Patents Examined by Erika J. Villaluna
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Patent number: 12092501Abstract: Flow meters may include a body defining a fluid channel therein. At least one structure may be positioned within the fluid channel, and fixed relative to the body, that is shaped and positioned to produce a flow-induced vibration that varies according to a rate of fluid flow through the fluid channel. A method of measuring a fluid flow rate may include directing a fluid over a first structure located in a first channel, and producing a first flow-induced vibration that varies according to a rate of fluid flow in a first channel with the first structure. The method may further include measuring the vibration of a remote structure coupled to the first channel, and determining the rate of fluid flow in the first channel from the measured vibration.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2020Date of Patent: September 17, 2024Assignees: Paul Marotta, Battelle Energy Alliance, LLC, University of IdahoInventors: Piyush Sabharwall, Paul Marotta, Richard Christensen, Nicholas Williams, Jason Palmer
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Patent number: 12085539Abstract: A gas diaphragm driven rapid supercharging device based on a diamond anvil cell is provided which includes a gas diaphragm, a diamond anvil cell press, a hard steel shell and a gas release component. The gas diaphragm and the diamond anvil cell press are positioned inside the hard steel shell, the gas diaphragm is positioned below the diamond anvil cell press, a first opening is formed in a top of the hard steel shell, and a second opening is formed in a bottom of the hard steel shell. The gas release component passes through the second opening of the hard steel shell to be connected with the gas diaphragm through a gas path, and the gas release component is configured for releasing gas at a first inflation speed in a standard pressure experiment, and inflating the gas diaphragm at different driving pressures to obtain a pressure calibration curve.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2024Date of Patent: September 10, 2024Assignee: JILIN UNIVERSITYInventors: Kuo Hu, Ran Liu, Dongchang Li, Shucheng Liu, Yue Pan, Zhaodong Liu, Bingbing Liu
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Patent number: 12078575Abstract: An example hinged device flexible substrate testing system includes: a first plate comprising a first surface configured to hold stationary a first portion of a hinged device under test; a second plate comprising a second surface configured to hold a second portion of the hinged device under test, the second portion of the hinged device coupled to the first portion via a first hinge having a first folding radius; a third plate comprising a third surface configured to hold a third portion of the hinged device under test, the third portion of the hinged device coupled to the first portion via a second hinge having a second folding radius; a first cam follower coupled to the second plate; a first drive arm configured to move the first cam follower to cause the second plate to rotate about a first hinge pivot axis of the first hinge; a first actuator configured to rotate the first drive arm; a second cam follower coupled to the third plate; a second drive arm configured to move the second cam follower to cause thType: GrantFiled: May 5, 2022Date of Patent: September 3, 2024Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventor: Philippe Levesque
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Patent number: 12066411Abstract: Safety systems and material testing systems including safety systems are disclosed. An example material testing system includes: at least one actuator configured to control one or more operator-accessible components of the material testing system; an actuator disabling circuit configured to disable the at least one actuator; and one or more processors configured to: control the at least one actuator based on a material testing process; monitor a plurality of inputs associated with operation of the material testing system; determine, based on the plurality of inputs and the material testing process, a state of the material testing system from a plurality of predetermined states, the predetermined states comprising one or more unrestricted states and one or more restricted states; and control the actuator disabling circuit based on the determined state.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2023Date of Patent: August 20, 2024Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.Inventors: Martin Allen Peterson, Earl H. Landry, Eric Thomas Stuebe, Fernando L. Castro, Jaron Burnworth
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Patent number: 12055420Abstract: A system may include a flow sensor and a base. The flow sensor may include a flow tube, a sensor configured to characterize at least one attribute of a fluid in the flow tube, and an electrical contact in electrical communication with the sensor. The flow tube may include a fluid inlet at a first end of the flow tube, a fluid outlet at a second end of the flow tube, a fluid injection port between the first and second ends of the flow tube, and a valve configured to control a flow of a fluid in the flow tube. The base may include a processor, an electrical contact in electrical communication with the processor, a short range wireless communication device, and a display. The flow sensor electrical contact may be in electrical communication with the base electrical contact when the flow sensor is connected to the base.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2021Date of Patent: August 6, 2024Assignee: Becton, Dickinson and CompanyInventors: John Picot, Hong Zhu, Matthew Lee Kolb, Kaushal Verma, Gary Ellerbusch, Adinor Puplampu
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Patent number: 12050206Abstract: An example material testing system includes: a pneumatic grip configured to grip a specimen under test based on a supplied pressure; and a processor configured to control the pressure supplied to the pneumatic grip by repeatedly: controlling a fill valve to increase the supplied pressure; allowing the supplied pressure to stabilize after each increase; and adjusting a pressurization time based on comparing an expected pressure increase to an actual pressure increase during the pressurization.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 2021Date of Patent: July 30, 2024Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventors: Keith Tremblay, Richard Conti
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Patent number: 12050118Abstract: In an embodiment, a method for measuring parameters of a liquid, where the method includes measuring pressure drops across a flow meter, measuring pressure upstream of the flow meter, and identifying at least one liquid parameter based, at least in part, on a correlation of a change in a multiphase flow parameter to pulse output. In an additional embodiment, a measuring apparatus for measuring parameters of a liquid, where the measuring apparatus includes an electronic control operable to measure pressure drops across the measuring apparatus, measure pressure upstream of the measuring apparatus, and correlate a change in a multiphase parameter to measured pulse output of the measuring apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2020Date of Patent: July 30, 2024Assignee: The Texas A&M University SystemInventors: Abhay R. Patil, Gerald Morrison, Joshua A. Vandervort
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Patent number: 12044588Abstract: A position sensor, in particular, intended for detecting the torsion of a steering column, includes a first magnetized rotor structure comprising magnets, a second stator structure comprising two rings extended by teeth that are axially oriented and interlocked, and a third stationary collector structure including two flux collection parts that define at least one air gap in which at least one magnet-sensitive element is placed. The flux collection parts and the ring gears define a magnetic permeance independent of the relative radial and angular position of the second stator structure with respect to the third collector structure. The collection parts comprise an angular collection sector and a primary collection zone continued by a prolongation having a secondary collection zone. The secondary collection zones end in flat extensions forming two poles of the air gap. The transverse median plane of the air gap intersects at least one of the prolongations.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2020Date of Patent: July 23, 2024Assignee: Moving Magnet TechnologiesInventor: Didier Frachon
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Patent number: 12031954Abstract: A method of measuring millisecond-scale blast and impact characterization in soft materials includes embedding one or more sensors in soft material, wherein the one or more sensors have mechanical properties approximately matching the soft material; applying a constant current to the one or more sensors; subjecting the soft material to a shock or impact event; measuring a response as a change in voltage; and converting the measured voltage to strain or pressure.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2021Date of Patent: July 9, 2024Assignee: The Government of the United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the NavyInventor: Christopher Rudolf
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Patent number: 12025534Abstract: A method for sensing a leak in a unit under test includes scanning a SKU on a unit under test, sending the SKU information to a compute, connecting the unit under test to a testing apparatus, removing gas from an interior volume of the unit under test, monitoring the vacuum pressure within the interior volume of the unit under test until the vacuum pressure reaches a test pressure, initiating delivery of helium to the exterior of the unit under test through a helium gun by pulling a trigger on the helium gun to dispense helium therefrom, positioning the helium supply gun so that helium is released over a weld of the unit under test, detecting the movement speed of the helium supply gun during the dispensing of helium therefrom, and displaying the helium content internal to the unit under test on a graphical user interface.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2022Date of Patent: July 2, 2024Assignee: ULTRA CLEAN HOLDINGS, INC.Inventors: Gethin Mao, Kevin Shi, Jaya Chandran
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Patent number: 12025525Abstract: A tactile sensor includes a first layer formed of flexible material having an outer contact surface and an opposed inner interface surface, a second layer formed of substantially transparent flexible material arranged in substantially continuous contact with the flexible first layer at the interface surface, a camera, and reflective material. The first and second layers are configured so that pressure exerted by an object or objects contacting the outer contact surface causes at least localized distortion of the interface surface. The camera is arranged to capture an image of the interface surface through the flexible second layer. The reflective material is configured so that the appearance of at least part of the reflective material changes as the viewing angle changes and the reflective material is located between the layers at the interface surface.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 2020Date of Patent: July 2, 2024Assignee: THE SHADOW ROBOT COMPANY LIMITEDInventors: Hugo Elias, Matthew Godden
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Patent number: 12023696Abstract: A spray system includes nozzles spaced along a distribution line. Each nozzle actuates the position of one or more internal valves based on a spray command received from a system control module. Sensors generate position information regarding the actuation of the valves. The actual valve positions are compared to expected valve positions to determine a deviation between the two. The deviation can be compared to a threshold to determine a status of that nozzle. A normal nozzle status can be generated based on the deviation being less than the threshold. An abnormal nozzle status can be generated based on the deviation being equal to or exceeding the threshold.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 2020Date of Patent: July 2, 2024Assignee: Intelligent Agricultural Solutions LLCInventors: Marshall T. Bremer, Bradley Schleusner, Daniel R. Wood, Jr.
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Patent number: 12019054Abstract: Provided is a device for evaluating 360-degree bidirectional folding durability of a flexible material in which during a folding test of a film-type flexible material, a single folding device can implement both the infolding and outfolding of the flexible material relative to the unfolded state of the flexible material. To this end, the device includes: a fixing unit configured to fix a first side of the flexible material to be evaluated; a moving unit configured to fix a second side of the flexible material and disposed to be spaced apart from the fixing unit; a motion guide unit to which the fixing unit is fixed; and a motion unit connecting the motion guide unit with the moving unit.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2021Date of Patent: June 25, 2024Assignee: FlexiGO INC.Inventors: Ki Yong Lee, Hyeon Bong Moon, Ho Moon You, Chang Shin Kwak
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Patent number: 12013296Abstract: The invention relates to a strain-measuring structure, comprising a carrier, which is divided into regions along the predetermined breaking points only after being joined to the object to be measured. After the separation along the predetermined breaking points, the regions individually joined in the joining zones can be moved freely relative to one another in the event of strain of the object, without the strain-measuring structure applying significant forces to the object to be measured, which could distort the strain measurement. Measuring assemblies for measuring strain lie between the regions. Said measuring assemblies can be based on different principles, depending on the application. The invention further relates to a method for producing the strain-measuring structure, to a method for measuring the strain of objects, and to the use of the structure to measure strain.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2019Date of Patent: June 18, 2024Assignee: HAHN-SCHICKARD-GESELLSCHAFT FÜR ANGEWANDTE FORSCHUNG E. V.Inventors: Achim Bittner, Bernd Folkmer, Mohamed Bourouah
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Patent number: 12013273Abstract: A mud flow measurement system includes a flow pipe, a Coriolis meter, a differential pressure sensor, and a mud flow measurement module. The mud flow measurement module is configured to select a calibration curve corresponding to a drilling mud injected into the well, determine a measured density based on the signal from each of the vibration sensors and the selected calibration curve, determine a differential pressure across the Coriolis meter from the differential pressure sensor, and compute a calculated mass flow rate, Qmass, of the multiphase mud flow using equation Q mass = C d ? A t 1 - ? 4 ? 2 ? ? * ? ? P , where Cd is a calibration constant, At is a cross-sectional area of the measurement tube, ? is a ratio of the internal diameters of the flow pipe the measuring tube, ? is the density of the multiphase mud, and ?P is the differential pressure across the Coriolis meter, where ? is the measured density determined from the Coriolis meter.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2022Date of Patent: June 18, 2024Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil CompanyInventors: Sakethraman Mahalingam, Michael Affleck
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Patent number: 12007230Abstract: A measurement unit module includes a printed circuit board (PCB) and electronic components being mounted on a front face of the PCB, a plurality of measurement unit modules are arranged at intervals in an extending direction of a stripped flat cable, the stripped flat cable is electrically connected to back faces of the plurality of PCBs in sequence to form a measurement unit cluster, the measurement unit cluster is packaged and molded by an extrusion technology of silica gel to form the flexible sensing strip, and the flexible sensing strip can be wound into a sensing strip reel. The packaging structure has the beneficial effects that connection integrity between the measurement unit modules is enhanced, connection strength is improved, and reliability of a flexible clinometer is improved. The flexible sensing strip can be wound into the sensing strip reel so as to be convenient to carry and convey.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 2021Date of Patent: June 11, 2024Assignee: CHINA UNIVERSITY OF GEOSCIENCES (WUHAN)Inventors: Yongquan Zhang, Huiming Tang, Junrong Zhang, Changdong Li, Guiying Lu, Yuansheng Wang, Ding Xia, Chengyuan Lin
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Patent number: 12007040Abstract: An overfill-prevention valve system includes a testing mechanism, operable by a user from the inlet end of the drop tube, which can be used to verify proper valve function without actually filling the storage tank. The testing mechanism allows the user to actuate the valve manually using a test probe, such as by elevating a float to simulate a full storage tank. The testing mechanism may be located upstream of the valve to facilitate the testing operation without interfering with the valve body. The mechanism may further provide non-contact functionality, such as with magnetic actuators on either side of the drop tube wall, to eliminate a potential test mechanism leak points. The test probe used to actuate the test mechanism may be shaped to define a desired rotational position at the test location within the drop tube, ensuring proper rotational alignment of the magnetic actuators.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 2023Date of Patent: June 11, 2024Assignee: Franklin Fueling Systems, LLCInventors: Justin F. Kuehn, Michael Christopherson
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Patent number: 12007292Abstract: Methods of measuring a force using a tracking system are disclosed. A first vector is determined between a first tracking array and a second tracking array on a tool. The tool has a flexible portion that has a known modulus of elasticity and moment of inertia. A force is applied to the tool, and a second vector is determined between the first tracking array and the second tracking array. An amount of deflection is determined for the tool, and the magnitude and direction of the applied force are determined based on at least the amount of deflection, the modulus of elasticity and the moment of inertia. Information pertaining to the magnitude and direction of the applied force is provided to a user.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 2019Date of Patent: June 11, 2024Assignees: Smith & Nephew, Inc., Smith & Nephew Orthopaedics AG, Smith & Nephew Asia Pacific Pte. LimitedInventors: Samuel C. Dumpe, Brett Bell
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Patent number: 12000722Abstract: In accordance with example embodiments of the present disclosure, a method for determining parameters for, and application of, models that correct for the effects of fluid inhomogeneity and compressibility on the ability of Coriolis meters to accurately measure the mass flow and/or density of a process fluid on a continuous basis is disclosed. Example embodiments mitigate the effect of multiphase fluid conditions on a Coriolis meter.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2022Date of Patent: June 4, 2024Assignee: CorVera LLCInventor: Daniel Gysling
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Patent number: 12000720Abstract: The present invention defines six unexpected benefits resulting from the automation of and improvements to inventory reconciliation and tank level monitoring at tank farms, terminals and refineries, commonly associated with refining and the transportation of, hydrocarbon fuels. In the implementation of an automated system for tank level monitoring and periodic inventory reconciliation, it has been discovered that both applications can be used to correctly identify maintenance needs and policy violations that were previously unable to be identified. The benefits include identification of thermal relief valve failure, transmix check valve failure, lock out/tag out failure, floating roof landing, and incorrect tank assignments.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 2019Date of Patent: June 4, 2024Assignee: MARATHON PETROLEUM COMPANY LPInventors: Gerald E. Langlois, III, Hubie M. Bartlett, James Wilhelm, Mike Huber, Daniel Leslie, Timothy E. Heck