Patents Examined by David A. Rogers
  • Patent number: 10760937
    Abstract: A system includes a container having an inner chamber for storing fluid, at least one measuring probe arranged within the chamber and one ground probe arranged within or near a bottom of the chamber. There is at least one impedance electrically connected with a processor which is electrically connected with the at least one measuring probe. A signal generator has a first voltage terminal electrically connected with the at least one impedance and a second voltage terminal electrically connected with the ground probe. When a signal is sent from the signal generator to the measuring probe, an electrochemical reaction occurs at the measuring probe and ground probe and stores a charge if the measuring probe and/or ground probe are immersed in fluid. The processor measures the voltage, current and power of the signal to calculate the resistance and capacitance of the fluid within the container to determine the level of fluid in the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Inventor: Edward Bender
  • Patent number: 10753913
    Abstract: Certain configurations of a gas chromatography system comprising an internal gas generator are described. In some instances, the gas chromatography system may comprise an internal hydrogen generator to provide hydrogen gas to a chromatography column for separation of analyte species. In certain examples, the gas chromatography system can be operated without any external gas inputs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: PerkinElmer Health Sciences, Inc.
    Inventor: Andrew Tipler
  • Patent number: 10753829
    Abstract: A non-contact aerodynamic sampling tool for collecting particles and vapors from the surfaces. Opposing planar jets or planar jet arrays are used to liberate material from surfaces so that particulate matter and vapors can be collected for analysis in real time. High-speed valves may be triggered to create pressure waveforms for high velocity pressurized planar jet bursts, or continuously operated opposing wall jets may be angularly directed toward a target surface, permitting sampling from large standoff distances. The wall jets traverse the surface and exhibit significant drag forces to lift particles into a suction intake. Unlike axisymmetric jets, the wall jets sustain the flow momentum over the target surface for a greater distance, dislodging particles submerged in the boundary layer and significantly improving particle resuspension and vapor collection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: SpecTree, LLC
    Inventor: Igor V Novosselov
  • Patent number: 10753815
    Abstract: Examples provide an apparatus including a relative pressure sensor that includes a substrate and a cavity in a face of the substrate. The cavity has a floor in the substrate. A passage extends from the cavity. A membrane supports a pressure sensing device and is mounted to the substrate opposite the floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Michael W. Cumbie, Chien-Hua Chen
  • Patent number: 10746643
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for improving the accuracy and precision of drop impact sensing data utilized for testing the impact-absorbing capacities of surfaces, especially playground surfaces used by children, for compliance with relevant standards. A head form missile is equipped with onboard sets of high-g and low-g accelerometers for timing a period of free-fall of the missile, as well as for measuring acceleration due to impact at the end of the fall. Optimized results are obtained in a preferred embodiment by exploiting at least four accelerometers. Three of the accelerometers are sized for “high-g” measurements in each axis (X-, Y-, and Z-axes). At least one “low-g” accelerometer for (measuring in the Z-axis), or three accelerometers sized for “low-g” measurements in all axis (X-, Y- and Z-axes) are employed. Accelerometer readings obtained during the “zero g” free-fall period is used to cancel bias drift on all accelerometers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Inventor: Anthony Earl Bentley
  • Patent number: 10739243
    Abstract: The present invention discloses an integrated monitoring system and monitoring method for a seepage behavior of water engineering in a complex environment, the system includes a seepage character space-time monitoring device and a sensing fiber seepage-monitoring sensitizing device, the seepage character space-time monitoring device includes a vertical force-bearing fiber-carrying column, an outer edge through pipe and a sensing fiber, a left force-bearing beam and a right force-bearing beam are disposed at two sides of the vertical force-bearing fiber-carrying column respectively, the outer edge through pipe is sleeved over the vertical force-bearing fiber-carrying column, a fiber collecting box is disposed above a second transitional round end, the sensing fiber in the fiber collecting box runs through the outer edge through pipe to be connected to a component supporting body containing a temperature measuring device, and then runs through an elastic device after sequentially bypassing the second transition
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: HOHAI UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Huaizhi Su, Chongshi Gu, Meng Yang
  • Patent number: 10739327
    Abstract: Provided is a monitoring apparatus used to monitor lubricating oil inside a compressor. The monitoring apparatus comprises a first capacitance detector (100), a calculation unit, and a determining unit. The first capacitance detector (100) is disposed in a compressor (10) and is completely immersed in lubricating oil (20) inside the compressor (10), and is used to detect a first capacitance value (Cn). The calculation unit calculates a relative dielectric constant of the lubricating oil inside the compressor according to the first capacitance value (Cn) detected by the first capacitance detector (100). The determining unit monitors, according to the calculated relative dielectric constant, whether quality of the lubricating oil (20) inside the compressor (10) encounters an exception. Further provided are a method for monitoring quality of lubricating oil inside a compressor and an apparatus and a method for monitoring a fluid level of lubricating oil inside a compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: DANFOSS (TIANJIN) LTD.
    Inventors: Yingke Sun, Dongdong Wang, Leping Zhang, Jingyuan Li, Pierre Ginies, Philippe Dewitte, Liang Fan
  • Patent number: 10739223
    Abstract: A method of pressure testing a closed hydraulic system for leaks includes heating or cooling pressure intensification fluid before it enters the closed hydraulic system under pressure. The closed hydraulic system may be for example a blowout preventer for an oil/gas well, a manifold system or tubulars. The intensification fluid is heated or cooled to a temperature at or near the temperature of the fluid within the closed hydraulic system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: Engip, LLC
    Inventors: Clifford Lee Hilpert, Jeffrey Lee Hilpert, Lewis Jackson Dutel, Laura Tufts Meyer
  • Patent number: 10732065
    Abstract: A pipeline breach monitor includes an electric field sensor and a signal processing unit in communication with the electric field sensor. The electric field sensor includes an upper substrate, and a plurality of electrodes embedded in the upper substrate. The electrodes are substantially parallel to each other in the upper substrate and comprise at least one sense electrode and a plurality of elongate sensor electrodes disposed around the at least one sense electrode. The signal processing unit is configured to (i) apply a voltage signal to the sensor electrodes, (ii) receive at least one measurement set comprising a measurement of a phase and a magnitude of a current generated in the at least one sense electrode and the sensor electrodes, and (iii) generate an assessment of accumulation of a substance proximate the electric field sensor from the at least one measurement set and at least one predetermined substance accumulation profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: Instrumar Limited
    Inventors: Stuart Inkpen, Chris Nolan, Bill Conway, Dana Linfield, David Bonnell, Joshua Swamidas
  • Patent number: 10724418
    Abstract: A method of determining a flow resistance across a particulate filter located downstream of an internal combustion engine in an exhaust system. The method comprises measuring a first differential pressure across the particulate filter, measuring a second differential pressure downstream of the particulate filter, determining a pressure ratio of the first differential pressure and the second differential pressure, and from said pressure ratio, determining a flow resistance across the particulate filter. The second differential pressure is measured across a selective catalytic reduction system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: Scania CV AB
    Inventors: Niklas Karpe, Krister Pettersson, Robert Svensson
  • Patent number: 10718200
    Abstract: A method for monitoring an electric submersible pump is provided. The method includes acquiring a baseline signature for the electric submersible pump in a first environment, acquiring a downhole signature for the electric submersible pump in a downhole environment while the electric submersible pump is confirmed to be healthy, applying an operator to the baseline signature and the downhole signature that results in a downhole noise component, acquiring a vibration signature for the electric submersible pump in the downhole environment while the electric submersible pump is in an operating mode, removing the downhole noise component from the vibration signature to produce an isolated electric submersible pump signature, and determining a health status of the electric submersible pump based on the isolated electric submersible pump signature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Emmanuel Coste, Clare Schoene
  • Patent number: 10718682
    Abstract: In a method for calibrating at least one sensor having at least one signal-conducting connection to at least one signal converter, a sensor characteristic is recorded by the determination of at least one measurand at at least two different temperatures, the extent of the influence of a further value influencing the sensor is determined from the sensor characteristic by means of a functional relation, the extent of the influence of the further influencing value is considered in the calibration and the influence of the further influencing value is balanced in the calibration. As a result, the influence of a further influencing value acting on the sensor is corrected. The sensor can be a structure borne sound sensor which may have a membrane with a sensor element arranged on the membrane. Vibrations on the membrane can be captured by the sensor element, such as a piezoresistive element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignee: Hella KGaK Hueck & Co.
    Inventors: Marc Westrich, Heiko Dobrinski, Bastian Kanning
  • Patent number: 10718684
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for detecting a leak in a sealed enclosure, comprising an organic light-emitting diode intended to be placed inside the enclosure; and a device for measuring a value representative of at least one of the following parameters: a) the luminous efficacy of the diode; and b) the impedance of the diode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignee: COMMISSARIAT À L'ENERGIE ATOMIQUE AUX ENERGIES ALTERNATIVES
    Inventors: Claude Chabrol, Jean-Yves Laurent, Julien Routin
  • Patent number: 10712224
    Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting a change in at least one physical parameter of a target illuminated by electromagnetic radiation are disclosed herein. The system includes one or more optical fibers, an optical switch, and a photo detector. The optical fiber switch can transmit at least a portion of the electromagnetic radiation into the one or more optical fibers. The optical fibers can have a plurality of sensor nodes. The sensor nodes can induce an interaction between the change in the at least one physical parameter and the transmitted electromagnetic radiation to generate an optical signal. The photo detector can be connected to the one or more optical fibers and measure the optical signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: THE TRUSTEES OF COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK
    Inventors: Nanfang Yu, Meng Tian
  • Patent number: 10712228
    Abstract: A blockage diagnosis device includes a diagnosis unit that performs blockage diagnosis on a vent passage based on a change over time in an internal pressure of the vent passage in association with the operation of a negative pressure pump. A primary determination unit of the diagnosis unit makes a primary determination that the vent passage is blocked, if a first estimation volume V1 is less than a preset threshold volume Vth. A secondary determination unit of the diagnosis unit makes a secondary determination that the vent passage is blocked, if the second estimation volume V2 is less than the threshold volume Vth. If the primary determination indicating that the vent passage is blocked is made in the primary determination unit, and the secondary determination indicating that the vent passage is blocked is made in the secondary determination unit, the diagnosis unit determines that the vent passage is blocked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yuichiro Murata, Hiroki Ishikawa, Daijiro Nakamura
  • Patent number: 10712253
    Abstract: Disclosed is a simulation device for interaction between deep reservoir rock and fluid in a basin and a use method thereof. The simulation device for interaction between deep reservoir rock and fluid in basin includes an automatic control unit, a heating unit, a pressurizing unit, an analysis metering unit, and a peripheral auxiliary unit. An output end of the automatic control unit is electrically connected to input ends of the heating unit, the pressurizing unit, and the peripheral auxiliary unit in a one-way direction, respectively. An output end of the analysis metering unit is electrically connected to an input end of the automatic control unit in a one-way direction. Combining the automatic control unit, the heating unit, the pressurizing unit, the analysis metering unit, and the peripheral auxiliary unit, the present disclosure solves problems of unreasonable evaluation on the interaction between the deep reservoir rock and fluid in a basin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences
    Inventors: Long Su, Yuhong Yuan, Haichang Yang, Shixin Zhou, Dongwei Zhang, Shengrong Tang, Jihui Lin
  • Patent number: 10704935
    Abstract: A method and system for monitoring, measuring and affecting fluid flow within a pipe element of a plumbing system. One version is attached proximate to, and installed through, a hose bib of a building water plumbing system. The device includes water flow sensing and monitoring modules that are coupled to a drag block. The drag block may be configured to be deployed and deformed within a fluid pipe as directed by a controller or by manual control. The controller is optionally communicatively or bi-directionally communicatively coupled to an external receiver or transceiver by wireless means. Data collected by the device is analyzed to detect leaks in the plumbing system. The device may include a power source, such as an electrical battery, a solar energy collector, and/or a wind energy collector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: Buoy Labs, Inc.
    Inventors: Keri Waters, Layne Clemen
  • Patent number: 10705039
    Abstract: One object is to increase the amount of abrasion powder accumulated in a sensing region to improve the sensitivity in sensing the abrasion powder. Provided is a sensor for sensing reduction of electric resistance between electrodes, a magnetic field being applied between the electrodes to accumulate magnetic powder floating in a lubricant between the electrodes, wherein at least one sensing region in which the magnetic powder is to be accumulated is provided in at least a part of a region between the electrodes, and the magnetic powder is inhibited from being accumulated in a non-sensing region constituted by a space around the electrodes other than the at least one sensing region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: NABTESCO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takeshi Kiriyama, Takeshi Nishimura, Kazuhiko Sakurai, Masaki Harada
  • Patent number: 10697817
    Abstract: A fuel-level detection system is configured to determine a fuel level in a fuel system. A comparative fuel probe is associated with the fuel system and includes a capacitive probe assembly configured to provide a comparative capacitive reading, and a float assembly configured to provide a comparative float reading. A comparator is configured to receive the comparative capacitive reading and to receive the comparative float reading, and to determine a corrective factor based at least in part on the comparative capacitive reading and the comparative float reading. A set of capacitive probes is associated with the fuel system. The fuel level in the fuel system is determined by comparing each local capacitive reading from each capacitive probe in the set of capacitive probes with the corrective factor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: CiES, Inc.
    Inventor: Scott Philiben
  • Patent number: 10690528
    Abstract: An electrochemical sensor may measure the flow of ions and/or electrochemical species in a solution passing the sensor because the electroactive species will continually come into contact with the electrode and an electric signal will be generated by the combination of diffusion and convection bringing the electroactive species to the electrode. The electric signal measured will vary by concentration of ions and/or electrochemical specie(s) and by flow rate. Flow rate may be measured if the concentration of ions and/or electrochemical specie(s) is known; conversely, the concentration of ions and/or electrochemical species may be measured if the flow rate is known. The sensor may also be used to confirm the delivery of a fluid containing ions and/or electrochemical specie(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: SFC FLUIDICS, INC.
    Inventor: Bradley Thomas Ledden