Plural Magnetic Fields In Material Patents (Class 324/232)
  • Patent number: 11480634
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a nano-magnetic-particle-imaging apparatus, including a measurement head including excitation and detection coils and accommodating a sample bed for a sample including nano magnetic particles; a gradient magnetic field generation unit for generating a magnetic field having a strength equal to or greater than that of the saturation magnetic field of the nano magnetic particles in a spacing area between identical magnetic poles facing each other and forming a field-free region in a portion thereof; a first driving unit for linearly moving the sample bed; a second driving unit for rotating the gradient magnetic field generation unit in a plane; a third driving unit for linearly reciprocating the gradient magnetic field generation unit; and a control unit for applying a signal to the excitation coil, controlling the driving units, and imaging 3D distribution of the nano magnetic particles based on a detection signal output from the detection coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute
    Inventors: Eul-Gyoon Lim, Jin-Sun Kim, Chang-Beom Kim, Jae-Chan Jong, Seung-Min Choi, Hyo-Bong Hong
  • Patent number: 11480706
    Abstract: Methods, systems, devices, and products for taking multi-component induction tool measurements of a three-dimensional space from an interior of a plurality of nested tubulars in a borehole in an earth formation and estimating the property for each of the at least two tubulars using the multi-component induction tool measurements. The multicomponent induction tool measurements may be responsive to a property corresponding to at least two conductive tubulars of the plurality of nested tubular. Taking multi-component induction tool measurements may include taking three-dimensional low-frequency sinusoidal frequency domain waveform resistivity measurements and taking three-dimensional transient EM measurements with the multi-component induction tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Holdings LLC
    Inventors: Otto N. Fanini, Babak Kouchmeshky, Daniel Joseph Ratigan, Mohamed Daoud
  • Patent number: 11448617
    Abstract: An additive manufacturing apparatus for manufacture of aluminum parts layer-by-layer, the apparatus comprising an eddy current sensor for in-process measuring of contour and defects of manufactured layers with a defect resolution of at least 0.25 mm. Preferably, the eddy current sensor is embodied as a differential mode line sensor with dual use of sensor coils. Preferably, the array of the line sensor comprises a zig-zag-arrangement of sensor coils with a cross section of 0.15 mm2 maximal and with a core with an initial magnetic permeability of at least 5000, preferably a permalloy or metal glass coil core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: HEXAGON TECHNOLOGY CENTER GMBH
    Inventors: Silvan Meile, Charles Leopold Elisabeth Dumoulin, Matthias Burri
  • Patent number: 11428668
    Abstract: There is described an Eddy current probe for non-destructive testing, comprising: a first leg extending along a first longitudinal axis between a first proximal end and a first distal end; a second leg extending along a second longitudinal axis between a second proximal end and a second distal end; a high magnetic permeability body extending at least partially between the first and second longitudinal axes, the high magnetic permeability body being spaced apart from the first and second legs by a gap and the high magnetic permeability body and the first and second legs being each made of a high magnetic permeability material; and at least one excitation coil each secured to at least one of the first leg and the second leg.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: EDDYFI CANADA INC.
    Inventors: Vincent Demers-Carpentier, Marco Michèle Sisto
  • Patent number: 11009469
    Abstract: An automated high-speed method for inspecting metal around fasteners and a computer-controlled apparatus for performing that inspection method. The apparatus comprises a multi-motion inspection head mounted on a scanning bridge, a robotic arm, or a robotic crawler vehicle. The multi-motion inspection head comprises a millimeter waveguide probe and a motorized multi-stage probe placement head that is operable for displacing the waveguide probe along X, Y and Z axes to achieve multiple sequenced motions. The waveguide probe is attached to a mandrel that is rotatably coupled to an X-axis (or Y-axis) stage for rotation about the Z axis. Smart servo or stepper motors with feedback control are used to move the waveguide probe into place and then scan across or around a fastener head to inspect for cracks that may be under paint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Gary E. Georgeson, Steven K. Brady, Donald D. Palmer, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11009484
    Abstract: A device, system and method for detecting flaws in a magnetic material includes a wheeled scanner having two detectors and arranged for travel over a flat surface. The first detector is a horizontal magnet-sensor arrangement that generates a magnetic field in a direction generally parallel to a central horizontal axis of the scanner. The second is a vertical magnet-sensor arrangement that generates a magnetic field in a direction generally perpendicular to the central horizontal axis of the scanner. A set of computer executable instructions uses data collected by the first detector to detect a flaw in the magnetic material and data collected at a same time by the second detector to determine a location of the detected flaw relative to a top and bottom surface of the magnetic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: The University of Tulsa
    Inventors: Michael W. Keller, Brynn Arraina Jellison, Samuel G. Laney
  • Patent number: 10996363
    Abstract: A metal detection apparatus comprises: a detection circuit unit (30) that detects a first variation component having a large influence of workpiece and a second variation component having a large influence of metal; a determination unit (40) that compares the two variation components to perform a metal determination process in the workpiece (W); and a detection condition adjustment unit (60) that adjusts detection conditions of both variation components. A foreign matter waveform storage unit (50) stores a test variation component accompanying temporal change due to metal influence is further provided. The detection condition adjustment unit sets a specific processing condition of detection processing in the detection circuit unit based on the first variation component based on the magnetic field variation signal at the time when the work W including no metal passes through the inspection zone Z and the second variation component constituted by the test variation component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: ANRITSU INFIVIS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yuki Hayakawa, Eiji Taniguchi, Akira Ohashi, Tomohiko Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 10962503
    Abstract: The present invention provides a surface property inspection method including a step of setting a resistance ratio between resistors R1 and R2 of an AC bridge circuit 20 in a surface properly inspection apparatus 1. The step includes a step for placing a non-surface-treated reference test pieces S on a reference detector 22 and an inspection detector 23 and measuring a first setting output signal while changing the resistance ratio ?, a step for placing the reference test piece S on the reference detector 22, placing a surface-treated setting test piece on the inspection detector 23, and measuring a second setting output signal while changing the resistance ratio, a step for calculating the differential value between the first and second output signals, and a step for setting the resistance ratio so that the absolute value of the differential value is maximized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: SINTOKOGIO, LTD.
    Inventor: Yoshiyasu Makino
  • Patent number: 10924130
    Abstract: A real time digital trigger detection channel includes an event detector, a pulse former, a low pass filter, an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) and a Discrete Fourier Transform (DFT) processor coupled in series. The event detector is responsive to an applied input signal and the presence of information requiring digital trigger generation. The pulse former generates a pre-determined, limited length, stable pulse signal which is applied to an anti-aliasing, pulse shaping low pass filter. The resultant shaped pulse signal is converted to a sequence of sample values by the ADC, which in turn are applied to the DFT processor, which in turn calculates a discrete Fourier transform of the output sequence of ADC samples, performing trigger position calculation based on values determined by the DFT processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: Guzik Technical Enterprises
    Inventors: Valeriy Serebryanskiy, Alexander Taratorin, Anatoli B. Stein
  • Patent number: 10908127
    Abstract: Testing apparatus and handles for testing apparatus are disclosed. An example testing apparatus includes: a first housing portion including a first compartment portion and a trigger compartment; a second housing portion including a second compartment portion that is complementary to the first compartment portion, wherein the first compartment portion and the second compartment portion form a yoke compartment when the first housing portion and the second housing portion are attached; a removable seal positioned around a perimeter of at least one of the first compartment portion or the second compartment portion, wherein the removable seal is configured to be compressed between the first housing portion and the second housing portion to seal the yoke compartment; and a trigger cover complementary to the trigger compartment of the first housing portion, wherein the trigger cover and the second housing portion are removably attached to the first housing portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Steven W. Vande Lune
  • Patent number: 10876720
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for implementing and utilizing lighting attachments for use in conjunction with handheld magnetization equipment during non-destructive testing (NDT). The lighting attachments may incorporate snap-fit based designed, and may be configured for providing lighting based on the magnetization function of the magnetization equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Christopher Mark Sonnenberg, Steven W. Vande Lune
  • Patent number: 10788456
    Abstract: Disclosed is an eddy current inspection device for nondestructive testing. The device includes: a bobbin-shaped coil configured to be inserted into a specimen, which is an object of nondestructive testing, and to apply induction current to an inner diameter of the specimen; a reference coil configured to be inserted into a nondestructive specimen, which is a reference of the specimen, and to apply induction current to an inner diameter of the nondestructive specimen; a cylindrical manual sensor array configured to disposed in the bobbin-shaped coil and to include lines and rows; and a control module configured to select one or more frequencies of multiple frequencies, apply AC power to the bobbin-shaped coil and the reference coil, generate a square wave signal with a varying phase difference, and perform first multiplication by an applied signal and the square wave signal. Accordingly, it is possible to accurately detect a flaw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: Industry-Academic Cooperation Foundation, Chosun University
    Inventors: Jin Yi Lee, Jung Min Kim, Sun Bo Sim
  • Patent number: 10767470
    Abstract: Methods and systems are included that relate to the detection and monitoring of defects in wellbore conduits using a distributed sensor system and a wireline transmitter. A method for inspection of wellbore conduits may comprise: running a wireline transmitter into a wellbore; generating an electromagnetic field using the wireline transmitter, wherein the electromagnetic field penetrates one or more conduits disposed in the wellbore, and wherein the electromagnetic field induces emission of at least one secondary electromagnetic field from the one or more conduits; generating at least one signal in response to the secondary electromagnetic field, wherein the at least one signal is generated using a distributed sensor system, and wherein the distributed sensor system comprises electromagnetic field sensors installed in the wellbore and distributed along the one or more conduits; and identifying a pipe electromagnetic or geometric property of the one or more conduits based on the at least one signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Ahmed Elsayed Fouda, Burkay Donderici, Luis E. San Martin
  • Patent number: 10639999
    Abstract: A method for detecting an open line (10) of a receiver coil (17; 18) of a resolver (16) comprises—providing a pull-up resistor (R1; R3) and a pull-down resistor (R2; R4) at the terminals (7a, 7b; 8a, 8b) on a control device (1) for the signal lines (13a, 13b; 14a, 14b) of the receiver coil (17; 18);—measuring the voltage between the two signal line terminals (7a, 7b; 8a, 8b) of the receiver coil at two sampling times provided symmetrically at the middle of the excitation period;—calculating an offset value by calculating an average value that comprises the measured values measured at the two sampling times in an excitation period; and—identifying an open line (10) if the offset value exceeds a threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Benjamin Lechner, Daniel Zirkel, Daniel Raichle, Michael Ungermann
  • Patent number: 10598620
    Abstract: The invention provides a nondestructive tester that includes a coil for positioning adjacent a surface of an object, a voltage source connected to the coil to apply a forward power to the coil, a measurement circuit connected to the coil to measure a reflected power from the coil due to the forward power, and an analyzer connected to the measurement circuit and determining a result of a function of the reflected power to the forward power and utilizing a result of the function to determine whether a feature presence at or below the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: Grid Logic Incorporated
    Inventor: Matthew J. Holcomb
  • Patent number: 10549347
    Abstract: A system and method for manufacturing and authenticating a component is provided. The method includes forming a component having an identifying region that contains two or more materials having different conductivities such that the identifying region generates an eddy current response signature that defines a component identifier of the component. The method further includes interrogating the identifying region of the surface with an eddy current probe to determine the component identifier. The component identifier may be stored in a database as a reference identifier and may be used for authenticating components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Scott Alan Gold, Justin Mamrak
  • Patent number: 10533970
    Abstract: A system for determining whether a magnetic field associated with an elongate rebar element in a concrete body of a reinforced structural element assembly includes one or more anomalies. The system includes a data-gathering unit having a frame assembly movable relative to the reinforced structural element assembly, and a sensor assembly mounted to the frame assembly. The sensor assembly includes one or more magnetic sensors for sensing at least part of the magnetic field as the sensor assembly is moved relative to the concrete body, to generate magnetic field data defining magnetic flux density of the magnetic field of the rebar element. The system also includes a tracking assembly for generating location data to locate the magnetic field data relative to the concrete body, and a processor for analyzing the magnetic field data and the location data to generate anomaly data describing the anomaly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Inventors: Maurice Bernard Dusseault, Seyedbijan Mahbaz
  • Patent number: 10491043
    Abstract: Disclosed is a coil for wirelessly transmitting or receiving power. The coil includes a coil unit formed by winding a plurality of wires insulated from each other; and a capacitor connected to the coil unit. The wires of the coil unit are shorted at a predetermined interval.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: LG INNOTEK CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Su Ho Bae
  • Patent number: 10399817
    Abstract: In an elevator car position detection device, a magnetic field generator generates an eddy current magnetic field on an identification member, and a magnetic field detector detects the eddy current magnetic field generated on the identification member. The identification member includes a plurality of conductors which are continuously arranged along an ascending and descending direction of a car, and are relatively different in a plate thickness with respect to a skin depth of an eddy current generated by the magnetic field generator on the identification member. A shape of at least a part of a boundary between the adjacent conductors is a straight line or a curve tilted with respect to a direction orthogonal to the ascending and descending direction of the car.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jin Inoue, Emiko Kurata, Yoshimasa Watanabe, Akihide Shiratsuki, Hiroshi Nishizawa, Hajime Nakajima, Masahiro Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 10352903
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for monitoring a material includes adding tagging particles to the material, sensing the tagging particles in the material for an even distribution throughout the material, forming a part from the material if the tagging particles are evenly distributed throughout the material, sensing the tagging particles in the part to determine a physical characteristic of the part, placing the part in operation if the determined physical characteristic is within a predetermined specification, sensing the tagging particles in the part during operation to detect at least one of wear and damage to the part, and generating an indication to a user upon detection of the at least one of wear or damage to the part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Inventor: Thomas C. Targosz
  • Patent number: 10330497
    Abstract: A modified eddy current (MEC) probe includes a probe body having a bore formed therein. A printed circuit board (PCB) assembly includes a circuit board defining a plane, has a plurality of electronic components mounted thereon, and is configured for mounting within the bore of the probe body. A coil board assembly is electrically connected to the PCB assembly, defines a plane, and includes a first coil board layer, a second coil board layer bonded to the first coil board layer, a transmitter coil formed on an outside surface of the first coil board layer, a Faraday shield formed on an outside surface of the second coil board layer, and a sensor coil formed on one of an inside surface of the first coil board layer and the second coil board layer, such that the sensor coil is positioned between the first coil board layer and the second coil board layer. The plane of the coil board assembly is arranged orthogonally to the plane of the circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: Centrus Energy Corp.
    Inventors: James A. Moore, Michael S. Emery, Marc L. Simpson, Mike Hileman, Terry White
  • Patent number: 10168287
    Abstract: An automated high-speed method for inspecting metal around fasteners and a computer-controlled apparatus for performing that inspection method. The apparatus comprises a multi-motion inspection head mounted on a scanning bridge, a robotic arm, or a robotic crawler vehicle. The multi-motion inspection head comprises a millimeter waveguide probe and a motorized multi-stage probe placement head that is operable for displacing the waveguide probe along X, Y and Z axes to achieve multiple sequenced motions. The waveguide probe is attached to a mandrel that is rotatably coupled to an X-axis (or Y-axis) stage for rotation about the Z axis. Smart servo or stepper motors with feedback control are used to move the waveguide probe into place and then scan across or around a fastener head to inspect for cracks that may be under paint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Gary E. Georgeson, Steven K. Brady, Donald D. Palmer, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10155645
    Abstract: There is provided an apparatus, a monitoring arrangement, a method, a crane and a tool for monitoring a condition of an elongated ferrous object having a longitudinal axis. Two magnetizing circuits including magnetic poles are arranged along the longitudinal axis of the object. A magnetic flux guide connects the poles. The magnetizing circuits are arranged around the object at opposite sides along the longitudinal axis, wherein the magnetizing circuits are hinged together to be movable between a closed position, where the object is enclosed between the poles of the magnetizing circuits and an open position, where monitored object is removable from the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2018
    Assignee: KONECRANES GLOBAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Joni Silvo, Matti Pekkarinen, Jack Hoover, Mats Åkesson, Matti Kumpulainen, Jyrki Savela
  • Patent number: 10151729
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for detection of imperfections by detecting changes in magnetic flux of a magnetized metal body includes a housing carrying first and second magnets for magnetizing the metal body that are located adjacent opposite ends of the housing and a conductor member intermediate the first and second magnets that has a forward end adjacent the metal body and extends outwardly from the metal body to an outer end of the conductor member. At this outer end there is provided a third magnet directing its magnetic field into the conductor member, and at the forward end of the conductor member there is provided a magnetic field sensor to detect changes in magnetic field in the metal body generated by the imperfections as the housing is moved in scanning movement along the metal body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Inventor: Randel Brandstrom
  • Patent number: 10081263
    Abstract: Disclosed are a three-phase wireless power transfer (WPT) system and three-phase wireless rechargeable unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) system based on the same. Three power receiving coils, including resonators, are installed at the ends of three landing leg of the UAV. A three-phase power converter installed in the UAV receives the three-phase AC induction current induced in three power receiving coils, including resonators, converting the three-phase AC induction current into a DC current to be charged in a battery. A three-phase power wireless charging apparatus wirelessly transfers three-phase power from three power transmitting coils to the three power receiving coils of the UAV when the three landing legs land on three coil seating units provided on a charging platform. A magnetic flux leakage shielding coil may be provided to prevent magnetic flux leakage from approaching the UAV. The power transfer efficiency is excellent, and electromagnetic interference can be also reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology
    Inventors: Joung-Ho Kim, Chi-Uk Song
  • Patent number: 10072497
    Abstract: A technique facilitates geophysical exploration by employing a tool wrapped with an optical fiber. Additionally, an orientation sensor is coupled to the tool and is operable to provide data regarding orientation of the tool. A processing system, which may include an optical interrogation system, cooperates with the optical fiber and with the orientation sensor to obtain acoustic data. For example, the processing system collects tool orientation data and also strain data obtained from a location along the wrapped optical fiber. The strain data results from excitation of an acoustic signal from a suitable acoustic source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Toru Ikegami
  • Patent number: 10034633
    Abstract: Disclosed embodiments enable determining and monitoring the location of at least one particle in a subject's body, as well as the status of a local environment within the body where the at least one particle is located.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignees: WEINBERG MEDICAL PHYSICS INC., UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND COLLEGE PARK
    Inventors: Irving N. Weinberg, Edo Waks, Benjamin Shapiro
  • Patent number: 9952180
    Abstract: A composite component comprising a plurality of plies and a plurality of pins extending transversely to the plies, wherein the pins comprise a magnetic material. A magnetic field generator is configured to generate a magnetic field through a thickness direction of the component; and a sensor is provided for detecting a change in magnetic flux indicative of delamination of the plies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventor: Bing Zhang
  • Patent number: 9935504
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a detecting device including a coil electromagnetically coupled to the external, a resonant circuit that includes at least the coil, and a detecting section that superimposes a measurement signal for measuring the Q-factor of the resonant circuit on a power transmission signal transmitted to the coil in a contactless manner and removes the power transmission signal from an alternating-current signal obtained by superimposing the measurement signal on the power transmission signal. The detecting section measures the Q-factor by using the alternating-current signal from which the power transmission signal is removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Keigo Bunsen, Hiroaki Nakano, Tomomichi Murakami, Shinichi Fukuda
  • Patent number: 9910109
    Abstract: A method and system for determining a whole-body averaged specific absorption ratio (SARwb) in a person comprises positioning an exposimeter on the person's body and providing a chamber forming an electromagnetic (EM) cavity and comprising a radiofrequency emitter and receiver; determining a first reverberation time of decay of EM power and a free-space incident power density in the chamber when the person is absent, and determining, a second reverberation time of decay of EM power in the chamber and a reference received power, received by the exposimeter, when the person is present in the chamber; and determining an absorption cross section of the person taking the first and second reverberation time and a volume of the chamber into account, determining a calibration factor relating a received power on the exposimeter to the SARwb, measuring a received power using the exposimeter, and determining the SARwb by applying the calibration factor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: UNIVERSITEIT GENT
    Inventors: Arno Thielens, Wout Joseph, Luc Martens
  • Patent number: 9726640
    Abstract: A rotary bolt hole eddy current inspection scanner using a differential eddy current probe, the circuitry of the scanner is embodied with a filtering circuit with three filters: FIR (Finite Impulse Response), a low pass filter, and a phase control filter (by means of a Hilbert transform). The result from a scan of a bolt hole is an output signal on an impedance plane exhibiting a “backwards 6” shape of stable size when the scanner changes its rotating rate significantly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: OLYMPUS SCIENTIFIC SOLUTIONS AMERICAS INC.
    Inventor: Andrew Thomas
  • Patent number: 9651701
    Abstract: An arrangement for association with an MRI and detecting presence of ferrous material and discriminating out far field magnetic disturbance. The arrangement includes a detector configured to monitor the magnetic field and includes an array of sensors arranged about the periphery of an opening in a spaced arrangement such that each sensor is associated with a different portion of the opening. Each of the sensors is configured to output a signal having a value indicative of the sensed magnetic field at the associated portion of the opening. The arrangement includes a corrector configured to correct each signal value from the change in response to the far field magnetic disturbance and to provide respective corrected signal values. The arrangement includes a processor configured to use the corrected signal values to determine a ferrous-indicating limit is exceeded and to provide a safety response that addresses the ferrous-indicating limit exceed condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: KOPP DEVELOPMENT, INC.
    Inventor: Keith Kopp
  • Patent number: 9517022
    Abstract: A finger biometric sensor may include a substrate and an array of magnetic field finger biometric sensing pixels carried by the substrate. The finger biometric sensor may also include processing circuitry coupled to the array of magnetic field finger biometric sensing pixels and capable of generating a magnetic field extending into a finger positioned adjacent the array of magnetic field finger biometric sensing pixels to cause eddy currents in the finger. The processing circuitry may also be capable of sensing a counter magnetic field caused by the eddy currents representative of at least one finger biometric characteristic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventor: Dale R. Setlak
  • Patent number: 9513258
    Abstract: The invention concerns a structural integrity assessment system and method for determining stress concentration zones in a structure, such as a pipeline. The invention comprises a magnetic field sensor array arranged to be moved relative to the structure in a known direction. A controller is provided for recording one or more magnetic field readings taken by the magnetic field sensor array at different locations in the direction of movement thereof. A processor is arranged to identify one or more feature within said values, said feature being indicative of a region of reduced structural integrity in the structure. The processor also receives a data input for a further parameter corresponding to the location of the sensor array and compares the feature with the further parameter in order to verify that said feature corresponds to a region of reduced structural integrity for the structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Speir Hunter Ltd.
    Inventors: Steven Freear, Ben Varcoe, David Matthew Joseph Cowell, Stephen George Henry Staples, Chau Vo
  • Patent number: 9442093
    Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus and methodology for detecting anomalies in cables within a tire structure. A plurality of magnetic field sensitive sensors are aligned within a magnetic field provided by a magnet. The alignment of sensors and magnet is such that flux lines from the magnet are generally parallel to the plane occupied by the magnetic sensors. A tire cable anomaly present between the magnetic field sensitive sensors produces a detectable difference in signals produced by the magnetic field sensitive sensors as a result of the formation of perpendicular flux patterns produced by the anomaly. A signal processing circuit receiving input signals from the sensors evaluates differences between the signals from each of the plurality of sensors by pairing the output signal from each sensor with the output signal from each of the others of the plurality of sensors and produces an output signal upon the differences meeting selected criteria.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignees: MICHELIN RECHERCHE et TECHNIQUES S.A., COMPAGNIE GENERALE DES ETABLISSEMENTS MICHELIN
    Inventors: Lee Brandon, Gene Edward DeAmicis, Frank E. Gramling, David Andrew Judd
  • Patent number: 9429674
    Abstract: A method for detecting a target in a soil using a metal detector, including: generating a transmit magnetic field for transmission into the soil based on a transmit signal; receiving a receive magnetic field; providing a receive signal induced by the receive magnetic field; processing the receive signal for producing a set of data which has effects of signals from the soil reduced therein or removed therefrom; producing at least two components of a form of at least one time constant spectrum based on the set of data; and producing, at least one indicator output signal based on the at least two components for indicating the presence and/or identity of the target when the target is within, an influence of the transmit magnetic field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: Minelab Electronics Pty Limited
    Inventor: Philip Shane Wahrlich
  • Patent number: 9429544
    Abstract: A sensor array comprising a series connection of parallel GMR sensor stripes provides a sensitive mechanism for detecting the presence of magnetized particles bonded to biological molecules that are affixed to a substrate. The adverse effect of hysteresis on the maintenance of a stable bias point for the magnetic moment of the sensor free layer is eliminated by a combination of biasing the sensor along its longitudinal direction rather than the usual transverse direction and by using the overcoat stress and magnetostriction of magnetic layers to create a compensatory transverse magnetic anisotropy. By making the spaces between the stripes narrower than the dimension of the magnetized particle and by making the width of the stripes equal to the dimension of the particle, the sensitivity of the sensor array is enhanced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: Headway Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Po-Kang Wang, Xizeng Shi, Chyu-Jiuh Torng
  • Patent number: 9389202
    Abstract: A damage detecting device according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a first speed generator, a second speed generator, a first waveform shaping section, a second waveform shaping section, and a determining section. The determining section compares a second rectangular wave shaped by the second waveform shaping section and a first rectangular wave shaped by the first waveform shaping section and, if the first rectangular wave is not output while the second rectangular wave is output, determines that a supporting device for an armature shaft is damaged or worn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: CENTRAL JAPAN RAILWAY COMPANY
    Inventors: Mamoru Tanaka, Masayuki Ueno, Yoshiya Watanabe, Hirokazu Kato
  • Patent number: 9377286
    Abstract: A device for globally measuring a thickness of a metal film (901), comprises: a base (10); a rotating unit (20) comprising a fixed member (21) fixed on the base (10) and a rotating member (22) having a rotating joint (23); a working table (50) fixed on the rotating member (22) and having a vacuum passage which is formed therein and connected with the rotating joint (23); a linear driving unit (30) including a guide rail (31) fixed on the base (10) and a sliding block (32) slidable along the guide rail (31); a cantilever beam (40) disposed horizontally and defining a first end fixed with the sliding block (32) and a second end; a measuring head (80) connected to the second end of the cantilever beam (40), facing a surface of the working table (50) and having an eddy current probe (82) disposed therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: TSINGHUA UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Xinchun Lu, Dewen Zhao, Zilian Qu, Qian Zhao, Yongyong He, Yonggang Meng
  • Patent number: 9304107
    Abstract: A measuring device configured to detect a metal object includes two emission coils configured to produce superimposed magnetic fields. The measuring device also includes a device configured to determine a differential voltage between the emission coils. The measuring device further includes a control device configured to supply the emission coils with alternating voltages such that the value of an AC voltage component of the differential voltage, which is time synchronized with the alternating voltage, is minimized. The control device is configured to detect the metal object when the ratio of the alternating voltages does not correspond to the ratio of the impedances of the emission coils when the metal object is not there.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Tobias Zibold, Andrej Albrecht
  • Patent number: 9256329
    Abstract: A touch panel sensor system configured to generate simultaneous drive signals having different frequencies to improve noise immunity is described. The touch panel sensor system includes a sensor configured to detect a change in capacitance associated with a touch upon a touch panel. The system also includes a drive component connected to the sensor and is configured to simultaneously generate a plurality of drive signals to simultaneously drive the sensor. Each drive signal has a different frequency characteristic with respect to the other drive signals. The system also includes a measuring component connected to the sensor and is configured to individually demodulate a plurality of signals to determine the change in capacitance. Each signal corresponds to a respective drive signal (e.g., the signal has the same, or approximately the same, frequency characteristic as the respective drive signal).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: Qualcomm Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Guozhong Shen, Ozan E. Erdogan
  • Patent number: 9030196
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for the non-destructive testing of electrically conductive components such as wellbore tubulars, which is suitable for testing the components in situ a wellbore installation. The method comprises the steps of performing a remote field eddy current test phase and at least one of a conventional direct-field eddy current test phase and a partial saturation eddy current test phase. A measurement data set from each of the test phases is obtained and the combined measurement data is processed to evaluate a condition of the test component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Innospection Group Limited
    Inventor: Andreas Boenisch
  • Publication number: 20150115944
    Abstract: Among other things, the disclosure features a system comprising a sensor, a DC magnetic field source, an AC magnetic field source, and a receiver. The sensor has an aspect ratio of 10:1 or higher and comprises a ferromagnetic material. The ferromagnetic material has a non-linear magnetization response, and the response contains a maximum point of non-linearity. The DC magnetic field source is adjustable for providing a magnetic excitation field to excite a magnetic field within the sensor. The provided magnetic excitation field has a range such that the excited magnetic field within the sensor is near the maximum point of non-linearity. The AC magnetic field source is configured to generate an AC magnetic field to cause the sensor to generate even harmonics. The receiver is configured to receive the even harmonics from the sensor for determining a position of the sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2013
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Applicant: Ascension Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Westley S. Ashe
  • Patent number: 9000759
    Abstract: A magnetic sensor for discriminating between high and low coercivity magnets is disclosed. The sensor comprises a first magnetic field operable to orient high and low coercivity magnets in a first magnetic orientation. The sensor also comprises a second magnetic field, lower in strength than the first magnetic field, and operable to orient only the low coercivity magnets in a second magnetic orientation opposite to the first magnetic orientation. The sensor further comprises a sensor for ascertaining the magnetic orientation of each of the magnets and thereby identifying if a magnet is a high coercivity magnet or a low coercivity magnet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: NCR Corporation
    Inventors: Gary Ross, Adam Camilletti, Andrew Nicholas Dames, Edward G Colby
  • Patent number: 8981771
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for inspecting a metallic structure. A first signal is sent into a first location in the metallic structure and a second signal into a second location in the metallic structure at substantially a same time. A first response to the first signal is received. A second response to the second signal is received. The first response is compared with the second response to form a comparison. A determination is made as to whether an inconsistency is present using the comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Jeffrey G. Thompson, Gary E. Georgeson
  • Publication number: 20150070005
    Abstract: A magnetic measurement device which measures coercivity and coercivity distribution in a microregion of a thin plate magnetic sample with high coercivity. A magnetic sample is applied with a magnetic field in a first direction and magnetized, a second magnetic field is applied in a direction opposite to the first, a measuring part scans the sample, measuring magnetic flux leakage due to remnant magnetization in the sample. The intensity of the second magnetic field is gradually increased while the measuring part repeats the measurement to obtain the second magnetic field wherein the magnitude of the leakage from the sample reaches the maximum level, and when a magnetic field equivalent to the coercivity is applied to the sample and about half of the magnetization is reversed, the sample's coercivity is obtained based on the determination that the demagnetizing field Hd reaches the minimum level and the leakage reaches the maximum level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2012
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Inventors: Kenichi Suzuki, Tsutomu Chikamatsu, Akio Ogawa, Kyung-ku Choi, Ryuji Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 8928315
    Abstract: An insertion type eddy current flaw detection probe capable of more accurately detecting flaws in magnetic tubes is provided. A method for inspecting magnetic tubes for flaws with high accuracy is also provided. A eddy current flaw detection probe contains a cylindrical yoke (1), a plurality of detection coils (5) disposed around the central portion of the cylindrical yoke in the direction of a cylindrical axis thereof, first and second inner excitation coils (6) disposed on both sides of the plurality of detection coils in the direction of the cylindrical axis, and first and second permanent magnets (3, 4) disposed around the yoke on both sides of the first and second excitation coils in the direction of the cylindrical axis so that the direction of magnetizations thereof are parallel to the radial direction of the yoke and magnetic poles on the cylindrical yoke side thereof are different from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Sumitomo Chemical Company, Limited
    Inventors: Mitsuo Hashimoto, Hisakazu Mori, Hidehiko Suetsugu, Toyokazu Tada
  • Publication number: 20140306697
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method are provided for the inspection of ferromagnetic components using magnetic particles, particularly for in-situ inspection of parts of power plants, with the apparatus including a movable chassis defining a magnetic yoke with a central opening over a surface of the component to be inspected and a discharge nozzle to inject the magnetic particles onto the surface, a magnetic field source for generating a magnetic field on at least part of the surface below the opening and a probe to measure a representation of the spatial distribution of the magnetic particles on the surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2014
    Publication date: October 16, 2014
    Inventors: Roland Richard MOSER, Andres PERALTA, Fernando Manuel DOS SANTOS SILVERIO, Patrick SCHOENEICH, Francesco MONDADA, Frederic ROCHAT
  • Patent number: 8847586
    Abstract: A magnetic sensor inspection apparatus has a rectangular frame including a stage, a probe card, and a plurality of magnetic field generating coils. A wafer-like array of magnetic sensors is mounted on the stage, which is movable in horizontal and vertical directions. The probe card includes a plurality of probes which are brought into contact with a plurality of magnetic sensors encompassed in a measurement area. The magnetic field generating coils are driven to generate a magnetic field toward the stage. A plurality of magnetic field environment measuring sensors is arranged in the peripheral portion of the probe card surrounding the probes. A magnetic field controller controls magnetic fields generated by the magnetic field generating coils based on the measurement result of the magnetic field environment measuring sensors. Thus, it is possible to concurrently inspect a wafer-like array of magnetic sensors with the probe card.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventor: Takashi Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20140266173
    Abstract: An inspection device and method are capable of inspecting physical properties of a steel ball quickly and precisely by using eddy current. The inspection device includes an inspection passage and an inspector has a plurality of probes located in the inspection passage. Each of the probes can produce a specific magnetic field and detect eddy current change produced by the steel ball when moving through the magnetic field, whereby to produce a signal. Then, the signal will be analyzed by the inspector and converted into physical property data of the steel ball.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventors: Ya-Chen Hsu, Fang-Chih Tien, Yi-Ji Chen