Patents Examined by Christopher McAndrew
  • Patent number: 9164157
    Abstract: A magnetoresistive device includes a carrier, an xMR-sensor, a magnetic layer formed above an active xMR-region of the xMR-sensor and an insulating layer arranged between the xMR-sensor and the magnetic layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventor: Wolfgang Raberg
  • Patent number: 9164061
    Abstract: An arrangement for a metal making process for detecting cracks along a strip of a metallic material moving in relation to the arrangement. The arrangement includes a coil arrangement fixedly arranged during crack inspection, having: a first winding portion extending in a first direction for inducing a first current in the first direction; a second winding portion extending in a second direction for inducing a second current in the second direction, the first direction and the second direction intersecting each other; a first receiver coil arranged to detect a magnetic field generated by the first current; and a second receiver coil arranged to detect a magnetic field generated by the second current, the magnetic field generated by the first current and the magnetic field generated by the second current providing a measure of whether a crack is present in the portion of the strip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: ABB Technology AG
    Inventors: Lennart Thegel, Sten Linder
  • Patent number: 9157834
    Abstract: A tire testing apparatus and method for detecting anomalies in the surface of a tire is disclosed. A high voltage probe having a conductive spring electrode is placed adjacent a portion of a tire surface such that the conductive spring electrode is compressed against the surface of the tire. Relative motion is imparted between the high voltage probe and the surface of the tire. An electrical discharge occurs between the high voltage probe and a reference electrode at the location of an anomaly on the surface of the tire. The apparatus and method are configured to determine a precise azimuthal and radial position on the tire of the electrostatic discharge. The conductive spring electrode can have a length sufficient to ensure contact with a given point on the tire surface during a charge cycle for the high voltage probe at increased tire surface speeds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignees: MICHENLIN RECHERCHE et TECHNIQUE S.A., COMPAGNIE GENERAL DES ETABLISSEMENT MICHELIN
    Inventors: Christian Albert Beccavin, Frank E. Gramling, David Andrew Judd, Bradley D. Schober
  • Patent number: 9151150
    Abstract: In one aspect an apparatus for determining a distance between a first borehole and a second borehole during drilling of the second borehole is disclosed that in one embodiment includes a magnet on a drilling tool that rotates in the second borehole to induce a primary magnetic field in a magnetic object in the first borehole, a substantially stationary sensor on the drilling tool that detects a secondary magnetic field from the magnetic object responsive to the induced primary magnetic field, and a controller that determines the distance between the first borehole and the second borehole from the detected magnetic field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Sheng Fang, Arcady Reiderman
  • Patent number: 9146197
    Abstract: A multiphase meter for use in the quantification of the individual phase fractions of a multiphase flow has: a resonant cavity through which, in use, a multiphase fluid flows, a signal generator configured to apply electromagnetic energy at a range of frequencies to the cavity, and an enhancing and/or suppressing facility for enhancing and/or suppressing resonant modes of a signal produced resultant to the application of electromagnetic energy to the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: Taylor Hobson Limited
    Inventor: Jin-lin Hu
  • Patent number: 9128144
    Abstract: A system and method of quantifying color and intensity of light sources including LEDs, HBLEDs (High Brightness LEDs), and other Solid State Lights (SSLs) using C-parameters to model a Spectral Power Distribution (SPD) to improve precision, accuracy, repeatability and usefulness of measurement of optical properties of wavelength and radiant flux in manufacturing of an object, designing products and processes that use the object, and describing/defining the object, is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: Sof-Tek Integrators, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Creighton Morrow, Jonathan Leigh Dummer
  • Patent number: 9128141
    Abstract: A magnetoresistive sensing device includes a substrate, a magnetoresistive sensing element, a circuitry element and a shielding unit. The magnetoresistive sensing element, the circuitry element and the shielding unit are disposed at the same side of the substrate. The shielding unit is between the magnetoresistive sensing element and the circuitry element. The shielding unit comprises at least one magnetic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: Voltafield Technology Corp.
    Inventors: Fu-Tai Liou, Nai-Chung Fu
  • Patent number: 9121901
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a plurality of test heads to which probe cards are electrically connected; a wafer tray which is able to hold a semiconductor wafer; and an alignment apparatus which positions the semiconductor wafer held on the wafer tray relatively with respect to the probe card so as to make the wafer tray face the probe card. The wafer tray has a pressure reducing mechanism which pulls the wafer tray toward the probe card. The alignment apparatus is configured to be able to move along the array direction of the test heads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: ADVANTEST CORPORATION
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Kiyokawa, Takashi Naito
  • Patent number: 9121888
    Abstract: A method of testing anti-high temperature performance of a magnetic head comprises applying a second magnetic field with different intensities in a second direction and the changing first magnetic fields in a first direction, and measuring a plurality of second output parameter curves; and judging whether a variation that is beyond an allowable value is presented on the second output parameter curves, thereby screening out a defective magnetic head, therein the first direction is perpendicular to the air bearing surface of the magnetic head, and the second direction is perpendicular to the shielding layers of the magnetic head. The present invention can screen out defective magnetic heads that possess poor anti-high temperature performance without heating the magnetic head and with high precision.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: SAE MAGNETICS (H.K.) LTD.
    Inventors: Chiuming Lueng, Cheukman Lui, Mankit Lee, Hokei Lam, Kwokkam Leung, Cheukwing Leung, Juren Ding, Rongkwang Ni
  • Patent number: 9110108
    Abstract: A system includes a utility meter housing, a power supply, a non-volatile memory, an energy storage device, and a control circuit. The utility meter housing includes metrology circuitry configured to generate metering data regarding electrical power provided to the load. The energy storage device is operably coupled to the power supply. The control circuit is operably coupled to receive power generated by the power supply and receive power from the energy storage device. The control circuit is configured to: receive a first bias power signal; erase first metering information stored in the non-volatile memory; process, subsequent to erasing the first memory location, metering data received from the metrology circuit; receive a first interruption signal indicative of an interruption of power in the power supply; and store, responsive to receiving the first interruption signal, second metering information in the non-volatile memory using power from the energy storage device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: Landis+Gyr, Inc.
    Inventors: Anibal Diego Ramirez, John T. Voisine
  • Patent number: 9075016
    Abstract: A new and improved environmental field monitor station is disclosed. A novel and analytical sampling control device with a removable analytical sample collection device is described. Also a novel field station having the analytical sampling control device with the removable analytical sample collection device is described. Methods of using and controlling the analytical sampling control device, both within in a field station and from a base station, are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: EMILCOTT ASSOCIATES, INC.
    Inventor: Bruce D. Groves
  • Patent number: 9046559
    Abstract: An isolation monitor is disclosed in which a switchable bias voltage is imposed on a chassis ground. An isolation voltage is measured when a bias voltage is applied. When there are no electrical faults, the isolation voltage swings up and down to known values. When a fault occurs, the isolation voltage will not to swing to the known values, and thus the isolation resistance can be measured and alarm generated if the isolation resistance falls below a threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: CURTIS INSTRUMENTS, INC.
    Inventors: Ryan Lindsay, Roger White, Scott Bowman, John Cochoy
  • Patent number: 9041426
    Abstract: The present invention provides to a default current testing method of the high voltage direct current converter valve composited by impulse voltage. The technical scheme of the invention composites the symmetrical positive and negative voltage and the impulse into asymmetric positive and negative high voltage, it makes the test valve voltage accurately achieve required peak value at the set time. The test circuit is simple relatively; the high voltage source of the default current test circuit is instead by surge generators. The test method is flexible, safe, and suitable for different DC project converter valves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignees: STATE GRID SMART GRID RESEARCH INSTITUTE, STATE GRID CORPORATION OF CHINA, CHINA-EPRI ELECTRIC POWER ENGINEERING CO., LTD., CHINA ELECTRIC POWER RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Guang fu Tang, Kunpeng Zha, Jun Yang, Chong Gao
  • Patent number: 9030191
    Abstract: A sensor subassembly for a vehicle has at least one sensor unit arranged in a cap-shaped plastic part. The cap-shaped plastic part is carried by a retaining bush and seals off the retaining bush at one end. An associated device is configured to measure rotational movement of a wheel bearing. A resilient sealing and compensating element in pressed in between the-shaped plastic part and the retaining bush, in a first sealing area for sealing off a first leakage path, so that the cap-like plastic part, in conjunction with the sealing and compensating element, seals off the retaining bush tightly at one end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Kenichi Ninomiya, Matthias Waibler, Anwar Hegazi, Andreas Fink, Mirko Scheer
  • Patent number: 9018953
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus includes a data acquiring unit and an image generating unit. The data acquiring unit is configured to acquire a signal train of magnetic resonance signals from an object by a spin echo method for applying a refocus pulse repeatedly following an excitation pulse with changing a flip angle of the refocus pulse. The image generating unit is configured to generate frames of image data having different contrasts, based on different portions of the signal train of the magnetic resonance signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventor: Masaaki Umeda
  • Patent number: 9000780
    Abstract: A position detecting sensor is configured by providing a dielectric member having flexibility between first conductors and second conductors and providing spacers for separating the first conductors or the second conductors from the dielectric member by a determined gap. When a pressing force is applied by an indicator (e.g., a finger or a pen) on the position detecting sensor, the first conductor and the second conductor come to abut each other, with the dielectric member interposed therebetween. Further, an abutting area (contact area) between the dielectric member and the conductor changes (e.g., increases) according to the pressing force applied by the indicator. Thus, capacitance of the capacitor formed between the first conductor and the second conductor is largely changed, to allow detection of a position indicated by the indicator as well as the pressing force applied at the indicated position with high sensitivity and high accuracy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Wacom Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yasuyuki Fukushima
  • Patent number: 8981808
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a plurality of memory chips arranged in a layered manner, each including a substrate and a memory cell array, and a plurality of current paths provided while penetrating through the memory chips. Each of the memory chips includes a test circuit that reads test data from a corresponding one of the memory cell array and outputs a layer test result signal responding to the test data to a different current path for each of the memory chips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: PS4 Luxco S.A.R.L.
    Inventor: Naohisa Nishioka
  • Patent number: 8981765
    Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a motor function analyzing apparatus which simplifies a calibration measurement necessary before measuring a finger tapping motion, and which is capable of evaluating a motor function highly precisely. The present invention provides a motor function analyzing apparatus which simplifies a calibration measurement necessary before measuring a finger tapping motion, and which is capable of evaluating a motor function highly precisely by using a calibration point unique to each apparatus and a calibration point unique to each subject.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Hitachi Maxell, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuko Sano, Akihiko Kandori, Tsuyoshi Miyashita, Katsuya Morohoshi, Kouichi Ishizuka
  • Patent number: 8963544
    Abstract: A magnetic detection element includes a magnetoresistance effect portion composed of a magnetoresistance effect material and a pair of yoke portions. The pair of yoke portions is composed of a soft magnetic material and are respectively arranged so as to be electrically connected to both sides of the magnetoresistance effect portion. The pair of yoke portions guides magnetic flux into the magnetoresistance effect portion. The magnetic detection element also includes a bypass portion, which is composed of a soft magnetic material and is saturated with magnetic flux at lower magnetic field intensity than the yoke portions, and which guides a part of the magnetic flux generated in the yoke portions so as to divert the magnetic flux from the magnetoresistance effect portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: The Research Institute for Electric and Magnetic Materials
    Inventors: Hirofumi Imatani, Masaaki Yamamoto, Mamiko Naka, Yasushi Kaneta, Kiwamu Shirakawa
  • Patent number: RE45667
    Abstract: The present invention is an adaptable pre-matched tuner system and calibration method for measuring reflection factors above ?=0.85 for a DUT. The system includes a first and second large-band microwave tuners connected in series, the first and second large-band tuners being mechanically and electronically integrated; and a controller for controlling the two large-band tuners. The first tuner is adapted to act as a pre-matching tuner and the second tuner is adapted to investigate an area of a Smith Chart that is difficult to characterise with a single tuner, so that the combination of the first and second large-band tuners permits the measurement of reflection factors above ?=0.85. The pre-matched tuner system allows the generation of a very high reflection factor at any point of the reflection factor plane (Smith Chart).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Inventor: Christos Tsironis