Patents Assigned to Measurement Systems, Inc.
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Patent number: 11000917Abstract: A laser marking system for marking a predetermined pattern on a workpiece may include a first light source structured to emit first light at a first wavelength; a second light source structured to emit second light at a second wavelength different from the first wavelength and selected to mark a marking surface of the workpiece; beam shaping optics structured to adjust a focal length of the second light; beam steering optics structured to aim the first laser light and the second laser light; a controller configured to control the first light source to emit the first light at the marking surface of the workpiece and control the beam steering optics to aim the second light so as to mark the marking surface of the workpiece and create the first predetermined pattern; and a camera structured to detect first light reflected from the marking surface and record an image.Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 2019Date of Patent: May 11, 2021Assignee: Thorlabs Measurement Systems Inc.Inventors: Simon Raab, Mark S. Longmuir
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Publication number: 20210136722Abstract: A mobile monitoring device for monitoring controlled contamination areas may include a motorized mobile structure, a sampling unit, and a central management and control unit. The motorized mobile structure is configured to move within an area to be monitored. The sampling unit is positioned on said mobile structure, and configured to perform sampling operations of air and/or surfaces of said area and obtain sampling data. The central management and control unit is operatively connected to the mobile structure and to said sampling unit. The mobile structure may be controlled by the central unit to reach predefined points of the area to be monitored. The sampling unit may be selectively activated and/or deactivated by said central unit in correspondence with said predefined starting points of said sampling operations.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 3, 2020Publication date: May 6, 2021Applicants: Particle Measuring Systems, Inc., PHARMA INTEGRATION S.R.L.Inventors: Giovanni SCIALĂ’, Davide RECCHIA, Claudio BECHINI
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Publication number: 20210104146Abstract: The invention generally provides devices and methods for particle detection for minimizing human-caused contamination in manufacturing environments requiring low levels of microbes, such as cleanroom environments for electronics manufacturing and aseptic environments for manufacturing pharmaceutical and biological products, such as sterile medicinal products. Methods of the invention may incorporate wirelessly transmitting an alarm signal from a particle detector to a remote device, replicating a graphical user interface of the particle detector on an electronic display of the remote device, and passing one or more user instructions from the remote device to the particle detector via the replicate graphical interface of the remote device.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 6, 2020Publication date: April 8, 2021Applicant: Particle Measuring Systems, Inc.Inventors: Scott MacLAUGHLIN, Matt MICHAELIS
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Publication number: 20210102884Abstract: The invention generally provides systems and methods for particle detection for minimizing microbial growth and cross-contamination in manufacturing environments requiring low levels of microbes, such as cleanroom environments for electronics manufacturing and aseptic environments for manufacturing pharmaceutical and biological products, such as sterile medicinal products. In some embodiments, systems of the invention incorporate a housing having an outer surface being a first antimicrobial surface and a touchscreen being a second antimicrobial surface. In some embodiments, substantially all of the outer surfaces of the system are antimicrobial surfaces. In some embodiments, the first antimicrobial surface may comprise an Active Screen Plasma alloyed layer. In some embodiments, the housing may comprise a molded polymer substrate and a metal coating layer bonded to the molded polymer substrate such that at least some exterior surfaces of the housing are metal coated surfaces.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 6, 2020Publication date: April 8, 2021Applicant: Particle Measuring Systems, Inc.Inventors: Scott MacLAUGHLIN, Jon SKUBA
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Patent number: 10928293Abstract: Provided herein is a particle analyzer that is operably connected to a probe unit that is capable of both dislodging particles from a surface and sampling the particles after they have been dislodged. The devices and methods described herein may be lightweight and/or handheld, for example, so that they may be used within a cleanroom environment to clean and sample permanent surfaces and tools. The devices may include optical particle counters that use scattered, obscured or emitted light to detect particles, including condensation particle counting systems or split detection optical particle counters to increase the sensitivity of the device and thereby facilitate detection of smaller particles, while avoiding the increased complexity typically required for the detection of nanoscale particles, such as particles less than 100 nm in effective diameter.Type: GrantFiled: September 3, 2019Date of Patent: February 23, 2021Assignee: Particle Measuring Systems, Inc.Inventors: Brian A. Knollenberg, Daniel Robert Rodier
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Publication number: 20210044978Abstract: Systems, methods, devices and software for operating particle sampling devices in a user-restrictive manner include a tag and a particle sampling device. The device includes a tag reader and a processor in communication with the tag reader. The processor: receives device configuration data and reads operational and/or user data from the tag having that data encoded thereon. Based on the data read from the tag, the processor may either grant or deny access to a user for performing device operations. Alternatively, for a headless particle sampling device configured for minimal user interaction during operation, the device is removably attached to a supporting structure proximate the tag positioned in or on the supporting structure. In the headless configuration, the processor reads device configuration parameters including network communication information from the tag following device power up.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 7, 2020Publication date: February 11, 2021Applicant: Particle Measuring Systems, Inc.Inventors: Matt MICHAELIS, Daniele PANDOLFI, Brett HALEY
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Patent number: 9631222Abstract: The invention provides devices and methods for sampling, detecting and/or characterizing particles. Devices and methods of the invention, including particle samplers, impactors and counters, include a filter component for removing particles in the exhaust flow of the device, for example, to eliminate or minimize the potential for the device itself to provide source of particles in an environment undergoing particle monitoring. This aspect of the present devices and methods is particularly useful for monitoring particles in manufacturing environments requiring low levels of particles, such as cleanroom environments for electronics manufacturing and aseptic environments for manufacturing pharmaceutical and biological products.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2015Date of Patent: April 25, 2017Assignee: Particle Measuring Systems, Inc.Inventors: Cliff Ketcham, Paul B. Hartigan, Ronald W. Adkins
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Publication number: 20160002700Abstract: The invention provides devices and methods for sampling, detecting and/or characterizing particles. Devices and methods of the invention, including particle samplers, impactors and counters, include a filter component for removing particles in the exhaust flow of the device, for example, to eliminate or minimize the potential for the device itself to provide source of particles in an environment undergoing particle monitoring. This aspect of the present devices and methods is particularly useful for monitoring particles in manufacturing environments requiring low levels of particles, such as cleanroom environments for electronics manufacturing and aseptic environments for manufacturing pharmaceutical and biological products.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 12, 2015Publication date: January 7, 2016Applicant: Particle Measuring Systems, Inc.Inventors: Cliff KETCHAM, Paul B. HARTIGAN, Ronald W. ADKINS
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Publication number: 20150355000Abstract: Provided are systems and methods for accurate sensing of particle concentrations in fluids by employing a particle impactor system that allows for collection, growth and analysis of biological particles. The disclosed systems and methods make use of a pressure based flow sensor which permits the particle impactor system systems to accurately and reliably provide measurements of biological particle concentrations in the ambient environment. By incorporation of pressure sensors and pressure measurements into the flow measurement techniques, embodiments provide for the ability to use a particle impactor system to accurately measure environmental biological particle concentrations at a variety of atmospheric pressure conditions, such as at high altitude or with minimal perturbation from atmospheric weather conditions, without requiring recalibration or other adjustment of the sensors and control systems.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 12, 2015Publication date: December 10, 2015Applicant: Particle Measuring Systems, IncInventors: Thomas BATES, Cliff KETCHAM, Paul B. HARTIGAN, Ronald W. ADKINS
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Patent number: 8869593Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus for increasing the size of gas-entrained particles in order to render the gas-entrained particles detectable by a particle detector, the apparatus comprising an evaporation chamber (2) and a condenser (7); the apparatus is configured so that vapour-laden gas from the evaporation chamber can flow into the condenser and condensation of the vaporisable substance onto gas-entrained particles in the condenser takes place to increase the size of the particles so that they are capable of being detected by a particle detector.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 2009Date of Patent: October 28, 2014Assignee: Particle Measuring Systems Inc.Inventors: Boris Zachar Gorbunov, Harald Wilhelm Julius Gnewuch
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Patent number: 8800383Abstract: Provided are devices and methods for monitoring flow rate in aerosol particle counters. The particle sensor has a particle counter, a flow measurement orifice comprising a differential pressure sensor for measuring differential pressure (DP) across the flow measurement orifice during particle sensor operation and a critical flow orifice. A vacuum source pulls ambient gas through each of the particle counter, flow measurement orifice and critical flow orifice. An atmospheric pressure sensor measures atmospheric pressure (AP) and a bench pressure sensor measures pressure in the particle sensor (BP). The output from the sensors is used to identify a flow condition, such as by a monitor operably connected to each of the differential pressure sensor, atmospheric pressure sensor and bench pressure sensor. In this manner, deviation in flow rate from a target flow rate is readily monitored without the need for expensive sensors or other flow-controlling components.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2010Date of Patent: August 12, 2014Assignee: Particle Measuring Systems, Inc.Inventor: Thomas Bates
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Patent number: 8505355Abstract: A bidirectional sphere prover is used to check the accuracy of a custody transfer meter when fluids, such as crude oil or gasoline are bought and sold. The bidirectional sphere prover of the present invention uses a straight calibrated section of pipe between the detection switches, the straight calibrated section of pipe being free of welds, flanges and elbows.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 2008Date of Patent: August 13, 2013Assignee: Welker Flow Measurement Systems, Inc.Inventor: Daniel J. Rudroff
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Publication number: 20130169509Abstract: A portable operator control unit (OCU) includes a main portion disposed between handle portions extending from the main portion; the main portion has a front side, an opposing back side, and a top surface. The OCU includes a plurality of display devices including a primary display disposed on the front side of the main portion, and a secondary display movable with respect to the main portion. The secondary display is viewable by the operator along with the primary display while the secondary display is in use, and is stowed out of the operator's view while the secondary display is not in use.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 3, 2012Publication date: July 4, 2013Applicant: Measurement Systems, Inc.Inventor: Measurement Systems, Inc.
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Patent number: 8424381Abstract: A device (15) for measuring the level of a fluid (24) in a container (17) comprising a frame assembly having a first arm (18) and a second arm (19), the first and second arms configured to move from a first folded position (20) to a second expanded position (21), a probe element (22) supported between the first arm and the second arm, the probe element having a sensing portion (34, 35) between the arms when the arms are in the second expanded position, the sensing portion configured to have a length (25) in contact with the fluid, an electrical circuit (26, 29) connected to the probe element, the probe element and the circuit forming a capacitor having a capacitance which is a function of the length of the probe that is in contact with the fluid, and the circuit configured to produce an output signal as a function of the capacitance.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2010Date of Patent: April 23, 2013Assignee: Liquid Measurement Systems, Inc.Inventors: David A. Lamphere, William M. Roberts
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Patent number: 8427642Abstract: The present invention provides methods and systems for particle detection and analysis using two-dimensional optical imaging to access enhanced detection sensitivity and expanded sensing functionality relative to conventional point and array detection-based optical particle counters. Methods and systems of the present invention provide a two-dimensional optical imaging-based particle sensing platform wherein system components and specifications are selected to generate reproducible and readily identifiable signals, including particle detection signatures, from optical scattering or emission from particles provided to the system. Systems and methods of the present invention are capable of accurately and sensitively detecting, identifying, and characterizing (e.g., determining the size of) particles in liquid phase or gas phase samples.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2012Date of Patent: April 23, 2013Assignee: Particle Measuring Systems, Inc.Inventors: John Mitchell, Dwight A. Sehler, Michael Williamson, David Rice, Karen R. Sandberg
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Publication number: 20120222495Abstract: Provided are devices and methods for monitoring flow rate in aerosol particle counters. The particle sensor has a particle counter, a flow measurement orifice comprising a differential pressure sensor for measuring differential pressure (DP) across the flow measurement orifice during particle sensor operation and a critical flow orifice. A vacuum source pulls ambient gas through each of the particle counter, flow measurement orifice and critical flow orifice. An atmospheric pressure sensor measures atmospheric pressure (AP) and a bench pressure sensor measures pressure in the particle sensor (BP). The output from the sensors is used to identify a flow condition, such as by a monitor operably connected to each of the differential pressure sensor, atmospheric pressure sensor and bench pressure sensor. In this manner, deviation in flow rate from a target flow rate is readily monitored without the need for expensive sensors or other flow-controlling components.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 24, 2010Publication date: September 6, 2012Applicant: Particle Measuring Systems, Inc.Inventor: Thomas Bates
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Patent number: 8258917Abstract: A control device for a vehicle or mechanism includes a portable displacement controller which permits a non-technical user to achieve effective control of the vehicle or mechanism, by moving the portable displacement controller intuitively with little learning effort. A first sensing device, attached to the displacement controller, detects the user's controlling motion. A second sensing device, attached to the object being controlled, detects motion thereof. An interface device receives signals from the sensing devices, processes those signals to determine relative motion of the controlling motion and the object's motion and outputs a control signal in accordance with the processed signals. The sensing devices each detect motion in six degrees of freedom; the sensing devices each include a three-axis accelerometer, a three-axis gyroscope, and a three-axis magnetometer. In specific embodiments, the accelerometers, gyroscopes, and magnetometers include micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) devices.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2011Date of Patent: September 4, 2012Assignee: Measurement Systems, Inc.Inventors: Steven Cai, Paul J. LeBlanc, Thomas R. Ecsedy, Leslie W. Yoho
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Patent number: 8174697Abstract: Described herein is a particle detection system capable of spatially resolving the interaction of particles with a beam of electromagnetic radiation. Using a specific electromagnetic beam cross sectional shape and orientation, the detection sensitivity of a particle detection system can be improved. Also provided are methods for detecting and sizing particles in a manner that has low background signal and allows for spatially resolving the scattering or emission of electromagnetic radiation from particles.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2011Date of Patent: May 8, 2012Assignee: Particle Measuring Systems, Inc.Inventors: John Mitchell, Jon Sandberg, Karen R. Sandberg, legal representative, Dwight A. Sehler
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Patent number: 8154724Abstract: The present invention provides methods and systems for particle detection and analysis using two-dimensional optical imaging to access enhanced detection sensitivity and expanded sensing functionality relative to conventional point and array detection-based optical particle counters. Methods and systems of the present invention provide a two-dimensional optical imaging-based particle sensing platform wherein system components and specifications are selected to generate reproducible and readily identifiable signals, including particle detection signatures, from optical scattering or emission from particles provided to the system. Systems and methods of the present invention are capable of accurately and sensitively detecting, identifying, and characterizing (e.g., determining the size of) particles in liquid phase or gas phase samples.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 2008Date of Patent: April 10, 2012Assignee: Particle Measuring Systems, Inc.Inventors: John Mitchell, Dwight A. Sehler, Michael Williamson, David Rice, Jon Sandberg, Karen R. Sandberg, legal representative
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Patent number: 8104341Abstract: An ultrasonic liquid level monitoring system includes an ultrasonic transducer unit that is externally mountable to a tank. An ultrasonic emitter may generate an ultrasonic beam and receive an echo of the ultrasonic beam off a liquid surface inside a tank. An acoustic lens is coupled to the ultrasonic emitter to shape the ultrasonic beam to compensate for lensing effects of the tank wall. An acoustic coupler may be disposed between the acoustic lens and the tank wall to improve the acoustic coupling between the ultrasonic emitter and the tank wall. The system determines a time-of-flight between generating the ultrasonic beam and receiving the echo. Using the time-of-flight and geometry of a tank, the system may calculate the liquid volume inside the tank. The time-of-flight may be transmitted via a satellite data link or a local data link. The local data link may further be used to configure and maintain the system.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2009Date of Patent: January 31, 2012Assignee: Schmitt Measurement Systems, Inc.Inventors: Peter J. Lagergren, Christian N. Staats, Kenneth M. Wegrzyn, Kelvin L. Woltring, Wayne A. Case