Patents Examined by Christopher M Afful
  • Patent number: 11622913
    Abstract: A compounder system having a vial puck configured for attachment to a vial containing a drug is provided. The vial puck includes features for facilitating uniform control of vials of various sizes in an automatic compounder system. The vial puck features may include a vial recess for receiving a vial of a particular size and securing the vial within the vial recess. The features may also include a cylindrical central portion, perpendicular extensions that extend from a top of the cylindrical central portion, a gear extending from the cylindrical central portion, and a sealing member disposed in the cylindrical central portion. The vial puck may include a cylindrical protrusion configured to press against a septum of the vial to form a seal between the vial puck and the vial. The sealing member may be configured to receive a needle of the compounder system therethrough to allow access to the vial.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: CAREFUSION 303, INC.
    Inventors: Christopher J. Zollinger, Neil Quitoviera, Dereck S. Ferdaws
  • Patent number: 11623857
    Abstract: Vehicle fuel fill control systems may anticipate vehicle refueling events in order to control the timing of fuel tank depressurization sequences. In a first embodiment, a global positioning system (GPS) is utilized to anticipate the vehicle refueling event prior to initializing the depressurization sequence. In another embodiment, a camera system is utilized to anticipate the refueling event prior to initializing the depressurization sequence. In yet another embodiment, both the GPS and the camera system may be utilized to anticipate the refueling event. By anticipating refueling events, customer wait time for gaining refueling access may be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: David Martin, Brent Edward Sealy, Roshini Venkatesh
  • Patent number: 11608938
    Abstract: A system such as a hydrogen refueling station and a method are provided. The system includes a cryotank for storing a liquefied fuel having liquid and vapor phases, a pump for providing a first stream of the liquefied fuel in the liquid phase from the cryotank, a heat exchanger for converting at least a portion of the first stream to a gaseous fuel, a dispenser for dispensing at least a portion of the gaseous fuel to a receiving fuel tank, a refrigeration unit integrated with the heat exchanger, and a backup power unit. The refrigeration unit and the heat exchanger exchange heat with each other, and the refrigeration unit provides cooling capacity to a facility of environment where cooling is needed. The backup power unit generate electric power by using a second stream of the liquefied fuel in the vapor phase or in the liquid phase or both.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignees: China Energy Investment Corporation Limited, National Institute of Clean-and-Low-Carbon Energy
    Inventors: Anthony Ku, Xianming Li, Ashwin Ramteke, Jerad Allen Stager
  • Patent number: 11608261
    Abstract: A robotic servicing system. The robotic servicing system includes an evacuation system, a refill system and a robotic assembly. The evacuation system includes a first quick connect fitting configured to mate with a quick connect valve of a vehicle. The refill system includes a second quick connect fitting configure to mate with the quick connect valve of the vehicle. The robotic assembly is couplable to the evacuation system and the refill system, and is configured to autonomously connect the first and second quick connection fittings to the quick connect valve of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: RPM INDUSTRIES, LLC
    Inventor: John K. Apostolides
  • Patent number: 11602255
    Abstract: A system for refilling, emptying and/or recharging of an autonomous floor cleaner includes a docking station adapted to be coupled with a household plumbing infrastructure. The docking station can be provided on a household appliance, which may be a toilet, a dishwasher, or another appliance coupled with the plumbing infrastructure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: BISSELL Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Daniel Buehler, Jeffrey A. Scholten, Adam Brown
  • Patent number: 11603965
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method of supplying a fuel gas to a fueling system is disclosed. The method may include pre-fill inerting the fueling system; leak-checking the fueling system; charging a pilot subsystem with the fuel gas; filling the fueling system with the fuel gas; and post-fill inerting the fueling system. In many implementations, the fueling system may be associated with a boat. The fuel gas may be hydrogen and may be supplied to a fuel cell that converts the hydrogen to electrical energy to power a propulsion system of the boat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: Zero Emissions Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Pratt, Adrian Narvaez, Daniel Terlip
  • Patent number: 11584556
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and a system (400) for filling a closed container (200) with a fixative solution. The system comprises a container (200) comprising a container body (230) for receiving a biological specimen, a lid (220) for selectively closing the container body (230) and a port (100) forming a unidirectional barrier in a direction from the inside (IC) to the outside (OC) of the closed container (200). The system further comprises a dispensing apparatus (500) having a filling nozzle (300) for dispensing the fixative solution. The filling nozzle (300) is relatively moveable with respect to the container (200) between a retracted position and a filling position to fill the container (200) with the fixative solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: MILESTONE S.R.L.
    Inventors: Francesco Visinoni, Matteo Minuti, Marco Bellini, Michele Bellini, Michele Martinelli
  • Patent number: 11578837
    Abstract: A sensor device determines measured values of a property of a fluid, in particular of a gas, in a cavity of a gas turbine engine having a duct for carrying the fluid from the cavity to a sensor element. A data processing device is coupled to the sensor element and processes the measured values. The data processing device has a device for detecting changes in the measured values with respect to time, and an evaluation device, by which the changes in the measured values with respect to time can be detected. If there is a deviation in the changes in the measured values with respect to time from a predefined criterion, a signal relating to an at least partial blockage of the at least one inlet duct can be output. A measurement method is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE DEUTSCHLAND LTD & CO KG
    Inventors: Ivo Szarvasy, Tobias Leymann
  • Patent number: 11572982
    Abstract: One or more indicators provide an indication of fueling status of a hydrogen powered vehicle. One or more sensors detect temperature and/or other characteristics of the fuel provided to the vehicle and provide an electrical signal to one or more of the indicators to permit an indication of fueling status. The indicators, which may be visual and/or audible, may be positioned on the fueling apparatus and on the vehicle in the vicinity of a fueling receptacle. The indicators may also be positioned elsewhere on the vehicle and may be separate from the vehicle such as on or around a fueling station and/or on separate computerized devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Inventor: William Seth Lerner
  • Patent number: 11572264
    Abstract: A dosing machine for dosing fluid products includes: containers having vertical longitudinal axes and configured to contain fluid products, rotary stirring elements located inside respective containers and operable in rotation by electric motors, and a dispensing head having nozzles connected to respective containers, where each container is associated with a level measuring device having: a floater containing a permanent magnet and free to move inside the container, a magnetic detector arranged outside the container, and having magnetic sensors spaced apart from each other in a vertical direction and each of which is configured to detect a variation in a magnetic field caused by passage in its proximity of said floater, and a control unit which analyzes signals provided by the magnetic sensors to detect a fluid level inside the container and passage of the floater in a vicinity of one or more of said magnetic sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Inventor: Luca Drocco
  • Patent number: 11566754
    Abstract: In a gas supply system of one embodiment, if first detection information of a high-pressure sensor exceeds a first threshold value, a gas control ECU causes a pressure adjustment range to overlap a second error range of second detection information of a mid-pressure sensor, the second error range being defined with a second threshold value as a reference point. If the first detection information is less than or equal to the first threshold value, the gas control ECU offsets the pressure adjustment range relative to the second error range defined with the second threshold value as the reference point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuyuki Kadowaki, Koichi Takaku, Satoru Kawase
  • Patent number: 11543125
    Abstract: A purging tool is disclosed that is operable to enable a user to utilize a pumping device to create an influx of air/pressure within a fuel tank to purge blockages with a fuel tank and associated fuel lines, herein after referred to as the fuel system. The purging tool comprises an integrated pneumatic valve operable to interface with a pumping device. The purging tool may further comprise a shape operable to be easily adapted to standardized fuel inlets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Inventor: Jose Rosario Cervantes
  • Patent number: 11543837
    Abstract: The invention can include a device and method for distributing a fluid in an industrial facility that comprises a fluid distribution pipe, a discharge pipe, a distribution valve that is positioned on the distribution pipe and controlling the distribution of fluid between an upstream area and a downstream area, a discharge valve positioned on the discharge pipe, and measuring means for measuring, in real time, a characteristic parameter of the distribution of the fluid within one of the pipes. A module is also included for calculating a sliding threshold value of the characteristic parameter and means configured to control the partial gradual opening or closing of the discharge valve depending on the result of the comparison of said sliding threshold value with an instantaneous value of the characteristic parameter, in order to improve reliability of the industrial facility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme Pour L'Etude Et L'Exploitation Des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventors: Zahra Apert, Francois Demoisy, Alban Pivard
  • Patent number: 11525623
    Abstract: A refrigerator water dispenser includes a shelf having a lower surface. A water dispenser tube is disposed adjacent to the shelf for dispensing water into a container. An actuator support is operably coupled to the lower surface of the shelf. A load cell is disposed on the actuator support, wherein the load cell sends a signal in response to movement by the actuator support. A controller is operably coupled to the load cell, wherein the controller activates a water dispensing sequence to dispense water via the water dispenser tube in response to the signal from the load cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Atishkumar S. Dhage, Vikas C. Mruthyunjaya, Caroline Ruella Paiva Torres, Henrique Keiji Arai Yamaki, Ravi Joshi
  • Patent number: 11518664
    Abstract: A filling device includes an evaluation device that is connected by a data line to pressure sensor and that detects an opening pressure of a keg or of a keg fitting, compares it with stored reference pressure data, and chooses, based on the result of the comparison, between allowing the keg to be filled and preventing the keg from being filled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: KHS GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Matheyka, Hilmar Fickert
  • Patent number: 11506341
    Abstract: The invention relates to a tank for storing a cryogenic mixture of liquid and gas, comprising a first casing, a draw-off pipe for drawing off fluid, which has an upstream end connected to said first casing, a filling circuit comprising a first filling pipe with an upstream end to be connected to a fluid source and a downstream end connected to the lower portion of the first casing, said filling circuit comprising a second filling pipe connected to the fluid source and a downstream end connected to the upper portion of the first casing, wherein the upstream ends of said first and second filling pipes are designed to be connected to the same fluid source simultaneously, and a distribution valve assembly which is configured to allow distribution of the fluid in said filling pipes, wherein the tank comprises a sensor assembly which measures the pressure in the first casing, said distribution valve assembly being configured to automatically adjust the pressure in the first casing, during filling, to a predetermine
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme Pour L'Etude Et L'Exploitation Des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventors: Olivier Beuneken, Didier Geneste, Regis Pointeau
  • Patent number: 11506342
    Abstract: A method and a precooling system are provided for precooling gaseous fuel supplied for fueling pressurized gaseous vehicle onboard storage tank systems. The precooling system is used in pressurized gaseous fueling stations with source fuels in cryogenic state, such as liquid hydrogen (LH2) and liquefied nature gas (LNG). A thermal buffer heat exchanger includes a heat exchanger medium, and a cold loop and a warm loop contained in the heat exchanger medium. A control unit is configured for controlling cryogenic fuel supplied to the cold loop for cooling the thermal buffer heat exchanger. The thermal buffer heat exchanger enables precooling high pressure gaseous fuel to a preset temperature supplied to a dispenser supplying high pressure gaseous fuel to refuel a vehicle onboard storage tank system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: UCHICAGO ARGONNE, LLC
    Inventors: Amgad A. Elgowainy, Krishna R. Reddi
  • Patent number: 11499675
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for storing and distributing liquefied hydrogen using a facility that comprises a store of liquid hydrogen at a predetermined storage pressure, a source of hydrogen gas, a liquefier comprising an inlet connected to the source and an outlet connected to the liquid hydrogen store, the store comprising a pipe for drawing liquid, comprising one end connected to the liquid hydrogen store and one end intended for being connected to at least one mobile tank, the method comprising a step of liquefying hydrogen gas supplied by the source and a step of transferring the liquefied hydrogen into the store characterized in that the hydrogen liquefied by the liquefier and transferred into the store has a temperature lower than the bubble temperature of hydrogen at the storage pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme Pour L'Etude Et L'Exploitation Des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventors: Laurent Allidieres, Renan Luis De Souza Silva
  • Patent number: 11499677
    Abstract: A gas filling apparatus with excellent filling efficiency through a downsized gas pipe cooling section. A gas filling apparatus 1 of the present disclosure includes; a main unit 2 having a filling mechanism for transporting a gas from a gas supply source through a primary pipe 71 while measuring a flow rate of the gas and a gas pipe cooling section 41 for cooling a gas pipe in which a gas from the filling mechanism is introduced; and a hose unit 3 having a filling hose 34 connected to a secondary pipe 72 lead from the gas pipe cooling section and a gas filling nozzle attached to an end of the filling hose, wherein the gas pipe cooling section is made of copper alloy. The pipe cooling section can be disposed at a connecting portion between the secondary pipe and the filling hose, and plurality of the filling mechanisms can be mounted, and to each filling mechanism is independently mounted the gas pipe cooling section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: TATSUNO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Akifumi Kanamori
  • Patent number: 11499765
    Abstract: A device for refuelling containers with pressurized gas, comprising a pressurized gas source, a transfer circuit intended to be removably connected to a container, the device comprising a refrigeration system for cooling the gas flowing from the gas source prior to its entering into the container, the refrigeration system comprising a refrigerant cooling loop circuit comprising, arranged in series, a compressor, a condenser section, an expansion valve and an evaporator section, the refrigeration system comprising a cold source in heat exchange with the condenser section and a heat exchanger located in the transfer circuit, the device comprising an electronic controller connected to the expansion valve and configured for controlling cooling power produced by the refrigeration system via the control of the opening of the expansion valve, the device comprising a differential temperature sensor system measuring the difference between the temperature of the refrigerant in the refrigerant cooling loop circuit at th
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme Pour L'Etude Et L'Exploitation Des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventors: Etienne Werlen, Marcus Buck