Patents Examined by Daniel S. Larkin
  • Patent number: 11940416
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a heterodyne scanning probe microscopy method for imaging structures on or below the surface of a sample, the method including applying, using a transducer, an acoustic input signal to the sample sensing, using a probe including a probe tip in contact with the surface, an acoustic output signal, wherein the acoustic output signal is representative of acoustic surface waves induced by the acoustic input signal wherein the acoustic input signal comprises at least a first signal component having a frequency above 1 gigahertz, and wherein for detecting of the acoustic output signal the method comprises a step of applying a further acoustic input signal to at least one of the probe or the sample for obtaining a mixed acoustic signal, the further acoustic input signal including at least a second signal component having a frequency above 1 gigahertz, wherein the mixed acoustic signal comprises a third signal component having a frequency equal to a difference between the first frequen
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: Nederlandse Organisatie voor toegepast-natuurwetenschappelijk onderzoek TNO
    Inventors: Hamed Sadeghian Marnani, Maarten Hubertus van Es, Paul Louis Maria Joseph van Neer, Rutger Meijer Timmerman Thijssen
  • Patent number: 11940415
    Abstract: A fluidic device includes at least one bulk acoustic wave (BAW) resonator structure with a functionalized active region, and at least one first (inlet) port defined through a cover structure arranged over a fluidic passage containing the active region. At least a portion of the at least one inlet port is registered with the active region, permitting fluid to be introduced in a direction orthogonal to a surface of the active region bearing functionalization material. Such arrangement promotes mixing proximate to a BAW resonator structure surface, thereby reducing analyte stratification, increasing analyte binding rate, and reducing measurement time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: Zomedica Biotechnologies LLC
    Inventors: Gernot Fattinger, Rio Rivas
  • Patent number: 11939673
    Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for monitoring and/or detecting concentrations of a chemical precursor in a reaction chamber. The apparatus and method have an advantage of operating in a high temperature environment. An optical emissions spectrometer (OES) is coupled to a gas source, such as a solid source vessel, in order to monitor or detect an output of the chemical precursor to the reaction chamber. Alternatively, a small sample of precursor can be periodically monitored flowing into the OES and into a vacuum pump, thus bypassing the reaction chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: ASM IP Holding B.V.
    Inventors: John Kevin Shugrue, Carl Louis White
  • Patent number: 11921096
    Abstract: Embodiments herein relate to breath analysis system. In an embodiment, a gas measurement device is included having a housing defining an interior volume. The housing can include a fluid ingress port, a fluid egress port, a bottom wall, and a circuit board disposed within the interior volume. The circuit board can include a first side and a second side, where the first side of the circuit board faces inward toward the interior volume. The circuit board can include a plurality of gas sensors disposed on the first side of the circuit board and a plurality of conductive pads disposed on the second side of the circuit board, wherein a plurality of electrical contacts contact the conductive pads when the circuit board is seated within the housing. Other embodiments are also included herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA
    Inventors: Gregory J. Sherwood, Justin Theodore Nelson, Raia Colette Finc, Michael J. Lyden, John M. Darst, Michael Mathias Freking
  • Patent number: 11922164
    Abstract: In variants, a method for sensory characterization can include: determining attributes for a sample, collecting sensory data for the sample, determining a sensory characterization model, training the sensory characterization model based on the attributes and the sensory data, determining attributes for a test sample, and predicting a sensory characterization for the test sample using the sensory characterization model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: Climax Foods Inc.
    Inventors: Oliver Zahn, Karthik Sekar, Richard Gerkin
  • Patent number: 11920733
    Abstract: According to one aspect of the present invention, a method for diagnosing a failure of a flowmeter in a measuring machine, includes calculating a filling amount at an end of filling of the hydrogen gas into a tank from the measuring machine by using a pressure, a temperature, and a volume of the tank; and determining whether or not the flowmeter fails by using a plurality of error values between a metering filling amount at the end of filling measured using the flowmeter and a calculated filling amount at the end of filling calculated using the pressure, the temperature, and the volume of the tank, the plurality of error values being based on a plurality of past performance data stored in a storage device, and an error value at the end of filling of the hydrogen gas at a present time, and outputting a result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: ENEOS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Toshio Tezuka, Tatsuya Rembutsu, Koki Sakamoto
  • Patent number: 11913926
    Abstract: Various example embodiments described herein relate to a sensor assembly. The sensor assembly includes a substrate and a disk for providing parallel gas flow to a plurality of sensing dies. The substrate defines a plurality of openings and an inlet conduit. The plurality of openings is adapted to receive at least one sensing die of the plurality of sensing dies. The inlet conduit is defined between a first end of the substrate and a second end of the substrate. The first end of the substrate is adapted to receive an inflow of a gas. The disk is adapted to be positioned below the substrate so that a top portion of the disk is exposed to the second end of the inlet conduit and the disk defines a passage for the gas to uniformly flow from the second end to a sensor head of the at least one sensing die.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: HONEYWELL ANALYTICS INC.
    Inventors: Changyoung Jung, Jinkwang Cho, Sang Hoon Hur, Jae Hwan Lee
  • Patent number: 11906398
    Abstract: There is provided an automated system for preparing tissue samples that comprises one or more microtomes, a hydration system, and a processor, the processor being programmed to initiate facing, by one or more microtomes, of a first tissue block comprising a first tissue sample embedded in an embedding material, and cause the first tissue block to be hydrated by the hydration system for a first predetermined time, and initiate facing, by one or more microtomes, of a second tissue block while the first tissue block is being hydrated, the second tissue block comprising a second tissue sample embedded in an embedding material, and cause the second tissue block to be hydrated by the hydration system for a second predetermined time, and to initiate the one or more microtomes to begin sectioning of the first tissue block while the second tissue block is being hydrated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: Clarapath, Inc.
    Inventors: Baris Yagci, Eric Feinstein, Partha P. Mitra, Janak Sewkarran, Cong Zhang, Robert Shusko
  • Patent number: 11905822
    Abstract: An online measurement method for temperature stability of production layers in an oil and gas well includes: obtaining a plurality of temperature data at each position point of an optical fiber; according to the temperature data, calculating temperature standard deviations of each position point within a production layer at a plurality of time points; performing probability distribution statistics according to the temperature standard deviations at all position points of the production layer at a same time point, fitting a probability distribution curve according to normal distribution, and obtaining a probability density function; obtaining the temperature standard deviations corresponding to at least one value that integral values of the probability density function at all position points of the production layer at each time point is between (0, 1), generating a standard temperature deviation normal distribution probability time curve of each section of the production layer according to the temperature stan
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: GUOXING HUIJIN SHENZHEN TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Zhihua Ge, Shuai Guan, Chuntao Song, Wuhua Zhou, Yuehua Chen
  • Patent number: 11893726
    Abstract: An installation, for use with a computer, for inspecting pinion gear teeth, the installation comprising: an enclosure, the enclosure including a back, a top, a bottom, sides and a front, which includes an opening, to define an interior; a transparent window, the transparent window separating at least a part of the interior from an ambient environment; at least one door operatively connected to the enclosure and retractably separating the transparent barrier from the ambient environment; a programmable logic controller which is housed in the enclosure behind the transparent window; a thermal imager which is housed in the enclosure behind the transparent window, is directed to the transparent window and is in electronic communication with the programmable logic controller; a visible light camera which is housed in the enclosure behind the transparent window, is directed to the transparent window and is in electronic communication with the programmable logic controller; and an air blade blower which is attached
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Inventors: Jason Shumka, Thomas Shumka
  • Patent number: 11885789
    Abstract: A system and method for evaluating soil characteristics. The system and method includes providing one or more soil test kits to a user. The soil tests kits may include ion-exchange resins and may instruct the user to collect a soil sample from his/her growing area, to combine the soil sample with the ion-exchange resins, and to provide the combination to the system for analysis. Other test kits may not include ion-exchange resins and may instruct the user to provide a soil sample from his/her growing area to the system for analysis. The system evaluates the ion-exchange resins and/or the soil samples to identify nutrient levels, pH levels, and other characteristics of the soil. Using the evaluation results, the system provides feedback, recommendations and/or products to the user to improve the soil conditions and to ensure a successful crop, yield, quality, and nutrient density.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: Predictive Nutrient Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Kristopher J. Borgman, Brennan A. Ingram
  • Patent number: 11885716
    Abstract: A test method for a semiconductor device comprising a substrate wafer (1), in which an element is formed and a material through which an infrared ray can be transmitted, and a package having an airtight space (7) between a cap wafer (3), which is provided opposite to the substrate wafer (1); and which includes a water applying process in which the semiconductor device is exposed to a high moisture atmosphere and a leak discrimination process in which an infrared ray from the semiconductor device is detected and a leak of the package is discriminated based on absorption of the infrared ray by water molecules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventor: Hajime Sasaki
  • Patent number: 11879819
    Abstract: Microfabricated particulate matter (PM) monitors and fractionators within the PM monitors are provided. A primary channel of a vertical or out-of-plane fractionator receives air samples, comprising particles of varying sizes, from the external environment. The air samples then pass through a plurality of microfluidic channels, wherein inertial forces are applied within the microfluidic channels to separate the particles by size. The fractionator comprises a horizontal air outlet for particles having a size below a threshold size and a vertical air outlet for particles having a size above a threshold size. Thus, the proportion of PM in the air sample is reduced prior to deposition on a PM monitor. A virtual cyclone may also be provided that comprises a bend positioned at a flow path through a primary channel of the vertical microfabricated fractionator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois
    Inventors: Igor Paprotny, Dorsa Fahimi, Omid Mahdavipour
  • Patent number: 11879883
    Abstract: A precious metal source verification system includes a quantity of precious metal being formed into a shape. A quantity of trace elements is imprinted into the shape with the precious metal such that the trace elements are detectible within the shape. The quantity of trace elements defines a signature for the shape. The quantity of trace elements is at least partially destroyed or altered upon melting of the shape wherein the signature is destroyed if the shape is altered. The system provides verification of provenance of the precious metal when the signature is maintained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Inventor: Samuel Landis
  • Patent number: 11874206
    Abstract: A device for extracting a molecule of interest from a sample matrix. The device includes a support comprising a support surface; a sealing layer that at least partially coats the support surface; and an extractive phase coating applied to a portion of the sealing layer. The extractive phase coating is adapted to contain the molecule of interest. The sealing layer sufficiently coats the support surface to prevent the support surface from coming in contact with the sample matrix when the extractive phase coating is fully immersed in the sample matrix. Analytical screening devices and methods of manufacture are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: JP SCIENTIFIC LIMITED
    Inventors: Janusz B. Pawliszyn, Abir Khaled
  • Patent number: 11867677
    Abstract: A sensor discriminator for detecting a gaseous substance includes a power source, a discrimination module, a sensor simulator that simulates a metal organic framework under at least one simulation condition, a simulation circuitry electrically coupling the sensor simulator to the power source and the discrimination module, and a discriminator circuitry that electrically couples the power source and the discrimination module to a gas capture probe. The discrimination module compares a discrimination pulse and a simulation pulse from the power source after the discrimination pulse passes through a metal organic framework of the gas capture sensor and the simulation pulse passes through a simulation component of the sensor simulator. The discrimination module causes a discriminator output that includes the comparison of the discrimination pulse to the simulation pulse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Honeywell Federal Manufacturing & Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel A. Christensen, Ratthatrust Leryoskajai, Nathan S. L. Volkmann
  • Patent number: 11867712
    Abstract: A gas densimeter for monitoring a pressure or density of a gas in a gas chamber with a housing having a first housing chamber and a measuring chamber, a first coupling, via which the measuring chamber can be connected to the gas chamber, at least one reference bellows, which is connected directly or indirectly in particular to a transmission element, and at least one transmitting and/or monitoring unit, which is or can be operatively connected directly or indirectly to the transmission element. In this regard, the measuring chamber has a gas-permeable connection to the gas chamber via the first coupling and the reference bellows forms a reference chamber filled with a constant amount of a reference gas. A surface section covering the reference chamber is provided or reachable at least partially within the first housing chamber or measuring chamber as a measuring surface for the gas from the gas chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: WIKA Alexander Wiegand SE & CO. KG
    Inventors: Philipp Sennert, Matthias Sausner
  • Patent number: 11867673
    Abstract: The present invention relates to method of using spectroscopy for real time measuring of concentration of desired product and using measured data for monitoring and control of chromatography. It develops a method and system for measuring real-time concentration of clarified harvest and that of flow through of loading step of the chromatography and using measured data for determining breakthrough in real-time. The two modes of operation are used viz. first mode (Part A) uses a single near infrared spectroscopy (NIR) flow cell prior to the continuous chromatography column to ensure optimal loading in each cycle based on dynamic binding capacity studies carried out previously with the desired Protein A resin and second mode (Part B) uses two near infrared spectroscopy (NIR) flow cells, one before and one after the column, to detect the breakthrough curve (from 1% breakthrough onwards).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Indian Institute of Technology Delhi
    Inventors: Anurag Singh Rathore, Garima Thakur, Vishwanath Hebbi
  • Patent number: 11860070
    Abstract: At least a method and an apparatus are provided for collecting, processing and/or measuring of volatile organic chemicals (VOCs) in a sample, particularly in a solid sample which needs to be crushed for the VOCs to be released. A solid sample is placed into a reusable vial made of e.g., a material having a crushing strength of at least 4000 pounds per square inch. The reusable vial is capped using an external capping unit. The sample can be crushed directly in same reusable vial with an external crushing pestle placed through the capping unit to release a volatile organic compound contained in the solid sample. The volatile organic compound contained in the solid sample can then be extracted from the same reusable vial for an analysis of the volatile organic compound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Inventor: James L. Peterson
  • Patent number: 11841354
    Abstract: A method for displaying gas concentration values on a graphical display of a leak detector comprises detecting a presence of a gas using a gas sensor. A signal is generated by the gas sensor and transmitted from the gas sensor to a processor. The received signal is processed to determine a gas concentration value and a corresponding time stamp. The gas concentration values and corresponding time stamps are displayed graphically as they are determined and newly determined gas concentration values and corresponding time stamps are displayed in relation to previously determined gas concentration values and time stamps in streaming manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: INFICON, INC.
    Inventor: Elliot Gerard