Patents Examined by David M Schindler
  • Patent number: 9817146
    Abstract: Disclosed is method for measuring influence of or propagation time of inductive fields including producing and detecting a first inductive temporal field change and a first change value, producing and detecting a further inductive temporal field change and further field change, at least one of the changes being influenced by an object, comparing the first and further change values to produce a comparison value used to produce amplitude values such that amplitude of the first or further change value are substantially of the same magnitude, detecting a clock pulse alternation signal corresponding to the field change, determining a difference value by a comparison of the clock pulse alternation signals, changing the difference value to change phase delay of the first or further field change until the difference value is zero, using the phase delay to determine influence/propagation time of the inductive change.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Inventor: Gerd Reime
  • Patent number: 9817083
    Abstract: Magnetic field sensors and associated techniques use a Hall effect element in a chopping arrangement in combination with a feedback path configured to reduce undesirable spectral components generated by the chopping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: Allegro MicroSystems, LLC
    Inventor: Hernan D. Romero
  • Patent number: 9817147
    Abstract: The present invention provides an airborne electromagnetic receiver having a large dimension to allow low transmitter base frequency. A modular and configurable suspension assembly is provided for use within a receiver support structure and suspending the support structure. The suspension assembly has a rigid support having a suspension portion, and links connecting the suspension portion and the suspended structure. The links are adjustable in length and tension to radially suspend said equipment support structure. The natural frequency of the suspension assembly and the suspended receiver motion can be optimized by adjusting mass distribution, suspension link length and suspension link tension. The suspension assembly can be used to suspend a receiver having large receiver coils. The suspension assembly converts high frequency vibration forces imparted on the receiver to a low frequency oscillation. The suspension assembly may also be tuned to avoid coincidence with the excitation frequencies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: CGG DATA SERVICES AG
    Inventors: Philip John Miles, William Wallace Marr
  • Patent number: 9810748
    Abstract: A tunneling magneto-resistor (TMR) device for sensing a magnetic field includes a first TMR sensor having a first MTJ (magnetic tunneling junction) device and a second MTJ device connected in parallel. Each of the first and second MTJ devices has a pinned layer and a free layer. The pinned layer of each of the first and second MTJ devices has a pinned magnetization at a first pinned direction. The free layers of the first and second MTJ devices have a first free magnetization parallel to and a second free magnetization anti-parallel to a first easy-axis respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Keng-Ming Kuo, Ding-Yeong Wang
  • Patent number: 9810518
    Abstract: A position detector has a gap for providing a detection range. The gap has a gap width that is greater at the ends of the gap than at a center. Therefore, an amount of a spill magnetic flux and an amount of a direct magnetic flux respectively flowing through a position at and around an end portion of the gap are reduced when compared to a gap having a constant gap width along the direction of relative movement. Namely, the density of magnetic flux which passes through a Hall element that is positioned at each longitudinal end of the gap decreases. Therefore, at or around the ends of the gap, a rate of change of the magnetic flux density detected by the Hall element decreases and the linearity of an output signal from the Hall element is improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Naoaki Kouno, Tetsuji Yamanaka
  • Patent number: 9812636
    Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a magnetic field sensor and an injection molded magnetic material enclosing at least a portion of the magnetic field sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventor: Udo Ausserlechner
  • Patent number: 9810746
    Abstract: To provide a magnetic sensor which is reduced in power consumption without reducing magnetism detection sensitivity of a magnetoelectric transducing element. One end of a magnetoelectric transducing element is connected to an output electrode of a constant current circuit, and the other end thereof is connected to a power supply electrode on the positive side of one or plural signal processing circuits, and the like built in a magnetic sensor, whereby a connection relation of the magnetoelectric transducing element and the signal processing circuit is configured such that they are connected in series with a voltage source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: SII Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Kentaro Fukai, Minoru Ariyama, Tomoki Hikichi, Takemasa Miura
  • Patent number: 9812588
    Abstract: A magnetic field sensor includes a lead frame, a semiconductor die having a first surface in which a magnetic field sensing element is disposed and a second surface attached to the lead frame, and a non-conductive mold material enclosing the die and at least a portion of the lead frame. The sensor may include a ferromagnetic mold material secured to a portion of the non-conductive mold material. Features include a multi-sloped taper to an inner surface of a non-contiguous central region of the ferromagnetic mold material, a separately formed element disposed in the non-contiguous central region, one or more slots in the lead frame, a molded ferromagnetic suppression device spaced from the non-conductive mold material and enclosing a portion of a lead, a passive device spaced from the non-conductive mold material and coupled to a plurality of leads, and a ferromagnetic bead coupled to a lead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: Allegro Microsystems, LLC
    Inventors: Ravi Vig, William P. Taylor, Paul David, P. Karl Scheller, Andreas P. Friedrich
  • Patent number: 9714986
    Abstract: A resolver has a stator includes a circular yoke, multiple salient poles radially projecting inward from the yoke, and winding wires wound around the salient poles via an insulator; a rotor disposed inside the stator; a wire outgoing portion arranged with plural terminal pins, the terminal pins being connected to end portions of the winding wires; and a terminal pin cover attached to the wire outgoing portion and covering the terminal pins. The terminal pin cover includes multiple spaces that individually contain one of the terminal pins. A filler is filled in each space, whereby the end portion of the winding wire electrically connected to the terminal pin is sealed in the filler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: MINEBEA CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Haruki Otobe
  • Patent number: 9678168
    Abstract: A system including a sensor circuit and comparison circuitry. The sensor circuit is configured to provide a sensed signal. The comparison circuitry is configured to receive an input signal that corresponds to the sensed signal. The comparison circuitry provides output signals that switch state at different levels of the input signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Konrad Kapser, Arnold Rump
  • Patent number: 9605980
    Abstract: An inductive sensor has an electrically nonconductive substrate, at least one electrically conducting coil that is integrally joined to the substrate, with the mechanical rigidity of the substrate significantly greater than that of the conducting coil, a metal plate covering the conducting coil, with the substrate comprised by the metal plate, and with the surface of the metal plate on the side oriented toward the conducting coil provided with an electrically insulating layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Guenter Reusing, Roman Hollweck, Karin Hauser, Anton Stier, Florian Hohnke
  • Patent number: 9599448
    Abstract: An inductive proximity sensor is disclosed. The proximity sensor includes a source circuit with an inductive element configured to deliver energy to a resonator when a source current is changed. In various embodiments, the source current is provided a step current source. In various embodiments, the source current is provided by constant current source coupled to the inductive element by a switch. Apparatus and methods for operating the inductive proximity sensor are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: George E. Rollins, Weihua Chen, Prachi S. Kulkarni, Diana A. Sufariu
  • Patent number: 9581659
    Abstract: A position detector includes a magnet disposed between first ends of first and second magnetic flux transmission parts and a magnet disposed between second ends of the first and second magnetic flux transmission parts. The position detector also includes a Hall IC that moves within a gap and relative to a rotating body. The Hall IC detects a density of the magnetic flux from the first and second magnetic flux transmission parts and outputs a signal according to the density of the magnetic flux passing therethrough in order to detect a position of a detection object. The position detector has third and fourth magnetic flux transmission parts disposed at ends of the first and second magnetic flux transmission parts in a non-contacting manner. As a result, the position detection accuracy of the position detector is improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Naoaki Kouno, Tetsuji Yamanaka
  • Patent number: 9575140
    Abstract: A system and method for tracking an object through a three dimensional space is provided that uses the generation and detection of various magnetic fields to provide three-dimensional location data. The integrity of the generated magnetic fields are monitored against a baseline in order to detect compromise by the unintentional introduction of a foreign metallic or magnetic object in the procedural space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventor: Oded Zur
  • Patent number: 9561848
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method and an apparatus for the contactless measurement of the steering angle of an aircraft landing gear, in particular of a nose landing gear. Furthermore, this present disclosure relates to an aircraft landing gear, in particular a nose landing gear, which allows a contactless measurement of the steering angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: Lienherr-Aerospace Lindenberg GmbH
    Inventors: Anton Straub, Joerg Meyer, Rainer Fritschi, Michael Kopf
  • Patent number: 9559293
    Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a magnetic field sensor and an injection molded magnetic material enclosing at least a portion of the magnetic field sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventor: Udo Ausserlechner
  • Patent number: 9548083
    Abstract: A read head is tested by measuring the thermal magnetic fluctuation noise spectrum. A non-uniformity in the magnetic field of the free layer is produced and the thermal magnetic fluctuation noise spectrum is measured, with and/or without an external magnetic field applied. A peak in the thermal magnetic fluctuation noise spectrum can be used to derive the desired dimension of the free layer, such as track width and stripe height. The resulting measurement may then be fed back into the process control for the production of the read heads if desired. Additionally, the stiffness of the free layer and the strength of the reference layer may be determined using ferromagnetic resonance peaks in the thermal magnetic fluctuation noise spectrum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Infinitum Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Alexander M. Taratorin, Henry Patland, Wade A. Ogle
  • Patent number: 9530957
    Abstract: A magnetic sensor includes magnetoresistive elements and a soft magnetic body. The magnetoresistive elements have multi layers including a magnetic layer and a nonmagnetic layer on a substrate, and exert a magnetoresistance effect. The soft magnetic body is electrically disconnected with the magnetoresistive elements, and converts a vertical magnetic field component from the outside into a magnetic field component in a horizontal direction so as to provide the magnetoresistive elements with the horizontally converted magnetic field component. The magnetoresistive elements have a pinned magnetic layer having a fixed magnetization direction and a free magnetic layer having a variable magnetization direction. The free magnetic layer is stacked on the pinned magnetic layer with a nonmagnetic layer interposed between the free magnetic layer and the pinned magnetic layer. The magnetization directions of the pinned magnetic layers of the magnetoresistive elements are the same direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: ALPS ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shinji Sugihara, Fumihito Koike, Yasushi Watanabe, Hideto Ando
  • Patent number: 9520225
    Abstract: The apparatus 10 for electromagnetic energy transfer comprises a charging fixture 1 with a contact surface 4 and a generator coil 2 forming a resonator circuit with a capacitance. The charging fixture 1 is preferably arranged as an elongated bar whereon a plurality of chargeable electronic devices 5 can be arranged. In order to implement electromagnetic energy transfer from the charging fixture 1 to the electronic device 5 the latter has to be arranged with a pick-up circuit for generating secondary alternating current in a loop, preferably a secondary resonator circuit. In order to fix a position of the electronic device 5 on the charging bar 1, the charging bar is preferably arranged with a projection 3 extending in a plane of the contact surface 4. The electronic device 5 can be shaped to be hanged on the projection and removed from it in accordance with arrow 6.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Eberhard Waffenschmidt, Thomas Falck, Dietrich Rogler
  • Patent number: 9518815
    Abstract: A rotary position encoder is described that includes a hub configured to mount on an end of a rotatable shaft of a machine tool and rotate concurrently with the rotatable shaft. The hub includes a cup formed in a first end to receive the rotatable shaft, the cup having equally spaced axial grooves formed on an inner surface. A collar clamps the hub to the rotatable shaft by collapsing the cup around the rotatable shaft. The rotary position encoder further includes a sensor configured to detect a rotational position of the hub and a housing, wherein the sensor is mounted to the housing in a position opposite a second end of the hub. The hub is rotatably coupled to the housing via a bearing and a bracket is attached to the housing for mounting the rotary position encoder to the machine tool and preloading the bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: HAAS AUTOMATION, INC.
    Inventors: Thomas R. Velasquez, David E. Wolf, Cody J. Carothers, Brian J. Thoma