Patents Examined by David J Bolduc
  • Patent number: 11703473
    Abstract: A method of operating a sensing element including a heating element in operative connection with electronic circuitry, wherein the sensing element forms a resistive element in a circuit of the electronic circuitry, includes, in at least a first phase, activating the electronic circuitry to heat the sensing element to a temperature at which the sensing element is responsive to an analyte gas via energy input to the heating element in a pulsed manner. A constant resistance setpoint is set for the sensing element and energy through the circuit is variably controlled via the pulsed energy input toward achieving the constant resistance setpoint. The method further includes measuring a response of the sensing element over time to the pulsed energy input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: MSA Technology, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel D. Santoro, Jr., Meghan E. Swanson, Michael Alvin Brown
  • Patent number: 11698257
    Abstract: According to some aspects, there is provided a microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) device wherein one or more components of the MEMS device exhibit attenuated motion relative to one or more other moving components. The MEMS device may comprise a substrate; a proof mass coupled to the substrate and configured to move along a resonator axis; and a first shuttle coupled to the proof mass and comprising one of a drive structure configured to drive the proof mass along the resonator axis or a sense structure configured to move along a second axis substantially perpendicular to the resonator axis in response to motion of the proof mass along the resonator axis, wherein displacement of at least a first portion of the proof mass is attenuated relative to displacement of the first shuttle and/or a second portion of the proof mass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: Analog Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Igor P. Prikhodko, John A. Geen
  • Patent number: 11697587
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a bone-conduction sensor assembly. The bone-conduction sensor assembly includes a housing, a printed circuit board assembly forming a first receiving cavity together with the housing, a diaphragm accommodated in the first receiving cavity, a MEMS die and an ASIC chip mounted on the printed circuit board assembly. The MEMS die electrically connects to the ASIC chip through a bonding wire. A first weight is located on a surface of the diaphragm facing to the printed circuit board assembly. A position of the first weight has an avoiding portion corresponding to the bonding wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: AAC Acoustic Technologies (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tingting Hong, Zhenkui Meng, Kai Wang
  • Patent number: 11692825
    Abstract: A MEMS device is provided comprising a mass configured to move along a first axis and a second axis substantially perpendicular to the first axis; a drive structure coupled to the mass and configured to cause the mass to move along the first axis; a sense structure coupled to the mass and configured to detect motion of the mass along the second axis; a stress relief structure coupled to one of the drive structure or the sense structure; and at least one anchor coupled to an underlying substrate of the MEMS device, wherein the stress relief structure is coupled to the at least one anchor and the at least one anchor is disposed outside of the stress relief structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: Analog Devices, Inc.
    Inventor: Gaurav Vohra
  • Patent number: 11692901
    Abstract: A nozzle cap includes a cap body defining a cap axis, the cap body defining a circumferential wall extending circumferentially around the cap axis; and a vibration sensor including a shaft, the shaft defining a first end and a second end, the first end attached to the circumferential wall, the cap axis positioned closer to the second end than to the first end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: Mueller International, LLC
    Inventors: Daryl Lee Gibson, William Mark O'Brien, Bruce Robertson, Valentin Mirea Burtea, Kevin Adam Laven, Sebastien Perrier
  • Patent number: 11686581
    Abstract: A MEMS device is provided comprising a substrate; a proof mass coupled to the substrate and configured to move along a resonator axis; a drive structure comprising at least one electrode and configured to drive the proof mass to move along the resonator axis; and a pivoting linkage coupled to the proof mass at first and second ends of the pivoting linkage, the first end comprising a first fixed pivot and the second end comprising a second fixed pivot, the pivoting linkage comprising: a first bar configured to pivot about the first fixed pivot and a first dynamic pivot; a second bar configured to pivot about the second fixed pivot and a second dynamic pivot; and a third bar configured to pivot about the first dynamic pivot and the second dynamic pivot, wherein the proof mass moves along the resonator axis when the pivoting linkage pivots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: Analog Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Igor P. Prikhodko, Gaurav Vohra
  • Patent number: 11680800
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a sensor includes a sensor part including first and second sensor elements, and a circuit part. The first sensor element includes a first supporter, a first movable part capable of vibrating, first and second electrodes. The first electrode outputs a first signal corresponding to a vibration of the first movable part. The second electrode outputs a second signal corresponding to the vibration of the first movable part. The second sensor element includes a second supporter, a second movable part capable of vibrating, third and fourth electrodes. The third electrode outputs a third signal corresponding to a vibration of the second movable part. The fourth electrode outputs a fourth signal corresponding to the vibration of the second movable part. The circuit part includes a calculator. The calculator outputs a differential operation result between first and second processing signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Ryunosuke Gando, Daiki Ono, Yasushi Tomizawa, Fumito Miyazaki, Shiori Kaji, Kei Masunishi, Hiroki Hiraga, Etsuji Ogawa
  • Patent number: 11679976
    Abstract: A structure forming method according to an aspect is a structure forming method for forming a first hole and a second hole having width smaller than width of the first hole in a substrate with dry etching and forming a structure. The structure forming method includes forming an etching mask on the substrate, etching a portion of the etching mask overlapping a first hole forming region where the first hole is formed, etching a portion of the etching mask overlapping a second hole forming region where the second hole is formed, and performing the dry etching of the substrate using the etching mask as a mask.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Shogo Inaba
  • Patent number: 11680798
    Abstract: A micro electro-mechanical system (MEMS) gyroscope may include a suspended spring-mass system, and processing circuitry configured to receive a drive sense signal and a proof mass sense signal generated by the spring-mass system. The processing circuitry may be configured to derive a drive velocity in-phase signal from a drive displacement in-phase signal and to derive a drive velocity quadrature signal from a drive displacement quadrature signal. A compensated in-phase signal and a compensated quadrature signal may be determined based upon at least the drive displacement in-phase signal, the drive displacement quadrature signal, the drive velocity in-phase signal, the drive velocity quadrature signal, the sense displacement in-phase signal, and the sense displacement quadrature signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: InvenSense, Inc.
    Inventor: Vito Avantaggiati
  • Patent number: 11674804
    Abstract: The present invention provides a MEMS gyroscope having internal coupling beam, an external coupling beam, a drive structure and a detection structure. The drive structure includes multiple driving weights, and the detection structure includes multiple testing weights. The drive structure further includes a first decoupling structure and a first transducer. The first decoupling structure is arranged on the side of the driving weight far away from the internal coupling beam, and the first transducer excites the driving weight to vibrate. The MEMS gyroscope of the present invention can fully increase the layout area of the first transducer, thereby realizing a larger vibration amplitude under a small driving voltage, thereby increasing the sensitivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignees: AAC KAITAI TECHNOLOGIES (WUHAN) CO., LTD, AAC Acoustic Technologies (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shan Yang, Zhan Zhan, Hongtao Peng, Zhao Ma, Xiao Kan, Yang Li, Kahkeen Lai, Yan Hong, Veronica Tan
  • Patent number: 11669031
    Abstract: The present invention provides an image heating apparatus including an acquiring portion which acquires thickness information of a recording material, and a control portion controls a power to be supplied to a heating element which heats a region where the recording material does not pass through among a plurality of heating regions based on a control target temperature which is set based on the thickness information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Munehito Kurata
  • Patent number: 11650537
    Abstract: An engaging portion 30 is provided which is engageable with a portion-to-be-engaged 11b a displaceable integrally with a developer receiving portion 11 with a mounting operation of a developer supply container 1 to displace 11 in an upward direction U to bring a receiving opening into communication with a discharge opening. An engaging portion 30 includes a first engagement surface 31a extending in the upward direction U as going toward a developer accommodating portion of the developer supply container 1, and a second engagement surface 32a provided at a position closer to the developer accommodating portion than the first engagement surface 31a. When the receiving opening in communication with a shutter opening, a height of an end of the first engagement surface 31a close to the developer accommodating portion is higher than the second engagement surface 32a.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiromasa Katayama, Manabu Jimba, Akihito Kamura, Katsuya Murakami
  • Patent number: 11639852
    Abstract: A three-axis microelectromechanical system (MEMS) gyroscope includes four proof masses, where the proof masses are connected by spring beams and/or rigid beams; a first proof mass is configured to move in an X-axis direction; a second proof mass is configured to rotate around an X-direction axis, a Y-direction axis, and a Z-direction axis, and when the first proof mass moves in the X-axis direction, the second proof mass is driven to rotate around the Z-direction axis; a third proof mass is configured to move in the X-axis direction and a Y-axis direction, and when the first proof mass moves in the X-axis direction, the third proof mass is driven to move in the Y-axis direction; a fourth proof mass is configured to move in the X-axis direction, and when the third proof mass moves in the X-axis direction, the fourth proof mass is driven to move in the X-axis direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2023
    Assignee: SENODIA TECHNOLOGIES (SHAOXING) CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Bo Zou, Qinglong Zheng, Shuang Liu
  • Patent number: 11635413
    Abstract: The invention provides a liquid chromatograph mass spectrometer which prevents contamination of a pump and a column and can perform mass calibration without adding a complicated mechanism. This liquid chromatograph mass spectrometer includes a liquid chromatograph including a liquid feed pump configured to feed a mobile phase solvent, a mass spectrometer configured to analyze a mass of a sample, and a standard sample container configured to be connected in series with the liquid chromatograph and the mass spectrometer in a flow path that connects the liquid chromatograph and the mass spectrometer and configured to house a standard sample for mass calibration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: HITACHI HIGH-TECH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yuka Sumigama, Yuichiro Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 11630091
    Abstract: An on-line system that performs concentration and solvent exchange in order to improve a detection level of analytes by a liquid chromatograph (LC) is provided. The on-line system comprises: a first pump and a second pump for supplying a solvent; a liquid chromatograph (LC) including a separation column (SC) connected to the first pump; a trapping column (TC) for collecting the analytes separated from the separation column; a concentration column (CC) for concentrating the analytes collected in the trapping column (TC); a detector; and first to third switching valves that communicate fluid with at least one of the first or second pumps. An analysis method using the same is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Inventors: Yongjin Bae, Young Hee Lim, Yeu Young Youn, Hyun Sik You, Bomee Jang
  • Patent number: 11624734
    Abstract: A system capable of performing both single and multidimensional liquid chromatography includes a solvent delivery system, a sample injection system, a first dimension column path configured to perform a separation process in a first dimension, a second dimension column path configured to perform a separation process in a second dimension that is different than the first dimension, a valve system; and a sample injection system fluidically connected to the valve system. The valve system is configured to direct flow from a sample injection system to a first dimension column path when the valve system is in a first position, and to direct flow from the sample injection system to the second dimension column path without the flow path flowing through the first dimension column path in the chromatography system when the valve system is in a second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: WATERS TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventor: Michael O. Fogwill
  • Patent number: 11619559
    Abstract: A method for producing a pressure sensor device. The method includes providing a vessel that includes a cavity having side walls, the cavity including a floor and the side walls each including an upper side, which face away from the floor; providing a pressure sensor and situating the pressure sensor in the cavity and on the floor; filling the cavity with an oil so that the oil fills the cavity up to the upper sides of the side walls; applying a membrane onto the surface of the oil that completely covers the oil, and at least in some regions onto the upper sides of the side walls so that the membrane covers, circumferentially around the cavity, those regions of the upper sides of the side walls that lie against the oil, the membrane including a liquid material when applied onto the oil; and curing the liquid material of the membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Elmar Kroner, Friedhelm Guenter, Ingo Kesel, Joachim Friedl, Philipp Scheiner, Robert Kuells
  • Patent number: 11614328
    Abstract: A sensing device includes an anchor having a central axis that defines a first radial direction and a second radial direction, and a resonant member flexibly supported by the anchor that includes a main body made of a single-crystal solid. The main body has a first material stiffness in the first radial direction and a second material stiffness in the second radial direction that is less than the first material stiffness. Moreover, the main body has a first component stiffness in the first radial direction and a second component stiffness in the second radial direction that is substantially similar to the first component stiffness. Another sensing device includes a resonant member having a main body that defines an aperture extending through the main body, and an electrode located in the aperture such that a capacitive channel is defined between the electrode and the main body that circumscribes the electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Sagnik Pal, Diego Emilio Serrano, Thomas Kieran Nunan
  • Patent number: 11615949
    Abstract: An analysis system includes a degassing cell, at least one first valve, and at least one second valve. The at least one first valve is fluidly coupled with a top of the degassing cell, the at least one first valve configured selectably connect the degassing cell to a displacement gas flow and to a vacuum source. The at least one second valve is fluidly connected with a lateral side of the degassing cell and separately fluidly connected with a bottom of the degassing cell. The at least one second valve is selectably coupled with any of a source of a sample-carrying fluid, a transfer line configured to deliver a sample to an analysis device, or a waste output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: Elemental Scientific, Inc.
    Inventors: Austin Schultz, Daniel R. Wiederin
  • Patent number: 11609091
    Abstract: A MEMS device can include a substrate having a first side and a second side, the substrate including an aperture extending from the first side through the substrate to the second side. The device can include a support structure coupled to the substrate the first side. The device can include a resilient structure coupled to the support structure. The device can include a rigid movable plate coupled to the support structure via the resilient structure and positioned over the aperture. The device can include a proof mass coupled to the movable plate, the proof mass extending into the aperture. The device can include an electrode located on an opposite side of the movable plate from the proof mass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: Knowles Electronics, LLC
    Inventors: Ken Deng, Michael Pedersen, Jeremy Johnson, Kevin Meneou