Patents Examined by Benjamin Schmitt
  • Electrophotographic photosensitive member, process cartridge, and electrophotographic apparatus
    Patent number: 9857704
    Abstract: A process cartridge includes an electrophotographic photosensitive member and a gap retaining member, where the electrophotographic photosensitive member includes a first region having an undercoat layer, a charge generating layer, and a charge transporting layer on a support in this order and a second region having an undercoat layer and a charge transporting layer on a support in this order, the undercoat layer contains a metal oxide particle and any one of an urethane resin, an amino resin, and a polyamide resin as a binder resin, and the charge transporting layer contains a charge transporting substance and at least one selected from the group consisting of a polycarbonate resin and a polyester resin, and where the gap retaining member comes into contact with a surface of the second region of the electrophotographic photosensitive member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yota Ito, Hiroyuki Tomono, Takashi Anezaki, Daisuke Miura, Harunobu Ogaki
  • Gas sensor package
    Patent number: 9851336
    Abstract: A gas sensor package is configured such that an output change part is provided in the gas sensor package including a gas sensor so that a resistance output mode can be changed to a voltage output mode, thereby enabling the gas sensor to have a regular initial voltage value by compensating a resistance change value to an initial gas sensing material. According to embodiments of the present application, a gas sensor package is configured such that a gas moving separation part is formed between a gas sensing element and a substrate with regard to a structure in which a gas sensing element is mounted to the substrate in a flip chip bonding method so that gas can be smoothly moved and thus gas sensing efficiency can be maximized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: LG INNOTEK CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jee Heum Paik, Ji Hun Hwang
  • Sensor and method of manufacturing the same
    Patent number: 9851271
    Abstract: A sensor and a method of manufacturing the same are provided. The sensor includes a substrate, a projecting portion including a plurality of projections that protrude upwardly from an upper portion of the substrate, and an electrode portion covering the projections and the upper portion of the substrate between the projections. The projecting portion of the sensor has micro projections to enable the sensor to sense pressure and a sliding movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Research & Business Foundation Sungkyunkwan University
    Inventors: Jachoon Koo, Hyouk Ryeol Choi, Hyungpil Moon, Baek Chul Kim, Do Yeon Hwang
  • Lubricant health and service determination
    Patent number: 9846149
    Abstract: A method is disclosed that includes determining a current level of a plurality of lubricant parameters present in a portion of lubricant, comparing the current level of each of the plurality of lubricant parameters to a threshold value corresponding to each of the plurality of lubricant parameters, analyzing a priority of each of the lubricant parameters, and determining a health status of the lubricant in response to the comparing and the analyzing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: Ingersoll-Rand Company
    Inventors: Ming Cao, David Cowley, Mike Lukavsky
  • Total pressure and total temperature measurement in wet gas condition
    Patent number: 9846098
    Abstract: A probe for the measurement of the total pressure or temperature of a two phase wet gas flow is also disclosed. Embodiments provide a stem, a tip on the top of the stem, a cup serving as a shield is formed in the tip, a at least one tube or thermal element positioned within the cup serving as a measuring device for the incoming wet gas flow; at least one hole which passes through at least one wall of the cup; and a pressure changing device configured to accelerate the wet gas flowing around the cup. A method and system for the measurement of the total pressure or temperature of a two phase wet gas flow is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: Nuovo Pignone Srl
    Inventors: Filippo Gerbi, Marco Marrazzo, Francesco Maraschiello, Giampaolo Manfrida
  • Angular velocity sensor
    Patent number: 9846036
    Abstract: There is provided an angular velocity sensor including first and second mass bodies provided within a first frame, a first flexible connector system connecting the first and second mass bodies and the first frame and that includes at least one sensor to detect displacements of the first and second mass bodies, a second flexible connector system connecting the first frame to a second frame provided separate from the first frame and that includes a driver to drive movement of the first frame relative to the second frame, so angular velocities can be measured based on the first and second mass bodies being enabled to rotate in a first axis direction and translated in a second axis direction, and based on the first frame being flexibly connected to the second frame so that a rotation displacement of the first frame is made in a third axis direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jong Woon Kim, Won Han, Jong Hyeong Song
  • Continuous mode reversal for rejecting drift in gyroscopes
    Patent number: 9846055
    Abstract: A vibratory gyroscope system is described which utilizes a mechanical resonator having a first mode of vibration and an associated first natural frequency, and a second mode of vibration having an associated second natural frequency. The angular rate of motion input couples energy between the first and second modes of vibration. The gyroscope has driver circuits, sensors and actuators for the first and second modes. The invention utilizes a bias error shifting method which provides for shifting the bias error away from DC to a higher frequency, where it can be removed by low pass filtering. As a result of the inventive method, gyroscope systems can be produced with significantly lower bias error.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
    Inventors: Bernhard E. Boser, Mitchell H. Kline, Igor Izyumin, Yu-Ching Yeh, Burak Eminoglu
  • Device for fixing an electronic box in the wheel of a vehicle
    Patent number: 9834044
    Abstract: A device (D) fixes, to the internal wall of a tire (P), an electronic box (100) for measuring parameters inside the tire, the device (D) associating the box (100) with a flexible receptacle (200) which, being fixed to the internal wall by an adhesion means (300), is preformed so as to accept and hold said box (100), remarkable in that said flexible receptacle (200) forms a compartment (210) equipped with an opening (220), by means of which said box (100) is introduced and which is bordered by an edge (221) extending externally and offering a contact surface (222) for the adhesion means (300) so that, once the receptacle (200) is fixed, said opening (220) is closed by the internal wall on which the receptacle (200) is fixed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: LDL Technology SAS
    Inventor: Dominique Luce
  • Charging device having movable charging member and movable cleaning member and image forming apparatus including the charging device
    Patent number: 9829823
    Abstract: A charging device includes a charging member, a cleaning member, and a bearing. The charging member charges an image carrier. The cleaning member cleans the charging member. The bearing includes a first bearing part and a second bearing part. The first bearing part rotatably supports the charging member. The second bearing part rotatably supports the cleaning member and is divided from the first bearing part. The first bearing part is movable between a first contact position to make the charging member come into contact with the image carrier and a first separating position to make the charging member separate from the image carrier. The second bearing part is movable between a second contact position to make the cleaning member come into contact with the charging member and a second separating position to make the cleaning member separate from the charging member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Hiroki Morishita, Nobuhiro Nishioka
  • Gyroscope structure and gyroscope device
    Patent number: 9829318
    Abstract: A microelectromechanical gyroscope structure for detecting angular motion about an axis of angular motion. A drive element is suspended for one-dimensional motion in a direction of a drive axis, and a sense body carries one or more sense rotor electrodes and is coupled to the drive element with a first directional spring structure that forces the sense body to move with the drive element and has a preferred direction of motion in a direction of a sense axis. The drive element includes an actuation body and a drive frame wherein the first spring structure couples the sense body directionally to the drive frame, and a second directional spring structure that couples the drive frame to the actuation body and has a preferred direction of motion in the direction of the sense axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: MURATA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Anssi Blomqvist
  • Flow sensor with heated air collar
    Patent number: 9823106
    Abstract: A collar is provided for use with a fluid flow sensor to reduce condensation of a moist gas flowing through the fluid flow sensor. The collar comprises a body defining an interior that defines an airspace between the collar and the housing of the fluid flow sensor when the collar is positioned on the fluid flow sensor. The collar also includes a heat source secured to the body and adapted to heat air contained within the airspace to consequently heat the housing of the fluid flow sensor and the interior surfaces of the sensor to reduce condensation of the moist gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: James N. Mashak, Russell J. Kuzelka
  • Capacitive physical quantity sensor
    Patent number: 9823266
    Abstract: A capacitive physical quantity sensor includes a first substrate, a movable electrode, a fixed electrode, and a second substrate. An auxiliary electrode is disposed on a portion of the second substrate to face the movable electrode and the auxiliary electrode has a facing area that faces the movable electrode. The facing area in a case where the movable electrode is displaced in one direction is different from the facing area in a case where the movable electrode is displaced in an opposite direction opposite to the one direction. The physical quantity is detected based on a capacitance, which is generated corresponding to the interval between the fixed electrode and the movable electrode, and a capacitance, which is generated corresponding to an interval between the facing area of the movable electrode and the auxiliary electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kiyomasa Sugimoto, Minekazu Sakai
  • Apparatus and method for determining soiling of an object
    Patent number: 9823175
    Abstract: An apparatus determines soiling of an object and includes a rinsing zone for rinsing off dirt particles built up on an object with a fluid. A collecting arrangement includes a retaining device for capturing the dirt particles rinsed off from the object and a measuring device measures a physical parameter of the captured dirt particles. A transport system moves the dirt particles captured with the retaining device to the measuring device to permit measuring the physical parameter of the captured dirt particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Duerr Ecoclean GmbH
    Inventors: Hermann-Josef David, Egon Kaeske
  • Image forming apparatus
    Patent number: 9823609
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a fixing part including a heater, and a first temperature detection part configured to detect the temperature of the heater; a chopper circuit including a reactor, a freewheeling element, and a switching element, the chopper circuit being configured to switch an input direct current on and off in a specified duty cycle by using the switching element and to supply the current to the heater; and a control part configured to control the duty cycle based on a detection result obtained by the first temperature detection part, as well as to control a switching frequency of the switching element based on an operation mode of the image forming apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.
    Inventors: Takeshi Tamada, Mikiyuki Aoki, Seiichi Kirikubo, Akinori Kimata
  • Liquid density measuring device
    Patent number: 9816908
    Abstract: A liquid density measuring device for use with a hydrometer comprising a vessel for receiving a liquid sample with a temperature calibration gauge having a thermo sensing end in contact with the liquid sample within the vessel. The gauge including a readout can be either analog or digital. The readout indicates a number relative to a current temperature of the liquid sample as sensed by the gauge. The number indicated on the readout being a desired hydrometer reading at the current temperature of the liquid sample. The readout will change to indicate a different desired hydrometer reading if the liquid sample changes temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Inventors: James Joseph Schumacher, Angela Kristine Murphy Schumacher
  • Inertial sensor
    Patent number: 9810711
    Abstract: An inertial sensor includes a base portion, a weight portion, a connection portion, and a first sensing element unit. The connection portion connects the weight portion and the base portion and is capable of being deformed in accordance with a change in relative position of the weight portion with respect to the position of the base portion. The first sensing element unit is provided on a first portion of the connection portion and includes a first magnetic layer, a second magnetic layer, and a nonmagnetic first intermediate layer. The nonmagnetic first intermediate layer is provided between the first magnetic layer and the second magnetic layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Hideaki Fukuzawa, Michiko Hara, Yoshihiko Fuji, Yoshihiro Higashi, Shiori Kaji, Akio Hori, Tomohiko Nagata, Akiko Yuzawa, Akira Kikitsu
  • Method and system for hydrocarbon release management
    Patent number: 9810522
    Abstract: Method and system is described to enhance operations for managing the hydrocarbon release. The system utilizes an airborne detection device equipped with measurement components and communication components. The system may utilize various measurement techniques to determine the thickness of the oil slick. This remote detection method may provide a dedicated airborne detection device for each response vessel and that can identify the location and thickness of the oil slick.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Timothy J. Nedwed, David A. Palandro
  • Sensor and a method of making the same
    Patent number: 9804040
    Abstract: The present invention provides a sensor including a tactile sensor and bending sensor and a method of making the same, of which the manufacturing cost is low, the production efficiency is high and the sensor sensitivity is improved. The present invention relates to a sensor including a tactile sensor and bending sensor composed of an elastomer containing a magnetic filler and a magnetic sensor that detects a magnetic change caused by deformation of the elastomer; and a method of making the same, of which the viscosity of the mixed solution of the thermosetting elastomer precursor solution with the magnetic filler is adjusted to a specified range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: TOYO TIRE & RUBBER CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Junichi Shigeto, Takeshi Fukuda, Hiroaki Ono, Zhiwei Luo
  • Printed thermocouples in solid heater devices
    Patent number: 9798279
    Abstract: A fuser heater within a printing device includes a substrate with conductive traces and a resistive trace having a first end and a second end. The resistive trace is connected to the conductive traces at each of the first end and the second end and forms an electrical connection between the conductive traces and the resistive trace. A first strip is printed on the substrate using a first metal ink. A second strip is printed on the substrate using a second metal ink. The second strip is in contact with the first strip. The first metal ink is different from the second metal ink. The first strip and the second strip form a thermocouple. The thermocouple is operatively attached to the conductive traces. A controller operatively attached to the thermocouple controls the temperature of the fuser heater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher A. Jensen, Brian J. Gillis, Tab A. Tress, Michael A. Fayette
  • Printing apparatus, method of controlling the same, and computer-readable storage medium
    Patent number: 9791815
    Abstract: A method of controlling a printing apparatus, comprises printing an image on a sheet; measuring a printing speed of the printing; and storing, for each printing speed measured in the measuring, a number of sheets printed in the printing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hiroya Igarashi