Patents Examined by David M Schindler
  • Patent number: 9519036
    Abstract: Provided is a magnetic sensor for detecting a magnetic field. The magnetic sensor includes a magnetic layer of a closed loop shape; a pair of current terminals which face each other contacting with the closed loop and through which current is input/output; and a pair of voltage terminals which face each other contacting with the closed loop and from which output voltage is detected. Both an anisotropic magnetoresistance effect (AME) and a planar Hall effect (PHE) contribute to the output voltage and a hysteresis of the output voltage is eliminated by exchange coupling of a ferromagnetic layer by a ferromagnetic-antiferromagnetic layer structure and a ferromagnetic-metal-antiferromagnetic layer structure. Accordingly, it is possible to minimize a hysteresis due to a demagnetization factor of the closed loop, stabilize the output voltage of the magnetic sensor and enhance sensitivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: THE INDUSTRY & ACADEMIC COOPERATION IN CHUNGNAM NATIONAL UNIVERSITY (IAC)
    Inventors: CheolGi Kim, Dong Young Kim, Jong-Ryul Jeong, Quang Hung Tran
  • Patent number: 9513308
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for measuring a muzzle velocity of a fired bullet so that the bullet may explode at an accurate location. The muzzle velocity measuring apparatus includes a detector configured to comprise a pair of cores encircled by probe wound coils and installed in two separate positions in an adapter, and to output a muzzle velocity signal based on eddy current signals which are generated by the probe wound coils when a bullet fired from a bullet chamber passes through the adapter, a muzzle velocity calculator configured to calculate a flight speed of the fired bullet based on the muzzle velocity signal; and a transmitter configured to transmit the calculated flight speed to the bullet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Hanwha Corporation
    Inventors: Kyu-Chae Jung, De-Rac Son, Jun-Goo Shin, Sung-Min Lee, Jung-Yun Kim
  • Patent number: 9417098
    Abstract: A position sensor for sensing whether a rotatable element is in at least a first rotational position or a second rotational position is provided. A rotor is configured to be coupled to the rotatable element for rotation therewith, and is constructed at least partially of a magnetically permeable material and includes a first rotor pole. A stator is non-rotationally mounted, is constructed at least partially of a magnetically permeable material, is spaced apart from the rotor, and comprises a first main pole and a first stealer pole. The first main pole and the first stealer pole are spaced radially apart from each other. A magnet is non-rotationally disposed adjacent to the stator and is spaced apart from the rotor. A first magnetic sensor is non-rotationally mounted between the stator and the rotor, is disposed adjacent the first main pole, and is radially offset from the first stealer pole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Girish Krishnaiah, Gangi Reddy Rajula, Bharath Mahalingam, Vijayshekhar Araganji, Sivasubramanian Srinivasan, John Kenneth Tillotson, James Sorenson, Danial Lewis Kosht
  • Patent number: 9377515
    Abstract: Provided are a flux-locked loop circuit, a flux-locked loop method and a superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) measuring apparatus. The flux-locked loop circuit includes a pre-amplifier configured to amplify a signal output of a SQUID, an integrator configured to integrate a signal output from the pre-amplifier and output the integrated signal, an operating range expanding unit configured to initialize the integrator by comparing an output signal of the integrator with a positive or negative reference reset voltage corresponding to an external flux of a predetermined integral multiple of flux quantum, and a feedback circuit configured to supply current to eliminate a difference between the external flux applied to the SQUID and a magnetic flux corresponding to an integral multiple of the reference reset voltage according to the output signal of the integrator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science
    Inventors: Jin Mok Kim, Young Ho Lee, Hyukchan Kwon, Ki Woong Kim, Kwon Kyu Yu
  • Patent number: 9366547
    Abstract: A sensor arrangement has a plurality of Hall sensor devices, each configured to provide a sensor voltage in response to a magnetic field intensity. A selection unit is configured to forward either of the sensor voltages in response to a selection signal. A transconductance amplifier is configured to generate a sensing current depending on a forwarded sensor voltage. A filter stage has a resistor and a filter capacitor connected in parallel in a switchable manner in response to a first switching signal. The filter stage is configured to generate a filtered voltage across the filter capacitor depending on a sensing current. A capacitive analog-to-digital converter has an input capacitor being connected to the filter capacitor in a switchable manner in response to a second switching signal. The analog-to-digital converter is configured to generate a digital sensor value based on a filtered voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: ams AG
    Inventors: Richard Forsyth, Gerhard Oberhoffner, Kurt Riedmüller, Davide Maschera
  • Patent number: 9354279
    Abstract: Provided is a magnetic sensor device, which is configured to connect each terminal of a Hall element to another end of a variable resistor having one end connected to GND by switching of four switches. Thus, a detection voltage level for a magnetic field intensity can be arbitrarily set with a small-scale circuit. The detection voltage level is determined only by the resistance ratio, and hence the influence of fluctuations in power supply voltage and manufacturing fluctuations can be suppressed. This configuration can simplify signal processing and achieve higher-speed signal processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: SII SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION
    Inventor: Daisuke Muraoka
  • Patent number: 9304176
    Abstract: The present invention provides a thin-film magnetic sensor including: a giant magnetoresistive film having a giant magnetoresistive effect, and thin-film yokes each composed of a soft magnetic material and electrically connected to both ends of the giant magnetoresistive film, in which each of the thin-film yokes includes an outer yoke which is composed of a first soft magnetic material and is provided outward with respect to the giant magnetoresistive film and an inner yoke which is composed of a second soft magnetic material and is provided between the giant magnetoresistive film and the outer yoke; the first soft magnetic material is composed of a crystalline or microcrystalline soft magnetic material; the thin-film magnetic sensor is obtained by (1) forming the each outer yoke, the giant magnetoresistive film and the each inner yoke in this order, and (2) performing a heat treatment for improving soft magnetic characteristics of the each outer yoke before forming the giant magnetoresistive film; and a len
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: Daido Tokushuko Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shigenobu Koyama, Kaori Imaeda
  • Patent number: 9245550
    Abstract: A write head is tested by measuring the effect that magnetic fields have on the inductance of the write head. For example, a perpendicular write head may be placed in a magnetic field with a first angle, e.g., non-parallel and non-perpendicular, to the air bearing surface and the inductance is measured. After altering the angle of the magnetic field the inductance is again tested. In another embodiment, the angles may be parallel and perpendicular to the air bearing surface. The difference in the inductance value can be used to determine a characteristic of the write head, such as the presence of a recording pole. In some embodiments, the inductance may be measured while applying a bias current to the write head while the write head is in an external magnetic field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: Infinitum Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Alexander M. Taratorin
  • Patent number: 9238959
    Abstract: A method for magnetizing a portion of a pre-deployed casing string includes deploying an electromagnetic array in a cased wellbore and energizing the array. The array includes a plurality of axially spaced electromagnets and is configured to generate a magnetic field pattern having at least first and second pairs of magnetically opposing poles. Passive ranging measurements of the induced magnetic field may be advantageously utilized, for example, to survey and guide continued drilling of a twin well. The electromagnetic array may also be used in active ranging applications. An array of permanent magnets providing a similar magnetic field pattern may also be used in active ranging applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2016
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Graham A. McElhinney, Robert A. Moore
  • Patent number: 9234771
    Abstract: A guide detection type rotary encoder has first through fourth transmission windings, first through fourth reception windings, and first through fourth flux coupling bodies. The first and second transmission windings, the first and second reception windings, and first and second flux coupling bodies each form first and second angle detection tracks which generate an N1 time and N2 time cyclic change at one rotation of the first rotor. The third and fourth transmission windings, the third and fourth reception windings, and third and fourth flux coupling bodies each form third and fourth angle detection tracks which generate an N3 time and N4 time cyclic change at one rotation of the second rotor. N1 and N2 are different, and N3 time and N4 are different.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: MITUTOYO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Koji Sasaki
  • Patent number: 9170234
    Abstract: If surface defects, near surface defects, or internal defects of a ferromagnetic substance object, a paramagnetic substance object, or a mixture object of ferromagnetic and paramagnetic substances are not quantitatively analyzed, the detected results can be differently analyzed depending on the knowledge or skill of an inspector. A defect detection apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes an induced current applier, a magneto-electric converter, a signal processor, a signal converter, and a data processor. The induced current applier applies a line or surface current to an object that is to be measured by using an alternating current (AC) having a frequency varying depending on a depth to be measured. The magneto-electric converter senses a magnetic field generated from the object by the Hn e or surface current and generates a magnetic field sensing signal corresponding to a strength of the sensed magnetic field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: INDUSTRY-ACADEMIC COOPERATION FOUNDATION, CHOSUN UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Jin-Yi Lee, Jong-Woo Jun, Ji-Seong Hwang
  • Patent number: 9135934
    Abstract: A write head is tested by measuring the effect that magnetic fields have on the inductance of the write head. For example, a perpendicular write head may be placed in a magnetic field with a first angle, e.g., non-parallel and non-perpendicular, to the air bearing surface and the inductance is measured. After altering the angle of the magnetic field the inductance is again tested. In another embodiment, the angles may be parallel and perpendicular to the air bearing surface. The difference in the inductance value can be used to determine a characteristic of the write head, such as the presence of a recording pole. In some embodiments, the inductance may be measured while applying a bias current to the write head while the write head is in an external magnetic field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: Infinitum Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Alexander M. Taratorin
  • Patent number: 8957678
    Abstract: A sensor unit includes a printed circuit board, a Hall IC, a terminal member, and a capacitor. The printed circuit board has a conductive pattern. The Hall IC is disposed on the printed circuit board. The Hall IC includes an element part that detects magnetic flux. The element part is arranged in parallel with the printed circuit board and is away from the conductive pattern. The terminal member is disposed on an end portion of the printed circuit board and is configured to be electrically coupled with an external device. The capacitor is disposed on the printed circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Shinsuke Oota
  • Patent number: 8901921
    Abstract: Some aspects of the present disclosure relate to techniques for measuring an angular position of a rotating shaft. As will be described in greater detail below, some angle measurement systems of the present disclosure include at least two magnets that cooperatively rotate at different rates according to a predetermined relationship (e.g., a predetermined gear ratio). Two or more magnetic field sensing elements, which are often stationary, measure the directionality of the resultant magnetic field at different positions for a particular angular shaft position. Based on the directionality measured by the magnetic field sensing elements, the techniques can determine an absolute angular position of the rotating shaft, which can be greater than three-hundred and sixty degrees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventor: James William Sterling
  • Patent number: 8710846
    Abstract: A probe for measuring electromagnetic properties of a subsurface formation includes a pad having a face adapted for engagement with a borehole wall, a pair of transmitting antennas, and two pairs of receiving antennas. The transmitting antennas and receiving antennas are mounted in the face of the pad, and each of the two pairs of receiving antennas include a first and second antenna distributed on opposite sides of the pair of transmitting antennas. The probe further includes an electronic arrangement having a transmitter module and a receiver module. The transmitter module is arranged to operate the pair of transmitting antennas in either a broadside mode or an endfire mode by applying an excitation signal modulated by two or more frequencies, and the receiver module is arranged to determine an attenuation and a phase shift of each reception signal provided by each receiving antenna relatively to the excitation signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Matthieu Simon, Henri Budan, Laurent Mosse, Mehdi Hizem
  • Patent number: 8674686
    Abstract: The angular position sensor is for assembly on a rotating shaft rotationally guided in a support structure, and includes an annular member having an inner surface socketed on the rotating shaft without relative rotation therebetween, and a housing in which a permanent magnet is inserted. A support is provided having a through hole through which the rotating shaft and the annular member extend, the through hole having an inner surface opposite and close to the annular member with a radial allowance, a cavity housing a sensor device capable of detecting variations in the magnetic field caused by the permanent magnet upon rotating with respect to the support together with the annular member, and an anchoring configuration by which the support is secured to a fixed structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Piher Sensors & Controls S.A.
    Inventors: John Adams, Carlos Forniés, Cesar Bueno
  • Patent number: 8633686
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for characterizing magnetic properties of materials, such as a material's anhysteretic B-H characteristic or its permeability as a function of B or H. A test apparatus for determining these magnetic properties is constructed to yield a symmetrical field distribution through material being tested to avoid localized saturation within the material. Characterization methods take into account radial variations in tangential field intensities when calculating the magnetic properties. The calculations are obtained as solutions of optimization problems through optimization methods such as genetic algorithms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Purdue Research Foundation
    Inventors: Scott D. Sudhoff, James L. Cale
  • Patent number: 8633701
    Abstract: A formation measurement and processing technique which reduces the effects of standoff between a resistivity tool and a borehole wall where the resistivity tool utilizes capacitive coupling between the tool and the formation to obtain resistivity data useful to generate a resistivity image of the formation. Reduction of standoff effects is achieved through the use of multi-frequency, phase sensitive measurements to identify a measured resonance frequency that may be used to produce an image that utilizes measurements least affected by the tool standoff and unknown or unspecified inductance of the tool. Reduction of standoff effects are the most pronounced in the case of the low resistivity formations and oil-based, low-conductive drilling fluids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Gregory B. Itskovich, Alexandre N. Bespalov
  • Patent number: 8629678
    Abstract: An apparatus for providing an image of a resistivity property of an earth formation surrounding a borehole is provided. The apparatus, in one aspect, may include a plurality of measure electrodes that are configured to convey an electrical current into the earth formation. In one aspect, each measure electrode may be substantially surrounded by an associated insulator that extends away from a tool body in a manner that blocks at least a portion of a vertical current flowing in a conductive fluid when the tool is operated to log the borehole. A processor provides an image of the resistivity property of the earth formation using the current in plurality of measure electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Randy Gold, Stanislav W. Forgang, Dinesh P. Shah
  • Patent number: 8598868
    Abstract: A gasket according to the present invention is for sealing a valve or pipe used in a high-pressure gas supplying equipment, which is comprised of a polymer material containing magnetic particles. Also, in a determination method of deterioration and damages of a gasket according to the present invention, the aforementioned gasket is used as the gasket for sealing a valve or pipe in a high-pressure gas supplying equipment, and the magnetic force of the gasket is measured to determine the deterioration and the damages of the gasket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Taiyo Nippon Sanso Corporation
    Inventors: Tomonobu Abe, Shigeru Tsuchiya, Shigeru Hayashida