Patents Examined by Hezron E. William
  • Patent number: 10132704
    Abstract: A method for measuring a preload of a fastener is described. The method, which may be practiced at least in part by an apparatus, includes establishing an initial value associated with an absence of the preload of the fastener and providing an adapter and a transducer rotatably coupled to the adapter. The transducer may be positioned in contact with the fastener. The transducer is caused to direct an incident ultrasonic wave to the fastener and to receive a reflected ultrasonic wave from the fastener. Data associated with the incident ultrasonic wave and the reflected sonic wave is used to generate a modified value associated with the preload of the fastener, and the preload of the fastener is calculated based on a difference between the initial value and the modified value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Nancy Jane George
  • Patent number: 10132703
    Abstract: A torque sensor terminal block structure includes an electric motor (1) which outputs driving force for driving a load (8), a strain body (3) interposed on a way of a power transmission system from the electric motor (1) to the load (8), a plurality of power detectors (4) which output a detection signal according to strain of the strain body (3) as a signal indicating the driving force, and a terminal block (6) which acquires the detection signal of the power detectors (4) and transmits the output result to a signal processing circuit section (10). The wirings to the signal processing circuit section (10) are twisted spirally as a single stranded wire, and an opening degree between single wirings when the stranded wire extending from the power detectors (4) to the terminal block (6) is unwound, is set to be same for each of the power detectors (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yoshiki Kanemoto, Kei Usui, Masahiko Osada, Masaaki Muromachi, Shun Ogiwara
  • Patent number: 10119883
    Abstract: An evacuable flexible test chamber (10) for a leakage test of a test piece, having a wall (12) surrounding a test chamber volume (36), is characterized in that at least a portion of said wall is made up of two layers (18, 20) of wall material of which at least the layer (20) facing said test chamber volume (36) is made from a flexible material, and that between said two layers (18, 20) an overpressure as compared to the atmosphere surrounding said test chamber (10) is adapted to be created.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: INFICON GmbH
    Inventors: Hendrik van Triest, Silvio Decker
  • Patent number: 10119850
    Abstract: An apparatus for identifying and measuring volume fraction constituents of a fluid using time domain analysis and frequency domain analysis to identify individual volume fraction constituents within a pipe on a real time basis and to measure the volume of the individual volume fraction constituents flowing through the pipe on a real time basis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: Mohr and Associates
    Inventors: Charles L. Mohr, Brandt C. Mohr, Benno Mohr, Michael Stordahl, James Van Corbach, Erik Von Reis, Christopher Mulkey, Ryan Sams, David Hurley, Gordon Anderson, Daniel Kenney, William Rausch, Edgar Gilbert
  • Patent number: 10114034
    Abstract: A door assembly includes a door panel connected to a door frame and pivotable about a pivot axis, a door latch coupled to the door panel and operable to selectively inhibit movement of the door from a closed position to an open position, and a sensor coupled to the door latch and operable to detect acceleration of the door and output acceleration data corresponding to the acceleration of the door panel in a first direction. A controller is coupled to the door latch and the sensor. The controller is operable to analyze the acceleration data to determine the cause of the acceleration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: Ingersoll-Rand Company
    Inventors: Michael P. Hogan, Howell H. Chiles
  • Patent number: 10107437
    Abstract: An insertion probe adapter for fluid sample extraction from a pipeline for mounting of an overlying housing element is illustrated and described. The invention permits disengagement of an insertion probe from the body of the probe adapter without disassembling the body from the pipeline and without disassembling the overlying housing element from the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: Mustang Sampling LLC
    Inventor: Nicholas S. Wolfe
  • Patent number: 10101302
    Abstract: An ultrasonic flaw detector includes: a flaw detection head including a probe that transmits an ultrasonic wave to an inspection object formed by a composite member and receives the ultrasonic wave that has reflected on the inspection object; a moving mechanism, which causes the flaw detection head to perform scanning; and a support mechanism disposed such that the support mechanism comes into contact with a lower surface of the inspection object, the support mechanism supporting the inspection object. The support mechanism is configured to come into contact with the inspection object over a predetermined area such that a waveform of the ultrasonic wave that has reflected on a position where the support mechanism is in contact with the inspection object and that is received by the probe is within a noise level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Toshihiro Yamaoka
  • Patent number: 10073001
    Abstract: A leak test arrangement (1) for testing a structural component (2) or a closed package/object (2?+21?, 2?*) with a wall to be tested for tightness, including: a test chamber (3) in which the structural component (2) or the package/the object (2?+21?, 2?) is arranged during the leak testing, a test gas space (4) which is formed on a first side of the wall of the structural component (2) and of the test chamber (3) or which corresponds to the interior of the package/of the object (2?, 2?*), a testing space (5) which is formed on a second side of the wall of the structural component (2) and of the test chamber (3) or is formed between the wall of the package/object (2?+21?, 2?*) and the test chamber (3), a test gas supply (6) for supplying compressed air (DL) and/or a test gas (TG) into the testing space (5), a test gas measuring arrangement (7) for measuring or detecting the test gas (TG) in the testing space (5) with a sensor system (72) and a testing space vacuum arrangement (51) for evacuating the testing sp
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: Luedolph Management GmbH
    Inventors: Gerald Luedolph, Wolfgang Fuhrmann
  • Patent number: 10067091
    Abstract: Provided herein are methods and devices for determining water and sediment content in a hydrocarbon fluid sample. The methods and devices for determining water and sediment content in a hydrocarbon fluid sample include a Karl Fischer titration device and a titration vessel configured to implement a Karl Fischer titration and an ultrasonic particle detector configured to identify sediment in the hydrocarbon fluid sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: James Clyde Hassell, Jr., Luis Gustavo Do Val
  • Patent number: 10048231
    Abstract: Apparatus (1) for determining and/or monitoring at least one process variable, comprising: a primary side (I) and a secondary side (II), which are galvanically isolated from one another, wherein the secondary side (II) has a sensor element sensitive for the process variable (2) and an electronics unit (9) of the secondary side and provides a measurement signal representing the process variable, and wherein the primary side (I) has an electronics unit (8) of the primary side for evaluating the measurement signal and for producing an output signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: ENDRESS + HAUSER GMBH + CO. KG
    Inventors: Franco Ferraro, Philipp Walser
  • Patent number: 10036734
    Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus related to an ultrasonic sensor for detecting ultrasonic energy. In some implementations, the ultrasonic sensor includes a piezoelectric receiver layer bonded with an adhesive to an array of pixel circuits disposed on a substrate, each pixel circuit in the array including at least one thin film transistor (TFT) element and having a pixel input electrode electrically coupled to the pixel circuit. Methods of forming ultrasonic sensors include bonding piezoelectric receiver layers to TFT arrays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: SNAPTRACK, Inc.
    Inventors: Leonard Eugene Fennell, Nicholas Ian Buchan, David William Burns, Kostadin Dimitrov Djordjev, Stephen Michael Gojevic, Jack Conway Kitchens, II, John Keith Schneider, Nathaniel Robert Bennett, Kristopher Andrew Lavery
  • Patent number: 10018606
    Abstract: In order to provide a device for detection of a partial pressure of a measurement gas contained in a surrounding gas, comprising a measurement space with at least one inlet opening to admit surrounding gas into the measurement space and at least one outlet opening to discharge surrounding gas from the measurement space, a quantity that characterizes the partial pressure of the measurement gas in the measurement gas sensor sensitive to the measurement gas to measure a quantity that characterizes the partial pressure of the measurement gas in the measurement space, as well as readout device to read out the measurement gas sensor as well as a method for its operation, which permit metrological detection of the partial pressure of a measurement gas contained in a surrounding gas with improved chronological and spatial resolution, it is proposed that means to determine a response characteristic of device be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: KONGSBERT MARITIME CONTROS GMBH
    Inventor: Peer Fietzek
  • Patent number: 10012611
    Abstract: A gas sensor element (120) configured as a laminate of an oxygen pump cell (135) and an oxygen concentration detection cell (150) with a spacer (145) sandwiched therebetween. The spacer (145) has a gas detecting chamber (145c) formed therein and electrodes (138) and (152) of the cells (135) and (150), respectively, facing the chamber (145c). A leakage section (148) is faces the gas detecting chamber (145c) (measuring chamber).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Satoshi Okazaki, Yuta Oishi, Seiji Oya
  • Patent number: 10008424
    Abstract: A method for measuring and/or acquiring layer thicknesses and voids of one or more layers of a temporary bonded wafer stack on a plurality of measuring points is provided. A sequence of the method includes an arrangement of a measurement means for measuring and/or acquiring the layer thicknesses and voids of the layers of the wafer stack at the measuring points relative to a flat side of the wafer stack. The sequence further includes an emission of signals in the form of electromagnetic waves by a transmitter of the measurement means, and a receiving the signals which have been reflected by the wafer stack by a receiver of the measurement means. The sequence also includes an evaluation of the signals which have been received by the receiver by an evaluation unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: EV Group E. Thallner GmbH
    Inventor: Markus Wimplinger
  • Patent number: 10001398
    Abstract: A fill-level measuring device for determining the fill level of a process medium in a container by means of a travel-time method. The fill-level measuring device is distinguished by features including that the fill-level measuring device has structure for determining the dielectric constant of a second medium, which is located between the measuring device and the process medium. The structure for determining the dielectric constant comprises at least one waveguide for a high-frequency measuring signal, wherein such waveguide is filled at least sectionally with a dielectric and embodied and arrangeable in such a manner that the dielectric forms with the second medium an interface, at which a significant fraction of the measuring signal supplied to the second medium via the waveguide is reflected. Furthermore, an apparatus for determining the dielectric constant and a system of such an apparatus and a fill-level measuring device are proposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: ENDRESS + HAUSER GMBH + CO. KG
    Inventors: Thomas Blodt, Peter Klofer
  • Patent number: 10001077
    Abstract: A method or system to determine peak firing pressure of a cylinder of an engine having a crank shaft. The method includes accessing a knock signal received from a knock sensor of the cylinder. The method includes determining a location of peak firing pressure based at least in part on the knock signal. The location of peak firing pressure is associated with combustion of the engine and corresponds to a time or a crank angle of the crankshaft. The method includes generating an indication of the location of peak firing pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventor: Jeffrey Jacob Bizub
  • Patent number: 9995720
    Abstract: A snorkel assembly for reading optimization of a sensor, wherein the snorkel assembly may be configured to be positioned around and spaced apart from the sensor. The snorkel assembly may include an upstream side and a downstream side. The snorkel assembly may include a cup section and a tube section extending from the cup section. The tube section may include an inlet opening on the upstream side of the snorkel assembly. The cup section may include an exhaust opening on the downstream side of the snorkel assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Luciano Nunziato Di Perna, Chijou Wang, Rahul Mital, Jianwen Li, James B. Rodgers
  • Patent number: 9988261
    Abstract: A micromechanical device, in particular a sensor device, and a method for manufacturing a micromechanical device are provided. The micromechanical device has a housing, the housing including a first cavity, and the housing including a second cavity that is separate from the first cavity. The micromechanical device is configured in such a way that a predetermined first gas pressure prevails in the first cavity, and a predetermined second gas pressure which is reduced compared to the first gas pressure prevails in the second cavity. A heating element is situated in the area of the second cavity. The micromechanical device has a printed conductor, the heating element being heatable with the aid of the printed conductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Julian Gonska, Jochen Reinmuth, Kathrin Gutsche
  • Patent number: 9989437
    Abstract: A vibrator-mounted holder is attached to a casing of a vibration generator which moves a vibrator to generate a vibration when used. The vibrator-mounted holder includes a vibrator, a vibrator retention unit retaining the vibrator, a fixing unit fixed to a casing, and an arm. The vibrator includes a magnet having a plate shape parallel to a horizontal surface and a yoke arranged on the magnet. The arm connects the fixing unit to the vibrator retention unit, and supports the vibrator retention unit in a manner that the vibrator retention unit is displaceable with respect to the fixing unit. The yoke has a projecting portion which is projected downward and fixed to the vibrator retention unit. The arm is connected to a portion, at which the projecting portion is arranged, within the vibrator retention units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: MINEBEA CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Mikio Umehara
  • Patent number: 9983103
    Abstract: A gas sample extraction assembly for controllably accessing gas in a gas sample container includes a coupler body having a coupler bore and a coupler end for engaging the gas sample container; an upper member having an upper member bore; a biasing member disposed between the upper member and the coupler body; and a stem having a first portion coupled to the upper member bore and a second portion disposed in the coupler bore, the stem being movable relative to the coupler body between a first axial position and a second axial position, wherein the biasing member is configured to bias the stem in the first axial position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Isotech Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis D. Coleman, Todd M. Coleman