of sensors arranged to determine information associated with liquid contained in the container body, and a processor operably coupled with the plurality of sensors for determining a beverage consumption routine of a user based on the information determined by the plurality of sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: GROKING LAB LIMITED
    Inventor: Sze Ring Pau
  • Patent number: 9930862
    Abstract: A method comprises receiving a flow of milk at an inlet of a manifold. The inlet comprises a first end coupled to a hose that receives a flow of milk from a teat cup and a second end terminating in a chamber of the manifold. The manifold comprises one or more other inlets and a plurality of outlets. The plurality of outlets includes one or more milk collector outlets and one or more drain outlets. The method proceeds by causing the flow of milk to be directed to a corresponding milk collector outlet by causing a shut-off valve corresponding to the inlet to open, and by causing a drain valve corresponding to the inlet to close. The method concludes by causing the flow of milk to be directed to a corresponding drain outlet by causing the drain valve corresponding to the inlet to open.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: Technologies Holdings Corp.
    Inventors: Henk Hofman, Peter Willem van der Sluis, Ype Groensma
  • Patent number: 9928724
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to a flow detection system. The system may include a flow detection hub fluidly connected to a fluid supply pipe including a flow sensor that detects a flow rate of fluid flowing through the fluid supply pipe and a processing element in communication with the flow sensor and a user device. The processing element performs the following operations: determining a first delta based on a first flow rate data from the flow sensor; determining a second delta based on a second flow rate data from the flow sensor; correlating the first delta and the second delta to a first event; and transmitting a message to a user device corresponding to the first event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: Rachio, Inc.
    Inventors: Bradley Wilson Alcorn, Franz David Garsombke, Eric Lester Miles, Christopher Michael Klein
  • Patent number: 9863836
    Abstract: The invention relates to a monitoring apparatus for a steam plant, the apparatus comprising: a sensor unit (110) associated with a component of the steam plant, the sensor unit (110) being configured to provide an output indicative of the operating condition of the component; wherein the sensor unit (110) has a plurality of operating modes, each operating mode having a different resource usage; the apparatus further comprising: a selector (130) for selecting one of the plurality of operating modes; wherein the operating mode is chosen based on a current operating condition of the steam plant. The invention also relates to a method of operating such an apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: Spirax-Sarco Limited
    Inventors: Christopher Michael Roland Agard Poczka, Lyubka Spasova
  • Patent number: 9835266
    Abstract: A pressure regulator for liquid media includes a through-flow path which extends between two connections for a medium-conducting line. The through-flow path is equipped with a valve seat which can be released or closed by a closing element that is mounted in a movable manner between a closing position and a release position. A wear of the closing element and/or the valve seat can be monitored during ongoing operations using a wear sensor device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: EISENMANN SE
    Inventors: Hans-Peter Picht, Ruediger Schweikardt
  • Patent number: 9759346
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for analyzing effects of friction on process control devices are disclosed herein. An example apparatus includes a housing; a processor disposed in the housing, the processor to: determine a first force or torque corresponding to friction of a process control device and an actuator operatively coupled to the process control device via a stem or shaft; in response to the first force or torque, determine a first command to operate the process control device via the stem or shaft to obtain a first response of the actuator; determine a second force or torque corresponding to friction of the process control device and the actuator; and in response to the second force or torque, determine a second command to operate the process control device via the stem or shaft to obtain a second response of the actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: Fisher Controls International LLC
    Inventor: Shawn William Anderson