Patents Examined by Bach Dinh
  • Patent number: 8632665
    Abstract: The invention relates to an electrochemical sensor including a housing with a chamber containing an electrolyte, at least one measuring electrode for oxygen detection, at least one counter electrode and at least one reference electrode, wherein the sensor has a two-part diffusion barrier, wherein a first part of the barrier forms a labyrinth with a second part of the barrier disposed between the measuring and the counter electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: MSA Auer GmbH
    Inventors: Rolf Eckhardt, Martin Weber
  • Patent number: 8632668
    Abstract: A deterioration signal generation device for an oxygen sensor having a power supply different than a power supply connected to an external device, including a connection unit for electrically connecting the ground lines of the respective power supplies; a first acquisition unit for electrically connecting to a first output line at a reference potential side and to a second output line at a sensor potential side of the oxygen sensor, to obtain first and second potentials, respectively; an operation unit that calculates a first differential value between the first and second potentials; a processing unit that performs an operation on the first differential value; a second acquisition unit that acquires a third potential of a first input line at a reference potential side of the external device; and an output unit that generates the deterioration signal by superposing the second differential value on the third potential.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: NGK Spark Plug Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Seiji Maeda
  • Patent number: 8632667
    Abstract: A deterioration signal generation device for an oxygen sensor having a power supply different than a power supply connected to an external device, including a connection unit for electrically connecting the ground lines of the respective power supplies; a first acquisition unit for electrically connecting to a first output line at a reference potential side and to a second output line at a sensor potential side of the oxygen sensor, to obtain first and second potentials, respectively; an operation unit that calculates a first differential value between the first and second potentials; a processing unit that performs an operation on the first differential value; a second acquisition unit that acquires a third potential of a first input line at a reference potential side of the external device; and an output unit that generates the deterioration signal by superposing the second differential value on the third potential.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: NGK Spark Plug Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Seiji Maeda
  • Patent number: 8628650
    Abstract: Provided are a method and apparatus for measuring an isoelectric point using a field effect transistor. The method includes providing a field effect transistor including a substrate, source and drain electrodes disposed on the substrate and spaced apart from each other, and a channel region between the source and drain electrodes, providing a first electrolyte solution having a first concentration to the channel region of the field effect transistor and measuring a first current value of the channel region between the source and drain electrodes, providing a second electrolyte solution having a second concentration greater than the first concentration and measuring a second current value of the channel region between the source and drain electrodes, and determining the isoelectric point of the field effect transistor or a material disposed on the field effect transistor using a difference between the first and second current values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute
    Inventors: Chil Seong Ah, Ansoon Kim, Chan Woo Park, Chang-Geun Ahn, Jong-Heon Yang, In Bok Baek, Taeyoub Kim, Gun Yong Sung, Seon-Hee Park, Han Young Yu
  • Patent number: 8623187
    Abstract: A gas sensor including a sensor element constituted by an oxygen-ion conductive solid electrolyte as a main component and detecting a predetermined gas component in a measurement gas includes: an external communication part having an opening opened to the outside, and introducing the measurement gas from the outside under a predetermined diffusion resistance; an internal space communicating with the external communication part; a first electrode formed on a surface of the internal space; a second electrode formed in a space different from the internal space; and a pumping cell operable to pump out oxygen existing in the internal space when a predetermined voltage is applied between the first electrode and the second electrode. The thickness of the external communication part is 50% or more and 100% or less of the thickness of the internal space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: NGK Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventors: Sumiko Horisaka, Hiroki Fujita, Mika Murakami, Takashi Ito
  • Patent number: 8623188
    Abstract: A gas sensor including a plate-shaped laminate disposed in a housing and fixed thereto via an element passage member and formed by laminating a gas sensor element and a heating element. The gas sensor element includes a plate-shaped solid electrolyte member, and a pair of detection electrodes formed on front and back surfaces thereof and constituting, in cooperation with the solid electrolyte member, a detection section for detecting the concentration of a specific gas. Insulating substrates mainly composed of alumina are provided on opposite sides of the laminate in the laminating direction. Coating layers mainly composed of a first material higher in toughness than alumina are formed on at least portions of outer surfaces of the insulating substrates in the laminating direction, the portions facing the element passage member. The coating layers are not formed on surfaces of the laminate parallel to the laminating direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: NGK Spark Plug Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ai Igarashi, Noboru Furuta
  • Patent number: 8623190
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device and a method for performing maintenance on an apparatus. The device has a flow duct with a wall section in which at least one apparatus which projects into the flow duct and which is to be reworked after a certain operating time is arranged. A vessel which is open towards the wall section is arranged to as to be movable relative to the wall section in such a way that in an open position it is arranged at a distance from the apparatus, and in a second position forms, together with the wall section, a sealed volume which is separated from the rest of the flow duct and in which the maintenance of the apparatus is performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Uwe Brückner, Ingo Riesen
  • Patent number: 8623192
    Abstract: Exemplary embodiments provide systems and methods for concentrating, focusing and/or separating proteins using nanofluidic channels and/or their arrays. In embodiments, low-abundance proteins can be focused and separated with high resolution using separation techniques including isoelectric focusing (IEF), and/or dynamic field gradient focusing (DFGF) in combination with nanofluidic channels and/or multi-gate nanofluidic field-effect-transistors (FETs).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: STC.UNM
    Inventors: Sang M. Han, Youn-Jin Oh, Cornelius Ivory
  • Patent number: 8623197
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for testing workpiece overcoats is described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Western Digital (Fremont), LLC
    Inventors: Worawarit Kobsiriphat, Laddawan Supadee, Krisda Siangchaew
  • Patent number: 8623185
    Abstract: A planarized type of coupled multi-electrode corrosion sensing device. Electrode pads are fabricated on a thin backing, such as a thin film. Each pad has an associated electrical lead for connection to auxiliary electronic circuitry, which may include a resistor associated with each electrical pad. The design permits the device to be easily placed in small crevices or under coatings such as paint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Southwest Research Institute
    Inventors: Garth William Tormoen, Christopher Sean Brossia
  • Patent number: 8623186
    Abstract: A gas sensor control apparatus includes a heater regulating section to control the supply of electricity to a heater included in a gas sensor, an impedance sensing section to sense an impedance of a cell of the gas sensor, and an impedance condition examining section to examine whether the sensed impedance is greater than or equal to a predetermined abnormality judging threshold. The control apparatus further includes a voltage condition examining section to examine whether a maximum effective voltage is applied to the heater, when the impedance is above the predetermined abnormality judging threshold, a duration measuring section to examine whether an application time duration of the maximum effective voltage becomes equal to or longer than a predetermined heater overheat preventing time, and a voltage decreasing section to decrease the heater application voltage to such a lower effective voltage as to hold the temperature of the cell higher than or equal to 500° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: NGK Spark Plug Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akiyoshi Kato, Keiji Suzuki
  • Patent number: 8617372
    Abstract: An array-type sensor that senses NH3 includes non-Nernstian sensing elements constructed from metal and/or metal-oxide electrodes on an O2 ion conducting substrate. In one example sensor, one electrode may be made of platinum, another electrode may be made of manganese (III) oxide (Mn2O3), and another electrode may be made of tungsten trioxide (WO3). Some sensing elements may further include an electrode made of La0.6Sr0.4Co0.2Fe0.8O3 and another electrode made of LaCr0.95Mg0.05O3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: UT-Battelle, LLC
    Inventors: David Lawrence West, Frederick Charles Montgomery, Timothy R. Armstrong, Robert J. Warmack
  • Patent number: 8617382
    Abstract: A sensor array with at least three electrodes and a switching unit is disclosed, as well as a process for operating such a sensor array for implementing an electrochemical analysis process. The at least three electrodes can be selectively switched as counter-electrodes or as a working electrode which can be electrically coupled to an electrolytic analyte. The at least three electrodes are set up in such a way that sensor events occur at an electrode switched as working electrode in the electrolyte solution, in the presence of the electrolytic analyte. The electrodes which are not required as working electrodes at a particular point in time for detecting the electrolytic analyte can thus be switched together to form the counter-electrode of the sensor array, thus dispensing with the need for a separate counter-electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Christian Paulus
  • Patent number: 8617365
    Abstract: An electrochemical test device is provided having a base layer with a first electrode thereon and a top layer with a second electrode thereon. The two electrodes are separated by a spacer layer having an opening therein, such that a sample-receiving space is defined with one electrode on the top surface, the other electrodes on the bottom surface and side walls formed from edges of the opening in the spacer. Reagents for performing the electrochemical reaction are deposited on one of the electrodes and on the side walls of the sample-receiving space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: AgaMatrix, Inc.
    Inventor: Ian Harding
  • Patent number: 8617366
    Abstract: A disposable urea sensor has a laminated body having a fluid sample inlet end and an electrical contact end, a fluid sample inlet, a substantially flat sample chamber in communication between the fluid sample inlet and a vent opening, the sample chamber being adapted to collect a fluid sample through the fluid sample inlet, a working electrode and a reference electrode within the sample chamber, and a reagent matrix disposed on the working electrode wherein the reagent matrix contains urease.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Nova Biomedical Corporation
    Inventors: Handani Winarta, Jianhong Pei, Mary Lauro, Chung Chang Young, Xiaohua Cai
  • Patent number: 8617367
    Abstract: An electrochemical test sensor for detecting the analyte concentration of a fluid test sample includes a base, a dielectric layer, a reagent layer and a lid. The base provides a flow path for the test sample having on its surface a counter electrode and a working electrode adapted to electrically communicate with a detector of electrical current. The dielectric layer forms a dielectric window therethrough. The reagent layer includes an enzyme that is adapted to react with the analyte. The lid is adapted to mate with the base and to assist in forming a capillary space with an opening for the introduction of the test sample thereto. At least a portion of the width of the counter electrode is greater than the width of the working electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Bayer Healthcare LLC
    Inventors: Andrew J. Edelbrock, Steven C. Charlton
  • Patent number: 8617368
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an analytical tool (X) which includes a substrate (1), a flow path for moving a sample along the substrate (1), a reagent portion (14) provided in the flow path, and an insulating film (13) covering the substrate (1) and including an opening (15a) for defining a region for forming the reagent portion (14). The insulating film (13) further includes at least one additional opening (15b) positioned in a longitudinal direction (N1) relative to the opening (15a). For instance, the flow path is configured to move the sample by capillary force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Arkray, Inc.
    Inventor: Taizo Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 8551311
    Abstract: An ionic probe is provided according to the invention. The ionic probe includes an active electrode configured to generate a measurement signal for an external test fluid, a first reference electrode configured to generate a first reference signal, and an at least second reference electrode configured to generate at least a second reference signal. The measurement signal is compared to the first reference signal and the at least second reference signal in order to determine an ionic measurement of the external test fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Hach Company
    Inventors: John Robert Woodward, Pierre Antoine Robert Livrozet, Jean-Francois Maurice Rene Schvan, Russell Martin Young, Kevin James West
  • Patent number: 8540859
    Abstract: A technical measure for gel electrophoresis shaping that can make the gel electrophoresis generate no bubbles including in the gel, and can make a gradient gel being more accurate and more stable in quality. When liquid gel enters a collecting trough under continuous driving of a roller in the collecting trough to be injected into a carrier sheet set from a gel output port and a narrow seam, former injected liquid gel can be pushed upwards by latter injected liquid gel, and an accomplished product of gel can be obtained. If the collecting trough is input with two liquid basic materials, the liquid gel continuously output into the carrier sheet set can have a gradient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Wealtec Bioscience Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hui-Wan Chen
  • Patent number: 8496795
    Abstract: An electrochemical gas sensor with a plurality of electrodes is provided with an electrolyte, with a gas-permeable membrane (1), with a gas-permeable and conductive carrier layer (2) applied to the membrane (1) and with at least one measuring electrode (3) applied to the carrier layer (2). The measuring electrode (3) is of a punctiform design and the electrochemical potential difference of the reaction between the carrier layer (2) and the measuring electrode (3) is at least 20 mV, can be manufactured in a compact form and makes possible an especially low power consumption for measured gases in the percentage range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: Dräger Safety AG & Co. KGaA
    Inventor: Uwe Kühn