Patents Examined by Francis Gray
  • Patent number: 10007223
    Abstract: An end member (40) is disposed in an end portion of a columnar rotating body (20, 306), comprises: a bearing member (41); and a shaft member (70), in which the bearing member includes a main body (45) having a tubular body (46) and a holding portion (50) disposed on an inner side of the tubular body, and an intermediate member (60) held by the holding portion of the main body, in which one end side of the shaft member is held by the intermediate member, the intermediate member is snap-fit jointed to the holding portion of the main body to be rotatable around one axis, and the shaft member is snap-fit jointed to the intermediate member to be rotatable around an axis which is different from the axis of rotation of the intermediate member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI CHEMICAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shuichi Ikeda, Yohei Matsuoka
  • Patent number: 10004183
    Abstract: An apparatus and method are described for a moisture sensor. For example, one embodiment of an IoT device comprises: An Internet of Things (IoT) device comprising: a moisture sensor to detect a moisture level; an IoT communication interface and/or radio to wirelessly connect the IoT device to a network; a set of pins, pads, and/or probes to electrically couple the moisture sensor to conductive elements of one or more moisture sensor attachments; and an enclosure surrounding the moisture sensor and IoT communication interface and/or radio, the enclosure having one or more connection elements formed thereon to fixedly couple one or more moisture sensor attachments to the enclosure, thereby electrically coupling the set of pins, pads, and/or probes of the moisture sensor to the conductive elements of the moisture sensor attachments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: Afero, Inc.
    Inventors: Joe Britt, Omar Zakaria, Alec Storrie-Lombardi
  • Patent number: 10001744
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a casing, an image forming unit, a plurality of covers, a shutter, and a linkage mechanism. The image forming unit includes a light source and is disposed in an interior of the casing. The image forming unit forms an image on a recording medium. The covers are openable and closable relative to the casing. The shutter is openable and closable relative to the light source. The linkage mechanism links the respective covers to the shutter. The linkage mechanism sets the shutter in a closed state in a situation in which at least one of the covers is in an open state and sets the shutter in an open state in a situation in which all the covers are in a closed state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: Kuniaki Araishi
  • Patent number: 10001738
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit to form an image on a sheet while conveying the sheet at an image forming speed, a discharge roller pair to discharge the sheet, a conveyance roller pair to convey the sheet from the image forming unit to the discharge roller pair, and a control unit to control a motor to switch a speed of the conveyance roller pair and the discharge roller pair between a first speed corresponding to the image forming speed and a second speed higher than the first speed. In first control, the speed is switched from the second to the first speed at timing at which a trailing end of the sheet reaches a first position. In second control, the speed is switched from the second to the first speed at timing at which a leading end of a subsequent sheet reaches a second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Eiko Mori
  • Patent number: 9996052
    Abstract: A cartridge that can be inserted in an apparatus main body of an image forming apparatus by moving along an axial direction of an image bearing member includes the image bearing member, a frame configured to support the image bearing member, a storage member configured to store therein information on the cartridge, and include an electrical contact, and a first pressed section and a second pressed portion configured to be pressed by the apparatus main body. The electrical contact is disposed between the first pressed section and the second pressed section, and is configured to be in contact with the main body contact on a lower side in a state where the cartridge is attached to the apparatus main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroki Shimizu, Osamu Anan, Kazuki Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 9995652
    Abstract: A variety of methods, diagnostic modules and other arrangements for detecting air induction faults during operation of an internal combustion engine are described. In some embodiments, the intake manifold pressure is monitored with the intake pressure being read for each induction opportunity. Induction faults may be detected based at least in part on a comparison of the manifold pressure readings for sequential induction opportunities. In some embodiments, an induction fault is identified when the difference between the manifold pressure associated with an induction opportunity and the immediately preceding induction opportunity exceeds an induction fault threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Tula Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Shikui Kevin Chen
  • Patent number: 9989396
    Abstract: A method of characterizing gas flow within a housing includes: positioning one or more gas flow sensors in the housing; introducing a gas flow into the housing; using the one or more gas flow sensors to generate two or more gas flow measurements at spaced-apart locations within the housing; and recording the two or more measurements to create a gas flow map.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Scott Alan Gold, James Harding Shealy, Lucas Christian Jones
  • Patent number: 9989442
    Abstract: A hydraulic system includes a hydraulic circuit and a sensor for sensing a characteristic of hydraulic fluid of the hydraulic circuit. An energy harvester is configured to harvest energy from the hydraulic circuit. A controller interfaces with the sensor and is powered at least in part by the energy harvester. Various types of sensors are employed, including pressure and temperature sensors. A battery may further be included for powering the controller in addition to the energy harvester.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited
    Inventors: Paul Brenner, Hassan Al-Atat, David Makis
  • Patent number: 9989901
    Abstract: A fixing device includes a cylindrical film, and a heater including a substrate, a first heat generating resistor, and a second heat generating resistor. A controller controls supply of electric power to the heater using one of PID control and PD control on the basis of a deviation between a target temperature and a detected temperature detected by a temperature detecting member, such that the temperature of the heater is maintained at the target temperature. A proportional gain of the PID control or the PD control when the first heat generating resistor is supplied with the electric power and the second heat generating resistor is not supplied with the electric power is less than a proportional gain of the PID control or the PD control when the first heat generating resistor is not supplied with the electric power and the second heat generating resistor is supplied with the electric power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Kadowaki
  • Patent number: 9983515
    Abstract: A rotation-information detecting device including: a rotatable rotary member having plural detection target portions arranged at predetermined intervals over an entire circumference of the rotary member; two detectors that are fixedly arranged at two positions of the rotary member in a rotating direction, and can detect the detection target portions; and a computation unit that computes rotation information of the rotary member based on detection information, wherein the two detectors are arranged along the circumferential direction of the rotary member at an interval of an angle of ?/N, and wherein the computation unit includes an offset calculating section that offsets an eccentric error of the rotary member based on outputs of the two detectors at a current time point and n outputs at time points back from the current time point by phases of (n?)/N, to calculate a true rotational error.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masato Matsuduki, Osamu Shimizu, Takashi Saeki, Teruki Kishimoto, Shinji Kawashima
  • Patent number: 9977001
    Abstract: Methods and systems for identifying an aerosolized agent. A method for identifying an aerosolized agent includes the steps of providing a sample potentially containing an aerosolized agent, concentrating the sample with an aerosol collector, analyzing the concentrated sample on a collection substrate using spectroscopy to produce an aerosolized agent analysis output, comparing the analysis output to a database of known agent analysis outputs; identifying the aerosolized agent based on the comparison; and alerting a user to the presence of an aerosolized agent in the sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: SRC, Inc.
    Inventors: Marc P. Roberts, Stephen R. Houghton
  • Patent number: 9976938
    Abstract: A mycotoxin sampling system including a kit and method using dry wipes that have been pre-tested on a lot basis to be clean from mycotoxins. Surfaces in an environment to be tested are wiped with a dry wipe over a particular area. The wipe is then sealed in a dry bag and sent to a laboratory for mycotoxin analysis. Results are returned by mail, email, or by telephone. The mycotoxin results are qualitative and quantitative. The kit contains all materials needed by an individual to perform mycotoxin tests and receive results. Advanced kits can contain testing reagents used to perform tests in the field in lieu of sending wipes to a laboratory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Inventor: Sue Price
  • Patent number: 9964921
    Abstract: A process cartridge includes a photosensitive drum; a developing roller; a developer supplying roller, provided in contact with the developing roller; a driving force receiving portion provided at a shaft end of the supplying roller; a first driving force transmitting portion; a second driving force transmitting portion; flexible sheets provided adjacent to an engaging portion between the first portion and the second portion to intermittently contact the second portion with rotation of the second portion, wherein a rotational direction of the roller is opposite to that of the roller, and a peripheral speed of the roller is larger than that of the roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hideki Maeshima, Kuniaki Hirukawa, Shuichi Gofuku, Yoshihiro Mitsui
  • Patent number: 9958818
    Abstract: A fixing device including an endless belt, a rotary body positioned outside of the endless belt, the rotary body having an axis extending in an axial direction, an elastic member positioned at an inner space of the endless belt and configured to nip the endless belt in cooperation with the rotary body, and an adhering member having rigidity higher than rigidity of the elastic member. The elastic member has a contact surface in contact with the endless belt. The adhering member has an adhered portion adhered to an opposite surface opposite to the contact surface. The adhering portion has a length in the axial direction smaller than the length of the elastic member in the axial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hirofumi Kuriki, Yasumasa Fujii, Akihiro Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 9958426
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device and a method for determining mixing ratios of flowing media, in particular for determining the mixing ratios of two gases by using two flow resistances with different characteristic curves, each flow resistance containing a differential pressure sensor and being connected in series, where one flow resistance is formed by a sintered metal filter and another flow resistance is formed by an orifice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: W.O.M. WORLD OF MEDICINE GMBH
    Inventors: Matthias Koelm, Peter Juelg
  • Patent number: 9958574
    Abstract: The invention relates to a hail sensor having an impact surface, on which precipitation can impinge, and at least one converter, which is arranged and formed in such a way that, in the event of a deflection of the impact surface as a result of precipitation striking the impact surface, the converter outputs a corresponding converter output signal. The impact surface is formed from wires or wire sections, cords or cord sections, or the like which are guided at at least approximately equal distances from one another and do not cross, which are each assigned a converter and which are arranged in such a way that, between the wires, cords, or the like, there is a distance through which liquid precipitation can easily pass after striking the impact surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: DEUTSCHER WETTERDIENST
    Inventor: Eckhard Lanzinger
  • Patent number: 9952125
    Abstract: Described herein is a gas detection system (5) including a housing (10) having an inlet (20) in fluid communication with an atmosphere; an analyzer (25) within the housing (20) and configured to detect and measure a gas species in the atmosphere using a gas sensor (37); and a pneumatic system (60) contained within the housing (10) and in fluid communication with the inlet (20) to draw an air sample from the atmosphere. The pneumatic system (60) includes a pump (15); a low flow branch (65) in fluid communication with the pump (15) and having an airflow sensor (90) and a first orifice (85); and a high flow branch (70) in fluid communication with the pump (15) and having a second orifice (95). Such a system is particularly suitable for remote sampling because it prevents the high flow needed for remote sampling to be directed towards the gas sensor withstanding only low flow. Related apparatus, systems, methods and/or articles are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Draeger Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael V. Caruso, Eric J. Robey
  • Patent number: 9950108
    Abstract: Systems and devices for maintaining a consistent input fluid height as fluid is consumed during infusion pump testing including a first hook disposed on an end of a first balancer arm; a second hook disposed on an end of a second balancer arm; and an aperture disposed in a connecting member; where the aperture is configured to be a pivot point for the device; and where the device is rotatable between a deployed position and a stored position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: PRONK TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Gregory Randolph Alkire, Karl A. Ruiter
  • Patent number: 9945771
    Abstract: Methods include: forming a first mud filtercake with a first mud; and determining a relationship between an impinging jet of a fluid at varying pressures against a surface of the first mud filtercake to a first erosion characteristic of the first mud filtercake. In various embodiments, the methods can additionally include: using the first erosion characteristic to design an operation to remove a second mud filtercake formed or to be formed in a wellbore with a second mud.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Gopal Nevandram Ahuja
  • Patent number: 9939756
    Abstract: According to an embodiment, an image forming apparatus includes a housing, a developing roller, and a photosensitive drum. The developing roller includes an image area and a pair of non-image areas. The image area extends along an axial direction the developing roller. The non-image areas are provided on both sides in the axial direction with respect to the image area. The image forming apparatus further includes a regulating member. The regulating member covers a gap in positions which are aligned over the non-image area. The regulating member regulates air flow toward sides of the image area in the axial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignees: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA, TOSHIBA TEC KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Nobuaki Takahashi