Patents Examined by Francis Gray
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Patent number: 9651537Abstract: The quality and/or aging of an oil is monitored, notably in-situ, using a resonator sensor, for example a quartz crystal microbalance sensor (QCM). Changes of the frequency response of the sensor may be used to detect or monitor the presence of one or a combination of water, fuel, metallic debris, plastic debris and reaction products from degradation of oil components and/or oil additives (including oxidation products and acids). At least one of the major surfaces of the resonator sensor may include a component capturing surface layer provided with impression sites adapted to retain components of the oil indicative of the oil's quality, aging or contamination and both major surfaces of the sensor are preferably immersed in the oil to be monitored.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 2013Date of Patent: May 16, 2017Assignee: Université de MonsInventors: Joel De Coninck, Sofiene Marouani
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Patent number: 9645049Abstract: A soot generating device suitable for calibration purposes and a method of using the device for calibrating a soot measuring apparatus are presented. The soot generating device includes a wick located relative to a burning zone, a gas diffusion shield surrounding the burning zone that allows a continuous stream of air into the combustion zone, and a fuel supply for delivering fuel to the wick.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 2014Date of Patent: May 9, 2017Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE plcInventor: John David Black
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Patent number: 9645132Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for stabilizing fatty acids present in a sample such as bodily fluids. The present invention further relates to a solid medium which is capable of stabilizing fatty acids applied thereto, and a method for preparing same. The present invention further relates to a method for determining the fatty acid composition of a sample.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 2013Date of Patent: May 9, 2017Assignee: ADELAIDE RESEARCH & INNOVATION PTY LTDInventors: Robert Gibson, Liu Ge
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Patent number: 9645005Abstract: A liquid level detector may include a float; an arm attached to the float and configured to convert a linear motion of the float in an up-and-down direction to a rotary motion; a sensor configured to detect the rotary motion; and a supporting member supporting the arm to be rotatable relative to the sensor. The supporting member may include: a body fixed to the sensor; a holder rotatably attached to the body; and a cover arranged on an opposite side from the body with the holder intervened in between, and covering the holder from the opposite side. The arm may be supported by the supporting member between the holder and the cover.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2015Date of Patent: May 9, 2017Assignee: Aisan Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Masashi Go, Nobuo Suzuki
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Patent number: 9638558Abstract: In situ spacing-correcting heat pulse sensor for measuring sap flow or water flux includes: a holder; a temperature probe or two (sometimes there will be more than two) mounted on the holder; and a heating probe mounted on the holder; wherein two or three thermometric elements are provided axially in the same temperature probe, all the thermometric elements are connected to a data collector, a heating wire is mounted in the heating probe, and the heating wire is connected to a power supply. A measuring method thereof is also provided. In practice, by arranging at least two thermometric elements in each temperature probe, measurement errors of sap flow in plant or soil water flux caused by factors such as deflection of the temperature probe or the heating probe are reduced. Furthermore, the sensor is simple in structure, low in cost, convenient in utilization, and accurate in measurement.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 2015Date of Patent: May 2, 2017Assignee: China Agricultural UniversityInventors: Gang Liu, Minmin Wen, Robert Horton, Ruiqi Ren, BingCheng Si, Jianping Wang, Baoguo Li
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Patent number: 9639023Abstract: A sliding member has a free end that extends toward the downstream side of the direction of rotation of a developer bearing member, and a tip portion on the free end side of the sliding member slides against the developer bearing member. The developer bearing member has a region where, when a developer is placed on a vertical direction upper side of the developer bearing member which is in a stationary state, the developer can remain without dropping. A position against which the tip portion of the sliding member slides, the region, and a position against which a regulating member slides are located on the developer bearing member in this order toward the downstream side of the direction of rotation of the developer bearing member.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2015Date of Patent: May 2, 2017Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Shun Sato
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Patent number: 9640344Abstract: An apparatus for calibration and testing of pressure switches which are used in residential and commercial HVAC systems. The apparatus can be used to test, set, or adjust a pressure switch or a pressure signal transducer to the manufacturer's specifications. The apparatus includes an exterior housing with an on/off switch and at least one vacuum inlet nozzle, and the inside of the housing includes an air compressor to which the amount of voltage supplied can be manually controlled. The air compressor typically operates from a battery power supply located within the housing. A pressure measuring device, such as a differential pressure gage, and a conductivity indicator are typically used in conjunction with the device to calibrate adjustable pressure switches and to test and diagnose faulty pressure switches. The apparatus can include the pressure measuring device and/or the conductivity indicator within its housing.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2014Date of Patent: May 2, 2017Assignee: GOOD DAY TOOLS LLCInventor: Richard Dean McFarland
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Patent number: 9638597Abstract: A differential pressure sensor assembly includes a transducer having a first sensing surface and a second sensing surface. The second sensing surface is contained in a cavity. An Integrated Circuit (IC) is hermetically coupled to the transducer. The IC has a first aperture aligned to the cavity. A lead frame is coupled to the IC. The lead frame has a second aperture aligned to the first aperture of the IC. A package encapsulates the transducer, the IC and the lead frame. The package has a third aperture exposed to the first sensing surface. The package includes a molding compound providing a hermetic seal between the third aperture of the package and the first aperture of the IC. The molding compound is separated from the transducer by an encroachment distance.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2014Date of Patent: May 2, 2017Assignee: NXP USA, Inc.Inventors: Stephen R. Hooper, Darrel R. Frear, Thomas C. Speight
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Patent number: 9632002Abstract: A leak test system and a leak test method are provided for testing whether a semi-finished product of a speaker has a leak. The semi-finished product of the speaker includes a case. An interface is installed on a surface of the case. The leak test system includes a covering element, a vacuum generator, and a pressure gauge. The covering element is attached on the surface of the case, so that the interface of the semi-finished product of the speaker is covered by the covering element. A negative pressure value of the covering element is generated by the vacuum generator. If the equilibrium pressure value is lower than a default negative pressure value, the leak test system judges that the semi-finished product of the speaker has the leak. Consequently, the testing efficiency is enhanced.Type: GrantFiled: September 5, 2014Date of Patent: April 25, 2017Assignee: PRIMAX ELECTRONICS LTD.Inventor: Yung-Tai Pan
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Patent number: 9632072Abstract: A machine fluid testing probe is disclosed having a handle, a shaft connected to the handle, and a plurality of indicators supported by the shaft. The shaft has a first end, a second end opposite the first end, a first portion extending from the first end toward the second end, a second portion extending from the first portion toward the second end, and a shoulder defined by the second portion. The second portion has a continuous arcuate external surface having a second cross-sectional axis greater than a first cross-sectional axis of the first portion. The shaft is configured to contact a machine fluid. The plurality of indicators are supported by the first portion of the shaft between the first end and the second end. Each of the plurality of indicators is configured to test for one or more contaminants in the machine fluid.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2015Date of Patent: April 25, 2017Assignee: Luneta, LLCInventors: James Chester Fitch, Thomas Chester Fitch
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Patent number: 9629577Abstract: The present invention relates to a biological information measurement device and a biological information measurement method using the same, and is intended to allow appropriate measurement to be carried out. In the biological information measurement device of the present invention, a control unit 18 is allowed to execute a pre-processing voltage application mode A and a biological information measurement mode C. Furthermore, in the biological information measurement device of the present invention, the hematocrit value of blood is calculated in either the pre-processing voltage application mode A or the biological information measurement mode C, and according to the hematocrit value thus calculated, the duration for applying a measuring voltage upon and after the calculation of the hematocrit value is modified.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2013Date of Patent: April 25, 2017Assignee: Panasonic Healthcare Holdings Co., Ltd.Inventors: Susumu Tatemoto, Eriko Yoshioka
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Patent number: 9625487Abstract: The present invention provides a capacitive acceleration sensor with a bending elastic beam and a preparation method. The sensor at least includes a first electrode structural layer, a middle structural layer and a second electrode structural layer; wherein the first electrode structural layer and the second electrode structural layer are provided with an electrode lead via-hole, respectively; the middle structural layer includes: a frame formed on a SOI silicon substrate with a double device layers, a seismic mass whose double sides are symmetrical and a bending elastic beam with one end connected to the frame and the other end connected to the seismic mass, wherein anti-overloading bumps and damping grooves are symmetrically provided on two sides of the seismic mass, and the bending elastic beams at different planes are staggered distributed and are not overlapped with each other in space.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2012Date of Patent: April 18, 2017Assignee: SHANGHAI INSTITUTE OF MICROSYSTEM AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, CHINESE ACADEMY OF SCIENCESInventors: Lufeng Che, Xiaofeng Zhou, Yuelin Wang
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Patent number: 9625488Abstract: The present invention provides a variable area capacitive lateral acceleration sensor and a preparation method. The acceleration sensor at least includes: three-layer stack structure bonded by a first substrate, a second substrate and a third substrate which are electrically isolated with each other, wherein, the second substrate includes a movable seismic mass, a frame surrounded the movable seismic mass, a elastic beam connected to the movable seismic mass and the frame, a plurality of bar structure electrodes positioned on two surfaces of the movable seismic mass, an anti-overloading structure arranged on the movable seismic mass, etc.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2013Date of Patent: April 18, 2017Assignee: SHANGHAI INSTITUTE OF MICROSYSTEM AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, CHINESE ACADEMY OF SCIENCESInventors: Lufeng Che, Xiaofeng Zhou, Ruojie Tao, Yuelin Wang
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Patent number: 9625432Abstract: The invention is a biologically inspired artificial olfactory method and system comprising the design of at least one septum with at least two nostrils, wherein each nostril is designed having special characteristics. This artificial nose permits detecting the direction wherefrom a smell emanates. The septum is utilized to realize the separation of the air currents external to the olfactory system. In this manner the measurement of the environment may be obtained in two different positions simultaneously. These measurements reflect different concentrations and reaction times, consequently they may be utilized to calculate the direction wherefrom a smell emanates. Each nostril comprises an air chamber performing the principal biological processes carried out within the nose. These processes are: the process of aspiration, the process of division, the process of conduction, the sensing, the processing, the transformation of the air or smell filtration, and expulsion.Type: GrantFiled: November 28, 2013Date of Patent: April 18, 2017Assignee: INSTITUTO TECNOLOGICO Y DE ESTUDIOS SUPERIORES DE MONTERREYInventors: Blanca Lorena Villarreal Guerra, Jose Luis Gordillo Moscoso
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Patent number: 9624763Abstract: A method of installing multi-trip completions in a borehole. The method includes interfacing a health monitoring system with a first section of the multi-trip completions, the health monitoring system configured to engage with at least one of a first control line and first equipment of the first section. Running the health monitoring system and the first section downhole to a selected position within the borehole; storing information about a health of the at least one of the first control line and first equipment of the first section within the health monitoring system. Removing the health monitoring system from the borehole while leaving the first section within the borehole; accessing the information from the health monitoring system; and, determining, based on the information, whether or not to run a second section having a second control line into the borehole. The second control line configured to connect with the first control line.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2014Date of Patent: April 18, 2017Assignee: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATEDInventors: Marc N. Samuelson, Christian F. Bayne, David S. Bishop
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Patent number: 9625442Abstract: The present invention has an object of improving the measurement accuracy in a biological information measurement device, e.g., for measuring a blood glucose level. The device is configured to be able to change at least one of i) a voltage value to be applied to the second input terminal and the third input terminal (i.e., the blood component measurement counter electrode 7 and the blood component measurement working electrode 6) in the second biological information measurement mode D and ii) a voltage application time during which a voltage is applied to the second input terminal and the third input terminal in the second biological information measurement mode D based on the first biological information in the first biological information measurement mode A. A hematocrit value is measured in the first biological information measurement mode A, and a glucose value is measured based on the hematocrit value in the second biological information measurement mode D.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2013Date of Patent: April 18, 2017Assignee: Panasonic Healthcare Holdings Co., Ltd.Inventors: Teppei Shinno, Shouko Hironaka
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Substrate processing apparatus and method for detecting an abnormality of an ozone gas concentration
Patent number: 9618493Abstract: A substrate processing apparatus is provided that includes an ozonizer for generating ozone gas and an ozone sensor for detecting an ozone gas concentration. The substrate processing apparatus processes a substrate by using the ozone gas supplied from the ozonizer. The substrate processing apparatus includes a monitor unit for monitoring the ozone gas concentration detected by the ozone sensor and a control unit for detecting an abnormality of the ozone gas concentration based on the monitored ozone gas concentration and the monitored discharge power.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2014Date of Patent: April 11, 2017Assignee: Tokyo Electron LimitedInventor: Masaki Kondo -
Patent number: 9620025Abstract: A wake vortex avoidance system includes a microphone array configured to detect low frequency sounds. A signal processor determines a geometric mean coherence based on the detected low frequency sounds. A display displays wake vortices based on the determined geometric mean coherence.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2015Date of Patent: April 11, 2017Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.Inventors: Qamar A. Shams, Allan J. Zuckerwar, Howard K. Knight
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Patent number: 9618437Abstract: A system for monitoring a wear of a screed plate of a paving machine is disclosed. The system includes a sensor located on the screed plate. The sensor generates signals indicative of the wear of the screed plate. The system further includes a controller coupled to the sensor. The controller receives signals from the sensor and determines the wear of the screed plate based on the received signals.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 2015Date of Patent: April 11, 2017Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.Inventors: John L. Marsolek, Mark C. Medeiros, Dana W. Miller
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Patent number: 9618334Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring turbine component deformation are provided. The turbine component has an exterior surface. A method includes directly measuring a strain sensor configured on the exterior surface of the turbine component along an X-axis, a Y-axis and a Z-axis to obtain X-axis data points, Y-axis data points, and Z-axis data points. The X-axis, Y-axis and Z-axis are mutually orthogonal. The method further includes assembling a three-dimensional profile of the strain sensor based on the X-axis data points, Y-axis data points and Z-axis data points.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2015Date of Patent: April 11, 2017Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Jason Lee Burnside, Gregory Lee Hovis, Bryan J. Germann, John David Ward, Jr., William F. Ranson