Patents Examined by Dominic E Hawkins
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Patent number: 11133799Abstract: A capacitive proximity sensor assembly is provided that includes a first electrode, a second electrode, a first compliant dielectric layer disposed between the first and second electrodes, and a controller processing signals associated with the first and second electrodes and selectively reconfiguring operation of the first and second electrodes in different proximity sensor arrangements to provide a plurality of capacitive sensors. The capacitive proximity assembly may be selectively reconfigured into up to four capacitive sensors.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2019Date of Patent: September 28, 2021Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Pietro Buttolo, Stuart C. Salter, James Robert Chascsa, II
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Patent number: 11125706Abstract: A magnetic resonance device for monitoring growth of tissue in one or more bioreactors. The device can include a first magnet and a second magnet that can form a uniform magnetic field of desired strength around at least one sample of effluent from at least one bioreactor. At the command of a controller, an RF signal can illuminate the at least one magnetized sample, and sensors can detect at least one echo signal from the at least one magnetized sample. The controller can characterize the at least one sample based on the at least one echo signal. A resonator can shape the at least one echo signal.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2020Date of Patent: September 21, 2021Assignee: DEKA Products Limited PartnershipInventors: David Blumberg, Jr., Michael C. Tilley, Derek G. Kane, David C. Nivens
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Patent number: 11121537Abstract: An intelligent fuse provides the operational status of the power network upon which the fuse is installed to a mobile device of a remote user. A fuse electronic circuit embedded in the fuse holder of the fuse captures the characteristic values of the power network and transmits the data to the mobile device. The mobile device has an application installed thereon to calculate the distance to fault location from the recording fuse using the fuse electronic circuit-captured data. The fuse electronic circuit-captured data is further used to visualize the data collected at the measurement points of the electrical system upon which the fuse is installed.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2019Date of Patent: September 14, 2021Assignee: ABB Schweiz AGInventors: James D. Stoupis, Bernhard Deck, Mirrasoul Mousavi, Dmitry Ishchenko
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Patent number: 11112439Abstract: An evaluation circuit, system, and method for evaluating a capacitive or inductive sensor includes first and second measurement connections to which sensors and/or reference elements are connected, first and second charging and discharging circuits that respectively output first and second charging and discharging signals to the first and second measurement connections. A comparator circuit compares the temporal behavior of the first and second charging and discharging signals. An integrator circuit produces an output voltage that changes as a function of the voltage at the output of the comparator circuit. The output voltage of the integrator circuit is connected to the first or second measurement connection to adjust the respective first or second charging and discharging signal. A measurement signal derived from the output voltage of the integrator circuit is a measure of impedance differences between the sensors or reference elements at the first and second measurement connections.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2018Date of Patent: September 7, 2021Inventors: Marius Czardybon, Peter Czardybon
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Patent number: 11105832Abstract: The present disclosure pertains to systems and methods for detecting traveling waves in electric power delivery systems. In one embodiment, a system comprises a capacitance-coupled voltage transformer (CCVT) in electrical communication with the electric power delivery system, the CCVT comprising a stack of capacitors and an electrical contact to a first ground connection. Electrical signals from accessible portions of the CCVT are used to detect traveling waves. Current and/or voltage signals may be used. In various embodiments, a single current may be used. The traveling waves may be used to detect a fault on the electric power delivery system.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 2020Date of Patent: August 31, 2021Assignee: Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc.Inventors: Edmund O. Schweitzer, III, Bogdan Z. Kasztenny, Veselin Skendzic, Travis C. Mallett, Robert Lopez, Jr.
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Patent number: 11105835Abstract: A method for operating a current sensor, having a first measurement resistor, a second measurement resistor and a reference resistor. The first and second measurement resistors are arranged in series. The reference resistor is electrically disconnected from the first and second measurement resistors in a first measurement state and connected in parallel with the first measurement resistor in a second measurement state. In the first measurement state, identifying the respective first and second measurement resistors voltage drop and determining the ratio of the voltage drops.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 2019Date of Patent: August 31, 2021Assignee: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBHInventors: Martin Schramme, Martin Geiger
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Patent number: 11099212Abstract: A method for cleaning and coating a tip of a test probe in an integrated circuit package test system is provided. The method includes 1) saturating a brush tip comprising nonporous bristles with a solution of phosphonic acid; 2) applying the solution of phosphonic acid to the tip of the test probe with the brush tip to coat the tip of the test probe with the solution of phosphonic acid; and 3) allowing the solution of phosphonic acid to dry on the tip of the test probe and form a self-assembled monolayer of phosphonates thereon.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2020Date of Patent: August 24, 2021Assignee: ACULON INC.Inventors: Eric L Bruner, Eric L. Hanson
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Patent number: 11092622Abstract: In a current detection device, a busbar extends through the interior of a shield member. The busbar is thin in thickness and yet is bent, when viewed in a direction of extension. A current sensor detects a magnetic field generated by an electric current flowing in the busbar.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2019Date of Patent: August 17, 2021Assignee: YAZAKI CORPORATIONInventor: Toshiaki Fukuhara
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Patent number: 11085950Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention includes an interface assembly for a vertical probe contactor. The interface assembly comprises a base board, a mounting board, a depth adjust plate, and an interface apparatus. The depth adjust plate is between the base board and the mounting board, and the interface apparatus is mounted to the mounting board. The interface apparatus is configured to receive the vertical probe contactor through an opening in the base board and a corresponding opening in the depth adjust plate. A thickness of the depth adjust plate defines a vertical distance between a wafer side of the base board and a plurality of probe tips of the vertical probe contactor.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2018Date of Patent: August 10, 2021Assignee: Spire ManufacturingInventors: Hai Dau, Lim Hooi Weng, Kothandan Shanmugam, Christine Bui
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Patent number: 11088399Abstract: The invention relates to a current sensor comprising an electric conductor (10), through which a first current (I) can flow parallel to a first direction (R1) and which comprises three regions (21, 22, 23) immediately following on from each other in the first direction (R1). A middle region (22) of the three regions (21, 22, 23) comprises a conductor cross-sectional area that is smaller than a conductor cross-sectional area of each of the two outer regions (21, 23) of the three regions (21, 22, 23). A voltage sensor of the current sensor is designed to measure a first voltage between the two terminals (41, 42) thereof. The first voltage is the same as a voltage applied to a measuring region (22, 25) at least partially coinciding with the middle region (22).Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 2016Date of Patent: August 10, 2021Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventors: Andreas Ruehle, Chrysanthos Tzivanopoulos, Eduard Reimer, Karsten Thoelmann, Kuen Cheuk Leung, Lisa Lorenz, Patrick Kaupp, Sven Bergmann
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Patent number: 11085952Abstract: A current sensor can indirectly measure a sensed current by directly measuring static perturbing AC magnetic fields with magnetoresistance elements, the perturbing magnetic fields generated by perturbing coils. The sensed current can be indirectly measured by modulating or changing sensitivities of the magnetoresistance elements in a way that is directly related to the sensed current.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2019Date of Patent: August 10, 2021Assignee: Allegro MicroSystems, LLCInventors: Bryan Cadugan, Rémy Lassalle-Balier, Alexander Latham, Paolo Campiglio, Noémie Belin
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Patent number: 11079881Abstract: A signal processing circuit for processing a sensing signal from a sensor includes an amplifier, an input capacitor group, a compensation capacitor group and first/second switch groups. The amplifier, coupled to a first floating node and a second floating node, is configured to amplify the sensing signal coupled from the first floating node and the second floating node. The first switch group is coupled between a first node group and the first and second floating nodes. The second switch group is coupled between a second node group and the first node group. The input capacitor group is coupled to the second node group and an input node group, and configured to receive the sensing signal coupled from the input node group. The compensation capacitor group is coupled between a compensation node group and the second node group, and configured to receive a compensation signal coupled from the compensation node group.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2019Date of Patent: August 3, 2021Assignee: NOVATEK Microelectronics Corp.Inventor: Min Huang
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Patent number: 11079414Abstract: A current sense circuit is provided. The current sense circuit includes an input terminal coupled to sense an input current. A first terminal of a diode is coupled as the input terminal. A current limiter has a first terminal coupled to a second terminal of the diode. A current source is coupled to a second terminal of the current limiter and configured to generate a first current. A current mirror includes a first leg coupled to the current limiter and the current source and a second leg coupled for providing an output current.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2019Date of Patent: August 3, 2021Assignee: NXP B.V.Inventor: Jaume Tornila Oliver
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Patent number: 11067714Abstract: A device for locating an object. The device includes a housing including a first hole. The device also includes a sensor carried by the housing and comprising two or more electrodes that are positioned next to each other to form a substantially circular configuration. The sensor includes a second hole formed in the center of the circular configuration, and the second hole is axially aligned with the first hole.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2019Date of Patent: July 20, 2021Assignee: Stanley Black & Decker Inc.Inventors: Bruce Eidinger, Yong Cushing, Michael Murray, Bianca L. Linay
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Patent number: 11067648Abstract: A magnetic sensor that ensures the height of the yoke and that guides magnetic flux in the direction in which the magnetic field sensing film detects a magnetic field includes a first magnetic field detection element that has a first magnetic field sensing film that detects a magnetic field in a first direction, and a first yoke that includes a first portion that is located on a side of the first magnetic field sensing film with respect to the first direction, and a second portion that is in contact with the first portion in a direction that is orthogonal to the first direction. The average dimension of the second portion in the first direction is larger than the average dimension of the first portion in the first direction.Type: GrantFiled: November 25, 2019Date of Patent: July 20, 2021Assignee: TDK CorporationInventors: Naoki Ohta, Keisuke Takasugi
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Patent number: 11053778Abstract: An inspection tool and associated methods for testing physical and electrical properties of a perforating gun segment, wherein the perforating gun segment is received in a perforating gun segment holder positioned between a first connecting portion and second connecting portion. The inspection tool may be for establishing, testing, and confirming the position of an internal gun assembly and the electrical properties of certain electrical connections of the perforating gun segment. Electrical testing contacts and/or distance sensors may be positioned on one of the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion for measuring the position of the internal gun assembly and the electrical properties. In an aspect, the inspection tool may include a piston for pushing, via the first connecting portion, the internal gun assembly to a predetermined position, and establishing electrical connections to test the electrical properties of the perforating gun segment.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2020Date of Patent: July 6, 2021Assignee: DynaEnergetics Europe GmbHInventors: Christian Eitschberger, Stefan Volberg
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Patent number: 11050496Abstract: Testing devices such as integrated circuits (IC) with integrated antennas configured for millimeter wave (mmW) transmission and/or reception. A DUT may be mounted to an interface in a measurement fixture (e.g., a socket, anechoic chamber, etc.). Power and data connections of the DUT may be tested over the interface, which may also provide connections (e.g., wired) for input/output signals, power, and control and may also provide positioning. Radio frequency (RF) characteristics of the DUT may be tested over-the-air using an array of antennas or probes in the radiating Fresnel zone of the DUT's antennas. Each of the antennas or probes of the array may incorporate a power detector (e.g., a diode) so that the RF radiating pattern may be measured using DC voltage measurements. Measured voltage measurements may be compared to an ideal signature, e.g., voltage measurements expected from an ideal or model DUT.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 2018Date of Patent: June 29, 2021Assignee: National Instruments CorporationInventors: Marcus K. DaSilva, Chen Chang, Charles G. Schroeder, Ahsan Aziz, Paramjit S. Banwait
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Patent number: 11047884Abstract: A current sensor includes a conductor through which a current as a measurement target flows and two magnetic sensors. The conductor includes a first flow path, a second flow path adjacent to or in a vicinity of the first flow path in a width direction of the first flow path, and a first joining portion in which the first flow path and the second flow path merge with each other. The two magnetic sensors are provided side by side in a width direction and detect magnetic fields produced by currents that flow through the conductor. The conductor is provided with a first notch portion, in which a side edge in a farther side portion from the second flow path, of both of side edges of the first flow path in the width direction is notched.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2019Date of Patent: June 29, 2021Assignee: MURATA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.Inventor: Yasuhiro Shimizu
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Patent number: 11043704Abstract: The invention relates to a method for identifying a battery type (Pb, Li ion) by means of a battery testing device (1), having the steps: application of a DC pulse having a current strength (IB) of at least 30. Ampere to a battery (18) to be tested for at least five seconds; before the application of the pulse, measurement of a pre-pulse voltage (U0) of the battery; during the application of the pulse, measurement of a pulse voltage (U1) of the battery; determination of a transition voltage difference between the pre-pulse voltage and the pulse voltage; determination of a characteristic of a transition voltage difference parameter in dependence upon the transition voltage difference; assignment of a specific battery type (Pb, Li ion) to the tested battery in dependence upon the characteristic; and a battery testing device and a battery testing system.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2017Date of Patent: June 22, 2021Assignee: Berghof Automation GmbHInventors: Philipp Miska, Christopher Görls
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Patent number: 11041915Abstract: A power distribution monitoring system is provided that can include a number of features. The system can include a plurality of monitoring devices configured to attach to individual conductors on a power grid distribution network. In some embodiments, a monitoring device includes a current sensing element comprising a Rogowski coil. The output of the Rogowski coil can be used by a fault detection circuit to determine if a fault or disturbance occurs on the conductor. Methods of using the monitoring devices are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2019Date of Patent: June 22, 2021Assignee: Sentient Technology Holdings, LLCInventor: Ronald S. Rumrill