Testing By Impact Or Shock Patents (Class 73/12.01)
  • Patent number: 11885699
    Abstract: An optical fiber system for a body part of an anthropomorphic test device is disclosed that includes at least one body part and at least one optical fiber that has a plurality of cores in a spaced and helical relationship with one another that extend between ends of the optical fiber for sensing positions of the at least one body part. Each of the cores have a plurality of grating sensors disposed along a length thereof capable of determining a position and orientation of the body part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: Humanetics Innovative Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Rogerio Tadeu Ramos, Christopher Emslie
  • Patent number: 11823590
    Abstract: A neck assembly for an anthropomorphic test device includes a plurality of vertebra discs, a joint element disposed between each pair of vertebra discs, and a torsion assembly coupled to one vertebra disc to allow rotation about an axis of the vertebra discs to simulate torsion response of a human neck during an impact condition. The torsion assembly includes a neck interface plate mounted to an uppermost one vertebra disc with the plate having a plurality of spaced torsion stops. The torsion assembly also includes an upper member coupled to the plate and a resilient member having a plurality of projections positioned between the upper member and plate, with the resilient member engaging the upper member for at least partial concurrent movement during the rotation of the upper member relative to the plate wherein the projections bend in a direction responsive to a direction of rotation of the upper member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: Humanetics Innovative Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Zhenwen J. Wang, Joseph P. McInnis
  • Patent number: 11821877
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an apparatus and a method for an impact test, which can easily accelerate an impact body at a desired acceleration using an air pressure and an electromagnetic force. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, an apparatus for an impact test includes a clamping unit configured to fix a specimen, and an impact unit disposed to be spaced apart from the clamping unit and configured to accelerate and launch an impact body to collide with the specimen by an air pressure and an electromagnetic force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA CORPORATION, PUSAN NAT. UNI. INDUSTRY-UNIVERSITY COOP.FDN.
    Inventors: Sang Won Lim, Sang Yoon Park, Yong Beom Lee, Sang Jae Yoon, Chi Hoon Choi, Jeong Kim
  • Patent number: 11566987
    Abstract: The present disclosure discloses a method for calculating an internal explosion load speed based on an incremental crack growth distance of a pipeline. The method includes steps of: respectively measuring at least three groups of distances between neighboring markings on forward and backward crack surfaces, and calculating the average values respectively to obtain the average incremental growth distances of forward and backward cracks; calculating the natural vibration frequency of the pipeline; and setting the ratio of backward crack speed to forward crack speed of the pipeline, then calculating the internal explosion load speed of the pipeline by a formula. The present disclosure provides a new effective method for calculating the internal explosion load speed based on the available parameters of the ruptured pipeline after explosion, which can provide a comparatively accurate estimation of internal explosion load speed, thereby providing references for inferring the explosion type occurred in the pipeline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: CHINA UNIVERSITY OF PETROLEUM (EAST CHINA)
    Inventors: Yang Du, Wenchun Jiang, Fan Zhou, Jinyang Zheng, Chaojie Wang, Guoming Chen
  • Patent number: 11439228
    Abstract: A method for controlling safe operation of an electric table includes: starting the default setting value or self-set setting value of a sensor unit stored in a memory after power-on; making sure that an electric control module activates the sensor unit when the electric table is raised or lowered, and the sensor unit detects the vibration amplitude of the electric table and records the number of vibrations when the vibration amplitude exceeds the setting value; when the recorded number of vibrations is greater than the default setting value or self-set setting value, the electric control module controls a power mechanism on the electric table to make a rebound action in the opposite direction when the electric table is raised or lowered. Acceleration and gyroscope sensors are vertically installed on a small board, so that the sensitivity of the gyroscope to vibration detection is increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: CHANGZHOU KAIDI ELECTRICAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Gangqiang Gao, Jing Cao, Fa Zhao
  • Patent number: 11357281
    Abstract: A force generator applying a force load against a facemask. A first load cell carrying a first portion of the facemask at an attachment point of the facemask where the facemask is attachable to a helmet. A second load cell carrying a second portion of the facemask at another attachment point of the facemask where the facemask is attachable to a helmet. A first attachment platform carrying the first load cell, wherein the first attachment platform is laterally movable in at least two degrees of freedom. A second attachment platform carrying the second load cell, wherein the second attachment platform is laterally movable in at least two degrees of freedom. The force generator directs the contact plate against the facemask to cause a horizontal deformation of the facemask and a lateral movement of the attachment platforms to allow for repeatable force load testing on a single facemask.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: CLEMSON UNIVERSITY RESEARCH FOUNDATION
    Inventors: John DesJardins, Gregory S. Batt, Alexander Bina
  • Patent number: 11243225
    Abstract: An acceleration sensor with differential graphene resonant beams includes a substrate, a sensitive mass plate, a first insulating layer, a second insulating layer, a first excitation electrode pair, a first graphene resonant beam, a second graphene resonant beam, a third insulating layer, a second excitation electrode pair, and a vacuum cover. An indirect acceleration-sensitive mode is adopted, so that the sensitive mass block directly senses acceleration to be measured, and converts the acceleration to be measured into a concentrated force to cause axial displacement of the sensitive mass block and then to cause a change in the axial stress of the graphene resonate beams, thereby causing a change in the resonant frequency of the beams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: Beihang University
    Inventors: Shangchun Fan, Futao Shi, Weiwei Xing
  • Patent number: 11231335
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a calibration device (4) comprising: —at least one impact plate (5), characterized in that the device (4) also comprises: —at least one first sensor (1) embedded into a first moving object (3A), said first sensor (1) measuring the way, velocity, form of movement and impact strength directly in the first moving object (3A) hitting the impact plate (5), —at least one second moving object (3B), —at least a first radio-frequency identification transmitter with antenna (1A) embedded into the first sensor (1), —at least one second sensor (2A,2B,2C) attached directly underneath the plate (5) for determining characteristics of the first moving object (3A), when hitting the impact plate (5), —at least one first means (6) for receiving first data provided by the first sensor (1), before and while hitting the impact plate (5), and for receiving second data provided by the second sensor (2A,2B,2C), when hitting the impact plate (5), —at least a second radio-frequency identification transm
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: LUXEMBOURG INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY (LIST)
    Inventor: Andreas Krein
  • Patent number: 11187718
    Abstract: One example is a shock gauge system for measuring an external blast to a hull. The shock gauge system includes at least one accelerometer to produce acceleration data in response to the external blast, a mass with an accelerometer affixed to it, a crush block, a linear displacement potentiometer (LDP), a camera, and a processor logic. The LDP device generates displacement data of a mass being pushed into the crush block when reacting to the external blast. The camera captures images of movement of the mass. The processor logic verifies if the acceleration data is valid by correlating the acceleration data to the displacement data, the images, and/or an amount of displacement into the crush block by the mass. When the acceleration data is valid, the acceleration data may be used to create a more blast resistant hull.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: David W. Clark, Thomas R. Dupont, Craig D. Foster
  • Patent number: 10928338
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a sample holder assembly for a laser flash apparatus for measuring a thermal conductivity of a pebble-bed, the assembly comprising: a tubular sample container configured to be mounted on a sample carrier tube for the laser flash apparatus, wherein the sample container has open top and bottom; a bottom disc disposed in the sample container to block the open bottom of the sample container and configured for delivering a laser from a laser flash unit of the apparatus to a pebble-bed; the pebble-bed packed on the bottom disc to a predetermined thickness; and a top disc disposed on the pebble-bed and in the sample container to block the open top of the sample container and configured for receiving heat from the pebble-bed to transfer the heat upward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: KOREA BASIC SCIENCE INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Yi-Hyun Park, Seungyon Cho, Mu-Young Ahn, Youngmin Lee, Duck Young Ku
  • Patent number: 10921207
    Abstract: An apparatus including a first linear contact, a second linear contact and a support contact. The first linear contact and the second linear contact may each be connected to corresponding electrical terminals. The support contact may be connected to a housing. The first linear contact and the second linear contact may each provide an electrical connection between corresponding sensor contacts and the corresponding electrical terminals. The first linear contact, the second linear contact and the support contact may be arranged to create a support plane for a sensor package. The first linear contact and the second linear contact may each provide support for the sensor package along a linear peak. The apparatus may enable a secure compression fit of the sensor package within the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: VEONEER US INC.
    Inventors: Jacob Pusheck, Joshua Forwerck
  • Patent number: 10876945
    Abstract: A method for evaluating the breakage strength of first and second cemented surfaces of well cementation under a dynamic load, includes: producing a rock-set cement-casing composite structure sample; clamping the sample between an incident rod and an output rod of a Hopkinson rod, hitting the incident rod with a conical punch to generate incident waves, enabling the incident waves to pass through the sample to generate reflected waves and projected waves, recording dynamic strain signals of incident waves, reflected waves and projected waves, and converting the dynamic strain signals into electrical signals and transmitting the electrical signals to a computer; recording the process and the corresponding time point from breakage starting to a complete breakage of the first and second cemented surfaces by a photographic instrument; obtaining a strain rate time travel curve and a stress-strain curve, and obtaining the corresponding breakage strength by analyzing the curve peak points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignees: SOUTHWEST PETROLEUM UNIVERSITY, CHINA ACADEMY OF BUILDING RESEARCH, CNPC ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY R&D COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventors: Xiaowei Cheng, Dan Qin, Kaiyuan Mei, Kaiqiang Liu, Gaoyin Zhang, Xianshu Gao, Jianzhou Jin, Zhaijun Wen, Yongjin Yu, Chunmei Zhang, Zaoyuan Li, Xingguo Zhang, Xiaoyang Guo
  • Patent number: 10866158
    Abstract: A shock testing machine including: a test platform upon which one or more objects to be tested are mounted; one or more rails upon which the test platform is movable in a longitudinal direction; and a braking station for retarding a relative motion between the test platform and the braking station, wherein the test platform and the braking station include at least one portion interfering with the relative motion of the test platform and the braking station such that relative movement of the test platform and the braking station past the at least one portion produces a shock lateral to the longitudinal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: OMNITEK PARTNERS LLC
    Inventors: Jahangir S Rastegar, Jacques Fischer
  • Patent number: 10856810
    Abstract: Systems and methods for using a smart carpet to monitor a health status of an individual. The smart carpet has electronics and a plurality of pressure sensing areas for sensing plantar pressure of the individual. A monitoring computer comprising a processor and a memory including machine readable instructions processes carpet data. A first part of the smart carpet is scanned at a first frequency and a second part of the smart carpet is scanned at a second frequency greater than the first frequency. Plantar pressures are received from the second part of the carpet and the instructions evaluate the plantar pressures to determine at least one of a physical activity and a physiological activity. Where an emergency condition is determined, an alarm is communicated to monitoring personnel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: Arizona Board of Regents on Behalf of the University of Arizona
    Inventors: Bijan Najafi, Hyoki Lee, He Zhou
  • Patent number: 10794363
    Abstract: A system can include a data server that calculates a risk level of each of a plurality of wind turbines at a turbine site based at least in part on a base risk level and mortality data that characterizes a mortality of a volant animal caused by a given wind turbine of the plurality of wind turbines. The system can also include a turbine monitor server that stores the risk level of each wind turbine in a database and generates a graphical dashboard based on data in the database. The system can further include a turbine site control server that retrieves data from the database and sets cut-in speed of each of the plurality of wind turbines based on the data retrieved from the database.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: INVENTUS HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventors: Amanda A. Beatrice, Julie Sangiovanni Rice, Daniel J. Shrader, Jr., Santosh Kanthety, Janine Bacquie, Christian Andrew Kiernan
  • Patent number: 10769967
    Abstract: An automated method and system of determining movement and/or deformation of an anthropomorphic test device (ATD). The method and system includes an acoustic transmitter device located on a first region of the ATD and an acoustic receiver device located on a second region of the ATD. An electric field is provided in communication with the acoustic transmitter to activate the acoustic transmitter for generating mechanical waves to be received by the acoustic receiver. Relative locations of the acoustic transmitter device and the acoustic receiver device are determined by the time of flight of the generated mechanical wave traveling from the acoustic transmitter device to the acoustic receiver device while the first region of the ATD and/or the second region of the ATD are subjected to movement and/or deformation; and determining movement and/or deformation data of the second region of the ATD.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: University of Virginia Patent Foundation
    Inventors: Matthew B. Panzer, Jason L. Forman, Jean S. G. Vilar, Ahmed Alshareef
  • Patent number: 10663384
    Abstract: A drop testing apparatus is provided. The drop testing apparatus includes a plate connected to an external crane, a magnet holder provided at one end of the plate and fixed to the plate by an electromagnetic force, a counterweight provided at another end of the plate and facing the magnet holder, a dummy structure connected to the magnet holder through a connecting member and having a test specimen installed at one side thereof, a load cell unit provided between the dummy structure and the test specimen to measure impulse of the test specimen, and a controller configured to control the electromagnetic force to be created in the magnet holder and to receive the impulse measured by the load cell unit. When the electromagnetic force is cancelled, the connecting member disengages from the magnet holder, and the dummy structure and the test specimen fall onto the ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: KOREA AEROSPACE RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Jung Jin Lee, Joong Wook Kim
  • Patent number: 10612995
    Abstract: Electronic nondestructive inspection tools for timber distribution poles are provided herein. An electronic nondestructive inspection tool includes a vibration sensor configured to perform a vibration measurement of a timber distribution pole. In some embodiments, the electronic nondestructive inspection tool includes a processor configured to perform operations including estimating decay of the timber distribution pole, using the vibration measurement and a physics model of the timber distribution pole; and outputting an indication of the decay of the timber distribution pole. Related methods are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignees: Duke Energy Corporation, The University of North Carolina at Charlotte
    Inventors: Matthew Whelan, Jerry Ivey, Steven Mitchell Dulin
  • Patent number: 10603544
    Abstract: An evaluation method includes determining, by a computer processor, the times of occurrence of states of a golf ball during its contact with a collision surface, from the behavior of the golf ball based on its collision with the collision surface. A slide time or slide amount is calculated by the computer processor, based on the times of occurrence of the states. The slide time is a period from the start to the stop of a slide of the golf ball on the collision surface. The slide amount is the amount of the slide during the period. Information on the slide time or slide amount is output by the computer processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: BRIDGESTONE SPORTS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takuichi Shimizu, Hirotaka Shinohara
  • Patent number: 10571223
    Abstract: A time domain detection system to measure and report on hypervelocity impacts HVI between an interceptor vehicle and a target vehicle. Wherein, said time domain detection system comprises a target vehicle components installed on said target vehicle, a one or more panels arranged on a portion of said target vehicle at a potential HVI locations, and a hit detection system wired into said one or more panels. Said target vehicle components comprise at least said hit detection system, and a lines. Said one or more panels are wired into said hit detection system with said lines. Said hit detection system is configured to communicate with said one or more panels over said lines. Said one or more panels can each comprise a one or more detector panel layers, and a two or more insulator layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Inventors: Karl F. Kiefer, Donald Chaffee, Douglas Heermann, Brian Philpot
  • Patent number: 10533921
    Abstract: A test stand for characterization of a tunable mass damper may include (a) a support base including a stop member, (b) a test plate coupled to the support base, with the test plate configured to move relative to the support base and to fixedly carry a tunable mass damper, (c) a spring coupled to the support base and the test plate, (d) a lever configured to be releasably coupled to the test plate and to move the test plate relative to the support base against the urging of the spring, and (e) a latch mechanism configured to release the test plate from the lever when the test plate is at a predetermined position relative to the support base. The motion of the test plate, after the test plate has been released by the latch mechanism, may be halted by the stop member of the support base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Bryan D. McGranahan
  • Patent number: 10515565
    Abstract: A driving simulation test apparatus includes a movable body, a first translational drive portion that extends along a first direction, a first translational guide portion that extends along the first direction, and a plurality of first bases that extends along the first direction and is spaced from each other in a second direction. The first translational drive portion and the first translational guide portion are aligned in the second direction on each of the plurality of first bases, and the first translational drive portion includes a plurality of first translational drive portions arranged on each of the first bases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: TOSHIBA KIKAI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Atsushi Tada, Masaaki Mitsuzono
  • Patent number: 10481057
    Abstract: A mechanical testing apparatus for a specimen is presented. The mechanical testing apparatus comprises a drop table system and a Hopkinson bar. The drop table system has a drop carriage. The Hopkinson bar is positioned parallel to a motion of the drop carriage and connected to the drop table system by the specimen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: National Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC
    Inventors: Bo Song, Evan P. Johnson, Matthew A Spletzer, Jack D. Heister, Randy L. Everett, Thomas L. Martinez, Marlene E. Knight, Dennis John Kenney
  • Patent number: 10449024
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an apparatus generating spinal cord contusive model of animals, including an external fixation member fixed outside a body of an experiment animal, an impactor configured to impart a spinal cord of the experiment animal, and an impactor guide member fixed to the external fixation member to guide a fall of the impactor, wherein the impactor is provided with an acceleration sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: DANKOOK UNIVERSITY CHEONAN CAMPUS INDUSTRY ACADEMIC COOPERATION FOUNDATION
    Inventors: Jung Keun Hyun, Ilyong Park, Min Soo Kim, Hyeongbeom Kim, Kyeong Wook Yoon
  • Patent number: 10359381
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided to determine an internal property of a food product. The system includes one or more analyzing devices, a camera and a central unit in communication with the camera and analyzing device. The analyzing device is configured to analyze an interior region of the food product. The camera is configured to analyze an external property of the food product. The central unit is configured to determine the internal property of the food product based on feedback provided by the analyzing device and the camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: WALMART APOLLO, LLC
    Inventors: Steven Lewis, Matthew Biermann, Suman Pattnaik
  • Patent number: 10359348
    Abstract: A head impact test apparatus is configured to enable viewing a head model including a brain component that may be at least partially surrounded by a fluid component and within a skull component. A head model may be a cross-sectional model of a person's head and have a translucent cover extending over the cross-sectional plane to enable viewing and image capture of the components of the head model. A camera may be configured to take a plurality of images during an impact test. These images may be analyzed to determine the acceleration and deformation of the brain component. An impact element is configured to impact the head model and the head model may have any type of helmet thereon. A helmet component may comprise a helmet cover. The test may be used to determine the effectiveness of helmets and helmet covers in reducing brain trauma.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: Protective Sports Equipment International, Inc.
    Inventor: Frank Lytle
  • Patent number: 10302399
    Abstract: A ballistic body armor damage sensing system having a body armor ballistic plate including at least one ballistic layer and at least one damage sensing layer coupled to the at least one ballistic layer and including a plurality of electrically conductive members which are positioned throughout said damage sensing layer, wherein when a fired projectile impacts the body armor ballistic plate and damages one or more of the electrically conductive members, the damaged electrically conductive members exhibit a measurable change in electrical resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: Ohio University
    Inventors: Khairul Alam, Muhammad Ali
  • Patent number: 10241126
    Abstract: An environmental data recorder includes an enclosure, a first acceleration recorder array positioned on a first inner surface of the enclosure corresponding to an x-z plane defined by an x-axis and a z-axis, a second acceleration recorder array positioned on a second inner surface of the enclosure corresponding to an x-y plane defined by the x-axis and a y-axis, and a third acceleration recorder array positioned on a third inner surface of the enclosure corresponding to a y-z plane defined by the y-axis and the z-axis. The x-axis, the y-axis, and the z-axis are orthogonal axes. The first, second, and third acceleration recorder arrays each include a plurality of beams cantilevered at first ends from a base attached to an inner surface of the enclosure and a plurality of known masses associated with the beams. The beams are configured to deform or break when exposed to different g loads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventor: Jeffrey Ernst
  • Patent number: 10242597
    Abstract: In some embodiments, an apparatus includes: a motor disposed at an end of a dummy moving path with a shaft being parallel to the ground; a bevel gear with a driving gear and a driven gear which mesh each other, motive power being input from the shaft to the driving gear; a synchronous belt comprising at least two belt wheels and an endless belt, one belt wheel including a shaft perpendicular to the ground and obtaining a motive power input from the driven gear, the other belt wheel being disposed at the other end of the dummy moving path, and belt teeth on an inner circumferential surface of the endless belt respectively meshing with teeth grooves on an outer circumferential surface of said at least two belt wheels; a movable platform connected to a tight side of the endless belt, a dummy being connected on a surface of the platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Baidu Online Network Technology (Beijing) Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Min Luo
  • Patent number: 10227056
    Abstract: A test apparatus includes a linear-motion generator, an airbag, a plate, an anthropomorphic test device, a crushable member, and a guide bar. The linear-motion generator is deployable in a deployment direction. The airbag is spaced from the linear-motion generator and inflatable from an uninflated position to an inflated position. The plate and the anthropomorphic test device are movable together by the linear-motion generator. The crushable member is fixed relative to the airbag in the uninflated position and disposed in the deployment direction from the plate. The guide bar has an end fixed relative to the airbag in the uninflated position and is positioned to intersect the airbag in the inflated position. The test apparatus has a beltline bar that is elongated along an axis transverse to the deployment direction, adjacent the airbag in the uninflated position, and spaced farther from the linear-motion generator than the airbag in the inflated position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: William Moore Sherwood, Nitesh Chandrakant Jadhav, Harikrishna Devaraj, Jeffrey Berliner, Tyler Glenn, Kevin Berington Johnson
  • Patent number: 10228360
    Abstract: System and method for processing images of concrete are provided. Image data captured from a construction site may be obtained. The image data may be analyzed to identify regions of the image data that depict concrete. The image data may be analyzed to determine quality indications associated with concrete depicted in the image data, for example in a region identified above. In some examples, the quality indications may comprise an indication of the durability of the concrete, of the strength of the concrete, and so forth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: Constru LTD
    Inventors: Michael Sasson, Ron Zass
  • Patent number: 10168251
    Abstract: A universal buck for a sled test is provided. The buck includes a support plate, and a plurality of pillars that are mounted on the support plate. Additionally, a roof is mounted on at least some of the plurality of pillars and a wind shield is mounted between pillars disposed on a front side among the plurality of pillars and a front end of the roof. The plurality of pillars, the roof, and the wind shield are mounted to be adjustable in position on the support plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Hee Seok Kim, Jong Pil Yoon
  • Patent number: 10099862
    Abstract: A container conveyor apparatus that conveys containers along a container path includes a front rail of an adjustable railing apparatus that is arcuately shaped along a container path and forms part of a surface facing radially inwardly; and a rear rail of the adjustable railing apparatus that is arcuately shaped along the container path and forms another part of the surface facing radially inwardly; the front rail and the rear rail of the adjustable railing apparatus move with respect to one another to change the width of the container path and accommodate containers of different sizes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: Owens-Brockway Glass Container Inc.
    Inventor: William P. Anderson
  • Patent number: 10067077
    Abstract: A sample manipulator includes a drive system, a pair of flexure plates, and piezoelectric actuators. The drive system preferably includes a pair of drive pulleys on opposite sides of a driven pulley and coupled to the driven pulley by a drive belt. The sample rotates around a rotational axis with the driven pulley. The driven pulley is preferably driven by a pair of drive belts, one being located above the sample, and the other being located below the sample. Fluid bearings provide improved rotation of the driven pulley. The flexure plates are preferably monolithic with a high number of machined flex veins with the side of a tapered threaded screw being used to create the high force required to bend many flexures at the same time for sample motion and to provide fine, precise sub-micron motion control. The piezoelectric actuators provide high-precision control of the load on the sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: PulseRay Inc.
    Inventors: Basil Eric Blank, Jay Schuren, Paul Shade, Todd Turner
  • Patent number: 9976935
    Abstract: An assembly to simulate side impacts to a vehicle includes a rocker, a translatable sled, and one or more displacement members. The rocker is secured to a wall. A b-pillar extends from the rocker and a roof rail is secured to the b-pillar and the wall. The translatable sled is arranged with the wall to impact the b-pillar. The one or more displacement members are secured to the wall and spaced from the rocker to simulate a stiffness of a full vehicle frame during impact between the sled and the b-pillar. A first rocker end constraint may secure a first end of the rocker to the wall. A second rocker end constraint may secure a second end of the rocker to the wall. The constraints may be arranged with the rocker such that the ends of the rocker may pivot relative to the wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jamel E. Belwafa, Michael Barnhart, Mohamed Ridha Baccouche, Rahul Arora, Stephen Philip Panoff, Saied Nusier
  • Patent number: 9968777
    Abstract: An oral care implement may be embodied as an oral care device for placement in the oral cavity. The oral care device may include a support component, a piezoelectric component, and a therapeutic element. The support component is configured for placement between one or more maxillary teeth and one or more mandibular teeth. The piezoelectric element is configured to generate an electrical current from relative movement of the maxillary teeth and the mandibular teeth. The therapeutic element is electrically connected to the piezoelectric component and is configured to release a therapeutic composition into the oral cavity at least in part in response to receiving the electrical signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: Colgate-Palmolive Company
    Inventors: Scott Demarest, Mark Dobrovolny
  • Patent number: 9880190
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring the structural health of a stock of columns such as lighting columns and/or columns within that stock each of which is connected to receive power from an external source or otherwise. The method comprises the steps of locating on an upper surface of each or a plurality of columns within the stock to be monitored a micro controller connected to receive power from the electrical source of the respective column. The micro controller includes an electronic chip or board which includes, in circuit, an accelerometer, a Wi-Fi/RF or 3G/4G component or the like and a global positioning system (GPS) component or the like. The micro controller is operable to detect and monitor the magnitude and direction of forces imposed on the respective column and the direction from which such forces are derived, and to transmit the received data to a remote server for analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: THE ALUMINIUM LIGHTING COMPANY LTD
    Inventor: Craig Thomas Williams
  • Patent number: 9792334
    Abstract: A priority request handler may receive a priority request to associate a priority label with a sensed data file, the sensed data file being included within a time series of sensed data files received from a plurality of sensors. A queue manager may then store the sensed data file within a priority queue in association with the priority label, and independently of a temporal order of a time series of sensed data files. The queue manager may thus retrieve the sensed data file from the priority queue, based on the priority label, for processing thereof to obtain a sensed data record.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: SAP SE
    Inventors: Mengjiao Wang, Wen-Syan Li
  • Patent number: 9775520
    Abstract: A system includes one or more sensors to detect activities of a mobile object; and a processor coupled to the sensor and the wireless transceiver to classify sequences of motions into groups of similar postures each represented by a model and to apply the models to identify an activity of the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Empire IP LLC
    Inventor: Bao Tran
  • Patent number: 9719885
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a test arrangement for the crash simulation of motor vehicles, said test arrangement having a first carriage, which is movable substantially horizontally along a longitudinal axis, and a second carriage, which is movable along the longitudinal axis together with the first carriage, wherein the second carriage is attached to the first carriage in such an articulated manner that the second carriage is movable with respect to the first carriage. In order to be able to simulate actual accident conditions better, in the test arrangement according to the invention, in addition to at least one first actuating element and at least one second actuating element, there is also provided at least one third actuating element, which is configured to accelerate the second carriage in a horizontal direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Michael Deleeuw, Wolfgang Brendel, Heike Kern
  • Patent number: 9711017
    Abstract: A wireless device includes a sensor module generates a wake-up signal and sensor data in response to motion of protective headgear, wherein the sensor data includes acceleration data. A device processing module generates event data in response to the sensor data. A short-range wireless transmitter transmits a wireless signal that includes the event data. A power management module selectively powers the short-range transmitter and the device processing module in response to the wake-up signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: THL HOLDING COMPANY, LLC
    Inventors: John W. Howard, Richard Cutler
  • Patent number: 9630637
    Abstract: The invention discloses a complex network-based high speed train system safety evaluation method. The method includes steps as follows: (1) constructing a network model of a physical structure of a high speed train system, and constructing a functional attribute degree of a node based on the network model; (2) extracting a functional attribute degree, a failure rate and mean time between failures of a component as an input quantity, conducting an SVM training using LIBSVM software; (3) conducting a weighted kNN-SVM judgment: an unclassifiable sample point is judged so as to obtain a safety level of the high speed train system. For a high speed train system having a complicated physical structure and operation conditions, the method can evaluate the degree of influences on system safety when a state of a component in the system changes. The experimental result shows that the algorithm has high accuracy and good practicality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: BEIJING JIAOTONG UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Limin Jia, Yong Qin, Yanhui Wang, Shuai Lin, Hao Shi, Lifeng Bi, Lei Guo, Lijie Li, Man Li
  • Patent number: 9518959
    Abstract: A method includes: transmitting, via a signal generator, an electrical driving signal, the electrical driving signal having a mean square error; transmitting, via a wave generating component, a Lamb wave, the Lamb wave having many different modes; estimating, via an estimating component, a propagation parameter associated with the Lamb wave; and estimating, via an estimating component, a thickness of a material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Rakesh Malladi, Anand G. Dabak, Nitish Krishna Murthy
  • Patent number: 9488546
    Abstract: A testing equipment for crash simulation tests is specified which has a rail arrangement, a first carriage arrangement which is arranged displaceably along a longitudinal axis of the rail arrangement, and an acceleration unit via which a force can be transferred to the first carriage arrangement in order to accelerate the carriage arrangement. With the aim of preparing parts to be tested outside the testing equipment, quickly introducing them into the testing equipment, and keeping low the overall mass composed of carriage arrangement including object to be tested, the testing equipment further has a second carriage arrangement, which can be mounted on the rail arrangement and can be displaced therealong and is designed to support a test superstructure with at least one component to be tested in the crash simulation. The first carriage arrangement further has a detachable clutch for transferring a force to the second carriage arrangement from the acceleration unit via the first carriage arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Mario Covic, Juergen Kraemer
  • Patent number: 9121779
    Abstract: A hail strike recording device is operable to provide quantifiable information about a hail storm event experienced by a roof. The recording device is operable to be installed on a roof and includes a panel component and a mounting assembly. The panel component presents a hail impact zone to sense one or more hail strikes, with the recording device operable to provide recorded data associated with the sensed one or more hail strikes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: Hail Signature Technologies, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Carl Edwin Martin
  • Patent number: 9068908
    Abstract: A method of modifying a workpiece includes providing a workpiece, determining a load stress profile associated with a load condition, the load stress profile comprising a load stress greater than a material stress limit of the workpiece, determining a residual stress profile, the residual stress profile comprising a residual stress less than the material stress limit of the workpiece, and providing the workpiece with the residual stress profile, wherein a sum of the load stress and the residual stress is less than the material stress limit of the workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Ryan T. Ehinger, Ron Woods, David Bockmiller
  • Patent number: 9058736
    Abstract: Apparatus for detection of human falls comprises: an acceleration detector, for detecting vibration events, typically placed on a floor, a microphone, located in association with the acceleration detector for detection of corresponding sound events, and a classification unit to classify concurrent events from the microphone and the acceleration detector, thereby to determine whether a human fall is indicated. If the event appears to be a human fall, then an alarm is raised.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Assignees: Ramot at Tel-Aviv University Ltd., Ben-Gurion University of the Negev Research and Development Authority
    Inventors: Israel Gannot, Dimitry Litvak, Yaniv Zigel
  • Patent number: 9032798
    Abstract: Provided are a device (10) and a method for measuring the crispness of a food product. An item to be measured (22) comprising a porous food product is broken apart by causing the blade of a knife (14) to penetrate into the item. A vibration detector (18) attached to the knife (14) detects crack vibrations from cracks that form when the item to be measured (22) is broken apart. In a computer (20), the small crack vibrations of a predetermined vibration power or less that are included in the crack vibrations within an individual cracking duration time are extracted from the detected crack vibrations. Crispness is measured on the basis of the number of extracted small crack vibrations counted (number of cracks).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignees: NISSHIN SEIFUN GROUP INC., GIFU UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Michihiro Sakakibara, Takahisa Nishizu
  • Patent number: 9027382
    Abstract: The present invention provides a case for an impact detector, including: a front case; a weight to move from an initial position when a detection target of the impact detector inclines more than a predetermined angle; a first rear case to be covered by the front case, including a guide member set at a first inclination angle, through which the weight moves; a second rear case to be covered by the front case, including a guide member set at a second inclination angle different from the first inclination angle, through which the weight moves; and a resistance reducer to reduce moving resistance of the weight. In the optimal case for the impact detector, the front case is used in common for the first rear case and the second rear case, the weight can move smoothly in either case, and the impact can be easily detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Moku Naruishi
  • Patent number: 8949041
    Abstract: A system and for determining health of a fluid seal member including a fluid seal member; a transducer in force transmitting contact with the fluid seal member to generate an output signal based on an amount of force and/or pressure applied to the transducer; a radio frequency (RF) transponder operably coupled to the transducer to store the output signal of the transducer; a reader within an operable distance from the RF transponder to transmit electromagnetic energy to the RF transponder and receive the output signal of the transducer stored in the RF transponder through a radio frequency communication link; and a processor coupled to the reader, to determine health of the fluid seal member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Parker-Hannifin Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas Schenk, Jeffrey D. Navarro