Patents Examined by Christopher P McAndrew
  • Patent number: 11927647
    Abstract: A current measurement device (1 and 2) is for measuring a current (I) flowing through measurement target conductors (MC1 and MC2), and the current measurement device includes: a plurality of triaxial magnetic sensors (11, 12, and 13) disposed so that a magnetic sensing direction and a relative position have a prescribed relationship; a noise remover (25a) configured to remove noise components included in detection results of the plurality of triaxial magnetic sensors; a sign adder (25b) configured to add a sign to the detection results from which the noise components have been removed, based on sign information of each of the detection results of the plurality of triaxial magnetic sensors obtained at a specific point in time; and a current calculator (25c and 25d) configured to calculate a current flowing through the measurement target conductors by using the detection results to which the sign has been added by the sign adder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: Yokogawa Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuma Takenaka, Minako Terao, Kotaro Ogawa, Saki Kobako, Naoki Noguchi
  • Patent number: 11921143
    Abstract: Obscured feature detectors are disclosed that have both the capability to sense the location of obscured structural features and the ability to warn a user of obscured live electrical wires in the vicinity. Apparatus, devices, and methods to detect a presence of hidden or obscured objects or features behind opaque, solid surfaces are disclosed. Beams, studs and columns behind walls and joists beneath floors can be located. Also, a presence of an electrical field strength associated with live wires behind walls and beneath floors can be detected. The location of obscured features and the electric field strength can be displayed simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: Franklin Sensors Inc.
    Inventor: David M. Dorrough
  • Patent number: 11921142
    Abstract: Disclosed is a measurement system for analyzing RF signals, comprising an optically transparent enclosure including an optically pumpable medium being exposed to an electromagnetic field of the RF signal to be analyzed; an optical pump for penetrating the medium with intensity-modulated light, the intensity defining an absorption sensitivity of the medium; a field generator for generating an electric and/or magnetic field within the enclosure, a strength of the generated field defining an absorption frequency of the medium; a controller for controlling the absorption sensitivity of the medium in dependence of the absorption frequency of the medium; and a detector for detecting an optical property of the penetrating light passing through the medium. This facilitates fine-tunable and frequency-dependent control of sensitivity and dynamic range for spectral analysis of RF signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: Rohde & Schwarz GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Thomas Ruster
  • Patent number: 11921173
    Abstract: A method of determining an orientation ?,? of a magnet which is pivotable about a reference position having a predefined position relative to a semiconductor substrate, comprising: a) determining at least two of the following magnetic field gradients: i) a first magnetic field gradient dBx/dx; ii) a second magnetic field gradient dBy/dy; iii) a third magnetic field gradient dBz/dx; iv) a fourth magnetic field gradient dBz/dy; b) determining a first angle ? based on at least one of the magnetic field gradients; c) determining a second angle ? based on at least one of the magnetic field gradients. A sensor device is configured for performing this method. A sensor system includes such sensor device and a magnet, optionally connected to a joystick.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Inventors: Gael Close, Nicolas Dupre, Jean-Claude Depoorter, Yves Bidaux
  • Patent number: 11914017
    Abstract: Super-resolution processing is performed on an MRI image by using an NMR signal as a point spread function (PSF). Image processing of increasing a resolution is performed on a reconstructed image by using the point spread function. The point spread function is a signal obtained by, after a phantom disposed in an imaging space is irradiated with a high-frequency magnetic field, acquiring a nuclear magnetic resonance signal from the phantom without applying frequency encoding and phase encoding, and performing Fourier transform on the acquired nuclear magnetic resonance signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Healthcare Corporation
    Inventor: Takeshi Yatsuo
  • Patent number: 11913986
    Abstract: A reliability evaluation method and system for a microgrid inverter IGBT based on segmented long short-term memory (LSTM) is disclosed, including steps as follows. An electrothermal coupling model is constructed to obtain real-time junction temperature data. The original LSTM algorithm is improved to obtain a segmented LSTM prediction network for the aging characteristics of the IGBT. The monitoring value of the IGBT aging parameter is used to perform segmented LSTM prediction to obtain the predicted aging process, and the threshold values of different aging stages are categorized. An aging correction is performed on the aging parameter of the electrothermal coupling model to ensure the accuracy of the junction temperature data. Rainflow-counting algorithm is used to calculate real-time thermal stress load distribution of the IGBT. The fatigue damage theory and the Lesit life prediction model are combined to calculate the real-time cumulative damage and predicted life of the IGBT.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: WUHAN UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Yigang He, Chuankun Wang, Chenyuan Wang, Lie Li
  • Patent number: 11899054
    Abstract: A connecting device for inspection includes a probe head configured to hold electric contacts and optical contacts such that tip ends of the respective contacts are exposed on a lower surface of the probe head while proximal ends of the electric contacts are exposed on an upper surface of the probe head and the optical contacts are fixed to the probe head, and a transformer including connecting wires provided therein such that tip ends on one side of the connecting wires electrically connected to the proximal ends of the electric contacts exposed on the upper surface of the probe head are arranged in a lower surface of the transformer while the optical contacts slidably penetrate the transformer. A positional relationship between the tip end of the respective electric contacts and the tip end of the respective optical contacts on the lower surface of the probe head corresponds to a positional relationship between an electrical signal terminal and an optical signal terminal of a semiconductor device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Nihon Micronics
    Inventor: Minoru Sato
  • Patent number: 11899051
    Abstract: In a general aspect, a vapor cell includes a body defined by a stack of layers that includes electrically conductive layers and electrically insulating layers. The stack of layers are bonded to each other and have first and second end layers at respective opposite ends of the body. The stack of layers also has intermediate layers between the first and second end layers that define an internal cavity of the body. The internal cavity extends through the body between the first and second end layers and includes a vapor or a source of the vapor disposed therein. Adjacent electrically conductive layers are separated by at least one electrically insulating layer. Moreover, each electrically conductive layer defines an electrode of the vapor cell and includes a contact surface on an exterior side of the body. The contact surface defines an electrical contact of the electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: Quantum Valley Ideas Laboratories
    Inventors: Rajesh Pandiyan, Donald Booth, Harald Kübler, Somayeh M. A. Mirzaee, Hadi Amarloo, Sanyasi Bobbara, James P. Shaffer
  • Patent number: 11892479
    Abstract: A magnetic field sensor element 1 includes a light emitter 10 emitting a first linearly polarized light, a first optical element 20 emitting a first linearly polarized wave and the second linearly polarized wave in response to a first linearly polarized light incident, and emitting a second linearly polarized light in response to a third linearly polarized wave and the a linearly polarized wave incident, at least one pair of magnetic field sensor elements 50 capable of disposing in a predetermined magnetic field across the measured conductor, having a light transmissive, changing the phase of transmitted light in accordance with the magnetic field, and fixing a relative position therebetween, an optical path 30 including a first optical path propagating the first linearly polarized wave and the fourth linearly polarized wave, and a second optical path propagating the second linearly polarized wave and the third linearly polarized wave, and connected to the first optical element and the magnetic field sensor e
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignees: CITIZEN FINEDEVICE CO., LTD., CITIZEN WATCH CO., LTD., SHINSHU UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Mitsunori Miyamoto, Toshiya Kubo, Toshiroh Sato, Makoto Sonehara
  • Patent number: 11885842
    Abstract: In a general aspect, a method includes interacting a beam of light with a vapor in a vapor cell. The vapor cell includes a body defined by a stack of layers that includes electrically conductive layers and electrically insulating layers. The stack of layers are bonded to each other and have first and second end layers at respective opposite ends of the body. The stack of layers also has intermediate layers between the first and second end layers that define an internal cavity of the body. A vapor is disposed in the internal cavity. The method includes applying respective voltages to one or more electrodes to alter an electric field in the internal cavity. The method also includes measuring one or both of an ion signal based on charged particles in the vapor and an optical property of the beam of light after interacting with the vapor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: Quantum Valley Ideas Laboratories
    Inventors: Rajesh Pandiyan, Donald Booth, Harald Kübler, Somayeh M.A.Mirzaee, Hadi Amarloo, Sanyasi Bobbara, James P. Shaffer
  • Patent number: 11885766
    Abstract: An electrode stack assembly includes an electrically insulative substrate having a cavity therethrough extending, a first counter electrode on a top surface thereof and extending through the substrate, a second sensing electrode on a bottom surface thereof and extending through the substrate, and a third electrode having a top body portion on a top of the substrate, a bottom body portion on a bottom of the substrate, and a coupling pin passing through the substrate and electrically coupling the top and bottom body portions. The third electrode electrically separates the pin of the sensing electrode from the counter electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: Molex, LLC
    Inventors: Miao Xu, Wenfeng Peng, Mariusz Kloza, Amram Netanel Afenzer
  • Patent number: 11885904
    Abstract: In a general aspect, a system for sensing pulses of radio frequency (RF) fields includes a laser system and a vapor cell sensor. The laser system is configured to generate beams of light that include a probe beam of light. The vapor cell sensor has a vapor therein and is configured to allow the beams of light to pass through the vapor. The system also includes an optical detector configured to generate a detector signal based on the probe beam of light. The system includes a signal processing system configured to perform operations that include receiving the detector signal from the optical detector over a time period. The operations also include generating a digital signal based on the detector signal and applying a matched filter to the digital signal to generate a filtered signal. The filtered signal is processed to determine properties of an RF field experienced by the vapor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: Quantum Valley Ideas Laboratories
    Inventors: Stephanie M. Bohaichuk, Donald Booth, Kent Arnold Nickerson, Ching Tai, James P. Shaffer
  • Patent number: 11884516
    Abstract: A health monitoring system for an electrically-conductive tension member of an elevator system belt includes a transmitter including a transmitter coil configured for placement at the tension member, a receiver configured to be positioned at the tension member, and a controller operably connected to the transmitter and the receiver. The controller is configured to direct an alternating current through the transmitter coil resulting in the generation of a magnetic field and eddy currents at the transmitter coil, evaluate fluctuations in the magnetic field detected at the receiver. The fluctuations are indicative of wear or damage to the tension member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY
    Inventor: Kyle B. Martin
  • Patent number: 11879952
    Abstract: An atomic vapor cell for performing RF measurements includes: a first optical window of transparent nonconducting material free of electrically conductive materials; an intermediate frame of transparent nonconducting material free of electrically conductive materials; a second optical window disposed on the intermediate frame and including transparent nonconducting material free of electrically conductive materials to minimize distortion of radiofrequency fields by the windows and frame; and a cell aperture, wherein the atomic vapor cell is hermetically sealed by bonding between the first optical window and the second optical window to the intermediate frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AS REPRESENTED BY THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE
    Inventors: Christopher Lee Holloway, John Edward Kitching, Alexandra Brae Artusio-Glimpse, Vladimir Anatolyevich Aksyuk, Matthew Thomas Simons, Omar Daniel Lopez
  • Patent number: 11874350
    Abstract: A local coil includes a coil element in the form of a loop. The coil element includes a first conductor, a second conductor, and a third conductor. The coil element includes a first dielectric and a second dielectric. The first dielectric is arranged between the first conductor and the second conductor, and the second dielectric is arranged between the second conductor and the third conductor. The coil element includes a receive unit that includes the first conductor and the second conductor, and a detuning unit that includes the third conductor. In a first operating state of the coil element, the receive unit has a first resonant frequency. In a second operating state of the coil element, the detuning unit is configured to detune the resonant frequency of the receive unit so that the receive unit has a second resonant frequency different than the first resonant frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: Siemens Healthcare GmbH
    Inventors: Robert Rehner, Helmut Greim
  • Patent number: 11876302
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a phase compensation method and apparatus for measuring an array antenna. The phase compensation method includes: an operation S1 of exporting measured far-field directivity patterns of a first array unit and a second array unit, to establish a coordinate system, so as to determine a spatial geometrical relationship between the first array unit and the second array unit; an operation S2 of determining a wave path difference between the first array unit and the second array unit based on the spatial geometrical relationship between the first array unit and the second array unit; and an operation S3 of performing phase compensation on the second array unit based on the wave path difference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: KUANG-CHI INSTITUTE OF ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: RuoPeng Liu, Zhiya Zhao, Hua Tian, Jie Yao
  • Patent number: 11874331
    Abstract: One or more systems, devices, and/or system-implemented methods are provided that can facilitate provision of varying AC output voltage or DC output voltage, including selectively separately providing a positive voltage output, a negative voltage output and no voltage output. A device can comprise a battery cell, and a controller connected to the battery cell and that varies output from the battery cell, wherein the controller is configured to cause the battery cell to selectively separately provide negative output voltage, positive output voltage and no output voltage. A method can comprise varying output polarity from a multi-cell battery cluster and selectively providing one or both of alternating current (AC) voltage output or direct current (DC) voltage output from the multi-cell battery cluster due to the varying of the output polarity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: VOLVO CAR CORPORATION
    Inventor: Jonas Forssell
  • Patent number: 11874311
    Abstract: In a general aspect, radio frequency (RF) electromagnetic radiation can be detected using vapor cell sensors. In some aspects, a system includes a laser system that is configured to generate laser signals that comprise first and second laser signals. The system also includes an optical comb generator and a vapor cell sensor. The optical comb generator is configured to generate a comb spectrum based on the first laser signal. The comb spectrum includes comb lines at respective comb frequencies. The vapor cell sensor contains a vapor and is configured to generate an optical spectrum based on interactions of the vapor with the comb spectrum and the second laser signal. The system also includes an optical detector that is configured to detect the property of the optical spectrum at one or more of the comb frequencies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: Quantum Valley Ideas Laboratories
    Inventors: Katelyn Dixon, Kent Arnold Nickerson, Donald Booth, James P. Shaffer
  • Patent number: 11867719
    Abstract: A fuse monitoring device for monitoring a fuse supported by a fuse block, the fuse monitoring device including a housing. The housing includes a holder attachment mechanism configured to connect the fuse monitoring device to a fuse block. The housing also includes a mounting attachment mechanism configured to connect the fuse monitoring device to a mounting structure and at least one sensor configured to be operably connected to a fuse and configured to measure fuse data associated with the fuse. The monitoring device further includes at least one processor communicatively coupled to the at least one sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited
    Inventors: Thomas E. Schmitt, Venancio Esteban Narciso, Arturo Gutierrez Ramos, Jacob Nuñez Lopez
  • Patent number: 11867776
    Abstract: Various embodiments comprise a laser bonded glass-silicon vapor cell for performing spectroscopy on particles like atoms or molecules. In some examples, the laser bonded glass-silicon vapor cell comprises a glass base, a glass top, a silicon piece, and a filling material. The silicon piece comprises at least one through hole. The lower surface of the silicon piece is hermetically bonded to the glass base. The upper surface of the silicon piece is laser bonded to the glass top. The filling material is positioned in a cavity formed by the through hole, the glass base, and the glass top. The filling material may comprise an alkali metal, a salt slush, or an inert gas. In some examples the cavity formed by the through hole, the glass base, and the glass top may comprise a vacuum encapsulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: FieldLine Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Hughes, Collin Coolidge