Patents Examined by John Chapman
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Patent number: 9772313Abstract: A method and apparatus for identifying shim geometries. A first part and a second part are assembled with a couplant positioned between the first part and the second part at a shim location, at which a shim is to be installed, to form an assembly. A pulse of ultrasonic energy is sent into the assembly at each of a set of selected locations along the assembly corresponding to the shim location using an ultrasonic device. A plurality of echoes is detected for each of the set of selected locations using data generated by the ultrasonic device in response to the ultrasonic device receiving reflections of the ultrasonic energy. A geometry for the shim is identified based on the plurality of echoes detected at each selected location of the set of selected locations.Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 2015Date of Patent: September 26, 2017Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANYInventor: Adriana Willempje Blom
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Patent number: 9759740Abstract: A symmetrical MEMS accelerometer. The accelerometer includes a top half and a bottom half bonded together to form the frame and the mass located within the frame. The frame and the mass are connected through resilient beams. A plurality of hollowed parts and the first connecting parts are formed on the top and bottom side of the mass, respectively. The second connecting parts are formed on the top and bottom side of the frame, respectively. The resilient beams connect the first connecting part with the second connecting part. Several groups of comb structures are formed on top of the hollowed parts. Each comb structure includes a plurality of moveable teeth and fixed teeth. The moveable teeth extend from the first connecting part and the fixed teeth extend from the second connecting part. Capacitance is formed between the movable teeth and the fixed teeth. Since the accelerometer is symmetrical with a large mass, it has a large capacitance with a low damping force.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 2015Date of Patent: September 12, 2017Assignee: Chinese Academy of Sciences Institutes of Geology and GeophysicsInventors: Lianzhong Yu, Chen Sun, Leiyang Yi
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Patent number: 9753057Abstract: An acceleration sensor includes a fixation member, a weight member including a plate with two opposing sides parallel or substantially parallel to an X-direction and two opposing sides parallel to a Y-axis direction in a plan view, the weight member including a cutout extending in a direction about 45° relative to the X and Y axis directions, a vibrating beam linearly extending in the direction about 45° relative to the X and Y axis directions in the plan view, and one end portion is connected to the fixation member and the other end portion is connected to the weight member, the vibrating beam is partly arranged within the cutout and supporting the weight member to be displaceable in a Z-axis direction, a driver disposed on the vibrating beam and vibrating the vibrating beam, and a detector disposed on the vibrating beam and outputting a detection signal that is changed depending on deformation of the vibrating beam.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2014Date of Patent: September 5, 2017Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventors: Takuo Hada, Katsumi Fujimoto, Hideya Horiuchi, Toshimaro Yoneda
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Patent number: 9733146Abstract: An imbalance measurement machine for determining tire imbalance has a hollow shaft rotatably driven relative to a fixed hollow axle. A tubular air feed for filling the tire with air is centered within and rotates with the shaft to rotate the tire for determining imbalance. An air hose is connected to a rotational coupling disposed at an air feed end that faces away from the tire. Force transducers between the axle and a machine bed measure forces that occur there during operation. The air hose is attached not only to the rotational coupling but also to the axle, at a distance from the rotational coupling. An alternative embodiment omits the rotational coupling and fills the tire in the resting state of the shaft, via the air hose and the non-rotating air feed. Subsequently, the air hose is separated from the air feed, and the tire retains the supplied air.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 2014Date of Patent: August 15, 2017Assignee: Seichter GmbHInventors: Michael Meinen, Max Seichter
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Patent number: 9725308Abstract: A MEMS sensor has at least a movable element designed to oscillate at an oscillation frequency, and an integrated measuring system coupled to the movable element to provide a measure of the oscillation frequency. The measuring system has a light source to emit a light beam towards the movable element and a light detector to receive the light beam reflected back from the movable element, including a semiconductor photodiode array. In particular, the light detector is an integrated photomultiplier having an array of single photon avalanche diodes.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2014Date of Patent: August 8, 2017Assignee: STMICROELECTRONICS S.R.L.Inventors: Alfio Russo, Massimo Cataldo Mazzillo, Ferenc Nagy
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Patent number: 9719968Abstract: An ultrasound probe which is connected to an ultrasound diagnosis apparatus includes an acoustic element for converting an electric signal and an ultrasound to each other, an electric signal processing circuit electrically connected to the acoustic element, a case for storing the acoustic element and the electric signal processing circuit, an acoustic element board for electrically connecting the acoustic element to the electric signal processing circuit, and a partition part which is arranged to contact with the case and separates the acoustic element and the electric signal processing circuit. A space on the side of the acoustic element in the case separated by the partition part is filled with a first material having lower thermal conductivity than that of a material for forming an inner wall surface of the case. Accordingly, the heat generated by a circuit unit such as the electric signal processing circuit can be more efficiently dissipated.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2013Date of Patent: August 1, 2017Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.Inventors: Kiyoshi Fujii, Manabu Migita, Takehiko Suginouchi
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Patent number: 9702696Abstract: An angular velocity sensor includes a fixing section to be fixed to an object, first and second connection beams each having one end connected to the fixing section, first and second double-end-supported beams, first and second driving electrodes to vibrate the supported beams, and first and second sensing electrodes to detect vibrations of the supported beams. The first supported beam has its ends connected to second ends of the first and second connection beams. The first supported beam, the first connection beam, and the second connection beam surround one side surface of the fixing section. The second supported beam has its ends connected to second ends of the first and second connection beams. The second double-end-supported beam, the first connection beam, and the second connection beam surround another side surface of the fixing section opposite the one side surface of the fixing section.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 2013Date of Patent: July 11, 2017Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.Inventor: Yasunobu Kobayashi
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Patent number: 9702894Abstract: The present invention discloses a monolithic z-axis torsional CMOS MEMS accelerometer, it includes a matching frame, two anchors, a first comb structure, a second comb structure and a proof mass. With the implementation of the present invention, the capacitance sensitivity of Z+ direction and Z? direction sensing signals by the accelerometer can be improved. On the other hand, due to the feasibility of applying micromachining etch processes from the top side, the ease and the yield of production are both promoted.Type: GrantFiled: February 18, 2015Date of Patent: July 11, 2017Assignee: NATIONAL APPLIED RESEARCH LABORATORIESInventors: Sheng-Hsiang Tseng, Yi-Jen Wang, Hann-Huei Tsai, Ying-Zong Juang
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Patent number: 9702895Abstract: An acceleration sensor includes a weight portion having a recess section and a solid section, beam portions, a movable electrode provided on the opposite surface of the weight portion from an open surface of the recess section to extend over the recess section and the solid section, a first fixed electrode arranged at the opposite side of the movable electrode from the recess section, and a second fixed electrode arranged at the opposite side of the movable electrode from the solid section. The acceleration sensor detects acceleration using a change in capacitance between the movable electrode and the fixed electrodes caused by rotation of the weight portion. The beam portions are shifted toward the recess section such that an angle between a perpendicular line extending from a gravity center position of the weight portion to the rotation axis and a surface of the movable electrode becomes equal to 45 degrees.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 2015Date of Patent: July 11, 2017Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.Inventors: Hitoshi Yoshida, Nobuyuki Ibara, Hideki Ueda, Takeshi Okada, Takeshi Mori, Masatoshi Nomura, Katsumi Kakimoto, Yuji Suzuki
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Patent number: 9702889Abstract: The present invention discloses a MEMS device. The MEMS device includes a substrate, a proof mass, a frame spring and an anchor. The proof mass is connected to the substrate through the frame spring and the anchor. The proof mass includes a proof mass body, a proof mass frame surrounding the proof mass body, a linking element connecting the proof mass body to the proof mass frame, and a stopper between the proof mass body and the proof mass frame in a displacement direction to limit the displacement of the proof mass body. The stopper is connected to the proof mass frame as a part of the proof mass and contributes to the mass quantity of the proof mass.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2015Date of Patent: July 11, 2017Assignee: RICHTEK TECHNOLOGY CORPORATIONInventors: Shih-Chieh Lin, Chiung-Cheng Lo
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Patent number: 9696282Abstract: A method measuring elastic properties using ultrasound of a part made of a material having a curved surface, includes: emission of bundles of ultrasound waves in a direction of a point of impact on the part's surface to generate waves within the part; knowing a thickness d of the part at the point of impact in a first direction D1 and a thickness d2 in a second direction forming an angle determined with respect to the first direction, taking a first measurement t1 of time taken by the longitudinal waves transmitted to travel d1 from the point of impact, and taking a second measurement t2 of the time taken by the transverse waves to travel d2 from the point of impact; and determining the Young's modulus and/or Poisson's ratio of the material based on the longitudinal velocity VL=d1/t1 and transverse velocity VT=d2/t.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2012Date of Patent: July 4, 2017Assignee: SNECMAInventor: Jean-Yves Francois Roger Chatellier
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Patent number: 9696230Abstract: A balancing or measuring adapter, which includes a main body having a holder for the component to be balanced or measured and a clamping device assigned to the main body having a movable clamping element for clamping the component to the main body and releasing it therefrom. A braking device for generating a constant advance speed of the clamping element as it moves is arranged on the movable clamping element for precisely positioned clamping and jerk-free release of the component.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 2013Date of Patent: July 4, 2017Assignee: FRANZ HAIMER MASCHINENBAU KGInventor: Franz Haimer
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Patent number: 9696340Abstract: A multi-axis microelectromechanical-systems (MEMS) inertial measurement unit (IMU) is fabricated in a vacuum sealed single packaged device. An FM vibratory gyroscope and an FM resonant accelerometer both for generating FM output signals is fabricated in the silicon chip using MEMS. A signal processor is coupled to the an FM vibratory gyroscope and to the FM resonant accelerometer for receiving the FM gyroscopic output signals and the FM accelerometer output signals. The signal processor generates simultaneous and decoupled measurement of input acceleration, input rotation rate, and temperature and/or temperature distribution within the IMU, self-calibration of the biases and scale factors of the IMU and its support electronics against temperature variations and other common mode errors, and reduction of the cross axis sensitivity by reducing acceleration errors in the gyroscope and rotation errors in the accelerometer.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2016Date of Patent: July 4, 2017Assignee: The Regents of the University of CaliforniaInventors: Alexander A. Trusov, Sergei A. Zotov, Andrei M. Shkel
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Patent number: 9694429Abstract: The invention relates to a balancing or measuring adapter (1) for clamping a component (2) on a rotating machine element of a balancing or measuring machine, which has a main body (4, 5) with a receiving opening (6) for the component (2) to be clamped, a collet chuck (11) arranged inside the main body (4, 5) with clamping tongues (26) for centrally clamping the component (2) and an actuator (12) axially adjustable between a clamp position and a release position for actuating the collet chuck (11).Type: GrantFiled: August 2, 2013Date of Patent: July 4, 2017Assignee: Haimer GmbHInventors: Franz Haimer, Wolfgang Kügle
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Patent number: 9696233Abstract: Methods for correcting a rotational imbalance of a shaft are disclosed. The methods include determining a rotational imbalance of an unbalanced shaft, determining an imbalance correction and mapping the imbalance correction to predetermined points on the shaft. The imbalance correction can be implemented through the addition of mass to or the subtraction of mass from the shaft.Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 2014Date of Patent: July 4, 2017Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.Inventor: John D. Overholt
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Patent number: 9689885Abstract: A sensor unit includes a sensor and a mount board on which the sensor is mounted. The mount board includes a mount terminal connected to a terminal provided in the sensor and a wiring extending from the mount terminal. The wiring is not provided in a region where the sensor and the mount board overlap each other when viewed in plan.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2014Date of Patent: June 27, 2017Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventors: Masayasu Sakuma, Taketo Chino
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Patent number: 9689679Abstract: A solid-state gyroscope apparatus based on ensembles of negatively charged nitrogen-vacancy (NV?) centers in diamond and methods of detection are provided. In one method, rotation of the NV? symmetry axis will induce Berry phase shifts in the NV? electronic ground-state coherences proportional to the solid angle subtended by the symmetry axis. A second method uses a modified Ramsey scheme where Berry phase shifts in the 14N hyperfine sublevels are employed.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 2014Date of Patent: June 27, 2017Assignee: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIAInventors: Dmitry Budker, Micah Ledbetter, Kasper Jensen, Andrey Jarmola
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Patent number: 9689676Abstract: A yaw-rate sensor having a substrate and a plurality of movable substructures that are mounted over a surface of the substrate, the movable substructures being coupled to a shared, in particular, central spring element, means being provided for exciting the movable substructures into a coupled oscillation in a plane that extends parallel to the surface of the substrate, the movable substructures having Coriolis elements, means being provided for detecting deflections of the Coriolis elements induced by a Coriolis force, a first Coriolis element being provided for detecting a yaw rate about a first axis, a second Coriolis element being provided for detecting a yaw rate about a second axis, the second axis being oriented perpendicularly to the first axis.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2015Date of Patent: June 27, 2017Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBHInventors: Reinhard Neul, Johannes Classen, Torsten Ohms, Burkhard Kuhlmann, Axel Franke, Oliver Kohn, Daniel Christoph Meisel, Joerg Hauer, Udo-Martin Gomez, Kersten Kehr
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Patent number: 9684012Abstract: A fiber optic sensor is provided. The fiber optic sensor includes: a fixed portion configured to be secured to a body of interest; a moveable portion; a spring member positioned at least partially between the fixed portion and the moveable portion; an optical fiber wound in contact with the fixed portion and the moveable portion such that the optical fiber spans at least a portion of the spring; and an elastomeric material provided in contact with at least one of the fixed portion, the moveable portion, the spring member, the body of interest, and the optical fiber.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2015Date of Patent: June 20, 2017Assignee: Avalon Sciences LtdInventors: Eric Lee Goldner, David B. Hall
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Patent number: 9671422Abstract: A vibratory ring structure is described which comprises a ring body and at least one ring electrode secured thereto, the or each ring electrode extending over a first angular extent and: being attached to the ring body over second angular extent, wherein the first angular extent is greater than the second angular extent.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2013Date of Patent: June 6, 2017Assignee: Atlantic Inertial Systems LimitedInventors: Christopher Paul Fell, Rebecka Eley