Control Element Responsive To A Sensed Operating Condition Patents (Class 422/105)
  • Patent number: 11865222
    Abstract: A system and method are defined for disinfection of the structure, contents and included air in large volume enclosures such as mass transit vehicles, transport containers, warehouses, and retail sales or gathering locations to reduce the risk of transmission of contagious biological agents, particularly bacterial and viral agents. Various embodiments provide effective sanitizing actions accommodating differing local circumstances and obstacles. Safety interlock mechanisms, procedural steps and communications means ensure safe operations around humans and animals. The system includes a method for measuring environmental conditions to ensure a safe re-entry state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: GMA International Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Baker
  • Patent number: 11499183
    Abstract: Systems and methods for detection of a signal from droplets of an emulsion. An exemplary system may comprise a fluid transporter having a tube with an open end for aspirating droplets, a singulator to arrange the droplets in single file and to space the single-file droplets from one another, and a detection channel in optical communication with a detector configured to detect a signal from droplets. In some embodiments, the singulator may have a channel junction at which a stream of droplets in single file is combined with a stream of spacing fluid, and a tapered spacing channel extending downstream from the channel junction toward the detection channel. In some embodiments, the fluid transporter may suck droplet-containing fluid and spacing fluid through the detection channel from respective sources. In some embodiments, droplets may be subjected to a disaggregation routine before they are passed through the detection channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: David P. Stumbo, George Carman, Steve Hobbs, Anthony J. Makarewicz, Jr., Dmitri Simonian, David Glade, Joshua Oen, Denis Pristinski, John Dzenitis
  • Patent number: 11478564
    Abstract: Decontamination device and method for sterilizing an inside of facility or an inside of a device installed in the facility in which cells, tissues, culture media, sterile reagents, microorganisms or the like are handled or cultured, including: dry fog generating machine, installed in decontamination area, for converting peracetic acid mixed solution containing low-concentration peracetic acid into dry fog and spraying the dry fog into the decontamination area; humidity sensor, installed in decontamination area, for measuring humidity in decontamination area; gas recovery machine, installed in the above decontamination area, for recovering gas in decontamination area; and control device for controlling spraying from dry fog generating machine and gas recovery operation by the gas recovery machine based on information from the above humidity sensor, a main control and monitoring device, installed outside the above decontamination area, for controlling the control devices of one or more of the above decontaminat
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: SD BIOSYSTEM CO., LTD
    Inventor: Akio Sakaki
  • Patent number: 11459927
    Abstract: An exhaust component assembly for a vehicle exhaust system includes a housing defining an internal cavity configured to receive an exhaust gas after-treatment component. A first chamber is in fluid communication with the internal cavity upstream of the exhaust gas after-treatment component. A first nozzle introduces fluid into the first chamber and a first valve controls flow of the fluid from the first chamber into the internal cavity. A heat source is associated with the first nozzle or first chamber. A second chamber is in fluid communication with the internal cavity upstream of the exhaust gas after-treatment component, and the second chamber is a non-heated chamber. A second nozzle introduces fluid into the second chamber and a second valve controls flow of the fluid from the second chamber into the internal cavity. A controller controls the first and second valves based on at least one predetermined operating condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: Faurecia Emissions Control Technologies, USA, LLC
    Inventors: Shashidhara Rajashekharaiah, Edward Kinnaird, Atul Shinde
  • Patent number: 11414606
    Abstract: The chemical conversion of renewable oil to obtain a hydrocarbon product suitable as a fuel, includes (i) renewable oil including corn distillers oil (CDO), fatty acid glyceryl esters (FAGE), triacylglycerols (TAG), lipids, and free fatty acids (FFA), which are derived from non-fossil-fuel sources that include animals, plants, vegetables, fruits, grains, algae, and plankton (collectively “oil”); (ii) the chemical transformation of the oil by substantially reducing or eliminating the carboxylate functionality and native unsaturations of fatty acids contained therein; (iii) wherein the hydrocarbon product is substantially a mixture of saturated hydrocarbons, or alkanes, originating from corresponding structures in the oil, e.g., the hydrocarbon chains of fatty acids; and (iv) the product mixture is suitable as fuel that may be blended with or be used in place of fuel such as diesel derived from petroleum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: Aduro Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: W. Marcus Trygstad, Anil K. Jhawar, Muhammad B. I. Chowdhury, Shaun J. Fraser
  • Patent number: 11366303
    Abstract: A particle detection method detects presence and location of particles on a target using measured signals from a plurality of structured illumination patterns. The particle detection method uses measured signals obtained by illuminating the target with structured illumination patterns to detect particles. Specifically, the degree of variation in these measured signals in raw images is calculated to determine whether a particle is present on the target at a particular area of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: Rebus Biosystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Jekwan Ryu, Hojin Lee, Ahreum Oh
  • Patent number: 11346853
    Abstract: A sample rack used to hold a sample container containing a sample and to transport the held sample container, includes a container holding part configured to hold the sample container; and a mark indicating an amount of the sample stored in the sample container held by the container holding part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: SYSMEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kohei Oda, Hiroyuki Matsuura
  • Patent number: 11338479
    Abstract: Disclosed here is an autoclave system for curing a part. The autoclave includes a gas recirculation system, at least partially external to a vessel pf the autoclave system and fluidly coupleable to the vessel such that gas contained in the vessel is delivered to the gas recirculation system, passed through the gas recirculation system, and recirculated back into the vessel. The autoclave system also comprises at least one mold core, located within the vessel. The mold core comprises a conduit extending through the mold core and the mold core is configured to define a shape of the part. The gas delivered to the gas recirculation system from the vessel is gas received directly from the conduit of the mold core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: James M. Streeter, Scott J. Nicholson
  • Patent number: 11288465
    Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for wirelessly monitoring 5 process conditions within a reactor vessel. A plurality of sensor-enabled radio frequency identification (RFID) tags are disposed at known locations throughout a catalyst bed of a vessel and are used to measure various conditions within the vessel. The sensor-enabled RFID tags are encoded with individual identification codes and are wirelessly linked to a transceiver. A transceiver 10 provides for the interrogation of each sensor-enabled RFID tag to receive responsive transponder signals that carry information representative of both the three-dimensional location of the sensor-enabled RFID tags and the sensed conditions within the reactor. This allows for three-dimensional profiling of the specifically measured condition within the reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: SHELL OIL COMPANY
    Inventors: Kaspar Joseph Vogt, David Winn Fuchs
  • Patent number: 11252486
    Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for wirelessly monitoring process conditions within a reactor vessel. An array of sensor-enabled radio frequency identification (RFID) tags is placed at known heights within a catalyst bed of a vessel and are used to measure 10 various conditions within the vessel. The sensor-enabled RFID tags are encoded with individual identification codes and are wirelessly linked to multiple transceivers. The use of multiple transceivers allows for the application of triangulation methods to identify the location of each of the sensor-enabled RFID tags in three-dimensional space and for the interrogation of each sensor-enabled RFID tag to receive responsive transponder signals that carry information representative of the sensed condition within the reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: SHELL OIL COMPANY
    Inventors: Kaspar Joseph Vogt, David Winn Fuchs
  • Patent number: 11122378
    Abstract: A portable airtight electronic component dryer device including a container having an interior portion for receiving one or more electronic components for drying; a desiccant disposed in the interior portion of the container; and a removable lid for the container. The removable lid contains a disinfecting light source, and a power source for providing power to the disinfecting light source. Light generated by the disinfecting light source is directed into the interior portion of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Inventor: Daniel R. Schumaier
  • Patent number: 11098345
    Abstract: This present disclosure provides methods and systems for measuring the concentration of multiple nucleic acid sequences in a sample. The nucleic acid sequences in the sample are simultaneously amplified, for example, using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in the presence of an array of nucleic acid probes. The amount of amplicon corresponding to the multiple nucleic acid sequences can be measured in real-time during or after each cycle using a real-time microarray. The measured amount of amplicon produced can be used to determine the original amount of the nucleic acid sequences in the sample. Also provided herein are biosensor arrays, systems and methods for affinity based assays that are able to simultaneously obtain high quality measurements of the binding characteristics of multiple analytes, and that are able to determine the amounts of those analytes in solution. The present disclosure also provides a fully integrated bioarray for detecting real-time characteristics of affinity based assays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Arjang Hassibi, Babak Hassibi, Haris Vikalo, Jose Luis Riechmann
  • Patent number: 11046003
    Abstract: A method for automatic printing of a three dimensional heterogeneous structure in accordance with a computer-aided design procedure, including the steps of: aspirating a first portion consisting of a first material (M1) in liquid form, from a first liquid container into a capillary (C); aspirating a second portion consisting of a second material (M2) in liquid form different than the first material (M1), from a second liquid container into said capillary (C), such that the first portion and the second portion constitute longitudinally different parts of a longitudinally heterogeneous filament (F) encompassed by the capillary (C); and extraction of the filament (F) from the capillary (C) thus laying it as a portion of a printed layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: SABANCI UNIVERSITESI
    Inventors: Bahattin Koc, Navid Khani, Ali Nadernezhad
  • Patent number: 10968783
    Abstract: A thermal power generation system includes: a boiler; at least one steam turbine; a generator; a condenser; at least one low-pressure feed water; a high-pressure feed water pump; at least one high-pressure feed water heater capable of heating water pumped by the high-pressure feed water pump by utilizing extracted steam; a catalyst device including at least one kind of catalyst capable of promoting reduction reaction of nitrogen oxide and oxidation reaction of metallic mercury, the nitrogen oxide and the metallic mercury both being contained in the exhaust gas; at least one mercuric oxide removing device capable of removing mercuric oxide produced by the oxidation reaction of the metallic mercury from the exhaust gas; and an exhaust gas temperature adjustment device capable of adjusting a temperature of the exhaust gas at the catalyst device, by adjusting heating of the water by the at least one high-pressure feed water heater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI POWER, LTD.
    Inventors: Yoshinori Nagai, Satoru Sugita, Takanori Nakamoto, Hiroyuki Nosaka, Yoshinori Taguchi, Jun Iwasaki
  • Patent number: 10946422
    Abstract: Many hospitals and medical facilities have a need to safely dispose of their biomedical waste. Onsite processing, particularly with ozone, is often less expensive and safer than off site handling, but many facilities lack the room for conventional ozone equipment with appropriate capacity to meet their needs. Accordingly, the present inventors devised, among other things, an exemplary system that includes, among other features, an shredder, an upwardly inclined auger chamber, and a waste receptacle. The shredder shreds unsterilized waste and feeds into the lower end of the inclined auger chamber. The chamber includes ozone injectors to treat waste as the auger conveys it upward toward an outlet that drops the sterilized waste into the waste receptacle. The incline of the chamber allows for a smaller system footprint with sufficient processing capacity to satisfy the needs of smaller hospitals and clinics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Inventors: Peter A. Jude, Stephen E. Pellegrene, Michael J. Hofer
  • Patent number: 10934917
    Abstract: Selective catalytic reduction (SCR) systems are known and are generally included in the exhaust systems of diesel engines in order to treat the exhaust gases of such engines. Such systems typically involve the introduction of a diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) into exhaust gas flowing in an exhaust passage of an engine. DEF dosing systems are limited by the amounts of DEF that can be delivered without deposits forming on surfaces of the aftertreatment system. A numerical model of a hydrolysis catalyst is provided. The model comprises a spatial model of a hydrolysis catalyst to be modelled, where the hydrolysis catalyst is divided into a plurality of discrete spatial units. For each of the discrete spatial units, values for a plurality of matter state parameters are determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: Perkins Engines Company Limited
    Inventor: Robert Clayton
  • Patent number: 10899611
    Abstract: The process describes the capability of solid-state metals to oxidize in water to produce hydrogen when stimulated by laser. The solid-state metals with an adherent surface layer of the oxide component is introduced into water or another suitable oxidizer. The metal-oxidizer reaction to form hydrogen is initiated and maintained by a laser periodically/continually ablating the metal. The energy, pulse duration and wavelength of the laser may be tailored to control the rate of reaction of the source material with the oxidizer, and thereby control the rate of formation of hydrogen. Application of energy produced by such method may include powering large scale commercial and residential energy companies, providing sustainable and continuous fuel for intergalactic missions, providing an alternative fuel sources for on-board hydrogen-powered vehicles and smaller scale applications such as emergency generators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: New World Energy LLC
    Inventor: Vladlen G. Shvedov
  • Patent number: 10827751
    Abstract: Methods and systems for temperature-controlled, on-site generation of peracids, namely peroxycarboxylic acids and peroxycarboxylic acid forming compositions are disclosed. In particular, methods for using an adjustable biocide formulator or generator system overcome the limitations of temperature on the kinetics of the peracid generation and/or peracid decomposition inside an adjustable biocide formulator or generator system. The methods include the controlling of the temperature of at least one raw starting material, namely water, to improve upon methods of on-site generation of peracids. The methods allow for the generation of user-selected chemistry without regard to the ambient temperatures of the raw starting materials and/or the biocide formulator or generator system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Brandon Herdt, Richard Staub, Thomas C. Rustad, Junzhong Li, David D. McSherry, Paul R. Kraus, Richard Walsh
  • Patent number: 10826075
    Abstract: A membrane electrode assembly of an electrochemical device includes a proton conductive solid electrolyte membrane and an electrode including Ni and an electrolyte material which contains as a primary component, at least one of a first compound having a composition represented by BaZr1-x1M1x1O3 (M1 represents at least one element selected from trivalent elements each having an ion radius of more than 0.720 A° to less than 0.880 A°, and 0<x1<1 holds) and a second compound having a composition represented by BaZr1-x2Tmx2O3 (0<x2<0.3 holds).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kosuke Yamauchi, Takehito Goto, Tomoya Kamata, Yuichi Mikami, Tomohiro Kuroha, Atsuo Okaichi, Yoichiro Tsuji, Yuji Okuyama
  • Patent number: 10821461
    Abstract: A method for controlling a pump system as well as to a pump system with multi-component material being dispensed under pressure using a mixer and a spray gun of the pump system, component material being pumped using at least two pumps of the pump system, said component material being stored using liquid tanks of the pump system each allocated to the pumps, said component material being dosed using dosage valves of the pump system each allocated to the pumps, said pump system being controlled by means of a control unit of the pump system, said dosage valves each being regulated using an electric regulating device of the control unit each allocated to the pump, a mixing ratio of the component materials being regulated using a control device of the control unit, said regulating devices being regulated by means of the control device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: WIWA WILHELM WAGNER GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Peter Turczak, Dirk Scherer
  • Patent number: 10816516
    Abstract: A gas chromatographic system includes a gas chromatographic (GC) subsystem and an autosampler. The autosampler includes a carrier including a plurality of seats and a plurality of sample holders disposed in respective ones of the seats. Each of the sample holders includes: a container defining a chamber configured to hold a sample; and visible indicium on the container; wherein the container is positioned in its seat such that the visible indicium is visible. The autosampler further includes an optical sensor, a controller, at least one mirror, and a sampling system. The optical sensor is configured to read the visible indicia and to generate an output signal corresponding thereto. The controller is configured to receive the output signal. The at least one mirror is arranged and configured to simultaneously reflect images of the visible indicia of a set of the sample holders in the seats to the optical sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: PerkinElmer Health Sciences, Inc.
    Inventors: Samuel Tolley, Andrew Tipler
  • Patent number: 10767235
    Abstract: Provided herein is a dual amplification method for identifying plant pathogens by analysis of pathogen DNA in an unpurified nucleic acid sample from the plant. Pathogen-specific and/or plant-specific primers are used to generate a first set of amplicons that are further amplified in a second amplification step using fluorescent tagged pathogen-specific primers. Fluorescent amplicons thus generated are hybridized with pathogen-specific nucleic acid probes that are immobilized on a solid support using bifunctional polymer linkers. The hybridized microarray is imaged to obtain fluorescent images of the amplicons and the nucleic acid probes, which are superimposed to detect the pathogen present in the plant. Also described herein is a method to identify a plant by analysis of plant DNA and a method to simultaneously detect both plant DNA and pathogen DNA in a single assay.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: PathogenDX, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Edward Hogan, Melissa Rose May, Frederick Henry Eggers
  • Patent number: 10741281
    Abstract: An assembly and method for tracking implant devices within a sterile field, the assembly comprising a reader that includes a housing structure with a base and a cover, a scanner having a scanner housing, where the scanner housing is at least partially positioned in a cavity provided in the base; and an aperture provided in the cover, where the cover is configured to receive a transparent sterile sheath to at least partially encase the cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: MATRIX IT MEDICAL TRACKING SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventor: Branko Prpa
  • Patent number: 10690079
    Abstract: An emissions control system for treating exhaust gas containing NOx emissions from an internal combustion engine comprises a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) device that stores reductant that reacts with the NOx emissions, a reductant supply system configured to inject the reductant according to a reductant storage model; NOx module(s) configured to generate an NOx concentration signal indicating an NOx concentration, temperature module(s) configured to generate a temperature signal indicating an SCR temperature of the SCR device, and a control module operably connected to the reductant supply system, the NOx module, and the temperature module. The control module is configured to determine an amount of the reductant that is parasitically oxidized based on the NOx concentration signal and the temperature signal, and to determine a correction factor based on the amount of parasitically oxidized reductant to modify the reductant storage model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Michael A. Smith, Sarah Funk, David E. Edwards, Min Sun, Gongshin Qi
  • Patent number: 10655188
    Abstract: A method for detecting and characterizing a microorganism in a clinical sample includes introducing a clinical sample to a first culture vessel containing the culture medium; removing a test aliquot; separating DNA from the test aliquot; and performing nucleic acid tests on the DNA to identify the microorganism and to detect the presence or absence of one or more genetic antimicrobial resistance markers in the microorganism. If a microorganism is identified, an antimicrobial susceptibility test is performed wherein microbial growth in the antimicrobial susceptibility test is monitored by accessing growth or markers for growth and wherein the type and concentration of antimicrobial agents used in the antimicrobial susceptibility test is determined by the identity of the microorganism and the antimicrobial resistance markers detected. A device for performing the method is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: Q-Linea AB
    Inventors: Jonas Jarvius, Jan Grawe
  • Patent number: 10640835
    Abstract: Provided herein is an internal standard method for determining copy number of a pathogen DNA in an unpurified nucleic acid sample by using a known copy number of synthetic DNA that shares a consensus region sequence with the pathogen. The sample is subject to two amplification steps using locus-specific primers and fluorescent primers respectively to obtain fluorescent amplicons for the pathogen and synthetic DNA. These are hybridized with immobilized pathogen-specific and synthetic DNA-specific nucleic acid probes and imaged to obtain fluorescent signals for pathogen-specific and synthetic DNA-specific amplicons. Signal intensities are correlated with the known copy number of synthetic DNA to determine copy number of pathogen DNA in the plant. Also described herein is a method to simultaneously quantitate using the above method, copy numbers of both pathogen and plant DNA in a sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: PathogenDX Inc
    Inventors: Michael Edward Hogan, Melissa Rose May, Frederick Henry Eggers
  • Patent number: 10612075
    Abstract: Provided herein is a dual amplification method for detecting plant pathogens by analysis of pathogen DNA in an unpurified nucleic acid sample from the plant. Pathogen-specific primers are used to generate a first set of amplicons that are further amplified in a second amplification step using fluorescent tagged pathogen-specific primers. Fluorescent amplicons thus generated are hybridized with pathogen-specific nucleic acid probes that are immobilized on a solid support using bifunctional polymer linkers. The hybridized microarray is imaged to obtain fluorescent images of the amplicons and the nucleic acid probes, which are superimposed to detect the pathogen present in the plant. Also described herein is a method to simultaneously detect both plant DNA and pathogen DNA in a single assay.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: PathogenDX Inc
    Inventors: Michael Edward Hogan, Melissa Rose May, Frederick Henry Eggers
  • Patent number: 10590477
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed toward devices, systems, and methods for purifying nucleic acids to conduct polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays. In one example, a method includes generating complexes of silica beads and nucleic acids in a lysis buffer, transporting the complexes through an immiscible fluid to remove interfering compounds from the complexes, further transporting the complexes into a density medium containing components required for PCR where the nucleic acids disassociate from the silica beads, and thermocycling the contents of the density medium to achieve PCR. Signal may be detected from labeling agents in the components required for PCR.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: National Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC
    Inventors: Chung-Yan Koh, Yooli Kim Light, Matthew Ernest Piccini, Anup K. Singh
  • Patent number: 10578634
    Abstract: Provided herein are methods and systems of the invention that include the use of an automated solution dispenser to form a solution according to at least one target characteristic. A controller may be operatively connected to the automated solution dispenser, wherein the controller is programmed to direct mixing of one or more solids and one or more liquids to produce the solution. At least a portion of the solution can be dispensed into one or more containers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: Labminds Ltd
    Inventors: Ville Lehtonen, Michal Wozny, Jochen Klingelhoefer
  • Patent number: 10545072
    Abstract: A method of diagnosing a degree of degradation of a catalyst located along an exhaust path of an internal combustion engine, and oxidizing or adsorbing a target gas included in an exhaust gas and including at least one of HC and CO is disclosed. The method includes: a) determining whether an oxygen concentration of the exhaust gas is in a range of 15% to 20% or whether the oxygen concentration is 10% or more and varies in a range of ±2% or less of a predetermined value in a predetermined period of time; and b) diagnosing whether the catalyst is degraded when criteria in the step a) are satisfied. The step b) is performed by comparing a diagnostic indicator value calculated using an output value from a target gas detection component provided at a location downstream from the catalyst and a threshold corresponding to temperature of the catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: NGK Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kosuke Monna, Taku Okamoto
  • Patent number: 10525471
    Abstract: The present invention provides a novel target analysis chip and analysis method for directly detecting a target such as a microRNA without performing PCR.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignees: ARKRAY, Inc., National University Corporation Kyoto Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Akira Murakami, Akio Kobori, Asako Yamayoshi, Yuichiro Noda, Masayuki Kondo
  • Patent number: 10450604
    Abstract: A method for generating, within a conduit, discrete volumes of one or more fluids that are immiscible with a second fluid. The discrete volumes can be used for biochemical or molecular biology procedures involving small volumes, for example, microliter-sized volumes, nanoliter-sized volumes, or smaller. The discrete volumes are separated from one another by a liquid that is immiscible with the fluid(s) of the discrete volumes, for example, aqueous immiscible-fluid-discrete volumes separated by an oil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: Applied Biosystems, LLC
    Inventors: Willy Wiyatno, Linda Lee, David Cox, James Nurse, Douglas Greiner, Dennis Lehto, Janusz Wojtowicz, Sam Woo, Richard Reel
  • Patent number: 10405686
    Abstract: A super steam cup cooking appliance, for cooking various food products, comprises a housing, a steam generator, and an individually-sized serving cup removably attached from the appliance housing. The steam generated by the steam generator flows into a steam manifold, a steam delivery conduit, and a steam discharge pipe. A steam flux director can be removably attached to the steam discharge. Steam, generated by means of the steam generator, can thus flow into the steam manifold, through the steam delivery conduit, through the steam discharge pipe, and out from the steam flux director so as to be conducted onto the food product disposed within the individually-sized serving cup such that the food product is cooked by the steam exiting from the steam flux director. The appliance can operate either with the steam flux director attached to the steam discharge pipe, or without the steam flux director being attached to the steam discharge pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: A. J. Antunes & Co.
    Inventors: Bhupendra Patel, Francisco Vega, Chad Elliott, Joseph R. Clark
  • Patent number: 10395768
    Abstract: An assembly and method for tracking implant devices within a sterile field, the assembly comprising a reader that includes a housing structure with a base and a cover, a scanner having a scanner housing, where the scanner housing is at least partially positioned in a cavity provided in the base; and an aperture provided in the cover, where the cover is configured to receive a transparent sterile sheath to at least partially encase the cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: MATRIX IT MEDICAL TRACKING SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventor: Branko Prpa
  • Patent number: 10330604
    Abstract: An automated analyzer makes light from a light source incident on a liquid mixture consisting of a sample and a reagent in a reactor vessel and, by ascertaining with a photodetector the quantity of light transmitted or scattered and the change in the wavelength, performs quantitative and qualitative analysis of an object component. When light other than from the light source such as light from outside is incident on the photodetector, since it is no longer possible to accurately measure the quantity of light and the change in the wavelength, it is also no longer possible to accurately measure the analysis of the object component. In particular, in the constitution of an analysis unit provided with a plurality of analysis ports, during analysis at one analysis port, due to various mechanisms accessing other analysis ports, disturbance light such as light reflected on this mechanism would enter the analysis port under analysis and sometimes have an effect on the measurement result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: Hitachi High-Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Rei Konishi, Akihisa Makino
  • Patent number: 10307727
    Abstract: A method for processing hydrogen chloride from isocyanate preparation comprises the steps: a) providing hydrogen chloride; b) purifying the hydrogen chloride provided; and furthermore step c) or step d): c) bringing the purified hydrogen chloride into contact with water and/or with hydrochloric acid which is not saturated with respect to uptake of hydrogen chloride, d) further processing the purified hydrogen chloride to chlorine by partial oxidation. The hydrogen chloride provided in step a) contains organic and/or nitrogen-containing impurities and in step b) the purification is carried out by bringing hydrogen chloride into contact with hydrochloric acid which is saturated to the extent of ?90% with respect to uptake of hydrogen chloride at least in a first gas scrubber (10) and circulating this hydrochloric acid at least partially through the first gas scrubber (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: COVESTRO DEUTSCHLAND AG
    Inventors: Ralph Weber, Martin Ehrig, Johannes Leonhäuser, Dirk Weiβenberg
  • Patent number: 10293066
    Abstract: Provided is a decontamination apparatus and method involving a base, and a plurality of sources that each emit UVC light to render a target object pathogen reduced. A plurality of adjustable supports couple the sources to the base, and a controller is coupled to the base to be operatively connected to the sources to control emission of the UVC light. A housing is removably installed on the base to protect the plurality of sources. A remote control is provided to the housing and includes a user interface that receives a input from a user and transmits a control instruction to the controller based on the input received, resulting in desired operation of the sources by the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: Diversey, Inc.
    Inventor: Roderick M. Dayton
  • Patent number: 10130727
    Abstract: In an example, a light-control system includes UV light sources for emitting UV light when activated, a power sensor for measuring an amount of power available, and an activation-control system. The activation-control system can: (a) determine a subset of the UV light sources that are ready to be activated, (b) indicate, in a queue, each UV light source of the subset, (c) arrange, in the queue and based on a hierarchy, the subset in a sequence, and (d) activate, in the sequence, each UV light source of the subset by: (i) determining an amount of power required to activate a next UV light source in the sequence, (ii) determining when the amount of power available is equal to or greater than the amount of power required, (iii) responsively activating the next UV light source in the sequence, and (iv) repeating acts (i)-(iii) until all of the subset has been activated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Scott T. Byrnes, Kevin S. Callahan, Alyson M. Bonk
  • Patent number: 10102339
    Abstract: An assembly and method for tracking implant devices within a sterile field, the assembly comprising a reader that includes a housing structure with a base and a cover, a scanner having a scanner housing, where the scanner housing is at least partially positioned in a cavity provided in the base; and an aperture provided in the cover, where the cover is configured to receive a transparent sterile sheath to at least partially encase the cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: Matrix IT Medical Tracking Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Branko Prpa
  • Patent number: 10088460
    Abstract: A sample preparation and analysis system. The system 10 includes a sample preparation system 12 and a sample analysis system 14. The sample preparation system 12 prepares samples in accordance with an assay that is selected from a database containing a plurality of unique assays. The sample analysis system 14 includes an analyzer 110 that is dynamically reconfigurable based on the selected assay so as to analyze the prepared sample in accordance with that selected assay. A data communication link 27 communicates data from the sample preparation system 12 to the sample analysis system 14 to reconfigure the analyzer 110 in accordance with the selected assay.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: THERMO FISHER SCIENTIFIC OY
    Inventors: Robert DeWitte, Juhani Siidorov, Vesa Nuotio, Raimo Salminen, Jarmo Vehkomaki, Jukka Saukkonen, Bill Ostman, Joseph M. Senteno, John Edward Brann, III, Joseph L. Herman, Jeffrey A. Zonderman, Terry N. Olney
  • Patent number: 10022694
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a calibration device and method for use in calibrating a thermal cycler having a reaction zone (140), an excitation light source (120) and an optical detector (110), the device comprising one or more ambient condition sensors (210?, 230?), each adapted to sense an ambient condition at a respective position within said reaction zone, one or more emission light generators (220?) adapted to be in optical communication with the optical detector (110), and control circuitry coupled to the one or more ambient condition sensors and to the one or more emission light generators, wherein the control circuitry is configured to alter the emission light generated by the one or more emission light generators based on the ambient condition sensed by the one or more ambient condition sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: CYCLERTEST B.V.
    Inventor: Michael Thomas Hendrikx
  • Patent number: 9962670
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present application provide a method for manufacturing a polyolefin and a system for implementing the method. The method comprises combining a catalyst with a diluent mixture containing a diluent and an olefin monomer in a polymerization reactor. The diluent may comprise propane, butane, or isobutane, or a combination thereof. The polymerization reactor is operated at a pressure above a critical pressure of the diluent, but below the critical temperature of the diluent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LP
    Inventors: John D. Hottovy, Joel A. Mutchler
  • Patent number: 9955711
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for enhancing the flexibility and increasing throughput capacity while reducing cost and improving the quality of food and drink products within a continuous sterilization system using novel product carriers, in conjunction with unique user controllable product rotation and agitation features, capable of handling novel as well as existing product containers, are described. A further aspect of the invention is a property of the uniquely designed product carrier to accommodate and optimally orientate said product containers. A final aspect of the invention is the further capability of individual product carriers to undertake any user-defined processing program including product pasteurization or product stabilization or product sterilization within an essentially continuous sterilization system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: JBT Food & Dairy Systems B.V.
    Inventor: Paul Bernard Newman
  • Patent number: 9945277
    Abstract: A three-way catalyst, an NSR catalyst, and an SCR catalyst are provided in this order for an exhaust gas passage, wherein the air-fuel ratio (AFR) is set to a first AFR which is a rich AFR before the AFR is switched from a theoretical AFR to a lean AFR, and then the AFR is set to a second AFR which is higher than the first AFR and lower than the theoretical AFR if a NOx occlusion amount is less than a threshold value during a period until an NH3 adsorption amount of the SCR catalyst becomes a predetermined adsorption amount, while the AFR is set to a third AFR which is higher than the first AFR and lower than the second AFR if the NOx occlusion amount is not less than the threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Tanaka
  • Patent number: 9910254
    Abstract: Among other things, a method comprises imaging a sample displaced between a sensor surface and a surface of a microscopy sample chamber to produce an image of at least a part of the sample. The image is produced using lensless optical microscopy, and the sample contains at least blood from a subject. The method also comprises automatically differentiating cells of different types in the image, generating a count of one or more cell types based on the automatic differentiation, and deriving a radiation dose the subject has absorbed based on the count.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Alentic Microscience Inc.
    Inventor: Alan Marc Fine
  • Patent number: 9907305
    Abstract: A method for the production of a solution of peracetic acid (PAA) containing at most 23 wt % PAA according to which acetic anhydride optionally containing acetic acid (AA) is added in a controlled manner to a diluted solution of hydrogen peroxide, wherein the diluted solution of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) has a concentration and is used in an amount such that it if the amount of water required to hydrate all of the added acetic anhydride is subtracted therefrom, it still contains in weight, at least 50% (preferably 54%) of water based on the total amount of water and hydrogen peroxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Solvay SA
    Inventors: Philippe Coel, Pierre Dournel, Pierre Miquel
  • Patent number: 9889560
    Abstract: It is assumed that when a first teaching device is communicating with an active task unit in a robot control device, a second teaching device transmits a request to connect to the active task unit, to the robot control device. In such a case, the robot control device is configured to stop the first teaching device executing active tasks, and establish communication between the second teaching device and the active task unit of the robot control device which allows active tasks to be executed thereby.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: FANUC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Keita Maeda
  • Patent number: 9881799
    Abstract: Disclosed is a substrate liquid processing apparatus including a processing liquid storage unit that stores a processing liquid; a processing liquid supply unit that supplies the processing liquid to the processing liquid storage unit; a processing liquid circulation unit that circulates the processing liquid inside the processing liquid storage unit; a processing liquid discharge unit that discharges the processing liquid; a concentration sensor that measures a concentration in the processing liquid; and a controller that controls the processing liquid supply unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Hideaki Sato, Takami Satoh
  • Patent number: 9856771
    Abstract: An exhaust gas control apparatus for an internal combustion engine includes a urea water injection valve, a catalyst disposed in an exhaust passage downstream of the injection valve, and an electronic control unit. The injection valve is configured to add urea water to exhaust gas. The catalyst is configured to adsorb ammonia generated from the urea water. The electronic control unit is configured to (i) set a target adsorption amount of the ammonia adsorbed on the catalyst, (ii) control the injection valve such that the amount of the urea water added to the exhaust gas becomes an addition amount calculated based on the target adsorption amount, and (iii) execute an initialization processing for decreasing the amount of the ammonia adsorbed on the catalyst to (zero) when an integrated value of the amount of the NOx flowing into the catalyst is equal to or higher than a predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Hirohiko Ota
  • Patent number: 9803238
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed toward devices, systems, and methods for purifying nucleic acids to conduct polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays. In one example, a method includes generating complexes of silica beads and nucleic acids in a lysis buffer, transporting the complexes through an immiscible fluid to remove interfering compounds from the complexes, further transporting the complexes into a density medium containing components required for PCR where the nucleic acids disassociate from the silica beads, and thermocycling the contents of the density medium to achieve PCR. Signal may be detected from labeling agents in the components required for PCR.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: National Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC
    Inventors: Chung-Yan Koh, Yooli Kim Light, Matthew Ernest Piccini, Anup K. Singh