Expanding Fluid Sensor Patents (Class 340/592)
  • Patent number: 11745900
    Abstract: An evacuation system health monitoring system for use on an aircraft is disclosed herein. The system comprises a digital pressure sensor, an evacuation system readiness device, and a memory. The digital pressure sensor is in electronic communication with a controller. The system may further comprise a customer system in communication with the controller. The customer system may communicate a pressure data from the digital pressure sensor to a customer device in real-time during an aircraft flight. The evacuation system readiness device may be in electronic communication with the controller. The evacuation system readiness device may be configured to display a visual indication of system readiness based on operations of the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: GOODRICH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Scott A. Luobikis, Elangovan Palaniappan, Petchi Subramanian
  • Patent number: 11692899
    Abstract: A wireless sensing device for environmental monitoring of a location is provided. The sensing device includes an electronic system and a housing for securing and protecting the electronic system in a cavity therein. The housing includes a vented top portion defining the cavity, and a wicking base portion including wicking material attached to and covering an exposed underside of the top portion. The electronic system includes: a temperature and humidity sensor for sensing a current temperature and humidity of the location and converting the sensed temperature and humidity to temperature and humidity signals; a wireless transmitter for periodically wirelessly transmitting the temperature and humidity signals from the location to an external computing device; an alerting device for providing an audible, visual, or tactile signal from the location in order to alert a user of a condition of interest; and a microcontroller for controlling the electronic system devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: AABIX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Scott Lincoln Burke, William Ruben Salcedo, Patrick Bem
  • Patent number: 11413484
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of monitoring pressure in a fire suppression system of an aircraft, the method providing: receiving a first pressure-vessel measured pressure from a first pressure-vessel pressure transducer connected to a first pressure-vessel; receiving a second pressure-vessel measured temperature from a second pressure-vessel temperature sensor connected to a second pressure-vessel; calculating a first pressure-vessel estimated pressure from the second pressure-vessel measured temperature; comparing the first pressure-vessel measured pressure With the first pressure-vessel estimated pressure; and providing a depressurization alert when a difference between the first pressure-vessel measured pressure and the first pressure-vessel estimated pressure is greater than a threshold thereby avoiding unscheduled aircraft downtime due to an erroneous or missing temperature measurement in the first pressure-vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: KIDDE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Robert J. Norris, Tadd F. Herron
  • Patent number: 10830115
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for heating an exhaust gas treatment system comprising a catalytic converter and a heat source, the catalytic converter having a first temperature above which the catalytic reaction is of high efficiency, whereby the heat source is controlled so as to generate a heated sub-volume of the catalyst which is in excess of the first temperature and propagates along the length of the catalytic converter such that at any one time the total conversion efficiency of catalytic converter is sufficient to remove a target amount of pollutants from the exhaust gas stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: JAGUAR LAND ROVER LIMITED
    Inventor: Jonathan Hartland
  • Patent number: 10595422
    Abstract: A tamper resistant device comprises an internal component, such as an electronic device, and a latent battery that is connected to the internal component. An activator material is separated from the latent battery by a rupturable barrier that is adapted to rupture, shatter, or otherwise degrade in response to a stimulus associated with a physical tampering event. The activator material is a material that causes the latent battery to output electrical power when in contact with the latent battery. In some examples, the electrical power provided when the activator material contacts the latent battery is used to trigger a security response which can include transmission of an alarm signal and/or erasure of data stored by the internal component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Eric J. Campbell, Sarah K. Czaplewski, Patrick K. Egan, Joseph Kuczynski, Timothy J. Tofil
  • Patent number: 10564065
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a water detection device that includes a water-activated battery configured to switch from a dormant condition to an active condition upon contact with water, such that the water-activated battery supplies an electrical voltage upon contact with the water, an electronic circuit configured to receive the electrical voltage from the water-activated battery, where the electronic circuit is configured to communicate with an external, electronic device via one or more wireless communication techniques when the electronic circuit is powered by the electrical voltage, and where communication between the electronic circuit and the external, electronic device is an uninterrupted communication when the electronic circuit is receiving the electrical voltage from the water-activated battery, and a housing configured to receive the water-activated battery and the electronic circuit, where the housing has passageways configured to facilitate movement of the water into the housing and towar
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: HS Labs, Inc.
    Inventors: Bradly Jay Billman, Kade Scott, Matthew T. Flachsbart, Cory Matheson, Benjamin D. Ethington
  • Publication number: 20150097677
    Abstract: A pneumatic pressure detector switch is disclosed that includes a retainer assembly adapted to communicate with a source of pressure, a deformable diaphragm supported within the retainer assembly and movable in response to changes in pressure communicated to the retainer assembly, a fault contact element supported by the retainer assembly adjacent a first side surface of the diaphragm, and an alarm contact element supported by the retainer assembly adjacent a second side surface of the diaphragm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2014
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Applicant: Kidde Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: David Frasure, Scott K. Newlin, Steven Wallace
  • Patent number: 8287452
    Abstract: A portable apparatus for monitoring on site near an emergency field at least one vital sign of a patient reclined thereon includes a fluid bladder transformable between a stowable arrangement and a deployed arrangement. The fluid bladder in the deployed arrangement has a comfortable top surface of sufficient size to fully support at least a torso of the patient in a reclined position, and the fluid bladder has a ruggedized puncture resistant bottom layer. A sensor is configured to detect a pressure within the fluid bladder. A controller is configured to determine the at least one vital sign based on the pressure within the fluid bladder. A triage condition indicator is configured to indicate a care urgency level based on the at least one vital sign.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: BAM Labs, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven J. Young, Richard V. Rifredi, Yuri Zhovnirovsky
  • Patent number: 7896093
    Abstract: An apparatus to suppress a localized fire may include a pressurized tank of fire suppressant and a valve coupled to the tank. In case of a fire, a pneumatic fire sensor may open the valve to release the fire suppressant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Inventor: Greg Chavez
  • Patent number: 7795491
    Abstract: Surgical sponges and other articles are provided with machine-readable information which provides a serial number or other unique identification of the sponge. In addition, the machine-readable information will provide the type of article and/or a characteristic visual motif associated with the article. That way, by scanning in the machine-readable information from the sponges or other articles prior to a procedure, the computer or other digital processor can determine which articles may be missing after the procedure and alert the surgical team as to the type and/or characteristic visual motif of the missing article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Patient Safety Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian E. Stewart, Nicolas Soichet
  • Patent number: 7557721
    Abstract: The thermal detection and visual alarm unit includes a plurality of first expansion thermal detectors (17) with normally closed contacts that are connected in series with a first lamp (15) to form a first two-terminal circuit (21, 23), a plurality of second expansion thermal detectors (18) with normally open contacts connected in parallel, a second lamp (16) connected in series with the second thermal detectors to form a second two-terminal circuit (22, 24), the first and second thermal detectors forming a plurality of cells (19) each combining a first detector and a second detector having respective contact-opening or contact-closing temperatures that are substantially equal, each of the first and second two-terminal circuits being arranged for connection to the terminals of an electrical power supply (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Assignee: Eurocopter
    Inventor: Daniel Chaniot
  • Patent number: 7545265
    Abstract: The present invention related to a management system with real-time interaction for environmental monitoring and a method thereof. The management system for environmental monitoring includes a server system, which includes a data processing apparatus and a first management apparatus. The data processing apparatus executes collecting and evaluating monitored data, and importing and exporting monitoring management criteria as well as analyzing and comparing the monitored data and the automatically adjusting the monitoring management criteria. The management system for environmental monitoring also includes a monitoring apparatus, which receives data of monitoring operations transmitted by the first management apparatus via a network, and transmits the monitored data produced in environmental monitoring to the first management apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignee: Atomic Energy Council - Institute of Nuclear Energy Research
    Inventor: Hsin-Fa Fang
  • Patent number: 7466236
    Abstract: [Theme] To provide a device or a judging method for judging the type of liquid inside a container that can be applied to containers of various shapes and can be applied to cases where the remaining amounts of liquids in containers differ. [Solution Means] This invention's device for judging the type of liquid inside a container is equipped with: a plate capacitor 1, wherein two plate electrodes 1a and 1b are positioned in opposing manner; a container supporting member 3, holding, in a region besides the region sandwiched between plate electrodes 1a and 1b, a non-conductive container 2 that can contain a liquid in its interior; an oscillation circuit 4, containing capacitor 1; and a control part 5, detecting the oscillation frequency of the oscillation circuit; and container supporting member 3 is arranged to adjust the distance from plate electrode 1a to container 2 in accordance with the size of container 2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2008
    Assignee: Tokyo Gas Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeshi Abe, Yasuhiko Shinozawa, Tomohide Machida, Kouichiro Yamada
  • Publication number: 20080289835
    Abstract: An apparatus to suppress a localized fire may include a pressurized tank of fire suppressant and a valve coupled to the tank. In case of a fire, a pneumatic fire sensor may open the valve to release the fire suppressant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2007
    Publication date: November 27, 2008
    Inventor: Greg Chavez
  • Publication number: 20030128124
    Abstract: A communication station (1) and a transponder (2) are designed in such a way that an inventorizing operation can be performed using various memory areas (36, 37, 38, 39, 40), which are provided in an addressable memory (35) of the transponder (2), and in which different identification data (UIDDATA, USERDATA) is stored.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2002
    Publication date: July 10, 2003
    Inventors: Franz Amtmann, Michael Cernusca
  • Patent number: 6236321
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining and communicating a need for water heater clean out based on scale deposit buildup is disclosed in which a sensed increase in average reheat time is employed as a measure of deposit buildup and to initiate a clean out alert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2001
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Henry E. Troost, IV
  • Patent number: 6121883
    Abstract: A method for fluid pressure analytical electronic heat and fire detection, and a corresponding heat detector, used for detecting heat and fire, having no moving component, such as a valve, switch, membrane, diaphragm, or similar actuatable device of moving parts, for effecting activation of a warning or alarm signal indicating a condition of excessive heat or fire. The analytical electronic heat detection mechanism is based on electronic circuitry including at least one fluid pressure transducer, logic, and other cooperatively functioning electronic components, for highly accurately and reproducibly, first analyzing a potential condition, and then logically determining, an actual condition of excessive heat or fire. The electronic heat detection mechanism is fully functional, by having at least one fluid chamber closed to any external source of fluid pressure. The invention includes an automatic electronic testing procedure for naturally stimulating the heat detection mechanism for effecting operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2000
    Inventor: Eli Hatsir
  • Patent number: 5748077
    Abstract: A system for detecting leaks in a hydraulic system. The system shuts down the hydraulic system if a leak is detected and notifies individuals in the area that a leak has occurred. The leak detection system has sensors for measuring hydraulic system parameters and a computer for detecting abnormalities in the system based on values returned by the sensors. Sensors used in the example leak detection system include an RPM pickup, a pressure transducer, a flow meter and an hydraulic fluid level and temperature switch. Outputs of the sensors are analyzed by the computer to determine if the hydraulic system has a leak. If a leak is detected, the computer sends response signals to a device for engaging or disengaging the prime mover from the hydraulic pump and to another device for actuating a valve to stop hydraulic fluid flow from the reservoir. The computer may also send indicator signals to a display console for activating a warning light, a buzzer or a display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1998
    Assignee: McNeilus Truck and Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventor: Calvin Brandt
  • Patent number: 5729200
    Abstract: A material used to form a biasing element for a magnetomechanical EAS marker has a coercivity that is lower than the coercivity of biasing elements used in conventional magnetomechanical markers. The marker formed with the low coercivity material can be deactivated by applying an AC magnetic field at a level that is lower than is required for deactivation of conventional markers. The marker with the low coercivity bias element can also be deactivated when at a greater distance from a deactivation device than was previously practical.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1998
    Assignee: Sensormatic Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Richard L. Copeland, Kevin R. Coffey
  • Patent number: 5691702
    Abstract: Electrical circuitry associated with a pneumatic pressure detector for use in an overheat condition or fire alarm system for aircraft. The pressure detector comprises a plenum situated between a pair of deformable diaphragms and pressurized by a capillary type sensor containing an absorbed gas. A control electronics stage is located remotely from the pressure detector stage and is connected thereto by a single wire extending between them. The control electronics stage senses integrity failure of the pressure detector, an overheat or fire condition, and a ground fault in the connection between the two stages and provides corresponding output indications. The circuitry also includes ground connections at the control electronics stage and the pressure detector, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 25, 1997
    Assignee: Whittaker Corporation
    Inventor: Wayne R. Hay
  • Patent number: 5578997
    Abstract: An apparatus for detecting fuel vapors in a turbojet engine oil tank is disclosed which incorporates a device in the oil tank which senses the presence of fuel vapors in the oil tank. The device has a housing defining an inner chamber in which a piston is slidably located. An actuating cartridge is also located in the chamber between an end wall of the housing and the piston. The cartridge comprises a material which expands in volume when subjected to heat and one which produces an exothermic reaction in the presence of fuel vapors. The housing defines one or more orifices to enable the atmosphere within the tank to communicate with the actuating cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 26, 1996
    Assignee: Societe Nationale D'Etude et de Construction de Moteurs D'Aviation S.N.E.C.M.A.
    Inventor: Michel M. A. A. Lechevalier
  • Patent number: 5578993
    Abstract: A solid state temperature compensated annunciator is disclosed. The solid state temperature compensated annunciator includes a pressure sensor for measuring a pressure of the fillant within a vessel and a temperature sensor for measuring the temperature of the fillant within the vessel. The solid state temperature compensated annunciator determines a pressure that the vessel would have if the vessel were filled with a predetermined amount of fillant, and compares the measured pressure to the determined pressure. If the measured pressure is below the determined pressure, a warning signal is issued.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 26, 1996
    Assignees: Autronics Corporation, Mass Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Abdul N. Sitabkhan, James W. Tseng
  • Patent number: 5463377
    Abstract: An apparatus for detecting the presence of a liquid in a region, including an electrically passive sensor adapted for contacting the liquid, and an electrically active detector. The sensor is a circuit with a pair of spaced-apart terminals connected to a switch that closes in the presence of the liquid. The detector carries an alternating current with a resonant frequency. When the sensor is placed in a region and liquid is present in the region, the circuit of the sensor is closed. By bringing the detector close to the sensor, an alternating current is induced in the sensor that will, in turn, alter the resonant frequency of the detector. The change in the resonant frequency is signaled by a transducer. The switch can operate by a change in conductivity of a material between the terminals of the sensor or by expansion of a liquid absorber that pushes the two terminals together, or by a change in the conductivity of the space between the terminals as a result of the presence of the liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 31, 1995
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventor: James W. Kronberg
  • Patent number: 5274353
    Abstract: Anti-theft device comprising a flexible and deformable elongated assembly (1) which is capable of forming a loop and is provided at one end with a male closure member (2, 64) and at the other end with a female closure member (3, 2) adapted to receive and releasably lock the male closure member (2, 64). One of the closure members (3, 62; 2, 64) is provided with a closure device which can be opened by a key in order to release the other closure member. The elongated assembly (1) is made up of elongated elements (8, 41) undetachably assembled together in interengaged relation in the form of a chain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1993
    Assignees: Alain Laumonier, Yves Laumonier, Bruno Laumonier
    Inventor: Victor Bianchi
  • Patent number: 5136278
    Abstract: A pneumatic pressure detector for use in an overheat or fire alarm system utilizes a known capillary type sensor tube which has absorbed in it a gas. Overheat or fire condition causes the gas to expand which then actuates an associated deformable diaphragm to close an electrical switch. To insure that the system pressure is maintained and no fault condition exists, the compact detector also uses a deformable diaphragm associated with an integrity switch which opens if the pressure falls below normal. Both of these diaphragms are juxtaposed to form the plenum to which the sensor tube is attached thereby saving weight and space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1992
    Assignee: Systron Donner Corporation
    Inventors: Nigel S. Watson, Shailer T. Pickton
  • Patent number: 4819250
    Abstract: Apparatus for measuring temperature at a hot point along an energy transmission cable (1) when the temperature exceeds a fixed limit temperature, the apparatus comprising a tube (3) containing a liquid which is vaporizable in the vicinity of said limit temperature and which is disposed in the energy transmission cable or in contact with its periphery, together with means for detecting an increase in the vapor pressure of said liquid at least one point along said tube, the apparatus being characterized in that said tube is connected at one of its ends to means for detecting an increase in the pressure exerted by the liquid at said end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 4, 1989
    Assignee: Les Cables de Lyon
    Inventor: Henri Thevenon
  • Patent number: 4818975
    Abstract: A temperature monitor for a generator stator core is disclosed. The monitor comprises a light source which generates a light beam, heat sensitive targets which receive the light beam and which either block the light beam or allow the light beam to pass through, depending on the temperature in the stator core, fiber optic receivers associated with the target which detect whether the light beam has passed through or been blocked by the targets and which also convert the light beams into responsive electrical signals, and a computer which receives the responsive electrical signals from the receiver, converts the responsive electrical signals into processed electrical signals, and outputs data to a user, whereby temperature conditions in the stator core can be monitored.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 4, 1989
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.
    Inventor: Maurice A. Jenkins
  • Patent number: 4812826
    Abstract: A thermal sensor composed of a standard bolt which has been modified to embody a temperature sensing element and placed into a bearing assembly of a train. This element contains a heat-sensitive wax that at a preset temperature expands causing the motion of a piston which exposes projections. The projection may function as an antenna either passive (reflective) or active (transmitter) that can be probed from the wayside with very high selectivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 14, 1989
    Assignee: Carnegie-Mellon University
    Inventors: William M. Kaufman, Alberto Guzman
  • Patent number: 4672920
    Abstract: A pressure compensated temperature switch for the protection of an internal combustion engine or the like. The switch unit includes a housing, a portion of which is positioned within a passage in the cooling system of the internal combustion engine. Within the housing is a pressure sensitive member. The pressure sensitive member senses both the temperature and the pressure of the coolant fluid in the coolant system of the internal combustion engine. A visual and/or audible alarm device, which is connected to a switch unit of this invention, thus operates when temperature conditions exist within an engine which are harmful to the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 1986
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1987
    Inventor: Wayne R. Duprez
  • Patent number: 4518839
    Abstract: A novel high frequency heating apparatus for detecting the internal temperature of an object contained in a heating chamber and controlling the heating thereof is disclosed, in which the temperature change of the object is picked up as a change of the resistance value of a thermistor. The resistance change is converted into a change of the oscillation frequency of an oscillator and transmitted with the ultrasonic wave as a medium. The power supply for the transmitter circuit is provided in such a manner that the high frequency filled in the heating chamber for heating the object is received by an antenna and rectified by a diode. At the receiving end, this ultrasonic wave is picked up as a temperature signal of the object, and processed by a microcomputer, so that the temperature of the object is detected for heating control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1983
    Date of Patent: May 21, 1985
    Assignee: Hitachi Heating Appliances Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shunichi Taguchi, Shuji Ohkawa, Mitsuru Watanabe, Itsuo Kikuchi
  • Patent number: 4381439
    Abstract: A microwave oven is provided according to which food is cooked while a temperature sensor is inserted in the food and the heating of the food is interrupted in response to an output signal of the temperature sensor. The temperature sensor comprises a hollow skewer, a bellows which is attached to the skewer and in which is sealed a liquid of high coefficient of thermal expansion, and a sound generating body of a plate spring for generating a sound when the hollow skewer is heated by the food, the liquid is expanded, the bellows is stretched, and the force generated thereby overcomes the biasing force. The microwave oven stops heating and cooking when a sound is generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1980
    Date of Patent: April 26, 1983
    Assignee: Tokyo Shibaura Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Susumu Miyazawa, Norisuke Fukuda