Patents Examined by Jean F Morello
  • Patent number: 11975881
    Abstract: A carrier (1) for the simultaneous measurement of sealing temperature, sealing time and sealing force in a primary packaging line for ophthalmic lenses comprises a temperature sensing plate (2), a force sensing plate (3), and a supporting plate (4). Temperature sensing plate (2) is arranged atop force sensing plate (3), which is arranged atop supporting plate (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: Alcon Inc.
    Inventors: Jens Wolfstädter, Alfred Fischer, Felix Brinckmann, Nils Schweizer
  • Patent number: 11971338
    Abstract: A multi-heat energy source core sample holder assembly for conducting experiment on a core sample includes a core sample holder, a flexible sleeve, and a multi-heat energy generation source arrangement. The core sample holder includes a cylindrical pressure chamber and a pair of disk-shaped flanges positioned along opposite ends of the cylindrical pressure chamber to accommodate at least one fluid injection port and at least one fluid discharge port. The flexible sleeve is arranged within and along the cylindrical pressure chamber to define one or more section(s) to hold the core sample. The energy generation source includes a wire member to be coiled along an internal wall of the flexible sleeve to be supplied with electric current in at least one of a Direct Current (DC) form to produce an electric resistance heating, or an Alternate Current (AC) form to produce an electromagnetic heating, singularly or in combination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: Kuwait University
    Inventors: Osamah A. S. Alomair, Nyeso Christian Azubuike, Ahmad Essam Abdel Halim Omar
  • Patent number: 11965994
    Abstract: An ultrasonic transducer for a measuring instrument includes a housing container with a support plate and a piezoelectric element that is supported by the support plate and has a substantially circular shape. The piezoelectric element includes multiple substantially sector-shaped oscillation parts that are divided by multiple grooves that communicate with each other at the central part and extend radially. The piezoelectric element oscillates in the thickness direction A3 in the first frequency band and in the radial direction A4 in the second frequency band, which is lower than the first frequency band. The ultrasonic transducer is capable of expanding the frequency band suitable for transmitting and receiving ultrasound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: HONDA ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Kenji Nagareda
  • Patent number: 11959344
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a sample conditioning system includes a first valve subsystem, a controller, and a signal generator. The first valve subsystem includes a first electrically activated valve and a first timed switch in electrical communication with the first electrically activated valve, where the first timed switch is configured with a first time duration. The controller is configured to receive drilling data from a data source and, responsive to the drilling data satisfying a trigger associated with a timed sequence, cause the signal generator to apply a signal to at least the first timed switch. The signal causes the first timed switch to close for at least the first time duration and power the first electrically activated valve, the powered first electrically activated valve switching to allow air from a first air line to pass therethrough to a sample line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: Reservoir Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Isaac David Cobb
  • Patent number: 11959902
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method (100) for determining a hydrocarbon-water contact position in a hydrocarbon reservoir, said method comprising the steps of:—Providing (110) at least two reservoir fluid samples collected, from connected hydrocarbon reservoir(s), at different known sampling depth values, —Measuring (120) abundance of at least one isotope of noble gas from each of the at least two reservoir fluid samples, and—Calculating (130) the hydrocarbon-water contact position in the hydrocarbon reservoir from the measured abundances and the known sampling depth values of the at least two reservoir fluid samples.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: TOTALENERGIES ONETECH
    Inventors: Magali Pujol, James-Alexander Scott
  • Patent number: 11940345
    Abstract: A micromechanical component for a capacitive pressure sensor device includes a substrate; a frame structure that frames a partial surface; a membrane that is tensioned by the frame structure such that a self-supporting region of the membrane extends over the framed partial surface and an internal volume with a reference pressure therein is sealed in an airtight fashion, the self-supporting region of the membrane being deformable by a physical pressure on an external side of the self-supporting region that not equal to the reference pressure; a measurement electrode situated on the framed partial surface; and a reference measurement electrode that is situated on the framed partial surface and is electrically insulated from the measurement electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Thomas Friedrich, Christoph Hermes, Hans Artmann, Heribert Weber, Peter Schmollngruber, Volkmar Senz
  • Patent number: 11938419
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and/or device for improving the separation behaviors and performance of aqueous two-phase system (ATPS) for the isolation and/or concentration of one or more target analytes from a sample. In one embodiment, the present method and device comprise ATPS components within a porous material and one or more phase separation behavior modifying agents that improve the separation behavior and performance characteristics of ATPS, including but not limited to the increasing the stability or reducing fluctuations of ATPS thought the adjustment of total volume of a sample solution that undergoes phase separation, volume ratio of the two phases of the ATPS, fluid flow rates, and concentrations of ATPS components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: PHASE DIAGNOSTICS, INC.
    Inventors: Yin To Chiu, Brian Sangwoo Lee, Garrett Lee Mosley, Beatrice S. Lim
  • Patent number: 11933702
    Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, and systems related to gas detection are provided. For example, an example apparatus for gas detection in an air duct component that receives a gas flow associated with gaseous substance is provided. The example apparatus includes a suspension connector component and a gas detection component. The suspension connector component includes a first end that is connected to a gas detection component so that the gas detection component is suspended within the air duct component. The gas detection component includes an asymmetrical outer housing so that the gas flow causes a randomized motion of the gas detection component within the air duct component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Tanguy Prevot, Radovan Bakos, Zoltan Alexi, Jan Adamek, Duncan Gooch
  • Patent number: 11927572
    Abstract: A water removal method for gas concentration sampling, and a sampling method and device. The water removal method comprises: removing water from a sample gas by means of a first cold trap tube filled with a hydrophilic material, and then concentrating the sample gas by means of a concentration cold trap tube; then by means of a carrier gas, conveying components desorbed by the first cold trap tube under a heating state to a second cold trap tube that is in a cooled state and that is filled with a hydrophobic organic adsorbent material, and adsorbing organic substances in the components desorbed by the first cold trap tube: by means of the carrier gas, bringing the moisture desorbed by the first cold trap tube out of the second cold trap tube, and then by means of the carrier gas, conveying residual components desorbed by the first cold trap tube and the second cold trap tube under the heating state to the concentration cold trap tube for concentration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: CHENGDU COLIN ANALYSIS TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Qifa He
  • Patent number: 11921074
    Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, a gas-sensitive device includes a substrate structure, and a gas sensitive capacitor. The gas sensitive capacitor a first capacitor electrode in form of a gas-sensitive layer on a first main surface region of an insulation layer, and a second capacitor electrode in form of a buried conductive region below the insulation layer, so that the insulation layer is arranged between the first and second capacitor electrode. The gas-sensitive layer comprises a sheet impedance which changes in response to the adsorption or desorption of gas molecules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Markus Meyer, Werner Breuer
  • Patent number: 11905825
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for hydrocarbon monitoring are provided. An example method (e.g., performed by a monitoring system) includes receiving one or more first downhole measurements including a first speed of sound (SoS) measurement of a flowing fluid at a first location, wherein a pressure of the flowing fluid at the first location is greater than a bubble-point pressure of the flowing fluid; receiving one or more second downhole measurements including a second SoS measurement of the flowing fluid at a second location, wherein a pressure of the flowing fluid at the second location is less than the bubble-point pressure of the flowing fluid and wherein the flowing fluid is a 3-phase fluid mixture at the second location; and calculating one or more phase flow rates of the 3-phase fluid mixture, based on the first SoS measurement, the second SoS measurement, and a measurement of a bulk velocity of the flowing fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: WEATHERFORD TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventor: Omer Haldun Unalmis
  • Patent number: 11906376
    Abstract: A force sensor for a tendon-actuated mechanism, the force sensor comprising: a body having a through hole for passage of a tendon of the tendon-actuated mechanism therethrough, the body configured to be connected to a part of the tendon-actuated mechanism through which the tendon passes; and a sensor provided on the body to obtain a compression force on the body from the part of the tendon-actuated mechanism through which the tendon passes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: Nanyang Technological University
    Inventors: Wenjie Lai, Lin Cao, Soo Jay Louis Phee
  • Patent number: 11906503
    Abstract: Methods for identifying hydrocarbon contamination sources may include fingerprinting hydrocarbons using isotopocule analyses for BTEX compounds. For example, methods for identifying hydrocarbon contamination sources may comprise: extracting BTEX compounds from a sample; measuring the isotopocule composition of the BTEX compounds; and determining a characteristic of the sample based on the isotopocule composition. Such characteristics may include, but are not limited to, the characteristic of the sample comprises one or more selected from the group consisting of: a source of the sample, a condition at which the sample formed or was last equilibrated, a migration time from a source to a sample location, weathering of the sample, and degree to which the sample is anthropogenic and naturally-occurring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Technology and Engineering Company
    Inventors: David T. Wang, Muhammad Asif, Michael J. Formolo
  • Patent number: 11867585
    Abstract: A system for monitoring the operation of vibrating equipment, such as a vibrating screen unit or vibrating feeder. The vibrating equipment includes a series of mounting springs that support the body on a stationary support structure. The system includes a plurality of sensors that are positioned to detect vibrating forces on one or more of the mounting springs. Each of the sensors generates a monitoring signal that is received by a control unit. The monitoring signals are a measure of the resonance frequency of the mounting springs. The control unit is operable to compare the monitoring signals from the sensors to expected, normal values such that the control unit is able to determine whether the mounting springs are functioning in a normal manner or whether a problem exists. The control unit is further able to monitor the operation of the vibrating equipment through the analysis of the monitoring signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Metso Outotec USA Inc.
    Inventors: David Ward, Jan Wirth
  • Patent number: 11860142
    Abstract: A liquid chromatograph mass spectrometer specifying a location where a flow path is clogged and recovering in a short time. The liquid chromatograph mass spectrometer includes a first flow path passing through a separation column, a second flow path not passing through the separation column, a mass spectrometry unit on the downstream side of the first and second flow paths that analyzes a sample that has passed through the first flow path, a first valve for connecting any one of the first and second flow paths to the mass spectrometry unit, and a controller for controlling driving of the first valve connecting the first flow path to the mass spectrometric unit, comparing the measured value of the mass spectrometric unit with a predetermined threshold value, and connecting the second flow path to the mass spectrometry unit when it is determined to be abnormal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: HITACHI HIGH-TECH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masuyuki Sugiyama, Yuichiro Hashimoto, Hideki Hasegawa
  • Patent number: 11852648
    Abstract: A sample is placed in a sample housing. The sample includes crude oil and a demulsifier. A cylindrical sensor is submerged in the sample within the sample housing. An external surface of the cylindrical sensor includes a fluoropolymer. A plurality of densities of the sample are measured by a computer for a corresponding plurality of time points over a specified testing time duration. The computer is communicatively coupled to the cylindrical sensor. The plurality of densities and the corresponding plurality of times points are recorded by the computer. An emulsion breaking efficiency of the demulsifier is determined based on the recorded plurality of densities and corresponding plurality of time points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Nagoorpitchai S. Meeranpillai, Ali Almuhaimeed, Osama Alzahrani
  • Patent number: 11852268
    Abstract: A flange connection set includes a modified compact flange, having a channel for external-internal seal tests, coupled to a connecting component, and coupled between the compact flange and the connecting component, there is a KX sealing ring with a radius closer to the radius of the conduit. Different types of keys provide the flange connection the ability to withstand high shear and torsional loads without affecting its operation, while also resisting high bending moment loads and preserving the integrity of the sealing ring and the fasteners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: FMC TECHNOLOGIES DO BRASIL LTDA
    Inventors: André Guercio Faísca, Guilherme Sousa Moura, Huei Sun Lai, Ivar Hordnes, Leonardo de Araujo Bernardo, Nigel Mckie, Renato Saioron Bernardo
  • Patent number: 11846573
    Abstract: A portable hydrocarbon sampling device may include a first housing with a first bore, a valve housing with a second bore coupled to the first housing, and a cross-flow housing with a third bore coupled to the valve housing to form a continuous flow path. The valve housing includes a valve to open and close the second bore. A cross bore may be coupled to the cross-flow housing, and is perpendicular to the third bore. A probe may be disposed within the continuous flow path and in fluid communication with the cross bore. An actuator housing may be coupled to the cross-flow housing. The actuator housing may include an actuator to extend into the probe. A sampling container fluidly may be coupled to the cross bore at end distal to the cross-flow housing. The sampling container may be configured to collect the fluids from the probe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventors: Wasel E. Abdulla, Abdulaziz H. Aljabr, Eid M. Dossari, Saud A. Hassan
  • Patent number: 11841353
    Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods for finding and sampling hydrocarbons from seeps in water or from artificial sources of water. The present invention related to systems and methods for in situ analyzing fluid samples in a body of water. The systems and methods can be used to find hydrocarbons and associated non-hydrocarbons from seeps in water. Such seeps may come from natural sources in deep water, possibly as deep as 3000 m or even more.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: Fugro N.V.
    Inventors: Shiva Prakash Arjoonsingh, Leslie Owuraku Baksmaty, James Charles Doherty, Eric Carroll Lissard, Benjamin King, Dickie Martin, Gary Martin Sharman, Mark Stevens
  • Patent number: 11828673
    Abstract: An environmental testing laboratory includes a supply port allowing air-conditioned air at a predetermined temperature supplied through the supply port at a predetermined speed, a discharge port facing the supply port and allowing the air be discharged through the discharge port, a flow passage disposed between the supply port and the discharge port and allowing the air to pass through the flow passage part, an installation part disposed at a center of the flow passage and allowing a measurement target in the installation part, and a flow straightening member which is disposed between a sidewall surface of the flow passage part and the installation part and which is configured to straighten an airflow of the air-conditioned air. The sidewall surface of the flow passage part and the first flow straightening member are disposed in parallel with the airflow of the air-conditioned air from the supply port to the discharge port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: HITACHI PLANT SERVICES CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Makoto Tanaka, Satoru Sugitani, Tsuyoshi Yamada