Miscellaneous Patents (Class 73/432.1)
  • Patent number: 11193861
    Abstract: A wastewater sampling device configured to collect, for sampling purposes, a portion of an effluent and/or of treated wastewater released by a wastewater treatment system. The wastewater sampling device comprises a base and sidewalls configured to receive and channel the effluent and/or treated wastewater into a collection well whereby said effluent and/or treated wastewater may be subsequently collected by means of a collection chimney. The wastewater sampling device may be installed at any depth underneath the wastewater treatment system, thus allowing for a collection of effluent and/or treated wastewater at different stages within the filtering process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: 11814192 Canada Inc.
    Inventor: Benoit Boucher
  • Patent number: 11179812
    Abstract: An apparatus for inspecting the welding for a secondary battery includes: a measuring unit measuring a power value (P) supplied to the welding apparatus and a taken time (S) when the electrode tab and the electrode lead are welded to each other to obtain measured welding data (Data); an instrument unit obtaining a waveform representing a relationship between the power value (P) and the taken time (S) by using the measured welding data obtained by the measuring unit to display the waveform on a graph; and an inspection unit comparing the measured welding waveform displayed on the graph with a normal welding waveform to inspect whether the defective welding occur in real-time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Inventors: Wook Park, Jin Sam Koo, Kwang Soo Jeon, Dong Hyun Lee, Jong Hwa Lee, Hyun Il Park, Hyoen Gu Jeon, Yang Hyun Huh
  • Patent number: 10884147
    Abstract: A computer implemented method for identifying reservoir facies in a subsurface region includes obtaining a set of seismic data points of both petrophysical and geophysical parameters relating to the subsurface region, identifying one or more correlated clusters of petrophysical parameters, generating, from the one or more correlated clusters of petrophysical parameters, one or more corresponding multi-dimensional clusters of seismic data points, storing, in a facies database, a multi-dimensional cluster center point for at least one multi-dimensional clusters, and recursively splitting the multi-dimensional clusters into distinct sub-clusters of seismic data points corresponding to facies types.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: Julian A. Thorne, Andrew Royle, Michael Pyrcz, Sebastien B. Strebelle
  • Patent number: 10814855
    Abstract: A fluid level detector assembly is used to determine the level of fluid in a tank. The assembly includes a float movably mounted within the tank which corresponds to the level of fluid within the tank. The fluid level detector assembly further includes a sensor assembly for detecting movement of the float, and a mechanism for causing movement of the float hydraulically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: ZF Active Safety US Inc.
    Inventors: Blaise Ganzel, Mikel Esandi Murguialday
  • Patent number: 10345211
    Abstract: A method of determining a concentration of plastic or other material not dissolved by silicon etchants contaminating a silicon product comprising: obtaining a sample of the silicon product contaminated with the plastic or other material not dissolved by silicon etchants; placing the sample of the silicon product into a ultrasonic bath liquid to produce a slurry comprising the ultrasonic bath liquid, silicon dust, and the plastic or other material not dissolved by silicon etchants; filtering the slurry with a first filter to produce a cake comprising the silicon dust and the plastic or other material not dissolved by silicon etchants separated from the sample of the silicon product; and analyzing the cake to determine the concentration of plastic or other material not dissolved by silicon etchants contaminating the silicon product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: HEMLOCK SEMICONDUCTOR OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: John W. Hadd, Robert Scott Leser, Jonathon Host
  • Patent number: 10276017
    Abstract: A child seat having a sensor configured to determine the presence or absence of a child; a wireless tag in communication with the sensor; and a mobile device including an alert application and configured to communicate with the wireless tag. When the sensor detects a child in the seat, the mobile device including the alert application arms itself, and armed, when the wireless tag and the mobile device at least one of (i) lose communication, (ii) separate a pre-determined distance, or (iii) change proximity by a pre-determined distance, then the armed mobile device communicates a notification to a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Inventor: Kerry Caperell
  • Patent number: 10014959
    Abstract: A direct field acoustic testing system includes at least two acoustical transducer groups and a signal modifier for introducing separately controllable time delays or phase shifts for each acoustical transducer group so as to provide an acoustic field conforming to a pre-determined specification with reduced deviations due to constructive or destructive interference between the acoustical transducer groups.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: MSI DFAT LLC
    Inventors: Paul Larkin, Matthew Polk, Dann Hayes, Michael Sullivan, Arthur Isaacs
  • Patent number: 9922428
    Abstract: A shaker test apparatus is provided along with a method of collecting and processing images, wherein a shaker table is driving the device under test by a vibration controller at a known vibration frequency and period, wherein a device under test obtains a steady-state vibration characteristic of that excitation frequency when mounted on the shaker table. While the device under test is being excited, a trigger signal controller triggers a camera to capture a series of still image frames at a regular sampling frequency that is less than the vibration frequency (under-sampling), and a timer associated with the camera records a timestamp of an image capture time for each image frame. A computer processor uses the timestamps to remap the order of the image frames, shifting each frame's capture time backwards by a specified multiple of vibration periods in order to correctly represent a single vibration period beginning with an earliest captured image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: CRYSTAL INSTRUMENTS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yihao Liu, Hongjian Gao, James Zhuge, Weijie Zhao
  • Patent number: 9448890
    Abstract: A method and a processing device are provided for sequentially aggregating data to a write log included in a volume of a random-access medium. When data of a received write request is determined to be suitable for sequentially aggregating to a write log, the data may be written to the write log and a remapping tree, for mapping originally intended destinations on the random-access medium to one or more corresponding entries in the write log, may be maintained and updated. At time periods, a checkpoint may be written to the write log. The checkpoint may include information describing entries of the write log. One or more of the checkpoints may be used to recover the write log, at least partially, after a dirty shutdown. Entries of the write log may be drained to respective originally intended destinations upon an occurrence of one of a number of conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLC
    Inventors: Shi Cong, Scott Brender, Karan Mehra, Darren G. Moss, William R. Tipton, Surendra Verma
  • Patent number: 9361183
    Abstract: A method and a processing device are provided for sequentially aggregating data to a write log included in a volume of a random-access medium. When data of a received write request is determined to be suitable for sequentially aggregating to a write log, the data may be written to the write log and a remapping tree, for mapping originally intended destinations on the random-access medium to one or more corresponding entries in the write log, may be maintained and updated. At time periods, a checkpoint may be written to the write log. The checkpoint may include information describing entries of the write log. One or more of the checkpoints may be used to recover the write log, at least partially, after a dirty shutdown. Entries of the write log may be drained to respective originally intended destinations upon an occurrence of one of a number of conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLC
    Inventors: Shi Cong, Scott Brender, Karan Mehra, Darren G. Moss, William R. Tipton, Surendra Verma
  • Patent number: 9269202
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for collecting and evaluating powered vehicle operation utilizing on-board diagnostic components and location determining components or systems. The invention creates one or more databases whereby identifiable behavior or evaluative characteristics can be analyzed or categorized. The evaluation can include predicting likely future events. The database can be correlated or evaluated with other databases for a wide variety of uses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: Allstate Insurance Company
    Inventors: Joseph Patrick Phelan, Johannes A. Perquin
  • Patent number: 9242686
    Abstract: Disclosed is a joint guarantee system for vehicle assembly. The disclosed joint guarantee system for vehicle assembly manages a joining history of a joined component joined to a plurality of join points of a joining target, and includes: i) a tool detecting unit installed at a joining tool for joining the joined component to the joining target, and configured to detect movement displacements and angles of the joining tool for the join points based on a zero point of the joining tool; ii) a tool controller configured to receive a joining completion signal of the joining tool for each join point, and transmit a movement displacement value, an angle value, and a joint value for each join point of the joining tool detected by the tool detecting unit; and iii) a main controller configured to determine joining operation patterns for the join points based on the movement displacement value of the joining tool obtained from the tool controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Jaehyun Lee
  • Patent number: 9171409
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a system and method may collect acceleration data for a driver for a vehicle, compare the acceleration data for the driver to a set of acceleration data representing a plurality of sample drivers driving in the same type of vehicle as the vehicle, and based on the comparison, determining a driving style rating for the driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Jin-Woo Lee, Bakhtiar Brian Litkouhi
  • Patent number: 9155928
    Abstract: A control system for fire prevention facilities is provided, particularly for the type of facilities mounted on buildings and warehouses mounting at least one pressure group and/or one equipped fire hydrant and/or one fire extinguisher. The control system comprises at least one pressure group and at least one equipped fire hydrant with a pressure gauge provided with a LED light and communication means, via radio or wiring, as well as at least one fire extinguisher equipped with a pressure gauge provided with a LED light and communication means, via radio or wiring; a control center with, at least one computer and a database.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Inventors: Carolina Vilas Blanco, Hector Gil San Jose
  • Patent number: 9084530
    Abstract: Computational systems and methods for reporting information regarding appurtenances to wound dressings are described. A system can include an appurtenance to a wound dressing, including a substrate, a transmission unit, a selectively activated switch, and a projection of a size and shape to extend into an interior region of a wound dressing and configured to sample a fluid associated with a wound; a local unit, including a receiver configured to receive signals from the transmission unit, a transmitter configured to send signals to the transmission unit, a processor, non-volatile memory, and a power source; and a central assembly, including a processor, a receiver configured to receive signals from the local unit, and at least one user interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignee: ELWHA LLC
    Inventors: Paul Duesterhoft, Nicholas Dykstra, Daniel Hawkins, Roderick A. Hyde, Jordin T. Kare, Eric C. Leuthardt, Elizabeth L. Schubert, Clarence T. Tegreene, Lowell L. Wood, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9038458
    Abstract: A monitoring device for a repair patch that can be placed on or in a wall of an aircraft to repair a defect has a sensor device for detecting properties of the repair patch placed in the wall, an energy supply device for supplying energy at least to the sensor device, and a communication device so as to read out the sensor data. A repair kit that can be placed in or on a wall of an aircraft to repair defects comprises a repair patch for repairing a defect in or on a wall of an aircraft and also comprises a monitoring device. A method for monitoring a repair patch in or on a wall of an aircraft by means of a monitoring device comprises the steps of detecting a measurement phase on the basis of the amount of energy provided by the energy supply device, measuring load parameters in and/or on the repair patch during the measurement phase, and reading out the load parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: EADS DEUTSCHLAND GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Becker, Ulrich Prechtel, Jirka Klaue, Martin Kluge, Jordi Sabater, Josef Schalk
  • Patent number: 9043125
    Abstract: Device (10) for vehicle driving evaluation comprising: A means (11) to obtain at least one physical parameter whereby it possible at any time to determine the value of the speed and instantaneous acceleration of a traveling vehicle; A calculation and comparison unit (12) whereby it is possible, from said physical parameter, to calculate an effective parameter that depends on said instantaneous acceleration and to compare said effective parameter with a reference parameter; A driving evaluation unit (13), whereby it is possible to generate a vehicle driving energy score by measuring the variance between said effective parameter and said reference parameter. Corresponding vehicle driving evaluation process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: DUFOURNIER TECHNOLOGIES
    Inventor: Arnaud Dufournier
  • Patent number: 9032792
    Abstract: A device and method for reducing and/or preventing fouling of a sensor is disclosed. The method comprises operating ultrasound technology that is submerged or partially submerged into a liquid medium that is responsible for the fouling. The device comprises the ultrasound technology itself. The ultrasound technology may be operated intermittently at high intensity to advantageously provide cavitation of the liquid medium, while avoiding the disadvantages typical of continuously operating ultrasound technology at high intensity. Additionally, the method may be carried out by taking advantage of the piezoelectric property of quartz.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: Nalco Company
    Inventors: Michael E. Bradley, Michael J. Murcia, Daniel E. Schwarz, Mita Chattoraj
  • Patent number: 9027401
    Abstract: There is provided a method of evaluating a clamping portion of an electric wire and a terminal, which can determine whether a clamping quality is good, or not, through simple test, and can easily test all of the clamping portions. The method of evaluating the clamping portion of an electric wire (W) and a terminal (10) includes measuring a length (L1) of the terminal (10) after clamping to detect an expansion of the terminal (10) after clamping to a length (L0) of the terminal (10) before clamping, determining that the clamping quality is “good” when the expansion falls within an allowable range between a given lower limit and a given upper limit, and determining that the clamping quality is “no good” when the expansion falls outside the allowable range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventor: Masanori Onuma
  • Patent number: 8997590
    Abstract: A multi-part mounting device for an ultrasonic transducer, the mounting device comprising a first part configured to mount the mounting device on a housing of an ultrasonic test probe, and a second part configured to retain the ultrasonic transducer, wherein the second part is at least in touching contact with the ultrasonic transducer, wherein the second part comprises a first plastic and is connected by positive fit to the first part, and wherein the first part has a greater hardness than the second part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: GE Sensing & Inspection Technologies GmbH
    Inventors: York Oberdoerfer, Judith Duerscheid, Jochen Zilz, Willi Warkowski, Marek Parusel
  • Patent number: 8997563
    Abstract: A sensor system includes a housing defining a cavity, an actuator formed from an alloy transitionable between first and second states, a plunger attached to the actuator, and a resilient member configured for translating the plunger within the cavity. The plunger is not translatable during a first condition in which a coating of debris is disposed on the housing as the alloy transitions between the first and second states to define a first stress on the actuator. The plunger is translatable during a second condition in which the housing is substantially free from the coating as the alloy transitions to define a second stress on the actuator that is less than the first stress. The alloy transitions from the first to the second state at a first transformation temperature during the first condition, and at a second transformation temperature that is less than the first temperature during the second condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Richard J. Skurkis, Guillermo A. Herrera, Nancy L. Johnson, Alan L. Browne, Nicholas W. Pinto, IV
  • Patent number: 8978468
    Abstract: Methods and systems for detecting and indicating the presence of undesirable substances in ingestible substance such as food or beverages. More specifically, systems and methods for nonvisually and concealably indicating and detecting the presence of unwanted or undesired drugs in beverages and/or food.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Inventor: Stephen F. Holmes
  • Patent number: 8978467
    Abstract: An RS-485 bus is directly connected to transportation refrigeration unit sensors for transmitting information from the sensors to a remote location and for controlling sensor parameters from the remote location. The GENSET associated with the transportation refrigeration unit also utilizes the RS-485 bus, in which the bus is directly connected to the GENSET sensors for bi-directional communication therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: BAE Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald E. Wagner, Rex T. Logan
  • Patent number: 8978439
    Abstract: A vehicle sensor system consisting of video, radar, ultrasonic or laser sensors, oriented to obtain a 360 degree view around the vehicle for the purpose of developing a situation or scene awareness. The sensors may or may not have overlapping field of views, or support the same applications, but data will be shared by all. Orientation of the sensor to the vehicle body coordinates is critical in order to accurately assess threat and respond. This system describes methods based on measuring force and rotation on each sensor and computing a dynamic alignment to first each other, then second to the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Eagle Harbor Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Dan Alan Preston, David Olmstead
  • Patent number: 8950264
    Abstract: A jig device usable with a flat display panel which includes a frame including a base frame having an opening and a vertical frame which extends vertically along a perimeter of the base frame and a supporting frame coupled to the base frame within the frame, on which the flat display panel is disposed, wherein the supporting frame includes fixing portions provided at corners thereof to support respective corners of the flat display panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jin Woo Nam, Byung Joo Paek, Dong Jun Kim
  • Patent number: 8915136
    Abstract: A method is provided of determining the internal cross-sectional area of a pipe along its length. The method includes the steps of: (a) filling the pipe with a first fluid; (b) feeding a second fluid into the pipe at a known flow rate, a meniscus being formed between the first and the second fluid, and the meniscus moving along the pipe as the second fluid displaces the first fluid in the pipe; (c) ultrasonically detecting the position of the meniscus as it moves along the pipe; and (d) determining from the second fluid flow rate and the meniscus position, the internal cross-sectional area of the pipe along its length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce PLC
    Inventors: Anthony G. Razzell, Robert J. Mitchell
  • Patent number: 8850885
    Abstract: A water air-bubble fragment recovery test apparatus that facilitates accurate assessment of fragmentation characteristics and lethality that are normally detonated in air. An airtight, waterproof plastic container encloses a test warhead; the plastic container may then also be filled with a gas or just with air. The container is then embedded in a water-gas-bubble mixture found in a water tank, for the warhead to be detonated therein, and the fragments to then be later recovered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: Vladimir M. Gold
  • Patent number: 8683880
    Abstract: A semiconductor wafer metrology technique which corrects for the effect of electrostatic forces on an atmospheric buoyancy compensated weight force measurement of a semiconductor wafer. In one aspect a wafer is weighed in a faraday cage whose is measured independently. A change in the measured weight of the faraday cage can be used to correct the measure weight the wafer. In another aspect a direct electrostatic measurement can be converted into a weight correction using a predetermined correlation between an electrostatic charge measured by the charge meter and a weight error force. In another aspect the electrostatic measurement may be indirect, e.g. derived from varying the distance between the wafer and a grounded plate parallel to the wafer to effect a change in an electrostatic force between the grounded plate and the wafer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Metryx Limited
    Inventor: Robert John Wilby
  • Patent number: 8650953
    Abstract: A chemical sensor is provided on a first semiconductor die. A potentiostat is provided on a second semiconductor die. An analog to digital converter and a microcontroller are provided on a third semiconductor die. The first die is configured to be connected to the second die. The second die is configured to be connected to the third die. The chemical sensor detects a chemical in the surrounding environment and outputs a signal to the analog to digital converter. The analog to digital converter converts the signal to a digital signal and outputs the digital signal to the microcontroller. The microcontroller provides a measurement of the concentration of the chemical in the surrounding environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics Pte Ltd.
    Inventors: Suman Cherian, Olivier Le Neel
  • Patent number: 8646336
    Abstract: The method is for testing load equipment. A trolley is provided that has a housing with an upwardly sloping front segment and an upwardly sloping rear segment. Upwardly directed weights are stacked side-by-side on the front and rear segments so that the weights lean towards each other. The trolley is stopped by engaging the brake support against the ground so that the front segment is substantially parallel to the ground. Weights are added or removed from the trolley by downwardly inserting or upwardly pulling, respectively, the weights without removing any of the wheels. The trolley is connected to lifting equipment. The lifting equipment lifts the trolley from the ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Inventor: Andreas Bolin
  • Publication number: 20130276535
    Abstract: An electronic device is presented including a fingerprint collecting module for collecting fingerprint information and a chemical analysis module for performing a chemical analysis of the fingerprint information to create a chemical profile for identifying at least a select number of molecules and/or organic compounds for deriving distinguishing characteristics from the fingerprint information. The electronic device may also include an evaluating module for evaluating the distinguishing characteristics of the fingerprint information to provide at least one response formulated from the distinguishing characteristics derived from the select number of molecules and/or organic compounds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2013
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Inventor: Theodosios Kountotsis
  • Patent number: 8505379
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a sensor system for monitoring elements (1), in particular supporting-structure elements, by measurement with at least one sensor (5) in thick-film technology, and with a line (8) for connection to a measurement system, wherein the at least one sensor (5) is comprised of at least one film of an electrically conductive paste (2), and wherein the paste (2) is baked. To create such a method, and such a sensor system, by means of which elements (1) that would not fit into a continuous furnace can be provided with sensors (5) using thick-film technology, it is provided that the at least one sensor (5) is arranged directly on the surface of the element (1) to be monitored by applying the at least one film of paste (2) directly to the surface of the element (1) to be monitored so as to form the at least one sensor (5), and optionally connection lines (8) and a field bus (6), and by baking the same directly on the element (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Inventors: Viktor Maier, Karola Maier, Mohamed Hassan, Alexander Kraus, Helmut Wenzel
  • Patent number: 8376209
    Abstract: Systems and methods can produce thermal images of the mounting of a thermally-enhanced integrated circuit (IC) upon a circuit board. The system includes a thermal imaging camera that is operable to image the thermal dissipation and/or conduction through the heat sink into a mounting pad on the substrate. In testing the thermally-enhanced IC, the substrate or IC is connected to a power source, and the IC is operated such that the IC begins to generate heat. As the heat is conducted or dissipated through the heat sink into the mounting pad, a thermal imaging camera can detect the heat conduction and/or dissipation through the heat sink into the substrate. If there are voids or other types of failures in the mounting of the IC, the thermal imaging camera can detect cooler or colder spots in the image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Avaya Inc.
    Inventors: Jae Choi, Mark D. Woolley
  • Patent number: 8332185
    Abstract: A method and system that calculate elementary symmetric functions of subsets of a set {Z} comprising a total of m numerical elements in an m2 time-frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventor: Jerry A. Guern
  • Patent number: 8240220
    Abstract: A method of evaluating kneaded clay includes, preparing kneaded clay by mixing and kneading at least ceramic raw material and water as contained materials, measuring T1 relaxation time and/or T2 relaxation time of proton contained in the contained materials by NMR method, and evaluating a kneaded state of the kneaded clay. There is further provided a method for manufacturing kneaded clay, wherein the kneaded clay is kneaded by using the method for evaluating kneaded clay while checking the kneaded state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: NGK Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventor: Takao Saito
  • Patent number: 8235592
    Abstract: A gauge includes a pipe section with a flattened section in which an opening through a wall of the pipe is provided, an adapter disposed in the opening, the adapter being adapted to receive a measuring probe, wherein the adapter fills the opening and is attached to the pipe section through a material fusion between the adapter and at least one of the pipe wall in the opening and a surface of the flattened section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: WIKA Alexander Wiegand SE & Co. KG
    Inventors: Jürgen Bräutlgam, Harald Gollas, Joachim Zipp
  • Patent number: 8190371
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods and software applications for quantifying a target in an experimental sample by collecting and processing initial signal data from the experimental sample and at least two standard control samples containing known target copy numbers. In this regards, the present invention allows the quantification of target copy number in the experimental sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Third Wave Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Hatim T. Allawi, Victor Lyamichev, Rex Piper
  • Patent number: 8087294
    Abstract: When vibrations that may adversely affect the results of inspecting recording fluid discharge occur during the discharge inspection, properly discharging nozzles may be determined to be not functioning normally or faulty nozzles may be determined to be functioning normally. A vibration sensor is therefore used to detect vibrations in the inspection box during discharge inspection of a plurality of nozzles. Whether vibration adversely affecting inspection results was detected during the discharge inspection is then verified after discharge inspection is completed, and the cleaning process is applied to the faulty nozzles that need cleaning if such vibration was not detected. If such vibration was detected, the cleaning process is not executed and discharge inspection is repeated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Shinichi Yoshie
  • Patent number: 8066651
    Abstract: A medical examination chair is used to seat a patient and move the patient along three essentially-perpendicular planes over a wide range. The chair includes a primary arc which is connected to a stationary column by a horizontal shaft, forming a first axis of rotation. A second axis of rotation, which is essentially perpendicular to the first, passes through first and second ends of the primary arc. The chair also includes a secondary arc which is equipped with a seat and which is disposed inside the primary arc. Third and fourth ends of the secondary arc are connected to the first and second ends of the primary arc by an upper shaft and a lower shaft. The primary and secondary arcs can rotate around the first and second axes of rotation respectively. The medical examination chair further includes braking elements for suddenly stopping the rotational movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Inventor: Thomas Richard Vitton
  • Patent number: 8043272
    Abstract: A collection insert for use in a diaper for the testing of the urine of a baby is generally disclosed. The collection insert is configured to collect and temporarily retain the urine, allowing the urine to be later tested for the presence of absence of an analyte. The collection insert is fluidly isolated from the absorbent core of the diaper, and can be positioned between the bodyside liner and the outer cover or located in a pocket defined by the bodyside liner. The collection insert can include an insert cover and a collection core, such as a sponge, cellulosic material, polymeric nonwoven material, and the like. Additionally, the collection insert can be substantially free of superabsorbent material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Long, Shirlee Ann Weber
  • Patent number: 7912675
    Abstract: A system for analyzing steam trap data includes a steam trap monitoring device operable to monitor a parameter of a steam trap, transform the parameter into data, and transmit the data to a computer; and includes a computer operable to receive the data, the computer including an algorithm for evaluating the data. A method of analyzing steam trap data includes the steps of: providing a steam trap monitoring device operable to monitor a parameter of a steam trap, transform the parameter into data, and transmit data to a computer, and providing a computer operable to receive the data, the computer including an algorithm for evaluating the data; using the steam trap monitoring device to monitor a parameter of a steam trap, transform the parameter into data, and transmit the data to the computer; and using the computer to receive the data, and evaluate the data with the algorithm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Armstrong International, Inc.
    Inventors: Tom D Quake, Robert H Kerr, Rex Cheskaty, Michael P Helman, Michael H Gaines
  • Patent number: 7836972
    Abstract: A mobile soil sampling device is mounted on the side of a vehicle such as an ATV or UTV and includes an upstanding frame member which is vertically movable with respect to the vehicle by means of a parallel arm linkage and actuator. A vertically disposed and rotatable auger is mounted on the frame member and is moved upwardly and downwardly with respect thereto through the use of a motor and pinion gear with the pinion gear engaging a gear rack on the frame member. The auger is rotated so as to dig into the ground to the desired depth with the soil sample being conveyed upwardly into a vacuum collection chamber with the soil sample being conveyed to a vacuum chamber mounted on the vehicle. A sample collection device is mounted beneath the vacuum chamber for receiving the desired soil samples. An auger flute cleaning apparatus is mounted on the device to remove soil from the flutes of the auger as the auger is raised from a soil penetration position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Inventor: John L. Pavlik
  • Patent number: 7831395
    Abstract: A test method for measuring adsorbed molecular contamination uses a test structure that includes a substrate comprising a plurality of separated test sites having a plurality separate thicknesses having a base design thickness and a designed thickness interrelationship. The test structure is exposed to a molecular contaminant environment to provide an adsorbed molecular contaminant layer upon each of the plurality of separated test sites. The plurality of separated test sites with the adsorbed molecular contaminant layer thereon is measured. An appropriate algorithm that considers the designed thickness interrelationship is used to determine at least one of: (1) the base design thickness; and (2) a thickness of the adsorbed molecular contaminant layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Lin Zhou, Eric P. Solecky
  • Patent number: 7739046
    Abstract: In a parking support device, a distance measuring unit measures a quantity equivalent to a distance from an automotive vehicle to an object existing in a predetermined direction. A storage unit stores a sequence of points indicating results of the measurement performed multiple times. A first object specifying unit generates first object information based on the sequence of points when a length of the sequence of points has exceeded a first reference length. A second object specifying unit generates second object information based on the sequence of points when a length of the sequence of points has exceeded a second, larger reference length. A target parking position is determined based on the first object information in a stage where the first object information is generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hisashi Satonaka, Masato Okuda, Hiroshi Toyoda
  • Patent number: 7734388
    Abstract: A wheel-speed-sensor-anomaly detection apparatus detects anomaly of wheel speed sensors of a vehicle. When a difference between the minimum wheel speed among detected wheel speeds and the smallest value among the remaining wheel speeds is greater than a predetermined threshold value, in principle, a wheel speed sensor of the wheel corresponding to the minimum wheel speed is determined to be anomalous. Meanwhile, when a wheel having a lowered tire air pressure (air-pressure-lowered wheel) is present and a road surface on which the vehicle is currently traveling is a low-? road surface, the operation of detecting anomaly of the wheel speed sensors is prohibited. This operation reliably prevents erroneous detection of anomaly of the wheel speed sensor of the air-pressure-lowered wheel, which erroneous detection would otherwise occur due to the locking tendency of the air-pressure-lowered wheel occurring because of decreased tire air pressure, in particular, on a low-? road surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Advics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hirohisa Tanaka, Yoshimasa Yamamoto, Kazuhiro Kato
  • Patent number: 7715997
    Abstract: A method and system for semiconductor wafer inspection is disclosed. Each of a plurality of dies on a wafer may be probed with a probe tool to produce probe data. The probe data may be used to generate one or more non-repeating care areas. An inspection tool may use the non-repeating care areas to perform an inspection of the semiconductor wafer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: KLA-Tencor Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Garrett John Long, Saju Francis Olakengil, Pramod Gaud, John Jacob Roberts
  • Patent number: 7681448
    Abstract: A vehicle sensor system consisting of video, radar, ultrasonic or laser sensors, oriented to obtain a 360 degree view around the vehicle for the purpose of developing a situation or scene awareness. The sensors may or may not have overlapping field of views, or support the same applications, but data will be shared by all. Orientation of the sensor to the vehicle body coordinates is critical in order to accurately assess threat and respond. This system describes methods based on measuring force and rotation on each sensor and computing a dynamic alignment to first each other, then second to the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: Medius, Inc.
    Inventors: Dan Alan Preston, David Olmstead
  • Publication number: 20100000312
    Abstract: In bank note processing machines bank notes are conveyed by a transport system and thereby pass through a sensor path. With some sensors the bank notes guided past touch the front side of the sensor housing. Thus, the front sides wear out which may impair the transport of the bank notes. In the case of wear of the sensor fronts, no longer complete sensor components but only individual front elements of the sensor component are replaced. To the side of the sensor housing facing the bank notes there are fixed one or a plurality of front elements which are detachable and thus replaceable with low effort. The front elements do not contact the inner area of the housing and the sensitive measuring elements arranged therein. When the front elements are detached from the housing for maintenance, the measuring elements remain dustproof encapsulated in the housing of the sensor component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2007
    Publication date: January 7, 2010
    Inventors: Franz Nömmer, Michael Fiedler, Robert Klus, August Häusler
  • Publication number: 20090217755
    Abstract: A measurement system includes a preexisting sensor, a transducer module installed in the pre-existing sensor including a memory storing information for identifying and operating the transducer, and a control device for communicating with the memory, the control device including a processor for automatically configuring the control device in response to data communicated from the memory and for collecting data from the pre-existing sensor. A method includes installing a transducer module into a preexisting sensor, and communicating between a memory of the transducer and a control device to automatically configure the control device in response to information for identifying and operating the transducer stored in the memory, and for collecting data from the pre-existing sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 29, 2008
    Publication date: September 3, 2009
    Applicant: OMEGA ENGINEERING, INC.
    Inventors: Milton B. Hollander, Michael A. Macchiarelli, JR.
  • Patent number: 7575069
    Abstract: A mobile soil sampling device is mounted on the side of a vehicle such as an ATV or UTV and includes an upstanding frame member which is vertically movable with respect to the vehicle by means of a parallel arm linkage and actuator. A vertically disposed and rotatable auger is mounted on the frame member and is moved upwardly and downwardly with respect thereto through the use of a motor and pinion gear with the pinion gear engaging a gear rack on the frame member. The auger is rotated so as to dig into the ground to the desired depth with the soil sample being conveyed upwardly into a vacuum collection chamber with the soil sample being conveyed to a vacuum chamber mounted on the vehicle. A sample collection device is mounted beneath the vacuum chamber for receiving the desired soil samples.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2009
    Inventor: John Pavlik