Magnetic Field Detection Devices Patents (Class 324/260)
  • Patent number: 11748583
    Abstract: The techniques and systems described herein relate to manufacturing, characterizing, and/or identifying one or more types of magnetic nanowires (MNWs). One or more types of MNWs may be associated with different objects, and a system may identify the objects based on the magnetic nanowires associated with the objects. For example, such techniques may involve characterizing the types of MNWs based on magnetic field transmission characteristics and ferromagnetic resonance characteristics of each type of MNW. In some examples, the techniques described herein may enable the identification of each of a plurality of types of MNWs present in a sample or object based on a combined transmission value of the sample. Such techniques may enable the development and use of barcode-like systems of different types of MNWs for labeling and identifying objects of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: Regents of the University of Minnesota
    Inventors: Rhonda R. Franklin, Wen Zhou, Jaime F. Modiano, Bethanie J Stadler
  • Patent number: 11747173
    Abstract: A scale includes a base material, an intermediate layer of soft magnetic material formed on one surface of the base material and roughened on face thereof opposite to the base material, and a scale pattern of a conductor formed on the intermediate layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: MITUTOYO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Toshihiko Aoki
  • Patent number: 11604167
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a differential probe, a testing device having at least one such differential probe, and a method for producing the same. The differential probe has a first half-probe and a second half-probe, at least one conductor loop pair having a conductor loop of each half-probe being shaped mirror-inverted relative to each other and, in respect of a mirror-inverted arrangement thereof on respective sides of a mirror plane. The conductor loops are oriented parallel to the mirror plane, are arranged offset relative to each other in an offset direction, also parallel to the mirror plane, wherein the conductor loops overlap in part in the direction normal to the mirror plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: PRÜFTECHNIK DIETER BUSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Bernd Fuchsloch, Jürgen Peters
  • Patent number: 11519757
    Abstract: Systems and methods for determining angular position in rotating machines. A repeating sequence of segments are arranged in a track disposed at a diameter around a shaft of a rotor that rotates about an axis. A sensor is positioned to face the track and is fixed relative to the stator. The track and the sensor face to each other, which may be in directions that are parallel to the axis. The sensor generates an output that is decoupled from the diameter of the track and is related to the repeating sequence of segments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Joel Wagner, Michael Ezzell, Anthony Cline, William Taylor, Jon Gilreath, Ronald E. Strong
  • Patent number: 11454560
    Abstract: A whisker sensor includes an upper circuit board, a lower circuit board, a flexible whisker, and a magnet. The magnet is fixed to the flexible whisker through a central through hole, and the location of the magnet changes with the swinging of the whisker; the upper and lower circuit boards are identical in shape and size, and are connected through an upright column. A circular hole is formed at the center of the upper circuit board, four Hall sensors are symmetrically distributed on the edge of the circular hole, and the displacement of the whisker in X and Y directions can be obtained by detecting the change in magnetic field generated by the change in location of the magnet; a contact sensor is mounted on the lower circuit board, and is connected to the whisker through a connecting piece, to detect displacement of the whisker in the Z direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: SOUTHEAST UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Aiguo Song, Mingxin Leng, Baoguo Xu, Huijun Li
  • Patent number: 11422007
    Abstract: A magnetic sensor includes first and second bridge circuits. The first bridge circuit includes a first group of magnetoresistive elements connected in a bridge. The first bridge circuit outputs a first detection signal corresponding to a magnetic field detected by the magnetoresistive elements in the first group. The second bridge circuit includes a second group of magnetoresistive elements connected in a bridge. Each magnetoresistive element of the first and second bridge circuits is formed by a sensor element bent in a serpentine manner. The second bridge circuit outputs a second detection signal corresponding to a magnetic field detected by the magnetoresistive elements in the second group and having a waveform that has a sine-cosine relationship with the first detection signal. The sensor elements of the first and second bridge circuits are arranged along a circumference of part of a circle about a center of the sensor elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOKAI RIKA DENKI SEISAKUSHO
    Inventors: Tatsuyuki Yamaguchi, Kazuhiro Kitada
  • Patent number: 11422167
    Abstract: A packaged current sensor includes a lead frame, an integrated circuit, an isolation spacer, a first magnetic concentrator, and a second magnetic concentrator. The lead frame includes a conductor. The isolation spacer is between the lead frame and the integrated circuit. The first magnetic concentrator is aligned with the conductor. The second magnetic concentrator is aligned with the conductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Dok Won Lee, Jo Bito, Keith Ryan Green
  • Patent number: 11416657
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method of simulating a vertically-oriented current distribution of current flowing through a plurality of layers of one or more three-dimensional conductors embedded in a shielded multi-layered dielectric includes the steps of dividing portions of the circuit into subsections, the portions containing z-directed current into rectangular prisms; independently modeling a current distribution within each subsection, and, specifically, within the rectangular prisms, independently modeling a basis function of linearly changing or uniform current along the z-axis; independently determining the fields resulting from such assumed basis functions; determining a voltage induced by such determined fields, corresponding to a transfer impedance or transfer admittance of the subsection; and calculating a current distribution in one or more conductors according to the transfer impedance or transfer admittance of each subsection and an assumed voltage across each subsection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Inventor: James C. Rautio
  • Patent number: 11379677
    Abstract: The techniques and systems described herein relate to manufacturing, characterizing, and/or identifying one or more types of magnetic nanowires (MNWs). One or more types of MNWs may be associated with different objects, and a system may identify the objects based on the magnetic nanowires associated with the objects. For example, such techniques may involve characterizing the types of MNWs based on magnetic field transmission characteristics and ferromagnetic resonance characteristics of each type of MNW. In some examples, the techniques described herein may enable the identification of each of a plurality of types of MNWs present in a sample or object based on a combined transmission value of the sample. Such techniques may enable the development and use of barcode-like systems of different types of MNWs for labeling and identifying objects of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: Regents of the University of Minnesota
    Inventors: Rhonda R. Franklin, Wen Zhou, Jaime F. Modiano, Bethanie J Stadler
  • Patent number: 11353480
    Abstract: Unique systems, methods, techniques and apparatuses of a power line measurement device are disclosed. One exemplary embodiment is a measurement device comprising a measurement device structured to at least partially surround a segment of a power distribution line, the measurement device including a winding portion spaced apart from the segment of the power distribution line structured to receive magnetic flux from the power distribution line and to output data corresponding to a current flowing through the power distribution line; and a magnetic shield spaced apart from the measurement device and positioned radially outward from the winding portion relative to the segment of the power distribution line, the magnetic shield comprising a first section and a second section coupled to the first section at an obtuse angle, the magnetic shield being structured to reduce an amount of external flux from being received with the measurement device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: ABB SCHWEIZ AG
    Inventors: Vivek Siddharth, Lei Wang, Jaroslaw Wojciech Chorzepa, Steve A. Shaw, Bandeep Singh, David Raschka
  • Patent number: 11313899
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for providing an integrated circuit having a drive current source, a magnetic sensing element coupled to the drive current source, the magnetic sensing element having first and second differential outputs, and first and second current elements to provide respective currents in relation to the drive current source, wherein the first current element is coupled to the first differential output and the second current element is coupled to the second differential output. In illustrative embodiments, an IC output can output a voltage corresponding to the currents of the first and second current elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: Allegro MicroSystems, LLC
    Inventors: Shaun D. Milano, Georges El Bacha, Michael C. Doogue, David J. Haas, Gregory Delmain, Michael Gaboury, William P. Taylor
  • Patent number: 11293851
    Abstract: An apparatus for individually trapping atoms, individually imaging the atoms, and individually cooling the atoms to prevent loss of the atoms from the trap caused by the imaging. The apparatus can be implemented in various quantum computing, sensing, and metrology applications (e.g., in an atomic clock).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Alexandre Cooper-Roy, Jacob P. Covey, Ivaylo S. Madjarov, Jason R. Williams, Adam L. Shaw, Vladimir Schkolnik, Tai Hyun Yoon, Manuel Endres
  • Patent number: 11056535
    Abstract: Structures for a bitcell of a non-volatile memory and methods of fabricating and using such structures. Non-volatile memory elements are arranged in a Wheatstone bridge arrangement having a first terminal and a second terminal. A first field-effect transistor is coupled with the first terminal of the Wheatstone bridge arrangement, and a second field-effect transistor is coupled with the second terminal of the Wheatstone bridge arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES U.S. INC.
    Inventors: Ajey Poovannummoottil Jacob, Amogh Agrawal
  • Patent number: 10892399
    Abstract: Embodiments of a magnetic field sensor of the present disclosure includes magnetoelectric nanowires suspended above a substrate across electrodes without substrate clamping. This results in enhanced magnetoelectric coupling by reducing substrate clamping when compared to layered thin-film architectures. Accordingly, the magnetoelectric nanowires of the magnetic field sensor generate a voltage response in the presence of a magnetic field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: University of Florida Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: Jennifer S. Andrew, David P. Arnold, Matthew Bauer, Xiao Wen
  • Patent number: 10809253
    Abstract: Methods for analyte detection with magnetic sensors are provided. Aspects of the methods include producing a magnetic sensor device having a magnetically labeled analyte from a sample, such as a serum sample, bound to a surface of a magnetic sensor thereof; and obtaining a signal, e.g., a real-time signal, from the magnetic sensor to determine whether the analyte is present in the sample. Also provided are devices, systems and kits that find use in practicing the methods of the invention. The methods, devices, systems and kits of the invention find use in a variety of different applications, including detection of biomarkers, such as disease markers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignees: MagArray, Inc., The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University
    Inventors: Shan Xiang Wang, Sebastian J. Osterfeld, Heng Yu, Nader Pourmand, Robert L. White
  • Patent number: 10732016
    Abstract: A submetering meter housing is sized and shaped to receive and mount a transmitter circuit board in an integrated fashion to the meter to provide electronic meter monitoring of the submetering meter. The submetering meter housing includes a switch circuit board with a counter reed switch that is connected to the count input of the transmitter circuit board, and positioned to open and close in response to the rotation of a permanent magnet included within the meter, and a tamper reed switch that is connected to the tamper input of the transmitter circuit board, and positioned to close in response to the presence of a permanent magnet included in the meter lens, so that disassembly of the submetering meter which separates the tamper reed switch from the meter lens causes a tamper signal to be transmitted by the transmitter circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: Norgas Metering Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael D. Dick
  • Patent number: 10663320
    Abstract: A magnetic sensor device includes a magnet to form a magnetic field in a conveyance path of a detection target, a magnetoresistance effect element to output a change in the magnetic field as a change in a resistance value, a casing to enclose or hold the magnet and the magnetoresistance effect element, a cover to cover the magnetoresistance effect element and form a conveyance path surface that is a surface along the conveyance path, and a signal amplification board having a signal amplification IC disposed on an intersection surface that intersects the conveyance path surface. The signal amplification IC amplifies the change in the resistance value that is output by the magnetoresistance effect element. The change in the resistance value depends on the change in the magnetic field caused due to conveyance of the detection target on the conveyance path surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroaki Kahara, Masaaki Okada, Tatsuya Kunieda, Tomokazu Ogomi, Hideki Matsui, Sadaaki Yoshioka
  • Patent number: 10485409
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described for determining an orientation and position of a capsule inserted into the body of a patient. A magnetic field is applied to an area of the patient where the capsule is located. Sensor data, including inertial data from an inertial sensor and magnetic field data indicative of the applied magnetic field as detected by at least one magnetic field sensor, is wirelessly received from the capsule. An orientation angle of the capsule is determined based at least in part on the inertial data. The magnetic field data is compared to known characteristics of the applied magnetic field and a location of the capsule is determined based on the comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: Vanderbilt University
    Inventors: Christian Di Natali, Marco Beccani, Pietro Valdastri, Keith L. Obstein
  • Patent number: 10418443
    Abstract: A platform for trapping atomic ions includes a substrate and a plurality of metallization layers that overlie the substrate. The metallization layer farthest from the substrate is a top layer patterned with electrostatic control trap electrodes and radio-frequency trap electrodes. Another metallization layer is a microwave layer patterned to define a microwave circuit. The microwave layer lies below the top layer. The microwave circuit is adapted to generate, in use, a microwave magnetic field above the electrostatic control and radio-frequency trap electrodes. The top metallization layer includes slots that, in use, are penetrated by microwave energy from the microwave circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: National Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Nordquist, Christopher W. Berry, Peter Lukas Wilhelm Maunz, Matthew G. Blain, Jonathan David Sterk, Paul J. Resnick, John F. Rembetski
  • Patent number: 10248154
    Abstract: A joystick assembly for use with a device including a joystick surface and a first magnet having north and south magnetic poles includes a second magnet having north and south magnetic poles and a movable elongated shaft having first and second opposing ends arranged along a major axis of the shaft. The first end of the shaft is coupled to the second magnet such that movement of the shaft results in movement of the second magnet relative to the first magnet such that a line between centers of the north and south magnetic poles of the second magnet is movable relative to a line between the north and south magnetic poles of the first magnet. An attraction of the second magnet to the first magnet results in a restoring force upon the shaft, and the shaft and the second magnet are removable from the joystick surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: ALLEGRO MICROSYSTEMS, LLC
    Inventors: Ali Husain Yusuf Sirohiwala, William P. Taylor, Katherine Shamberger
  • Patent number: 10168395
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a magnetic sensor which can improve the detection precision of a weak magnetic field. A magnetic sensor wherein a magnetic body which changes the direction of a magnetic field input to a magnetoresistance effect element is provided in the vicinity of the magnetoresistance effect element in which the resistance value changes according to the direction of the input magnetic field, and the magnetic body has a recess with a concave shape on the surface at a side where the magnetoresistance effect element is formed. The center of the recess may be substantially identical to that of the magnetic body. The concave shape may at least include polygon having three or more sides, or may at least include arc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: TDK CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kei Tanabe
  • Patent number: 10156601
    Abstract: The system includes a plurality of probe antennas that receive radio signals at a plurality of measurement positions located within a measurement plane in a near field region of an antenna to be measured, a probe scanning mechanism that moves the respective probe antennas to a plurality of measurement positions while maintaining relative positions of the plurality of probe antennas, an amplitude and phase difference measurement unit that measures a phase difference between the radio signals and measures amplitudes of the radio signals, every time the respective probe antennas are moved to the measurement positions, and a phase calculation unit that calculates a phase of the radio signal at each measurement position from the phase difference measured by the amplitude and phase difference measurement unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2018
    Assignee: ANRITSU CORPORATION
    Inventors: Aya Hinotani, Takashi Kawamura, Shigenori Mattori
  • Patent number: 10110213
    Abstract: Provided is a semiconductor device which is testable even with an inspection apparatus having low current drivability, and includes an output terminal which is also used as a test terminal and an output driver having high current drivability. The semiconductor device includes a plurality of voltage determination circuits connected to the output terminal of the semiconductor device, and have threshold values that are different from each other, an encoding circuit connected to the plurality of voltage determination circuits, and configured to output an encoded signal, and a mode switching circuit configured to output a mode signal to an internal circuit depending on the encoded signal and a signal from the internal circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: ABLIC INC.
    Inventors: Tomoki Hikichi, Minoru Ariyama, Kozo Iijima, Masashi Shiga
  • Patent number: 10048718
    Abstract: A joystick assembly for use with a device including a joystick surface and a first magnet having north and south magnetic poles includes a second magnet having north and south magnetic poles and a movable elongated shaft having first and second opposing ends arranged along a major axis of the shaft. The first end of the shaft is coupled to the second magnet such that movement of the shaft results in movement of the second magnet relative to the first magnet such that a line between centers of the north and south magnetic poles of the second magnet is movable relative to a line between the north and south magnetic poles of the first magnet. An attraction of the second magnet to the first magnet results in a restoring force upon the shaft, and the shaft and the second magnet are removable from the joystick surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: ALLEGRO MICROSYSTEMS, LLC
    Inventors: Ali Husain Yusuf Sirohiwala, William P. Taylor, Katherine Shamberger
  • Patent number: 9927431
    Abstract: A biosensor includes a magnetic structure having grooved surface to biologically bond magnetic labels to a biological substance within the grooves. The grooves are positioned within the magnetic structure so that stray magnetic fields from the magnetic structure magnetize magnetic labels within the groove. The magnetic labels may be magnetic nanoparticles or magnetic microbeads. The techniques may reduce or eliminate the usage of any external magnetic field generator, e.g., electromagnets or current lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: Regents of the University of Minnesota
    Inventors: Jian-Ping Wang, Yuanpeng Li, Wang Yi
  • Patent number: 9905099
    Abstract: A proximity sensor comprises a magnet which generates a magnetic field and a magnetic field sensor. The magnetic field sensor includes a radio and an antenna which can transmit an output signal on a plurality of output frequencies. A microprocessor is programmed with a plurality of data protocols. Each of the output frequencies operates on at least one of the data protocols. There is a dip switch which is actuated to provide a code to the microprocessor. A data protocol is implemented by the microprocessor based on the code. There is a MEMS oscillator programmed to a discrete frequency based on the data protocol implemented by the microprocessor. The MEMS oscillator provides the discrete frequency to the radio. The radio is provided with single phase-locked loop which generates the output signal based on the discrete frequency. The single phase-locked loop may be a ×32 multiplier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: 1010210 B.C. Ltd.
    Inventors: Julian Paul Carlson, Dean David Schebel
  • Patent number: 9869565
    Abstract: A magnet for detection mounted on a rotating shaft rotating about a rotation axis, and a detector disposed opposite to the magnet for detection to detect rotation of the rotating shaft are included. The detector includes a multi-layer circuit board, a recessed groove that is provided in an interlayer of the circuit board, has a center on an extension of the rotation axis, and is orthogonal to the rotation axis, a combined magnetic wire incorporated in the recessed groove and exhibiting a large Barkhausen effect, and a pickup coil formed of wiring conductors on the circuit board and a conductor with which through holes are filled, to surround the combined magnetic wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Takeshi Musha, Yoshinao Tatei, Yoshimasa Watanabe
  • Patent number: 9863939
    Abstract: Methods for analyte detection with magnetic sensors are provided. Aspects of the methods include producing a magnetic sensor device having a magnetically labeled analyte from a sample, such as a serum sample, bound to a surface of a magnetic sensor thereof; and obtaining a signal, e.g., a real-time signal, from the magnetic sensor to determine whether the analyte is present in the sample. Also provided are devices, systems and kits that find use in practicing the methods of the invention. The methods, devices, systems and kits of the invention find use in a variety of different applications, including detection of biomarkers, such as disease markers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignees: MagArray, Inc., The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University
    Inventors: Shan X. Wang, Sebastian J. Osterfeld, Heng Yu, Nader Pourmand, Robert L. White
  • Patent number: 9810748
    Abstract: A tunneling magneto-resistor (TMR) device for sensing a magnetic field includes a first TMR sensor having a first MTJ (magnetic tunneling junction) device and a second MTJ device connected in parallel. Each of the first and second MTJ devices has a pinned layer and a free layer. The pinned layer of each of the first and second MTJ devices has a pinned magnetization at a first pinned direction. The free layers of the first and second MTJ devices have a first free magnetization parallel to and a second free magnetization anti-parallel to a first easy-axis respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Keng-Ming Kuo, Ding-Yeong Wang
  • Patent number: 9784769
    Abstract: A current sensor includes: a U-shaped core as a magnetic body; a conductor inserted into a slit of the core; and a detection element arranged in the slit of the core and detecting a magnetic field, wherein the core includes recessed portions on both side surfaces facing the detection element and the recessed portions have wall portions intersecting with at least an insertion direction of the conductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takaaki Miyakoshi, Noriaki Fujita, Shinsuke Fushimi
  • Patent number: 9741246
    Abstract: A system determines traffic information. The system contains a terminal having a position determination device for determining a position of the vehicle, a storage device for storing reference positions defined by location coordinates, and a processor which works together with the position determining device and the storage device. The processor compares a specific position of the vehicle with stored reference positions to determine whether the vehicle has passed a reference position. A reference position is defined by a safety line extending through the location coordinates thereof. The processor also determines whether the vehicle has traversed a safety line and evaluates the traversing of a determined safety line as the vehicle passes the reference position defined by the safety line. Therefore, the system can determine a position in a simple and reliable manner, including in an inner-city road network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Peter Aicher, Wilke Reints
  • Patent number: 9645204
    Abstract: A magnetic sensor for sensing an external magnetic field includes first and second electrodes and first and second magnetic tunneling junctions. The first and second electrodes are disposed over a substrate; and the first and second magnetic tunneling junctions are conductively disposed between the first and second electrodes and connected in parallel between the first and second electrodes. The first and second magnetic tunneling junctions are arranged along a first easy axis of the magnetic sensor. The first magnetic tunneling junction includes a first pinned magnetization and a first free magnetization, and the second magnetic tunneling junction includes a second pinned magnetization and a second free magnetization. The first free magnetization and the second free magnetization are arranged substantially in parallel to the first easy axis and in substantially opposite directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Young-Shying Chen, Cheng-Tyng Yen
  • Patent number: 9591711
    Abstract: A luminaire can comprise a system that automatically adjusts light output from the luminaire to control light level in an illuminated area. The system can increase light output if the light level in the area falls below a target light level or decrease light output if the light level in the area rises above the target. For example, when the area is illuminated by a combination of sunlight and luminaire light, the light level can be maintained at the target level by gradually decreasing light output as the sunlight contribution increases in the morning and by gradually increasing light output as the sunlight contribution decreases in the evening. The system adjustments can take into consideration whether the light level is offset from the target due to a change in the target or a short-term fluctuation that may be due to a cloud temporarily blocking the sun.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Cooper Technologies Company
    Inventors: Michael Alan Lunn, Brian Eugene Elwell
  • Patent number: 9549688
    Abstract: A detection unit and a method for detecting an implanted medical device in an MRI environment employ a telemetry transmission from the implanted medical device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventor: Volkert A. Zeijlemaker
  • Patent number: 9545296
    Abstract: A digital face bow system for capturing a patient's dento-facial characteristics by acquiring and registering data defining the tilt or slant of the occlusal or incisal plane of a patient's teeth in three planes of space in relation to the cranium, head and/or face. The system includes a substrate adapted to support bite registration material, and a digital multiple axis inclinometer coupled to the substrate for registering the orientation of the occlusal or incisal plane, where the midline of the patient's horizontal-facial plane is registered. An adjustable mounting platform is adapted to receive the substrate and replicate the inclination registered by the digital multiple axis inclinometer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Inventor: Stephen R Hansen
  • Patent number: 9494621
    Abstract: A single point detecting current sensor includes a plurality of magnetic sensor modules, wherein a magnetic sensor module is installed onto each busbars with an insulation displacement contact or is installed adjacent to each busbar, and outputs the current through a busbars measured by a magnetic sensor; a signal collection module collecting measured signals output by the plurality of magnetic sensor modules; and a signal interference compensation module deriving a corrected current value for which interference has been removed, by calculating the mutual interference between said busbars using the signals collected by said signal collection module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: RETIGRID CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jong Chan Yoon, Young Ho Ahn
  • Patent number: 9436215
    Abstract: A device to detect and quantify a force applied on a surface includes a test specimen, an electrically insulating substrate, a first electrode bound to the substrate, a second electrode, an assembly of conductive or semi-conductive nanoparticles in contact with the two electrodes, and a measurement device. The measurement device provides proportional information with respect to an electrical property of the nanoparticles assembly. The electrical property is measured between the first and second electrode. The test specimen is the nanoparticles assembly itself and the electrical property is sensitive to the distance between the nanoparticles of the assembly. The nanoparticles assembly itself is used as a test specimen and allows a force to be quantified even if the nanoparticles assembly is deposited on a rigid substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: NANOMADE CONCEPT
    Inventors: Benoît Viallet, Laurence Ressier, Jérémie Grisolia, Lionel Songeon, Eric Mouchel La Fosse, Lukas Czornomaz
  • Patent number: 9423280
    Abstract: A sensor includes at least a housing (3) which encloses a housing interior (6), a printed circuit board (8) and a sensing element (10). The printed circuit board (8) has electronic components (9) and is located within the housing interior (6). The sensing element (10) is electrically connected to the printed circuit board (8) and is located within the housing interior (6). The sensing element (10) is frictionally connected to the housing (3) so that the sensing element (10) is held in position in the housing interior (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: Baumer Electric AG
    Inventors: Mathias Schwendimann, Erich Hohloch
  • Patent number: 9410948
    Abstract: A microfluidic device, used with a processing device having a magnetic supplier, including a chamber arranged to receive a biological sample and at least one magnetic particle, and a storage for storing information comprising a magnetic protocol in a form readable by the processing device. The magnetic supplier is configured to generate magnetic forces on the magnetic particle(s) according to this magnetic protocol read from the storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventor: Wendy U. Dittmer
  • Patent number: 9360294
    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: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: Ascension Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Westley S. Ashe
  • Patent number: 9335378
    Abstract: A flexible magnetic coil for determining ion migration rates inside a vacuum device can include a plurality of insulated copper wires held together as a bundle. A positive pole can be connected to a first end of the bundle for receiving a positive DC voltage. A negative pole can be connected to a second end of the bundle for completing a circuit with the positive pole. A DC voltage ranging from ten volts to four thousand volts from a power supply can be connected to the positive pole, the negative pole, or combinations thereof. The bundle can be a loop and can form a circuit when the DC voltage is applied to the loop. The bundle can create a flexible electromagnetic field of at least one Gauss around the vacuum device using a calculation of a number of turns of insulated copper wire multiplied by applied DC current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Inventor: Finley Lee Ledbetter
  • Patent number: 9316501
    Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus caused to acquire information indicating a measured magnetic field vector and information relating to an uncertainty measure of the measured magnetic field vector in at least one known location inside the building, wherein the indicated magnetic field vector represents magnitude and direction of the earth's magnetic field affected by the local structures of the building, and to generate the indoor magnetic field map for at least part of the building on the basis of at least the acquired information and the floor plan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: INDOORATLAS OY
    Inventor: Janne Haverinen
  • Patent number: 9239221
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a proximity sensor having a coil (15) for generating a magnetic field and a sensor circuit (62) for detecting variations of the magnetic field caused by an external object, the sensor circuit (62) comprising at least one semiconductor component (36, 37, 67, 69, 70, 71) mounted on a circuit board (17), wherein the coil (15) and the circuit board (17) are arranged in a housing (2) through which the magnetic field is transmittable. In order to improve the resistance of the proximity sensor against harmful external influences, such as high temperatures, and to prolong its life cycle, the invention suggests that the semiconductor component (36, 37, 67, 69, 70, 71) is included in an enclosure (20) that is hermetically sealed and fixed on a surface (18, 19) of the circuit board (17).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2016
    Assignee: OPTOSYS SA
    Inventor: Peter Heimlicher
  • Patent number: 9080874
    Abstract: There is provided an apparatus caused to acquire information indicating a measured magnetic field vector and information relating to an uncertainty measure of the measured magnetic field vector in at least one known location inside the building, wherein the indicated magnetic field vector represents magnitude and direction of the earth's magnetic field affected by the local structures of the building, and to generate the indoor magnetic field map for at least part of the building on the basis of at least the acquired information and the floor plan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: INDOORATLAS OY
    Inventor: Janne Haverinen
  • Patent number: 9068440
    Abstract: Explosion-proof magnetic flux leakage inspection apparatus for well tubing includes a hermetically sealed interior chamber with an inner wall assembly that forms and surrounds a central channel in a manner that separates the central channel from the hermetically sealed interior chamber by the inner wall assembly. The central channel has an open top and an open bottom to accommodate passage of the well tubing through the central channel. An electromagnetic coil, magnetic flux leakage detector assembly, and a shallow reading detector assembly are positioned in the hermetically sealed interior chamber around the inner wall assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Inventor: William Lauf
  • Patent number: 9030193
    Abstract: A system by which the proportion of ferromagnetic particles in a dielectric medium is measured. A magnetic field is generated by two signals in the medium: a low frequency feed and a relatively high frequency excitation. The feed magnetizes the ferromagnetic particles in the medium to the nonlinear range of the magnetization curve. The excitation is generated so that its spectrum is relatively wide and it is dense with frequency components. The level of the excitation is so high that the magnetic flux density in the medium corresponding to the excitation fluctuates nonlinearly, when the feed is at its peak value or near this. The magnetic field of the medium is measured by a secondary winding, and from the response signal produced by the sensor is detected the part resulting from the magnetic non-linearity, which part is the output signal. In the detection the response is multiplied by the signal, which arises magnetic field and includes the same random fluctuation as the response.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Hemeltron
    Inventor: Arvi Kruusing
  • Patent number: 9024631
    Abstract: An apparatus, method and computer-readable medium configured to transport a constituent of fluid sample that binds to a functionalized magnetic particle. The apparatus includes a substrate connected to an input port, a magnetic nanowire, and either a temporally changing magnetic field generator or a spin-polarized current source. The magnetic nanowire is disposed in a surface of the substrate. The width and thickness of the magnetic nanowire are configured so that a domain wall propagating along the nanowire in response to the temporally changing magnetic field continuously couples to a superparamagnetic particle introduced into the input port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Geoffrey Stephen Beach, Elizabeth Ashera Rapoport
  • Patent number: 9002675
    Abstract: A method and system for locating the position of a source that emits a rotating magnetic field. Three or more receivers are deployed or positioned in known position relative to each other, which may be along a common axis in some cases. Phase differences between the magnetic fields measured by the receivers are detected. The phase shifts are used to determine the location of the source. With three receivers, a range and bearing angle relative to a middle receiver may be determined. With five or more receivers, a range and two bearing angles may be determined, thereby providing a three-dimensional position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Ultra Electronics Maritime Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Graham Mark McIntyre, Sebastien Bourdage, Olivier Beslin, Jean Pierre Quirion
  • Patent number: 9000764
    Abstract: A method for producing printed magnetic functional elements for resistance sensors and printed magnetic functional elements. The invention refers to the field of electronics and relates to a method for producing resistance sensors, such as can be used, for example, in magnetic data storage for read sensors or in the automobile industry. The disclosure includes a simple and cost-effective production method and to obtain such printed magnetic functional elements with properties that can be adjusted as desire, in which a magnetic material is deposited onto a substrate as a film, is removed from the substrate and divided into several components and these components are applied on a substrate by means of printing technologies. Aspects are also directed to a printed magnetic functional element for resistance sensors of several components of a film, wherein at least 5% of the components of the functional element have a magnetoimpedance effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Leibniz-Institut fuer Festkoerper und Werkstoffforschung Dresden e.V.
    Inventors: Daniil Karnaushenko, Denys Makarov, Oliver G. Schmidt
  • Patent number: 8994370
    Abstract: The invention relates to an integrated sensor, including terminals (1, 2) for connection to an electric generator, said terminals being connected to a metal measuring line (4, 5) in which a current proportional to the voltage or current of the generator to be measured flows, and magnetoresistors (31, 32, 33, 34). The metal measuring line includes elongate and parallel sections (4, 5) in which the current flows in opposite directions, said sections being connected to a portion (3) for closing the metal measuring line (3, 4, 5), which is arranged on a galvanic isolation layer (8) that is in turn arranged on an integrated circuit portion including the magnetoresistors (31, 32, 33, 34), each of which have a sensitive portion that is vertically adjacent to one of the elongate sections (4, 5). The sensor can be integrated into a diagnostic system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignees: Peugeot Citroën Automobiles SA, Commissariat a l'energie Atomique et aux Energies Alternatives
    Inventors: Myriam Pannetier-Lecoeur, Claude Fermon, Alain Giraud, Francis Roy