Patents Examined by Hezron E. Williams
  • Patent number: 9797822
    Abstract: An NIR analyzer with the optical probes across a pipe, or in a bypass configuration, after a stabilizer in an oil or condensate production plant. Prior to use, liquid samples from the plant are analyzed in a chemical lab to obtain reference vapor pressure or compositional values. A chemometric model using known techniques is then built with the captured absorption spectra and the reference lab results. Preprocessing methodologies can be used to help mitigate interferences of the fluid, instrument drift, and contaminate build up on the lenses in contact with the fluid. The chemometric model is implemented through the NIR analyzer as the calibration curve to predict the vapor pressure or other values of the flowing fluid in real time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: JP3 Measurement, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph Paul Little, III, Jie Zhu
  • Patent number: 9796577
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the field of sensor manufacturing technology, particularly discloses a method for manufacturing a micro-sensor body, comprising the steps of S1: applying a wet colloidal material on a substrate to form a colloidal layer, and covering a layer of one-dimensional nanowire film on the surface of the colloidal layer to form a sensor embryo; S2: drying the colloidal layer of the sensor embryo to an extent that the colloidal layer cracks into a plurality of colloidal islands, a portion of the one-dimensional nanowire film contracting into a contraction diaphragm adhered to the surface of the colloidal islands while the other portion of the one-dimensional nanowire film being stretched into a connection structure connected between the adjacent contraction diaphragms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chunyan Ji, Tian Yang
  • Patent number: 9797345
    Abstract: A method for monitoring for a rupture in a storage element of a fuel tank system having a fuel tank includes: detecting, by a mass flow sensor, thermal conductivity of an unmoved air mass in a first line of the fuel tank system; and identifying a rupture in the storage element if the detecting by the mass flow sensor detects a change in the thermal conductivity of the unmoved air mass in the first line when a second valve is in a closed state and/or when an air pump is at a standstill.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Manfred Weigl, Philippe Grass
  • Patent number: 9791423
    Abstract: Described is a dispensing needle for a fraction collector. The dispensing needle includes a conduit having a fluid channel to conduct a chromatographic flow, an interior wall that defines the fluid channel, an exterior surface and an endface through which the chromatographic flow is dispensed. The dispensing needle also includes a coating of a hydrocarbon material or a fluorocarbon material that is bonded to the endface. The coating is also bonded to at least a portion of the exterior surface that is adjacent to the endface and at least a portion of the interior wall that is adjacent to the endface. The coating operates to reduce a droplet volume of a liquid dispensed from the endface that may remain at the tip of the dispensing needle. Consequently, the concentration variation in a collected fraction due to a missing droplet or extra droplet is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: WATERS TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Theodore Dourdeville, Joshua A. Burnett, James Usowicz, Marc Lemelin, Lucas O. Tiziani
  • Patent number: 9788816
    Abstract: A fluid withdrawing, expelling and filtering apparatus includes a fluid container including a first chamber, a second chamber, and, a first through hole and a second through hole respectively disposed in communication between the first chamber and the second chamber, a filter device movable between a first position and a second position to open or close the second through hole of the fluid container and including a filter element mating with the first through hole, and a fluid withdrawing and expelling operator operable to withdraw and expel a fluid through the first chamber of the fluid container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignees: Mackay Memorial Hospital, Shin Yan Sheno Precision Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Schu-Rern Chen, Chih-Ping Chen, Ching-Kuei Lin
  • Patent number: 9787181
    Abstract: A sensor device includes a first sensor unit, a control IC configured to switch a power supply route, a power supply, a DC converter, and a regulator configured to regulate the voltage. A power supply route A and a power supply route B is provided as a power supply route from the power supply to the sensor unit and the control IC. In the power supply route A, the sensor unit is not electrically conducted to the power supply, and the control IC is directly connected to the power supply. In the power supply route B, the power supply, the DC converter, and the regulator are connected in series, output of the regulator is supplied to the sensor unit, and output of the DC converter is supplied to the control IC. The control IC switches between the power supply route A and the power supply route B according to an operating state of the sensor unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: OMRON Corporation
    Inventors: Teruki Hasegawa, Hiroshi Imai, Hiroshi Sameshima, Tomohiro Ozaki
  • Patent number: 9784609
    Abstract: A device for measuring the filling level of a liquid in a container is provided, which uses an ultrasound sensor. The ultrasound sensor is associated with a damping cup with at least one antechamber, and the antechamber has at least one outer ring and one inner ring. The inner ring is arranged within the outer ring and the ceiling of the inner ring has different heights. The ceiling has a lowest point and a highest point. In the area of the ceiling the inner ring is provided with a venting connection with the outer ring. The venting connection between the inner ring and the outer ring is located at the highest point of the inner ring. The ceiling of the outer ring has different heights including a lowest point and a highest point. A vent hole is provided at the highest point of the outer ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: HELLA KGAA HUECK & CO.
    Inventors: Falko Strackerjan, Sergej Tonewizki, Ingo Zoyke
  • Patent number: 9782692
    Abstract: A fluid supply system configured for supplying fluids includes a fluid packet supply unit configured for controlling supply of a sequence of fluid packets. The fluid packets include a packet of first fluid and a packet of second fluid, wherein the first fluid and the second fluid are media being prone to a phase separation upon direct interaction between the packet of first fluid and the packet of second fluid. The fluid supply system further includes a phase separation inhibiting unit configured for inhibiting phase separation by inserting an intermediate fluid packet between the packet of first fluid and the packet of second fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Klaus Witt, Konstantin Shoykhet
  • Patent number: 9778148
    Abstract: In order to remove dust attached to a filter member 40 to surely clean the filter member 40, an analysis apparatus 100 includes: a sample containing part 10 that contains a sample; the filter member 40 through which gas produced from the sample heated in the sample containing part 10 passes; and a gas flow path L1 adapted to lead the gas having passed through the filter member 40 to an analyzer. In addition, the filter member 40 is formed in a tubular shape, and in one end part of the filter member 40, a gas lead-out port 40a connecting to the gas flow path L1 is formed. Further, it is configured that the gas passes through a side wall part 42 of the filter member 40 from outside to inside, and flows from the gas lead-out port 40a to the gas flow path L1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: HORIBA, LTD.
    Inventors: Heihachiro Taniguchi, Takuji Kurozumi, Takahiro Yamada, Yasushi Hirata
  • Patent number: 9778235
    Abstract: An environmental monitoring device that includes a switching mechanism is described. During operation of the environmental monitoring device, the switching mechanism (such as a switch) selectively electrically couples a first electrical-connection node and a second electrical-connection node. For example, using the switching mechanism, an electronic device having a power source may be selectively electrically coupled to a second electronic device having a rechargeable battery. The selective electrical coupling may be based on one or more measurements of an environmental condition in an external environment that includes the environmental monitoring device by a sensor mechanism in the environmental monitoring device. This environmental condition may be associated with charging of the rechargeable battery. In addition, a control mechanism in the environmental monitoring device selects a charging mode of the rechargeable battery based on the one or more measurements of the environmental condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Leeo, Inc.
    Inventors: Adam Matthew Gettings, Andrew Gettings Stevens, Bjorn Hovland, Nina S. Joshi, Yi Zheng, Lucas Ivers
  • Patent number: 9778156
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods which provide a seal-less high temperature and pressure valve for use in many applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: GATES CORPORATION
    Inventor: Colin Donald Cook
  • Patent number: 9772268
    Abstract: A method for predicting the electrical functionality of a semiconductor package, the method includes performing a first stiffness test for a first semiconductor package, receiving failure data for the first semiconductor package, the failure data includes results of an electrical test performed after the first semiconductor package is assembled on a printed circuit board, generating a database comprising results of the first stiffness test as a function of the failure data for the first semiconductor package, performing a second stiffness test for a second semiconductor package, identifying a unique result from the results of the first stiffness test in the database, the unique result aligns with a result of the second stiffness test, and predicting a failure data for the second semiconductor package based on the failure data for the first semiconductor package which corresponds to the unique result of the first stiffness test identified in the database.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen P. Ayotte, Eric G. Liniger, Travis S. Longenbach
  • Patent number: 9772210
    Abstract: A fluid (oil) storage tank is often in a remote place. A temperature sensor strip is affixed vertically down the outside of the tank. Each sensor sends its electronic signature and temperature to a local microprocessor. Various types of computations yield an accurate level indication on a local display, all powered by a car battery, solar panel or power supply. Data can be sent remotely as well. For explosive environments only a small processor is powered adjacent the tank. Then a second processor has the power to compute and analyze the raw temperature data and display it at a safe distance from the tank with only a twisted pair of low volt wires reaching the tank. Other non-explosive tanks such as a water tank can use a signal processor adjacent the strip for all data collection, computing and display functions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Inventor: Brian L. Houghton
  • Patent number: 9772251
    Abstract: A vibration detection device (10) is provided with a vibration detection unit (110), a sensor-side leak determination unit (120), a first transmission unit (130), and a second transmission unit (140). The vibration detection unit (110) detects vibration transmitted through piping (30). The sensor-side leak determination unit (120) determines whether or not there is a possibility of a leak in the piping (30) based on a measurement result of the vibration detection unit (110). When the sensor-side leak determination unit (120) determines that there is a possibility of a leak, the first transmission unit (130) transmits provisional leak information to an information processing device (20). The provisional leak information indicates that there is a possibility of a leak in the piping (30).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventors: Shigeki Shinoda, Yasuhiro Sasaki, Masatake Takahashi, Shohei Kinoshita, Hiromi Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 9766172
    Abstract: An extension assembly is connected or connectable, in terms of driving, to a double-motor rheometer. The double-motor rheometer includes first and second measuring motors controllable independently of each other, and provided for determining a torsional moment generated by the corresponding measuring motor. The extension assembly includes first and second sample holding parts for holding a first sample portion and a second sample portion of the sample. The first sample holding part is driveable by the first measuring motor in a rotational movement about a first axis, and the second sample holding part is driveable by the second measuring motor in a rotational movement about a second axis. The first axis is arranged so as to be parallel to and spaced apart from the second axis. The sample held in the first sample portion and in the second sample portion extends between the respective sample holding parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: Anton Paar GmbH
    Inventors: Jörg Läuger, Michael Krenn, Gabriele Köpping
  • Patent number: 9766109
    Abstract: A capacitive liquid level sensor is provided comprising a capacitive probe having a capacitance and comprising a sensing tip wherein the capacitive probe is configured such that the capacitance of the probe changes when the sensing tip is exposed to liquid. A signal generator operates to supply an electrical signal alternating between a high and low state to the capacitive probe, the electrical signal being configured such that the probe is alternately charged and discharged when the signal is high or low respectively. A comparator operates to detect the magnitude of an electrical signal across the capacitive probe and provides a first output signal value when the detected signal magnitude is greater than a predetermined threshold value and a second output signal value when the signal magnitude is less than the threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: RANDOX LABORATORIES LTD.
    Inventors: Ian Armstrong, Michael Duffy, Stephen Peter Fitzgerald
  • Patent number: 9766170
    Abstract: A method and computer product program for determining Young's modulus. The method includes placing a probe in contact with a surface of a material on a substrate and, with an initial force of 800 nano newtons or less; determining the location of the surface relative to an initial indentation depth for the initial force; increasing the force on the probe from the initial force to a maximum force greater than the initial force to generate a load curve; decreasing the force on the probe from the maximum force to the initial force to generate an unload curve, the maximum force selected such that the unload curve is independent of the presence of the substrate; and using the unload curve, determining a relationship between (i) the reduced modulus of the sample material and (ii) the ratio of probe penetration depth and the thickness of the layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Geraud J. Dubois, Jane E. Frommer, Robin S. King, Krystelle Lionti, Kumar R. Virwani, Willi Volksen
  • Patent number: 9765721
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for detecting disconnection of a closed breather 18 separating and recovering oil mist from blow-by gas 17 extracted from an engine 1 to return the blow-by gas through a gas return pipe 19 to an intake pipe 5. Under condition of no exhaust gas 9 recirculation being conducted, a mass flow rate of in-cylinder working gas is calculated based on a boost pressure, an intake temperature of an intake manifold 7 and a rotational frequency of the engine, and whether the calculated mass flow rate is divergent from a value detected by an air flow sensor 24 is determined. When determined to be divergent, the divergence in a last determination is compared with a current divergence; if difference between the divergences is beyond a predetermined range, the gas return pipe 19 is determined to be in disconnection from the intake pipe 5.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: HINO MOTORS, LTD.
    Inventor: Hitoshi Nakano
  • Patent number: 9759694
    Abstract: An analysis method is achieved in which pressure variation resulting from sample injection or passage switching by an autosampler does not exert an influence on the control of a liquid transfer pump. The liquid chromatograph analysis method comprises the steps of: transferring two or more types of eluents while changing a mixing ratio between the eluents; adjusting an amount of the transferred liquid within a predetermined time in a passage for the eluent transferred; injecting a sample in the passage; supplying to a separation column the eluent into which the sample is injected; separating a target component in the sample; and detecting the target component thus separated. In this method, control is exercised so as to synchronize a liquid transfer cycle of the eluent with the sample injecting operation and to implement the sample injecting operation at a timing rather than the pressure obtaining time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: Hitachi High-Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Toyoaki Tanoue, Masato Fukuda, Daisuke Akieda
  • Patent number: 9758374
    Abstract: A centrifuge screening system and method of testing MEMS devices using the system. The wafer level centrifuge screening system can include a base centrifuge system and a cassette mounting hub coupled to the base centrifuge system. The method can include applying a smooth and continuous acceleration profile to one or more MEMS components via the base centrifuge system. Each of the one or more MEMS components can have one or more MEMS devices formed thereon. The one or more MEMS components can be provided in one or more cassettes configured on the cassette mounting hub. The method can also include identifying one or more target MEMS components, which can include identifying stiction in one or more MEMS devices on the one or more MEMS components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: mCube Inc.
    Inventors: Raymond Merrill, Jr., Dave Paul Jensen, Yuan-Chun Liu