Patents Examined by Feba Pothen
  • Patent number: 11156585
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of detecting mixed mode corrosion of a turbine airfoil. The method includes heat treating the turbine airfoil at a temperature of 1600 to 2100° F. in a Ni/Co oxide reducing atmosphere; and scanning the heat treated turbine airfoil with a magnetometer to determine the presence of mixed mode corrosion, wherein the turbine airfoil comprises a nickel superalloy and has internal passages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Xuan Liu, Andrew DeBiccari, Zhong Ouyang, Christopher J. Bischof, William J. Brindley
  • Patent number: 11150288
    Abstract: The present disclosure discloses a system for measuring a charge-to-mass ratio of an electrostatic atomization nozzle and a measurement method using the same. The system includes an electrostatic atomization nozzle, an upper cylinder, a lower cylinder, an ammeter, a liquid level tube, an ultrasonic level meter, a water storage tank, and a liquid pump. The electrostatic atomization nozzle, the upper cylinder, and the lower cylinder are sequentially connected from top to bottom. The ammeter is connected to the lower-cylinder flange. The liquid level tube is communicated with the lower cylinder. The ultrasonic level meter is mounted on an upper end of the liquid level tube. The water storage tank is located below a lower-cylinder water outlet pipe. The liquid pump can deliver a liquid in the water storage tank to the electrostatic atomization nozzle. Measurement data of the ammeter is acquired and processed by a computer in real time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: Jiangsu University
    Inventors: Mingxiong Ou, Minmin Wu, Weidong Jia, Chen Gong, Huitao Zhou
  • Patent number: 11137430
    Abstract: A high speed active tuning system for wideband modulated signals comprises a slabline with an adjustable signal coupler (wave-probe) and an electronic tuner in a feedback signal injection loop. The wave-probe controls the static amplitude and phase of the feedback signal and the electronic tuner controls the actual amplitude and phase of the re-injected signal. High speed calibration and search routines allow identifying tuner states satisfying instantaneously impedance targets over the entire modulation bandwidth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Inventor: Christos Tsironis
  • Patent number: 11131696
    Abstract: A method for estimating a property of a signal (1) sensed in an electrical system, comprises the steps of sensing the signal (1) and estimating a fundamental period of a fundamental of the signal (1) by comparing the sensed signal (1) with at least one threshold (2) to detect threshold crossings and estimating the fundamental period from the threshold crossings. The signal property is then estimated from the fundamental period and/or from the sensed signal (1) during an interval of a length of the fundamental period. An electronic device according to the invention comprises a micro controller and/or an analogue circuitry which performs the method for estimating a property of a signal. Preferably, the micro controller and/or analogue circuitry controls other parts of the electronic device depending on the results obtained by the method for estimating a property of a signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Assignee: DELTA ELECTRONICS (THAILAND) PUBLIC CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Christian Krumpholz
  • Patent number: 11133623
    Abstract: A conductive liquid path detection circuit for detecting a conductive liquid present in a receptacle connector and/or a mating connector plug is configured for discharging an electron charge from any conductive liquid present on a connector pin in the receptacle connector and/or a mating connector plug. The conductive liquid path detection circuit charges any conductive liquid present on the connector pin with an electron charge. The circuit repeatedly samples and retains the samples of the measurements of a voltage level present at the connector pin. The conductive liquid path detection circuit then analyzes the samples of the measurements to determine a slope of the samples of the measurements of a voltage level over time; and determines when an amplitude of a final measurement of the voltage level is less than a conductive liquid detection threshold level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Assignee: Dialog Semiconductor (UK) Limited
    Inventors: Julian Tyrrell, Andrew Repton, Gary Hague
  • Patent number: 11125776
    Abstract: According to one aspect of the present invention, a short circuit inspection method for an all solid battery assembly is provided which includes: a step of preparing an all-solid-state battery assembly; a step of preparing a restraint jig including a pair of restraint plates sandwiching the all-solid-state battery assembly in the thickness direction, and a restraint member including a bolt and a nut, wherein where a smallest thermal expansion coefficient among the thermal expansion coefficient of the positive electrode current collector and the thermal expansion coefficient of the negative electrode current collector of the all-solid-state battery assembly is denoted by ?1, the thermal expansion coefficients of the bolt and the nut are each equal to or greater than ?1; a step of restraining the all-solid-state battery assembly; a step of increasing the resistance of the all-solid-state battery assembly by cooling; a step of applying a voltage to the all-solid-state battery assembly and measuring a current; an
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Takayuki Hojo
  • Patent number: 11123231
    Abstract: A diaper includes a diaper body and a wet diaper monitoring device, which includes a disposable pouch and a monitoring device. The monitoring device includes a monitoring casing, a first sensor electrode, a second sensor electrode, a sensing circuitry and an indicator. The first sensor electrode and the second sensor electrode are provided on an inner surface of and received in the monitoring casing, and form a single planar capacitor when the diaper body is dry. When the diaper body becomes wet, a capacitance between the first sensor electrode and the second sensor electrode increases substantially so as to transform the single planar capacitor of the first sensor electrode and the second sensor electrode into two much larger series connected capacitors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Inventor: Peter Lee
  • Patent number: 11123834
    Abstract: Proposed is a machine tool unit with a stator unit and a rotor unit which is rotatable about an axis of rotation, wherein the rotor unit comprises a spindle head with a tool-holding unit having a tool-clamping device, wherein a testing device is provided for testing the clamping state of the tool, the testing device having precisely one sensor head for sensory detection. To improve the precision, the sensor head is arranged at a fixed position on the stator unit in such a manner that it measures the distance to an end-side part of the spindle head rotating relative to the sensor head, wherein the testing device is designed to record a temporal/position-related sequence of at least two distance values and/or of at least two successive series of in each case at least two distance values, in order to determine an axial run-out error.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: Franz Kessler GmbH
    Inventors: Joachim Van Sprang, Harald Weing
  • Patent number: 11119142
    Abstract: A device may utilize a cable that includes connectors and conductors to transfer signals, electrical power, or both. Some cable failures result in an inability to transfer signals. Other failures may result from different cables being used at different times, resulting in a mismatch in which the cable is rated to transfer less power than what could otherwise be delivered by the power source. Parameters, such as cable impedance, transmitter gain, signal conditioning, and so forth that are associated with use of the cable are monitored at different times. If the values of these parameters from one time to another exceed a threshold value, a fault in the cable is determined. A notification about the impending or actual failure of the cable may be presented, and a suitable cable may be recommended for purchase. For example, a hyperlink may be provided to allow for purchase of the suitable cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: AMAZON TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Benjamin Thomas Gaide, Donald Joseph Brunnett
  • Patent number: 11105772
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for powering a pipeline inspection system. The system includes an induction generator extending along a radially curved plane. The induction generator having an outer surface and an opposing inner surface. The outer surface is positioned proximate to an inner surface area of a pipeline. The system also includes a controller circuit configured to generate a plurality of periodic waveform signals. The plurality of periodic waveform signals are received by the induction generator. The induction generator is configured to generate active power that charges an electric power source based on the plurality of periodic waveform signals and the inner surface area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Francesco Papini, Alexander Felix Fiseni, Christoph Boeld
  • Patent number: 11085907
    Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for detecting contaminants in water are provided. A device may include: a sensor configured to detect one or more contaminants in a liquid when the sensor is dipped into the liquid; a computing device connected to the sensor, the computing device being configured to determine a resistance of the device when the sensor is dipped into the liquid; and a wireless electronic device connected to the computing device via one or more wireless links and configured to receive the resistance of the device when the sensor is dipped into the liquid from the computing device, and the wireless electronic device determines a level of contamination in the liquid based on a difference between the resistance of the device when the sensor is dipped into the liquid and a set or predetermined resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Inventor: Gitanjali Adhikarla Rao
  • Patent number: 11085976
    Abstract: A field-sensor device comprises first and second field sensors disposed in corresponding different first and second orientations, each responsive to an external field to produce corresponding first and second sensor signals. One of or both the first and second sensor signals are converted to equivalent comparable sensor signals in a common orientation and compared to determine a faulty field sensor. If a faulty field sensor is determined, a faulty sensor signal is produced or, if a faulty sensor is not determined, an output sensor signal responsive to the first, second or comparable sensor signals is produced. Evaluation of the direction of differences between the comparable sensor signals can determine which of the first and second field sensors is faulty.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: MELEXIS TECHNOLOGIES SA
    Inventors: Javier Bilbao De Mendizabal, Mathieu Poezart
  • Patent number: 11085975
    Abstract: A dropped conductor sensor includes a housing installable on a first conductor; a sensor supported in the housing and configured to sense in real time at least one of an acceleration, a vibration, a tilt, a roll, or an angular displacement of the dropped conductor sensor; and an antenna in the housing, the antenna configured to transmit a signal including information sensed by the sensor away from the dropped conductor sensor in real time. A monitoring system including a dropped conductor sensor, and a method of monitoring a conductor using a dropped conductor sensor are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: LINDSEY MANUFACTURING CO.
    Inventors: An-Chyun Wang, John McCall, Keith E. Lindsey
  • Patent number: 11079421
    Abstract: A control module for a lighting fixture may include an input circuit (e.g., a wireless communication circuit) that may be susceptible to noise generating by a noise-generating source (e.g., a lighting control device in the lighting fixture). The control circuit may execute a self-test procedure to determine if the magnitude of the noise is acceptable or unacceptable for normal operation of the control module. During the self-test procedure, the control circuit may measure a noise level at a connection of the input circuit and determine if the noise level causes the self-test procedure to fail. The control circuit may control the lighting load to multiple intensities, measure noise levels of the output signal at each intensity, and process the noise levels to determine if the test has passed or failed. The control circuit may illuminate a visual indicator to provide an indication that the self-test procedure has failed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Richard S. Camden, Jordan H. Crafts, Vidur Garg, Kevin L. Gascho, Alexander F. Mosolgo, Dragan Veskovic, Sean R. Pearson
  • Patent number: 11079446
    Abstract: Magnetic sensor arrangement comprising a component board delimited by two opposing main surfaces and having an accommodation hole for accommodating at least part of a magnetic field generating structure, and a magnetic sensor package located at least partially between the two opposing main surfaces and configured for sensing a magnetic field generated by the magnetic field generating structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Udo Ausserlechner, Michael Holliber
  • Patent number: 11079211
    Abstract: A caliper tool for measuring a shape of a wellbore may include a sensor assembly and a movable measurement component including a hub and a measurement arm extending from the hub, and a magnetically-permeable target coupled to the hub and configured to rotate with the hub upon movement of the measurement arm. A sensor assembly includes primary coil and one or more secondary coils spaced apart from the primary coil, wherein output signals from the secondary coils facilitates measurement of the shape of the wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward Harrigan, Michael Simmons, Laurence T. Wisniewski, Abbas Arian, Gary Lee Fickert
  • Patent number: 11067617
    Abstract: A line-mounted device is used to provide power system signals to a device for detecting a fault and calculating a fault location using a traveling wave launched thereby. Current at the line-mounted device is used to separate incident and reflected traveling waves at a terminal. Times and polarities of traveling waves passing the line-mounted device and the terminal are compared to determine if the fault is located between the terminal and line-mounted device or at a location beyond the terminal or line-mounted device. Voltage of the traveling wave may be calculated using currents from the line-mounted device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Edmund O. Schweitzer, III, Raymond W. Rice
  • Patent number: 11067610
    Abstract: A partial discharge (PD) detection system includes a PD sensor configured to sense a PD event of an electrical system and to generate a sensor signal in response to the PD event. An envelope generator is coupled to receive the sensor signal from the PD sensor. The envelope generator extracts an envelope signal from the sensor signal. A digitizer is configured to convert the envelope signal to a digital representation of the PD event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: Palo Alto Research Center Incorporated
    Inventors: Todd Karin, Peter Kiesel, Ajay Raghavan
  • Patent number: 11061061
    Abstract: Methods, systems and locators for detecting faults in an insulation layer of an insulated conductor buried beneath a ground surface are described. The locator comprises a magnetometer arranged to detect a magnetic field generated by the alternating current and to generate a current signal on the basis of the detected magnetic field, and an Alternating Voltage Gradient receiver comprising a pair of probes arranged to make electrical contact with the ground surface, which is arranged to generate a voltage signal indicative of a voltage between the pair of probes. A processor is configured to substantially synchronously sample the current signal and the voltage signal. This enables improved detection of faults in the insulation layer of the insulated conductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: Radiodetection Limited
    Inventors: Mark Marsden, Peter Mann, Charles Alexander, Jeff Thompson
  • Patent number: 11041887
    Abstract: A current sensor, which is configured to individually detect a current flowing in each of at least two current paths, includes at least two phases. Each phase includes a magnetic field detection element and a pair of first magnetic shield and second magnetic shield. The magnetic field detection element is disposed to face one of the current paths. The magnetic field detection element is configured to detect a magnetic field generated from the one of the current paths and to convert the detected magnetic field into an electric signal. The first magnetic shield and the second magnetic shield are disposed to face each other with the current path and the magnetic field detection element interposed between the first magnetic shield and the second magnetic shield. The first magnetic shield and the second magnetic shield are configured to shield the magnetic field detection element from an external magnetic field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takuma Esaka, Kohsuke Nomura, Ryosuke Sakai, Tatsuaki Sugito