Liquid Analysis Or Analysis Of The Suspension Of Solids In A Liquid Patents (Class 73/53.01)
  • Patent number: 11899028
    Abstract: A buffer management system includes at least one workstation configured to support a supply of concentrated buffer solution and an inline dilution skid having a manifold and at least one workstation to support delivery of diluted (surge) buffers from the inline dilution skid. The latter workstation also serves to supply ready-made (diluted) buffers to a bioprocessing unit. The manifold is in fluid communication with the supply of concentrated buffer solution and is adapted to be placed in fluid communication with a source of water for injection (WFI). The inline dilution skid is configured to variably mix the supply of concentrated buffer solution and the source of WFI to obtain a range of diluted buffer solutions. Processes for automatically identifying the arrangement of buffer solutions in a bioprocessing application use signals from various sensors to identify the fluid connections between components of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: Cytiva US LLC
    Inventors: Michael B. Seal, Darren G. Elton, Bojan Isailovic, Jeremy Rautenbach
  • Patent number: 11733139
    Abstract: Sag propensity of a fluid can be determined by applying an oscillatory strain at an amplitude in excess of a linear region and below a yield strain of the drilling fluid. This may include use of medium amplitude oscillatory shear (MAOS), from which an elastic modulus of the fluid is determined. The elastic modulus may be determined over time, from which a time to reach maximum elastic modulus can be determined. The time to reach maximum elastic modulus is then converted or correlated to a drilling fluid sag propensity for the drilling fluid either in absolute terms or in relation to base or comparison fluids. Such an evaluation can be performed using a torsional resonance device in which the oscillatory strain is controllable so as to be maintained relatively constant during the measurement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Andrew Clarke
  • Patent number: 11725511
    Abstract: Methods for obtaining in-situ, multi-temperature measurements of fluid properties, such as saturation pressure and asphaltene onset pressure include obtaining a sample of formation fluid using a downhole acquisition tool positioned in a wellbore in a geological formation. The downhole acquisition tool may be stationed at a first depth in the wellbore that has an ambient first temperature. While stationed at the first depth, the downhole acquisition tool may test a first fluid property of the sample to obtain a first measurement point at approximately the first temperature. The downhole acquisition tool may be moved to a subsequent station at a new depth with an ambient second temperature, and another measurement point obtained at approximately the second temperature. From the measurement points, a temperature-dependent relationship of the first fluid property of the first formation fluid may be determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hadrien Dumont, Christopher Harrison, Youxiang Zuo, Christopher Albert Babin, Li Chen, Vinay K. Mishra, German Garcia, Abhishek Agarwal, Matthew T. Sullivan
  • Patent number: 11698327
    Abstract: A residue tube assembly includes a residue tube having an open upper end and a cap assembly including a cap sealingly secured with the open upper end and an adjustable member assembled with the cap and defining an outlet passage extending into the residue tube to define a fill limit of the residue tube, and an overflow passage extending radially outward and downward of the open upper end of the residue tube. The adjustable member is vertically adjustable in the cap to adjust the fill limit of the residue tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: Swagelok Company
    Inventors: Matthew Dixon, Eric M. Kvarda
  • Patent number: 11662290
    Abstract: A process for evaluating rheological characteristics of an injectable gel including measuring the flexibility, wherein the flexibility is evaluated by measuring the strain at the crossover point of the amplitude sweep. The process may include subjecting an injectable gel to oscillating mechanical stresses to determine G? and G? as a function of strain (?) in an amplitude sweep, determining the crossover point as the point at which G? and G? have the same value, determining the strain ?cross at the crossover point, and determining the flexibility of the injectable gel as ?cross or proportional to ?cross. Further, a method of comparison of dermal fillers by measuring their flexibility and a method of evaluation of dermal filler behavior in human skin by measuring the flexibility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: Galderma Holding SA
    Inventors: Morgan Karlsson, Åke Öhrlund
  • Patent number: 11633619
    Abstract: A measurement system includes a container configured to contain a solvated target molecule and at least one magnetoresistive (MR) sensor device including at least one MR sensor disposed near the container and configured to measure a magnetic field generated by the solvated target molecule, each of the at least one MR sensor including a pin layer having a pinned direction of magnetization, a free layer having a direction of magnetization that varies with an applied magnetic field, and a non-conductive layer separating the pin layer and the free layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: NEARFIELD ATOMICS INC.
    Inventor: John T. Butters
  • Patent number: 11612839
    Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for detecting contamination (e.g., bacteria) in fluid are provided. The systems, devices, and methods allow for filtering a fluid sample using a filter to capture and concentrate cells (e.g., bacteria) to detect electrochemical properties thereof. The cells can be exposed to a reagent that diffuses into the cells to produce a product of interest that can be used in analysis of the fluid sample. The product of interest can diffuse out of the filter into a fluid storage component for detection and analysis by an analysis component. After the sampling is completed, the filter can be detached and discarded. Other aspects of the present disclosure, including enhancements and various systems and methods for concentrating cells and analyzing the same, are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Michael S. Bono, Sydney B. Beasley, Emily Barret Hanhauser, Chintan Vaishnav, Anastasios John Hart, Rohit Nandkumar Karnik
  • Patent number: 11579061
    Abstract: Systems and method determine a fluid efficiency of a fluid that flows through a fluid power system. Characteristics of the fluid is monitored in real-time as the fluid flows through the fluid monitoring device that is coupled to the fluid power system as the fluid flows through the fluid power system. A fluid status is determined in real-time that is associated with fluid parameters of the fluid that is determined from the fluid parameters detected by the fluid monitoring device. The fluid status of the fluid is determined in real-time when the fluid status indicates that a corrective action is to be executed to increase a quality of the fluid and an assessment of the corrective action that is to be executed is generated based on the fluid parameters. Degradation of the components of the fluid power system increases without the corrective action being executed to the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: IoT Diagnostics
    Inventors: Rex Wetherill, Jeremy Drury, Jon Prescott
  • Patent number: 11574827
    Abstract: A substrate processing apparatus includes: a processing unit including a holder that holds a substrate and rotates the substrate, a nozzle that ejects a processing liquid, and a conductive piping unit that supplies the processing liquid to the nozzle; a controller that causes the processing unit to execute a liquid processing in which the substrate is processed by supplying the processing liquid from the nozzle to the substrate that is held and rotated by the holder, and a measuring unit that measures a flowing current generated by the processing liquid flowing through the piping unit. The controller monitors the liquid processing based on a measurement result by the measuring unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Tadashi Iino, Yoshihiro Kai, Yoichi Tokunaga, Nobuhiro Ogata, Jiro Higashijima
  • Patent number: 11527786
    Abstract: In one aspect, a method comprises receiving first data pertaining to a battery pack of a vehicle, wherein the first data is received from sensors associated with the vehicle, and the first data pertains to a battery pack current, a cell voltage, a cell current, a cell temperature, or some combination thereof; receiving second data pertaining to simulation of the battery pack; receiving third data from a manufacturer; receiving historical data on a fleet of vehicles that use the battery pack; predicting a remaining useful life of the battery pack of the vehicle by using a hybrid model comprising a physics-based model that receives the based on the first, second, third, and historical data, and generates properties pertaining to the battery pack; a machine learning model that uses the properties to predict the remaining useful life of each cell of the battery pack; and transmitting the remaining useful life.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: Eatron Technologies Ltd.
    Inventors: Gokhan Budan, Anil Ozturk, Alex Darlington, Can Kurtulus
  • Patent number: 11378568
    Abstract: The present invention pertains to a method and experimental apparatus for studying properties of cement slurry to be used in an oil or gas well under varied pressure and temperature conditions. This apparatus can be used to predict the likelihood of gas migration, compressive strength and static gel strength of cement slurry. It comprises a servo motor and coupling magnets to drive a paddle at a very slow speed through the cement in a pressure vessel, a pair of acoustic transducers to generate an acoustic signal and measure the transit time of the acoustic signal after it transits the cement, and a gas injection system to predict the severity of gas migration in cement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: HONGFENG BI
    Inventor: Hongfeng Bi
  • Patent number: 11346805
    Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure involve systems, methods, and the like, for an electrochemical sensing platform for point-of-care diagnostic applications. The ES platform may include functionality for many types of ES applications, including but not limited to, voltammetry, galvanometry, amperometry, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). In some embodiments, the platform includes sensor analog front end, stimulus generation, analog sensor data acquisition and conditioning, digital-to-analog conversion, back-end digital signal processing, wired or wireless interface, and a user application for interacting with the platform. In some embodiments, the platform includes a number of functional modules to provide a low cost and high mobility to the device, while maintaining the performance specifications. Signal generation, digital data acquisition/processing may be managed by an on-board microcontroller or off-board computing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: Colorado State University Research Foundation
    Inventors: Thomas W. Chen, Lang Yang
  • Patent number: 11346802
    Abstract: To increase the measuring precision of an electric measuring assembly (1) for capacitively measuring a liquid, an inner electrode (2) and an outer electrode (3) arranged concentrically to the inner electrode is provided, in which a shielding electrode (5) is arranged between the outer electrode (3) and the inner electrode (2). The potential of the shielding electrode (5) can be actively adjusted to the potential of the inner electrode (2) by a corresponding electric connection such that electric fields which are caused by dielectric displacements in parasitic capacitances are effectively shielded from the inner electrode (2) and thus from the capacitance to be measured. For this purpose, a two-part design of the inner electrode (2) is provided with sections (6) and (7) which can be moved axially relative to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: Testo SE & Co. KGaA
    Inventors: Meinrad Gotz, Markus Munzer, Siegfried Stallmann
  • Patent number: 11311215
    Abstract: The invention includes method and materials designed to measure the material properties (e.g. thickness) of layers of material in a sensor using non-Faradaic EIS (Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy) methods. The methods are non-destructive, very sensitive and rapid. Typically in these methods, an AC voltage is applied to the desired material layer while the output current and therefore impedance is measured. This voltage can be applied in multiple frequencies in sweep mode in order to detect both the material and, for example, the thickness of the target material. In this way, EIS allows the characterization of properties of various layers of material disposed in devices such as electrochemical glucose sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: MEDTRONIC MINIMED, INC.
    Inventors: Chi-En Lin, David Probst, Mohsen Askarinya, Akhil Srinivasan, Melissa Tsang, Michael E. Miller, Parisa Kamgar
  • Patent number: 11307191
    Abstract: A multi-dimensional integrated circuit (MD-IC) device for monitoring one or more parameters of a fluid includes plural faces, each face having plural interlocks extending from a periphery of the face for interlocking with corresponding interlocks of another face of the plural faces; the plural faces are mechanically attached to each other and electrically connected through the interlocks to form a closed chamber; an energy harvester placed on an outside surface of a first face of the plural faces; a fluidic monitoring sensor placed on an outside surface of a second face of the plural faces; a processor placed within the closed chamber; and a battery placed within the closed chamber and configured to receive the electrical energy from the energy harvester and to provide the electrical energy to the processor and the water monitoring sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: KING ABDULLAH UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Nazek Mohamad El-Atab, Muhammad Mustafa Hussain
  • Patent number: 11243144
    Abstract: A sampling container assembly includes a sample receiving residue tube, a residue tube cap, inner and outer pipes, a container cap, a fixture block, and a supply conduit. The residue tube cap is assembled with the residue tube and defines inlet and outlet ports. The inner pipe has a lower end sealingly mounted to the fixture block and surrounding the residue tube to define an inner cavity for receiving a heat transfer fluid. The outer pipe has a lower end sealingly mounted to the fixture block and surrounding the inner pipe to define an outer annulus, with the container cap sealingly assembled with an upper end of the outer pipe. The supply conduit extends through the fixture block and the outer annulus and is connected with the inlet port of the residue tube cap for providing a sample fluid to the residue tube. The fixture block defines a passage extending to the outer annulus for supplying a chilling fluid to the outer annulus for chilling the heat transfer fluid in the inner cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: Swagelok Company
    Inventors: Matthew Dixon, Eric M. Kvarda
  • Patent number: 11122345
    Abstract: A universal metering cabinet (UMC) apparatus comprises an input/output (I/O) interface configured to receive at least two data streams, each of the at least two data streams received from one of at least two sensors, and each of the at least two data streams having a different connectivity protocol. The UMC further comprises a customizable programmable interface coupled with the I/O interface and configured to convert the connectivity protocol of each of the at least two data streams into a same uniform connectivity protocol. A method comprises receiving, from the UMC, at least one data stream that includes data from at least two sensors, and receiving, from at least one server, data related to an environment around the at least two sensors. The method further comprises performing data cleansing on the data stream and the data to generate validated data and performing prognostic modeling on the validated data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Martin Bragg
  • Patent number: 11112384
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for detection of methane in an environment, including a housing with a sensor printed circuit board and a processor printed circuit board interconnected to and thermally insulated from the sensor printed circuit board. The sensor printed circuit board includes a first tuning fork isolated from the environment, and a second tuning fork exposed to the environment. The tuning forks are attached to opposite sides of the sensor printed circuit board. The processor printed circuit board includes processing circuitry interconnected to the first tuning fork and the second tuning fork, which receives vibration frequency signals therefrom, and is programmed to determine a frequency difference between the frequency of vibration of the first tuning fork and the frequency vibration of the second tuning fork, and if the frequency difference is greater than a predetermined threshold, then setting an alarm to indicate the presence of methane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: Applied Nanotech, Inc.
    Inventor: Igor Pavlovsky
  • Patent number: 11105231
    Abstract: A vehicle liquid testing system includes a liquid testing apparatus with a form factor of a dipstick. The system includes a sensor that detects a property of a fluid in a vehicle and emits a signal indicative of the property. A transmitter receives the signal from the sensor and transmits the signal. A controller receives the signal from the transmitter and compares the signal from the sensor to a threshold level to determine a condition of the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: United Services Automobile Association (USAA)
    Inventors: Zachery C. Lake, Kade L. Scott, Benjamin D. Ethington, Matthew T. Flachsbart, Cory A. Matheson
  • Patent number: 11092561
    Abstract: The invention comprises a method and an analysing system for determining a quality of a hydrocarbon fluid. In an example, the electrical resistivity of the fluid is determined by means of a sensor device. The electrical resistivity is determined over time under predetermined conditions, and a change in the electrical resistivity is monitored over time. A change in fluid visocity may also be determined and monitored over time. The analysing system provides information about an absolute value of a difference of a total base number and a total acid number based on the monitored resistivity change that relates to the quality of the fluid for providing an indication of the remaining useful life of the fluid. In an example, the information about the fluid may correlate to oxidation and/or nitration of the fluid when a change in fluid visocity is below a predetermined threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: MEAS FRANCE SAS
    Inventors: Fabien Gayrard, Francois-Xavier Villemin
  • Patent number: 11078649
    Abstract: In an example method, first electrical power is generated using one or more solar panels. Saline water is desalinated using a desalination facility powered, at least in part, by the first electrical power. The desalinated water is stored in a reservoir located at a first elevation. A usage of an electrical grid is monitored, and a determination is made that one or more criteria are satisfied at a first time. In response, the desalinated water is directed from the reservoir to a turbine generator located at a second elevation, second electrical power is generated using the turbine generator, the desalinated water is directed from the turbine generator into an aquifer located at a third elevation, and at least a portion of the second electrical power is provided to the electrical grid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Inventor: William Riley
  • Patent number: 11058316
    Abstract: As one example, a fluid monitoring apparatus includes a dielectric microsensor that includes a capacitive sensing structure integrated into a microfluidic channel. The microfluidic channel includes a fluid input to receive a sample volume of a sample under test (SUT). A transmitter provides an input radio frequency (RF) signal to an RF input of the microsensor. A receiver receives an output RF signal from the microsensor. A computing device computes dielectric permittivity values of the SUT that vary over a time interval based on the output RF signal. The computing device may determine at least one permittivity parameter based on the computed dielectric permittivity values over at least a portion of the time interval.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Michael Suster, Pedram Mohseni, Debnath Maji, Evi Stavrou, Umut Gurkan
  • Patent number: 11007527
    Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for sample collection and sample separation. In one embodiment, a device is provided for use with a formed component liquid sample, the device comprising at least one sample inlet for receiving said sample; at least a first outlet for outputting only a liquid portion of the formed component liquid sample; at least a second outlet for outputting the formed component liquid sample at least a first material mixed therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: Labrador Diagnostics LLC
    Inventors: Deborah Sloan, Channing Robertson
  • Patent number: 10986866
    Abstract: An electronic cigarette liquid supply device includes the piezoelectric substrate, the insulating film, the first interdigital transducer, the second interdigital transducer, the liquid storage chamber, the flow channel and the liquid outlet. A liquid inlet is provided on the liquid storage chamber. One end of the flow channel is hermetically connected to the liquid storage chamber, and the other end of the flow channel is the liquid outlet. The first interdigital transducer and the second interdigital transducer are attached to a surface of the piezoelectric substrate and located between the piezoelectric substrate and the insulating film. The liquid storage chamber, the flow channel and the liquid outlet are provided outside and above the insulating film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: CHINA TOBACCO YUNNAN INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD
    Inventors: Tinghua Li, Donglai Zhu, Deshou Mao, Yi Han, Shoubo Li, Xia Zhang, Xiaowei Gong, Wei Zhao
  • Patent number: 10968421
    Abstract: A method is provided for measuring parameters of state of a fluid contained in a container (10, 10?) that has a sensor carrier plate with plural sensors (S01-S10, S01?-S10?). Each sensor has a sensor head in operative contact with the interior of the container (10, 10?) and in operative contact with an external control unit (12). The external control unit (12) receives measurement data generated by the sensor heads of active sensors via their communication link and processes the data. An activation data record (24, 24?) is assigned to each sensor (S01-S10, S01?-S10?) and is recorded in a manner that is accessible for the external control unit (12). The external control unit (12) first accesses the activation data records (24, 24?), then classifies the sensors (S01-S10, S01?-S10?) as activatable or nonactivatable sensors, and subsequently activates only those sensors classified as activatable sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Inventors: Mario Becker, Gerhard Greller, Christian Grimm, Thorsten Adams, Lars Boettcher, Henry Weichert
  • Patent number: 10899607
    Abstract: The invention relates to a micro cantilever beam sensor and making method, including a chip, and its character: there is at least a group of sensor cells set on the chip, where the sensor cell is composed of the completely same four force-sensitive resistors composing a Wheatstone bridge and two cantilever beams, two of these resistors are on the substrate of the chip, the other two are on the two cantilever beams, respectively, one cantilever beam acts on a measuring cantilever beam and the other one acts on a reference cantilever beam, and the measuring cantilever beam is set with a sensitive layer on the surface. It can design and prepare in a liquid-flow micro-tank by front etching and silicon-glass bonding techniques, to directly detect liquid biomolecule. Whether applied to gas sensor or biosensor, it will play an important role in reducing device size, enhancing device sensitivity and realizing sensor multi-functionality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: University of South Carolina
    Inventors: Goutam Koley, Abdul Talukdar
  • Patent number: 10900944
    Abstract: An electrode cleaning and calibration system generally comprises a sensor holder assembly machined from a block of solid acrylic or similar plastic material, which can accommodate a variety of types and sizes of sensors for use in monitoring and measurement of water processing and treatment processes. Examples of sensors suitable for use in the system include pH sensors, dissolved oxygen sensors, chlorine sensors, ozone sensors, total suspended solid sensors, mixed liquor suspended solid sensors, ammonia sensors, monochloramine sensors, and ultraviolent transmittance sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: Marmac Water LLC
    Inventor: Gregg Allan McLeod
  • Patent number: 10890526
    Abstract: Provided is a cleanable conductivity sensor and related methods having a distal sensing end in which active sensing elements are positioned and an outer fin specially configured to minimize unwanted interference without impacting the ability for automated cleaning of the distal sensing end. A rotatable wiper or brush may be periodically rotated over the distal sensing end, thereby removing unwanted biological build-up and avoiding fouling, thereby increasing the sensor deployment time without active intervention and maintenance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: In-Situ, Inc.
    Inventors: Elijah Lyle Scott, Duane B. McKee, Steven Collin Sewell
  • Patent number: 10837953
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a sensor includes a nonmagnetic layer and a plurality of magnetic field sensors. The nonmagnetic layer has a first surface and a second surface. The magnetic field sensors are arranged along the second surface. The second surface is between the first surface and the magnetic field sensors. Each of the magnetic field sensors includes a first magnetic layer, a second magnetic layer provided between the first magnetic layer and the nonmagnetic layer, and an intermediate layer provided between the first magnetic layer and the second magnetic layer. The intermediate layer is nonmagnetic. A distance between the first surface and the second magnetic layer is not more than a pitch of the magnetic field sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Akira Kikitsu, Hitoshi Iwasaki
  • Patent number: 10823743
    Abstract: A handheld medical analyzer works with different disposable application cartridges to perform a variety of interrogations on specimen samples. One application includes attaching a biological microelectromechanical systems (BioMEMS) cartridge that generates blood coagulation profiles indicative of particular forms of coagulation disorders. The device makes coagulopathy testing simpler for small hospitals, clinics, ambulances, remote locations and individuals and permits for a larger number of parallel or serial devices operating simultaneously. One insertion of a cartridge actuates an oscillating circular motion to generate a blood coagulation profile based on a change in rotational motion as blood coagulates in a sample. Change in rotational motion is analyzed through a video camera such as in a smartphone and is plotted to show an amplitude over time. Actuation of the BioMEMS can be achieved by magnetic actuation of a motor controlled by an iPhone or a smart phone to provide a specific rotational pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: iFirst Medical Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Luke B. Joseph, Thomas A. Hasling
  • Patent number: 10801966
    Abstract: A method and testing apparatus determine receding contact angles of liquids on surfaces by depositing a liquid in a manner whereby the volume of the drop is increased through stepwise addition of smaller drops. Each increment of volume growth causes the perimeter of the drop to advance across the surface. The incremental volume elements impart sufficient energy to the growing drop such that the drop perimeter expands beyond its equilibrium diameter for that volume. The drop perimeter tends to contract between volume additions as the excess energy is dissipated. The method and testing apparatus determine the receding contact angle between the incremental volume additions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: BRIGHTON TECHNOLOGIES LLC
    Inventors: Raymond Giles Dillingham, Brietta Rose Oakley, Lucas Hale Dillingham, Andrew Davis Gilpin, Francis Charles Ganance, Timothy James Barry, Harun Mohammed
  • Patent number: 10762475
    Abstract: A system for using digital twins for scalable, model-based machine predictive maintenance comprises a plurality of digital twins and a simulation platform. The plurality of digital twins correspond to plurality of remotely located physical machines. Each respective digital twin comprises: product nameplate data corresponding to a unique physical machine, one or more simulation models, and a database comprising run time log data collected from sensors associated with the unique physical machine. The simulation platform is configured to process simulation models corresponding to the plurality of digital twins using a plurality of multiprocessor computer systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: Siemens Schweiz AG
    Inventors: Zhen Song, Arquimedes Martinez Canedo
  • Patent number: 10753880
    Abstract: An aquatic environment water parameter testing method that utilizes the conductivity of a liquid sample of an aquatic environment to correct an optical reading of a chemical indicator that has been exposed to the liquid sample to determine the level of a constituent in the aquatic environment. The conductivity of the liquid sample is determined, the chemical indicator element is exposed to the liquid sample, an optical reading is measured from the chemical indicator, and the optical reading is corrected using the conductivity. The temperature of the liquid sample may be utilized to correct the conductivity prior to correcting the optical reading. The temperature of an optical reader used to measure the optical reading may be utilized to correct the optical reading.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: Senturion Water Monitoring, LLC
    Inventor: James E. Clark
  • Patent number: 10738576
    Abstract: A method of screening a plurality of fluids for an effectiveness in enhancing oil recovery comprises introducing a petroleum hydrocarbon into a plurality of separate fluid channels to saturate the fluid channels, each of the fluid channels having a porous structure configured to represent a condition of an earth formation; injecting a plurality of aqueous based fluids into the fluid channels; imaging the fluid channels to provide a plurality of images; analyzing the images to determine amounts of the petroleum hydrocarbon remain in the fluid channels after injection of the aqueous based fluids; and determining an effectiveness of the aqueous based fluids in forcing the petroleum hydrocarbon out of the fluid channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES, A GE COMPANY, LLC
    Inventors: Brett D. Chandler, Jihye Kim, Eric Willmott
  • Patent number: 10739239
    Abstract: A medical analyzer and coagulation profiler performs various interrogations on specimens. A motor with reduction gearing moves and a video camera observes the samples, the cartridges or parts thereof. Changes in images are compared and recorded with a central processor that controls a display. Power supply, temperature controller, motor and gearing are mounted in a box which attaches to a smartphone. The smartphone provides the video camera, illumination and central processor that control the movement, temperature and display. The device makes testing simpler for small hospitals, clinics, ambulances, remote locations and individuals and controls a number of parallel or serial devices operating simultaneously or sequentially. A cartridge insertion actuates a circular motion to generate a blood profile based on changes. Change is analyzed with a video camera and processor such as in a smartphone and is plotted to show an amplitude and time. A smartphone provides a specific movement pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: iFirst Medical Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Luke B. Joseph, Thomas A. Hasling
  • Patent number: 10697876
    Abstract: In some examples, a fluid analysis device (FAD) comprises a fluid chamber comprising an agitator and a shear stress sensor exposed to a surface within the fluid chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Dale E. Jamison, Xiangnan Ye, Andrew D. Vos, Marek Kozikowski
  • Patent number: 10699040
    Abstract: A vehicle system prognosis apparatus including sensor(s) for detecting a characteristic of a vehicle system and generating at least one time series of condition indicator values, and a processor that receives the at least one time series and generates an analysis model, for the characteristic, that is trained with one or more of the at least one time series, that are obtained from the one or more sensors with the vehicle system operating under normal conditions, extracts from the at least one time series one or more features embodying an indication of a health of the vehicle system, generates a quantified health assessment of the vehicle system by quantifying the one or more features based on a normal distribution of the one or more features from the analysis model, and communicates the quantified health assessment of the vehicle system to an operator or crew member of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Charles E. Martin, Tsai-Ching Lu, Samuel D. Johnson, Steve Slaughter, Alice A. Murphy, Christopher R. Wezdenko
  • Patent number: 10692345
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention provide systems and method for monitoring of physical movement in relation to regions where movement is either unconditionally or conditionally unauthorized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: BI Incorporated
    Inventor: Joseph P. Newell
  • Patent number: 10674931
    Abstract: As one example, a fluid monitoring apparatus includes a dielectric microsensor that includes a capacitive sensing structure integrated into a microfluidic channel. The microfluidic channel includes a fluid input to receive a sample volume of a sample under test (SUT). A transmitter provides an input radio frequency (RF) signal to an RF input of the microsensor. A receiver receives an output RF signal from the microsensor. A computing device computes dielectric permittivity values of the SUT that vary over a time interval based on the output RF signal. The computing device may determine at least one permittivity parameter based on the computed dielectric permittivity values over at least a portion of the time interval.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignees: CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY, THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT AS REPRESENTED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERAN AFFAIRS
    Inventors: Michael Suster, Pedram Mohseni, Debnath Maji, Evi Stavrou, Umut Gurkan
  • Patent number: 10640177
    Abstract: An apparatus may include a drone buoy configured to float on a body of water. The drone buoy may include a first configuration. The drone buoy may include a second configuration, wherein the drone buoy may be configured to transition between the first configuration and the second configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Inventor: Peyton Webb Robertson
  • Patent number: 10627368
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for detection of methane in an environment, including a housing with a sensor printed circuit board and a processor printed circuit board interconnected to and thermally insulated from the sensor printed circuit board. The sensor printed circuit board includes a first tuning fork isolated from the environment, and a second tuning fork exposed to the environment. The tuning forks are attached to opposite sides of the sensor printed circuit board. The processor printed circuit board includes processing circuitry interconnected to the first tuning fork and the second tuning fork, which receives vibration frequency signals therefrom, and is programmed to determine a frequency difference between the frequency of vibration of the first tuning fork and the frequency vibration of the second tuning fork, and if the frequency difference is greater than a predetermined threshold, then setting an alarm to indicate the presence of methane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: Applied Nanotech, Inc.
    Inventor: Igor Pavlovsky
  • Patent number: 10605775
    Abstract: A sensor includes: a substrate; a first magnetoresistance element and a second magnetoresistance element, each of which is a magnetoresistance element whose resistance value measured changes depending on a direction of an input magnetic field; and a soft magnetic thin film disposed adjacent to the first and second magnetoresistance elements wherein one of the first and second magnetoresistance elements is positioned on one of end sides of the soft magnetic thin film and other of the first and second magnetoresistance elements is positioned on other of the end sides of the soft magnetic thin film in a plan view in a direction perpendicular to a film surface of the soft magnetic thin film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: TDK CORPORATION
    Inventors: Susumu Haratani, Sachio Tsuboike
  • Patent number: 10472949
    Abstract: A fluid monitoring system includes, a channel having a first end configured to be fluidly coupled to a first portion of a conduit of a mineral extraction system to enable fluid to flow from the conduit into the channel and a second end configured to be fluidly coupled to a second portion of the conduit to enable return of the fluid from the channel into the conduit. The system also includes an actuator assembly positioned along the channel and configured to isolate a portion of the fluid within a chamber of the actuator assembly. The actuator assembly is configured to expand a volume of the chamber to reduce a pressure while the portion of the fluid is within the chamber to facilitate identification of an indicator of dissolved gas within the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: CAMERON INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hans Paul Hopper, Emanuel Gottlieb, Omar M. Kabir
  • Patent number: 10337371
    Abstract: A method for evaluating an effective component content (C) of a reducing agent for engine exhaust gas processing arranged in a container (205) in which a heat transfer provision arrangement (240) is provided, including steps of: determining (s410; s420) a prevailing volume (V) and temperature (T1) of the reducing agent in the container (205); determining (s430) a prevailing temperature (T2) of the heat transfer provision arrangement (240); determining (s440) a prevailing temperature (T3) of a medium surrounding the container (205); for a predetermined time period, determining (s450) a mean temperature change rate (Tprim) for the reducing agent; and determining (s460) the effective component content (C) of the reducing agent on the basis of the above determined parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: SCANIA CV AB
    Inventors: Sebastian Zamani, Joakim Sommansson
  • Patent number: 10302799
    Abstract: An apparatus and method may operate to position an electrode assembly within a fluid. The electrode assembly may include an injection electrode and a receiving electrode in spaced relation to one another. The method may include providing a series of excitation signals at a plurality of frequencies to the injection electrode to inject a series of injection signals into the fluid. The method can further include receiving signals in response to the series of injection signals through the receiving electrode. The received signals can be representative of an impedance spectrum including impedance values representative of the fluid. The method can further include generating a phase angle fingerprint based on the impedance spectrum to characterize the fluid according to the phase angle fingerprint. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter James Boul, Randal Thomas Beste, Jesse Kevin Hensarling, Krishna M. Ravi
  • Patent number: 10295554
    Abstract: Some embodiments of a blood coagulation testing system include an analyzer console device and a single-use components configured to releasably install into the console device. In some embodiments, the blood coagulation testing system can operate as an automated thromboelastometry system that is particularly useful, for example, at a point-of-care site. The systems can be configured with features such as individual actuation systems for each measurement module, and firmware for initial and ongoing calibration and error detection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: C A Casyso GmbH
    Inventors: Kevin Bels, Christian Brantl, Johannes Wittmann
  • Patent number: 10285256
    Abstract: A dielectric resonator is excited at its natural resonant frequency to produce a highly uniform electric field for the generation of plasma. The plasma may be used as a desolvator, atomizer excitation source and ionization source in an optical spectrometer or a mass spectrometer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: Radom Corporation
    Inventors: Jovan Jevtic, Ashok Menon, Velibor Pikelja
  • Patent number: 10276024
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method and an apparatus for prompting a remaining service life of a cooking device, and a storage medium. The method comprises: obtaining cooking operation information of a cooking process performed by the cooking device; determining a life loss of the cooking device based on the cooking operation information of the cooking process; determining a remaining service life of the cooking device according to the life loss; and prompting the remaining service life of the cooking device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: BEIJING XIAOMI MOBILE SOFTWARE CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Ke Wu
  • Patent number: 10266397
    Abstract: A microcantilever based photoacoustic sensor is generally provided. In one embodiment, the microcantilever includes: a substrate; a GaN layer on the substrate, wherein the GaN layer defines a cantilever extending beyond an edge of the substrate, with a base area of the cantilever defined by the area spanning the edge of the substrate; a heterojunction field effect transistor (HFET) deflection transducer positioned on the cantilever; a pair of electrical contacts, each electrically connected to the HFET deflection transducer; and a microfluidic channel in fluid communication with an analyte reservoir, wherein the analyte reservoir is positioned at the base of the cantilever. A sensing system is also generally provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: University of South Carolina
    Inventors: Goutam Koley, Abdul Talukdar
  • Patent number: 10227891
    Abstract: A wash system for a gas turbine engine includes a foam generating device configured for receiving and aerating a flow of wash fluid to generate a flow of foamed wash fluid having particular foam characteristics. The flow of foamed wash fluid passes through a distribution manifold where it is selectively directed through a plurality of wash lines to desired portions of the gas turbine engine. The wash system further includes a controller configured for manipulating the foam characteristics of the flow of foamed wash fluid and using the distribution manifold to selectively direct the flow of foamed wash fluid to desired portions of the gas turbine engine for optimal cleaning and improved engine efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Michael Edward Eriksen, Keith Anthony Lauria, Ambarish Jayant Kulkarni, Byron Andrew Pritchard, Jr., David Geoffrey Dauenhauer, Bernard Patrick Bewlay, Nicole Jessica Tibbetts