Patents Examined by Jacque M. Saint-Surin
  • Patent number: 10295503
    Abstract: A system for displaying an area covered in a non-destructive scan of an area larger than the test probe is disclosed. Position encoders are included on the test probe to track the motion of the probe and to provide a record of the portion of the area under test that has been covered by the probe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: ZETEC, INC.
    Inventors: Laurent Enenkel, Frederic Morrow, Alexandre Charlebois, Martin Garneau, Stephane Turgeon
  • Patent number: 10297116
    Abstract: A cash drawer and a method for determining the change in contents of a cash tray is provided. The cash drawer includes: at least two force measuring devices; and a cash tray mounted on the force measuring devices, the cash tray including a plurality of containers, each container for holding a plurality of cash tokens, wherein the cash tray is coupled to each of the force measuring devices through a kinematic mount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: Smart Drawer Ltd.
    Inventor: Peter Gregory Charij
  • Patent number: 10295682
    Abstract: A vibration detection device includes a first component, a second component, and a detecting member. The first component and the second component can be moved with respect to each other. The detecting member is located at one of the first component and the second component and can be moved from a position in response to relative movement between the first component and the second component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignees: King Slide Works Co., Ltd., King Slide Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ken-Ching Chen, Hsiu-Chiang Liang, Chun-Chiang Wang
  • Patent number: 10288475
    Abstract: An abnormality detecting apparatus (10) for a rotating machine includes: a calculating part (15) which calculates a phase difference between signals respectively output from two sensors of one or more sets, the one or more sets being predetermined combinations of two sensors among the plurality of sensors, the plurality of sensors each of which detects an elastic wave generating in the rotating machine (1) having a rotor during rotation of the rotor, the sensors being arranged at predetermined different locations of the rotating machine (1); a storing part (16) which stores in advance information concerning a relationship between a phase difference and a contact position when a contact occurs during the rotation of the rotor, regarding the one or more sets; and a specifying part (17) which specifies a contact position by using a phase difference calculated by the calculating part (15) and the information stored in the storing part (16).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: Kobe Steel, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kaname Araki, Eiji Takahashi
  • Patent number: 10281332
    Abstract: The invention discloses an integrated device for ear temperature measurement and non-contact temperature measurement, comprising a main body shell, a temperature measurement control unit and a display unit in the main body shell and a temperature measurement probe at head of the main body shell. The temperature measurement probe is composed of a shell, a temperature sensor in the shell and a non-contact temperature measurement component on the shell. The non-contact temperature measurement component is dismountable and has a non-contact temperature measurement channel in. After the non-contact temperature measurement component and the shell of the temperature measurement probe are assembled, the non-contact temperature measurement channel and the shell of the temperature measurement probe will form a necessary infrared receiving channel to realize non-contact temperature measurement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Inventor: Cao Liang
  • Patent number: 10281717
    Abstract: For measuring the oscillation amplitude of a scanner mirror in a projection system of a motor vehicle headlight, a laser beam generated by a laser source is directed onto the scanner mirror and reflected by the latter so that the laser beam thus reflected is incident on a detector device (20) that has a plurality of photodetector elements (Q1, Q2, Q3, Q4) and there describes a curve (P) based on the oscillation movement of the scanner mirror. The center point of the curve (P) is offset by an offset value (xoffset, yoffset) from the center of the detector device (20). The time period (tON,X, tON,Y) in which the curve passes through the specific detector region (RX, RY) that corresponds to a coordinate to be measured is determined; and the oscillation amplitude (xpp, ypp) in the direction of the specific coordinate is determined using the ratio of the time period (tON,X, tON,Y) determined in this manner to the total duration (T) of an oscillation period and the offsets (xoffset, yoffset).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: ZKW Group GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Mitterlehner, Christian Kalousek
  • Patent number: 10272587
    Abstract: A slicing machine may include a machine housing, which holds a drive motor for driving a rotating slicing blade. The slicing blade separates individual slices from preferably elongated foodstuffs, wherein these slices are deposited in a delivery area of the slicing machine. In the delivery area, a weighing device is provided, which determines the weight of the separated slices. To ensure that the slicing machine can be universally employed while having a compact design, it is provided that the slicing machine is of modular design in that the weighing device is configured as a separate modular unit, which can optionally be mechanically rigidly connected to the machine housing or can be removed therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: BIZERBA SE & CO. KG
    Inventors: Michael Heck, Manfred Dinger
  • Patent number: 10267771
    Abstract: A method for structural component crack testing comprising: a) identifying a structural component hole and inserting a probe thereinto; b) for different emission directions, automatically performing the following: b1) controlling a probe ultrasound beam emission; b2) measuring a probe signal; b3) if the measured signal amplitude is above a predetermined threshold: determining a distance between the probe and a structural component discontinuity point; recording a data set comprising at least the distance between the probe and the discontinuity point, together with a data element corresponding to the probe emission angular direction, c) automatically searching for data sets corresponding to characteristic discontinuity points, and consequently establishing a correspondence between the probe emission angular directions and an angular reference frame linked to the component; d) based on the recorded data sets, automatically determining the discontinuity point positions; e) determining a dimensional characteristi
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignees: AIRBUS OPERATIONS SAS, AIRBUS SAS
    Inventors: Alain Tissenier, Aurelien Rautureau
  • Patent number: 10267774
    Abstract: A noisemaker system includes: a node of an infrastructure system; and a noisemaker including a vibrating plate, the vibrating plate including a top surface and a bottom surface, the bottom surface of the vibrating plate in contact with an exterior surface of the node, and an actuator configured to engage the top surface of the vibrating plate and generate an acoustic signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: Mueller International, LLC
    Inventors: Shabbir Yusuf, Werner Guenther Richarz, Valentin Mircea Burtea, Filip Stefanovic
  • Patent number: 10261527
    Abstract: A device for analyzing and compensating for automotive noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) is provided. The device includes a microprocessor, a sensor, to measure NVH associated with an automotive system of a vehicle at a frequency and monitor any direct correlation of an environmental condition to a harmonic or resonation problem, the sensor having an output in electrical communication with the microprocessor when vibrations are present at the measured frequency, and a tensioner for adjusting surface tension of a surface of the vehicle to reduce resonance, wherein the tensioner adjusts tension when said microprocessor determines resonance as sensed by the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: FIRST PRINCIPLES INC.
    Inventor: Keith A. Raniere
  • Patent number: 10254155
    Abstract: A monitoring device and a method for detecting mechanical torsional oscillations in a rotor shaft of a turbine-generator system. Specifically, the monitoring device and a method for detecting mechanical torsional oscillations in a turbine-generator system having a plurality of, such as two, three, four, five, six or more, turbines that are interconnected by means of a common turbine shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: ABB Schweiz AG
    Inventors: Tord Bengtsson, Zoran Gajic, Stefan Roxenborg
  • Patent number: 10247599
    Abstract: A rotating machine abnormality detection device and a rotating machine abnormality detection method according to the present invention are designed to detect an abnormality in a rotating machine including a rotary member rotatable about a predetermined axis, and detect an initial abnormality in the rotating machine based on first measurement data obtained by measuring a vibration in an ultrasonic wave band caused by the rotary member. A rotating machine according to the present invention includes the rotating machine abnormality detection device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: Kobe Steel, Ltd.
    Inventors: Eiji Takahashi, Kaname Araki, Shugo Takaki, Yasuharu Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 10241087
    Abstract: The present embodiments relate to a device for the non-destructive ultrasound testing of workpieces. The device comprises an ultrasonic test probe with an ultrasonic transducer, the ultrasonic test probe being configured for generating and coupling ultrasonic signals into a workpiece or/and for receiving ultrasonic signals from the workpiece. Furthermore, an electronic control unit is provided. The ease of operation is improved as a whole by a special configuration of the test probe and the control unit. Furthermore, the embodiments relate to a method for the non-destructive ultrasound testing of workpieces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: GE Sensing & Inspection Technologies GmbH
    Inventor: Ralf Ratering
  • Patent number: 10240971
    Abstract: A vibration visualizer comprising an optical member including a fixed section to be fixed to a measurement object; and a movable section movably supported by the fixed section such that a first positional relationship between the fixed section and the movable section is changed by application of an acceleration to the fixed section in a predetermined direction. The optical member changes a reflection intensity of light or electromagnetic wave reflected in a retroreflection direction according to a change of the first positional relationship. The first positional relationship in a stationary state where the acceleration is not applied to the fixed section and the first positional relationship is maintained constant, is different from the first positional relationship most suitable for retroreflection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Naohide Wakita
  • Patent number: 10234375
    Abstract: This application discloses integrated probes and probe systems, which can be attached to the robotic arms of a remotely operated vehicle to perform both cathodic protection (CP) voltage measurements and ultrasonic testing (UT) thickness measurements at an underwater surface. In some embodiments, the integrated probe system couples an inner and outer gimbal together such that one or more electrically conductive legs pass from the outer gimbal through the inner gimbal. These legs are arranged about an ultrasonic sensor which extends from the front surface of the inner gimbal. When the integrated probe contacts the underwater surface, both the ultrasonic sensor and at least one leg contact the surface, thereby providing substantially simultaneous CP and UT measurements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Fadl Abdellatif, Hamad Al-Saiari, Ali Outa, Ayman Amer, Sahejad Patel, Ameen Obedan, Hassane Trigui
  • Patent number: 10175091
    Abstract: A remote sensor control system provides a sensor reading from an insulated environment at a certain interval dependent upon the threat level. The remote sensor control system has a control module and a remote module. The control module is disposed outside the insulated environment. The control module includes an energy source configured to produce an energy beam. The remote module is disposed at least partially within the insulated environment. The remote module is configured to receive the energy beam from the energy source. The remote module includes a battery, a sensor reader configured to sample a sensor, and an optical power gate configured to provide power from the battery to the sensor reader upon receiving said energy beam from the energy source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: Altec Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Joshua Daniel Mueller
  • Patent number: 9476861
    Abstract: In order to reduce the variation of transmitting and receiving sensitivity among a plurality of CMUT cells, an ultrasound diagnostic device comprises: a plurality of CMUT cells each having a vibrating membrane that vibrates when ultrasound is transmitted to or received from a subject; an upper electrode and a lower electrode disposed facing each other on mutually opposite sides of each of the CMUT cells to apply a bias voltage to each of the CMUT cells by a bias power supply; and transmitting and receiving correction units for each correcting the voltage supplied from the bias power supply by using a function using at least one parameter of the thickness and resonance frequency of the vibrating membrane of each of the CMUT cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: HITACHI, LTD.
    Inventors: Tomoko Takenaka, Mikio Izumi, Kazunari Ishida
  • Patent number: 9340167
    Abstract: The invention relates to an interior trim part of a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, comprising a composite having a carrier (30) and a decorative element (10) on one side of the carrier, the decorative element comprising a viewing side (11) visible to an observer from the interior (100) of the vehicle comprising a substantially continuously closed surface at least in a partial region (B1), characterized in that the composite is thinner within the partial region (B1) facing away from the viewing side perpendicular to the viewing side, and is capable of ultrasonic vibration in the thinned region (B1), and by an ultrasonic sensor having an ultrasonic transducer, wherein the ultrasonic transducer is connected to the side of the composite facing away from the viewing side (11) over the entire surface of the thinned area (B1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: LISA DRAEXLMAIER GMBH
    Inventor: Michael Steckel
  • Patent number: 9211624
    Abstract: Determination of chatter vibration is done for a plurality of peak values that appears when frequency-domain vibrational acceleration is obtained through fast Fourier analysis on time-domain vibrational acceleration. In machining at a low rotation speed and machining using a tool with small flute number in particular, a type of chatter vibration that has occurred can be accurately determined, and “natural type vibration” occurring due to friction between a tool and a workpiece and an impact force caused by machining can also be determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: Okuma Corporation
    Inventor: Takaaki Tanaka
  • Patent number: 9126177
    Abstract: Methods and systems for acoustically treating material using a continuous process in which material may be caused to flow in a continuous or intermittent fashion into/out of an acoustic treatment chamber where the material is exposed to focused acoustic energy. The methods and systems may be arranged to permit continuous processing for extended periods while an acoustic energy source operates at a relatively high power output. Treatment chambers may include features such as an acoustic window, a heat exchanger, inlet/outlet flow arrangements, an inspection window, insert elements that define a treatment volume size or shape, etc. Treatment system configurations relating to arrangements of a treatment chamber relative to an acoustic source and coupling medium, material flow paths, and others are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: Covaris, Inc.
    Inventors: James A. Laugharn, Jr., Carl Beckett, Xiaoyin He