Patents Examined by Jewel V. Thompson
  • Patent number: 8789429
    Abstract: A flowmeter that includes a moulded housing delimiting a measuring chamber; a rotatable measuring body having a rotatable shaft extending across the measuring chamber; and point bearings for mounting and positioning opposite extremities of the rotatable shaft in the housing. Each point bearing is formed of a protruding part and a cooperating facing counter-part part, in particular a recessed part, associated, respectively, with the housing and an extremity of the rotatable shaft, or vice versa. This protruding part and its counter-part are integrally formed with their associated moulded housing and rotatable shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventors: Stefan Etter, Martin Ziegler
  • Patent number: 8783117
    Abstract: A fan testing apparatus includes an air duct defining an air inlet and air outlet, and at least one anemometer mounted at the air outlet. The fan is received in the air duct to generate airflow in the air duct via the inlet and out of the air duct via the outlet, and the at least one anemometer is used to measure wind speed at the outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yao-Ting Chang
  • Patent number: 8770042
    Abstract: A flow meter is presented having a meter body that is enveloped by a compliant shroud that protects transducers and transducer cables. The shroud forms a chamber between the shroud and meter body, and includes a releasable portion to allow access into the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Daniel Measurement and Control, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles Robert Allen
  • Patent number: 8770040
    Abstract: An apparatus for measuring a multiphase fluid stream which flows in a pipe (2) comprising: a measuring unit (11), coaxial to the pipe, consisting of an isokinetic sampling device (1) suitably configured for allowing the equidistribution of the flow at the inlet in n channels (6) having an area A, of which m are sampling channels and a flow restriction (13) both equipped with differential pressure measuring means (12, 14), a phase separator (15), connected to the sampling device, measurers and regulation means downstream of said separator. A method in accordance with said apparatus which comprises: the isokinetic sampling of a portion q of the multiphase flow Q at the inlet, measuring the flow-rates of the liquid qL and gas qG of the portion sampled and calculating the liquid and gas flow-rates (QL and Q0) from the sampling sections according to the equations QG=n/tn qG and QL=n/m qL. The method provides isokinetic sampling for portions of flow removed ranging from 5% to 20%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignees: ENI S.p.A., Tea Sistemi S.p.A.
    Inventors: Stefano Boschi, Paolo Andreussi
  • Patent number: 8770041
    Abstract: A fluid meter includes a housing which comprises a cavity that defines a flow bore through which a fluid to be metered is directed, a rotor which is rotatably supported in the cavity and is set into rotation by the fluid flowing through the flow bore, a first magnet which is connected to the rotor, a second magnet which is magnetically coupled to the first magnet, a cap member which is positioned over the first magnet and separates the second magnet from the cavity, and a rotary encoder which is operatively coupled to the second magnet. Rotation of the rotor is magnetically transmitted through the cap member from the first magnet to the second magnet and is detected by the rotary encoder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: FMC Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert M. Smith, Jeffrey W. Lantz, James C. Breter
  • Patent number: 8763452
    Abstract: In a thermal air flow sensor according to the invention, a hollow formed in a detecting element is communicated with a circuit chamber, in which driving circuit parts of the detecting element are mounted, or an intake duct exterior. Thereby, pressure in the hollow balances with pressure on the outside. Also, since the circuit chamber is provided to be isolated from a detection chamber, in which a detecting part of the detecting element is arranged, that is, a passage chamber, through which air being a measuring object flows, air flowing in the passage chamber can be restrained from flowing into the hollow to have an influence on flow output characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Ryosuke Doi, Keiji Hanzawa
  • Patent number: 8756988
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for carrying out measurement of gas distribution in an ESP and also relates to a gas distribution measurement system for measurement of gas velocities in an ESP. The gas distribution system (8) comprises probe carrier (9) that moves in the ESP 1, air velocity probe (10) that record the air velocity readings and a display controller (11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: ALSTOM Technology Ltd
    Inventors: Blooshee Arulsingh Paulraj, Nanda Kishore Dash, Pankaj Kumar Gupta
  • Patent number: 8756989
    Abstract: A flow measuring device includes a housing, a support, and a flow measurement element. The housing defines a passage therein and includes a passage narrowing part, which reduces a cross-sectional area of the passage, in a predetermined part of the passage. The support has a platy shape and is disposed along a flow direction of fluid flowing in the passage. The flow measurement element is located inside the passage narrowing part and is disposed on a surface of the support. The flow measurement element detects a flow rate of fluid flowing in the passage. The passage narrowing part has an inner wall surface that gradually reduces a width of the passage from a center side to both end sides of the passage in a height direction of the passage, which is perpendicular to a direction of the width of the passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Yasushi Goka, Takashi Enomoto, Noboru Kitahara
  • Patent number: 8752425
    Abstract: A flow meter is disclosed with a hollow blocking rotor. The flow meter includes a housing that has a cavity with an inlet and an outlet. The flow meter also includes a pair of displacement rotors with a blocking rotor disposed between the displacement rotors. The blocking rotor includes a pair of convex walls and a pair of concave walls. The blocking rotor further includes a shaft coupled to the pair of concave walls. Each concave wall is disposed between and coupled to a pair of opposing convex walls. The concave walls provide clearance for rotation of the displacement rotors when the displacement rotors sweep along the concave walls. The hollow configuration of the blocking rotor reduces the impedance of the flow meter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Liquid Controls Group, A Unit of IDEX Corporation
    Inventors: David T. Vaughn, Sean P. Hays
  • Patent number: 8752427
    Abstract: A functional capacity evaluator has a strain block and a strain gauge attached to the strain block. A first pair of grips is attachable to the strain block such that when a user squeezes them together using a grip motion, the strain block and strain gauge are flexed for measuring the user's grip strength. A second pair of grips is attachable to the strain block such that when the user squeezes them together using a pinch motion, the strain block and strain gauge are flexed for measuring pinch strength. A deadlift bar is attachable to the strain block such that when the strain block is supported in a first direction and the user pulls on the bar in an opposing direction, the strain block and strain gauge are flexed for measuring deadlift strength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Med-Tek LLC
    Inventors: Charles D. Cyphery, Marco N. Vitiello
  • Patent number: 8752424
    Abstract: A bypass passage receives a part of air flowing through a duct. A sub-bypass passage is branched from an intermediate portion of the bypass passage to separate dust contained in air flowing through the duct. A flow rate sensor is located in the sub-bypass passage for detecting the flow rate of air. A first wall surface and a second wall surface of the bypass passage are located upstream from the branch. The first wall surface is located on the side of the branch. The second wall surface is opposed to the first wall surface. Both the first wall surface and the second wall surface are curved to direct airflow to move away from the branch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Takao Ban, Noboru Kitahara
  • Patent number: 8752428
    Abstract: A portable work capacities testing apparatus comprising a portable computer, a hub releaseably interconnected with the portable computer, a dynamic strength and lifting device releaseably interconnected with the hub, a hand grip strength device releaseably interconnected with the hub, a finger pinch strength device releaseably interconnected with the hub, a forearm/wrist strength device releaseably interconnected with the hub, a handling/proprioception device releaseably interconnected with the hub, a finger flexion device releaseably interconnected with the hub, a whole body coordination device releaseably interconnected with the hub, and a strength push/pull/lift device releaseably interconnected with the hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Inventors: Robert Akins, John Banks, Mark Means
  • Patent number: 8746062
    Abstract: A measurement system for measuring a parameter of the muscular-skeletal system is disclosed. The measurement system comprises a capacitor, a signal generator, a digital counter, counter register, a digital clock, a digital timer, and a data register. The sensor of the measurement system is the capacitor. The measurement system generates a repeating signal having a measurement cycle that corresponds to the capacitance of the capacitor. The capacitor comprises more than one capacitor mechanically in series. Electrically, the capacitor comprises more than one capacitor in parallel. In one embodiment, the capacitor includes a dielectric layer comprising polyimide. A force, pressure, or load is applied to the capacitor that elastically compresses the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Orthosensor Inc.
    Inventors: Marc Stein, Andrew U. Chase
  • Patent number: 8746057
    Abstract: A flow rate measuring device includes a fluid resistance member through which measurement target fluid flows; an upstream side pressure sensor configured to measure pressure on an upstream side of the fluid resistance member from a change of electrical resistance of a resistive element attached to a pressure sensitive surface onto which the target fluid is introduced, and also to measure a temperature of the pressure sensitive surface from a temperature-dependent change of the electrical resistance of the resistive element; a temperature sensor to measure a temperature of the target fluid flowing through the fluid resistance member; and a flow rate calculation part that calculates a flow rate of the target fluid based on the pressure measured by the upstream side pressure sensor, pressure-flow rate characteristics of the fluid resistance member, the upstream side pressure sensor temperature, and the target fluid temperature in the fluid resistance member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Horiba STEC Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tadahiro Yasuda, Hiroshi Takakura
  • Patent number: 8746079
    Abstract: A sensor for determining a mass flow of a fluid in a pipe includes a wall element adapted for insertion into a cutout in a wall of the pipe through which a mass flow can flow, so that at least one gap remains between the wall element and the wall of the pipe, and so that the wall element is positionable on the outside facing away from the mass flow. A sealed chamber is adapted to enclose the wall element on the outside of the pipe. At least one expandable connection is located in the sealed chamber and is clamped in between the wall element and one wall of the chamber. At least one strain gauge comprising a fiber Bragg grating sensor is located on a section of the expandable connection that is clamped in between the wall of the chamber and the wall element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Karlsruher Institut fuer Technologie
    Inventors: Holger Neumann, Rajini Kumar Ramalingam, Manfred Suesser
  • Patent number: 8739637
    Abstract: Techniques are provided for monitoring particle laden flows in a pipe, that include receiving signalling containing information about a parameter related to a particle laden flow in a pipe, the parameter including either (a) a sound level propagating through the particle laden flow in the pipe, or (b) a static pressure due to an acceleration of the particle laden flow in the pipe; and determining a measurement of a particle size and either a mass flow rate, or a particle-to-air mass ratio, or both the mass flow rate and the particle-to-air mass ratio, associated with the particle laden flow, based at least partly on a change in the parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: CIDRA Corporate Services Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas H. Loose, Daniel L. Gysling, Alex Van Der Spek
  • Patent number: 8739635
    Abstract: A system, method and apparatus for measuring fluid properties of a fluid flow having four phases, including a fractional measurement device configured to determine respective fractional measurements of each of four phases of fluids flowing in a fluid flow; and a behavioral modeling device configured to determine, based on the respective fractional measurements of each of the four phases of fluids, respective flow rates for each of the four phases of fluids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Pinguet Bruno, Onerazan Bornia, Gilles Roux
  • Patent number: 8733166
    Abstract: An air flow measuring device includes a passage forming housing, a sensor housing, and a sensor part. An inner wall surface of the passage forming housing defines a measured passage. The passage forming housing includes a sensor attaching part. Measured air flows through the measured passage. The sensor housing is attached to the sensor attaching part. The sensor part is disposed on the sensor housing and measures a flow rate of the measured air flowing through the passage. The passage forming housing includes a guiding device for guiding the measured air, which flows along the inner wall surface of the passage forming housing on an upstream side of the sensor attaching part in a measured air flow direction, further toward a center of the passage than the inner wall surface of the passage forming housing on a downstream side of the sensor attaching part in the flow direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Takashi Ooga, Takashi Enomoto
  • Patent number: 8733179
    Abstract: A flow meter is disclosed, which composes an operational amplifier, a digital potentiometer, a sensor coil, and fixed resistors R1, R2 and R3. One end of the coil is connected to the non-inverting input terminal of the amplifier, the other end is grounded. The R1 is connected between the non-inverting input terminal and the output terminal of the amplifier, the inverting input terminal of the amplifier is connected to one end of R2 and R3, the other end of R2 is connected to the output terminal of the amplifier, and the other end of R3 is grounded. The connecting end of R2 and the output terminal of the amplifier is connected to the high side of the potentiometer, the grounded end of R3 is connected to the low side of the potentiometer, and the inverting input terminal of the amplifier is also connected to the sliding end of the potentiometer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Beijing Sevenstar Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Changhua Mou, Di Zhao
  • Patent number: 8720270
    Abstract: A prosthetic component suitable for long-term implantation is provided. The prosthetic component includes electronic circuitry and sensors to measure a parameter of the muscular-skeletal system. The prosthetic component comprises a first structure having at least one support surface, a second structure having at least one feature configured to couple to bone, and at least one sensor. The electronic circuitry and sensors are hermetically sealed within the prosthetic component. The prosthetic component includes at least on transmissive region. The transmissive region can be located in a region that has exposure to a region outside the joint. The transmissive region can comprise glass. One or more sensors can be used to monitor synovial fluid in proximity to the joint to determine joint health. The transmissive region can be used to support communication between the electronic circuitry and remote system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Ortho Sensor Inc.
    Inventors: Marc Stein, Andrew U. Chase, Philip Henson, Natalie Tran Burkhard, John Graham Keggi, Noah Byron Bonnheim