Leakage Patents (Class 340/605)
  • Patent number: 11954471
    Abstract: A system comprising one or more computers implements a synthetic sensor service configured to deploy synthetic sensors to an in-vehicle computing device implementing a synthetic sensor orchestration environment for a vehicle. The synthetic sensor orchestration environment determines a placement decision for a new synthetic sensor to be added to the vehicle based on one or more annotations included in a synthetic sensor package for the new synthetic sensor. The synthetic sensor service and respective synthetic sensor orchestration environments implemented in various types of vehicles provide a consistent way to remotely add additional synthetic sensors and/or other functionality to different types of vehicles after the vehicles have already been put in use by respective owners or operators of the vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Brett Francis, Nicholas Jay Lefler
  • Patent number: 11955969
    Abstract: An electronic environmental sensor tag includes microsensor elements using magnetic logic devices adapted to detect target chemical and/or target environmental conditions. The microsensor elements operate only periodically to save power, and also include non-volatile memories and communications circuits to allow interrogation and detection of a target condition. The microsensor element state is detected and then processed to identify a detected value for the target chemical. The detected value can be communicated by an antenna element to a separate reader device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: NONVOLOGIC, INC.
    Inventor: Mark B. Johnson
  • Patent number: 11905688
    Abstract: Systems and methods for determining leaks in a water distribution system using water devices within buildings. Pressure readings over time from two or more water devices. Egress readings and possibly other noise are removed from the pressure readings to isolate signals for leaks from outside of the buildings. Using the isolated signals, the location of the leak in the water distribution system can be approximated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: Phyn LLC
    Inventors: Ryan Yong Kim, Salil P. Banerjee
  • Patent number: 11865377
    Abstract: Embodiments include systems and methods for completing a fit test on a respiratory mask A method may comprise installing a speaker within an interior cavity of the face mask, wherein the speaker communicates with an electronics unit; installing a microphone within the interior cavity of the face mask, wherein the microphone communicates with the electronics unit; generating, by the speaker, a sound during the fit test; detecting, by the microphone, sound generated by the speaker during the fit test; comparing, by the electronics unit, a detected signal from the microphone to a baseline expected sound; when the detected signal is within a certain range of the baseline expected sound, indicating to the user that the fit test is completed and passed; and when the detected signal is not within a certain range of the baseline expected sound, indicating to the user that the fit test is completed and failed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Jennifer Shen, Mark Hua, Kevin Lu, Bruce Liu, Wei Sun
  • Patent number: 11674355
    Abstract: Pipelines with a control system and forced circulation of fluids through the annulus between an inner barrier and an outer cover of a pipe use a system configured to force circulation of fluids through the annulus. The pipe includes segments (T1, T2, T3, TN) joined together by means of connectors, wherein each segment of the pipe has an injector pipe (I1, I2, I3, IN) for injecting fluid into the annulus at a first end of the segment, and a return pipe (R1, R2, R3, RN) for removing fluid from the annulus at a second end of the segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: PETRÓLEO BRASILEIRO S.A.—PETROBRAS
    Inventors: Marcos Carpigiani De Almeida, George Carneiro Campello, Jonatas Ribeiro, Rafael Guimarães De Mello Sobreira, Walter Carrara Loureiro Junior, Marcelo Torres Piza Paes
  • Patent number: 11656146
    Abstract: A diagnostic system for a closed fluid system is provided. The closed fluid system includes a first fluid subsystem and a second fluid subsystem connected using a valve or valve/actuator. The diagnostic system includes a first sensor disposed in the first fluid subsystem, a second sensor disposed in the second fluid subsystem and a computer. The computer receives first time-ordered fluid level measurements and second time-ordered fluid level measurements from respectively the first sensor and the second sensor and performs a comparison of first fluid level of the first fluid subsystem and second fluid level of the second fluid subsystem. The computer produces a notification indicating a predicted transfer of hydraulic fluid when the first time-ordered fluid level measurements and the second time-ordered fluid level measurements have at least a threshold divergence and outputs the notification for display to a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Omid B. Nakhjavani, Ryan K. Coleman, Franz David Betz, Greg Jackson, Sean Warlick, Darren Puigh, Andrey Aleksandrovich Zaikin, James Schimert, Steven C. Runo
  • Patent number: 11635342
    Abstract: A method of identifying a type of plumbing system of a building is provided. The method includes determining a spectral energy ratio as a function of first pressure data acquired during a first time period in which a water flow through a plumbing system of a building is below a threshold. The method also includes determining a multimodal test value as a function of second pressure data acquired during a second time period that includes at least some time during which the water flow through the plumbing system is greater than or equal to the threshold. Further, the method includes identifying a type of the plumbing system of the building as a function of the spectral energy ratio and the multimodal test value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: Phyn LLC
    Inventors: Salil P. Banerjee, Babak Abbasi Bastami
  • Patent number: 11608618
    Abstract: A non-invasive thermal dispersion flow meter with chronometric monitor for fluid leak detection includes a heater, an ambient temperature sensor and a flow rate sensor which are configured to sense the temperature of a fluid in a conduit, and then monitor the flow of that fluid through the conduit. Based upon the ambient temperature sensor readings, the flow rate sensor and heater may be adjusted to optimize the operation of the system to detect leaks. Based on the sensor readings, the flow may be adjusted to prevent damage and leaks by relieving the system of excess pressure. Geographic location, occupancy sensors and occupant identifiers are used to control the system to facilitate operation and minimize leak damage when occupants are away.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: Sentinel Hydrosolutions, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Trescott, Scott Shaw, Scott Pallais, Kenneth Fox
  • Patent number: 11598690
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present application disclose an apparatus for detecting air tightness. The apparatus has an air inlet end, an inflating end for an object to be tested inflating end and a standard part inflating end. The apparatus includes a pressure regulating component, a first bypass isolating valve, a second bypass isolating valve, a third bypass isolating valve, a first high air pressure sensor, a second high air pressure sensor, a low air pressure sensor, and a differential pressure sensor. By adopting the technical solutions according to the embodiments of the present application, a low air pressure sensor can be embedded in an air tightness detector suitable for tests under high pressure and the low air pressure sensor can be effectively protected in a high pressure environment, so that leakage tests under different inflation pressures can be implemented by one instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Limited
    Inventors: Linjun Huang, Darning Zhou, Zhiju Ma, Gaoning Chen
  • Patent number: 11589718
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for mounting a toilet seat hinge to a toilet pan uses an adhesive. The adhesivised surface of the hinge is held clear of the pan until correct positioning is established. Thereafter the adhesivised surface is displaced directly into contact with the pan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Inventors: Peter James Harold Pegden, Jonathan Harry Tooley, Luke Michael Ritchie Semple
  • Patent number: 11579601
    Abstract: A building monitoring system, wherein the system comprises an HVAC monitor, which comprised a condensing unit connector, an air handler connector, a thermostat connector and a control module, a wetness detector; and a communicator. The communicator accesses a location of the building monitoring system and selectively communicates with a technician based at least in part on the location. A monitor system for use with an existing HVAC unit, wherein the HVAC unit has a condenser or furnace, an air handler, and a thermostat, the HVAC monitor system comprising at least one condenser or furnace sensor, at least one air handler sensor and at least one control module. A wetness monitor system, comprising at least one wetness detector connected to a control, wherein the control is also connected to a network and the network is connected to a flow shutoff valve. A method of monitoring a location for wetness comprising detecting wetness through at least one wetness detector, monitoring the state of a shutoff valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Inventors: John Lamont, Leslie Nielson, Robert Pescatore
  • Patent number: 11465778
    Abstract: A method, apparatus, system, and computer program product for managing pumps in an aircraft. Flight information about an operation of the pumps in a pump package in the aircraft is received by a computer system. The flight information is received from the aircraft. A number of times that an abnormal switching occurred for the pumps within a window of consecutive flights is determined by the computer system when the abnormal switching is identified from the flight information. A set of actions is performed by the computer system when the abnormal switching occurred a number of times for the pumps within the window of consecutive flights that exceeds a set of thresholds for the abnormal switching that is considered healthy for the pumps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Chetan B. Megchiani, Robert Leitch, Yikan Wang
  • Patent number: 11430322
    Abstract: Aspects include a water-leak-detection and -monitoring system for a building including a first area, comprising a memory, a communication interface configured to be communicatively coupled to a water-flow sensor coupled to a pipe in the first area, at least one of a humidity sensor, a temperature sensor, or a liquid-water sensor configured to sense information indicative of a presence of water in the first area, and an analytical engine in communication with a base unit, the memory, the communication interface, and the at least one of the humidity sensor, the temperature sensor, or the liquid-water sensor, the analytical engine being configured to determine whether a leak is present in the building based on data from the water-flow sensor, and determine, responsive to determining that the leak is present, if the leak is in the first area based on the information indicative of the presence of water in the first area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: PILLAR TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Usman Shabbir, Matthew Jean-Marie Joseph Joyal, Alexander Messersmith Schwarzkopf
  • Patent number: 11408642
    Abstract: A water heater includes a leak detection system. The leak detection system includes a leak sensor assembly that is disposed in a bottom pan of the water heater. The leak sensor assembly includes a sensor housing that has a sensor channel that is formed therein such that the sensor channel is disposed at an elevation from a base of the bottom pan when the sensor housing is disposed on the base of the bottom pan. Further, the leak sensor assembly includes a leak sensor that is disposed in the sensor channel of the sensor housing. The leak sensor detects water that leaks from the water heater and accumulates in the bottom pan when a level of the water in the bottom pan rises to the elevation of the sensor channel and the leak sensor that is disposed therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: Rheem Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Joseph D. Gardner, Jozef Boros, Timothy D. Scott, William J. Hall, Raheel A. Chaudhry, Gregory M. Welk
  • Patent number: 11359989
    Abstract: An apparatus for the continuous monitoring of a pipeline or a pipeline network carrying flowing media that can not only detect the presence of a leak but also locate the source of the leak through the use of rarefaction wave detection and a method of using the same is disclosed within. The apparatus and method are specifically configured to locate the leak source within less than 36 inches using a calibration means and a noise cancellation means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: PROFESSIONAL FLEXIBLE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Michael David Nash, Stuart Mitchell
  • Patent number: 11287311
    Abstract: Some embodiments relate to a vibration sensor. The vibration sensor comprises: a sensor base to couple to a vibration source; a piezoelectric transducer coupled on a first side of the transducer to the sensor base; at least one conductor coupled to the piezoelectric transducer; and a seismic weight positioned on a second side of the piezoelectric transducer; wherein the sensor base, the piezoelectric transducer and the seismic weight are aligned along an axis and arranged so that relative movement between the sensor base and the seismic weight arising from the vibration source causes a current to be generated in the piezoelectric transducer and an output signal corresponding to the generated current is detectable on the at least one conductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: South East Water Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew Forster-Knight, Juan Londono, Eddy Mofardin, Ninad Mohan Dharmadhikari, Jonathan Philip Crook, Matthew Swan, Colin Neil Gehrig, Thomas James Merry, Owen David Neeson, Joseph Ignatius Maria Van Der Plas
  • Patent number: 11268502
    Abstract: The invention relates to pressure transfer device, system comprising the pressure transfer device, a fleet comprising the system and use of a pressure transfer device for pumping fluid at pressures above 500 bars, the pressure transfer device (1?, 1?) comprising a pressure chamber housing (1?, 1?) and at least one connection port (3?, 3?), the at least one connection port (3?, 3?) being connectable to a dual acting pressure boosting liquid partition device (2) via fluid communication means (26?, 27?; 26?, 27?), the pressure chamber housing comprises: - a pressure cavity (4?, 4?) inside the pressure chamber housing, and at least a first port (5?, 5?) for inlet and/or outlet of fluid to the pressure cavity (4?, 4?), - a bellows (6?, 6?) defining an inner volume (7?, 7?) inside the pressure cavity (4?, 4?), and wherein the inner volume (7?, 7?) is in fluid communication with the connection port (3?, 3?), wherein the pressure cavity (4?, 4?) has a center axis (C?, C?) with an axial length (L) defined by the dista
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: RSM Imagineering AS
    Inventor: Torbjorn Mollatt
  • Patent number: 11266348
    Abstract: Introduced are methods and systems for monitoring a person's sleeping patterns, and detecting episodes of sleeping disorders such as snoring and sleep apnea. In one embodiment, a sensor strip attached to the mattress monitors the user's breathing, and detects signature frequencies corresponding to snoring and sleep apnea. Once a sleeping disorder is detected, a notification can be sent to a device associated with the user, or the user's bed can be automatically adjusted to alleviate the sleeping disorder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: EIGHT SLEEP INC
    Inventors: Matteo Franceschetti, Massimo Andreasi Bassi
  • Patent number: 11221301
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems, apparatuses, and methods for measuring submerged surfaces. Embodiments include a measurement apparatus including a main frame, a source positioned outside a pipe and connected to the main frame, and a detector positioned outside the pipe at a location diametrically opposite the source and connected to the main frame. The source may transmit a first amount of radiation. The detector may receive a second amount of radiation, determine a composition of the pipe based on the first and second amounts of radiation, and send at least one measurement signal. A control canister positioned on the main frame or on a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) attached to the apparatus may receive the at least one measurement signal from the detector and convey the at least one measurement signal to software located topside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: DELTA SUBSEA, LLC
    Inventors: Scott P. Dingman, Roger Warnock, Alessandro Vagata
  • Patent number: 11218627
    Abstract: An image capture device comprises a housing defining a cavity and a cover enclosing the cavity. The cover includes a user interface that receives a user input to the image capture device. The image capture device includes a support member extending into the cavity between the housing and the cover and a receiving member having a receptacle that receives a distal end of the support member. Contact between the support member and the receptacle prevents movement of the user interface beyond a predetermined threshold when the image capture device is under hydrostatic pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: GoPro, Inc.
    Inventor: Chao Chen
  • Patent number: 11193848
    Abstract: A sensor cable of conductive and non-conductive liquids leaks for example stored in a tank or flowing in a pipe. The cable is composed of a main body and at least one sensor element made of a central wire surrounded by an insulating sheath, itself integrated in an expandable conductive sheath, the wire and the expandable conductive sheath being arranged to contact conductive and non-conductive fluids, the main body being formed by extruding a plastic material and extruded on a central support in the form of either a plastic rod or a metal rod coated with plastic. This can be applied to liquid leakage watch systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: ELSA Advanced Systems Pte Ltd
    Inventor: Sacha Dabetic
  • Patent number: 11179731
    Abstract: A centrifugal separator has a stationary casing and a centrifuge rotor, which is provided in the stationary casing and arranged to rotate around an axis of rotation at a rotary speed and which includes a plurality of nozzles for discharge of a product from the centrifuge rotor. The centrifugal separator includes a sensor device which includes a transfer element, which has a first part and a second part and which is configured to be mounted in such a way that the first part is located inside the stationary casing and outside the centrifuge rotor and that the second part is located outside the stationary casing. At least the first part of the transfer element has an elongated shape, a receiving head, which includes the first part of the transfer element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: ALFA LAVAL CORPORATE AB
    Inventor: Magnus Sundin
  • Patent number: 11118789
    Abstract: A monitor for a natural gas-fired appliance is provided. The monitor comprises: a natural gas cycle-monitor interface configured to receive cycling signals from one or more of: the appliance; and a monitoring device located in the appliance and/or proximal to the appliance; a processor, in communication with the interface, configured to monitor cycles of the appliance based on the cycling signals; one or more indicators, in communication with the processor, configured to provide an alarm when the processor determines that the cycles of the appliance meets a threshold value; a first reset device configured to temporarily reset the one or more indicators to turn off the alarm when actuated, the one or more indicators again providing the alarm after a given time period following a temporary reset; and, a second reset device configured to reset monitoring of the cycles at the processor when actuated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: MARTINO CONTRACTORS LTD.
    Inventors: Michael Martino, Ricardo Dias Barbosa, Georges Livanos
  • Patent number: 11079366
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to an integrated sensing system that includes a movable orientation device configured to dynamically position the movable orientation device based on receiving an air-flow. A gas sensor is coupled to the movable orientation device. The gas sensor includes a recognition element configured to detect a chemical in a plume. The movable orientation device is configured to perform a synchronized sensing operation that includes, based at least in part on the movable orientation device receiving the air-flow, moving the movable orientation device to dynamically maintain a predetermined orientation of the movable orientation device relative to a direction of the air-flow. The predetermined orientation includes positioning the gas sensor in a path of the air-flow, wherein the air-flow is influencing the plume to move along the path such that the recognition element is exposed to the plume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Levente Klein, Theodore van Kessel, Ramachandran Muralidhar, Michael A. Schappert
  • Patent number: 11069008
    Abstract: A system and method are described that can help gas stations detect attempted thefts of gas or when there is leakage from a fuel tank or pump. The fuel pump can comprise a payment processing system or is fuel sensor to detect the amount of fuel pumped. The large fuel tank that supplies the fuel pumps can comprise a fuel level sensor to detect how much fuel is being used. The fuel pumps and tanks can send their data to the kiosk or some other location for analysis. If more fuel is being lost from the fuel tank than is being paid for at the pumps, then a theft may be occurring, or there may be fault machinery or leaks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: Independent Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey O. Smith, Rodney C. Montrose
  • Patent number: 11058810
    Abstract: A monitoring device implements a monitoring method that comprises: activating a first monitoring technique that operates to detect the disruption and generate a corresponding alarm signal while a second monitoring technique is deactivated, obtaining at least one of a first count of false alarms generated by the primary monitoring technique and a second count of false alarms generated by the second monitoring technique if activated, and selectively, based on at least one of the first and second counts, activating the second monitoring technique to operate, instead of or jointly with the first monitoring technique, to detect the disruption and generate the corresponding alarm signal. The monitoring device may be connected to or part of an apparatus for blood treatment and operable to detect a disconnection of an extracorporeal blood circuit from a vascular system of a patient, e.g. a venous-side disconnection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: GAMBRO LUNDIA AB
    Inventors: Jan Sternby, Bo Olde
  • Patent number: 11034571
    Abstract: A permanent test port mounting in a conventional gasoline/diesel fuel dispenser to provide a technician access to the fuel line and perform various tests that enables testing to occur at a highline point in the line system to include all or at least more of the line system head pressure than has been possible before. In particular, the test port has a quick connect/disconnect fitting disposed in a collar intermediate a mounting for a filter in a conventional gasoline/diesel fuel dispenser and the filter to provide a technician access to the fuel line and perform various tests. The quick connect/disconnect fitting may also be coupled to a hose for draining fuel under pressure into a safety can to prevent spillage during replacement of the filter. The safety can may be emptied into the fuel tank to conserve the fuel, prevent polluting the environment and as a safety measure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Inventor: Gregory E. Young
  • Patent number: 11022514
    Abstract: Techniques for implementing and/or operating a testing system that includes a pipe segment, which includes tubing having an inner layer that defines a pipe bore, an intermediate layer including electrically conductive material implemented around the inner layer, and an outer layer implemented around the intermediate layer, and a return wire embedded within the tubing. The testing system includes a signal generator that supplies an electrical test signal to the electrically conductive material, a sensor electrically coupled to the return wire, in which the sensor determines a sensor signal indicative of an actual electrical return signal received from the return wire in response to supply of the electrical test signal, and a control sub-system communicatively coupled to the signal generator and the sensor, in which the control sub-system determines an integrity state of a pipeline in which the pipe segment is deployed based at least in part on the sensor signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: Trinity Bay Equipment Holdings, LLC
    Inventor: Kirk Spencer Francis
  • Patent number: 10948131
    Abstract: Techniques for implementing a system that includes a pipe segment and a monitoring apparatus. The pipe segment includes tubing that defines a pipe bore and a fluid conduit within a tubing annulus of the pipe segment. The monitoring apparatus includes a plurality of bore sensors fluidly connected to the pipe bore of the pipe segment, an annulus sensor fluidly connected to the fluid conduit defined within the tubing annulus of the pipe segment, and a control sub-system. The control sub-system determines whether a breach is present in the tubing of the pipe segment based at least in part on first sensor data determined by the bore sensors to be indicative of a bore fluid parameter present within the pipe bore of the pipe segment and second sensor data determined by the annulus sensor to be indicative of an annulus fluid parameter present within the tubing annulus of the pipe segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: Trinity Bay Equipment Holdings, LLC
    Inventor: Kirk Spencer Francis
  • Patent number: 10931765
    Abstract: A blending system is provided for contextual blending. The blending system may include an ingredient component and a recipe component. The ingredient component may identify ingredients and determine a quantity of each type of ingredient. The recipe component may create a recipe based on the identified ingredients and the determined quantities of the ingredients. The recipe may include instructions for controlling a blender device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: Vita-Mix Management Corporation
    Inventor: Anthony Ciepiel
  • Patent number: 10903839
    Abstract: A coated article includes integrated circuit detection elements incorporated on a surface or embedded in a body, which elements are adapted to detect target chemical and/or target environmental conditions. The detection elements include microsensors applied with liquid and dry mixtures, including compounds of inks, dyes, print powders, aerosols and other suspensions. The microsensor state is detected and then processed to identify a detected value for the target chemical. Depending on the result, a readout substance is released to indicate a presence of the target chemical.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: Nonvologic LLC
    Inventor: Mark B Johnson
  • Patent number: 10897257
    Abstract: A chemical detection mixture includes microsensor elements adapted to detect target chemical and/or target environmental conditions. The microsensor elements can be incorporated within liquid and dry mixtures, including compounds of inks, dyes, print powders, aerosols and other suspensions. The microsensor element state is detected and then processed to identify a detected value for the target chemical. Depending on the result, a readout substance is released to indicate a presence of the target chemical.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2021
    Assignee: Nonvologic LLC
    Inventor: Mark B Johnson
  • Patent number: 10897256
    Abstract: A chemical detection system on an integrated circuit includes microsensor elements adapted to detect target chemical and/or target environmental conditions. The chemical detection system generally includes carbon nanotubes as the microsensor elements, magnetoelectronic processing components for interpreting the CNT state, non-volatile memory for storing the detection state, and a combination of readout options, including transmitting antennas and micromechanical structures for controlling an expression of a readout substance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2021
    Assignee: Nonvologic LLC
    Inventor: Mark B Johnson
  • Patent number: 10870970
    Abstract: According to at least one aspect, a fluid flow monitoring system includes an ultrasonic sensor for generating measurement signals associated with respective ultrasonic signals propagating through the fluid in the lumen, a shut-off valve for blocking fluid flow in the lumen, and a controller. The controller can be communicatively coupled to the ultrasonic sensor and to the shut-off valve. The controller can be configured to compute a plurality of fluid flow parameter estimates based on a plurality of measurement signals generated by the ultrasonic sensor over a time window while the shut-off valve is open. The controller can obtain an offset value associated with fluid flow parameter measurements during a zero flow state of the shut-off valve. The controller can then check for presence of a fluid leak event based on the fluid flow parameter estimates over the time window and the offset value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2020
    Assignee: RELIANCE WORLDWIDE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael Hammond, Francis M. Mess, Samuel Elia, Jorge C. Almirall, Brian Gestner, Jeffrey L. Leaders, Mathew Shane Smith
  • Patent number: 10852212
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for leakage detection on at least one flexible test piece in a film chamber, including inserting the at least one test piece into a film chamber, lowering the pressure in the film chamber outside the at least one test piece, and detecting a leakage in the at least one test piece by observing the spatial change of the film of the film chamber. The outer contour of the at least one test piece is transferred to at least one section of the film by the lowering of the pressure in the film chamber. The contour of the film is recorded with an image recording system, and the recorded images of the contour are compared with reference images of said contour in the event of a tight test piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: INFICON GmbH
    Inventors: Daniel Wetzig, Silvio Decker, Jochen Puchalla-König
  • Patent number: 10852209
    Abstract: A water leak sensing system includes: a plurality of sensor terminals including a sensor installed in a pipeline of a water supply network; and a computer that senses a water leak from the pipeline based on detection signal data of the plurality of sensors of the plurality of sensor terminals, and outputs a result. The pipeline is either a first pipeline not covered by a pipe covering member (PE sleeve) or a second pipeline covered by the pipe covering member. The sensor can detect a signal at a first distance from a water leak point when the water leak occurs in the first pipeline, and detect a signal at a second distance, longer than the first distance, from the water leak point when the water leak occurs in the second pipeline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: HITACHI, LTD.
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Mine, Yuudai Kamada, Tetsuya Ishimaru, Kazuo Ono
  • Patent number: 10837438
    Abstract: In one example implementation pump based issue identification includes monitoring a total number of operational cycles of a vacuum pump associated with a cooling device, comparing the total number of operational cycles to an operational cycle threshold, identify an issue based on the comparison of the total number of operational cycles to the operational cycle threshold, and generating a notification in response to identifying the issue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development LP
    Inventors: Tahir Cader, John Franz, Sammy L. Zimmerman
  • Patent number: 10830663
    Abstract: A leak sensing cable for a leak detector having an impedance sensor operable to measure changes in impedance along a sensing circuit. The leak sensing cable comprises: an inner core, having a first conductive thread electrically connected to the sensing circuit; an inner sheath, coaxially located around the inner core, the inner core being comprised of a permeable, non-conductive material; an outer sheath, coaxially located around the inner sheath, the outer sheath comprising a permeable braided material and having a second conductive thread woven into the permeable braided material, the second conductive thread being electrically connected to the sensing circuit. The first conductive thread is substantially electrically isolated from the second conductive thread when the leak sensing cable is dry and less electrically isolated from the second conductive thread when the leak sensing cable becomes wet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: ECOBEE INC.
    Inventors: Lucas Coelho Cavalheiro, Brent Laurence
  • Patent number: 10809206
    Abstract: The floating-type contamination measurement apparatus according to embodiments of the present invention can provide a body part; a buoyancy providing part, which is received to the body part and provides buoyancy to the body part; and a measurement part, which is received to the body part and measures the level of contamination in a closed space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: NATIONAL DISASTER MANAGEMENT RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Gun Sik Jeong, Hyunju Kim, KyungSu Lee, Tae Wook Lee, Jae Jeong Kim
  • Patent number: 10809146
    Abstract: A leakage detection device for detecting water leakage in a water pipe of a water system after a stop valve of the water system is closed. The leakage detection device may be part of a stop valve, and may include an interior chamber connectable to the water pipe in such a way so as to receive a stagnation volume of the water when the water flow through the water pipe is stopped by the stop valve. An actuation element provides a force acting on a diaphragm or a piston in the direction of the first interior chamber and against or into the stagnation volume of water. If water leakage is present in the water pipe, the diaphragm or piston will move under the applied force to compensate for the leakage in the water pipe. A sensor unit may detect water leakage in the water pipe based on the movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: Honeywell Technologies Sarl
    Inventor: Kurt Weidner
  • Patent number: 10745195
    Abstract: The present invention comprises a surface mount secondary containment system comprising prefabricated pieces that may be assembled to form a wall and adjoining corner with overlapping sections to capture leaks, spillage or the like from a primary liquid container member that may be constructed so that no ground damage and or penetration is done during construction and use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: Murray Services Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Allen Murray, Caleb Crick
  • Patent number: 10750253
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for remotely monitoring water usage in real time utilizes a sensor attached to a water meter. The sensor monitors water flowing through the meter by analyzing the water meter's magnetic coupling and processes the data to correlate it to real time flow rates. Data is transmitted through a base unit to remote storage and consumers may access the data with application software installed on electronics such as smartphones and tablets. Four components are combined to allow the real time monitoring of water utilization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: Flume, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Ryan Adler, Jeffrey Ryan Hufford, James Joseph Fazio
  • Patent number: 10732580
    Abstract: A process for assembling a pipeline from pipe sections connected together using mechanical press-fit joints using mechanical press-fit pipe joints that are fully measured and documented during both manufacturing and assembly. Installed pipelines include pipeline data monitoring systems coupled to a pipeline data management center for receiving, archiving, and analysis of the data records to aid in administration operation and management, and troubleshooting of pipelines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Inventors: Larry W. Vincent, Darrell L. Vincent
  • Patent number: 10697269
    Abstract: A system including a valve, including a valve body having an interior volume and a bore along a first axis, a stem extending along a second axis, and a flow control element coupled to the stem, wherein the stem is configured to selectively move the flow control element through the interior volume between a closed position and an open position relative to the bore, and a valve insert system configured reduce a size of the interior volume and to guide a lubricant to reduce wear on the flow control element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: Cameron International Corporation
    Inventors: Loc Hoang, Jia Li
  • Patent number: 10677625
    Abstract: A system and an associated method for monitoring a flowing utility. A transducer, located at a utility flow location, senses data indicative of a utility flow characteristic and outputs a signal conveying the sensed data. A meter device, at the utility flow location, executes at least one program instruction and outputs a signal that conveys at least the sensed data but not a determination of a utility flow characteristic. A remote server, located remote from the utility flow location, receives the signal from the meter device that conveys at least the sensed data but not a determination of the utility flow characteristic, processes the sensed data to determine the utility flow characteristic, processes the sensed data to determine, based at least in part on the sensed data, a program instruction to be executed by the meter device, and transmits a control signal to the meter device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Michael Brusilovsky
  • Patent number: 10678543
    Abstract: A method including retrieving, by a processor, a standardized expression and one or more arguments for a calculation, attaching time-series parameters as required to the arguments, retrieving from a database time-series data based on the attaching step, converting, by the processor, the time-series data from an original unit associated with the data to a standard unit, performing a calculation based on the standardized expression to achieve a result, converting the result back to an original unit and then writing the result to a tag associated with the at least one argument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: BL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Ryan Andrew Oattes, Christopher Ness
  • Patent number: 10677394
    Abstract: A method includes providing a length of pipeline that has a housing defining a central bore extending the length of the pipe and a space formed within the housing and extending the length of the pipe. At least one condition within the space is continuously monitored within the space to detect in real time if a change in the housing occurs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: TRINITY BAY EQUIPMENT HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventors: Andrew David Ethridge, Alexander Lee Winn
  • Patent number: 10663933
    Abstract: A system for managing a distribution network, the system including a network hydraulic model and an automated meter infrastructure (AMI) providing AMI data from consumption meters. The system includes subnetworks within the distribution network, nodes interconnecting the subnetworks, and boundary devices connected to the nodes. Each boundary device includes a flow meter and a pressure sensor that sense a flow and a pressure of the distribution network at the nodes at a given time step. A subnetwork hydraulic model is generated for each subnetwork from the network hydraulic model. A processing module determines a first comparison for the given time interval between the AMI data from the consumption meters within a given subnetwork, the flow and the pressure at the nodes bordering the given subnetwork, and the subnetwork hydraulic model for the given subnetwork. The distribution network is managed based at least in part on the first comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: Sensus Spectrum LLC
    Inventors: Amin Rasekh, Zachary A. Barker, Michael Ehsan Shafiee, Travis Smith
  • Patent number: 10620244
    Abstract: An aggregator is in operative communication with an aggregation of electric water heaters to receive thermostat readings and power consumption readings from the electric water heaters and to communicate demand response dispatch signals to the electric water heaters. The aggregator performs operations including: responding to instructions for a desired demand response by generating the demand response dispatch signals for the electric water heaters so as to cause the aggregation to draw electrical power providing the desired demand response; and determining whether an electric water heater of the aggregation has a failure and generating a notification of the failure. The determining including at least one of: determining whether the electric water heater has a failed heating element based on the thermostat readings received from the electric water heater; and determining whether the electric water heater has a water leak based on the power consumption readings received from the electric water heater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: Battelle Memorial Institute
    Inventors: Seyed A. Mansouri, Eric Rehberg
  • Patent number: 10605648
    Abstract: A testing system for float liquid level transmitter includes a computation unit, an operation interface, a storage unit and a display unit. The computation unit computes basic data associated with the float liquid level transmitter to obtain corresponding standard values and the display unit displays the standard values. After a float liquid level transmitter performs measurement, the computation unit fetches displayed values measured by the float liquid level transmitter and obtain an error range by comparing the displayed values with the standard values; the computation unit analyzes the error range to provide analyzed data and determines whether the float liquid level transmitter is qualified based on the error range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Inventor: Fei-Che Hung