Patents Examined by Francis C Gray
  • Patent number: 11692861
    Abstract: Provided is a liquid sensor or the like that is relatively easy to manufacture. The liquid sensor includes a light emitting element, an optical waveguide, a light receiving element, and a detection circuit. The optical waveguide includes a first pillar portion, a first metal plate, a second pillar portion, and a second metal plate. The first metal plate is embedded in the first pillar portion. The second pillar portion is provided at a position opposing the first pillar portion. The second metal plate is embedded in the second pillar portion. A space for liquid is formed between the first pillar portion and the second pillar portion. The first pillar portion includes a first end surface that faces the light emitting element. The first metal plate includes a first reflecting portion that is tilted relative to the first end surface and reflects light toward the second pillar portion. The second pillar portion includes a second end surface that faces the light receiving element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: NIPPON PILLAR PACKING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Akira Nakatsu, Kentaro Watanabe
  • Patent number: 11693356
    Abstract: A cartridge includes a photosensitive drum, a development roller, a cartridge side gear, a movable member and a restricting portion. The cartridge is constituted such that when the cartridge side gear and a drive transmission member of a main assembly of an image forming apparatus are engaged with each other, the drive transmission member and a cover covering the drive transmission member is accommodated in a space surrounded by the restricting portion, the movable member and the cartridge side gear. the space includes, in a range downstream of the restricting portion and upstream of the cartridge side gear, a region in which a distance from the axis of the photosensitive drum exceeds Ra which is a distance from the axis of the photosensitive drum to the restricting portion. The cartridge is structured to accommodate the cover in the region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Goshi Ozaki, Ryota Shibuya
  • Patent number: 11686656
    Abstract: A closed-loop temperature controller employing at least two sensors: a control temperature sensor and a safety sensor at the heat-transfer element. The heat-generating element is separated from the controlled mass/volume by a transport delay so that the mass or volume that is being heated or cooled is located in a vessel which is located remotely from the heat-transfer unit. Thermally conducting fluid flows through a conduit that connects the heat-transfer unit to the vessel. Upon fluid flow interruption or control sensor removal, the temperature controller quickly detects thermal runaway before the safety sensor has reached the critical temperature. In heated systems, the temperature controller will therefore minimize direct damage and/or overshoot damage caused by excessive heat. It will also maintain the heater's output at an elevated, but non-damaging level to enable a fast recovery to the original setpoint temperature after the nonlinearity subsides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: Automate Scientific, Inc.
    Inventors: Josef Kewekordes, II, David Gregory Barton
  • Patent number: 11687029
    Abstract: [TASK] An object of the present invention is to provide an image developing apparatus and a process cartridge with which an image quality can be improved while reducing a number of parts and reducing an amount of remaining developer. [SOLUTION] A process cartridge detachably mountable to an electrophotographic image forming operators includes a developing chamber including a developing roller and a developer supplying roller; a developer accommodating container accommodating the developer provided below the developing chamber with respect to gravity direction, wherein the developer is fed into the developing chamber while being stirred by a feeding member. The developer supplying roller rotates such that a surface thereof moves in the same direction as a surface of the developing roller at a position where the developer supplying roller contacts the developing roller. A surface speed of the developer supplying roller is higher than a surface speed of the developing roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hideki Maeshima, Kuniaki Hirukawa, Shuichi Gofuku, Yoshihiro Mitsui
  • Patent number: 11681897
    Abstract: Techniques, systems, and devices are described for implementing for implementing computation devices and artificial neurons based on nanoelectromechanical (NEMS) systems. In one aspect, a nanoelectromechanical system (NEMS) based computing element includes: a substrate; two electrodes configured as a first beam structure and a second beam structure positioned in close proximity with each other without contact, wherein the first beam structure is fixed to the substrate and the second beam structure is attached to the substrate while being free to bend under electrostatic force. The first beam structure is kept at a constant voltage while the other voltage varies based on an input signal applied to the NEMS based computing element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: Cornell University
    Inventors: Amit Lal, Serhan Ardanuc, Jason T. Hoople, Justin C. Kuo
  • Patent number: 11680837
    Abstract: A water meter (1) comprising: a volume flow-measuring device (2) by means of which a volume flow of a liquid flowing through a water pipe (3) can be measured from outside the water pipe (3); and a clamping device (4) by means of which the water meter (1) can be clamped to the water pipe (3). In addition, a method for attaching a water meter (1) to a water pipe (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: GROHE AG
    Inventors: Daniel Radermacher, Bert Depiere, Bastian Schubert
  • Patent number: 11675307
    Abstract: A cover covering an image bearing member such that the image bearing member is kept unexposed includes a holding portion holding an end portion of a sealing sheet sealing an opening portion such that an initial developer is accommodated in an accommodating chamber. Due to release of the seal of the opening portion with the sealing sheet, the initial developer accommodated in the accommodating chamber moves from the accommodating chamber to a second chamber through the opening portion, and the seal of the opening portion with the sealing sheet is released due to movement of a casing with respect to the cover and detachment of the cover from the casing, responsive to an operation of movement of a cartridge in an attachment direction, with the holding portion holding the end portion of the sealing sheet and a regulation portion regulating movement of the cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yasuhiro Shimoi
  • Patent number: 11674940
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a method of operating a gas sensor includes setting power to a heater in contact with a MOx sensor to provide a temperature that is below a threshold temperature; holding the temperature below the threshold temperature for a period of time to reduce ozone concentration in a gas sample in contact with the MOx sensor; increasing power to the heater to increase the temperature of the MOx sensor to an operating temperature; acquiring resistance data from the MOx sensor at the operating temperature; and processing the resistance data to provide a result related the gas sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: Renesas Electronics America Inc.
    Inventors: Christian Meyer, Debra Deininger, Clayton Kostelecky, Ronald Schreiber, Holger Saalbach, Ravi Kanth Reddy Chilumula
  • Patent number: 11675308
    Abstract: A cartridge for an electrophotographic image forming apparatus includes a developing roller, a rotatable member for transmitting a rotational force to the developing roller, a coupling member, and a frame. The coupling member is capable of moving between a first coupling member position in which the coupling axis is substantially coaxial with the rotational axis of the rotatable member and a second coupling member position in which the coupling axis is not coaxial with the rotational axis of the rotatable member. When the frame is in a first frame position, the coupling member is in the first coupling member position and a rotational force receiving portion of the coupling member engages with a rotational force applying portion of the apparatus, and, when the frame is in the second frame position, the coupling member is in the second coupling member position and the rotational force receiving portion engages with the rotational force applying portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masanari Morioka, Shigeo Miyabe, Takahito Ueno
  • Patent number: 11667521
    Abstract: A method of constructing a micromechanical device by additive manufacturing for characterizing strength of a low dimensional material sample, the method including: a) deriving a three-dimensional representation arranged to represent a said micromechanical device with reference to at least one physical characteristic of a said low dimensional material sample; b) transforming the three-dimensional representation into a plurality of two-dimensional representations arranged to individually represent a portion of the three-dimensional representation; and c) forming the micromechanical device from a fluid medium arranged to transform its physical state by stereolithography apparatus in response to a manipulated illumination exposed thereto, whereby a said low dimensional material sample is loaded onto the formed micromechanical device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: City University of Hong Kong
    Inventors: Yang Lu, Libo Gao, Sufeng Fan, Yuejiao Wang
  • Patent number: 11668630
    Abstract: The current disclosure provides a gas-liquid falling film equilibration apparatus, systems incorporating the apparatus, and methods of their use. The apparatus comprises a chamber, an equilibration member within the chamber, liquid and gas inlet and outlets, such that a liquid introduced into the chamber from the liquid inlet contacts the upper portion of the outer surface of the equilibration member. The apparatus finds use in the measurement of dissolved gases in a variety of liquids including the measurement of carbon dioxide in water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: Smithsonian Institution
    Inventors: Alexander Whitman Miller, Amanda C. Reynolds
  • 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: 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: 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: 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