Patents Examined by David A. Rogers
  • Patent number: 11614429
    Abstract: A universal safety guard is provided. The guard may comprise a housing comprising an adapter coupling end, a dual mode chamber, a calibration gas port, and an ambient air end. The guard may also comprise an assembly configurable in a sensing position, in which ambient air may be admitted into the chamber, and a calibration position, in which calibration gas may be admitted into the chamber and the ambient air is blocked from reaching the chamber. The guard may comprise a detector adapter comprising a calibration housing fitting at one end and a gas detector fitting at an opposite end. The calibration housing fitting may comprise a static circumferential sealing interface that hermetically engages the adapter coupling end. The gas detector fitting may comprise a dynamic inner circumferential sealing interface for hermetic engagement with a gas detector comprising an outer sealing interface that complements the dynamic inner circumferential sealing interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Ahmed Mohammed AlTunisi, Saleh Magboul Al-Ghamdi
  • Patent number: 11609170
    Abstract: A gel-time detection apparatus includes a carrier, a stirring device, and an image-capturing device. The gel-time detection apparatus uses the carrier to liquefied powder to be detected, uses the stirring device to stir the liquefied powder and sense the torque of stirring the liquefied powder, and uses the image-capturing device to capture images of the liquefied powder, so as to determine a gel time according to a determination criterion relevant to the torque and the images. A gel-time detection method includes liquefying powder to be detected, stirring the powder, sensing the torque of stirring the liquefied powder, capturing images of the liquefied powder, and then determining a gel time according to a determination criterion relevant to the torque and the images. The determination criterion may include a torque predetermined threshold and an area-shrinkage-rate predetermined threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: Wistron Corporation
    Inventors: Ta-Yu Chen, Chin-Feng Tseng, Jang-Yi Shiue
  • Patent number: 11609142
    Abstract: A gas sensing tube includes an outer surface, and an inner surface defining a passage. A sensor node is arranged along the sensing tube. The sensor node includes an inlet fluidically connected to the passage, an outlet fluidically connected to the passage, and an interior chamber arranged between the inlet and the outlet. A sensor cable extends along the sensing tube. The sensor cable includes a first conduit having a first connector coupled to the sensor node at the inlet and a second conduit having a second connector connected to the sensor node at the outlet. The sensor cable has a first conductor extending through the first conduit and being coupled to the first connector and a second conductor extending through the second conduit and being coupled to the second connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES HOLDINGS LLC
    Inventor: William Albert Challener
  • Patent number: 11609108
    Abstract: A sensor enclosure comprises a cover and a structure. The structure can be encased by the cover. The structure comprises a frame, a ring, and one or more anchoring posts. The frame can be configured to mount one or more sensors. The ring, disposed peripherally to the frame, can be operatively coupled to the cover. The ring can include a drainage ring plate that drains rainwater accumulated on the cover away from the sensor enclosure. The one or more anchoring posts, disposed underneath the frame and the ring, can be used to anchor the sensor enclosure to a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: Pony AI Inc.
    Inventors: Zhongnan Hu, Zuoteng Chen, Nengxiu Deng, Cheng Jin, Kai Chen, Yubo Zhang, Xiang Yu, Tiancheng Lou, Jun Peng
  • Patent number: 11604181
    Abstract: Products and processes are provided herewith for analyzing octane content in a fuel sample that include the step or steps of receiving an octane measurement of a fuel sample from a octane analyzer, rounding the octane measurement to a nearest recognized octane rating, comparing the rounded octane measurement with a listed octane rating for the fuel sample, and communicating results of the comparison to a user of the octane analyzer. The octane analyzer may be incorporated into a fuel pump or a vehicle. The results of the comparison may also be used to adjust the vehicle operating parameters to account for the actual octane rating of the fuel dispensed into the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: CFPH, LLC
    Inventors: Howard W. Lutnick, Antonio Papageorgiou
  • Patent number: 11598723
    Abstract: A gas sensor has a light detector, a gas-tight support structure enclosing the light detector, a window positioned in said support structure, and a light source mounted to the support structure. A sample area is positioned in the support structure to receive a gas to be tested. The light source is aligned with the window, sample area, and the light detector to pass light from the light source through the gas in the sample area to the light detector. The sensor can be provided in a breadth sampling apparatus that has deflects gas to a bypass route so that only a portion of gas reaches the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: AMPHENOL THERMOMETRICS, INC.
    Inventors: David Henderson, Andrian Kouznetsov, James Sciaini
  • Patent number: 11598696
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for wastewater sampling in all climates. The wastewater sampling apparatus pulls a sample from a stream or other body of water based on flow or time maintaining a consistent, repeatable, and accurate sample size. The present invention includes an all-weather housing. An integrated touchscreen control provides the ability to specify the volumes of water and program times and/or flow intervals to collect samples. Controls also allow control of the temperature within the sample compartment, both from the unit directly or from an external device. The present invention includes arcuate sample chamber and pivoting sample tube for accurate wastewater volume samples. The present invention may pull samples with vertical lifts of up to 29 feet or more and provide consistent accurate sampling exceeding current EPA transport velocity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: Emerald Coast Manufacturing, LLC
    Inventors: Ronnie E. Jones, Robert M. Gilliom
  • Patent number: 11598690
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present application disclose an apparatus for detecting air tightness. The apparatus has an air inlet end, an inflating end for an object to be tested inflating end and a standard part inflating end. The apparatus includes a pressure regulating component, a first bypass isolating valve, a second bypass isolating valve, a third bypass isolating valve, a first high air pressure sensor, a second high air pressure sensor, a low air pressure sensor, and a differential pressure sensor. By adopting the technical solutions according to the embodiments of the present application, a low air pressure sensor can be embedded in an air tightness detector suitable for tests under high pressure and the low air pressure sensor can be effectively protected in a high pressure environment, so that leakage tests under different inflation pressures can be implemented by one instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Limited
    Inventors: Linjun Huang, Darning Zhou, Zhiju Ma, Gaoning Chen
  • Patent number: 11577347
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for collecting powder samples in real-time in powder bed fusion additive manufacturing may involves an ingester system for in-process collection and characterizations of powder samples. The collection may be performed periodically and uses the results of characterizations for adjustments in the powder bed fusion process. The ingester system of the present disclosure is capable of packaging powder samples collected in real-time into storage containers serving a multitude purposes of audit, process adjustments or actions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: Seurat Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: James A. DeMuth, Erik Toomre, Francis L. Leard, Kourosh Kamshad, Heiner Fees, Eugene Berdichevsky
  • Patent number: 11573104
    Abstract: A portable sensor calibration target includes a frame assembly, a first panel, and a second panel. The frame assembly may include three legs and a plurality of frame edges that is configured to form a first frame and a second frame and is configured to be held at a pre-selected height above ground by the legs. The first panel is removably attached to the first frame in an unfolded position, and includes a plurality of boards and a plurality of hinges connecting the plurality of boards. The first panel is configured to fold at the plurality of hinges into a folded position. The second panel is removably attached to the second frame adjacent to the first frame. The first panel and the second panel meet to form an edge, which is detectable by a detection system of a vehicle for calibrating the detection system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: Waymo LLC
    Inventors: Andrew Crawford, Rikard Grunnan
  • Patent number: 11573160
    Abstract: A method for determining the oxygen surface exchange property of a material in a solid oxide fuel cell. The method begins by first receiving a data stream comprising of continuous weight measurements of the material and time measurements of when the continuous weight measurements of the material are taken. While receiving the data stream an oxygen concentration test is performed which involves: flowing a degradation gas flow onto the cathode material while simultaneously increasing the temperature of the primary gas flow to a set temperature, flowing the degradation gas flow onto the material at the set temperature, stopping the degradation gas flow and starting a primary gas flow at the set temperature, flowing the primary gas flow onto the material at the set temperature, and stopping the primary gas flow and starting a secondary gas flow at the set temperature. This data stream is then displayed analyzing the weight change of the material over time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: Phillips 66 Company
    Inventors: Ye Lin, Ying Liu, Paul Michael Alvey
  • Patent number: 11549858
    Abstract: An apparatus for testing the airtightness of a separator for a fuel cell includes: a jig unit being in close contact with a surface of the separator on which an airtightness line is formed, and having a test flow field formed thereon, the test flow field being opened to a location contacting the airtightness line of the separator; and a test solution supply means for supplying a test solution to a contact location at which the airtightness line of the separator and the jig unit contact to each other through the test flow field of the jig unit, such that a leakage of the test solution at the contact location is tested.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA MOTORS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jin Hyeok Yoo, Byeong-Heon Jeong
  • Patent number: 11543333
    Abstract: In an example, a thermal extraction apparatus includes: a housing having a gas inlet and a gas outlet to receive a gas flow through the housing from the gas inlet to the gas outlet, and a side opening to receive a sample collector, having a sample collector adsorbent containing a vapor sample, into a sample collector location; a pump to generate the gas flow; a heater to heat the sample collector adsorbent of the sample collector to a temperature sufficient to release the vapor sample; a thermal desorption (TD) tube connected with the gas outlet of the housing to receive the gas flow downstream of the sample collector and collect the vapor sample released from the sample collector adsorbent of the sample collector; and a cooling member in heat exchange with the TD tube to cool the TD tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: The Government of the United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of Homeland Security
    Inventor: Inho Cho
  • Patent number: 11543332
    Abstract: One variation of a method includes, during a calibration period: triggering collection of an initial bioaerosol sample by an air sampler located in an environment; and triggering dispensation of a tracer test load by a dispenser located in the environment; accessing a detected barcode level of a barcode detected in the initial bioaerosol sample; accessing a true barcode level of the barcode contained in the tracer test load; and deriving a calibration factor for the environment based on a difference between the detected barcode level and the true barcode level. The method further includes, during a live period succeeding the calibration period: triggering collection of a first bioaerosol sample by the air sampler; accessing a detected pathogen level of a pathogen detected in the first bioaerosol sample; and interpreting a predicted pathogen level of the pathogen in the environment based on the detected pathogen level and the calibration factor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: Poppy Health, Inc.
    Inventors: Sam D. Molyneux, Elizabeth Caley, Daniela Bezdan, Ricardo Vidal, Nathan Volman, Tae Joon Yi, Kevin Slavin
  • Patent number: 11543396
    Abstract: A system for detecting an analyte gas in an environment includes a first gas sensor, a first contaminant sensor separate and spaced from the first gas sensor, and electronic circuitry in electrical connection with the first gas sensor to determine if the analyte gas is present based on a response of the first gas sensor. The electronic circuitry is further in electrical connection with the first contaminant sensor to measure a response of the first contaminant sensor over time. The measured response of the first contaminant sensor varies with an amount of one or more contaminants to which the system has been exposed in the environment over time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: MSA Technology, LLC
    Inventors: Meghan E. Swanson, Daniel D. Santoro, Jr., Michael Alvin Brown, Mark Flori Zanella, Sr., Christopher S. Detka
  • Patent number: 11543391
    Abstract: A sample pre-compression valve for liquid chromatography applications is described. The valve enables a sample pre-compression while the solvent pump continues to conduct solvent to the chromatography column. Furthermore, the sample pre-compression valve includes an INJECT position, a LOAD position and a PUMP PURGE position, in which all connecting grooves of the valve are flushed with liquid. A use of the sample pre-compression valve is described as part of a sampler for liquid chromatography applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: Dionex Softron Germering
    Inventor: Thomas Wachinger
  • Patent number: 11519040
    Abstract: One variation of a method for detecting pathogens in an environment includes, during a first sampling period: triggering collection of a pathogen sample from ambient air in the environment by an air sampler; and tracking a first organic load of the first pathogen sample via a detection subsystem integrated within the air sampler, the first organic load representative of a first amount of organic matter present in the first pathogen sample. In response to the first organic load exceeding a threshold organic load defined for the environment, the method further includes: interpreting presence of a set of pathogens in the environment via genetic analysis of the first pathogen sample; and, in response to detecting presence of a first pathogen, in the set of pathogens, in the first pathogen sample, transmitting a notification indicating presence of the first pathogen in the environment to a user associated with the environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: Poppy Health, Inc.
    Inventors: Sam D. Molyneux, Elizabeth Caley, Daniela Bezdan, Ricardo Vidal, Nathan A. Volman, Tae Joon Yi
  • Patent number: 11519811
    Abstract: A leak detector is provided for leak-testing objects that are to be tested by spraying tracer gas, the leak detector including: a detection inlet configured to be connected to an object that is to be tested; a pumping device including a vacuum line connected to the detection inlet, a rough-vacuum pump connected to the vacuum line, and a turbomolecular vacuum pump connected to the vacuum line, a delivery of which is connected to the rough-vacuum pump; and a gas detector connected to the turbomolecular vacuum pump, the pumping device further including an ancillary pump connected to the rough-vacuum pump and being configured to lower an ultimate-vacuum pressure of tracer gas in the rough-vacuum pump. A leak detection method for leak-testing objects that are to be tested by spraying tracer gas is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: PFEIFFER VACUUM
    Inventor: Julien Coulomb
  • Patent number: 11519807
    Abstract: A system is provided that includes a dart, a pressure sensor, and a controller communicatively coupled with the sensor. The dart is disposed in a fluidic channel. The dart has a main body and a flange extending from the main body and has a diameter greater than or equal to a diameter of the fluidic channel. When the dart translates within the fluidic channel and passes a location of a variation in the fluidic channel, the flange creates a pressure pulse. The pressure sensor measures the pressure pulse within the fluidic channel created by the dart. The controller determines the location of the variation based on the measured pressure pulse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Oluwatosin Ogundare, Claudio Olmi, David B. Bennett, Terry Don Bickley, Daniel Joshua Stark, Jeremy Coss Nicholson
  • Patent number: 11519808
    Abstract: A fluid monitoring system includes a controller configured to determine that a value of at least one fluid property of a fluid is greater than a threshold value, and to control actuators to identify which fluid source has the fluid with the value of the at least one fluid property greater than the threshold value. Each actuator is configured to drive a respective crossover valve between a first position and a second position to direct the fluid from a respective first fluid source to a first manifold or a second manifold and to direct the fluid from a respective second fluid source to the first manifold or the second manifold. In addition, the first manifold is configured to direct the fluid to a first sensor assembly, and the second manifold is configured to direct the fluid to a second sensor assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Joshua Adam Bagwell, Alberto José Negroni, Jonathan Carl Thatcher, John Paul Metz