Patents Examined by John Fitzgerald
  • Patent number: 11768138
    Abstract: The disclosure provides a method for determining a composition of a fluid. The method comprises diverting a sample of a portion of the fluid to a test chamber. The method further comprises actuating a heat source disposed around the test chamber to increase the temperature within the test chamber to produce vapors from the sample of the portion of the fluid and directing the vapors from the sample of the portion of the fluid to a chemical sensor array comprising one or more chemical sensors. The method further comprises determining a composition of the vapors from the sample of portion of the fluid, wherein the composition of the vapors is associated with the composition of the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Dale E. Jamison, William W. Shumway, Preston A. May
  • Patent number: 11763705
    Abstract: A flag demonstration apparatus which prevents flag furling is provided. The apparatus comprises a flagpole which further comprises a bottom portion and a top portion that removably fasten together and sandwich a lower swivel bracket. The apparatus also includes an upper bracket attached near the top of the top portion of the flagpole and is attached to at least one portion of a flag and the lower swivel bracket is attached to at least two portions of the flag. The lower swivel bracket allows the flag to rotate less than 360 degrees about the flagpole and also keeps at least a portion of the flag displayed, regardless of environmental conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Inventor: Thomas D'Amico
  • Patent number: 11761845
    Abstract: A process, product, and system for detecting a defective vacuum in a packaged product. The process may include providing a packaged product including a product enclosed within a packaging article. The packaging article may include a film having at least one layer containing a fluorescence-based indicator. The process may further include exposing the packaged product to incident electromagnetic energy to produce an excited fluorescence-based indicator, such that the excited fluorescence-based indicator emits fluorescent electromagnetic energy; and determining, based on the fluorescent electromagnetic energy emitted by the excited fluorescence-based indicator, that gas is present within the packaging article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: Cryovac, LLC
    Inventors: Honglei Li, Dewitt Jones, Elyse Ford, Wafic Omar El-Kara, Solomon Bekele, Kalpit Shailesh Mehta, Richard Keith Watson, Kevin Heitz, Benjamin Scott Oslund
  • Patent number: 11761746
    Abstract: A method for rapidly measuring the roller pass major semi-axis of a three-roller reducing mill to improve the outer-diameter precision and surface quality of a steel pipe includes selecting a corresponding value of the average diameter of an elliptical pass, a value of a first major semi-axis, and a value of a minor semi-axis according to a rack station number of a special numerical control lathe; calculating a value of a first line segment according to an elliptic equation, the obtained value of the first major semi-axis, and the obtained value of the minor semi-axis; calculating a value of a second major semi-axis according to the right-angle triangle theorem and the value of the first line segment; and measuring a value of the first dimension by attaching three claws of a three-claw internal micrometer to three roller gaps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: DAYE SPECIAL STEEL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hua Cao, Youli Huangfu, Housheng Zhang, Jun Wu, Fan Xie
  • Patent number: 11754431
    Abstract: An apparatus for determining a vertical position of at least one interface between a first component and at least one second component, the components comprised as different layers in a sample container. The apparatus comprises a first sensing unit and a first light detector configured to generate a first sensing signal, a second sensing unit comprising a second light detector configured to generate a second sensing signal, a driving unit configured to move the sample container, a position sensing unit configured to output a position sensing signal indicative of a vertical position of the sample container, a vertical position determining unit configured to match the first and the second sensing signal such that first and the second sensing signal correspond to identical vertical positions, and to determine the vertical position of the at least one interface in response to the matched sensing signals and the position sensing signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher Espy
  • Patent number: 11754751
    Abstract: The present application relates to a freezing precipitation detection device (10) comprising at least one first wetness detection means (1) in thermo-conducting contact with the upper (3A) surface of a sloped thermo-conducting sheet (3), at least one second wetness detection means (2) in thermo-conducting contact with the lower (3B) surface of said sloped thermo-conducting sheet (3), at least one surface temperature detection means (4) in thermo-conducting contact with said sloped thermo-conducting sheet (3), at least one processor (5) configured to receive at least one first signal (11;11A,11B,11C) from the first wetness detection means (1) and from the second wetness detection means (2) and from the surface temperature detection means (4), analyzing said first signal (11;11A,11B,11C) and determining the presence or the absence of a freezing precipitation on the surface of the sloped thermo-conducting sheet (3), at least one first apparatus (7) for external power relay receiving at least a second signal (12)
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: LUXEMBOURG INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY (LIST)
    Inventor: Oliver O'Nagy
  • Patent number: 11756460
    Abstract: A flag holder for vehicles including a rack assembly and a clamp assembly is disclosed. These assemblies in conjunction with one another provide a simple solution to retrofitting a flag holder to various pickup truck bed sizes. The rack assembly includes multiple pole sleeves linked together through horizontal segments that run parallel to the truck bed edge the rack assembly is mounted on. The clamp assembly includes a gripping member and a securing member that can tighten and loosen the present invention from the truck bed via a knob. The horizontal segments as well as the pole sleeves include an attachment portion for bumpers to be mounted to. The bumpers help level the rack assembly as well as protect the present invention and vehicle from damage while the vehicle is in motion. Also disclosed is a light assembly that is capable of illuminating face plates from the interior or exterior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Inventor: John Mingee
  • Patent number: 11747188
    Abstract: A liquid-level-detector support made of metal includes a support body engaged with a thickness-direction first portion of the liquid level detector and a fixing portion provided in the support body configured to fix the liquid level detector to the support body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: YAZAKI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ryo Hirose, Shintaro Nakajima
  • Patent number: 11747178
    Abstract: A physiological monitor gauge panel defines parameters to display on a physiological monitor via corresponding gauges. Gauge faces depict a range of parameter values for each of the parameters. An indicator designates a position on each gauge face corresponding to the current parameter value within the range of parameter values. The indicated position on each of the gauges is at the mid-point of each of the gauge faces when each of the parameters is at a nominal value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: Masimo Corporation
    Inventors: Ammar Al-Ali, Bilal Muhsin, Keith Indorf, Massi Joe E. Kiani
  • Patent number: 11739636
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods in which measurements are obtained from a plurality of sensors secured in spaced relation to one another across at least a portion of the depth of reservoir of some form in order to identify one or more characteristics of the fluids within the reservoir. The sensors are used to monitor ambient forces exerted by fluids within the tank proximate each sensor. An example mechanism for obtaining the measurements includes a plurality of sensors, such as strain gauges, supported on a structure that supports the sensors in fixed relation to one another, and can, in some examples, support the sensors in a known relation relative to boundaries of the reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Dale E. Jamison, Kenneth Heidt Matthews, Andrew D. Vos, Sandeep D. Kulkarni
  • Patent number: 11740114
    Abstract: The Coriolis mass flowmeter includes a measuring tube, an exciter mechanism, a sensor arrangement, and an electronic transmitter circuit including measuring and control electronics and drive electronics connected to the measuring and control electronics. The drive electronics are adapted, in a first operating mode, to generate an electrical driver signal that supplies electrical power to the exciter mechanism such that the measuring tube executes forced oscillations having an excitation frequency and, in a second operating mode, to cease generating the electrical driver signal. The transmitter circuit is adapted to switch the drive electronics from the first operating mode to the second operating mode such that the measuring tube executes free, damped oscillations in the second operating mode, and the measuring and control electronics are adapted to, based on a phase difference between oscillation measuring signals from the sensor arrangement, to generate measured values representing the mass flow rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: Endress+Hauser Flowtec AG
    Inventor: Rémy Scherrer
  • Patent number: 11740153
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for detecting a defect in a sealed container are provided. The method includes: placing the sealed container in a pressure chamber; filling the chamber with a liquid that is saturated by a test gas such that the sealed container is fully submerged; subjecting the chamber to a pressurized volume of a gaseous mixture that includes the test gas, and then removing the sealed container from the chamber; performing a laser-based headspace analysis of the sealed container in order to measure a partial pressure of the test gas; and using a result thereof to determine whether the sealed container has the defect. The defect may be located on a body of the sealed container that is at or below a level of a product that is contained within the sealed container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: LIGHTHOUSE INSTRUMENTS, LLC
    Inventors: Michael A. Timmins, Ken G. Victor
  • Patent number: 11733079
    Abstract: A method for estimating a flow rate of a material (e.g., a multiphase fluid) may include: flowing the material through one or more of a plurality of receptacles of a dielectric contrast analysis structure that includes: a bulk dielectric substance and the plurality of receptacles in the bulk dielectric substance; exposing the dielectric contrast analysis structure to incident electromagnetic radiation; detecting and analyzing a resultant electromagnetic radiation from the exposed dielectric contrast analysis structure to yield a phase fraction in the material and a phase distribution in the material; measuring a differential pressure across the dielectric contrast analysis structure; and estimating the flow rate of the material using the differential pressure, the phase fraction, and the phase distribution in the material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Technology and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Lang Feng, John J. Valenza
  • Patent number: 11732573
    Abstract: There is provided a method for determining an optimal condition for artificial recharge by using a computer in an artificial recharge system provided with an injection well for injecting fresh water into an aquifer, the method including: a step of calculating a maximum permissible quantity of injection of fresh water to be injected into the aquifer; a step of determining a height of a screen which is an area on a side surface of the injection well where penetrating holes are formed, based on the calculated maximum permissible quantity of injection; and a step of determining an injection pressure of the fresh water to be injected into the aquifer, based on the height of the screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: DONG-A UNIVERSITY RESEARCH FOUNDATION FOR INDUSTRY-ACADEMY COOPERATION
    Inventors: Byunghee Nam, Namsik Park, Roshina Babu
  • Patent number: 11732579
    Abstract: A method of designing a cement blend for a wellbore isolation barrier based on the analysis of a stress state of the wellbore isolation barrier from the injection of CO2 into a porous formation. The analysis software may determine an optimized cement blend for a future CO2 injection schedule. The analysis software may determine a current near wellbore stress state for a current CO2 injection schedule. The analysis software may optimize a CO2 injection schedule based on the analysis of a future near wellbore stress state of the wellbore isolation barrier. The near wellbore stress state of the isolation barrier may be determined by at least one model accessed by the analysis software. The inputs into the model comprise periodic CO2 injection pressure and flowrate datasets, cement properties, and formation properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Siva Rama Krishna Jandhyala, Katherine Evans, Florence Mazouzi, Kalyan Saikia
  • Patent number: 11735074
    Abstract: In a particular illustrative embodiment of the present invention, a retractable safety banner system and method are disclosed having a retractable safety banner, a reel housing and a reel. The reel winds in and contains the wound up safety banner inside of the reel housing. The safety banner is reeled into and out of the reel housing through an organizing guide that is formed in the reel housing. The organizing guide forces the reeled out safety banner's flags and strap into longitudinal alignment on the reel so that the safety banner is restored to its original configuration when wound back into the reel housing after deployment. The safety banner includes but is not limited to longitudinal strap with a plurality of safety flags attached to the strap and so that the flags hang at a substantially perpendicular angle from the strap forming the safety banner when the safety banner is deployed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: Fallswood, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel Patrick Daly, Jeffrey Cole Sandel
  • Patent number: 11733261
    Abstract: A wind detection device with a flexible enclosure, and opening, and a dispensing tube, filled with powder or liquid and designed to be attached to hunting equipment, headgear, or clothing, wherein pressing on the outside of the device causes a puff of powder or vapor to be dispensed into the air, allowing the user to determine wind direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Inventor: John Pahrmann
  • Patent number: 11733262
    Abstract: A physical quantity sensor module includes: a resonant frequency shift based physical quantity sensor whose frequency adjusts with a adjust in physical quantity; a reference signal oscillator which outputs a reference signal; a frequency delta-sigma modulator which performs frequency delta-sigma modulation of the reference signal, using an operation signal based on a measurement target signal as an output from the resonant frequency shift based physical quantity sensor, and generates a frequency delta-sigma modulated signal; a first low-pass filter provided on an output side of the frequency delta-sigma modulator and operating synchronously with the measurement target signal as the output from the resonant frequency shift based physical quantity sensor; and a second low-pass filter provided on an output side of the first low-pass filter and operating synchronously with the reference signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Inventors: Kenta Sato, Masayoshi Todorokihara
  • Patent number: 11732570
    Abstract: A drilling system includes an internal assembly comprising a chassis, a flow diverter, or both, and a strain gauge coupled to the chassis, the flow diverter, or both, in which the strain gauge is configured to output a signal associated with a strain deformation of the internal assembly. The drilling system also includes a drill collar coupled to the internal assembly, in which the internal assembly extends along the drill collar, and the drill collar encloses the internal assembly of the internal assembly such that a strain deformation of the drill collar causes the strain deformation of the internal assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Joachim Sihler, John George Allen Charlesworth, Adam Ian Bowler, Michael Hayes Kenison, John Mervyn Cook
  • Patent number: 11724269
    Abstract: A smoke generator for anti-burglar purposes comprising canister holding means for holding a canister for chemicals to be used to generate smoke wherein the smoke generator further comprises a smoke deflector arranged below the position of the canister for even distribution of generated smoke, and wherein the smoke deflector have a smoke deflector cavity of sector shape. The smoke generator is provided with a cartridge for the canister to ease replacement of used or expired canister. The smoke deflector is provided with a residual collector to prevent residuals and debris from littering the room where the smoke generator is used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: VERISURE SÀR
    Inventor: Jon Noble Echeverria