Pressure Patents (Class 702/138)
  • Patent number: 8442712
    Abstract: An electronic system for an electric drive mobile machine includes at least one transistor that emits heat, a pressure detector that generates a pressure signal, a temperature detector providing a first temperature signal indicative of the detected first temperature and a second temperature of or substantially adjacent to the transistor, and a controller configured to determine a temperature protection set point based upon the first temperature signal and the pressure signal and execute a control strategy for thermally protecting the transistor when the first temperature signal indicates that the first temperature reaches the temperature protection set point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Lewei Qian
  • Patent number: 8442800
    Abstract: The system according to the invention interprets sensor observations by tracking objects and by collecting information about the objects by means of the tracking and by using this information for affirming events linked to the objects and in producing information describing the events. The system detects events according the conditions defined for them, on the basis of sensor observations. The conditions can relate to the essence of the objects, e.g. to the strength of the observations linked to the object, to the size and/or shape of the object, to a temporal change of essence and to movement. The event conditions used by the system can comprise conditions applying to the location of the object. The system according to the invention can be used e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Marimils Oy
    Inventors: Juha Lindström, Otso Auterinen
  • Patent number: 8434291
    Abstract: A system may detect a flame about a fuel nozzle of a gas turbine. The gas turbine may have a compressor and a combustor. The system may include a first pressure sensor, a second pressure sensor, and a transducer. The first pressure sensor may detect a first pressure upstream of the fuel nozzle. The second pressure sensor may detect a second pressure downstream of the fuel nozzle. The transducer may be operable to detect a pressure difference between the first pressure sensor and the second pressure sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Gilbert Otto Kraemer, James Michael Storey, John Lipinski, Julio Enrique Mestroni, David Lee Williamson, Jason Randolph Marshall, Anthony Krull
  • Patent number: 8424375
    Abstract: A method for operating a sensor on or in a vehicle tire, in particular an acceleration sensor and in particular for detecting a tire rotation period and/or a tire contact period is provided, the sensor being operated in a first time interval of a tire rotation using a first query rate and in a second time interval of the tire rotation using a second query rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Thorsten Pannek, Marian Keck
  • Publication number: 20130058830
    Abstract: The present application provides a method for determining one or two parameters of a sensor system for detecting a gaseous sample. The sensor system comprises a light source to generate a light beam, a hollow waveguide to receive the light beam and the gaseous sample, and a detector to detect an absorption peak of the gaseous sample, where the length and inner diameter of the hollow waveguide satisfy relationships as disclosed herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2012
    Publication date: March 7, 2013
    Applicant: GEOISOCHEM CORPORATION
    Inventor: GEOISOCHEM CORPORATION
  • Publication number: 20130054180
    Abstract: A device monitors sensor data generated by movement of a wearer and determines whether the data indicates a fall. The device may include accelerometers, barometer(s), and sensors that detect, light, sound, temperature, magnetic and electric fields, strain-force on the device, and other environmental conditions. A processor determines whether the data meets a first criterion for a parameter (i.e., exceeding, an acceleration or barometric pressure maximum threshold). The first criterion corresponds to a first set of known-fall event data sets. If the first criterion is met, the processor generates a full indication. If the data does not meet the first criterion, the processor compares the data to a second criterion for the same, or different, parameter. If the second parameter is met, further processing confirms a fall determination by comparing the data to other criteria corresponding to known-fall event data sets that differ from the first set.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2012
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Inventor: James R. Barfield
  • Publication number: 20130041616
    Abstract: A method of determining the position of a detector disposed under the sea, comprising the following steps: emit N waves from N emission points, record the propagation time of said wave between each emission point and the detector; determine the P time intervals Ti, with P?1 such that, for each time interval Ti, there exist Mi emission points, Mi?3 for 1?i?P, whose propagation times lie in the time interval, determine for each time interval Ti of the circle which passes closest to the Mi points whose propagation time lies in said time interval, and then determine the position of the detector as being the barycenter of the P centers of the circles determined previously.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2011
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Applicants: CGGVERITAS SERVICES, TOTAL SA
    Inventors: Juan Cantillo, Jean-Luc Boelle, Didier Lecerf
  • Patent number: 8370083
    Abstract: A hydraulic aggregate for supplying a hydraulic cylinder in consecutive load strokes is monitored for its working load in order to determine the condition of the aggregate automatically. For this purpose, the time integral of the pressure is determined for each load stroke. The pressure and duration are processed into a characteristic number which indicates the wear. This makes it possible to diagnose the condition of the hydraulic aggregate at any time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Wagner Vermögensverwaltung -GmbH & Co., KG
    Inventors: Paul-Heinz Wagner, Bernd Thelen
  • Patent number: 8362920
    Abstract: A method and device for locating each of the wheels of a pair of twinned wheels mounted on a vehicle. Each twinned wheel is equipped with an electromagnetic receiving antenna, and these two twinned wheels are provided with elements of relative blocking rotation-wise designed to make it possible to obtain an offset by a predetermined angle (?), such that (?) is different from 0° and 180°, between the receiving antennas with which the two twinned wheels are equipped. The vehicle is equipped with a fixed source of emission of an electromagnetic signal suitable for covering an area passed through by the receiving antennas, and the electromagnetic field received by each of the receiving antennas is measured, so as to deduce, from the analysis of the time offset between the variations of the two measured electromagnetic fields, the location of each of the twinned wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Continental Automotive France
    Inventor: Olivier Gerardiere
  • Patent number: 8352200
    Abstract: A system for monitoring a filter used for filtering a fluid in an aircraft engine. The system includes a pressure sensor acquiring over time a differential pressure of the fluid through the filter; a computer for computing a normalized differential pressure under reference conditions by normalizing the measured differential pressure according to conditions for exploiting the fluid; a memory for storing a predetermined reference clogging curve describing a time-dependent change of the normalized differential pressure depending on a pollutant mass injected into the filter. The computer can estimate the pollutant mass injected into the filter by projecting a current value of the normalized differential pressure onto the reference clogging curve; and can generate from the estimated pollutant mass a set of signatures defining the condition and the time-dependent change of clogging of the filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Snecma
    Inventors: Pascal Christophe Contini, Xavier Flandrois, Maxime Forte, David Hadida
  • Patent number: 8347704
    Abstract: The detection apparatus includes means for detecting rotation speed information of the respective wheels of a vehicle; means for estimating, a frequency characteristic of the wheel rotation speed information; and means for determining, based on the estimated frequency characteristic, a tire having a decreased air pressure. The frequency characteristic estimate means includes, to a time-series signal including the wheel rotation speed information: means for time-series estimating a third order or more linear model parameter; means for generating pseudo input data; means for estimating, based on the estimated linear model parameter and the pseudo input data, output data to a linear model; means for identifying, based on the pseudo input data and the estimated output, a linear model parameter for which the order is reduced to a second order; and means for estimating, based on the identified parameter for which the order is reduced to the second order, a resonance frequency of a tire torsional direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroaki Kawasaki
  • Publication number: 20130000752
    Abstract: Provided is a shut-off valve fault diagnosis device that performs fault diagnosis of a first shut-off valve that is disposed immediately after a gaseous fuel tank and a second shut-off valve that is disposed immediately before a regulator in a gaseous fuel supply system. The shut-off valve fault diagnosis device includes a diagnosis processing unit that performs a valve-shutting control of the first shut-off valve, performs a valve-shutting control of the second shut-off valve after a predetermined time has passed since the valve-shutting control of the first shut-off valve, and performs fault diagnosis of the first shut-off valve and the second shut-off valve based on a variation tendency in a fuel pressure between the first shut-off valve and the second shut-off valve after performing the valve-shutting control of the second shut-off valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2011
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Applicant: KEIHIN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yoshio Saito, Takayuki Shimatsu
  • Patent number: 8346501
    Abstract: An industrial roll includes: a substantially cylindrical core having an outer surface; a polymeric cover circumferentially overlying the core outer surface; and a sensing system. The sensing system comprises: a plurality of sensors embedded in the cover, the sensors configured to detect an operating parameter of the roll and provide signals representative of the operating parameter, wherein one of the plurality of sensors is a tracking sensor and the remaining sensors are non-tracking sensors; and a processor operatively associated with the sensors that processes signals provided by the sensors. The sensors are arranged at a substantially equal radial distance from the core outer surface, such that they define a circle when viewed from an end of the roll. Each of the non-tracking sensors is further arranged at a substantially equal first angular distance from its immediate non-tracking sensor neighbors, two endmost non-tracking sensors defining an angular gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Stowe Woodward, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Kisang Pak
  • Publication number: 20120316822
    Abstract: In a movement monitor, at least one sensor for determining the acceleration and altitude differences is provided in addition to at least one sensor for determining location information. These sensors are linked in such a way that they are suitable for determining the energy conversion during a movement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2010
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Inventors: Frank Barth, Christian Maeurer
  • Patent number: 8332179
    Abstract: A sensor device for a fluid power apparatus and in particular a pneumatic cylinder comprises at least one sensor for producing at least one sensor value on the basis of a property or a condition of the fluid power apparatus, and a sensor communication means for the transmission of the at least one sensor value. As regards the sensor device there is a provision such that it includes a reading means for reading apparatus identification data characterizing the fluid power apparatus and the sensor device is adapted for the transmission of the apparatus identification data by way of the sensor communication means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Festo AG & Co
    Inventors: Gerhard Nolle, Jurgen Arbter
  • Patent number: 8326567
    Abstract: A measurement apparatus includes an elastic detector configured to detect an elastic wave by utilizing photoacoustic tomography and to convert the elastic wave into a detection signal, and a signal processor configured to calculate an absorption characteristic of a heterogeneous part included in a homogeneous part of a scattering medium based on ?a=2P(z)/(??(z)) where ?a is the absorption coefficient at distance z from the light source, P(z) is the pressure of the elastic wave at distance z, ? is a Grüneisen coefficient, and ?(z) is the light intensity at the position of the heterogeneous part, the signal processor obtaining the light intensity by approximating a signal component derived from the homogeneous part separated from a signal component derived from the heterogeneous part in the scattering medium by utilizing the detection signal output from the elastic wave detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takahiro Masumura
  • Publication number: 20120296600
    Abstract: A method for determining the acoustic absorption coefficient and/or the transmission coefficient at a chosen position in a space in which a certain sound field prevails as a result of the operation of a sound-emitting source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2010
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Inventor: Ysbrand Hans Wijnant
  • Patent number: 8315824
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for detecting the remaining quantity of liquid hydrogen stored in a hydrogen storage device. In this system, the remaining quantity of liquid hydrogen is calculated accurately without being affected by the previous state in a tank. The internal pressure of the tank is detected. A fixed heat quantity is applied into the liquid hydrogen. The pressure in the tank after the application of heat quantity is detected. The volume of phase-transited hydrogen gas is calculated based on the heat quantity applied into the tank. The change amount of pressure in the tank before and after the application of heat quantity is calculated based on the pressure and the pressure. The remaining quantity of liquid hydrogen in the tank is calculated based on the volume of hydrogen gas and the change amount of pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Katsuhiko Hirose
  • Publication number: 20120283979
    Abstract: The invention relates to a sensor system comprising a sensor array, the sensor array comprising a substrate layer and a plurality of individual first sensor elements for measuring a desired parameter, which first sensor elements are arranged on said substrate layer and define a sensor plane, wherein the sensor array further comprises one or more second sensor elements for measuring a further desired parameter, and wherein the sensor system is configured to process sensor data from the first sensor elements in dependency of sensor data from the one or more second sensor elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2010
    Publication date: November 8, 2012
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.
    Inventors: Alphons Antonius Maria Lambertus Bruekers, Dirk Jeroen Breebaart, Sabri Boughorbel
  • Publication number: 20120283984
    Abstract: An automatic control method of inflation is revealed. An inflator including a pressure gauge with a microprocessor automatically controls an inflated object to be inflated until the pressure reaches an initial set pressure value on the pressure gauge. After the pressure reaching the initial set pressure value, an air pump of the inflator is shut down until the pressure gets balanced. Now the value shown on the pressure gauge is lower than the initial set pressure value. The difference between an actual pressure value and the initial set pressure value is calculated and is added with the initial set pressure value to get a new set pressure value the inflated object actually needs by the microprocessor. Now the inflator starts inflation again until the pressure reaches the new set pressure value. The inflation is completely precisely.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2011
    Publication date: November 8, 2012
    Applicant: TAIWAN SILICON MICROELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: KUO-HUAN PENG
  • Publication number: 20120265480
    Abstract: A body movement detection device is provided with a main body, a display unit, and a control unit, the control unit including an ascent/descent method detection unit that detects whether a user who is wearing or carrying the main body is ascending/descending using a lift device, a counting unit that counts the number of times that the user ascends/descends using the lift device and the number of times that the user ascends/descends without using the lift device, based on the detection result of the ascent/descent method detection unit, and a display control unit that causes the display unit to display each of the values counted by the counting unit. The method by which the user ascends/descends can thereby be clearly displayed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2012
    Publication date: October 18, 2012
    Applicant: OMRON HEALTHCARE CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yoshitake OSHIMA
  • Patent number: 8290717
    Abstract: In a plasma processing chamber, a method and an arrangement to stabilize pressure are provided. The method includes providing coarse pressure adjustments in an open-loop manner and thereafter providing fine pressure adjustments in a closed-loop manner. The coarse pressure adjustments are performed by rapidly re-position confinement rings employing an assumed linear relationship between the conductance and the confinement rings position to bring the pressure in the plasma generating region quickly to roughly a desired set point. The fine pressure adjustments are performed by at least employing mechanical vacuum pump(s), turbo pump(s), confinement ring positioning and/or combinations thereof to achieve a derive pressure set point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: Rajinder Dhindsa, James H. Rogers
  • Patent number: 8287376
    Abstract: A game drum includes a drum body, a compressible member and a MEMS pressure sensing module. The drum body includes an output interface circuit for coupling with a terminal electronic device. The compressible member is accommodated in the accommodating room of the drum body. The MEMS pressure sensing module includes a MEMS sensor, located under the compressible member, for sensing a pressure applied on the compressible member and converting the pressure values into electronic signals, a processing unit for calculating a value of the pressure according to the electronic signals, and a power supply unit for supplying power to the processing unit and the transmitting unit. The processing unit is connected with the output interface circuit such that a user is able to obtain the pressure value from the terminal electronic apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hai Lan, Ga-Lane Chen, Tai-Hsu Chou
  • Publication number: 20120248256
    Abstract: A system and method for a pressure based load measurement system are provided. The system includes two pressure orifices arranged on a top surface and a bottom surface of an airfoil. The pressure differential between these two points is determined and an estimate of the aerodynamic load generated by the airfoil is determined from a linear correlation between pressure differential and load. The location of the orifices may be optimized using analytical or experimental techniques and a least squares empirical curve fit may be used to fit the data collected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2012
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Applicant: FRONTIER WIND, LLC
    Inventor: Edward A. Mayda
  • Publication number: 20120245885
    Abstract: There is provided a positioning device including a geomagnetism detection section which detects geomagnetism, an acquisition section which acquires a matching area obtained by checking values of a total magnetic intensity and a magnetic dip of the geomagnetism detected by the geomagnetism detection section against geomagnetic information including values of a total magnetic intensity and a magnetic dip which are associated with an absolute position, and an identification section which identifies a current location based on the area acquired by the acquisition section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2012
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Applicant: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Masato KIMISHIMA
  • Publication number: 20120239342
    Abstract: A method, non-transitory computer readable medium, and apparatus that includes obtaining, by a dosimetry computing device, sensor readings from at least one sensor. An event is identified, by the dosimetry computing device, based on at least one of one or more of the obtained sensor readings or one or more determinations based on the obtained sensor readings meeting one or more selection. At least one of the one or more determinations or the sensor readings which meet one or more of the selection criteria when the event is identified is stored by the dosimetry computing device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2012
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Applicant: ROCHESTER INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: David A. BORKHOLDER, Brian Derek DeBUSSCHERE
  • Publication number: 20120239307
    Abstract: A measurement instrument having a processor, a first sensor and a second sensor. The processor is adapted to output a measurement signal embodying a measurement of a physical quantity. The first sensor and second sensor are connected to the processor and are operable to generate respectively first and second measurements of the physical quantity. The processor defines a first measurement range within which the measurement signal is dependent on the first measurement and not the second measurement. The processor defines a second measurement range within which the measurement signal is dependent on the second measurement and not the first measurement. The first and second ranges meet at a predetermined transition. The first and second measurements are different at the transition and the measurement embodied in the measurement signal crosses the transition without an abrupt change.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2012
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Inventor: Michael Borenstein
  • Patent number: 8249822
    Abstract: A motion controller includes a handle and a MEMS pressure sensing module. The handle has an output interface circuit for coupling with a terminal electronic device. The MEMS pressure sensing module includes a compressible member mounted on the handle, a MEMS sensor for sensing a pressure applied on the compressible member and converting the pressure into electronic signals, a processing unit for calculating a value of the pressure according to the electronic signals, and a power supply unit for supplying power to the processing unit. The processing unit is connected with the output interface circuit such that a user is able to obtain the pressure value from the terminal electronic apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hai Lan, Ga-Lane Chen, Tai-Hsu Chou
  • Publication number: 20120209554
    Abstract: The location of an asset can be determined in three dimensions using pressure data from reference sensors in combination with conventional two-dimensional location technology, such as GPA or TDOA. In a building, reference sensors are distributed on multiple floors and transmit accurate pressure readings to a receiver. The asset also has a pressure sensing element and transmits the pressure at its location to the receiver. The asset pressure value is compared with the reference pressure sensor values to determine the floor in a building on which the asset is located. Thus, the combination of accurate two-dimensional location technology and pressure sensors can accurately determine the location of an asset in three dimensions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2012
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Applicant: Recon Dynamics, LLC
    Inventors: Elliott Hoole, Kenneth Arneson, Perry Satterlee
  • Patent number: 8229696
    Abstract: According to one embodiment of the invention, a method for preventing the failure of a system, which includes one or more pipes, or one or more cooling jackets, or one or more fluid cooled system components carrying a fluid, involves detecting one or more pressure levels of the fluid in the one or more pipes at one or more points, then comparing the detected pressure levels to a corresponding one or more predetermined limitation values. If the detected pressure levels exceed the corresponding limitation values, a shut-down signal is generated. The shut-down signal triggers the adjusting of one or more systems responsible for causing thermal variations of the fluid, preventing the system from failing while allowing the system to continue operation shortly thereafter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Titanium Metals Corporation
    Inventor: Lawrence M. Rubin
  • Publication number: 20120143514
    Abstract: A movement monitoring device (MMD) for action sports has a detector for sensing motion associated with action sports, a processor for processing data from the detector to determine one or more movement metrics, and a communications port for wirelessly relaying the movement metrics to a remote location. A method collects motion data within action sports, including: detecting motion of a person or object engaged in action sports; determining one or more events associated with the motion; and wirelessly relaying the events to a remote network. One MMD for action sports is formed within a cell phone having a detector for sensing motion associated with action sports and a processor for processing data from the detector to determine one or more movement metrics for (a) display to a person using carrying the cell phone during action sports or (b) relaying the movement metrics to an external network for review by others.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2012
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Inventors: Curtis A. Vock, Adrian F. Larkin, Burl w. Amsbury, Perry Youngs
  • Patent number: 8190397
    Abstract: A failure diagnosis apparatus for an exhaust pressure sensor for detecting the exhaust pressure in an exhaust gas recirculation passage which connects an exhaust passage and an intake passage of an internal combustion engine. A first preliminary determination that the exhaust pressure sensor is normal, is made when the engine is in a predetermined low load operating condition and a difference between the detected exhaust pressure and the atmospheric pressure is equal to or less than a first determination threshold value. A second preliminary determination that the exhaust pressure sensor is normal, is made when the engine is in a predetermined high load operating condition and the difference between the exhaust pressure detected by the exhaust pressure sensor and the atmospheric pressure is equal to or greater than a second determination threshold value. A final determination that the exhaust pressure sensor is normal, is made when both of the first and second preliminary determinations are made.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshiki Kurokawa
  • Patent number: 8175821
    Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a measurement system that measures physical quantity distribution over the entire region using a sensor for physical quantity distribution (PQD sensor) that realizes high stretchability, flexibility, etc., in at least a partial region, in order to measure the physical quantity distribution that is regionally distributed in a two-dimensional or three-dimensional manner, as well as a method for measuring physical quantity distribution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignees: The University of Tokyo, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology
    Inventors: Akihiko Nagakubo, Yasuo Kuniyoshi, Hassan Alirezaei Abyaneh
  • Patent number: 8175839
    Abstract: A wireless interface system can interface with any one of a plurality of transducers of different types, such as pressure sensors, temperature sensors, or current probes. In the system, transducers employ substantially identical connectors with a common connecting scheme. In this manner, any transducer can be connected to a wireless interface which has the same input connection scheme. When the wireless interface is connected to the transducer, a rechargeable battery, which is associated with the wireless interface, is activated. The wireless interface then determines the type of transducer being utilized and provides sufficient circuitry as well as determining the requirements of the connected transducer. In this manner, the wireless interface, can determine the range of the sensor, and depending on the type and range of the sensor, can provide specific circuitry to be activated to supply power and read data from the sensor via common output pins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Kulite Semiconductor Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony D. Kurtz, Wolf S. Landmann
  • Publication number: 20120078568
    Abstract: An orthotic vending machine may comprise a measuring apparatus and an orthotic fabricating apparatus. The measuring apparatus may comprises a plurality of probes capable of sensing pressure at various pixels on the underside surfaces of the person's feet at various configurations and determining the heights at the various pixels for the various configurations. The fabricating apparatus fabricates custom orthotics based on the sensed information from the measuring apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2011
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Inventors: Fred Koelling, Venugopal Subramanyam
  • Patent number: 8138931
    Abstract: Diagnostic and response systems and methods for a fluid power system acquire data from pressure and temperature sensors disposed in the fluid power system, analyze the data in a failure algorithm to build a history of cumulative damage to hoses in the fluid power system, communicates an indication of potential imminent hose failure to a central location when a level of the cumulative damage indicates imminent failure of a hose, analyze the information at the central location to determine an appropriate response, and transmit information about the fluid power system, including location, and identification of the hose about to fail to a response unit. The response unit responds to the location and replaces the component prior to failure, or the communication might include information that the hose has failed, such that the response unit replaces the failed hose to return the fluid power system to normal operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: The Gates Corporation
    Inventors: Geoffrey Richard Keast, Michael H. Ellis, Jonathan Clark Swift, Layne Railsback, Donald R. Gilbreath
  • Publication number: 20120065925
    Abstract: This invention relates to methods and apparatus for detecting a fall of a user, especially to methods and apparatus for detecting a fall of a user by using pressure sensors. This invention discloses an apparatus for detecting a fall of a user, and the apparatus comprises first and second pressure sensors configured to obtain first and second data values of atmosphere pressure and intended to be worn on the body of the user, and a processor configured to derive a third data value of atmosphere pressure for determining whether a fall occurs or not from the first and second data values of atmosphere pressure. The first and second pressure sensors are configured in a way such that preset orientations of the first and second pressure sensors are opposite to each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2010
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Applicant: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Ningjiang Chen, Sheng Jin
  • Publication number: 20120053834
    Abstract: Inertial navigation systems for wheeled vehicles with constrained motion degrees of freedom are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2010
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Applicant: Trimble Navigation Limited
    Inventor: Peter Van Wyck Loomis
  • Publication number: 20120046898
    Abstract: Embodiments of systems and methods for pressure measurement using optical sensors are disclosed that include a computer processor that executes logic instructions to receive data based on optical signals from an optical sensor. The data represents velocity of the object after being exposed to a first pressure force. The velocity is determined from an unshifted, reference optical signal and a Doppler-shifted optical signal reflected off the object. The pressure force applied to the object is determined based on the velocity of the object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2011
    Publication date: February 23, 2012
    Applicant: BOARD OF REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS
    Inventors: SCOTT LEVINSON, Rod Russell, Stephan Bless, Sikhanda Satapathy
  • Publication number: 20110282163
    Abstract: Disclosed is a multi-variable sensor and systems and methods for its use to sense process changes or variations. The sensor is employed to concurrently sense a plurality of parameters (e.g., temperature and pressure) for a process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2011
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Inventor: Frederick J. Buja
  • Patent number: 8046096
    Abstract: A process control system integrates the collection and analysis of process control data used to perform certain computationally expensive process control functions, like adaptive model generation and tuning parameter generation, in the same control device in which one or more of the process control routines are implemented, to thereby provide for faster and more efficient support of the process control routines. This system replaces a layered approach using multiple processing devices by integrating an analytical server which performs computationally expensive analyses used by one or more control routines directly into the real-time control device in which the one or more control routines are located. This integration provides the ability to analyze large quantities of data for multiple process loops controlled by a particular device in a fast and efficient manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Fisher-Rosemount Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: David R. Denison, Marty James Lewis, Peter Wojsznis, Ashish Mehta
  • Patent number: 8024149
    Abstract: According to one embodiment of the invention, a method for preventing the failure of a system, which includes one or more pipes, or one or more cooling jackets, or one or more fluid cooled system components carrying a fluid, involves detecting one or more pressure levels of the fluid in the one or more pipes at one or more points, then comparing the detected pressure levels to a corresponding one or more predetermined limitation values. If the detected pressure levels exceed the corresponding limitation values, a shut-down signal is generated. The shut-down signal triggers the adjusting of one or more systems responsible for causing thermal variations of the fluid, preventing the system from failing while allowing the system to continue operation shortly thereafter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Titanium Metals Corporation
    Inventor: Lawrence M. Rubin
  • Publication number: 20110224925
    Abstract: In an altimeter which makes use of power generated by a photoelectric conversion means as a drive power force, it is possible to prevent the altimeter from falling into a state where the altimeter cannot perform measurement of altitude due to large power consumption for measurement. A power generation part generates power for driving electrical constitutional elements corresponding to a received light quantity. A generated power measurement part measures generated power of the power generation part. An atmospheric pressure measurement part measures an atmospheric pressure. A control part controls an atmospheric pressure measurement interval used by the atmospheric pressure measurement part to an interval corresponding to the generated power quantity of the power generation part, calculates an altitude based on the atmospheric pressure measured by the atmospheric pressure measurement part, and displays the calculated altitude on a display part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2011
    Publication date: September 15, 2011
    Inventor: Keisuke Tsubata
  • Patent number: 7996161
    Abstract: A process fluid pressure transmitter includes a process fluid pressure sensor, measurement circuitry, a controller and a loop communicator. The pressure sensor is coupleable to a source of process fluid pressure. Measurement circuitry is coupled to the process fluid pressure sensor and provides a signal indicative of the electrical characteristic of the process fluid pressure sensor. The controller receives the signal from the measurement circuitry and calculates a process fluid pressure based at least in part upon the signal. The controller is also configured to detect a process fluid pressure transient and store at least one parameter related to the process fluid pressure transient. The loop communicator is coupled to the controller and is configured to provide a signal over a process communication loop based upon the process fluid pressure. The process fluid pressure transmitter is also configured to provide an indication related to the at least one stored parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Rosemount Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew J. Klosinski, Gregory J. LeCuyer, Dale H. Perry, David L. Wehrs, Steve VanderSanden
  • Publication number: 20110172949
    Abstract: A motion controller includes a handle and a MEMS pressure sensing module. The handle has an output interface circuit for coupling with a terminal electronic device. The MEMS pressure sensing module includes a compressible member mounted on the handle, a MEMS sensor for sensing a pressure applied on the compressible member and converting the pressure into electronic signals, a processing unit for calculating a value of the pressure according to the electronic signals, and a power supply unit for supplying power to the processing unit. The processing unit is connected with the output interface circuit such that a user is able to obtain the pressure value from the terminal electronic apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2010
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Applicant: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: HAI LAN, GA-LANE CHEN, TAI-HSU CHOU
  • Patent number: 7970570
    Abstract: Methods and systems for analyzing combustion dynamics of a combustor system in the time domain are provided. The combustor system includes an inlet pipe coupled in flow communication with a combustion chamber. The method includes determining a characteristic equation of a wave traveling in the inlet pipe, determining an acoustic pressure oscillation in the combustion chamber, and determining a pressure fluctuation in the inlet pipe using the characteristic equation and the determined acoustic pressure oscillation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: John J. Lynch, John C. Intile, Kevin McMahan, Mark W. Pinson, Tapie Rohm
  • Patent number: 7963157
    Abstract: An apparatus for detecting a decrease in a tire air pressure includes: a rotation velocity information detection means for periodically detecting tire rotation velocity information for the respective wheels of a vehicle; a frequency characteristic estimate means for estimating, based on this rotation velocity information, a frequency characteristic of the rotation velocity information; and a judgment means for judging, based on the estimated frequency characteristic, a decrease in the air pressure of the tire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroaki Kawasaki, Shuichi Adachi
  • Patent number: 7962307
    Abstract: An apparatus for measuring a static pressure inside a component is provided. The apparatus includes a housing coupled to the component, the housing includes a moveable component disposed therein, the moveable component operably extendable into the component and retractable from the component in response to the static pressure inside the component: and a sensor disposed in the housing and thermally protected from fluids inside the component, the sensor is configured to enable the determination of the static pressure inside the component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: James Anthony West
  • Publication number: 20110106486
    Abstract: An acoustic energy measurement device that measures acoustic energy, the acoustic energy measurement device has a sound receiving unit that performs sound/electricity conversion and includes a plurality of unidirectional microphones being so disposed that a sum total of unit vectors facing a maximum sensitivity direction thereof becomes zero. The acoustic energy measurement device further includes a sound pressure calculation unit that calculates sound pressure using an output from the sound receiving unit. Still further, the acoustic energy measurement device has a particle velocity calculation unit that calculates particle velocity using an output from the sound receiving unit. Still further, the acoustic energy measurement device has an acoustic energy calculation unit that calculates acoustic energy using outputs from the sound pressure calculation unit and the particle velocity calculation unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2009
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Inventor: Toshiki Hanyu
  • Publication number: 20110098878
    Abstract: What is described is a motor vehicle ignition key and a method including a movement sensor for detecting the movement of the motor vehicle ignition key, a motor vehicle navigation device, and a method including a calculator for calculating a driving route in dependence of movement data, and a motor vehicle system and a method including a motor vehicle ignition key and a motor vehicle controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2010
    Publication date: April 28, 2011
    Applicant: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.
    Inventors: Christian PODOLAK, Hans Joachim MOERSDORF, Christian ARZT, Martin RULSCH, Sergey ERSHOV, Robert COURONNÉ