Patents Examined by Alexander Mercado
  • Patent number: 10184872
    Abstract: A viscosity/elasticity measurement device includes a container for containing a measurement target material for detection of viscosity/elasticity is contained, a floating rotor made of material including a conductor, formed in a plate and circular shape when seen in plan view, and configured to be floated on a surface of the measurement target material, a magnet applying a magnetic field to the floating rotor in a direction perpendicular to a surface of the measurement target material, a rotational magnetic field control unit driving the magnet to apply a rotational magnetic field to the floating rotor, inducing an induction current in the conductor, and applying rotational torque to the floating rotor to rotate by Lorentz interaction between the induction current and the magnetic field applied to the floating rotor, and a viscosity detection unit detecting the viscosity/elasticity of the measurement target material based on a rotation state of the floating rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: THE FOUNDATION FOR THE PROMOTION OF INDUSTRIAL SCIENCE
    Inventor: Keiji Sakai
  • Patent number: 10175137
    Abstract: A pressure measurement device has: a first chamber coupled to at least one fluid utilization unit, a second chamber coupled to a vacuum source, a seat with a passage for the fluid between the first and the second chamber, a plug for allowing or blocking the fluid flow through the passage, a retaining member for retaining the plug against the seat, a pressure sensor, and a measurement cavity coupled to the first chamber. The retaining member has a channel arranged to couple the first chamber and the measurement cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: AKWEL SA
    Inventor: Marco Martino Spanevello
  • Patent number: 10168266
    Abstract: Present disclosure provides a portable viscometer including a body and a measuring unit disposed on one side of the body. The measuring unit includes a capillary tube detachably attached to the measuring unit, and a first sensor and a second sensor, the first and second sensors being disposed adjacent to the capillary tube and vertically spaced apart from each other, and the capillary tube includes a bead therein. The bead may be fixed on the inner surface of the capillary tube by a fixing compound which is soluble in a fluid to be measured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignees: ELECTRONICS AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS RESEARCH INSTITUTE, KOREA INSTITUTE OF ORIENTAL MEDICINE
    Inventors: Wan Joong Kim, Myeong Soo Lee, Moon Youn Jung, Dae-Sik Lee, Ju Ah Lee, Ho Young Lee
  • Patent number: 10145773
    Abstract: A system and method for measuring the deformation over time of the surface of a non-Newtonian fluid in a sampling container in response to an airjet that is applied for a specified time are disclosed. The change is the sample surface displacement is measured quantitatively by means of optical triangulation or other similar optical or electronic distance measuring device. After cessation of the airjet, gravitational forces cause the sample material to flow back to its original surface profile. Both the amplitude of the deformation displacement due to the force of the airjet and the recovered displacement, within specific time periods are characteristic of asphalt binder material with varying amounts of polymer or other additives used to control the ultimate properties and performance of the material. As a result, comparison of the quantitative measurements of control samples can allow discrimination from samples with different properties and hence different formulations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Inventor: John W. Newman
  • Patent number: 10145276
    Abstract: An exemplary method of monitoring a position of a lubricant valve in a gas turbine engine includes monitoring a position of a lubricant valve using a first auxiliary pressure reading and a second auxiliary pressure reading. The first auxiliary pressure reading is taken when a primary lubrication circuit is at a first pressure. The second auxiliary pressure reading is taken when the primary lubrication circuit is at a second pressure. An exemplary assembly that detects transitions of a lubricant valve in a gas turbine engine includes a controller that uses readings of the primary pressure and readings of the auxiliary pressure to detect a position of a lubricant valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventor: Francis Parnin
  • Patent number: 10139261
    Abstract: The present invention provides a sensor assembly for installation within an opening in a wall separating an interior cavity from an exterior. The sensor assembly includes an exterior housing and a cartridge including a sensor. When the cartridge is correctly positioned within the housing, a flow path is established from the interior cavity to the sensor supported within the cartridge. When the cartridge is not positioned within the housing, the flow path is blocked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: Parker-Hannifin Corporation
    Inventors: Lewis J. Boyd, Francisco Lorenzo Aparicio, German Leonardo Diaz Cuevas
  • Patent number: 10126185
    Abstract: An input device 1 comprises a sensor circuit 91 which includes a pressure-sensitive sensor 50 and a first fixed resistor 914 which is electrically connected in series to the pressure-sensitive sensor 50. A resistance value Rf of the first fixed resistor 914 satisfies the following expression (1). In the expression (1), RsHL is a resistance value of the pressure-sensitive sensor 50 when ½ of the maximum working load of the pressure-sensitive sensor 50 is applied, and Co is a resistance correction coefficient within the range of 1/16 to 1/1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: FUJIKURA LTD.
    Inventors: Toshiaki Watanabe, Makoto Takamatsu, Osamu Aoki, Yasuyuki Tachikawa
  • Patent number: 10107701
    Abstract: A MEMS pressure sensor device is provided that can provide both a linear output with regard to external pressure, and a differential capacitance output so as to improve the signal amplitude level. These benefits are provided through use of a rotating proof mass that generates capacitive output from electrodes configured at both ends of the rotating proof mass. Sensor output can then be generated using a difference between the capacitances generated from the ends of the rotating proof mass. An additional benefit of such a configuration is that the differential capacitance output changes in a more linear fashion with respect to external pressure changes than does a capacitive output from traditional MEMS pressure sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: NXP USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew C. McNeil, Yizhen Lin
  • Patent number: 10078042
    Abstract: The present invention refers to a method wherein a test body is assembled in specific configurations to be submitted to testing in a conventional hydrostatic chamber. The method calls for assembling a test body that simulates cementing failures, the presence of stress anisotropy and a borehole of irregular geometry, by pressurizing said test body in a conventional hydrostatic chamber. The uniform forces are distributed circumferentially around a casing stream in a non-uniform way, simulating operating conditions that are as close as possible to reality, enabling an analysis of how the structure reacts in scenarios similar to actual conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2018
    Assignee: PETRÓLEO BRASILEIRO S.A.—PETROBRAS
    Inventors: Edgard Poiate Junior, Jose Nunes Pimentel Neto, Fernando Antonio Santos Medeiros, Alvaro Maia Da Costa, Jose Luiz Falcão, Claudio Dos Santos Amaral, Renato Seixas Da Rocha
  • Patent number: 10073018
    Abstract: A system for preparing samples for chemical analysis comprises at least one sample container, and a container receptacle apparatus for receiving the sample container. The sample container comprises an elongate tubular body having a crucible portion proximal to a closed end for receiving a sample therein, and an expansion portion proximal to an open end. The container receptacle apparatus comprising a housing having a heating compartment, a cooling compartment spaced apart from the heating compartment, and an insulating region located between the heating compartment and the cooling compartment. The heating compartment is shaped to receive the crucible portion of the sample container, and the cooling compartment is shaped to receive the expansion portion of the sample container. The apparatus also includes a heating mechanism for heating the sample within the crucible portion of the sample container, and a cooling mechanism for cooling the expansion portion of the sample container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: COLDBLOCK TECHNOLOGIES INC.
    Inventors: Ravi K. Kanipayor, Ron J. Emburgh
  • Patent number: 10072953
    Abstract: A fastening assembly for a sensor assembly has a metal bush and a fastener. It is possible for the metal bush to be connected via the fastener to a vehicle body. The sensor assembly includes at least one sensor module and an associated sensor assembly. The metal bush has a sleeve as a single-point fixing and a plate as a carrier unit for a carrier plate on which the at least one sensor module is arranged. The sleeve is led through a central through-passage in the carrier plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Klaus Miekley, Rainer Willig, Berthold Rogge, Herbert Oechsner, Georg Konstantin
  • Patent number: 10072963
    Abstract: A liquid-level sensing instrument for determining the level of a liquid in a container or vessel such as a laboratory tube in a rack or a well in a well plate with the container having an acoustically transparent top opening to direct ultrasonic signals to the liquid surface and receive reflected signals where the transceiver sensor instrument is constructed with a piezoelectric focusing sensor that has a concave focusing surface for focusing ultrasonic signals through the opening to the liquid surface in a selected container particularly a container in a group of containers and receiving reflected signals for processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Inventors: Nick V. Solokhin, William M. Hess, Brian J. Lechman, Alexander V. Drynkin, David B. Miller
  • Patent number: 10041870
    Abstract: A sensor for measuring a density of a fluid is provided. The sensor (200) includes a flow tube (104) for receiving the fluid and a vibration driver (102) coupled to the flow tube, the vibration driver configured to drive the flow tube to vibrate. The sensor also includes a vibration detector (106) coupled to the flow tube, the vibration detector detecting characteristics related to the vibrating flow tube, and a distributed temperature sensor (202) coupled to the flow tube, the distributed temperature sensor measuring a temperature of the flow tube as the flow tube vibrates. The sensor further includes measurement circuitry (110) coupled to the vibration detector and the distributed temperature sensor, the measurement circuitry determining a density of the fluid from the detected characteristics related to the vibrating flow tube and the measured temperature of the flow tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Li Gao, Michael T. Pelletier, Mark A. Proett
  • Patent number: 10036694
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided that comprises a vibrating member (402). The vibrating member (402) is for a vibrating densitometer (400). The vibrating member (402) includes one or more apertures (420). The one or more apertures (420) are sized and located in the vibrating member (402) to increase a frequency separation between a resonant frequency of a desired vibrational drive mode and a resonant frequency of one or more undesired vibrational modes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: Micro Motion, Inc.
    Inventors: Craig Brainerd Van Cleve, George Macdonald
  • Patent number: 10031331
    Abstract: A valve body in a passage of a housing connected to a through hole in a sealed machine casing can allow an inspection apparatus into an interior of the casing when open, and prevents fluid flow through the passage when closed. Seals can engage the inspection apparatus to prevent fluid flow through the passage during inspection or inspection apparatus movement. A guide conduit in the casing can include branches and can guide the inspection apparatus to multiple inspection sites. Guide marks can identify the branches to assist with navigation within the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Daniel Lawrence Banowetz, Jordan Christopher Baker, Thomas James Batzinger, Anthony James George, Ronald Irving Longwell, Matthew Peter Scoffone, Daniel David Soloway
  • Patent number: 10024748
    Abstract: Disclosed is a device for aligning a workpiece in a mass-centering device, in which in an initial position an upper flange (1) and a lower flange (2) are arranged concentrically around an axis (3) of a balancing spindle of the mass-centering device, with the upper flange (1) comprising an interface (4) for clamping means to clamp the workpiece, and the lower flange (2) an interface (5) for fastening means to fasten the device to the balancing spindle. At least two spring elements (22, 23) reside between the upper and the lower flange (1, 2), such that in the initial position the upper flange (1) takes support axially and radially exclusively on the two spring elements (22, 23). In the initial position, the upper flange (1) is movable relative to the lower flange (2) into an eccentric position by a force acting in opposition to the spring elements (22, 23).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: Schenck RoTec GmbH
    Inventor: Matthias Breitwieser
  • Patent number: 10012632
    Abstract: A personal-sized, portable explosive detection field test kit (ETK) and related methods of use. Embodiments of the disclosed ETK include a case having a closing system featuring three levels of closure which retain the case cover securely in a closed position until ready for use, while being easily opened when necessary. The ETK instructions are permanently attached to the case to prevent loss. The case includes retention features which retain the kit components until needed and protects them against loss or damage. The ETK includes one or more test tubes that are color coded and include abbreviated instructions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: Lindon Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Dalita Tomellini, Melinda Penney, Phil Brooks
  • Patent number: 10006837
    Abstract: A seating posture mannequin configured to be used for evaluating a seat, the seating posture mannequin including: a pelvic part configured to be placed on a seat cushion; a chest part configured to be disposed at a position facing a seat back, wherein a relative position between the chest part and the pelvic part can be changed; a slope adjustment device configured to change a slope of the chest part; and a processing device configured to control the slope adjustment device by using a result detected by a detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA BOSHOKU KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yoshiomi Nishigaki, Kenji Kawano
  • Patent number: 9989398
    Abstract: A device for determining a predetermined fill level of a liquid in a container, with a sensor unit, comprising a unit capable of oscillating mechanically, a transmitter unit, and a receiver unit, which is electrically and mechanically coupled to the transmitter unit, and which transduces the oscillation of the unit capable of oscillating into an electrical receiving signal. An electronic unit, comprising a regulating unit, which regulates a phase difference that exists between the electrical transmission signal and electrical receiving signal to a determined value at which the unit capable of oscillating conducts oscillations at a resonant frequency, and which forms an oscillation circuit with the transmitter unit, receiving unit and the unit capable of oscillating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: ENDRESS + HAUSER GMBH + CO. KG
    Inventors: Sascha D'Angelico, Sergej Lopatin, Franco Ferraro
  • Patent number: 9983174
    Abstract: A method and assembly for verification of the calibration of a system for non-destructive testing of pieces. The assembly includes an ultrasound probe, a perfect reflector having reference defects, and recording and data processing units. The ultrasound probe scans the perfect reflector and ultrasonic reflections from the reflector are measured by the non-destructive testing system, a recording unit records the measurements, and a data processing unit forms a virtual map of the perfect reflector based on the amplitude and time of flight of the reflections and based on predetermined characteristics of the material of the reflector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Airbus Operations (S.A.S.)
    Inventor: Franck Bentouhami