Combined With Diverse Art Device Patents (Class 374/141)
  • Patent number: 11947190
    Abstract: A multi-chamber fluid cartridge is configured for storage of unused cleansing solution to be used by an automated contact lens cleansing device and for storage of used cleansing solution drained from the device. For example, the multi-chamber fluid cartridge may include a first chamber configured to store the unused cleansing solution and a second chamber configured to store the used cleansing solution. After being reversibly mated with the automated contact lens cleansing device, a controlled amount of the unused cleansing solution may be transferred from the first chamber to a reservoir within the automated contact lens cleansing device for performance of one or more cleansing cycles. Upon completion of the cleansing cycles, the used cleansing solution may be drained from the reservoir to the second chamber for storage until replacement of the multi-chamber fluid cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Inventor: Austin Greeson
  • Patent number: 11940400
    Abstract: A gas sensor system includes at least one gas sensor configured to receive at least one gas to be sampled; a processor configured to implement computer executable instructions; a first output interface in communication with the processor; and a computer memory in communication with the processor. A method includes measuring a density of the at least one gas; at least one of a) heating and b) cooling the at least one gas with a first thermal input; determining a first rate at which the at least one gas changes temperature when at least one of a) heating and b) cooling the at least one gas; comparing at least one of the density and the first rate to a reference database of gases; and determining at least one of a) a category b) a lower explosive limit and c) a concentration of the at least one gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: Gas Activated Systems
    Inventors: Michael A. Bryan, Robert Bodnar, James Yu
  • Patent number: 11872850
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method as disclosed enables predicting of vertical loads on a vehicle tire. Thermal characteristics for a particular vehicle-tire combination are retrievably stored, the thermal characteristics determined as corresponding to a range of temperature values further correlated with a plurality of operating conditions, and the plurality of operating conditions comprising at least a vertical load. A model for predicting transient temperature behavior is generated (e.g., empirically trained) based on one or more tire-specific time constants. During operation of the vehicle-tire combination and responsive to at least a first temperature value, a computing device residing on the vehicle or otherwise cloud-based in nature is configured to determine a predicted vertical load based on a predicted second temperature value from the model and further based on the retrievably stored one or more thermal characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations, LLC
    Inventor: Thomas A. Sams
  • Patent number: 11867568
    Abstract: A method of monitoring an internal body temperature of a patient includes detecting a skin temperature of the patient using a temperature sensor in a body-mountable temperature monitor attached to the patient; calculating, using the temperature sensor, a heat flux associated with the body-mountable temperature monitor based on selectively activating a heater in the body-mountable temperature monitor; and determining the internal body temperature of the patient using the skin temperature and the heat flux.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Verily Life Sciences LLC
    Inventors: Roxana Heitz, William Biederman, Sean Frick
  • Patent number: 11854291
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a sensor system includes an active thermal sensor pixel matrix, a plurality of presence sensors, and an image acquisition controller. The pixel matrix includes a plurality of pixels arranged in a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns and a boundary defining a perimeter. The plurality of presence sensors is disposed at least partially within the boundary of the pixel matrix. The image acquisition controller is coupled to the pixel matrix and the plurality of presence sensors. The image acquisition controller is configured to: (i) receive signals from the presence sensors; (ii) identify, based on the signals, a scan region, wherein the scan region is a portion of the pixel matrix that is in contact with or adjacent to a specimen; and (iii) obtain image data only from pixels that are within the scan region for generating an image of the specimen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: NEXT Biometrics Group ASA
    Inventors: Robert Mueller, Matias N. Troccoli, King Hong Kwan
  • Patent number: 11821797
    Abstract: A temperature sensing device for a hot stamping die apparatus includes: a processor, wherein when a second die moves toward a first die to press a workpiece, a pushing signal is transmitted to the processor; at least one temperature sensing unit is disposed in the first die and includes: a moving rod, a buffer, and a temperature sensor; a displacement regulator; and a controller, whereby when the processor receives the pushing signal, the processor controls the displacement regulator through the controller, so that the moving rod drives the buffer and the temperature sensor to move a predetermined distance, and further the temperature sensor moves toward the workpiece to touch the workpiece and sense a temperature of the workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: METAL INDUSTRIES RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT CENTRE
    Inventors: Tai-Hsin Hsu, Bing-Chuen Hu, Wan-Ling Chen, Kai-Min Tang
  • Patent number: 11656284
    Abstract: A method for operating a battery sensor having at least one measuring resistor and at least one voltage capture device for capturing a voltage drop across the measuring resistor and for outputting at least one measured value dependent on the captured voltage drop and an evaluation circuit. The method including determining a correction value for the measured value by the evaluation circuit, and determining a first temperature value of the measuring resistor on the basis of the determined correction value by the evaluation circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Inventors: Henryk Frenzel, Andreas Aumer
  • Patent number: 11592852
    Abstract: A system and approach for developing a periodic water usage profile and demand for controlling a water heater. A mode may be selected for demand for a certain amount of water of a particular temperature range to be available for use from the water heater. Data on hot water usage may be collected and the usage profile and demand may be calculated from the data. The water heater may be programmed to operate in a certain fashion based on the usage profile and demand. A control knob may be on the water heater control to select a particular demand. Control of the water heater may be operated from a remote device connected in a wireless or wired fashion. An optimization program may be implemented in the control of the water heater for achieving one or more beneficial goals related to water heater performance and hot water production.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: Ademco Inc.
    Inventors: Frederick Hazzard, David Heil, Ravindra Khosla
  • Patent number: 11555728
    Abstract: A system includes a computer having a processor and a memory storing instructions executable by the processor to determine a first temperature of a fluid stored by a fluid storage device and then actuate a fluid heating device to add heat energy to the fluid. The instructions include instructions to determine an amount of the heat energy added to the fluid. The instructions include instructions to determine a second temperature of the fluid stored by the fluid storage device after adding the heat energy to the fluid. The instructions include instructions to determine a quantity of the fluid stored by the fluid storage device based on the amount of the heat energy added to the fluid by the fluid heating device and a difference between the first temperature and the second temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: David Michael Herman, Ashwin Arunmozhi
  • Patent number: 11506541
    Abstract: A device comprises a plurality of temperature sensing elements and a control module. The plurality of temperature sensing elements are each arranged proximal to a respective current carrying blade of an electrical plug. The control module receives, from the plurality of temperature sensing elements, a plurality of temperature signals that each indicate a temperature associated with the respective current carrying blades of the electrical plug. The control module also determines a temperature condition of the electrical plug based on the plurality of temperature signals. The control module also communicates an indication of the temperature condition of the electrical plug via an electrical power carrying conductor that supplies electrical power via the electrical plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Inventor: Boris Borin
  • Patent number: 11446588
    Abstract: A substrate processing apparatus includes a supercritical fluid producing apparatus including a pump configured to send out a processing fluid; a processing container configured to perform a supercritical fluid processing on a substrate with a processing fluid in a supercritical state sent from the supercritical fluid producing apparatus; and a controller configured to control at least the supercritical fluid producing apparatus. When a pressure increase is performed within the processing container by using the processing fluid, the controller determines a first supply rate at which the processing fluid is supplied to the processing container based on a target time during which the pressure increase is performed, an amount of the processing fluid required for the pressure increase and a density of the processing fluid. Further, the supercritical fluid producing apparatus supplies the processing fluid to the processing container based on the first supply rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventor: Gentaro Goshi
  • Patent number: 11435086
    Abstract: A cooktop appliance includes a first burner and a second burner which are spaced apart with a grate positioned above the burners. The grate includes a first sensor finger with a first temperature sensor over the first burner and a second sensor finger with a second temperature sensor over the second burner. The cooktop appliance also includes a first control valve and a second control valve which selectively direct fuel to the respective burners. A controller of the cooktop appliance is operably coupled to the temperature sensors and the control valves. The controller may be operable for and/or methods of operating the cooktop appliance may include receiving a set temperature, receiving a first temperature measurement from the first temperature sensor and a second temperature measurement from the second temperature sensor, and adjusting each control valve based on the set temperature and the corresponding temperature measurement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul Bryan Cadima
  • Patent number: 11408660
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an ice maker and a refrigerator having the ice maker. An ice maker according to the present disclosure includes: an upper assembly including an upper tray forming an upper chamber, which is a portion an ice chamber, and having an upper opening, and a temperature sensor configured to sense temperature of the ice chamber in contact with the upper tray; and a lower assembly being rotatable with respect to the upper assembly and having a lower tray forming a lower chamber that is another portion of the ice chamber, in which a contact portion between the temperature sensor and the upper tray is positioned closer to a contact surface of the upper tray and the lower tray than the upper opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Yonghyun Kim, Jinil Hong, Seungjin Choi, Seunggeun Lee
  • Patent number: 11406326
    Abstract: A core body temperature monitoring apparatus placed superdermally over a user's skin, including a first temperature sensor, a second temperature sensor, a thermal insulation layer positioned intermediate the first and second temperature sensor and a heater for heating the apparatus and a subdermal tissue region underlying the user's skin. The subdermal tissue region is configured with variable thermal tissue parameters. A controller includes a switch configured for alternating between a calibration mode, wherein the heater is activated for calculating an instantaneous thermal tissue parameter, and a measurement mode, wherein the heater is inactive and the core body temperature is determined, based on the calculated instantaneous thermal tissue parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Inventors: Mordehy Haber, Simi Haber, Benny Pesach
  • Patent number: 11402276
    Abstract: A bearing temperature detector of a railcar bogie includes: a temperature sensor unit passing through an opening of an axle box accommodating a bearing supporting an axle and configured to detect a temperature of an outer ring of the bearing; an elastic body configured to bias the temperature sensor unit toward the outer ring; and a temperature sensor unit support seat including a substrate portion to which the temperature sensor unit is attached via the elastic body, the temperature sensor unit support seat being detachably fixed to the axle box from an outside of the axle box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: KAWASAKI RAILCAR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takaya Ono, Yukitaka Taga, Fumikazu Kounoike
  • Patent number: 11359819
    Abstract: A gas burner assembly includes a gas burner. A grate with a plurality of fingers is positioned above the gas burner. A sensor finger of the plurality of fingers defines an open downward facing slot at a bottom of the sensor finger. A temperature sensor is mounted to the sensor finger at a first end portion of the slot. A pogo pin terminal block is mounted to the grate at a second end portion of the slot. A wire extends between the temperature sensor and the pogo pin terminal block within the slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: Haler US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul Bryan Cadima
  • Patent number: 11320877
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for integrated circuit (IC) thermal throttling is described. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a plurality of thermal sensors, each of the plurality of thermal sensors being located in an area in the IC to record a die temperature at a location in its associated area; and a thermal controller coupled to the plurality of thermal sensors to perform thermal throttling of the IC to reduce the temperature of the IC in response to the die temperature recorded by any one temperature sensors of the plurality of thermal sensors being greater than an individual temperature threshold for said any one temperature sensor, the individual temperature threshold for each temperature sensor being based on a maximum temperature allowed for the area in the IC in which said each thermal sensor is located and power supplied to a plurality of areas of the IC.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventor: Ameya Limaye
  • Patent number: 11300453
    Abstract: A thermal pixel configured as an electromagnetic emitter and/or an electromagnetic detector. The thermal pixel comprises a micro-platform suspended with semiconductor nanowires from a surrounding support platform. The nanowires comprise phononic structure providing a decrease in thermal conductivity. In some embodiments, the pixel is structured for operation within a broad bandwidth or a limited bandwidth. Metamaterial and/or photonic crystal filters provide pixel operation over a limited bandwidth. In some other embodiments, the micro-platform comprises a nanotube structure providing a broadband emission/absorption spectral response.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Inventor: William N. Carr
  • Patent number: 11202491
    Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for a cosmetic sponge having: a tip portion at one end of the cosmetic sponge; an angled portion, where the tip portion is surrounded by the angled portion; a bulbous portion, where the bulbous portion is disposed proximate a bottom of the cosmetic sponge; and a bottom portion, where the bottom portion is surrounded by the bulbous portion; and a thermochromic pigment in at least a portion of the cosmetic sponge, where the portion of the cosmetic sponge changes from a first color at a first temperature to a second color at a second temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: REA.DEEMING BEAUTY, INC.
    Inventors: Rea Ann Silva, Brittany Blass
  • Patent number: 11134321
    Abstract: A probe used with food preparation, rethermalization, storage, transportation, and/or service includes a head portion with a display, and a shaft portion that is coupled to the head portion and is configured to be at least partially immersed in a foodstuff. The probe further includes a sensing unit configured to collect data including the temperature of the foodstuff and a wireless device configured to transmit data collected by the sensing unit to a supervisory control device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Assignee: The Vollrath Company, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Brian Hedlund, Jill Hundley, Rebecca J. Schreiber-Pethan, Peter Roever, Jeremiah Kopiness
  • Patent number: 11111731
    Abstract: Methods of forming earth-boring tools including one or more instrumented cutting elements may involve placing a cutting element partially within a pocket extending into a body of an earth-boring tool. The cutting element may include a first hole extending partially through a cutting element from a back side of the cutting element toward a cutting face and a second, shorter, wider hole extending partially through the cutting element from the back side toward the cutting face. The second hole may be in fluid communication with the first hole. An extension including a passageway extending through the extension may be located at least partially within the second hole, such that the passageway may be in fluid communication with the first hole. A thermocouple may be inserted through the passageway and into the first hole after affixing the cutting element in the pocket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Oilfield Operations LLC
    Inventors: Wanjun Cao, Juan Miguel Bilen, Steven W. Webb
  • Patent number: 11028526
    Abstract: A clothes care apparatus capable of improving cooling performance of a printed circuit board assembly includes a body, a first chamber provided inside the body and configured to receive clothes, a second chamber provided inside the body but separated from the first chamber, a printed circuit board housing configured to form one side wall of the second chamber and provided with a receiving space separated from the second chamber in the second chamber, the receiving space to which air outside the body flows, and a printed circuit board assembly arranged in the receiving space to be cooled by air flowing into the receiving space from the outside of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Dong Bum Lee, Sang Jin Kim, Eung Ryeol Seo
  • Patent number: 11014588
    Abstract: A train navigation system and method are provided for safely navigating a track loop in a railway, by determining a head end location of a train navigating a track block in a plurality of track blocks associated with a track loop in the railway; determining a train route from the head end location of the train including a forward path and a rearward path, the train route based on a position of a switch in the plurality of track blocks associated with the track loop in the railway; the system and method for dynamically generating an updated train route as the train traverses the railway based on a continuously updated head end location as the train traverses the railway relative to the position of the switch; and safely traversing the track loop in the railway based upon the updated train route.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: WESTINGHOUSE AIR BRAKE TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Amit Saxena, James A. Oswald
  • Patent number: 11014429
    Abstract: The invention relates to an operating device (5) for an automatic climate control (2) of a motor vehicle (1) including a sensor assembly (7) for determining an interior temperature in a passenger cabin (4) of the motor vehicle (1) and including an operating area (8), wherein the sensor assembly (7) comprises a circuit board (11) and a sensor unit (12) disposed on the circuit board (11) with a first temperature sensor (17), and wherein a top side (9) of the operating area (8) faces the passenger cabin (4) in an intended installation position of the operating device (5) on the motor vehicle (1). In addition, the invention relates to an automatic climate control (2) as well as to a motor vehicle (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: Valeo Schalter und Sensoren GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Findeisen, Otto Mueller
  • Patent number: 10981519
    Abstract: A driving assistance apparatus installed in a vehicle, the apparatus comprising an image capturing unit configured to capture an image of a left-rearward area and a right-rearward area of the vehicle, a display unit configured to display an image capturing result from the image capturing unit as an image, and a control unit configured to control the driving of the display unit, wherein the control unit causes an icon for communicating predetermined information to a driver to be displayed over the image capturing result, at a position of a corner part corresponding to an upper part on a vehicle body side of the image displayed by the display unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yoshimasa Hayashida, Makoto Sawada, Masaru Aoki
  • Patent number: 10962598
    Abstract: Provided is an energy storage device state estimation device (100) for estimating a state of an energy storage device (200), the energy storage device state estimation device (100) including: a temperature estimation part (110) configured to estimate a temperature of the energy storage device (200); and a state estimation part (120) configured to estimate a state of the energy storage device (200) using the temperature of the energy storage device (200), wherein the temperature estimation part (110) is configured such that the energy storage device (200) is divided into a plurality of regions, the respective regions are set as internal regions, a region outside the energy storage device (200) adjacently disposed to the internal region is set as an external region, and a temperature of the energy storage device (200) is estimated using an internal heat transfer amount which is a transfer amount of heat between the two internal regions disposed adjacently to each other and an external heat transfer amount which
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: GS Yuasa International Ltd.
    Inventors: Keita Suzuki, Shigeki Yamate
  • Patent number: 10911130
    Abstract: Radio frequency signal boosters are provided herein. In certain embodiments, a signal booster system includes a signal booster that is proximately located to an outdoor base station antenna. Implementing the signal booster system in this manner can provide a number of advantages relative to a configuration in which the signal booster is far from a base station antenna. For example, a long cable connected from an indoor signal booster to an outdoor base station antenna can be several meters long, resulting in significant cable loss that degrades transmit power and/or receiver sensitivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: Cellphone-Mate, Inc.
    Inventor: Hongtao Zhan
  • Patent number: 10895507
    Abstract: A method of measuring a temperature of a thermally-insulated, high temperature system. The method includes directing a first electromagnetic energy into the high temperature system so that the first electromagnetic energy may cause multi-photon ionization of a molecular or atomic species within the high temperature system. A second electromagnetic energy resulting from the multi-photon ionization is detected through a thermally-insulating wall of the high temperature system. The detected second electromagnetic energy is related to a temperature within the high temperature system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2021
    Assignee: United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force
    Inventors: Joseph D. Miller, Zhili Zhang, Yue Wu, Mark Gragston
  • Patent number: 10847980
    Abstract: A battery module includes a secondary battery, temperature detection unit that detects temperature information about the secondary battery, and a control device that controls charging and discharging of the secondary battery on the basis of the temperature information detected by the temperature detection unit. In the battery module, a level difference (recess) is provided on the surface of at least one of the secondary battery and the temperature sensor such that a space is formed at least at a central portion of a contact region at which the temperature sensor of the temperature detection unit and the secondary battery come into contact with each other. As a result, a space in which foreign matter can be accommodated can be formed, and accordingly the temperature information about the secondary battery can be detected with high precision by suitably bringing the temperature sensor and the secondary battery into contact with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Mizuho Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 10827651
    Abstract: An airflow characterization system includes a first airflow sensor subsystem positioned at a first location on an airflow characterization board base and a second airflow sensor subsystem positioned at a second location on the airflow characterization board base that is different than the first location. An airflow characterization controller is coupled to the first airflow sensor subsystem and the second airflow sensor subsystem. When the airflow characterization board is positioned in a circuit board slot, the airflow characterization controller receives a first airflow signal from the first airflow sensor subsystem during a first time period and receives a second airflow signal from the second airflow sensor subsystem during the first time period. The airflow characterization controller determines a circuit board slot airflow characterization for the circuit board slot based on the first airflow signal and the second airflow signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Hasnain Shabbir, Dominick Adam Lovicott, Carlos Guillermo Henry
  • Patent number: 10695761
    Abstract: A microfluidic system is configured for enhanced temperature control by combining spatial and temporal temperature control. The microfluidic system includes an electro-wetting on dielectric (EWOD) device comprising an element array configured to receive one or more liquid droplets, the element array comprising a plurality of individual array elements; a control system configured to control actuation voltages applied to the element array to perform manipulation operations of the liquid droplets; and a plurality of thermal control elements located at different spatial locations along the EWOD device, at least one of the thermal control elements being variable in temperature with respect to time. The control system includes a thermal control unit configured to control temperatures of the thermal control elements to generate a plurality of thermal zones located at different spatial locations along the EWOD device, at least one of the thermal zones being variable in temperature with respect to time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: Sharp Life Science (EU) Limited
    Inventors: Sally Anderson, Pamela Ann Dothie, Philip Mark Shryane Roberts
  • Patent number: 10700576
    Abstract: A self-generating positioning detector using wheel rotation, comprising a positioning detection unit arranged at a vehicle hub and a power supply unit, wherein the positioning detection unit comprises a positioning module, a wireless communication module and a temperature sensor, the power supply unit comprises an electric generator having a hub-driven rotor and a stator rotating relatively; the input ends of the positioning module and the temperature sensor are electrically communicated with the output end of the electric generator, and the output ends of the positioning module and the temperature sensor are electrically communicated with the input end of the wireless communication module. The self-generating positioning detector using wheel rotation can conduct real-time positioning and monitoring for vehicles without power supply, detect temperature of wheel axles during running, and generate power for the positioning detection unit. The detector has a simple structure and is convenient to install.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Inventor: Guanghai Zeng
  • Patent number: 10691099
    Abstract: A motor selection apparatus includes: a mechanical condition obtainment unit that obtains information pertaining to a distance between a center of mass of a workpiece and a rotation center of a motor; an operating pattern obtainment unit that obtains information pertaining to an operating pattern; a motor information obtainment unit that obtains information pertaining to instantaneous torque; an eccentric load torque calculation unit that calculates eccentric load torque, which is load torque acting on the motor in accordance with the rotation phase of the motor; an acceleration/deceleration torque calculation unit that calculates acceleration/deceleration torque; a required torque calculation unit that calculates a required torque from a sum of the eccentric load torque and the acceleration/deceleration torque; and a motor selection unit that determines whether a motor can be selected, based on whether the required torque is less than or equal to the instantaneous torque of the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: Fanuc Corporation
    Inventor: Yasuo Yamada
  • Patent number: 10605670
    Abstract: A method determines a performance index of a cooking vessel subjected to a heating power, the index being representative of the capacity of the vessel to distribute the heating power in a homogeneous manner, the vessel including a bottom and a lateral wall furnished with an external face. The method includes a) subjecting the bottom of the vessel to a heating system, b) measuring and recording at regular time intervals the temperature at least three points of predetermined altitude of the external face until the stabilization of at least one of the measured temperatures at each time interval at the level of the at least three points, c) calculating and recording in the course of the time taken for the temperature of the external face to rise, the difference between the maximum temperature and the minimum temperature measured, d) determining the performance index based on the calculations and recordings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: SEB S.A.
    Inventor: Céline Hofleitner
  • Patent number: 10598552
    Abstract: A fluid temperature sensor may include a housing having an inlet, an indicator coupled to the housing, and a container disposed within the housing. The container may include a thermo-sensitive housing containing a thermal sensing element. The thermal sensing element may be configured to expand in response to reaching a threshold temperature thereby moving the container from a closed position to an open position. Fluid may flow through the inlet and fill the housing in the open position of the container to actuate the indicator into an activated position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce Corporation
    Inventor: Timothy A. Wachob
  • Patent number: 10571345
    Abstract: The present invention preferably comprises a system and method for measuring and/or continuously monitoring the temperature and/or height of a molten metal bath in a vessel. Specifically, an ultrasonic transmitter and an ultrasonic receiver are disposed about sides of the vessel and are used to send and receive an ultrasonic signal in order to detect the temperature of the bath. More specifically, the ultrasonic transmitter is configured to send an ultrasonic signal through the vessel, and the ultrasonic receiver is configured to receive that ultrasonic signal after it has travelled through the vessel (comprising the molten metal bath). The ultrasonic receiver provides at least one signal to a processing unit (i.e., control center), which processes the at least one signal to determine the temperature and/or level of the molten metal bath. The invention may further comprise chillers to protect the transmitter and receiver from the heat of the bath.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: BERRY METAL COMPANY
    Inventors: Edward J. Green, Donald E. Yuhas
  • Patent number: 10493766
    Abstract: A fluid level sensing device includes a substrate (210) and a sensing die (216) cantilevered at one end from the substrate. A number of sensing components (218), preferably thermal or impedance sensing components, are disposed on the sensing die and detect a fluid level in a fluid reservoir. A protective member (208) is also cantilevered at one end from the substrate alongside the sensing die. Electrical interconnects (212) output data collected from the number of sensing components. A number of sensing dies may be provided to lengthen the sensing device, in which case the protective cover extends alongside and parallel to the number of sensing dies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Chien-Hua Chen, Michael W. Cumbie, Devin Alexander Mourey
  • Patent number: 10464113
    Abstract: A monitoring device monitors a forming machine (target device). The forming machine includes a housing, a bearing attached to the housing, and a shaft placed radially inside the bearing. The monitoring device includes a plurality of heat flux sensors and a detector. The heat flux sensors are provided on the radially outer side of the bearing and spaced from each other in the circumferential direction of the bearing. The heat flux sensors output a signal corresponding to heat fluxes through faces thereof on the bearing side and faces thereof on the other side. The detector detects a load applied radially to the shaft or bearing, based on the output from the heat flux sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Norio Gouko, Toshihisa Taniguchi, Atusi Sakaida, Keiji Okamoto, Yoshihiko Shiraishi, Masahiro Asano
  • Patent number: 10454145
    Abstract: An example electric vehicle battery thermocouple includes a temperature sense lead of a first material, and an electric vehicle battery component of a second material different than the first material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Joseph Turgeon, Masahiro Kimoto
  • Patent number: 10429330
    Abstract: A miniature gas analyzer capable of detecting VOC gases in ambient air as well as sensing relative humidity and ambient temperature can be used to monitor indoor air quality. The VOC gas sensor is thermally controlled and can be tuned to detect a certain gas by programming an adjacent heater. An insulating air pocket formed below the sensor helps to maintain the VOC gas sensor at a desired temperature. A local temperature sensor may be integrated with each gas sensor to provide feedback control. The heater, local temperature sensor, gas sensor(s), relative humidity sensor, and ambient temperature sensor are in the form of patternable thin films integrated on a single microchip, e.g., an ASIC. The device can be incorporated into computer workstations, smart phones, clothing, or other wearable accessories to function as a personal air quality monitor that is smaller, more accurate, and less expensive than existing air quality sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics Pte Ltd
    Inventors: Olivier Le Neel, Ravi Shankar, Shian Yeu Kam, Tien Choy Loh
  • Patent number: 10390660
    Abstract: Provided is a method for producing a handle subassembly made to be mounted to a body (2) to form a cooking vessel (1), said subassembly including a handle (20), a sensor (30), particularly a temperature sensor, equipped with at least one flexible insulated conducting element (31, 32) which is connected to a connector (17) of a control circuit (28), said subassembly including a receiving area (49) for the conducting element (31, 32) a part of which (49b) is disposed in the handle (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: SEB S.A.
    Inventor: Guy Magnouloux
  • Patent number: 10371684
    Abstract: A system for managing and monitoring a small or large collection of sealed containers, such as wine bottles, barrels, medicine containers, or bags, as well as individual grapes, batches of must, and other liquids, whose contents may be volatile and difficult to access without destroying the seal and the contents or risking contamination of the liquid. The system performs automated monitoring tasks by communicating with specially manufactured bottles or traditional bottles that have had a sensor installed. Sensor installation can be accomplished with unmodified commercialy available equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Inventor: Mohsen Rezayat
  • Patent number: 10307762
    Abstract: Provided is a thermal cycler including a housing, the housing with a thermal block having sample wells, each for receiving a test sample in a sample vessel, an electric heater for heating the thermal block, a power supply and an electronic control for controlling the electric heater, and a temperature analysis and/or verification unit for analyzing and/or verifying a thermal performance of the thermal block. Also provided is a method for analyzing or verifying a thermal performance of a thermal cycler and for calibrating the thermal cycler. The thermal cycler has a temperature analysis and/or verification unit integrated into the housing and connected to the power supply and electronic control by an internal interface, whereas the method is characterized by the following steps: providing the thermal cycler with an integrated temperature analysis and/or verification unit and using the integrated temperature analysis and/or verification unit for self-calibration of the thermal cycler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: Hahn Lifescience GmbH
    Inventor: James Courtney
  • Patent number: 10254265
    Abstract: A system for managing and monitoring a small or large collection of sealed containers, such as wine bottles, barrels, medicine containers, or bags, as well as individual grapes, batches of must, and other liquids, whose contents may be volatile and difficult to access without destroying the seal and the contents or risking contamination of the liquid. The system performs automated monitoring tasks by communicating with specially manufactured bottles or traditional bottles that have had a sensor installed. Sensor installation can be accomplished with unmodified commercial available equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Inventor: Mohsen Rezayat
  • Patent number: 10168229
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein generally relate to a temperature sensor disposed in an apparatus. In many semiconductor, liquid crystal display, solar panel or organic light emitting display fabrication processes, RF power is utilized to either ignite a plasma within the processing chamber or to provide supplemental energy to the process. Temperature control during many processes may be beneficial in order to produce a consistent product. Temperature sensors or thermocouples are sometimes utilized to measure the temperature of a substrate within a processing chamber. The RF power may have a negative impact on the temperature sensor. By coating the temperature sensor with a nanoparticle based metal coating, such as a silver coating, the negative impacts of the RF power on the temperature sensor may be reduced without contaminating the process, and an accurate temperature measurement may be obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Govinda Raj, Bopanna Ichettria Vasantha, Ashish Bhatnagar, Cariappa Baduvamanda
  • Patent number: 10137285
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a handle assembly, a guide assembly, and a dilation catheter. The guide assembly extends distally from the handle assembly. The guide assembly includes a malleable guide member and a flexible guide member. The distal end of the flexible guide member is distal to the distal end of the malleable guide member. The flexible guide member is positioned about the malleable guide member and is slidable along the malleable guide member. The dilation catheter is slidably disposed about the flexible guide member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: Acclarent, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas R. Jenkins, Randy J. Kesten, Siddhi K. Desai
  • Patent number: 10119863
    Abstract: A system for automated condition assessment of a turbine component is provided. The system includes a partially enclosed photobox and a controller. The partially enclosed photobox includes a configurable rotational table adapted to carry the turbine component, at least one wall perpendicular to and abutting a horizontal platform upon which the rotational table is carried. The photobox also includes a plurality of cameras configured to be automatically positioned at locations surrounding the turbine component and capture images of the turbine component. The controller communicates with each of the cameras to respectively control the positioning of each camera in order to capture a desired view of the turbine component. At least one of the cameras is an infrared camera configured to perform flash thermography capturing a thermographic image of a portion of the turbine component. The thermographic image is used to assess the condition of the turbine component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: SIEMENS ENERGY, INC.
    Inventors: Dustin C. Boudin, Clifford Hatcher, Jr., Anand A. Kulkarni, Ahmed Kamel
  • Patent number: 10067002
    Abstract: An atmospheric monitoring system designed for a low cost retrofit installation into a non commercial potter's gas fired kiln. The system uses a low cost, replaceable, unshielded oxygen sensor incorporated into a modified firebrick for simple installation into a kiln. There is also a high temperature thermocouple inserted through an orifice through the kiln wall such that it senses the temperature adjacent the wares. The system has three embodiments with successive levels of complexity that build onto each other. The simplest system has a base unit for localized visual display of the kiln's atmospheric parameters. The higher levels run a software application on their smart phones that allows for more comprehensive data reporting but more importantly, provide for redundant alarm notification through the LAN and the 4G cell phone network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Inventor: Mark Smith
  • Patent number: 10062932
    Abstract: A method is provided for determining the internal temperature of an electrochemical energy storage device, particularly for a motor vehicle. The internal temperature of a cell winding of the energy storage device is determined by calculation in a control device of the energy storage device by way of a thermal model for the energy storage device which is saved in the control device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Matthias Fleckenstein, Marcel Fenkart, Oliver Bohlen
  • Patent number: 10061236
    Abstract: A fixing device includes a fixing unit that heats and fixes an unfixed image held on a recording medium onto the recording medium, a detector that is disposed at a position downstream from the fixing unit in a direction in which the recording medium is transported and that detects the recording medium by detecting thermal energy emitted by the recording medium, and a heating unit that heats the detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shigehiko Haseba, Yasutaka Naito, Takayuki Uchiyama