Patents Represented by Attorney A. Grillo
  • Patent number: 8261238
    Abstract: Real user input targeting an application under test is blocked to prevent interference with a test. A shield window can be placed in front of an application-under-test window to intercept input destined for the application. Users can be notified of interception or a failed attempt to access the application. Furthermore, the shield window can be employed to provide feedback about the test including pointer movement and area focus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventor: Jeffrey Van Gogh
  • Patent number: 8092055
    Abstract: Microprocessor-controlled light emitting diode (LED) arrays are built into an extruded tubular lens within a mast that is connected to a base assembly. A means of mounting, which may be an adjustable clamp, permits the base assembly to be connected to a seat post or other mounting point on a bicycle or other vehicle. The tubular lens allows for substantial dispersion of light, and various light patterns produced by the arrays may be selected and those patterns alternated automatically to achieve greater visibility of the vehicle to surrounding motorists. A handle within the base assembly allows a rider to lower the mast from its vertical operating position easily and pivotally up to 90 degrees parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle frame to facilitate mounting and dismounting the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Inventor: Gerald A. Sherwin
  • Patent number: 7389687
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring at least one characteristic of an aerated fluid flowing within a pipe is provided, wherein the method includes generating a measured sound speed, a measured density, a pressure and a gas volume fraction for the aerated fluid. The method also includes correcting the measured density responsive to the measured sound speed, the pressure and the gas volume fraction to generate a corrected density. The method further includes calculating a liquid phase density, determining whether the gas volume fraction is above a predetermined threshold value and generating a mass flow rate responsive to whether the gas volume fraction is above the predetermined threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: CiDRA Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel L. Gysling, Douglas H. Loose
  • Patent number: 7363800
    Abstract: An apparatus for measuring compositional parameters of solid, liquid, and gas components of a mixture flowing in a pipe is presented. The apparatus combines three different compositional measurements (e.g., the speed of light (microwave), the speed of sound (sonar), and mass loading of vibrating tubes or absorption of radiation) simultaneously to provide a real time, multi parameter, compositional measurement of gas-entrained mixtures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: CiDRA Corporation
    Inventor: Daniel L. Gysling
  • Patent number: 7343820
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing a fiscal measurement of at least one characteristic of an aerated fluid flowing within a pipe is provided, wherein the apparatus includes at least one metering device for determining the mixture density of the fluid, the speed of sound of the fluid and the speed of sound of the liquid portion of the fluid, wherein the at least one metering device generates meter data responsive to the mixture density of the fluid, the speed of sound of the fluid and the speed of sound of the liquid portion of the fluid. The apparatus further includes a processing device communicated with the at least one metering device, wherein the processing device receives the meter data and processes the meter data to generate the at least one fiscal measurement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: CiDRA Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel L. Gysling, Douglas H. Loose
  • Patent number: 7343818
    Abstract: A clamp on apparatus 10,110 is provided that measures the speed of sound or acoustic disturbances propagating in a fluid or mixture having entrained gas/air to determine the gas volume fraction of the flow 12 propagating through a pipe 14. The apparatus includes an array of pressure sensors clamped onto the exterior of the pipe and disposed axially along the length of the pipe. The apparatus measures the speed of sound propagating through the fluid to determine the gas volume fraction of the mixture using adaptive array processing techniques to define an acoustic ridge in the k-? plane. The slope of the acoustic ridge 61 defines the speed of sound propagating through the fluid in the pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: CiDRA Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel L. Gysling, Douglas H. Loose
  • Patent number: 7340353
    Abstract: A dual function flow measurement apparatus is provided that combines the functionality of an apparatus that measures the speed of sound propagating through a fluid flowing within a pipe, and measures pressures disturbances (e.g. vortical disturbances or eddies) moving with a fluid to determine respective parameters of the flow propagating through a pipe. The apparatus includes a sensing device that includes an array of pressure sensors used to measure the acoustic and convective pressure variations in the flow to determine desired parameters. The measurement apparatus includes a processing unit the processes serially or in parallel the pressure signals provided by the sensing array to provide output signals indicative of a parameter of the fluid flow relating to the velocity of the flow and the speed of sound propagating through the flow, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignee: CiDRA Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel L. Gysling, Alan D. Kersey, Michael A. Davis
  • Patent number: 7337075
    Abstract: An apparatus 10,70 and method is provided that includes a spatial array of unsteady pressure sensors 15-18 placed at predetermined axial locations x1-xN disposed axially along a pipe 14 for measuring at least one parameter of a saturated vapor/liquid mixture 12, such as steam, flowing in the pipe 14. The pressure sensors 15-18 provide acoustic pressure signals P1(t)-PN(t) to a signal processing unit 30 which determines the speed of sound amix propagating through of the saturated vapor/liquid mixture 12 in the pipe 14 using acoustic spatial array signal processing techniques. The primary parameters to be measured include vapor/liquid concentration (i.e., steam wetness or steam quality), vapor/liquid mixture volumetric flow, mass flow, enthalpy, density and liquid droplet size. Frequency based sound speed is determined utilizing a dispersion model to determine the parameters of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: CiDRA Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel L. Gysling, Douglas H. Loose
  • Patent number: 7330797
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring a parameter of a flow passing through a pipe is provided, wherein the apparatus includes at least two spatial array of sensors disposed at different axial locations along the pipe, wherein each of the sensors provide a signal indicative of unsteady pressure created by coherent structures convecting with the flow within the pipe at a corresponding axial location of the pipe. The apparatus also includes a signal processor configured to determine the flow rate at the circumference location of each sensor array in response to the respective measured unsteady pressures. The signal processor compares the velocity of the flow at each respective location and provides a signal indicative the presence of solids settled at the bottom of the pipe and/or the level of the settled solids in the pipe, in response to an uncharacteristic increase in the velocity of a lower portion of the flow in comparison to the velocity measured above the lower portion of the flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: CiDRA Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy J. Bailey, Mark R. Fernald
  • Patent number: 7328624
    Abstract: A probe 10,170 is provided that measures the speed of sound and/or vortical disturbances propagating in a single phase fluid flow and/or multiphase mixture to determine parameters, such as mixture quality, particle size, vapor/mass ratio, liquid/vapor ratio, mass flow rate, enthalpy and volumetric flow rate of the flow in a pipe or unconfined space, for example, using acoustic and/or dynamic pressures. The probe includes a spatial array of unsteady pressure sensors 15-18 placed at predetermined axial locations x1-xN disposed axially along a tube 14. For measuring at least one parameter of a saturated vapor/liquid mixture 12, such as steam, flowing in the tube 14. The pressure sensors 15-18 provide acoustic pressure signals P1(t)-PN(t) to a signal processing unit 30 which determines the speed of sound amix propagating through of the saturated vapor/liquid mixture 12 in the tube 14 using acoustic spatial array signal processing techniques.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: CIDRA Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel L. Gysling, Douglas H. Loose, Thomas W. Engel, Paul F. Croteau
  • Patent number: 7328113
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for calibrating a flow meter having an array of sensors arranged in relation to a pipe that measures a flow rate of a fluid flowing in the pipe. The method features the step of calibrating the flow rate using a calibration correction function based on one or more parameters that characterize either the array of sensors, the pipe, the fluid flowing in the pipe, or some combination thereof. The calibration correction function depends on either a ratio t/D of the pipe wall thickness (t) and the pipe inner diameter (D); a ratio t/? of the pipe wall thickness (t) and the eddie wavelength (?) of the fluid; a Reynolds number (?UD/?) that characterizes the fluid flow in the pipe; a ratio ?x/D of the sensor spacing (?x) and the pipe inner diameter (D); a ratio f?x/Umeas of usable frequencies in relation to the sensor spacing (?x) and the raw flow rate (Umeas); or some combination thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Assignee: CiDRA Corporation
    Inventors: Paul Rothman, Daniel L. Gysling, Douglas H. Loose, Alex Kravets
  • Patent number: 7322251
    Abstract: A method, apparatus and system are provided to measure the process flow of a fluid or medium traveling in a pipe. The system and apparatus feature a standoff and piezoelectric-based sensor arrangement having a plurality of standoffs arranged on a pipe and a plurality of sensor bands, each arranged on a respective plurality of standoffs, each having at least one sensor made of piezoelectric material arranged thereon to detect unsteady pressure disturbances in the process flow in the pipe which in turn can be converted to the velocity of and/or speed of sound propagating within the pipe, and a cooling tube arranged in relation to the plurality of standoffs for actively cooling the sensor band; and further comprise a processing module for converting one or more sensor signals into a measurement containing information about the flow of the fluid or medium traveling in the pipe, as well as a pump and heat exchanger for processing the cooling fluid flowing through the cooling tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: CIDRA Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel L. Gysling, Michael A. Davis, James R. Dunphy, Paul F. Croteau, Robert J. Maron
  • Patent number: 7322245
    Abstract: In industrial sensing applications at least one parameter of at least one fluid in a pipe 12 is measured using a spatial array of acoustic pressure sensors 14,16,18 placed at predetermined axial locations x1, x2, x3 along the pipe 12. The pressure sensors 14,16,18 provide acoustic pressure signals P1(t), P2(t), P3(t) on lines 20,22,24 which are provided to signal processing logic 60 which determines the speed of sound amix of the fluid (or mixture) in the pipe 12 using acoustic spatial array signal processing techniques with the direction of propagation of the acoustic signals along the longitudinal axis of the pipe 12. Numerous spatial array-processing techniques may be employed to determine the speed of sound amix. The speed of sound amix is provided to logic 48, which calculates the percent composition of the mixture, e.g., water fraction, or any other parameter of the mixture, or fluid, which is related to the sound speed amix. The logic 60 may also determine the Mach number Mx of the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: CiDRA Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel L. Gysling, Alan D. Kersey, James D. Paduano
  • Patent number: 7308820
    Abstract: A piezocable based sensor for measuring unsteady pressures inside a pipe comprises a cable wrapped around the pipe and an outer band compressing the cable towards the pipe. The cable provides a signal indicative of unsteady pressure within the pipe in response to expansion and contraction of the pipe. The cable includes: a first electrical conductor, a piezoelectric material disposed around the first electrical conductor, a second electrical conductor disposed around the piezoelectric material, and an insulative jacket surrounding the piezoelectric material and electrical conductors. The cable may be part of an array of cables wrapped around the pipe, and a signal processor may determine a parameter of the fluid using the signals. A housing is disposed around the pipe and electrical components associated with the pipe. Ends of the housing include a sealing arrangement, which provides a seal between the ends of the housing and the pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: CiDRA Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas W. Engel
  • Patent number: 7302861
    Abstract: A portable flow measuring apparatus includes an array of pressure sensors used to measure the acoustic and convective pressure variations in the flow to determine a desired parameter. A portable processing instrument processes the signals provided by the sensing array to provide an output signal indicative of a parameter of the fluid flow. The portable processing instrument includes a processor having appropriate processing algorithms to determine the desired or selected parameter(s) of the process flow 12. The portable processing instrument has a user interface to permit the user to select the parameters to be measured in the process flow, and/or more importantly, to enable the user to modify particular parameters or functions in the processor 30 and/or processing algorithms. The user interface 32 also enables a user to modify the code of the algorithm via a graphic user interface (GUI), keyboard and/or user input signal 34.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2007
    Assignee: CiDRA Corporation
    Inventors: Charles R. Winston, Michael A. Sapack, Patrick Curry, Daniel L. Gysling
  • Patent number: 7299705
    Abstract: A flow measuring system is provided that provides at least one of a compensated mass flow rate measurement and a compensated density measurement. The flow measuring system includes a gas volume fraction meter in combination with a coriolis meter. The GVF meter measures acoustic pressures propagating through the fluids to measure the speed of sound ?mix propagating through the fluid to calculate at least gas volume fraction of the fluid and/or the reduced natural frequency. For determining an improved density for the coriolis meter, the calculated gas volume fraction and/or reduced frequency is provided to a processing unit. The improved density is determined using analytically derived or empirically derived density calibration models (or formulas derived therefore), which is a function of the measured natural frequency and at least one of the determined GVF, reduced frequency and speed of sound, or any combination thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: CiDRA Corporation
    Inventor: Daniel L. Gysling
  • Patent number: 7295933
    Abstract: A configurable multi-function flow measurement apparatus is provided that can selectably function to measure the speed of sound propagating through a fluid flowing within a pipe and/or to measure pressures disturbances (e.g. vortical disturbances or eddies) moving with a fluid to determine respective parameters of the flow propagating through a pipe and detects the health of an industrial process. The configurable flow measurement device can also be selectable to function as a system diagnostic meter that provides a diagnostic signal indicative of the health of the industrial process, namely health of pumps, valves, motors and other devices in an industrial flow loop. The apparatus includes a sensing device that includes an array of strained-based or pressure sensors used to measure the acoustic and convective pressure variations in the flow to determine desired parameters. In response to a remote or local configuration signal, a control logic selects the desired function of the flow measurement apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: CiDRA Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel L. Gysling, Alan D. Kersey
  • Patent number: 7275421
    Abstract: An apparatus 10 and method is provided that includes a spatial array of unsteady pressure sensors 15-18 placed at predetermined axial locations x1-xN disposed axially along a pipe 14 for measuring at least one parameter of a solid particle/fluid mixture 12 flowing in the pipe 14. The pressure sensors 15-18 provide acoustic pressure signals P1(t)-PN(t) to a signal processing unit 30 which determines the speed of sound amix(?) of the particle/fluid mixture 12 in the pipe 14 using acoustic spatial array signal processing techniques. The primary parameters to be measured include fluid/particle concentration, fluid/particle mixture volumetric flow, and particle size. Frequency based sound speed is determined utilizing a dispersion model to determine the parameters of interest. the calculating the at least one parameter uses an acoustic pressure to calculate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2007
    Assignee: CiDRA Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel L. Gysling, Douglas H. Loose
  • Patent number: 7269316
    Abstract: The present invention provides a new and unique method for increasing the photosensitivity of a large diameter optical waveguide having a cross-section of at least about 0.3 millimeters. The method features loading the large diameter optical waveguide with a photosensitizing gas at a pressure at least about 4000 pounds per square inch (PSI) at a temperature of at least about 250° Celsius. The photosensitizing gas may be hydrogen, Deuterium or other suitable gas. The method also includes the step of using a particular large diameter optical waveguide having a core more than 1000 microns from the surface thereof. The method may be used as part of a process for writing a Bragg grating in an inner core or a cladding of the large diameter optical waveguide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Assignee: CIDRA Corporation
    Inventors: Jerin J. Russell, Martin A. Putnam, Jay W. Dawson, Trevor W. MacDougall, John R. Troll
  • Patent number: 6556703
    Abstract: A method and system for analyzing a substrate including the step of scanning the substrate to produce an intensity signal which represents the topography of the wafer to a first order. Other contributions to the signal intensity may be chemical composition and electrical state of the scanned features on the substrate. The scanned signal is compared and correlated to a reference signal to assess the substrate. The present invention is also directed to a method of manufacturing a wafer using the method and system and improving the manufacturing quality of product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Agere Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Brittin Charles Kane, John Martin McIntosh