Patents Examined by Bot Ledynh
  • Patent number: 8558538
    Abstract: An electromagnetic field sensor assembly for blade tip clearance measurement in a gas turbine engine is disclosed that includes a ceramic sensor body, a multi-layered wire coil wound about a distal end portion of the sensor body for producing an electromagnetic field, a ceramic well enclosing the sensor body and the coil, and a metallic housing surrounding the well and having an open distal end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignees: Rosemount Aerospace Inc., Oxford RF Sensors Limited
    Inventors: Richard W. Phillips, Chad P. Stay, Martin Harrison, Peter Wherritt
  • Patent number: 8542011
    Abstract: A magnetic field sensor includes a compensation loop coupled in series with normal circuit couplings in order to reduce a transient signal that would otherwise be generated when the magnetic field sensor experiences a high rate of change of magnetic field. In some embodiments, the magnetic field sensor is a current sensor responsive to a magnetic field generated by a current-carrying conductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Allegro Microsystems, LLC
    Inventors: Weihua Chen, Michael G. Ward
  • Patent number: 8531183
    Abstract: The control method includes obtaining an assumed angle and an actual angle of each of the plurality of rotation angle detecting members, determining a first rotation angle detecting member, the assumed angle and the actual angle of which differ from each other, determining a second rotation angle detecting member having the actual angle closest to the assumed angle of the first rotation angle detecting member, resetting the given count value of the second rotation angle detecting member to a new count value of the first rotation angle detecting member, changing the actual angle of the first rotation angle detecting member via the new count value of the first rotation angle detecting member to reduce an angular error between the assumed angle and the actual angle of the first rotation angle detecting member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kyu Tae Kang, Yeong Bae Yeo
  • Patent number: 8531180
    Abstract: A device coupled with a magnetometer and an angular rate sensor can determine a heading of the device using magnetometer data. When the device receives a notification that the magnetometer data may be inaccurate, the device can determine the heading of the device using angular rate data. When the device determines that the magnetometer data are accurate, the device can resume determining the heading of the device using the magnetometer data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick Piemonte, Christopher Moore, Brian Michael King, William Matthew Vieta, Xiaoyuan Tu
  • Patent number: 8531162
    Abstract: A computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer usable program product is provided for managing network based preferences associated with charging transactions for electric vehicles. The network based energy preference service receives an identification of a principal associated with a first computing device using a network connection. The network based energy preference service receives a selection of preferences from the principal associated with the first computing device over the network connection to form a set of preferences for the principal. In response to receiving a request for a subset of preferences from the set of preferences for the principal from a preference requesting service, the network based energy preference service retrieves the subset of preferences from the set of preferences by the network based energy preference service and sends the subset of preferences to the preference requesting service.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: James Lee Hafner, Melissa Wiltsey O'Mara, Paul Stuart Williamson
  • Patent number: 8519704
    Abstract: A magnetic-balance-system current sensor includes: a magnetoresistive element, a resistance value of the magnetoresistive element being changed by applying an induction magnetic field generated by a measurement target current; magnetic cores disposed near the magnetoresistive element; a feedback coil disposed near the magnetoresistive element and configured to generate a cancelling magnetic field that cancels out the induction magnetic field; and a magnetic-field detecting bridge circuit having two outputs. The measurement target current is measured on the basis of a current flowing through the feedback coil when the induction magnetic field and the induction magnetic field and the cancelling magnetic field cancel each other out. The feedback coil, the magnetic cores, and the magnetic-field detecting bridge circuit are formed on a same substrate. The feedback coil is of a spiral type, and the magnetic cores are provided above and below the feedback coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Alps Green Devices Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yosuke Ide, Masamichi Saito, Akira Takahashi, Tsuyoshi Nojima, Shigenobu Miyajima, Naoki Sakatsume, Kenji Ichinohe, Yoshihiro Nishiyama, Tatsuya Kogure, Hidekazu Kobayashi, Masahiro Iizuka
  • Patent number: 8513942
    Abstract: A probe head can comprise a substrate and electrically conductive structures extending from opposite surfaces of the substrate. The probe head can be made by forming frame structures each comprising a frame to which a row of the conductive structures is coupled. The frame structures can be placed in a stack. A compressible shim or a curable adhesive can be provided between adjacent frames in the stack to control a distance between the contact ends of the conductive structures in adjacent rows of the conductive structures. The frames can include cavities that form a mold while the frames are in the stack, and the substrate can be formed by introducing a moldable material into the mold. After the moldable material hardens, the frame can be removed, leaving the conductive structures embedded in the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: FormFactor, Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin N. Eldridge, Gaetan L. Mathieu
  • Patent number: 8502527
    Abstract: A debris sensor for a motor vehicle transmission includes a permanent magnet disposed on the inside bottom of the transmission pan to attract and retain magnetically attracted debris such as filings and particulates and a magnetic sensor such as a Hall effect sensor adjacent the permanent magnet. The magnetic sensor monitors, over time, the magnetic field of the debris collecting magnet. The output of the magnetic sensor is provided to a transmission control module (TCM) or similar electronic control or monitoring device. The output of the sensor is monitored and when the output changes sufficiently, relative to experimental or empirical data, a signal or alarm code is generated or stored relating to the possible need for transmission service.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Jesse B. Bradley, Kurt Mitts
  • Patent number: 8502531
    Abstract: A sensor arrangement and a method for its use for detecting the proximity of a ferrous target, the sensor arrangement comprising a sensor body including a magnetic field source and a Hall effect device, wherein the magnetic field source is an electromagnetic solenoid. The invention has particularly utility, but is not so limited, to the field of fuel injection pumps in which it is necessary to determine the volume of fuel that is delivered to the cylinders of the engine without affecting the operation of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies Holding S.arl
    Inventors: Geoffrey David Bootle, John Deller
  • Patent number: 8497685
    Abstract: Aspects of this invention include a downhole tool having an angular position sensor disposed to measure the relative angular position between first and second members disposed to rotate about a common axis. A plurality of magnetic field sensors are deployed about the second member and disposed to measure magnetic flux emanating from first and second magnets deployed on the first member. A controller is programmed to determine the relative angular position based on magnetic measurements made by the magnetic field sensors. In a one exemplary embodiment, a downhole steering tool includes first and second magnets circumferentially spaced on the shaft and a plurality of magnetic field sensors deployed about the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Junichi Sugiura
  • Patent number: 8493061
    Abstract: An example cycle meter adjusting device includes a circuit configured to provide voltage pulses and an adjustable potentiometer configured to vary the frequency of the voltage pulses provided by the circuit. A coupling interface is configured to selectively communicate the voltage pulses provided by the circuit to a cycle meter having a display. The voltage pulses adjust a number of cycles shown on the display. Another example cycle meter adjuster includes a circuit configured to provide voltage pulses. A controller is configured to selectively adjust a frequency of the voltage pulses. A connection interface is configured to communicate the voltage pulses to a cycle meter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventor: Stephen James Ruckle
  • Patent number: 8487612
    Abstract: A current sensor including a magnetic detecting bridge circuit which is constituted of four magneto-resistance effect elements with a resistance value varied by application of an induced magnetic field from a current to be measured, and which has an output between two magneto-resistance effect elements. The four magneto-resistance effect elements have the same resistance change rate, and include a self-pinned type ferromagnetic fixed layer which is formed by anti-ferromagnetically coupling a first ferromagnetic film and a second ferromagnetic film via an antiparallel coupling film therebetween, a nonmagnetic intermediate layer, and a soft magnetic free layer. Magnetization directions of the ferromagnetic fixed layers of the two magneto-resistance effect elements providing the output are different from each other by 180°. The magnetic detecting bridge circuit has wiring symmetrical to a power supply point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Alps Green Devices Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenji Ichinohe, Masamichi Saito, Akira Takahashi, Yosuke Ide
  • Patent number: 8476899
    Abstract: A magnetic sensor includes a magnetoresistance effect element and a hard bias layer. The magnetoresistance effect element is configured to have a striped form which has a sensitivity axis in a predetermined direction, and configured to have a structure in which a free magnetic layer, in which magnetization varies with respect to an external magnetic field, a non-magnetic layer, and a fixed magnetic layer, in which the magnetization is fixed, are laminated. The hard bias layer is disposed in a longitudinal direction of the striped form, disposed outside of the magnetoresistance effect element to be separated from the magnetoresistance effect element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yosuke Ide, Masamichi Saito, Akira Takahashi, Kenji Ichinohe, Yoshihiro Nishiyama
  • Patent number: 8471562
    Abstract: Embodiments of a multi-axial antenna system and system for measuring subsurface formations are generally described herein. Other embodiments may be described and claimed. In some embodiments, the multi-axial antenna system comprising at least two co-located coils wound around a torroidal-shaped bobbin. Each coil generates a magnetic field in a mutually orthogonal direction. Signals provided to the coils may be adjusted to simulate a tilted-coil antenna system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Sergey Knizhnik
  • Patent number: 8471553
    Abstract: A magnetic path is formed, in response to the rotation of a motor, by a magnetic detector (24 or 26) (more exactly, a magnetic wire (70)), a magnetic pole of the magnet (22), which is placed counter to each magnetic detector, and the rotating shaft (20). The magnetic wire (70) is formed of a magnetic material capable of causing a large Barkhausen jump. Whenever the magnetic pole opposite each magnetic element changes in response to the rotation of the motor, the direction of magnetic field constituting the magnetic path changes precipitously and a pulse signal in response to the change is outputted from the magnetic detector. Since the direction of magnetization of the magnetic wire (70) changes with a change in magnetic flux density received from a magnet (22), an induced electromotive force occurs due to a change in magnetic flux received by a detection coil. This makes enables the magnetic detector to output pulse signals without power supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Mabuchi Motor Co. Ltd.
    Inventor: Toru Tategami
  • Patent number: 8466674
    Abstract: A magnetic testing apparatus has a magnetizing device applying a rotating magnetic field to a material to be tested, a testing signal detecting device, and a signal processing device applying signal processing to the testing signal. The signal processing device has a first synchronous detecting device detecting a testing signal by using the first current as a reference signal, a second synchronous detecting device detecting an output signal of the first synchronous detecting device by using the second current as a reference signal to extract a candidate flaw signal, and a testing image display device displaying a testing image in which each of pixels has a gray level corresponding to an intensity of the candidate flaw signal at each of positions of the material to be tested, and a phase of the candidate flaw signal at each of the positions is capable of being identified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Nippon Steel & Sumitomo Metal Corporation
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Suzuma, Kenji Imanishi
  • Patent number: 8466673
    Abstract: A detection method for detecting a concavo-convex shape surface defect existing on a ferromagnetic metal object including sensing a signal attributed to strain of the concavo-convex shape surface defect having a size in a range of 0.5 to 6 ?m. The signal is magnetic flux leaking from the ferromagnetic metal to which magnetic flux is applied. A detecting apparatus incorporates a magnetizer for magnetizing a ferromagnetic metal and a plurality of magnetic sensors arranged in the direction perpendicular to a traveling direction of the ferromagnetic metal to sense a signal attributed to strain of a concavo-convex shape surface defect having a size in a range of 0.5 to 6 ?m.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: JFE Steel Corporation
    Inventors: Takahiro Koshihara, Hiroharu Kato, Akio Nagamune
  • Patent number: 8466683
    Abstract: A system and method to determine earth formation properties by positioning a logging tool within a wellbore in the earth formation, the logging tool having a tool rotation axis and a first, a second, and a third tilted transmitter coil, and a tilted receiver coil; rotating the logging tool about the tool rotation axis; energizing each transmitter coil; measuring a coupling signal between each transmitter coil and the receiver coil for a plurality of angles of rotation; determining a coupling tensor; and determining the earth formation properties using the coupling tensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Emmanuel Legendre, Jean Seydoux, Reza Taherian, Jian Yang, Qiming Li
  • Patent number: 8461828
    Abstract: A wheel speed detecting device includes a countermeasure against the entrance of muddy water. An annular recess groove is provided in an outer circumference of an end portion of a hub on a sensor side. A cup-shaped flange portion extends from the sensor supporting member with the flange portion covering the annular recess groove while maintaining a predetermined gap T1 between the flange portion and the outer circumference of the end portion of the hub. Muddy water heads toward a multi-pole magnet ring by running through the gap T1 formed between the flange portion and the outer circumference of the hub. However, the entrance of muddy water can be effectively prevented by making the gap T1 small. Thus, muddy water that enters the gap T1 is trapped in the annular recess groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shinichiro Ishida
  • Patent number: 8461830
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for measuring displacements of a rotary or linearly-displaceable member by counting periods of displacement thereof along a predetermined displacement path, including a pulse generator located at a pulse-generation station proximate to the displacement path; and an electrical circuit controlled by the pulse generator to actuate a first sensor to sense the status of the displaceable member at the particular instant one of said second machine-sensible elements passes through the pulse-generation station, and to increment a counter in accordance with said status determination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Yaskawa Europe Technology Ltd.
    Inventor: Yves Villaret