Patents Examined by Brandi N Hopkins
  • Patent number: 11815499
    Abstract: A resonant column device configured to perform a resonant column test on a specimen and measure an angular deformation of the specimen. The resonant column device has a housing mounted on a base, a specimen container within the housing, a cell wall surrounding the specimen container, a load frame within the housing with a support bar above the specimen container, a torque motor suspended from the support bar with a plurality of springs, and a laser deformation sensor within the housing outside of the specimen container. The specimen container is configured to hold the specimen during testing. The cell wall is configured to fluidly isolate the specimen container from an interior volume of the housing. The torque motor is configured to apply a torsional harmonic load to the specimen, and the laser deformation sensor is configured to measure an angular deformation of the specimen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: GEOTECHNICAL CONSULTING AND TESTING SYSTEMS, LLC
    Inventor: Jose Manuel Padilla
  • Patent number: 11815420
    Abstract: A resonant pressure sensor with improved linearity includes: a substrate including a substrate-separated portion separated from a housing-fixed portion; a first resonator that: is disposed in the substrate-separated portion; and detects a change of a first resonance frequency based on a strain in the substrate caused by static pressure applied by a pressure-receiving fluid; a second resonator that: is disposed in the substrate; detects a change of a second resonance frequency based on the strain in the substrate; and has a pressure sensitivity of the second resonance frequency; and a processor that: measures the static pressure based on the detected change of the first resonance frequency; and corrects the static pressure according to internal temperature of the pressure sensor based on a difference between the second resonance frequency and the first resonance frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: Yokogawa Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Shigeto Iwai, Atsushi Yumoto, Makoto Noro, Takashi Yoshida
  • Patent number: 11808137
    Abstract: A method and system for performing a pressure test. The method may include inserting a formation testing tool into a wellbore to a first location within the wellbore based at least in part on a figure of merit. The formation testing tool may include at least one probe, a pump disposed within the formation testing tool and connect to the at least one probe by at least one probe channel and at least one fluid passageway, and at least one stabilizer disposed on the formation testing tool. The method may further include activating the at least one stabilizer, wherein the at least one stabilizer is activated into a surface of the wellbore and performing the pressure test and determining at least one formation property from the pressure test.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Michael Jones, Bin Dai, James M. Price, Anthony Herman Van Zuilekom, Darren George Gascooke
  • Patent number: 11808647
    Abstract: An industrial process field device includes a pressure sensor, and a housing containing the pressure sensor. The housing includes a base having a base interface and a first base process opening. A flange is attached to the base and includes a flange interface having a first flange process opening. A first gasket process opening of a gasket is aligned with the first base process opening and the first flange process opening. A first surface of the gasket engages the base interface, and a second surface of the gasket engages the flange interface. A dielectric insulation system includes at least one dielectric layer that insulates the housing from electrical currents conducted through the flange. Each dielectric layer includes a layer of ceramic material, an anodized layer, or a plastic overmold, which improve a maximum working pressure of the field device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: ROSEMOUNT INC.
    Inventors: Andrew John Wagener, Jacob Daniel Holm, Sydney Jane Jones
  • Patent number: 11808634
    Abstract: A temperature sensor comprises: a sensor element including a thermosensitive body and a pair of electric wires that are electrically connected to the thermosensitive body; a protective tube for accommodating the sensor element; and a filling body that lies between the protective tube and the sensor element inside the protective tube. The pair of electric wires includes a pair of first electric wires and that are connected to the thermosensitive body, and a pair of second electric wires and that are connected to the pair of first electric wires and, respectively. The pair of second electric wires and are connected to the pair of first electric wires and on its front side at which insulation coverings thereof are separated from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: SHIBAURA ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Tatsuyuki Suzuki
  • Patent number: 11808738
    Abstract: A support jig for use with a testing machine applying loads, the support jig includes a frame and a pair of spaced apart supports joined to the frame to provide an alignment axis. Each support is configured to releasably hold a test specimen holder on the alignment axis in a fixed spatial relationship with ends of the test specimen holders mountable to the test machine facing in opposite directions. A test specimen support is located between the holders holds the test specimen on the alignment axis so that the holders can be attached to the test specimen. The support jig allows the holders to be easily and correctly attached to the test specimen so as to maintain alignment of the holders and the test specimen on the alignment axis. The support jig also maintains the fixed spatial relationship of the holders and test specimen while the holders are mounted to the test machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: MTS SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Steven Ray Lemmer
  • Patent number: 11808631
    Abstract: An infrared sensor module and a forehead thermometer are provided. The infrared sensor module includes a light guide structure and an infrared sensor element. An annular hollow space is formed inside the light guide structure and passes therethrough. A first and second opening is formed on two opposite sides of the light guide structure, respectively. A diameter of the first opening is greater than a diameter of the second opening. The annular hollow space includes a matte and reflective area, the matte area has serration portions, and each of the serration portions extends from the first opening to the second opening and is arranged parallel to each other. The reflective area is formed between the second opening and the matte area. The infrared sensor element is disposed at the second opening. The forehead thermometer includes a casing, a circuit board, the infrared sensor module, and an operating switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: RADIANT INNOVATION INC.
    Inventors: Tseng-Lung Lin, I-Ling Chen, Chin-Hui Ku
  • Patent number: 11808613
    Abstract: A composite optical fiber is provided for permitting sensing of multiple parameters. The optical fiber is for incorporation into a sensing system, the optical fiber comprising: a single mode optical fiber core, a multimode optical fiber core, and an optical fiber cladding layer surrounding the single mode optical fiber core and the multimode optical fiber core. The optical fiber provided preferably enables multiple sensing and/or measurements to take place at a single location and at a single time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: Fibercore Limited
    Inventor: Rogerio Tadeu Ramos
  • Patent number: 11802803
    Abstract: There is a need to develop new internal balance structures that allow for measurements of aerodynamic interference forces (e.g., powered descent forces) in addition to aerodynamic loads. For example, supersonic retropropulsion (SRP) is a technique involving thrusters in opposition to the oncoming airflow to decelerate an aircraft vehicle while traveling at supersonic speeds. SRP has been identified as a key entry, descent, and landing technology for future Mars missions and for reuse of rocket boosters on Earth. Because of the propellant and oxidizer mass required for the thrusters, currently proposed SRP configurations require a significant increase in performance and efficiency before considered an effective solution. The challenge is that this procedure may cause the air around the spacecraft to become unstable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AS REPRESENTED BY THE ADMINISTRATOR OF NASA
    Inventors: Devin E. Burns, Peter A. Parker
  • Patent number: 11802805
    Abstract: A semiconductor device for ambient sensing including: a cap traversed by a hole; and a main body mechanically coupled to the cap so as to delimit a cavity, which is interposed between the main body and the cap. The main body includes a semiconductor body and a coupling structure, which is interposed between the semiconductor body and the cap and laterally delimits a channel, which fluidically couples the cavity and the hole. The channel performs a mechanical filtering that is finer than the mechanical filtering performed by the hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: STMICROELECTRONICS S.r.l.
    Inventors: Mikel Azpeitia Urquia, Giorgio Allegato
  • Patent number: 11802798
    Abstract: A temperature sensor is described having a measuring resistor, a printed circuit board onto which the measuring resistor is soldered, a cover plate which is fastened onto the printed circuit board, the cover plate having a recess in which the measuring resistor sits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: BorgWarner Ludwigsburg GmbH
    Inventor: Dirk Wüstenhagen
  • Patent number: 11802890
    Abstract: A method for automatically calibrating a rocker-type sensor module having a position or acceleration sensor involves measuring a position of the sensor module as an angle relative to a fixed spatial direction, and outputting an output signal that depends on whether the measured angle is less than or greater than a switching angle. The output signal is set to a first output value if the measured angle exceeds the switching angle. The switching angle is set to a value corresponding to the measured angle minus an “off” free pivot angle, as long as the value of the measured angle continues to increase. The output signal is set to a second output value if the measured angle falls below the switching angle. The switching angle is set to a value corresponding to the measured angle plus an “on” free pivot angle, as long as the value of the measured angle continues to fall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: STEUTE TECHNOLOGIES GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventor: Gabriel Böwering
  • Patent number: 11796433
    Abstract: Example material testing apparatus comprise: guide means; sample holding means for holding a sample; force means comprising a first actuator for applying a releasable force to the sample; a crosshead supported on the guide means and arranged to support at least a portion of one or both of the sample holding means and the force means; an energy store arranged to store regenerative energy from at least the first actuator; an energy consumer arranged to, at least in part, consume energy from the energy store, wherein the energy consumer comprises the first actuator; and a controller configured to control the first actuator to release the force applied to the sample, wherein the first actuator is arranged to output the regenerative energy in dependence on the release of the force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Andrew Kirby
  • Patent number: 11796383
    Abstract: A system and method of detecting acoustic waves including directing a continuous-wave source laser beam to an optical resonator that is impinged by acoustic the waves. Optionally, the source laser beam can propagate through the optical resonator, thereby generating a propagated laser beam. Using an interferometer, the acoustic waves can be detected by monitoring transients in an optical phase of the propagated laser beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: TECHNION RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION LIMITED
    Inventors: Amir Rozental, Lucas Riobo, Yoav Hazan
  • Patent number: 11796435
    Abstract: A mold coating agent test device includes a frame positioning portion and a connection positioning portion. The frame positioning portion positions a frame portion of a metal mold such that the frame portion of the metal mold is positioned at a predetermined position when the metal mold is placed on a metal block. The connection positioning portion positions a connecting portion such that the connecting portion that is a portion provided in the frame portion and to which a drive unit that applies a force is connected is positioned at a predetermined position when the metal mold is placed on the metal block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Keisuke Sugio
  • Patent number: 11793436
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to methods and systems for generating a void profile for user void events. The method includes receiving by a processing element a plurality of outputs from a fluid level sensor corresponding to a plurality of levels of fluid flowing through a voiding device during a flow event; determining by the processing element a beginning and an end time of the fluid flow into the voiding device during the flow event; analyzing the plurality of outputs of the fluid level sensor over a time interval defined by the beginning and end time of the fluid flow to determine at least one of a fluid flow rate data and an accumulated volume data for the fluid flowing through the voiding device; and storing the fluid flow rate data and the accumulated flow volume data in a memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: ClearTrac Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Brent Laing, John Green, Paul R. Johnson, Robert John Smith, Robert Edwin Schneider, Magnus Hargis, Elise Geolat Edson, Elizabeth A. O'Brien
  • Patent number: 11796436
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus to perform mechanical property testing are disclosed. An example testing device includes a computing device configured to obtain a measurement value related to the material or component under test. The computing device includes: a display device; an input device; a processor; and memory coupled to the processor to store computer readable instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to: display, via the display device, a testing mode interface either directly or in response to selection of the testing mode interface at the first interface, the testing mode interface configured to enable selection of a predetermined test definition interface; and in response to selection of the predetermined test definition interface via the input device, display a test interface, the test interface comprising: inputs for a predetermined subset of configurable test parameters of the testing device; and activation of a mechanical property test.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Mary Pope, Elena Mangano, Jason Morse
  • Patent number: 11788951
    Abstract: A plate specimen is extracted from a qualified HIC resistant material having a Heat number. The plate specimen is supported on a female die of a guided bend system and a force is applied with a male die of the guided bend system to a predetermined middle portion of the plate specimen to develop a U-shaped bent portion in the plate specimen. A curved sample is extracted from the predetermined middle portion having the U-shaped bent portion, the curved sample simulates a cold forming ratio of a line pipe having a particular pipe diameter that is to be subsequently manufactured from the qualified Heat number. A standardized HIC test on the extracted curved sample. Respective values of Crack Length Ratio (CLR), Crack Sensitivity Ratio (CSR) and Crack Thickness Ratio (CTR) are calculated for the curved sample subsequent to the standardized HIC test on the curved sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Saad Al-Muaili, Khalid Ali Babakri, Mohammed Al-Anezi
  • Patent number: 11788940
    Abstract: An example material testing apparatus includes: guide means; sample test means for holding a sample and applying a test force to the sample; a crosshead arranged to support at least a portion the sample test means, wherein the crosshead is moveable about the guide means; crosshead drive means for moving the crosshead generally vertically about the guide means, wherein the crosshead drive means is driven by an electric machine in a driving configuration; and a controller arranged to: configure the electric machine into the driving configuration; control the crosshead drive means to move the crosshead generally vertically about the guide means; and configure the electric machine into a braking configuration, wherein in the braking configuration a winding of the electric machine is connected together with a low resistance connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Kirby, Graham Mead, Edward Dempsey
  • Patent number: 11788926
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for monitoring axial loads in structures by identifying natural frequencies. The analyzed structures are made up of elements connected by means of contact and are subjected to tractive loads, such as mooring lines. The proposed method uses bench testing and a computer model of the structure to determine the variation in the natural frequencies in relation to the variation in load. Monitoring is carried out using vibration sensors, in particular accelerometers, laser position sensors or strain gauges, to measure the dynamic behaviour of the structure, a data capture and signal conditioning unit and a computer to correlate the load applied and the vibration behaviour using a computer algorithm, and also to present the result. The invention discloses an easy calibration method for the dimensional template of the structures in question, high accuracy and easy installation and operation in the field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignees: BR2W SOLUCÕES LTDA., UNIVERSIDADE ESTADUAL DE CAMPINAS—UNICAMP
    Inventors: Pedro Luiz de Souza Pinto Filho, Felliphe Góes Fernandes Barbosa, Leandro Tadeu Roldão Perestrelo, Milton Dias Junior, Layse Freitas Boere de Moraes