Patents Examined by Alex T Devito
  • Patent number: 12352665
    Abstract: A portable system for testing or demonstrating an agricultural implement includes a case (104) carrying a power supply (206), a plurality of electrical couplers (120) configured to receive wiring harnesses associated with test devices, a simulator module (214) configured to simulate at least one operating parameter of the agricultural implement on which test devices are carried, and a control system. The control system includes a graphical user interface (110) and processing circuitry operably electrically coupled to the graphical user interface (110) and to the wiring harnesses. The processing circuitry is configured to monitor and display information pertaining to operation of the test devices. A method for testing or demonstrating an agricultural implement includes connecting a test device an electrical coupler of the portable system, sending a control signal to the test device, and monitoring performance of the test device with the control system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2025
    Assignee: Precision Planting LLC
    Inventors: Ben L Schlipf, Matthew Klopfenstein
  • Patent number: 12352856
    Abstract: An ultrasonic sensor includes an adhesion sensor detecting adhesion of a foreign substance to a first surface of a bottom of a microphone housing. The adhesion sensor includes: a plurality of variable capacitances defined between a plurality of sensor electrodes disposed on the first surface of the bottom, each of the variable capacitances having a capacitance value which changes in response to adhesion of a foreign substance to the first surface; and an adhesion detection unit configured to measure an individual capacitance value which is a capacitance value of each of the variable capacitances and a total capacitance value which is a total of capacitance values of all the variable capacitances to determine, based on the individual capacitance value and the total capacitance value, whether a foreign substance adheres to the first surface, and, when it is determined that a foreign substance adheres, specify a type of the foreign substance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2025
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kensuke Kobayashi, Masayoshi Satake, Dai Kondou
  • Patent number: 12352732
    Abstract: A monolithically integrated chromatography device includes a first chromatography column and a second chromatography column formed in a common substrate. The first chromatography column and the second chromatography column are each in fluidic communication with a port formed on the same common substrate. When the port is open, the first chromatography column and the second chromatography column are in fluidic communication with one another. When the port is closed, the first chromatography column and the second chromatography column are not in fluidic communication with one another. The monolithically integrated chromatography device can include a heating element formed on the same substrate as the chromatography columns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2025
    Assignee: National Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC
    Inventors: Joshua J. Whiting, Matthew W. Moorman
  • Patent number: 12345691
    Abstract: A ducted smoke detector includes a housing defining an interior cavity, an air inlet in fluid communication with the interior cavity, an air outlet in fluid communication with the interior cavity, a smoke sensing chamber disposed in the interior cavity, and a particulate separator disposed between and in fluid communication with the air inlet and the smoke sensing chamber in the interior cavity. The particulate separator includes a shaft, a perforated wall disposed around the shaft, and a plurality of deflection vanes disposed on the shaft. The perforated wall extends from a first open end to a second open end, is connected to the shaft, and is configured to rotate with the shaft. The plurality of deflection vanes is disposed on the shaft and extend radially outward toward the perforated wall, the plurality of deflection vanes configured to rotate with the shaft and the perforated wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2023
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2025
    Assignee: Kidde Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Len D. Seebaluck, Aaron S. Rogers
  • Patent number: 12332219
    Abstract: A sample stretch test device includes a setup table and grip modules arranged with regular intervals along an edge of a virtual arrangement circle around a center of the setup table and configured to grip a sample to be tested, and further includes at least any one of grip driving modules coupled to the setup table and configured to slide the grip modules along normals of the virtual arrangement circle in a horizontal direction parallel with the sample, and a pressing module disposed under the setup table and configured to press the sample in a vertical direction perpendicular to the sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2025
    Assignee: FlexiGO INC.
    Inventors: Ki Yong Lee, Dong Gun Shin, Tae Wan Kim
  • Patent number: 12298283
    Abstract: Tests of channels of a system as a whole can be easily performed without adding a complicated mechanism. A liquid feeding part includes a liquid feeding channel to feed a mobile phase, a drainage channel to release pressure in the liquid feeding channel, an analysis channel that discharges the mobile phase into the sample introduction part, and a channel switching valve that selectively connects the liquid feeding channel to one of the drainage channel and the analysis channel. The channel switching valve is configured to be able to provide a tight stopper state in which the liquid feeding channel is connected to neither the analysis channel nor the drainage channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2025
    Assignee: Hitachi High-Tech Corporation
    Inventors: Daisuke Akieda, Makoto Nogami, Shinya Ito
  • Patent number: 12302499
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus for temperature control and active cooling of an inspection robot are disclosed. An example apparatus may include a temperature determination circuit to interpret an inspection temperature value, a temperature management circuit to determine a temperature management command in response to the inspection temperature value, and a temperature response circuit to provide the temperature management command to a temperature management device associated with an inspection robot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2025
    Assignee: Gecko Robotics, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward A. Bryner, Dillon R. Jourde, Edwin H. Cho, Mark Cho, Michael A. Binger, Kevin Y. Low, Samuel Theodore Westenberg, Francesco H. Trogu
  • Patent number: 12298291
    Abstract: A detection system and method for simultaneously determining the concentration of ammonium and nitrate/nitrite in samples such as surface water and wastewater. The detection system and method herein can further comprise a cleaning loop and a calibration loop and can be used in situ and over long periods of time without replacement or frequent maintenance and upkeep.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2025
    Assignee: THE RESEARCH FOUNDATION FOR THE STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK
    Inventor: Qingzhi Zhu
  • Patent number: 12287232
    Abstract: An overflow detection system for a grease trap or other receptacle is provided. The overflow detection system includes an overflow sensor. The overflow sensor can include a switch and a processor. The switch can include a float configured to float in a fluid in the receptacle, a surface that is separate from the float, and a resilient member coupled between the float and the surface. The switch can generate a signal in response to the float being within a predefined distance of (e.g., contacting) the surface. The processor can receive the signal from the switch and, in response, transmit a notification to a user device that is remote from the receptacle. The notification can indicate a high fluid level in the receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2024
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2025
    Assignee: Starbucks Corporation
    Inventors: Natarajan Venkatakrishnan, Ryan T. Bell, Lucas S. Abrahamsen
  • Patent number: 12270724
    Abstract: A method and arrangement for ascertaining an amount of substance emitted as a result of the operation of a functional unit of a vehicle includes transmitting signals from a signal source, which are generated independently of the amount of substance to be ascertained, as input data, to a data processing apparatus. The data processing apparatus contains at least one neural network as a trained model for processing the input data. The method includes generating output data representing the emitted amount of substance in the data processing apparatus using the at least one neural network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2025
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: Christophe Gossard
  • Patent number: 12265047
    Abstract: A sensor for measuring a concentration of an analysis fluid based on a thermal conductivity principle. The sensor includes at least one analysis heating element, situated on a measuring diaphragm, for heating the analysis fluid, and a reference heating element, situated on a reference diaphragm, for heating at least one reference gas. The measuring diaphragm and the reference diaphragm are adjacently situated between a sensor substrate and a cap substrate. The measuring diaphragm is situated in a measuring volume and the reference diaphragm is situated in a reference volume. The measuring diaphragm and the reference diaphragm each include at least one coating. The measuring diaphragm is opened by at least one clearance. A method for manufacturing a sensor is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2025
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Renate Mueller, Helmut Grutzeck, Stefan Zehringer
  • Patent number: 12259296
    Abstract: An apparatus, method and system are set forth for detection of fluids using Bragg grating sensors, wherein the Bragg grating sensing element comprises an optical fiber having a Bragg grating inscribed therein characterized by optical properties that are dependent upon the periodicity and effective refractive index of the grating, and a package for subjecting the Bragg grating to a change in strain when contacted by a fluid such that periodicity and effective refractive index of the grating changes, whereby when interrogated with laser light any such change in periodicity and effective refractive index may be detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2025
    Assignee: NATIONAL RESEARCH COUNCIL OF CANADA
    Inventors: Cyril Hnatovsky, Dan Grobnic, Stephen Mihailov, Ping Lu, Kasthuri De Silva, Huimin Ding, David Coulas, Robert Walker
  • Patent number: 12253497
    Abstract: A unitary distribution plate of a Gas chromatograph (GC) module having a plurality of valve bores disposed on a bottom surface of the unitary distribution plate and a least one sensor cell and at least one column port machined into the top surface of the unitary distribution plate. The valve bores and sensor cells are connected by fluid pathways within a thickness of the distribution plate. The pathways include a combination of planar, longitudinal, diagonal, and radial fluid pathways relative to the top surface of the distribution plate. The fluid channels are formed by diffusion bonding or more generally laminating multiple plates into the unitary distribution plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2025
    Assignee: ABB Schweiz AG
    Inventors: Michael J. May, Jason Aaron Lawrence
  • Patent number: 12253216
    Abstract: A sensor mounting assembly is configured for use with a vessel arrangement including at least four vessels. The assembly includes first and second elongated frame members, first and second rollers, and first and second sensors. The first sensor is attached to the first elongated frame member and is configured to contact the surface of the first vessel upon actuation in a first direction. The second sensor is attached to the second elongated frame member and is configured to contact the surface of the second vessel upon actuation in a second direction that is substantially orthogonal to the first direction. This disclosure also describes a method of mounting at least six sensors for use with a vessel arrangement including at least four vessels, the vessel arrangement disposed in a container in a two-by-two stacked configuration having a central space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2025
    Assignee: Hexagon Technology AS
    Inventors: Ken Halvorsen, Brian Burks, Ryan Crocker
  • Patent number: 12253498
    Abstract: A modular fluid characterisation system is provided. The modular fluid characterisation system includes a sampling unit containing optional pre-processing units to condition samples, and a valve network to distribute samples to one or more characterisation modules. Each characterisation module includes one or more instruments for characterising samples, and optional additional pre-processing units. Characterising modules can be added or removed depending on operational requirements. Sample flows are controlled in accordance with an automated characterisation program, and resulting characterisation may be obtained on the basis of a combination of results from different characterisation modules with regard to the characterisation program.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2025
    Assignee: Alpha M.O.S
    Inventors: Errol Mark Rodda, François Loubet
  • Patent number: 12247900
    Abstract: A vortex vibration wind tunnel test model system for a long-span bridge and a test method thereof is disclosed. In the test model system, the base is provided with a plurality of adjustment members, each of the adjustment members is provided with a cantilever rod, and all of the cantilever rods are cantilevered in the same direction; a beam body model is provided on a cantilevered end of all of the cantilever rods; a displacement measuring member is provided below the cantilever rod, and the horizontal distance between the displacement measuring member and the beam body model exceeds 2 times a width value of the beam body model, the displacement measuring member being away from the surface of the beam body model and the position of directly below the beam body model. Therefore, the state response data of the position of the cantilever rod can be collected in real time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2025
    Assignees: China Construction 5th Engineering Bureau Co., Ltd., Hunan University
    Inventors: Shuai Zhou, Xugang Hua, Zhengqing Chen, Wen Chen, Cong Fang, Zhiwen Huang
  • Patent number: 12222335
    Abstract: A preparative chromatograph system includes a sample injector that injects a sample into a separation flow path (8) through which a mobile phase flows, a separation column that is provided on the separation flow path and is to separate a sample injected into the separation flow path into components, a detector that is provided at a position farther downstream than the separation column on the separation flow path and is to detect sample components obtained by separation in the separation column, a collector having a plurality of collection containers for collecting part of an eluate eluted from the separation column and a switch mechanism configured to be capable of selectively connecting a downstream end of the separation flow path to any one of the collection containers, a collection setter configured to set a portion, to be collected in each of the collection containers, of an eluate eluted from the separation column using a pre-acquired chromatogram of a sample, and a collection setter configured to be ca
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2025
    Assignee: SHIMADZU CORPORATION
    Inventor: Michiaki Owa
  • Patent number: 12215996
    Abstract: The proposed technical solution relates to measuring technology and is intended for measuring levels of measured medium in various branches of industry. The technical problem solved by the claimed invention is the production of a capacitive level sensor which demonstrates high operational reliability and provides highly accurate measurements. The technical result achieved by using the claimed invention consists in overcoming the disadvantages of the prior art, increasing the reliability and manufacturability of the design and thus increasing the accuracy of interface level measurements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2025
    Inventors: Boris Valerevich Pankov, Aleksandr Borisovich Maksimenko, Yury Anatolevich Diakonov, Alexandr Grigorievich Krestinov
  • Patent number: 12216097
    Abstract: A method for identifying a sample includes collecting a sample in a sample cylinder, directing the sample from the sample cylinder to a tube with controlled pressure, and identifying a phase, a color, and existence of impurities of the sample through a transparent portion of the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2025
    Assignee: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventor: Ahmad Saeed Al-Saffar
  • Patent number: 12203906
    Abstract: The exemplary embodiments may determine a temperature set point for an outlet heater or cooler based on available information without requiring user input or requiring only minimal user input. The exemplary embodiments may estimate the temperature set point of the outlet heater based on available information, such as pressure delta along the column, temperature at the inlet of the chromatography column, and volumetric flow rate. In some instances, the estimate may be normalized for column dimensions, such as length and diameter. Tailing factor may also be used in determining the estimate. The estimate is not computationally burdensome and can be recalculated as the chromatography column is in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2025
    Assignee: Waters Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Michael O. Fogwill, Jason F. Hill, Fabrice Gritti