Patents Examined by Francis C Gray
  • Patent number: 11662359
    Abstract: The present invention measures jump heights using an IMU sensor module slipped in a pocket of a removable side ankle mount clip placed over any low, mid or high tops ankle athletic running shoe. A micro-processor in the IMU sensor module converts analog jump height data collected with real time digital signal processing to digital data sent to specialized algorithms loaded in a RF paired smartphone to refine the digital data to accurately calculate the height of the jump. The clip has two downward spaced legs joined by a curved arch at the top with a first leg being flexible and fitting snugly against a wearer's ankle below the fibula bone with the curved arch resting over the shoe's collar. The second leg has a foot extending outwardly from the curved arch to form a pocket with a top opening to receive and snugly hold the module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Inventors: Paul T Kolen, John Andrew Wells
  • Patent number: 11660502
    Abstract: An athlete wearing footwear measures jump heights with a motion sensor mounted on the footwear over toes of the athlete. By sensing vertical jump start motions the sensor detects jump start and finish times of ?4 g start and ?4 g landing. The sensor, a body wearable mems sensor developed by JAWKU, L.L.C., has a previously installed generic factory scale calibration factor. The athlete replaces this calibration factor with a new calibration scale factor selecting an “absolute” external reference device which measures jump height. This device measures several jump heights then inputted to an algorithm app in the sensor to calculate the new calibration scale factor customized to the actual athlete. The motion sensor has built in programming apps to periodically receive an upgraded factory scale calibration factor which upgrade is based on an ever increasing data pool of jump heights.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Inventors: Paul T. Kolen, John Andrew Wells
  • Patent number: 11644787
    Abstract: A development system for an image forming apparatus includes a photosensitive drum having a drive plate to receive a driving force to rotate the photosensitive drum. The drive plate is provided on an end of the photosensitive drum. The development system also includes a developing roller having a clutch mechanism to dampen a force generated when the clutch mechanism engages the drive plate of the photosensitive drum. The clutch mechanism is provided on an end of the photosensitive drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Justin Pettingill
  • Patent number: 11639866
    Abstract: A pump control system for a wet test meter (WTM) is disclosed. The pump control system includes a WTM that contains packing fluid, a control module that has a DC power supply and is configured to detect a level of the packing fluid in the WTM, a pump that is configured to be controlled by the control module and is activated when the packing fluid in the WTM falls below a predetermined level, and a level sensor/detector that is located outside of the WTM, wired to the control module, and configured to monitor the packing fluid level within the WTM. When the packing fluid falls below the predetermined level as detected by the control module, the WTM is automatically filled by pumping packing fluid from a storage tank using the pump, until the packing fluid level reaches above the predetermined level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2023
    Assignee: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventors: Youshan Ma, Nicholas J. Pengilly, Zied Soua, Abdul Aziz R Alkhaldi
  • Patent number: 11635728
    Abstract: A developing cartridge and an electronic imaging apparatus, where the developing cartridge is detachable installed in the electronic imaging apparatus, and includes a cartridge, a power reception member, a rotary member and an activation member; the cartridge includes a first side wall and a second side wall provided opposite to each other along a first direction, where a power reception member is located at the first side wall, a rotary member is installed between the first side wall and the second side wall, one end of the rotary member is provided with a first gear, and the other end of the rotary member is provided with a second gear, an activation member is located at the second side wall; and the activation member includes a movable member and a trigger part provided at the movable member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: NINESTAR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Geming Ding, Tiansheng Peng, Hao Yang, Shuchun Dai, Likun Zeng
  • Patent number: 11634319
    Abstract: A surface monitoring device is for monitoring a contact surface of a detected object. The surface monitoring device and the detected object are disposed on a substrate. The surface monitoring device includes a resonant mechanical part, having a contact tip adjacent to the contact surface by a preset gap in a static state. A driving circuit, applying an AC input signal to drive the resonant mechanical part to cause the contact tip to vibrate with respect to the contact surface at a plurality of sampling frequencies. The contact tip substantially hits the contact surface in a tapping bandwidth within the sampling frequencies. An analysis circuit to analyze a ratio of an output voltage to an input voltage of the input signal and determine the tapping bandwidth, wherein the ratio in the tapping bandwidth is jumping to a flatten phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: National Taiwan University
    Inventors: Wei-Chang Li, Chun-Pu Tsai, Hsuan-Wei Wang
  • Patent number: 11635401
    Abstract: In an embodiment a sensor device includes a substrate with a first membrane and a first cover layer, the first membrane and the first cover layer being monolithically integrated into the substrate and a first pellistor element including a heater element and a temperature sensor element, the heater element and/or the temperature sensor element being arranged in or on the first membrane, wherein the first cover layer is arranged over or under the first membrane, and wherein the first membrane, the first cover layer and a part of the substrate surround a first cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: TDK CORPORATION
    Inventor: Matthias König
  • Patent number: 11630011
    Abstract: A micro pressure sensor includes a sense die mounted on a substrate, a ring structure encircling the sense die, and a silicone material is overmolded to an exterior of the ring structure to form a seal with the ring structure and fills an interior of the ring structure. The ring structure has one or more legs at bottom side, which are snap fitted to the substrate through mating holes such that the ring structure encircles the sense die; and a top surface of the silicone material receives the external pressure and transmits the external pressure to the sense surface of the sense die to generate an output signal on the sense die, wherein a processor converts the output signal into a pressure reading. The pressure-transmitting media transmits a received external pressure to the sense surface of the sense die to generate an output signal from the sense die, wherein a processor converts the output signal into a pressure reading.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Bradley Huntzinger, Richard Wade
  • Patent number: 11624715
    Abstract: A NEMS readout system includes a sensor array comprising a plurality of sensors. Each sensor of the plurality of sensors including a resonator with frequency characteristics different from the resonator of each other sensor of the plurality of sensors. A readout signal indicative of a plurality of output signals is collected from the sensor array. Each output signal of the plurality of output signals corresponding to one of the plurality of sensors. An analysis of the plurality of output signals is performed to identify a plurality of resonant frequencies and to detect a frequency shift associated with at least one of the plurality of resonant frequencies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Michael L. Roukes, Chung Wah Fon, Ewa Rej
  • Patent number: 11623405
    Abstract: A method of infusing, infiltrating or impregnating a three dimensional printed, free-form fabricated or additive manufactured object having pores or voids in or between particles or sheets of material from which the object is manufactured may include infusing the object with a thermoplastic material. The thermoplastic material may be a linear or branched semi-crystalline aliphatic polyester with a melting point of between 40° C. and 65° C. which may have a solidification/crystalisation point between 20° C. and 40° C., and which may be introduced under controlled conditions of temperature and pressure. The thermoplastic material may be caused to penetrate the object by immersing the object in the thermoplastic material and controlling the frequency and amplitude of pressure oscillation to ensure sufficient infusion into the object to penetrate the pores or voids by at least 10% and bond particles or sheets of material from which the object is manufactured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Inventor: Tim Warwick
  • Patent number: 11624358
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for measuring backlash of a gear train of a pump unit for pumping a fluid. An example method may include locking a crankshaft of the pump unit such that the crankshaft cannot rotate. The method may further include commencing operation of a processing device to receive rotational position measurements indicative of rotational position of an output shaft of a prime mover, cause the prime mover to rotate the output shaft in a first direction until the output shaft reaches a first rotational position, and cause the prime mover to rotate the output shaft in a second direction until the output shaft reaches a second rotational position. The processing device may then determine backlash of the gear train by determining rotational distance between the first rotational position of the output shaft and the second rotational position of the output shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Michael Raymond Netecke
  • Patent number: 11624741
    Abstract: According to an embodiment, a sensor arrangement comprises a first micropump, e.g. a microfluidic or peristaltic pump, having a normally closed (NC) safety valve, e.g. at the micropump output, a second micropump, e.g. microfluidic or peristaltic pump, having a normally closed (NC) safety valve, e.g. at the micropump output, and a sensor having a sensor chamber, e.g. a sensor cavity or sensor volume, with a sensor element, e.g. an active sensitive region or layer, in the sensor chamber, wherein the sensor is configured to provide a sensor output signal based on a condition of the fluid, e.g. a gas or liquid, in the sensor chamber. The sensor chamber of the sensor is fluidically coupled between the first and second micropump, and the first and second micropump are configured to provide a defined operation mode of the sensor arrangement based on the respective activation or operation condition of the first and second micropump for providing (1.) a defined negative fluid pressure in the sensor chamber, (2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: FRAUNHOFER-GESELLSCHAFT ZUR FÖRDERUNG DER ANGEWANDTEN FORSCHUNG E.V.
    Inventors: Martin Richter, Lorenz Grünerbel, Sebastian Kibler, Agnes Bußmann, Yuecel Congar, Henry Leistner
  • Patent number: 11618670
    Abstract: A sensor with a chamber comprises a base, a cavity body, a sensing element, and a porous gel material. The cavity body is disposed on the base and has a cavity wall and an inner space formed inside the cavity wall, the sensing element is disposed on the cavity wall, and the porous gel material is disposed between the base and the cavity body, the porous gel material has a porosity of not less than 80%, so that gas is capable of communicating between the inner space of the cavity body and an outside, thereby forming a passage for gas to enter and exit to balance a pressure in the sensor with the chamber, increase a support of the sensor with the chamber, and reduce the risk of conventional bonding between the sensing element and the base using die-bonding adhesive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: AINOS, INC
    Inventors: Yu-Fen Tzeng, Chia-Pin Huang, Yu-Hsuan Liao, Chun-Hsien Tsai, Ting-Chuan Lee, Chun-Jung Tsai
  • Patent number: 11614710
    Abstract: A process cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, includes a rotatable photosensitive drum; a rotatable developing roller configured to develop image formed on the drum, the developing roller being capable of contacting to and spacing from the drum; an urging force receiving portion configured to receive, from a main assembly side urging member, an urging force for spacing the developing roller from the drum; a cartridge side drive transmission member capable of the coupling with a main assembly side drive transmission member and configured to receive, from the main assembly side drive transmission member, a rotational force for rotating the developing roller; and a decoupling member capable of urging the cartridge side drive transmission member by the urging force received by the urging force receiving portion to decouple the cartridge side drive transmission member from the main assembly side drive transmission member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masaaki Sato, Kazuhiko Kanno, Satoshi Nishiya, Masatoshi Yamashita
  • Patent number: 11615866
    Abstract: A meter value that reflects the amount of genetic material stored in a reserve is stored in a database for each reserve in a bank. Meter values allow a user to track the amount of genetic material in the reserves of a bank without needing to physically measure or disturb the reserves unnecessarily. As users withdraw and deposit genetic material from and into a reserve, the meter value is changed to reflect the change in the amount of genetic material in the reserve. In certain embodiments, the use of meter values enables accurate and instant accounting of a large number of reserves of genetic material for a large number of individuals. Users and/or individuals may be notified when a meter value falls below a threshold. Notifications may prompt a user to generate additional genetic material from biological sample or an individual to provide additional biological sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: SAPPHIROS LABORATORIES LLC
    Inventors: Robin Y. Smith, Sunil Anant Gupta
  • Patent number: 11609215
    Abstract: A gas sensor includes a gas sensor element for detecting the concentration of a specific gas in a gas under measurement, a tubular housing having an opening, a sealing member closing the opening, and a heat dissipating member having a rear end located at the same position or forward of the rear end of the housing. The heat dissipating member reduces heat transferred from the forward end side of the gas sensor to the sealing member and includes a connection portion connected to the housing, and a main portion extending rearward from the connection portion such that a gap is formed between the main portion and the housing. The main portion has heat dissipating openings for establishing communication between the gap and a space on the outer circumferential side of the heat dissipating member. The heat dissipating openings are formed on the rear end side of the main portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Daisuke Matsuyama, Masahiro Asai, Masashi Nomura, Yuto Inose, Takehiro Oba
  • Patent number: 11609139
    Abstract: The present disclosure enables measurement with satisfactory sensitivity in a low pressure range, and thus accurate measurement in a wider pressure range, by providing a pressure sensor that includes a diaphragm layer and a pressure receiving region formed in the diaphragm layer. In addition, the pressure sensor includes a first piezostrictive element, a second piezostrictive element, a third piezostrictive element, and a fourth piezostrictive element. In addition, the pressure sensor includes a first magnetostrictive element, a second magnetostrictive element, a third magnetostrictive element, and a fourth magnetostrictive element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: AZBIL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tomohisa Tokuda, Kouji Yuuki, Tatsuo Tanaka
  • Patent number: 11609112
    Abstract: Illustrative embodiments of a meter box and couplings, either separately or in combination, are provided. An illustrative embodiment provides a valve coupling that is disposed through a wall of the meter box such that a first portion of the valve coupling extends exterior of the meter box and a second portion of the valve coupling extends interior of the meter box. An outlet coupling is disposed through the wall of the meter box such that a first portion of the outlet coupling extends exterior of the meter box and a second portion of the outlet coupling extends interior of the meter box. A telescoping tube is located in the meter box, extended into and movable relative to, and in fluid communication with, at least one of the second portion of the valve coupling and/or the second portion of the outlet coupling. The telescoping tube varies a distance between the valve coupling and the outlet coupling within the meter box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: The Ford Meter Box Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert W. Huddleston
  • Patent number: 11609222
    Abstract: A water-soil interface physiochemical monitoring apparatus and a reservoir area hydro-fluctuation belt monitoring system based on the same. The water-soil interface physiochemical monitoring apparatus comprises a cylindrical shell, a conical head, a sensor data acquisition circuit, a sealing plug, and a plurality of sensor modules. One end of the cylindrical shell is in sealing connection with the conical head, and the other end is sealed by the sealing plug. The sensor modules are connected to the sensor data acquisition circuit, and are all located in the sealed space of the cylindrical shell. Each sensor module comprises a circuit board, a temperature sensor, a dissolved oxygen sensor and a conductivity sensor, which are combined together by casting using resin, and the temperature sensor, the dissolved oxygen sensor and the conductivity sensor are separately connected to the circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: Nanjing Hydraulic Research Institute
    Inventors: Qiuwen Chen, Dongsheng Liu, Haoyu Zhu, Jianyun Zhang, Yuchen Chen, Honghai Ma, Yingxin Hong
  • Patent number: 11598662
    Abstract: A fluid level detector is provided, which has a transmitter, a receiver, and a sensing zone adjacent the transmitter and receiver. The transmitter and receiver are arranged such that when an electric field forms between the transmitter and receiver, a fringe electric field extends from the transmitter into the sensing zone. The transmitter and receiver are both on a same side of the sensing zone, and a fluid located at the sensing zone changes a measured capacitance at the transmitter and receiver system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: BE THE CHANGE LABS, INC.
    Inventors: Wouter Konings, Allen Simon, Stijn Kroeze, Ad van den Bemt