Patents Examined by Jermaine Jenkins
  • Methods and systems for enabling wind tunnel models to transition between measuring aerodynamic forces and measuring acoustic signatures
    Patent number: 9134195
    Abstract: A model adapter includes a first section of an off-body adapter at least partially circumscribing a sting mount, and a second section of the off-body adapter coupled to the first section such that the off-body adapter is coupled to the sting mount. The off-body adapter is positioned aft of the model to provide for a substantially aerodynamically smooth transition between a model and the sting mount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Eric Evin Adamson
  • Auxiliary oil gauge assembly
    Patent number: 9133740
    Abstract: The invention relates to an auxiliary oil gauge assembly having a body connected to a mechanical oil gauge and to the stock sending unit. The body is configured to allow oil to flow to the mechanical gauge as well as the stock sending unit to facilitate providing both mechanical and electrical oil pressure feedback to the observer. Further, the auxiliary oil gauge assembly is configured to safely mount to the engine block without penetrating the user's leg space. The fastener assembly for mounting the body to the engine is independently rotatable with respect to the body, thus allowing the user to orient the gauge independently of securing the body to the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Inventor: Loran L. Whittaker
  • Sensor over-mold shape
    Patent number: 9131858
    Abstract: An implantable sensor module includes a housing having an inner shell and an outer layer formed to extend over and enclose the inner shell to form an outer wall of the housing, the inner shell having a thickness extending between an inner wall of the inner shell and an outer wall of the inner shell, the outer layer having an inner side engaged against the outer wall of the inner shell and having a thickness extending between the inner side and the outer wall of the housing, wherein the inner shell and the outer layer form a substantially flat portion. A flexible diaphragm is formed within the inner shell and extends between a first edge and a second edge, and a shoulder extends adjacent to the first edge to extend the outer layer laterally away from a central medial line extending between the first and second edges of the diaphragm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel S. Flo, James K. Carney, Kamal Deep Mothilal, Jon D. Schell
  • Metalized ceramic leading edge nozzle Kiels for high-temperature turbine applications
    Patent number: 9128005
    Abstract: A pressure probe includes an elongated cable provided with a sensing tip, a portion of the elongated cable and sensing tip enclosed within a ceramic shroud, the ceramic shroud at least partially formed of a metalized ceramic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Zachary John Snider, Kirk Douglas Gallier, Jacob John Kittleson, Burt Richard Skiba
  • Low speed wind tunnel design for agricultural spray particle analysis
    Patent number: 9116068
    Abstract: A wind tunnel device defines a cyclical tunnel to receive continuous airflow. Airflow is delivered through the tunnel to a testing region that includes a first portion carrying an arm including a spray tip configured to spray particulates in the testing region at an angle, and a second portion including an enlarged cutout region configured to receive the angled sprayed particulates. As airflow carries the angled spray particulates into the second portion, the enlarged cutout region enables the spray particulates to pass through and exit the second portion of the testing region. Analysis in the second region may be conducted through transparent walls free of openings to minimize exposure of the spray particulates to the exterior of the device. A scrubber is adapted to extract spray mist from the airflow as the airflow exits the testing region and is re-circulated through the cyclical tunnel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: WINFIELD SOLUTIONS, LLC
    Inventors: Eric P. Spandl, Jon Martin Gehring, Gregory Keith Dahl, Joe V. Gednalske, William Thomas Hambleton, Lillian C. Magidow
  • Irreversible hydrostatic pressure indicator
    Patent number: 9109967
    Abstract: An irreversible pressure indicator, comprising a sealed vessel forming a fluid chamber and at least one indicating chamber; an indicating material contained within the fluid chamber, said material capable of being acted upon by a pressure force; and a gas contained within the indicating chamber, said gas capable of being displaced or compressed by said indicating material, and a method for using the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Inventors: Robert Parker, Daniel J. Volk
  • Method and device for the anticipated detection of icing on a runway
    Patent number: 9110197
    Abstract: Device and method for anticipating the deposition of ice on a runway, comprising an object having a non-zero relative velocity with respect to the atmosphere surrounding the runway, this surrounding atmosphere being at a certain temperature, a means for determining the thickness of ice present on said moving object, which further includes a temperature sensor for measuring the temperature of the runway, a means for regulating the temperature of said object in such a way that the temperature of said moving object is substantially equal to or slightly below the temperature of the runway, a computing means, for defining at time t0 a level of icing at time t1 of the runway as a function of the thickness of ice present on the object, and a warning means allowing the results obtained by the computing means to be communicated to a monitoring station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignees: AER, OFFICE NATIONAL D'ETUDES ET DE RECHERCHES AEROSPATIALES (ONERA)
    Inventors: Didier Guffond, Robert Schegerin, Hervé Lachaud
  • Capacitive pressure sensor with intrinsic temperature compensation
    Patent number: 9103738
    Abstract: Pressure sensors and their methods of use are described. In one embodiment, a pressure sensor includes a probe body and a capacitive sensor disposed at a distal end of the probe body. The capacitive sensor produces a sensing capacitance. The pressure sensor also includes a shunt capacitance. In the described pressure sensor, a change in the sensing capacitance due to dimensional changes associated with a temperature change is offset by a corresponding change in the shunt capacitance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: Dynisco Instruments LLC
    Inventors: Leo E. Barron, John A. Czazasty
  • Sounding kit
    Patent number: 9091792
    Abstract: A man packable, portable sounding kit includes, in one example, at least two balloons and at least two radiosondes each including a tether for connecting a radiosonde to a balloon. A gas container includes gas for inflating the at least two balloons. A fill hose assembly includes a balloon inflation nozzle coupled to a pressure regulator. A data transceiver unit is configured to receive and optionally to rebroadcast atmospheric weather data from the radiosonde. A case houses the balloons, radiosondes, data transceiver unit, gas container, and fill hose assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: Foster-Miller, Inc.
    Inventors: Berry Lee McCormick, Richard Harvey Smith, Emery William Hughes, III, Michael Thomas Dewenter
  • Method of tread wear sensor installation in a tire
    Patent number: 9073392
    Abstract: A method of installing a tread wear sensor in a tire includes configuring multiple tread wear indicators to each include a stack of sacrificial resistive sensor elements. The stacks of resistive sensor elements are affixed to respective selected tread lugs positioned at dispersed axial locations across a tire tread region. The resistive sensor elements sacrificially abrade and a change in resistance in each stack is measured. Connector assemblies within the tire carcass cavity are positioned radially opposite the selected tread lugs. A needle projection from each of the connector assemblies is inserted radially outward through the tire carrying leads which engage and establish electrical contact with a respective stack of resistive sensor elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventor: Piotr Orlewski
  • Blood processing system
    Patent number: 9074951
    Abstract: A pressure sensor has a housing, a movable member and a vision sensor. The housing has an aperture configured to receive a fluid. The movable member is disposed in the housing and configured to move in response to a pressure of the fluid. The vision sensor is configured to detect the movement of the movable member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: Fenwal, Inc.
    Inventors: Terry Chung, Kwang Suk Kim, James Darren Roxas, David Shao Ling
  • Method and apparatus for environmental protection of drive-over tire tread depth optical sensors
    Patent number: 9046446
    Abstract: A drive-over tire tread depth measurement system is configured with components for preventing or impeding environmental contaminates from falling through openings in a vehicle support surface or cover plate onto sensor optical windows and adjacent surfaces. The components may include active mechanisms, in the form of air discharge assemblies, movable shields, guards, wipers or deflectors, and/or passive components such as drip edges, water-accumulating textured surfaces, flow diverters, and selectively placed flanges or fixed guards which operate cooperatively to displace accumulated contaminates, debris, or liquids from the optical windows and adjacent sensor surfaces on a periodic basis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: HUNTER ENGINEERING COMPANY
    Inventors: Craig A. Carroll, Michael T. Stieff
  • Tire testing device
    Patent number: 9046444
    Abstract: To effectively suppress a shift of a rotating axis of an upper chuck with respect to a rotating axis of a lower chuck due to a separating force. A tire testing device (1) includes: vertical frames (30a, 30b) which are supported by a lower frame (20); a beam (40) which bridges between the vertical frames (30a, 30b) and is movable in the vertical direction; an upper chuck (45) which is attached to the center of the beam (40), the center corresponding to the center of the beam in the longitudinal direction; and a lower chuck (25) which is attached to the lower frame. When viewed from the vertical direction, a rotating axis of an upper rotating member (47) is positioned at the center of a straight line formed by connecting supporting points where each of the vertical frames (30a, 30b) support the beam (40).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: Kobe Steel, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takehiko Wakazono, Tetsuya Yoshikawa, Glen Thompson, Yasuhiko Fujieda, Shogo Sarumaru
  • Ratio meter of a thermal sensor
    Patent number: 9039278
    Abstract: A ratio meter includes a converter circuit, a first counter, a delay circuit, and a second counter. The converter circuit is configured to receive a temperature-independent signal, to convert the received temperature-independent signal into a first frequency signal during a first phase, to receive a temperature-dependent signal, and to convert the temperature-dependent signal into a second frequency signal during a second phase. The first counter is configured to receive the first frequency signal and to generate a control signal by counting a predetermined number of pulses of the first frequency signal count. The delay circuit is configured to delay the control signal for a predetermined time delay. The second counter is configured to receive the second frequency signal and to generate a count value by counting the second frequency signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Mei-Chen Chuang, Jui-Cheng Huang, Alan Roth
  • Automotive shop service apparatus having a means for determining the rolling resistance coefficient of a tyre
    Patent number: 9032789
    Abstract: A vehicle wheel service apparatus, in particular a wheel balancer or a tire changer, comprising a load means for applying a predetermined load onto a peripheral surface of a wheel/tire assembly, a sensor device arranged to determine forces acting between the peripheral surface of the wheel/tire assembly and the load means, wherein the forces comprise at least a first force acting in a radial direction of the wheel/tire assembly and a second force acting in a circumferential direction of the wheel/tire assembly, and an evaluation device arranged to determine a rolling resistance coefficient of the tire on the basis of the first and second forces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: SNAP-ON EQUIPMENT SRL A UNICO SOCIO
    Inventors: Francesco Braghiroli, Marco Tralli
  • Sensor for high pressure processing of articles
    Patent number: 9021884
    Abstract: A pressure sensor device and its use for confirming achievement of a selected pressure in a high pressure process (HPP) for sanitizing food is disclosed. The device includes at least a base and a sheet, each of which is substantially impermeable to the working fluid of the HPP and is deformable at the selected pressure. Microcapsules interposed between flat overlapping portions of the base and sheet contain a color former and burst upon pressurization of the environment surrounding the device. Release of the color former is detected to confirm that the pressurization occurred. The device can be associated with one or more foodstuffs (e.g., a packaged food product or a group of such packages) and remain associated therewith to continuously indicate that the foodstuff(s) have been subjected to the selected pressure and are therefore sanitized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Del Monte Foods, Inc.
    Inventors: Caitlin Elizabeth Trahan, Justin Wade Shimek, Russel Allan Lem, Andrew Richard Hart
  • Method for synchronising measurements
    Patent number: 8997560
    Abstract: A method for synchronizing the measurements obtained, over a given period, from a number of measurement acquisition means for acquiring measurements of characteristics associated with the stresses withstood by a tire fitted on a running vehicle. The measurement acquisition means are brought into operation independently of one another and at least one indexing at a given instant of the measurements from each of said means is created relative to a time-measuring reference means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignees: Michelin Recherche et Technique S.A., Compagnie Generale des Etablissements Michelin
    Inventor: Denis Martin
  • Capacitive pressure sensor, manufacturing method thereof, and pressure sensor package
    Patent number: 8991262
    Abstract: A capacitive pressure sensor includes a semiconductor substrate, a first insulating portion configured to define a sensor region, a reference pressure chamber configured to divide a lower portion of the sensor region in a direction, a second insulating portion configured to divide a surface portion of the sensor region above the reference pressure chamber in the direction, and a trench configured to divide the sensor region in the direction. The sensor region is divided into at least three semiconductor parts by the reference pressure chamber, the second insulating portion, and the trench.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Rohm Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Goro Nakatani
  • Tire pressure monitoring system wheel mounting bracket
    Patent number: 8984937
    Abstract: A tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) wheel mounting bracket that is designed to attach a TPMS to an air flow tube having means for being attached to a vehicle wheel rim. The TPMS wheel mounting bracket includes a first end that terminates with a vertical section having a threaded bore, and a second end that terminates with a tube/bracket attachment bore. When a threaded bolt is inserted through a bracket attachment bore located on the TPMS and into the threaded bore on the vertical section, the TPMS is secured to the first end of the TPMS wheel mounting bracket. The tube/bracket attachment bore located on the second end is dimensioned to fit over the air inlet tube that is secured to the TPMS mounting bracket by means of a bolt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Inventor: William C. Falkenborg
  • Automatic detection and adjustment of a pressure pod diaphragm
    Patent number: 8960010
    Abstract: A system for controlling the position of a diaphragm in a diaphragm-containing pressure pod, is provided. The system can include a peristaltic pump, a pressure pod having a flow-through fluid side and a gas side that are separated by a diaphragm, and a pressure sensor operatively connected to the gas side. The pressure sensor is configured to sense pulses of pressure resulting from movement of the diaphragm and caused by the action of the peristaltic pump. A gas source and a valve can be in fluid communication with the gas side of the pressure pod and can be configured to provide gas to, or vent gas from, the gas side. A controller receives pressure signals from the pressure sensor and controls the valve in response, and in so doing, controls the position of the diaphragm. Methods for positioning the diaphragm are also included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Fresenius Medical Care Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Martin Crnkovich, Lee Tanenbaum, Michael Emmanuel Kotsos, Fei Wang, Alex Brown