Patents Examined by Hezron E. Williams
  • Patent number: 9625285
    Abstract: A multi-piece sonde configuration for use in troubleshooting a pipe and providing precise location of the problem includes a sonde carrier having a first end adapted to attach to a line and a second opposite end adapted to attach to a troubleshooting device. The multi-piece sonde can include a first carrier having a sonde housing with a central fluid passageway and a sonde transmitter operably positioned about the central fluid passageway. A second carrier can include a housing with a central fluid passageway and a power source carried by the second carrier. A flexible connector has a central fluid passageway and first and second opposing ends, and the first carrier is operably connected to the first end of the flexible connector and the second carrier is operably connected to the second end of the flexible connector. An electrical connection between the power source and the sonde transmitter can be carried by the flexible connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Inventor: Jeffrey S. Tinlin
  • Patent number: 9625400
    Abstract: A method for setting a temperature of a sensor element, which is heatable with the aid of a heating device, for detecting at least one property of a gas in a measuring gas chamber includes at least one regulation of the heating device, the regulation including: (a) detecting at least one actual value of at least one controlled variable of the sensor element, (b) ascertaining a setpoint value of the at least one controlled variable, (c) generating at least one manipulated variable of the heating device with the aid of a comparison of the setpoint value and the actual value, and (d) in a monitoring step, checking at least one parameter used to set the temperature, and the at least one manipulated variable being influenced as a function of the check.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Jens Schneider, Michael Fey, Ingmar Burak, Markus Riemann, Reinhard Hamann
  • Patent number: 9625441
    Abstract: A biological sample measurement device includes a biological sample measuring instrument and measurement-related information supply instrument which supplies measurement-related information. Measurement-related information supply instrument has reading unit which reads the measurement-related information, first storage unit which stores identification information of measurement-related information supply instrument, and transmission unit which transmits the measurement-related information and the identification information of measurement-related information supply instrument to the biological sample measuring instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: PANASONIC HEALTHCARE HOLDINGS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takahiro Watanabe, Masumi Aono
  • Patent number: 9625429
    Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, kits, and methods for purification and analysis of analytes having a broad range of hydrophobicities by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). Using one set of liquid chromatography columns, one set of mobile phase buffers, and, optionally, a single ionization method (e.g., electrospray ionization), a wide range of analytes can be purified and analyzed on a liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) system. LC-MS purification and analysis of analytes having a broad range of partition coefficients is accomplished by selecting LC run parameters and MS system parameters that are particular to different classes of analytes without having to make column or buffer changes or any other hardware configuration changes to the LC-MS system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Cohesive Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph L. Herman, Robert Dewitte, Dayana Argoti
  • Patent number: 9618469
    Abstract: A water vapor sensor comprises a substrate and a film of carbon nanotubes impregnated with surfactant on the substrate. The substrate is of material which is inert relative to the film. Two or more electrical conductors are in contact with in spaced apart zones of the film, whereby the impedance of the film may be measured. The sensor is housed in housing which protects the sensor but also allows exposure of the film to water vapor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Graeme Scott, Richard Coull, Vittorio Scardaci
  • Patent number: 9612146
    Abstract: A sensor housing includes an inlet flow port, an outlet flow port, a flow sensing region, and a flow channel extending between the inlet flow port, the flow sensing region and the outlet flow port. The flow channel defines a flow path between the inlet flow port and the flow sensing region that is contorted in three-dimensions. The three-dimensional contorted flow path between the inlet flow port and a flow sensing region may include a particle collection region that is configured to decelerate a fluid and collect particles that are released from the fluid. The deceleration of the fluid flow and/or one or more changes in the direction of fluid flow along the contorted three-dimensional flow path may cause dust and/or other particulate matter to be released from the fluid prior to reaching a sensor in the sensing region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: Honeywell International, Inc.
    Inventors: Jamie Speldrich, Richard C. Sorenson, Andrew J. Milley
  • Patent number: 9612220
    Abstract: A humidity sensing portion is mounted in a gap between a first opposite member and a second opposite member. Metal joints and dummy joints are provided in the gap between the first opposite member and the second opposite member, and the two opposite members are fixed to each other through the metal joints and the dummy joints. Since only the metal joints and the dummy joints are present in the gap between the two opposite members, gas to be measured is easily introduced into the humidity sensing portion, and the sensing response to the humidity change is improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: ALPS ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hisayuki Yazawa, Shuji Yanagi, Atsushi Tondokoro, Hisanobu Okawa
  • Patent number: 9612190
    Abstract: A composite bonded structure with integral stress sensing and bond evaluation system incorporates a bonded structure having a first component, a second component and a layer of adhesive bonding the first and second components. The layer of adhesive includes multiple embedded fluorescing particles which emit a first spectral intensity in an unstressed condition and a second spectral intensity in a stressed condition. A bond evaluation apparatus is then employed for measuring spectral intensity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: John R. Hull, Keith J. Davis, Richard H. Bossi
  • Patent number: 9605989
    Abstract: A liquid level meter includes: an exterior portion having an internal space which a liquid to be measured flows in; and a pressure sensitive portion provided inside the exterior portion and having a pressure sensitive surface; wherein the exterior has holes that it is arranged on each of a vertically lower side and a vertically upper side relative to the pressure sensitive surface, and the holes connect an inside and outside of the internal space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Kenta Sato, Kentaro Yoda, Hisao Motoyama
  • Patent number: 9606094
    Abstract: A portable electronic device and a related methods are described using an integrated chemical sensor linked to a chemical sensor processing unit and being sensitive to the concentration of a component in a sample of air and one or more contextual sensors not including chemical, temperature and humidity sensors, wherein output from the contextual sensors is linked to a local or remote interpretation processor generating a constraint or correlation set transferred to the chemical sensor processing unit for use in determining a result of a chemical measurement as performed by the chemical sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Sensirion AG
    Inventors: Pascal Hunziker, Felix Mayer
  • Patent number: 9599583
    Abstract: A humidity sensor element includes a dielectric substrate, a nonporous conductive electrode disposed on the dielectric substrate, a permeable conductive electrode having a thickness in a range of from 4 to 10 nanometers and permeable by water vapor, and a detection layer sandwiched between the nonporous conductive electrode and the permeable conductive electrode. The permeable conductive electrode is parallel to the nonporous electrode. Both conductive electrodes have respective conductive leads attached thereto. The detection layer includes a copolymer having monomeric units comprising wherein M represents H, or an alkali metal. A humidity sensor including the humidity sensor element is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Stefan H. Gryska, Michael C. Palazzotto, Krzysztof A. Lewinski
  • Patent number: 9594038
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device and method for measuring supercritical carbon dioxide fracturing fluid throttling coefficient under different viscosities. The device for measuring supercritical carbon dioxide fracturing fluid throttling coefficient under different viscosities comprises a supercritical carbon dioxide fracturing fluid throttling coefficient measurement system and a supercritical carbon dioxide fracturing fluid viscosity adjustment apparatus; the supercritical carbon dioxide fracturing fluid throttling coefficient measurement system determines throttling coefficient of a high temperature and high pressure supercritical carbon dioxide fracturing fluid, and the supercritical carbon dioxide fracturing fluid viscosity adjustment apparatus determines viscosity of the high temperature and high pressure supercritical carbon dioxide fracturing fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: China University of Petroleum (East China)
    Inventors: Jintang Wang, Baojiang Sun, Yun Liu, Zhiyuan Wang, Hao Li, Jianbo Zhang
  • Patent number: 9594007
    Abstract: Sample preparation device for receiving in sealing relation one or more filter assemblies and one or more sample containers, each container uniquely positioned within the device to receive filtered sample from a designated filter. The device includes a body, a lid disposed on the body, a container tray, a base, an integrated seal on the body, a valve and a valve actuator. The tray can be disposed in a vacuum chamber defined by the lid and the body, and one or more sample containers can be disposed in the tray. When properly positioned in the tray in the vacuum chamber, each container is in fluid communication with a single respective filter assembly disposed in sealing relation in a respective aperture in the lid. A single actuation of a valve to place the vacuum chamber under vacuum causes the lid to seal to the base and drives the simultaneous filtration of a plurality of samples.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: EMD Millipore Corporation
    Inventors: Chris Scott, Rob Colonna, Christopher Barmore, Todd Taylor, Daniel Morgan
  • Patent number: 9579765
    Abstract: A sensor for detection and measurement of a particular substance present in a liquid is disclosed. The sensor includes a non-circular or non-symmetrically fixed electrode for detection and measurement of a particular substance present in a liquid in which said sensor is submersed. The sensor with non-circular or non-symmetrically fixed electrode and method of using the same reduces or eliminates electrode deformation upon residue removal therefrom thereby prolonging operating life.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: General Electric Technology GmbH
    Inventor: Rikard HÃ¥kansson
  • Patent number: 9581538
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for assessing adhesion of labels applied to a bottle. A label adhered to the outer surface of the bottle is split vertically to form a leading end and trailing end of the label. The bottle may be secured to a support structure and the trailing end of the bottle may be secured to a weighted structure. The bottle is suspended in a heated chamber via the support structure until the adhesive fails, causing the weighted clamp to fall within the chamber. An elapsed time to failure is determined for the bottle and compared to a benchmark time and/or metric as an indicator of how the adhesive is likely to perform during shipping and/or storing the bottle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: PepsiCo, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles White
  • Patent number: 9575021
    Abstract: A method of forming extremely small pores in a substrate may be used to produce, for example, an apparatus for the study of biological molecules, by providing a small pore in a piezoelectric substrate having electrodes, the latter that may be energized to change the pore dimensions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation
    Inventors: Robert H. Blick, Minrui Yu
  • Patent number: 9575038
    Abstract: A method of calibrating a biological detector can include training a biological detector to detect a calibration compound, wherein the calibration compound comprises an odor that is detectable by the biological detector and is not used in an environment for which the biological detector is trained to detect odors, presenting the biological detector with a device comprising the calibration compound, and determining whether the biological detector will alert to the calibration compound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: THE FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY BOARD OF TRUSTEES
    Inventors: Kenneth G. Furton, Katylynn Beltz
  • Patent number: 9575087
    Abstract: Single-use, pre-sterilized, and pre-calibrated, pre-validated sensors are provided. These sensors are designed to store sensor-specific information, such as calibration and production information, in a non-volatile memory chip on the sensor or in a barcode printed on the sensor. These sensors may be utilized with in-line systems, closed fluid circuits, bioprocessing systems, or systems which require an aseptic environment while avoiding or reducing cleaning procedures and quality assurance variances. The sensors exhibit both their primary sensing function such as conductivity, pH level, dissolved oxygen, pressure or temperature, as well as at least one secondary sensing function of risk management or risk mitigation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Parker-Hannifin Corporation
    Inventors: Karl G. Schick, David Uhen
  • Patent number: 9568406
    Abstract: A portable Brinell metal hardness tester has a test head mounted in a carriage, movable vertically along elevating screws, and includes a reciprocable pumping rack movable in response to manual movement of a pumping lever, for pumping hydraulic fluid into a passageway of the tester to increase hydraulic fluid pressure in the tester to a level required for metal hardness testing; and a stent located in the passageway for permitting pumped hydraulic fluid to flow through the passageway into a test head portion of the tester to apply hydraulic fluid to the ball contacting the test piece and interferingly stopping the rack upon movement of the rack into the passageway by a preselected amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: King Tester Corporation
    Inventor: Ernest L. Biddle
  • Patent number: 9562427
    Abstract: A net oil and gas well test system for a set of oil and gas wells includes at least two net oil and gas measurement systems and a plurality of valves that are in fluid communication with the individual wells in the set and independently configurable between a first state, in which the valve routes flow to a first net oil and gas measurement system, and a second state, in which the valve routes flow to a second net oil and gas measurement system. Each net oil and gas measurement system suitably has the capability to measure a multiphase flow including oil, gas, and water without separation. For example, each measurement system can include a multiphase Coriolis meter and a water cut meter. Each measurement system suitably includes the capability to provide dynamic uncertainty estimates related to measurement of the multiphase flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: Invensys Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Manus P. Henry, Richard P. Casimiro