Patents Examined by Anthony W Megna Fuentes
  • Patent number: 11927465
    Abstract: A flow sensor system for detecting the presence or absence of flow of a liquid nutrient formula through a conduit of an enteral feeding system. The flow sensor system includes a channel configured to retain the conduit therein, a heat source disposed at a first location at a first portion of the conduit, and a heat detector disposed at a second location at a second portion of the conduit. The heat source may include an IR LED, and the heat detector may include a thermopile sensor. A method for using the flow sensor system to detect the presence or absence of flow of a liquid nutrient formula through a conduit of an enteral feeding system is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Inventors: Peter J. Sacchetti, Hannu Pulli
  • Patent number: 11927571
    Abstract: Methods for determining the hardness and/or ductility of a material by compression of the material are provided as a first aspect of the invention. Typically, compression is performed on multiple sides of a geologic material sample in a contemporaneous manner. Devices and systems for performing such methods also are provided. These methods, devices, and systems can be combined with additional methods, devices, and systems of the invention that provide for the analysis of compounds contained in such samples, which can indicate the presence of valuable materials, such as petroleum-associated hydrocarbons. Alternatively, these additional methods, devices, and systems can also stand independently of the methods, devices, and systems for analyzing ductility and/or hardness of materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Inventor: Michael P. Smith
  • Patent number: 11923138
    Abstract: A collecting device includes a stage configured to place a substrate. A magnetic field generating unit holds, by a magnetic field, a first liquid containing a magnetic fluid and a collecting liquid to bring the first liquid into contact with at least an end portion of the substrate. A collecting unit collects the first liquid from the magnetic field generating unit. A separating unit separates the collecting liquid from the first liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: KIOXIA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Sho Kato, Yuji Yamada, Jiahong Wu
  • Patent number: 11906399
    Abstract: A well sampling apparatus is described herein. The well sampling apparatus includes one or more pressure-activated samplers in a sampling assembly. The samplers are coupled to an activating mechanism that includes a remotely activated local actuator. The remotely activated local actuator is coupled to a pressure source that, when released by the remotely activated local actuator, operates the pressure-activated sample to obtain a sample fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Brian Abbott, Ian James Mainwaring, Akhil Bahl, Carlos Merino
  • Patent number: 11898940
    Abstract: A method of inspecting a leak detection system in a short time is disclosed. The leak detection system includes a leak detection line, an on-off valve, a flow mater, an operation controller configured to detect a fluid leak from a fluid line based on a first flow rate measured by the flow mater, a drain line, and a drain valve attached to the drain line. The inspection method includes: opening the on-off valve and the drain valve, with a supply valve and a return valve closed; measuring a second flow rate of fluid in the leak detection line by the flow mater; and determining that the leak detection system has a defect when the second flow rate is lower than a predetermined reference value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: EBARA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Toru Maruyama, Mitsunori Komatsu, Keisuke Kamiki
  • Patent number: 11897608
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an apparatus for facilitating sampling water of water bodies, in accordance with some embodiments. Further, the apparatus comprises a primary housing, a secondary housing, a movement assembly, a sensor, a storage device, and a power source. Further, the secondary housing is submerged in a water body based on disposing of the primary housing. Further, the secondary housing receives a water sample from a depth of the water body in a secondary interior cavity through an opening of the secondary housing based on submerging of the secondary housing in the water body in the depth. Further, the movement assembly transitions the secondary housing between a retracted position and an extended position for the submerging. Further, the sensor generates sensor data based on detecting a characteristic of the water sample. Further, the storage device stores the sensor data. Further, the power source powers the sensor, and the storage device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Inventor: Daniel Marion
  • Patent number: 11892383
    Abstract: A system and method for sampling a sample material includes a device for directing sample into a capture probe. The device for supplying sample material to the probe can be a device for radiating energy to the sample material to eject sample from the sample material. A probe includes an outer probe housing having an open end. A liquid supply conduit has an outlet positioned to deliver liquid to the open end. An exhaust conduit removes liquid from the open end of the housing. The liquid supply conduit can be connectable to a liquid supply for delivering liquid at a first volumetric flow rate to the open end of the housing. A liquid exhaust system can be in fluid connection with the liquid exhaust conduit for removing liquid from the liquid exhaust conduit at a second volumetric flow rate such that gas with sample is withdrawn with the liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: UT-BATTELLE, LLC
    Inventors: Vilmos Kertesz, Gary J. Van Berkel
  • Patent number: 11892361
    Abstract: A device and method for measuring temperature during tribological examination of sample materials. More specifically, the device includes a sample holder that provides for surface temperature measurement for sample materials undergoing tribological testing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: SOUTHWEST RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Carlos Sanchez, Michael Moneer, Peter Lee
  • Patent number: 11881321
    Abstract: A device for measuring a total gas content of a primary circuit of a PWR nuclear power plant includes a shielding protective cover, and a sampling assembly and a sample measuring assembly that are detachably connected to the shielding protective cover; the sampling assembly includes a sampling bottle; a valve connected to one mouth of the sampling bottle through a pipeline; a second valve connected to the other mouth of the sampling bottle through a pipeline; a first quick female connector connected with the first valve through a pipeline; a second quick female connector connected to the second valve through a pipeline; a balance pipeline, one end being connected to the pipeline between the first valve and the first quick female connector, and the other end being connected to the pipeline between the second valve and the second quick female connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: SANMEN NUCLEAR POWER CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Dong Chen, Tao Hou, Li Miao, Xudong Wu, Gaoyong Liu
  • Patent number: 11867676
    Abstract: A multi-gas sensing system includes a sensing circuit comprising one or more sensing elements. Each sensing element includes a sensing material configured to detect at least one gas analyte. A management circuit is configured to excite the sensing elements with an alternating current at at least one predetermined frequency. The management circuit measures one or more electrical responses of the sensing elements responsive to exciting the sensing elements with the alternating current. The management circuit determines one or more characteristics of the sensing circuit. One or more processors receive the electrical responses of the sensing elements and the characteristics of the sensing circuit. The one or more processors determine a concentration of the at least one gas analyte based on the electrical responses of the sensing elements and the characteristics of the sensing circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Radislav Alexandrovich Potyrailo, Richard St. Pierre, Bruce Courtney Amm
  • Patent number: 11867609
    Abstract: An accelerated corrosion test apparatus includes: a moisture sensor disposed near the reinforcing steel exposed from a cracked portion of concrete; a weight measuring instrument that measures a weight of the reinforced concrete specimen; and a control terminal that is connected both to the moisture sensor and to the weight measuring instrument and controls a temperature and humidity control device, thereby alternately and repeatedly performing a wetting step of supplying moisture to the inside of a crack in the cracked concrete, and a drying step of removing moisture in the inside of the crack and moisture on the exposed surface of the reinforcing steel, wherein the control terminal terminates the wetting step and starts the drying step when moisture is detected in the moisture sensor, or when change in slope of weight change of the reinforced concrete specimen is detected, after the start of the wetting step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: NIPPON TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yosuke Takeuchi, Takashi Miwa, Takuya Kamisho, Soichi Oka
  • Patent number: 11859754
    Abstract: A pipeline profiler includes an elongated body and a plurality of mechanical arms projecting radially about the elongated body. Each mechanical arm has an adjustable angle bracket shape and a hinge joint formed at a corner of the adjustable angle bracket shape. Odometers to measure a travel distance of the elongated body are coupled to the mechanical arms at the hinge joints of the mechanical arms. Motion devices are coupled to the elongated body to detect the azimuth and inclination of the elongated body. To obtain a profile of a pipeline, the pipeline profiler is attached to a pig that is movable through the pipeline by a fluid pressure in the pipeline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventor: Saud Aqeel Saud AlShammari
  • Patent number: 11846549
    Abstract: A Mass Flow Sensor (MFS) is provided and includes an MFS housing, a mounting structure, having a mounting structure top and a mounting structure bottom, wherein the MFS housing is associated with the mounting structure top, a first sensor leg, wherein the first sensor leg extends away from the mounting structure bottom and includes a first temperature measurement device and a heating element. The MFS further includes a second sensor leg, wherein the second sensor leg extends away from the mounting structure and includes a second temperature measurement device and an airfoil structure, wherein the airfoil structure defines an airfoil cavity and is associated with the mounting structure bottom to contain the first sensor leg and the second sensor leg.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: HarcoSemco LLC
    Inventors: Igor Giterman, Robert A. Croce, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11835431
    Abstract: A true three-dimensional physical simulation system for the influence of fault movement on tunnel operation and a test method, including a fault movement rack system, a fault movement jacking system, and a loading and movement control system. The fault movement rack system accommodates a movement model and serves as a loading reaction device. The fault movement jacking system implements fault movement and ensures that the model is not twisted and overturned in a fault movement process. The loading and movement control system performs initial ground stress loading on the model and controls the fault movement jacking system to implement fault movement of the model. Fault movement of a deep stratum under a complex high ground stress condition can be simulated, the influence of underground fault movement on safe and stable operation of a deep tunnel is simulated, and a powerful technical support is provided for safe construction of deep engineering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Inventors: Qiangyong Zhang, Ruixin Zhang, Weizhong Chen, Kang Duan, Wen Xiang, Hanxiang Lin, Lei Cheng, Pengfei Wang
  • Patent number: 11835444
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a tribometer comprises: an infrared (IR) transparent and optically transparent disk coupled to a platform, the disk having an observation side disk surface on an observation side of the disk and a contact side disk surface on a contact side of the disk; a motor coupled to the disk to rotate the disk around a rotational axis of the disk; a pivot support coupled to the platform; a pivoting member connected to the pivot support to pivot along a pivot plane; a sample holder configured to hold a sample and be coupled with the pivoting member to place the sample in contact with the contact side disk surface of the disk; and an IR camera and an optical microscope disposed on the observation side of the disk to observe the sample in sliding contact with the contact side disk surface of the disk driven in rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AS REPRESENTED BY THE SECRETARY OF THE ARMY
    Inventors: James H Lever, Susan Taylor, Garrett R Hoch, Emily Asenath-Smith
  • Patent number: 11828686
    Abstract: Liquid sampling apparatus and methods enable hands free collection of samples from surface waters via drone or other remote delivery systems. The liquid sampling apparatus includes a frame configured to support a plurality of groundwater sampling bailers in circumferential spaced apart relationship around a central axis of the frame, each bailer comprising an elongate tubular housing configured to collect and store a liquid sample from a body of liquid. A weight is movably secured to the frame and is configured to move between a retracted position and a downwardly extended position. When in the downwardly extended position, the weight is configured to maintain the liquid sampling apparatus and the plurality of groundwater sampling bailers in a generally vertical orientation during liquid sample collection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: Duke Energy Corporation
    Inventors: Maverick James Raber, Jason Chadwick Green, Isaac John Medford
  • Patent number: 11821774
    Abstract: A flow sensor including a fluid flow path, a first sensor configured to determine a first measurement of a thermal diffusivity and/or a viscosity of a fluid in the fluid flow path, a second sensor configured to determine a second measurement of a fluid flow velocity and/or a volumetric flow rate of the fluid in the fluid flow path, and at least one processor configured to adjust the second measurement based on the first measurement. A method including receiving fluid in a fluid flow path of a flow sensor, determining a first measurement of a thermal diffusivity and/or a viscosity of the fluid in the fluid flow path, determining a second measurement of a fluid flow velocity and/or a volumetric flow rate of the fluid in the fluid flow path, and adjusting the second measurement based on the first measurement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: Becton, Dickinson and Company
    Inventors: Mark Andrew Nelson, Daniel Chenet
  • Patent number: 11814821
    Abstract: A non-invasive thermal dispersion flow meter with chronometric monitor for fluid leak detection includes a heater, an ambient temperature sensor and a flow rate sensor which are configured to sense the temperature of a fluid in a conduit, and then monitor the flow of that fluid through the conduit. Based upon the ambient temperature sensor readings, the flow rate sensor and heater may be adjusted to optimize the operation of the system to detect leaks. Based on the sensor readings, the flow may be adjusted to prevent damage and leaks by relieving the system of excess pressure. Geographic location, occupancy sensors and occupant identifiers are used to control the system to facilitate operation and minimize leak damage when occupants are away.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: Sentinel Hydrosolutions, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Trescott, Scott Shaw, Scott Pallais, Kenneth Fox
  • Patent number: 11796426
    Abstract: An HVAC system is monitored or tested using a tube with a measurement instrument in the tube. The tube is connected to an HVAC system and an output of the HVAC system is measured using the measurement instrument. The tube is connected between the HVAC system and a volume to be conditioned. A reading of the measurement instrument is noted while the tube is connected between the HVAC system and volume. The volume is disconnected from the tube and a valve is connected to the tube. The valve is adjusted until the reading of the measurement instrument is approximately the same with the valve as when the volume was connected. A setting of the valve is noted and then used to test the HVAC system in the future or to test other HVAC systems simulating the same load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: Energy Quest Technologies Inc.
    Inventor: Dwayne M. Benson
  • Patent number: 11796497
    Abstract: According to various embodiments, there is provided an odor sensor including at least two sensor elements each having a substance adsorbing membrane for adsorbing one or more odor substances included in air; and an electrical signal conversion unit for measuring the electrical characteristics of the substance adsorbing membrane after adsorption of the substance, in which the substance adsorbing membrane has a main skeleton containing an electroconductive polymer and contains a dopant for modifying the main skeleton of the electroconductive polymer, and the at least two sensor elements are respectively provided with substance adsorbing membranes having different proportions of the main skeleton and the dopant. Also provided is an odor measurement system using the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Inventor: Kenichi Hashizume