Patents Examined by Andre J. Allen
  • Patent number: 12385795
    Abstract: A tire air pressure monitoring system includes: a data acquisition unit that acquires tire air pressure data at each fixed detection period; a storage unit that stores newly acquired air pressure data P(0), and air pressure data P(1) to P(N) acquired 1 to N periods prior to the air pressure data P(0); a determination unit that determines a state in which air pressure has decreased, on the basis of air pressure data; and a communication unit that transmits a determination result of the determination unit to an external device, in which the determination unit compares each piece of the air pressure data P(1) to P(n) with the air pressure data P(0) to calculate decrease values, compares the decrease values with a preset first threshold value (th1), and determines that tire air pressure is decreasing when at least one decrease value is greater than or equal to the first threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2025
    Assignee: BRIDGESTONE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiromitsu Ichikawa, Hajime Fukumori
  • Patent number: 12385796
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a detector mounted on a base substrate and including a pressure detector to detect pressure, a base portion on the base substrate where the detector is buried, a protruding portion protruding upward from the base portion and including an exposure hole which causes the pressure detector to be exposed upward, and a lid supported by an upper surface of the protruding portion to close the exposure hole. An outer circumferential portion of the lid extends outward from the protruding portion in plan view. The lid includes a slit that is open to an outer side surface and causes the exposure hole to communicate with outside sideward of the semiconductor device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2023
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2025
    Assignee: MURATA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yoshihiro Yoshida
  • Patent number: 12385818
    Abstract: Systems and methods for modeling gas desorption in a subterranean reservoir include measuring a gas sorption parameter using a crushed core sample from the subterranean reservoir; computing a gas storage capacity of the subterranean reservoir at an initial reservoir pressure based on the gas sorption parameter; generating a three-dimensional (3D) distribution of total organic carbon (TOC) in the subterranean reservoir; estimating a 3D distribution of original adsorbed gas in place of the subterranean reservoir by correlating the gas storage capacity with the 3D distribution of TOC; and predicting the amount of gas desorbed from the subterranean reservoir as the reservoir is depleted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2023
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2025
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Moemen A. Abdelrahman, Belaifa Elhadi, Zhen Chen
  • Patent number: 12364434
    Abstract: A sensor apparatus includes at least one substrate layer of an elastically deformable material, the substrate layer extending longitudinally between spaced apart ends thereof. A conductive layer is attached to and extends longitudinally between the spaced apart ends of the at least one substrate layer. The conductive layer includes an electrically conductive material adapted to form a strain gauge having an electrical resistance that varies based on deformation of the conductive layer in at least one direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2024
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2025
    Assignees: CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY, THE UNITED STATES AS REPRESENTED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
    Inventors: Steve Ja Majerus, Jeremy Dunning, Katherine M. Bogie, Joseph A Potkay
  • Patent number: 12352609
    Abstract: A fluid velocity sensor can include a thermally conductive body comprising a first temperature sensor, a second temperature sensor, and a third temperature sensor. A heating element is secured within the fluid velocity sensor to heat the thermally conductive body. The first temperature sensor, the second temperature sensor, and the third temperature sensor each reside within the thermally conductive body at different radial distances from the heating element. A flowrate of a fluid in contact with the fluid velocity sensor is determined based on a comparison between the internal temperatures measured by each of the first, second, and third temperature sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2025
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Mustafa A. Al-Huwaider, Shouxiang Mark Ma
  • Patent number: 12352740
    Abstract: Described herein is a method of analyzing nutrient content in soil, the method comprising a) obtaining a soil sample, b) adding a liquid to the soil sample to form a soil slurry, c) flowing the soil slurry through a filter, whereby the filter is oriented such that the soil slurry flows downward through the filter at least partially under the effects of gravity, d) blending a reagent composition with the soil slurry to form a soil mixture, and e) measuring an absorbance of the soil mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2025
    Assignee: Precision Planting LLC
    Inventors: Richard Petroski, Rachel Nelson
  • Patent number: 12351138
    Abstract: A sensor assembly includes a sensor including a sensor window, a cover fixed relative to the sensor, a bracket supporting the sensor, a duct extending around the sensor from an inlet at the cover adjacent to the sensor to an outlet at the cover adjacent to the sensor on an opposite side of the sensor from the inlet, and a deflector fixed relative to the sensor and spaced downwardly from the sensor. The cover is positioned to expose at least a portion of the sensor window. The duct extends between the sensor and the bracket. The deflector is shaped to direct airflow toward the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2025
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Kunal Chaudhari, Tyler D. Hamilton, Venkatesh Krishnan, Subba Reddy Boggu
  • Patent number: 12352639
    Abstract: A sensor unit according to an embodiment includes a piezoelectric sensor having a wire shape, and a measurement part including an abutting surface formed with a guide groove that holds a part of the piezoelectric sensor and abutting a measurement object at predetermined pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2025
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Masahiro Uekita
  • Patent number: 12352645
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a detector mounted on a base substrate and including a pressure detector to detect pressure, a base portion on the base substrate where the detector is buried, a protruding portion protruding upward from the base portion and including an exposure hole which causes the pressure detector to be exposed upward, and a lid supported by an upper surface of the protruding portion to close the exposure hole. An outer circumferential portion of the lid extends outward from the protruding portion in plan view. The lid includes a slit that is open to an outer side surface and causes the exposure hole to communicate with outside sideward of the semiconductor device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2023
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2025
    Assignee: MURATA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yoshihiro Yoshida
  • Patent number: 12345613
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a technique of configuring flexible photovoltaic tracker systems with high damping and low angle stow positions. Under dynamic environmental loads implementing a high amount of damping (e.g., greater than 25% of critical damping, greater than 50% of critical damping) or a very high amount of damping (e.g., 100% or greater of critical damping, infinite damping) enables the flexible tracker system to prevent problematic aeroelastic behaviors while positioned in a low stow angle. The disclosed technique is further applied to a prototyping process during wind tunnel testing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2023
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2025
    Assignee: FCX SOLAR LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Thomas Needham, Frank Carl Oudheusden
  • Patent number: 12344051
    Abstract: Sensor assemblies and systems comprise a housing configured to accommodate an electrical sensor device therein, mechanically retain the same, and provide a protective surrounding thereto. The housing may include display indicia relating to some aspect of the sensor assembly. The electrical sensor device include electrical components useful for the purpose of monitoring and transmitting desired data relating to operating parameters/conditions of the dynamic article that the sensor assembly is attached with, e.g., a vehicle tire. The data is transmitted wirelessly from the electrical sensor device. The housing is removably attached with a retaining member that is also attached with the dynamic article. A receiver external from the dynamic article receives the data for the purpose of determine such operating parameter/or conditions, when the dynamic article is a vehicle tire, as tire tread depth, tire pressure, vehicle camber and toe alignment variations, and tire/vehicle location, which may be stored.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2025
    Assignee: Cerebrum Sensor Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Keith George Ferry
  • Patent number: 12339149
    Abstract: A clamp-on ultrasonic flowmeter includes pairs of ultrasonic transducers arranged on an exterior of a pipeline, and an electronic measuring/operating circuit for operating the transducers and for registering and evaluating measurement signals and for providing measured values of volume flow or flow velocity. The pairs are implemented as 1-traverse or 2-traverse pairs. One-traverse pairs are arranged on opposite sides of the pipeline, and 2-traverse pairs are arranged on a same side of the pipeline. At least three pairs are arranged on the pipeline and are distributed peripherally. Adjoining pairs of a number of pairs have an inner angle down to a minimum inner angle (MIA) between one another measured about a pipeline axis, which minimum inner angle obeys the following relationship: MIA=360°/(T*N*F(T,N)) with T as number of traverses and F(T,N)=0.38+0.62*T+(0.048?0.01*T{circumflex over (?)}2)*(N?2){circumflex over (?)}2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2025
    Assignee: Endress+Hauser Flowtec AG
    Inventors: Oliver Berberig, Thomas Fröhlich, Beat Kissling, Quirin Müller, Klaus Bussinger
  • Patent number: 12337956
    Abstract: A method includes measuring a first rotational speed of a first element of a sprag clutch of a rotorcraft, measuring a second rotational speed of a second element of the sprag clutch, determining if the sprag clutch is in an overrunning condition, wherein the determining is based on the first rotational speed and the second rotational speed, generating an estimation of an instantaneous wear rate of the sprag clutch, wherein the estimation of the instantaneous wear rate is generated based on the first rotational speed and the second rotational speed, and displaying an indication of the estimation of the instantaneous wear rate of the sprag clutch. The method includes generating an estimation of an accumulated wear of the sprag clutch, wherein the estimation of the accumulated wear is based on the estimation of the instantaneous wear rate, and displaying an indication of the estimation of the accumulated wear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2023
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2025
    Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventors: Ron L. Woods, Trenton A. Hamm, Eric S. Olson
  • Patent number: 12332756
    Abstract: There are disclosed various methods, apparatuses and computer program products for a testing apparatus. In accordance with an embodiment the testing apparatus has a frame; a gripping head for gripping a device to be tested; a first movement element for moving the gripping head with respect to the frame; a movement detector to detect at least one of a location and a position of the device; a touching element for touching the device; an imaging device for capturing images of the device; a display for generating visual information for capturing by the device; a set of sensors for examining operations of the device; a set of actuators for providing signals for reception by the device; and a set of plugs adapted to be inserted into a socket of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2025
    Assignee: OptoFidelity Oy
    Inventors: Natalia Leinonen, Petri Mantere, Kalle Ryynänen, Joni Piililä, Mika Toivakka
  • Patent number: 12332132
    Abstract: A pressure sensor is described and shown for determining the pressure of a fluid medium in a volume limited by a wall. The pressure sensor includes at least one sensor element, a sensor housing, at least one first pressure compensation channel and a protective cap. The sensor element is arranged in the sensor housing. The protective cap is connected to the sensor housing on the medium side. The sensor element is connected to the medium via the at least one first pressure compensation channel during operation. The at least one first pressure compensation channel is at least partially introduced as a recess in the protective cap. The at least one first pressure compensation channel is geometrically designed in such a way that, in order to relieve the sensor element, pressure peaks are damped by deflection and/or by increased wall friction of the medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2023
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2025
    Inventor: Klaus-Dieter Barton
  • Patent number: 12326380
    Abstract: A testing device includes a drive unit and an output unit, which are connected together via first and second gearboxes. The testing device is configured to adjustably tilt and/or adjustably displace at least one of the first and second gearboxes for at least partially simultaneous testing of the first and second gearboxes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2025
    Assignees: Flender GmbH, Vestas Wind Systems A/S
    Inventors: Flemming Kjaer Christensen, Matthias Deicke
  • Patent number: 12320723
    Abstract: A capillary pressure measurement device includes a centrifuge having a rotating apparatus adapted to hold porous media samples and to test the samples under centrifugal motion during rotation of the rotating apparatus. A fluid capture device disposed adjacent to each porous media sample receives fluid displaced from the sample due to centrifugal motion applied to the sample during rotation. A measurement system measures an amount of fluid displaced from the porous media samples by taking an image of a fluid meniscus in the fluid capture device. A position sensor determines a position of the fluid capture device and triggers a camera to take the image of the fluid meniscus when the fluid meniscus is in a field of view of the camera. The image of the fluid meniscus is processed to determine a fluid volume correlated to capillary pressure of the corresponding porous media sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2023
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2025
    Assignee: AMETEK, INC.
    Inventors: Phillip Naegele, William J. Willems, Tom Hicks
  • Patent number: 12313781
    Abstract: A sensor assembly includes a base, a sensor mounted to the base, a housing mounted to the base, and a seal extending around the base. The seal is compressed between the base and the housing. The seal includes a notch sized to permit fluid to exit from a space enclosed by the base and the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2025
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Robertson, Jr., Venkatesh Krishnan, Rashaun Phinisee
  • Patent number: 12313483
    Abstract: A sensor includes a housing having a body, a plurality of ports, and a plurality of cavities. The ports include a first port and a second port, and the cavities include a first cavity disposed in the first port and a second cavity disposed in the second port. The sensor includes a first diaphragm disposed in the first port and enclosing the first cavity and a second diaphragm disposed in the second port and enclosing the second cavity. The first diaphragm and the second diaphragm are coplanar with one another in a first plane. The sensor includes a die disposed in the first cavity and having a membrane that is deflectable according to a differential pressure between a first pressure in the first cavity and a second pressure in the second cavity. The die is attached to the housing along a second plane parallel to the first plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2023
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2025
    Assignee: TE CONNECTIVITY SOLUTIONS GmbH
    Inventors: Dave Eric Wagner, Vincent Wong
  • Patent number: 12313484
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for indicating the presence of a threshold directional differential pressure between separated adjacent spaces. An inclined conduit contains at least one movable element that indicates whether the pressure difference between the two spaces is at least as high as a threshold pressure difference. The apparatus may include an on-board pitch indicator and a roll indicator which are used together to calibrate the apparatus and its installation. The apparatus may provide only one or more discrete number of pressure difference set points and be non-adjustable once installed. The inclined conduit may be non-rotatable relative to the baseplate, and the baseplate may be rotatable to change threshold pressure difference set points. The apparatus may provide a tamper-resistant indication of whether a threshold pressure differential is present.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2023
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2025
    Assignee: AirFlow Direction, Inc.
    Inventor: Brian M. Wiseman