Indicating Transducer Patents (Class 29/595)
  • Patent number: 11940347
    Abstract: A pressure sensor has a stem in which a pressure introduction hole into which a pressure medium is introduced and a diaphragm deformable according to the pressure of the pressure medium are formed, and a strain detecting element which is arranged on the diaphragm via an insulating film and being configured to output a detection signal according to the deformation of the diaphragm. The strain detecting element is configured to have a portion made of polysilicon. A low doping layer having a higher electrical resistivity than polysilicon and a higher crystallinity than the insulating film is arranged between the insulating film and the strain detecting element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignees: DENSO CORPORATION, NAGANO KEIKI CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Kodama, Naoki Yoshida, Kaori Miyashita, Eiji Takeda, Nobuaki Yamada, Yoshihiro Tomomatsu, Yasushi Yanagisawa, Yusuke Midorikawa, Shirou Kamanaru, Kenichi Yokoyama, Inao Toyoda, Hisayuki Takeuchi, Naohisa Niimi, Masao Takahashi, Yasutake Ura, Kouji Asano, Yukihiro Kamada
  • Patent number: 11883188
    Abstract: A method comprising receiving data from a sleep sensor integrated in a mattress system, the sleep sensor coupled via a cord to a data collection unit, analyzing the data at the data collection unit, and providing results of the analyzed data to a user mobile device via a wireless connection, for display to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: DP Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Philippe Richard Kahn, Arthur Kinsolving, Mark Andrew Christensen, Venkat Easwar
  • Patent number: 11839160
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a flexible integrated array sensor and manufacturing methods thereof. The array sensor includes a silicon wafer, a readout circuit layer, a sensing array layer, and a polymer substrate layer disposed on the silicon wafer. The manufacturing method includes: preparing a silicon wafer; fabricating a plurality of function arrays, each including m*n function units, on a surface of the silicon wafer; etching one or more deep grooves on the surface of the silicon wafer between the arrays; fabricating a thinning support; and thinning a bottom surface of the silicon wafer to a target thickness so that the arrays are separated from each other. The etching depth for etching the one or more deep grooves is equal to or greater than the thickness of the silicon wafer after thinning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: United Microelectronics Center Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Miao Wang, Weimong Tsang, Wenlong Jiao, Haopeng Wang, Ruifeng Yang
  • Patent number: 11785848
    Abstract: An energy conversion system for use in a rifle with a barrel and a handguard includes an interface with a curved surface that conforms substantially to a curvature of the barrel such that the curved surface receives heat from the barrel. The interface further includes a substantially flat mounting surface and a heat-conducting material disposed between the curved surface and the substantially flat mounting surface to conduct the heat from the curved surface to the substantially flat mounting surface. Moreover, a spring is positioned to be between the interface and the handguard to apply a force to the interface so that the curved surface substantially maintains contact with the barrel. A thermoelectric generator is secured to the substantially flat mounting surface and includes a positive lead and a negative lead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: Battle Sight Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher J. Vogt, Nicholas R. Ripplinger, Ryan D. Snyder, Sunny L. Kapka
  • Patent number: 11725941
    Abstract: A sensing device includes a resonant member that is movable in a first mode and a second mode, and an electrode. The resonant member has a capacitive surface portion that faces and is capacitively coupled to a capacitive surface portion of the electrode. Displacement for each point along the capacitive surface portion of the resonant member in the first mode is substantially tangent to the point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Amir Rahafrooz, Diego Emilio Serrano, Ijaz Hussain Jafri
  • Patent number: 11642064
    Abstract: An integrated electrode structure can comprise a catheter shaft comprising a proximal end and a distal end, the catheter shaft defining a catheter shaft longitudinal axis. A flexible tip portion can be located adjacent to the distal end of the catheter shaft, the flexible tip portion comprising a flexible framework. A plurality of microelectrodes can be disposed on the flexible framework and can form a flexible array of microelectrodes adapted to conform to tissue. A plurality of conductive traces can be disposed on the flexible framework, each of the plurality of conductive traces can be electrically coupled with a respective one of the plurality of microelectrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: St. Jude Medical, Cardiology Division, Inc.
    Inventors: Terry L. Sterrett, John J. Crow, Eric Lim, Gregory K. Olson, Jeffrey A. Schweitzer
  • Patent number: 11632093
    Abstract: An acoustic wave device includes a piezoelectric material substrate, an intermediate layer on the piezoelectric material substrate and composed of one or more materials selected from the group consisting of silicon oxide, aluminum nitride and sialon. A bonding layer is on the intermediate layer and is composed of one or more materials selected from the group consisting of tantalum pentoxide, niobium pentoxide, titanium oxide, mullite, alumina, and a high resistance silicon and hafnium oxide. A supporting body is composed of a polycrystalline ceramic and is bonded to the bonding layer by direct bonding, and an electrode is on the piezoelectric material substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: NGK INSULATORS, LTD.
    Inventors: Tomoyoshi Tai, Masahiko Namerikawa, Yudai Uno, Ryosuke Hattori, Keiichiro Asai
  • Patent number: 11502664
    Abstract: An electronic component includes a support member, a piezoelectric film, and an interdigital transducer. The support member includes silicon as a primary component. The piezoelectric film is provided directly or indirectly on the support member. The interdigital transducer includes a plurality of electrode fingers. The plurality of electrode fingers are provided side by side separately from each other. The interdigital transducer is provided on the principal surface of the piezoelectric film. The film thickness of the piezoelectric film is about 3.5 ? or less, where ? denotes the wavelength of an acoustic wave determined by the electrode finger pitch of the interdigital transducer. In the support member, the high-impurity-concentration region is further from the piezoelectric film than the low-impurity-concentration region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: MURATA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takuya Koyanagi, Hideki Iwamoto
  • Patent number: 11473967
    Abstract: An assembly arrangement for connecting a membrane of a vibration sensor with a drive unit such that vibrations of the drive unit are transmitted to the membrane and vibrations of the membrane are transferred to the drive unit, wherein the assembly arrangement is formed as a cylindrical sleeve, having on one end a fastening section for indirectly or directly fastening to the membrane or an element connected with the membrane, and an insertion opening for the drive unit on the other end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: Vega Grieshaber KG
    Inventors: Dominik Fehrenbach, Julian Epting
  • Patent number: 11060887
    Abstract: A magnetic detection sensor for being installed at an end of a cable with a pair of signal wires to detect a magnetic field from magnetic poles. The sensor includes a magnetic sensor including a detection section and a pair of lead frames, the detection section including a magnetic detection element for detecting the magnetic field from the magnetic poles, and the lead frames extending from the detection section and configured to output a detection signal of the detection section, a housing portion that houses the magnetic sensor, and a capacitor that is provided separately from the magnetic sensor and is housed in the housing portion. First joining portions respectively joining the pair of lead frames to the pair of signal wires and second joining portions respectively joining the pair of lead frames to a pair of lead wires of the capacitor are located inside the housing portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: HITACHI METALS, LTD.
    Inventors: Kazuhiko Tomita, Takashi Onimoto, Masaaki Imahori
  • Patent number: 10871504
    Abstract: An acceleration measuring device includes a piezoelectric system, a seismic mass, and a base plate. The seismic mass exerts onto the piezoelectric system, a force that is proportional to the acceleration. The piezoelectric system responds to the force by generating piezoelectric charges that are electrically transmitted as acceleration signals. The seismic mass includes a first mass element responsible for generating positive piezoelectric charges. The seismic mass includes a second mass element responsible for generating negative piezoelectric charges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2020
    Assignee: Kistler Holding, AG
    Inventor: Flavio Rosa
  • Patent number: 10739375
    Abstract: An acceleration measuring device includes a piezoelectric system, a seismic mass, and a base plate. During acceleration of the device, the seismic mass exerts onto the piezoelectric system a force that is proportional to the acceleration of the device. The force causes the piezoelectric system to generate piezoelectric charges that can be electrically processed as acceleration signals. The piezoelectric system includes two system elements, and the seismic mass correspondingly includes two mass elements. The device includes a preloading assembly that mechanically preloads the system elements against the mass elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: KISTLER HOLDING AG
    Inventor: Flavio Rosa
  • Patent number: 10690693
    Abstract: A sensor including at least one sensor element, at least one signal processing circuit, and at least one housing inside which the sensor element and the signal processing circuit are arranged. The sensor further includes an electronic identification device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: Continental Teves AG & Co. oHG
    Inventors: Abtin Darvish, Ralf Endres
  • Patent number: 10620233
    Abstract: A piezoelectric transducer for measuring a force includes a base element; a pre-loading element; at least one effective main seismic mass aggregation of pre-loaded parts capable of producing the force when being accelerated; a main piezoelectric ceramic element including a first piezoelectric ceramic; at least one compensation seismic mass aggregation of pre-loaded parts capable of producing a compensation force when being accelerated; a compensation piezoelectric ceramic element including a second piezoelectric ceramic. The first piezoelectric ceramic has a thermal sensitivity shift smaller than the second piezoelectric ceramic. The main piezoelectric ceramic element is oriented with respect to the force to be measured and the compensation piezoelectric ceramic element is oriented with respect to the compensation force such that the main electric charge and the compensation electric charge are opposite in polarity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: KISTLER HOLDING AG
    Inventor: Andrew Paul Cook
  • Patent number: 10424566
    Abstract: An electronic device comprises a carrier, an emitter, a detector, a separation wall and a light shielding layer. The emitter is disposed on a first portion of the top surface of the carrier. The detector is disposed on a second portion of the top surface of the carrier. The separation wall is disposed on the top surface of the carrier between the emitter and the detector. The light shielding layer disposed adjacent to the top surface of the carrier and extends from the separation wall to the second portion of the carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: ADVANCED SEMICONDUCTOR ENGINEERING, INC.
    Inventors: Chung-Wei Hsu, Hsin-Ying Ho, Hsun-Wei Chan
  • Patent number: 10416025
    Abstract: A vibration sensor is electrically isolated from the mounting surface of the device or equipment to which it is attached. The isolation provides protection from excess voltages present on the mounting surface that could damage the internal components of the vibration sensor or auxiliary equipment attached to the vibration sensor. The isolation is provided by a non-conductive amorphous solid or crystalline material between the mounting base and the case and between the case and the sensing element to protect the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: Amphenol (Maryland), Inc.
    Inventor: Matthew C. Goenner
  • Patent number: 10331992
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods, devices, and other implementations, including a radio frequency identification (RFID) device that includes a sheet comprising a middle strip section separable from a remainder of the sheet, and two side strips flanking the separable middle strip section, with the middle strip section including an attachment structure. The RFID device further includes a radio frequency circuit configured to receive RF transmissions and to transmit reply RF signals. The middle strip section is initially attached to the two side strips in a non-separated configuration, and is configured to be partly separated from the two side strips flanking the middle strip section, and to be attached to at least one of the two side strips at a corresponding at least one attachment point such that the middle strip section, when attached, protrudes relative to a plane defined by the remainder of the sheet to form an arched structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: Barcoding, Inc.
    Inventor: Jay Steinmetz
  • Patent number: 10156472
    Abstract: Acoustic sensing systems having improved vibration cancelation, and methods of achieving improved vibration cancelation. In one example, an acoustic sensing system includes an acoustic sensor configured to produce a sensor output signal representative of a response of the acoustic sensor to acoustic excitation and vibration excitation, at least one accelerometer configured to provide an acceleration signal responsive to the vibration excitation, and a controller, including an adaptive digital filter, coupled to the acoustic sensor and to the at least one accelerometer, and configured to receive the acceleration signal and to adjust coefficients of the adaptive digital filter so as to minimize coherence between a residual signal and the acceleration signal, the residual signal being a difference between the sensor output signal and a filter output signal from the adaptive digital filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2018
    Assignee: Raytheon BBN Technologies Corp.
    Inventor: Ronald Bruce Coleman
  • Patent number: 10129660
    Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods having or using an improved implantable middle ear transducer for driving an ossicular chain bone to assist in aiding hearing. One embodiment of the present invention is a transducer assembly for converting electrical signals to mechanical vibrations which can be coupled, for example, to the stapes to provide audible frequency vibrations to the cochlea. One transducer assembly includes a pair of fins or gussets coupled to opposite sides of a transducer in the direction of unwanted movement of the transducer. The base of the transducer may be coupled to a base member while the fins have free edges that are near to but not coupled to the base member. Some fins are triangular shaped. The fins may not substantially inhibit vibration in the preferred plane, but can inhibit unwanted vibrations in a plane orthogonal to the preferred direction which can substantially include a plane containing the fins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: Envoy Medical Corporation
    Inventor: John P. Beck
  • Patent number: 10033178
    Abstract: A linear electromagnetic device, such as an inductor, transformer or the similar device, may include a core in which a magnetic flux is generable. The device may also include an opening through the core. The device may additionally include a primary conductor received in the opening and extending through the core. The primary conductor may include a substantially square or rectangular cross-section. An electrical current flowing through the primary conductor generates a magnetic field about the primary conductor, wherein substantially the entire magnetic field is absorbed by the core to generate the magnetic flux in the core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: James L. Peck, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9794666
    Abstract: An electro-acoustic driver comprises a sleeve having a first end and a second end; a first wire exit opening at a first position of the sleeve; a second wire exit opening at a second position of the sleeve; a voice coil within the sleeve; a magnetic assembly in magnetic communication with the voice coil in the sleeve between the first end and the second end; and a conductive wire of the voice coil having a first region at the first wire exit opening, a second region at the voice coil, and a third region between the first and second regions configured as a helix about the acoustic assembly. The third region of the conductive wire is substantially unsupported between the voice coil and the first wire exit opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: BOSE CORPORATION
    Inventor: David W. Beverly
  • Patent number: 9573621
    Abstract: A power steering apparatus for a vehicle includes a column shaft, a column pipe rotatably supporting the column shaft through a plurality of bearings, and a torque sensor for detecting torque generated on the column shaft by using magnetism. The column pipe is composed of a steel pipe. The torque sensor includes a magnetically variable portion and a magnetic change detector. The magnetically variable portion is disposed on the column shaft and has a magnetic permeability that varies with the torque generated on the column shaft. The magnetic change detector is configured to detect a change in the magnetism of the magnetically variable portion. The magnetic change detector is attached to the column pipe by being inserted in an axial direction through an opening at an axial end of the column pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takehito Shiraishi, Yutaka Arimura, Takashi Miyoshi, Yasuo Shimizu
  • Patent number: 9046541
    Abstract: A method for producing a disk resonator gyroscope includes providing a base substrate and a handle wafer with a release hole, bonding a release wafer to the handle wafer, bonding a resonator wafer to the release wafer, etching the resonator wafer to form a disk resonator with a central pillar, and sense and drive electrodes, selectively applying a conductive film onto the disk resonator on a side of the disk resonator opposite the release wafer, on the outer edge of the disk resonator, and on the surfaces of the sense and drive electrodes facing the outer edge of the disk resonator, bonding the sense and drive electrodes and the central pillar of the disk resonator to the base substrate, and releasing the handle wafer by introducing a dry release agent into the release hole to undercut the release wafer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignees: HRL Laboratories, LLC, The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Randall L. Kubena, David T. Chang, Robert L. Larson
  • Publication number: 20150116799
    Abstract: A reddish collimated beam and a greenish collimated beam respectively emitted from one and another light emitters are separately radiated to different conversion regions of a phase modulation array. In the phase modulation array, phases of components of light are converted through a plurality of pixels, thereby obtaining a modulated beam that is an interfered beam. An image of the modulated beam is formed on a screen to generate a holographic image. The one light emitter and the other light emitter are each configured as a separate block, stacked one on top of another on a reference base, and separately positioned and secured.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2014
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Inventor: Yoshihiro Someno
  • Publication number: 20150116043
    Abstract: An oscillation circuit includes a terminal XO which is connected to one end of a resonator, a terminal XI which is connected to the other end of the resonator, an oscillation unit which is electrically connected to the terminal XO and the terminal XI, a control voltage generation circuit, and a switch. The oscillation unit includes a variable capacitive element having one end which is connected to the terminal XO or the terminal XI. The switch controls electrical connection between the other end of the variable capacitive element and an output terminal of the control voltage generation circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2014
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Inventors: Yosuke ITASAKA, Masayuki ISHIKAWA, Takehiro YAMAMOTO, Akihiro FUKUZAWA
  • Publication number: 20150119644
    Abstract: An exemplary embodiment providing one or more improvements includes an endoscope connector for connecting any given one of a plurality of working assemblies to an imaging assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2015
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Inventors: Joseph R. Demers, Marek Sekowski
  • Publication number: 20150116044
    Abstract: An oscillation circuit includes: an oscillation unit which includes a first terminal and a second terminal connected to a resonator, a third terminal, a fourth terminal to which at least one of a power supply potential and a signal for inspecting the resonator is applied, a first switching unit which switches modes of electrical connection between the first terminal and the third terminal, and a second switching unit which switches modes of electrical connection between the second terminal and the fourth terminal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2014
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Inventors: Yosuke ITASAKA, Masayuki ISHIKAWA, Takehiro YAMAMOTO, Akihiro FUKUZAWA
  • Publication number: 20150109555
    Abstract: Various implementations described herein are directed to a marine display device. In one implementation, a marine display device may include a housing and a display panel disposed in the housing, where the display panel is configured to project one or more images relating to marine electronics data. The marine display device may also include an infrared filter coupled to the display panel and configured to block light from being applied to the display panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Inventor: Pablo Eynon
  • Patent number: 8997330
    Abstract: An implantable sensor is provide which can be used for determining a concentration of at least one analyte in a medium, in particular a body tissue and/or a body fluid. The implantable sensor has a layered construction with at least one insulating carrier substrate and at least two electrodes which are arranged in at least two different layer planes of the implantable sensor and are electrically isolated from one another by the at least one insulating carrier substrate. The electrodes have electrode areas which face the medium when the sensor has been implanted, and are in contact with the medium over a large area and substantially uniformly, directly or via a generally analyte-permeable membrane layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Holger Kotzan, Gregor Bainczyk
  • Publication number: 20150091579
    Abstract: A cold cathode ionization vacuum gauge includes an extended anode electrode and a cathode electrode surrounding the anode electrode along its length and forming a discharge space between the anode electrode and the cathode electrode. The vacuum gauge further includes an electrically conductive guard ring electrode interposed between the cathode electrode and the anode electrode about a base of the anode electrode to collect leakage electrical current, and a discharge starter device disposed over and electrically connected with the guard ring electrode, the starter device having a plurality of tips directed toward the anode and forming a gap between the tips and the anode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2014
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Inventors: Gerardo A. Brucker, Timothy C. Swinney, Brandon J. Kelly
  • Patent number: 8973230
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of manufacturing an inertial sensor using a polling method of a piezoelectric element performing a polling after packaging the piezoelectric element, the method of manufacturing an inertial sensor including: forming a driving electrode and a sensing electrode on a flexible substrate on which a piezoelectric material is deposited; electrically connection the driving electrode and the sensing electrode; packaging the flexible substrate; polling by applying voltage and heat to the driving electrode and the sensing electrode; and electrically separating the driving electrode from the sensing electrode by applying heat to the driving electrode and the sensing electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Heung Woo Park, Seung Hun Han, Jung Won Lee
  • Patent number: 8973245
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of manufacturing a flat panel detector such that the surface on the side of a fluorescent body layer of a scintillator panel which has the fluorescent body layer comprising a column crystal on the supporting body, is coupled to the planar light receiving element surface of a light-receiving element, comprising: a step of manufacturing the scintillator panel which has a larger area than that of the planar light receiving element surface; a step of trimming the edges of the scintillator panel, obtained by the step of manufacturing the scintillator panel, to correspond to the area of the planar light receiving element surface; and a step of coupling the edge-trimmed scintillator panel to the planar light receiving element surface, thus providing a flat panel detector which has an excellent productivity and that can be made small in size without non-image area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Medical & Graphic, Inc.
    Inventors: Takehiko Shoji, Keiko Itaya, Masashi Kondo, Makoto Iijima
  • Patent number: 8966730
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a sensor network is described which includes stretching a silicon substrate over a desired area, and generating a plurality of nodes fabricated on the stretchable silicon substrate. The nodes include at least one of an energy harvesting and storage element, a communication device, a sensing device, and a processor. The nodes are interconnected via interconnecting conductors formed in the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Michael Alexander Carralero, John Lyle Vian
  • Publication number: 20150051505
    Abstract: A device for measuring impedance of biological tissue may include electrodes and a voltage-to-current converter coupled to the electrodes to drive an alternating current (AC) through the tissue and sense an AC voltage. The converter may include an amplifier having first and second inputs and an output, a first voltage divider coupled to the first input, a second voltage divider coupled to the second input, a filter capacitor coupled between the output and the second voltage divider, a current limiting resistor coupled between the second input the second voltage divider, and a bypass capacitor coupled to the second input of the amplifier and in parallel with the resistor. A single-ended amplitude modulation (AM) demodulator may demodulate the AC voltage and generate a corresponding baseband voltage representing the impedance. The device may also include an output circuit to generate output signals representative of DC and AC components of the baseband voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2014
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Inventor: Stefano ROSSI
  • Patent number: 8955212
    Abstract: A micro-electro-mechanical microphone and manufacturing method thereof are provided. The micro-electro-mechanical microphone includes a diaphragm, which is formed on a surface of one side of a semiconductor substrate, exposed to the outside surroundings, and can vibrate freely under the pressure generated by sound waves; an electrode plate with air holes, which is under the diaphragm; an isolation structure for fixing the diaphragm and the electrode plate; an air gap cavity between the diaphragm and the electrode plate, and a back cavity under the electrode plate and in the semiconductor substrate; and a second cavity formed on the surface of the same side of the semiconductor substrate and in an open manner The air gap cavity is connected with the back cavity through the air holes of the electrode plate The back cavity is connected with the second cavity through an air groove formed in the semiconductor substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Lexvu Opto Microelectronics Technology (Shanghai) Ltd
    Inventors: Jianhong Mao, Deming Tang
  • Publication number: 20150011889
    Abstract: An ultrasonic probe manufactured using graphene or graphite, and a manufacturing method thereof, the ultrasonic probe including a matching layer, a transducer layer provided at a rear surface of the matching layer, and a backing layer provided at a rear surface of the transducer layer, wherein the ultrasonic probe further includes at least one sheet that is formed of graphene and provided on at least one of a front surface of the matching layer, in between the matching layer and the transducer layer, in between the transducer layer and the backing layer, a rear surface of the backing layer, and lateral sides of the matching layer, the transducer layer and the backing layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2014
    Publication date: January 8, 2015
    Inventor: Sung Jae LEE
  • Publication number: 20150008903
    Abstract: A current sensing device and method of manufacturing a sensing device are disclosed. The current sensing device can include at least two current sensors, implemented in an openable ring-shaped support, and wherein the at least two current sensors can be arranged in a chain-like arrangement on the ring-shaped support, and wherein the at least two current sensors are electrically connected in series.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2014
    Publication date: January 8, 2015
    Applicant: ABB TECHNOLOGY AG
    Inventors: Radek JAVORA, Jaromir Podzemny, Petr Velesik
  • Publication number: 20140348207
    Abstract: A temperature probe comprises a thermocouple with a cross-section having flattened sides and rounded ends, and a method of manufacturing a thermocouple for a temperature probe comprising the step of flattening a round thermocouple wire.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 24, 2012
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Applicant: MARINE CANADA ACQUISITION INC.
    Inventors: Bruce Wilnechenko, Greg Eastman, Steve Locke
  • Patent number: 8881370
    Abstract: Inertial sensor having a body with first and second cavities on opposite sides thereof, a sensing element in the first cavity, electronic circuitry in the second cavity, electrical conductors interconnecting the sensing element and the circuitry, and leads connected electrically to the circuitry and extending from the body for mounting the sensor and making connections with the circuitry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Custom Sensors & Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: William Paul Berger, Mark Andrew Collins, Michael Thomas Frazee, Thad W. (Marc) Smith, Robert Albert Anderson, Stuart John Knowles, Victor Dragotti
  • Publication number: 20140328372
    Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and systems are provided for measuring the supply of a consumable product/energy source, such as electrical power, to a facility over time and analyzing the measurements to determine the consumption or supply of the product by one or more loads and/or sources in the facility, and to determine induced and residual heat flow through the facility's envelope. Various aspects compare the measured supply of the consumable product to a database of consumption signatures, which characterize access to the consumable product by particular users. Operating conditions and facility characteristics, such as temperatures, load factors, insulation factors, etc., may be further considered in determining a particular user's access of the consumable product. To aid in the controlling of energy use, thermal resistance factors of the building are determined, which are based on the induced and residual heat flow through the facility.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2014
    Publication date: November 6, 2014
    Applicant: NetESCO LLC
    Inventor: Michael Craig Scelzi
  • Patent number: 8875379
    Abstract: Methods of manufacturing a fluid flow measuring device are provided. In an embodiment of the present invention, shields are disposed to prevent or reduce circulating electrical currents from causing a voltage difference that would adversely affect the measured voltage difference between two adjacent electrodes. Groups of sensors, e.g., two or more, may be placed within the shield. The shields may have any cross-section shape. A magnetic field source is disposed proximate the electrodes such that the magnetic field source is oriented to generate a magnetic field substantially orthogonal to an imaginary line intersecting each pair of electrodes. A voltage measuring circuit is electrically coupled to the plurality of electrodes and configured to measure a voltage difference between each pair of electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: REM Scientific Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert E. Maute
  • Publication number: 20140318255
    Abstract: Provided is a capacitive transducer including an element including a plurality of cells supported such that a vibrating membrane including one of a pair of electrodes formed with an gap inbetween is capable of vibration, wherein a distance between a pair of electrodes of a cell in an end portion of the element is greater than a distance between a pair of electrodes of a cell in a middle portion of the element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2014
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kazutoshi Torashima, Kenichi Nagae
  • Publication number: 20140318254
    Abstract: A side lobe in a capacitive transducer is reduced. Provided is a capacitive transducer including an element including a plurality of cells supported such that a vibrating membrane including one of a pair of electrodes formed with an gap inbetween is capable of vibration, wherein a distance between cells in an end portion of the element is greater than a distance between cells in a middle portion of the element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2014
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kazutoshi Torashima, Kenichi Nagae
  • Patent number: 8869388
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing radiation tomography apparatus in this invention includes a step of fixing a detector array to a holding member by adjusting relative positions of the detector array and the holding member the base by spacing a scintillator apart from a base through contact of the scintillator of the detector array to a supporting device. Such configuration may realize provision of radiation tomography apparatus with higher spatial resolution by manufacturing a group of detectors having the scintillators of suppressed deviation in arrangement and being arranged regularly upon arranging radiation detectors for forming the group of detectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Shimadzu Corporation
    Inventors: Hiromichi Tonami, Masafumi Furuta
  • Patent number: 8857041
    Abstract: An electromechanical transducer includes a first electromagnetic element and a second electromagnetic element, such as electrodes, disposed opposite to each other with a sealed cavity therebetween. The sealed cavity is formed by removing a sacrifice layer and then performing sealing. A sealing portion is formed by superposing a film of a hardened second sealing material that has fluidity at normal temperature on a film of a first sealing material that does not have fluidity at normal temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yuichi Masaki, Yoshihiro Hasegawa
  • Patent number: 8844347
    Abstract: An insert apparatus for installing a transducer assembly in a sensor port of a flow cell is disclosed. The transducer assembly is installed in the cavity of the insert body without the use of glues or adhesives to bond the transducer assembly to the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Lei Sui, Nicholas Joseph Mollo, Benjamin Edward McDonald, Toan Huu Nguyen, Solomon Feldman, Nicholas Anderson Hobbs, Ganesh Devkar, John Austin True, Mykhaylo Barsukov
  • Publication number: 20140260678
    Abstract: A tactile sensor includes a pressure transducer encapsulated in an elastic material that defines a contact surface and provides a transmission path that transmits contact forces or pressure distributions applied to the contact surface to the pressure transducer. The pressure transducer can be enclosed in a protective housing that defines a chamber around the transducer. The housing can include one or more openings that expose the chamber to the exterior pressure. The tactile sensor can be made by applying the elastic material in liquid form and exposing the housing to a vacuum that removes air inside the chamber allowing the liquid elastic material to flow into the chamber. Once cured, the elastic material defines a contact surface of the tactile sensor and serves to transfer contact forces applied to the contact surface to the transducer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: PRESIDENT AND FELLOWS OF HARVARD COLLEGE
    Inventors: Leif JENTOFT, Yaroslav TENZER, Robert HOWE
  • Publication number: 20140260690
    Abstract: System, apparatus and method for capacitive sensing, where a sensor includes an upper and lower housing, each respectively equipped with upper and lower pressure ports. The lower housing is electrically coupled to an active shield. An insulating material is provided on or near a conductive diaphragm for insulating the conductive diaphragm from the lower housing. The insulating material may be an insulator or a dielectric material, where a sensing electrode is positioned such that the sensing electrode extends laterally across at least a portion of the insulating material, and is separated from the insulating material by a predetermined distance to form an air gap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: DWYER INSTRUMENTS, INC.
    Inventors: Rodney Corder, Armand E. Gagne II, Justin A. Brown, Stephen J. Charnley, Ryan Finley, Kyle J. Devlin, Anna B. Wint, Jenan Almishari
  • Patent number: 8819904
    Abstract: A process for producing an acoustic device having a phononic crystal structure comprising inclusions produced in a first medium distributed in a matrix of a second medium, to block propagation of acoustic waves within a bandgap frequency band, includes: defining geometric parameters of said inclusions, which have walls contacting said matrix, making at least one non-zero first wall angle, to the normal of the plane of said structure, said geometric parameters including said first wall angle; determining a function relating to variation in frequency position of said bandgap with said wall angle or relating to variation in width of said bandgap with said wall angle; determining said at least first angle, for a selected frequency position and/or selected width of the bandgap, from the function or functions determined beforehand; and producing said inclusions having at least said first wall angle in said matrix formed by said second medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique et aux Energies Alternatives
    Inventors: Marie Gorisse, Alexandre Reinhardt
  • Patent number: 8806738
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a quartz crystal unit, comprising the steps of forming a quartz crystal tuning fork shape having a quartz crystal tuning fork base, and first and second quartz crystal tuning fork tines, a quartz crystal tuning fork resonator having the quartz crystal tuning fork shape, forming at least one groove in at least one of opposite main surfaces of each of the first and second quartz crystal tuning fork tines, determining each of a length of the at least one groove and an overall length of the quartz crystal tuning fork resonator so that a series resistance R1 of a fundamental mode of vibration of the quartz crystal tuning fork resonator is less than a series resistance R2 of a second overtone mode of vibration thereof, housing the quartz crystal tuning fork resonator in a case, connecting a lid to the case, and disposing a metal or a glass in a through-hole of the case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Piedek Technical Laboratory
    Inventor: Hirofumi Kawashima