Patents Examined by Dominic E Hawkins
  • Patent number: 11035816
    Abstract: A miniaturized electrochemical cell (2) comprising a main body (20) comprising a tip (21) wherein inlet (41) and outlet (51) hollow conduits of millimeter-size diameter are hollowed out separated by a partition wall (200) integral with the main body (20) in which an electrolytic liquid solution (10) flows, in a space between the tip (21) and a surface (90) of a conductor material to be analyzed (9) is identified a millimeter-size chamber for redox reactions (6), the tip (21) of the main body (20) comprises a millimeter-size opening (210) of millimetric dimension in communication with said millimeter-size chamber for redox reactions (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: NANOMATERIALS. IT S.R.L.
    Inventor: Massimiliano Bestetti
  • Patent number: 11035893
    Abstract: The present invention intends to provide a liquid sensor device that achieves both the improvement of durability and the improvement of property determination accuracy. The liquid sensor device includes: an electrode pair 22 that is formed on a sensor board 2 and covered by an insulating protective film 201; a resistance measurement part 302 that supplies AC current to the electrode pair 22 to measure the resistance value of oil 4; a parasitic capacitance storage part 304 that holds the parasitic capacitance Cs of the electrode pair 22; and a property determination part 313 that, on the basis of the resistance value R1 and the parasitic capacitance Cs, determines the deterioration of the oil 4.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: NIPPON PILLAR PACKING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tatsunari Koyama, Akira Nakatsu
  • Patent number: 11035891
    Abstract: Electric power system voltage control and voltage stability may be calculated using energy packets. Sets of negative energy packet sets normalized by a set of positive and negative energy packet sets may be used for voltage control by adding or removing capacitive units. Energy packet voltage indicators may be calculated using energy packets, and used to determine voltage stability. Control actions may be taken depending on the determined voltage stability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Edmund O. Schweitzer, III, Gregary C. Zweigle, Ellery A. Blood
  • Patent number: 11029368
    Abstract: A test point adaptor for coaxial cables includes a main body, a test body, and a cap. The main body has a first longitudinal axis and includes a first end comprising a first interface, a second end comprising a second interface, and a first center conductor extending at least from the first interface to the second interface. The test body has a second longitudinal axis arranged transversely to the main body and includes an outer conductive sleeve, a test body end comprising a third interface, an electrically conductive contact member in electrical contact with the first center conductor, and a gripping arrangement electrically coupled with the electrically conductive contact member. The third interface includes a conical contact surface of the outer conductive sleeve. The cap includes a sleeve configured to matingly engage an outer surface of the outer conductive sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: PPC BROADBAND, INC.
    Inventors: Kim Eriksen, Noah Montena
  • Patent number: 11029361
    Abstract: A method for determining a state of charge adapted for a battery is provided, the method including: obtaining a plurality of discharge curves; determining that the battery is in a discharge mode; measuring a current C-rate and a current voltage of the battery in the discharge mode; selecting a first discharge curve and a second discharge curve from the plurality of discharge curves, wherein a first C-rate corresponding to the first discharge curve is greater than the current C-rate, and a second C-rate corresponding to the second discharge curve is less than the current C-rate; and calculating a state of charge of the battery according to the first discharge curve and the second discharge curve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: Acer Incorporated
    Inventor: Chin-Yi Tsai
  • Patent number: 11029339
    Abstract: Provided is a current measuring apparatus including a current measuring resistor that includes a resistive element and first and second electrodes fixed to the resistive element, the current measuring resistor being adapted to measure a current, and an electronic circuit component including a plurality of terminals. One of the first electrode or the second electrode is used to short at least two of the terminals of the electronic circuit component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: KOA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takanori Kikuchi, Keishi Nakamura, Susumu Toyoda
  • Patent number: 11022629
    Abstract: Techniques are provided for changing a range of an output circuit with little or no voltage or current glitch. In an example, a method of changing a range of an output signal can include providing a first level of the output signal at an output of a first amplifier based on a received setpoint signal and receiving a range change command. In response to the range change command an input of a second amplifier can be shorted to an output of the second amplifier for a first interval. At the end of the first interval and over a second interval, a first impedance between the input of the second amplifier and the output of the second amplifier can be increased, and a second impedance between the input of the second amplifier and the setpoint signal can be increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: Analog Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Stefano I. D'Aquino, Jennifer W. Pierdomenico, Edward L. Collins
  • Patent number: 11022656
    Abstract: Multiple magnetic field sensors are arranged around a current-containing volume at multiple longitudinal and circumferential positions. Each sensor measures multiple magnetic field components and is characterized by one or more calibration parameters. A longitudinal primary current flows through two end-to-end electrical conductors that are separated by an arc gap, and flows as at least one longitudinal primary electric arc that spans the arc gap and that moves transversely within the arc gap. Estimated transverse position of the primary electric arc is calculated, based on the longitudinal position of the arc gap, and two or more of the measured magnetic field components along with one or more corresponding sensor positions or calibration parameters. In addition, estimated occurrence, position, and magnitude of a transverse secondary current (i.e., a side arc) can be calculated based on those quantities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: KW ASSOCIATES LLC
    Inventors: Matthew A. Cibula, Paul E. King, C. Rigel Woodside
  • Patent number: 11016124
    Abstract: An integrated current sensor is provided in the present invention. The integrated current sensor includes: a conductor comprising at least one current input pin, at least one current output pin, a first leg portion connected to the at least one current input pin, a second leg portion connected to the at least one current output pin, and a connection portion connected between the first leg portion and the second leg portion; a magnetoresistive sensing and signal processing unit; an isolation unit configured to be sandwiched between the magnetoresistive sensing and signal processing unit and the conductor; a plurality of signal pins configured for being coupled to the magnetoresistive sensing and signal processing unit via wires respectively; and a package body configured for wrapping part of the conductor, part of the signal pins, the isolation unit and the magnetoresistive sensing and signal processing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: ACEINNA TRANSDUCER SYSTEMS CO, LTD.
    Inventors: Dalai Li, Leyue Jiang
  • Patent number: 11016122
    Abstract: A contact probe comprises a probe body being extended in a longitudinal direction between respective end portions adapted to realize a contact with respective contact pads, at least one end portion having transverse dimensions greater than the probe body. Suitably, the end portion comprises at least one indentation adapted to house a material scrap being on the contact probe after a separation from a substrate wherein the contact probe has been realized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: TECHNOPROBE S.P.A.
    Inventors: Roberto Crippa, Raffaele Vallauri
  • Patent number: 11002769
    Abstract: A pair of clamping parts clamp a conductor to be measured and biased in closing directions. A pair of gripping parts are provided to be able to change a distance between the respective clamping parts according to a distance therebetween. Magnetoelectric conversion element(s) for current measurement is/are provided on either one or both of the respective clamping parts. A distance measurement unit is provided to be able to measure a physical quantity corresponding to the distance between the respective gripping parts as a physical quantity corresponding to the distance between the respective clamping parts. A current calculation device is provided to obtain a current flowing in the conductor to be measured on the basis of a magnetic field detected by the magnetoelectric conversion element(s) for current measurement and the physical quantity measured by the distance measurement unit when the conductor to be measured is clamped by the respective clamping parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: CVENGINEERING CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yoichi Yanagisawa
  • Patent number: 10989694
    Abstract: Provided is a rail inspection system capable of accurately detecting a defect of a railroad rail. The system includes: a sensor part group that has a plurality of sensor parts having receiver coils, and first oscillator coils and second oscillator coils corresponding to the receiver coils being arranged in a line parallel in a width direction of a railroad rail to be inspected; an oscillation part that supplies an oscillation signal to each of the first oscillator coils and the second oscillator coils; and a detection part group that has a plurality of detection parts to detect, with respect to an output signal from each of the receiver coils when the sensor part group moves in a laying direction of the railroad rail, a first inspection signal corresponding to a first phase of the output signal and a second inspection signal corresponding to a second phase of the output signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: Hitachi High-Tech Fine Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Ryuzo Kawabata, Hiroshi Suzuki, Kenji Yamamoto, Akihiko Kandori
  • Patent number: 10981527
    Abstract: An impact motion tracking system for tracking an object in a three-dimensional space includes a motion tracking sensor that includes a housing, a magnetic measurement module, an inertial measurement module, and a transmitter module, which generates magnetic fields. The magnetic measurement module measures magnetic fields generated by the transmitter module and has a fixed orientation with the object. The inertial measurement module measures a linear acceleration or an angular acceleration and has a fixed positional relationship with the object. An electronic processor receives measured signals from the motion tracking sensor and derives an impact motion information for the object based on received measured signals from the inertial measurement module. The electronic processor derives a magnetic motion information for the object based on received measured signals from the magnetic measurement module and periodically calibrates impact motion information with magnetic motion information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: Kistler Holding AG
    Inventors: Roderick Verschut, Thomas Warkentin, David Stein
  • Patent number: 10983081
    Abstract: A technique may include applying a first electrical signal to a first pair of drive electrodes, and, while applying the first electrical signal to the first pair of drive electrodes, determining a first measured voltage using a first measurement electrode. The technique further may include applying a second electrical signal to a second pair of drive electrodes, and, while applying the second electrical signal to the second pair of drive electrodes, determining a second measured voltage using a second, different measurement electrode. The first pair of drive electrodes, the second pair of drive electrodes, the first measurement electrode, and the second, different measurement electrode may from a set of N electrodes electrically coupled to the material. The technique also may include determining whether the material includes a crack or other defect based on a comparison between the first measured voltage and the second measured voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: David H. Redinger, Christopher R. Yungers, Eric M. Chinnock, Jennifer F. Schumacher
  • Patent number: 10976286
    Abstract: The present invention uses a plurality of magnetic field sources and magnetic field sensors mounted against a surface. Based on the mass of ferromagnetic material, such as steel, the magnetic field sensors detect variable magnetic field strength and this variance is proportional to the mass of ferromagnetic material being detected. An electronic device reads the magnetic field values and uses the information to quantify the ferromagnetic material in the surface or inside the volume of the construction component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: TECH4IMAGING LLC
    Inventors: Qussai Marashdeh, Christopher Zuccarelli, Jesse Hudak, Mohd Harish, Geoffrey Legg
  • Patent number: 10976352
    Abstract: A current sensor configured to detect electric current flowing through an object to be measured in a state where the current sensor encloses the object to be measured includes a coil body configured to detect the electric current flowing through the object to be measured, and a holding portion to which a base end portion of the coil body is attached, the holding portion being configured to insert and hold a leading end 1a of the coil body in an insertion port. A part having a greater curvature than a curvature of the base end portion is formed in a leading end portion having the leading end of the coil body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: HIOKI E.E. Corporation
    Inventors: Atsushi Nomura, Shunsuke Suzuki
  • Patent number: 10967744
    Abstract: A dump truck is provided with a ground fault detection device that detects a ground fault detection voltage V0 as a difference between a detection voltage Vp between a positive electrode line of a DC bus and a neutral point N and a detection voltage Vn between the neutral point N and a negative electrode line of the DC bus and detects a ground fault based upon the ground fault detection voltage V0. The ground fault detection device includes a DC component determining section that extracts a DC component VLdc from the ground fault detection voltage V0 and determines a ground fault based upon the DC component VLdc, and a drive frequency component determining sections (that extract drive frequency components VLiR, VLiL of the inverters from the ground fault detection voltage V0 and determine a ground fault based upon the drive frequency components VLiR, VLiL.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: HITACHI CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Toshihiko Ishida
  • Patent number: 10968881
    Abstract: The present invention provides spark plug that can improve detection accuracy of pre-ignition caused by flame kernel occurring inside spark plug. Terminal is located at a rear end side with respect to thread portion of metal shell. Detector electrode is provided at a portion located at a top end side with respect to a top end of contact portion between reduced diameter portion and shelf portion or packing in a space formed between outer periphery of insulator and inner periphery of the metal shell. The detector electrode and the terminal are connected by conductor. The detector electrode and the conductor are insulated from center electrode, the metal shell and ground electrode. Since the detector electrode is located in the space between the outer periphery of the insulator and the inner periphery of the metal shell, an early detection of the flame kernel occurring in this space can be possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masaru Kano, Kiyoteru Mori, Tomohiro Iwatsuka, Yoshiki Inoue, Keita Nakagawa
  • Patent number: 10971275
    Abstract: An electro-technical device includes a circuit including a coil connected to a voltage source for receiving a predetermined current therefrom and connected to an output device. The circuit includes a breakable junction and a photodiode for receiving a light signal from a fiber optic cable. The photodiode receives a light signal from a sensor. A permanent magnet includes a pole end opposing a common pole end of the coil, wherein when the coil receives an increased current from the photodiode, the coil creates an magnetic flux that repels against the common pole of the permanent magnet in order to cause the breakable junction to break and disrupt a connection between the voltage source and the output device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: GE-HITACHI NUCLEAR ENERGY AMERICAS LLC
    Inventors: Eric Paul Loewen, David W. Webber, Seth Ryan Paul Strege, Maria E. Pfeffer, Scott L. Pfeffer
  • Patent number: 10969269
    Abstract: A method of sensing vibrations or displacements remotely is provided. Magnets are attached to vibrating objects or the vibrating objects themselves are magnetic. A number of magnetic sensors are placed a specified distance from the magnets. Vibrational displacement of the vibrating objects is determined according to a model that maps changes in magnetic field to vibrations or spatial displacements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: National Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC
    Inventors: Yi Chen Mazumdar, Martin Nemer, Anirban Mazumdar, Bart G. van Bloemen Waanders, Carlton F. Brooks, Oksana Guba, Stephen D. Bond