Patents Examined by Eric S. McCall
  • Patent number: 11422055
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for checking emitter bonds in an irrigation drip line and for manufacturing drip line in a manner that allows the bond between the in-line emitter and surrounding conduit to be checked. In one form, a downstream in-line vacuum tester is provided for monitoring the amount of air escaping from outlet openings in the drip line to detect excessive air associated with poorly bonded emitters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: Rain Bird Corporation
    Inventors: Mark Richard Edris, Farshad Motamedi, Berj Zakarian, Mark Murphy Ensworth
  • Patent number: 11422065
    Abstract: A bumper for a mobile platform of a guided test platform includes a first end, a second end residing opposite the first end, a first surface extending between the first and second ends, and a second surface extending between the first and second ends and residing opposite the first surface. The bumper defines a ramp structure extending between the bumper first end and the bumper second end. The ramp structure is structured to guide a wheel of a vehicle in a direction away from the first surface as the wheel moves along the second surface in a direction from the bumper first end toward the bumper second end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: Toyota Research Institute, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Amacker, Joseph Taylor, Gregory J. Klein, Jonathan Yao, Andrew Custer
  • Patent number: 11422066
    Abstract: Testing the rolling resistance of a tire is a common procedure in tire testing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignees: ZF Friedrichshafen AG, Bridgestone Corporation
    Inventors: Jens Eisenbeiss, Roland Bösl, Markus Kramer, Lorenzo Alleva
  • Patent number: 11415484
    Abstract: A vehicle longitudinal speed control testing apparatus includes a first movable target body spaced away from a vehicle executing active speed control while loaded by a dynamometer assembly, and a controller. The controller changes a distance between the first movable target body and the vehicle to cause a speed parameter of the vehicle to follow a desired vehicle speed schedule based on speed parameter feedback from the dynamometer assembly or the vehicle, a sum of a speed of the first movable target body and the speed parameter feedback to follow a desired absolute speed schedule, or the distance between the first movable target body and the vehicle to increase according to a desired distance schedule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: HORIBA INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Leo Alphonse Gerard Breton
  • Patent number: 11415537
    Abstract: A MEMS media sensor, in particular, a MEMS gas sensor, including at least two electrodes, which are situated electrically isolated from one another with the aid of a carrier layer, a media-sensitive material for electrically connecting the two electrodes being applied to the carrier layer, a surface area for applying the media-sensitive material on the carrier layer having a topography, which is adapted to a particle size of particles of the media-sensitive material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Gregor Schuermann
  • Patent number: 11408802
    Abstract: A burner-based exhaust replication system that includes mechanisms for rapidly exchanging exhaust aftertreatment devices for testing. The exhaust replication system has a test leg for delivering exhaust to an exhaust aftertreatment device and a bypass leg for bypassing exhaust around the test leg. The test leg is equipped with a rotating drum that holds a number of exhaust aftertreatment devices. The drum is rotatable to selectively align the aftertreatment devices with the test leg and is moveable laterally in a direction parallel to the test leg to aid in sealing the test leg to the aftertreatment device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: Southwest Research Institute
    Inventors: Robert Henderson, Bryan Zavala, Scott T Eakle, Cary Henry
  • Patent number: 11402298
    Abstract: A device for detecting a defect of a rotating arrangement is disclosed. The rotating arrangement provides one or more rotating elements or groups of rotating elements. The device includes a definition unit for defining a dynamic threshold based on a static threshold of an actually monitored rotating element or group of rotating elements and based on a mean value of static thresholds of a plurality of similar functioning rotating elements or groups of rotating elements, and a detection unit for detecting a defect by comparing a current parameter value of the actually monitored rotating element or group of rotating elements with the dynamic threshold. Also, a method for detecting a defect of a rotating arrangement is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: Aktiebolaget SKF
    Inventor: Per-Erik Larsson
  • Patent number: 11401959
    Abstract: An embodiment provides A flow straightener, comprising; a conical-shaped portion having a first end and a second end substantially opposite the first end, wherein the first end has a bigger diameter than the second end; and a plurality of liquid directing vanes extending from the conical-shaped portion, wherein each of the plurality of liquid directing vanes are located at a different location on the conical-shaped portion and are oriented parallel to a longitudinal center axis of the conical-shaped portion; and wherein the plurality of liquid directing vanes extend from the conical-shaped portion such that the plurality of liquid directing vanes are located on either an upper half with respect to a horizontal centerline of an end the conical-shaped portion or a lower half with respect to the horizontal centerline of the conical-shaped portion; wherein each of the plurality of liquid directing vanes are shaped having a tapered tail located after the first end of the conical-shaped portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: McCrometer, Inc.
    Inventor: Rafael Huerta
  • Patent number: 11401855
    Abstract: Particulate filters are used to remove particulate matter such as soot and ash in the emissions control systems of vehicles, including gasoline direct injection (GDI) engines. Methods are provided to predict the long-term performance and durability of emissions control systems having particulate filters. The methods account for factors such as thermal aging, soot accumulation and regeneration, and ash loading.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: Afton Chemical Corporation
    Inventors: Huifang Shao, Joseph Roos, Joseph E. Remias
  • Patent number: 11402253
    Abstract: A fluid sensing apparatus includes a fluid sensor configured to detect a temperature distribution on a detection surface caused by heating, and output a signal value corresponding to a flow of a fluid; a falling time counting unit configured to count a falling time of the signal value after stopping the heating; and a failure determining unit configured to perform failure determination based on the falling time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: MINEBEA MITSUMI Inc.
    Inventors: Minoru Nagawatari, Satoshi Suzuki
  • Patent number: 11397137
    Abstract: A tyre testing device and clamping system is capable of supporting inflation of tyres having narrower or collapsed sidewalls insofar that the tyre is sealed and inflated at a smaller rim width and subsequently it is open to a specific rim width. The present system is also capable of pressing the sidewalls having larger width to a specified rim width. The present teaching is particularly suitable for spindles of tyre testing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: ME-INSPECTION SK, s.r.o.
    Inventors: Pavol Krasnansky, Miroslav Kriz, Martin Juhas, Michal Sevcek, Marian Sramek
  • Patent number: 11397132
    Abstract: A test method for a vehicle powertrain includes, during a first test in which dynamic engine torque from a powertrain drives a vehicle on a road, recording throttle position or accelerator pedal position to define a throttle schedule, and recording engine speed to define an engine speed schedule. The test method further includes, during a second test of a vehicle engine, controlling a dynamometer and the vehicle engine according to the engine speed schedule and throttle schedule to reproduce the dynamic engine torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: HORIBA INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Leo Alphonse Gerard Breton
  • Patent number: 11391646
    Abstract: An automatic mounting and demounting device and system for a motor testing platform, adapted to enable a control host to control automatic mounting and demounting between an axle of a motor under test and an axle of a testing apparatus, includes a mobile platform and a positional information sensing member. The control host controls the mobile platform according to positional information generated by the positional information sensing member, such that a carrier for carrying the motor under test is automatically driven to a corresponding position to thereby effect alignment and connection or separation of the axle of the motor under test and the axle of the testing apparatus. Therefore, preparation for the motor dynamics testing is automatically carried out effectively and correctly, thereby reducing the time and manpower required for testing-related preparation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: CHROMA ATE INC.
    Inventors: Ming-Yen Chen, Jian-Lin Lee, Sheng-Wei Lin, Chih-Hsien Wang
  • Patent number: 11385132
    Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure are directed to a method for controlling the torque of a drive unit on a test stand. Accordingly, one embodiment of the present disclosure is a method for controlling an inner effective torque of the drive unit via a unit controlling unit, wherein an inner effective desired torque is determined from the given courses of the rotational speed and the torque of the drive unit and a known mass inertia of the drive unit, and an inner effective actual torque is determined during the operation of the drive unit on the test stand from measured values of the load machine and/or of the drive unit and/or of the connecting shaft and/or of a known mass inertia of the drive unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: AVL List GmbH
    Inventors: Maximilian Bier, Martin Schmidt
  • Patent number: 11378490
    Abstract: A transmission shaft assembly for use in a sequential test of flexible thin-walled bearings includes a power connecting member, a clamping device and a plurality of bearing mounting kits. The bearing mounting kits are located between the power connecting member and the clamping device. The clamping device penetrates a central bore of each of the bearing mounting kits and is connected to the power connecting member. The power connecting member, the clamping device and the bearing mounting kits are connected into one piece. The power connecting member includes a spindle shank and a blind rivet. The bearing mounting kit includes a bearing mounting sleeve seat, a rear retaining ring, a front retaining ring, a bearing locking bolt and a tightening nut. The clamping device includes a clamping bolt, a washer and a spring washer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: SOUTH CHINA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Weiguang Li, Zhen Li, Xin Lin, Hui Chen
  • Patent number: 11371911
    Abstract: Methods and systems for sensor fault management are provided. A plurality of potential faults associated with a sensor are obtained. Accommodation approaches are associated with the plurality of potential faults. Severity levels are associated to the plurality of potential faults to produce a hierarchy of potential faults. A fault management tool is generated based on the hierarchy, the fault management tool defining a framework implementable by a controller associated with the sensor for accommodating faulty behaviour of the sensor by following the accommodation approaches of the hierarchy for the plurality of potential faults.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.
    Inventors: Betty Augustyniak, Michael Darby, Farzad Baghernezhad, Michael Chun, Dave Sellors
  • Patent number: 11372046
    Abstract: A method for identifying and mapping a maximum instantaneous stall torque capability of a fuel cell cathode valve includes: maintaining a temperature of an electric motor at a predetermined temperature, wherein the predetermined temperature is equal to or less than a freezing point of water (0° C.), and the electric motor includes motor brushes, commutator poles, a stator, a rotor rotatable with respect to the stator, and a shaft coupled to the rotor; locking the shaft of the electric motor such that the shaft is incapable of rotating, thereby fixing the shaft at a locked position; mounting the shaft of the electric motor to a dynamometer; supplying electrical energy to the electric motor; monitoring an instantaneous stall torque of the electric motor; and monitoring a rotor electrical resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: William A. Powers, Jr., Rajeev Vyas, Stephen G. Poulos, Ashish V. Gadre
  • Patent number: 11371922
    Abstract: In one implementation, a footfall detection assembly comprising a sensor underlayment unit and a data analysis device is provided. The sensor underlayment unit comprises a sensor having a unique sensor identifier and a plurality of zones, wherein the sensor is configured to measure zone capacitance in the plurality of zones, and a processing unit operably connected to the sensor. The processing unit is configured to receive the measured zone capacitance values from the sensor upon the occurrence of a change in measured zone capacitance of the sensor and generate and transmit a data packet comprising at least the unique sensor identifier and measured zone capacitance values upon occurrence of a change in capacitance of at least one of the plurality of zones of the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: COLUMBIA INSURANCE COMPANY
    Inventors: John J. M. Rees, Dennis J. Jones, Jr., Thomas Jerry McClure, Jr., Chester A. Chaffin, Joseph M. Woodall, Alan F. Buttenhoff
  • Patent number: 11371979
    Abstract: An oil debris monitoring sensor includes a multiple of passages within the housing, each of the multiple of passages surrounded by a set of coils to detect a particle. A method for determining a presence of a particle in a system includes a) installing a single sensor in-line with an oil flow path; b) communicating oil through a multiple of passages within the housing of the single sensor; c) detecting a particle through the single sensor; and d) isolating the particle to one of the multiple of passages within the sensor housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: Raytheon Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Sheridon Everette Haye, Edward Thomas Rocco
  • Patent number: 11366037
    Abstract: A tire inspection device includes a gas sensor disposed outside of a tire and facing an outer surface of the tire. The gas sensor detects a gas that fills the tire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: YAMAHA FINE TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yuichi Doki, Takeshi Kato, Akane Iizuka