Patents Examined by John Fitzgerald
  • Patent number: 11692902
    Abstract: Techniques implementing and/or operating a system includes a pipe segment and a test head assembly secured to the pipe segment. The pipe segment includes tubing that defines a pipe bore through the pipe segment and a fluid conduit in a tubing annulus of the pipe segment. The test head assembly includes barrier material poly welded to the tubing of the pipe segment to facilitate sealing the fluid conduit defined in the tubing annulus from environmental conditions external to the tubing of the pipe segment and a fluid port fluidly connected to the fluid conduit defined within the tubing annulus to enable integrity of the tubing to be tested at least in part by flowing a test fluid into the fluid conduit defined in the tubing annulus via the fluid port, extracting fluid from the fluid conduit defined in the tubing annulus via the fluid port, or both.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: Trinity Bay Equipment Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: John Paul Leger, Ashesh Srivastava
  • Patent number: 11692986
    Abstract: A sensor element includes element main body including side surfaces, a detection unit, connector electrodes disposed on the rear end-side part of the side surfaces, a porous layer that covers at least front end-side part of the side surface, the porous layer having a porosity of 10% or more, and a water-penetration reduction portion. The water-penetration reduction portion is disposed on the side surface so as to divide the porous layer or to be located closer to the rear end than the porous layer. The length L of the water-penetration reduction portion is 0.5 mm or more. The water-penetration reduction portion includes, among a dense layer covering the side surface and having a porosity of less than 10% and a gap region in which the porous layer is absent, at least the dense layer. The water-penetration reduction portion reduces the capillarity of water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: NGK INSULATORS, LTD.
    Inventors: Yuki Nakayama, Shota Kageyama, Yusuke Fujii, Kei Kosaka
  • Patent number: 11680842
    Abstract: A method for determining and/or monitoring a process variable of a medium using a vibronic sensor includes: exciting a mechanically vibratable unit to vibrate in a first vibration mode via a drive/receiving unit using a first excitation signal; receiving and converting the vibrations of the first vibration mode into a first reception signal; generating the first excitation signal based on the first reception signal; determining the process variable from the first reception signal; exciting the vibratable unit to vibrate in a second vibration mode via the drive/receiving unit via a second excitation signal; receiving and converting the vibrations the second vibration mode into a second reception signal, where the second excitation signal is generated based on the second reception signal; and compensating for an influence of a temperature of the medium on the first reception signal using the second reception signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: Endress+Hauser SE+Co. KG
    Inventors: Raphael Kuhnen, Izabella Sandor
  • Patent number: 11681076
    Abstract: Snow sensors, mechanisms, and methods for snow sensor reading, assemblies for use with snow sensors, such as snow removal systems and assemblies and related components, as well as component combinations and related methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: CEM Products, LLC
    Inventor: Charles Edgar Pierce
  • Patent number: 11680377
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a mechanically expandable and collapsible traffic warning device safety marker comprising a base member, a controllable linear motion machine assembly and a battery with its connecting components which are contained within the base member, a collapsible body member, and an actuator switch member. The controllable linear motion machine assembly is controlled by an actuator switch member that enables the collapsible body member to mechanically collapse and expand upon user interaction. The controllable linear motion machine assembly mechanically retracts the collapsible body member to a nested position within the base member for compaction upon the user pressing the actuator switch member resulting in the mechanically expandable and collapsible traffic warning device safety marker to be easily stored within a compartment of a vehicle and mechanically expanding the expandable and collapsible body member conveniently to a ready for application condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Inventor: Andrew Justin Hess
  • Patent number: 11674275
    Abstract: A retractable cylindrical safety marker is provided. The retractable cylindrical safety marker includes a base, having a middle section defining an upper planar surface and two opposing edges; a first end section rotatably attached at an end to one of the opposing edges; and a second end section rotatably attached at an end to the other of the opposing edges, and a vertical riser, having a lower riser having a lower end attached to the first end section and the second end section, the lower riser having a slot extending along its interior surface in the longitudinal direction; and at least one upper riser concentrically positioned within the lower riser, the upper riser having a tab positioned on an outer surface thereof, the tab being mateable with the slot and configured to permit the tab to translate along the slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Inventor: John Tipaldo
  • Patent number: 11674869
    Abstract: Devices and methods for analyzing a sample are disclosed. In various embodiments, the present disclosure provides devices and methods for preparing a serial dilution of a sample. In various embodiments, the present disclosure provides devices and methods for preparing a serial dilution of a sample and conducting sample analysis. In various embodiments, the present disclosure provides a cartridge device and a reader instrument device. The reader instrument device receives, operates, and/or actuates the cartridge device to prepare a serial dilution of a sample and conduct sample analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: CYTOCHIP, INC.
    Inventors: Wendian Shi, Yuan Gao, Yuzhe Ding
  • Patent number: 11676566
    Abstract: A musical instrument includes a hollow and compressible body made of a flexible and elastic material, delimiting an internal cavity divided into two chambers by an internal wall through which a musical insert is mounted. The body is closed in a sealed manner such that the two chambers are hermetic and communicate only via the musical insert. Said musical insert is designed to emit a sound when passed through by an air flow generated by a mechanical pressure exerted on said body at the level of one of the chambers, which pushes some of the air volume from this chamber into the other chamber through said musical insert. Thus, this musical instrument is said to be “clean” because it does not need to communicate with the external environment in order to generate a sound, and is perfectly safe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: SOPHIE LA GIRAFE
    Inventor: Bao Han On
  • Patent number: 11668563
    Abstract: A level including a sensor that detects a tilt angle; a display unit including a plurality of strip-shaped display members that linearly emits light by an LED to display the tilt angle; and a controller that receives an output signal from the sensor and outputs a control signal so that a specific strip-shaped display member glows. The strip-shaped display members include one horizontal strip-shaped display member positioned at a middle of the display unit and a plurality of strip-shaped display members for tilt-angle display that has tips bent toward a center of the display unit. LEDs are attached to ends of the strip-shaped display members, respectively, and a pair of strip-shaped display members which is point-symmetrical with respect to the center of the display unit simultaneously glows according to the tilt angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: WAKO ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yoshiya Sakakibara
  • Patent number: 11668687
    Abstract: A combustion analyzer configured to simultaneously detect the concentrations of oxygen, carbon monoxide and methane in a combustion process is provided. The combustion analyzer includes an oxygen sensor configured to detect the oxygen in the combustion process and generate a first sensor signal indicative of the concentration of oxygen in the combustion process. The combustion analyzer further includes a dual carbon monoxide-methane sensor configured to operate at approximately 600° C. and provide a second sensor signal indicative of methane concentration and at approximately 300° C. to selectively provide a third sensor signal indicative of carbon monoxide concentration. The combustion analyzer finally includes a controller configured to receive the sensor signals, determine the concentration of oxygen and generate a carbon monoxide concentration output and a methane concentration output based on the dual carbon monoxide-methane sensor signals and the concentration of oxygen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: Rosemount Inc.
    Inventors: Pavel Shuk, Chad M. McGuire
  • Patent number: 11666413
    Abstract: A tool guide may be used with a computer-assisted medical device. The tool guide comprises an elongated body comprising a first end and a second end opposite the first end. The tool guide also comprises a joint attached to the first end of the elongated body and a mounting arm coupled to the elongated body via the joint. The tool guide also comprises a tool sleeve attached to the second end of the elongated body. The mounting arm is configured to be attached to a first articulated arm of the computer-assisted medical device, and the tool sleeve is adapted to receive an end effector attached to a second articulated arm of the computer-assisted medical device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Mahdi Azizian, Andrew C. Waterbury, Jonathan M. Sorger
  • Patent number: 11668635
    Abstract: Various examples are provided related to determination of contact angle of sessile drops. In one example, a method includes determining a volume of a sessile drop of fluid disposed on a test surface; determining a height of the sessile drop of fluid; and determining a contact angle of the sessile drop of fluid based upon the volume and the height of the sessile drop. In another example, a system includes a volume sensing, a height sensing, and computing that can determine a volume and height of a sessile drop using volume and height data from the sensing, and determine a contact angle of the sessile drop with the volume and the height. The contact angle and surface tension can be determined with at least three of volume, a height, a footprint radius, a radius of maximum horizontal extent, and/or an apex radius of curvature of the drop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: ARIZONA BOARD OF REGENTS ON BEHALF OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA
    Inventors: Feredoon Behroozi, Peter Behroozi
  • Patent number: 11668191
    Abstract: A device for testing the three-phase saturation of oil, gas and water in a high-temperature and high-pressure planar model includes a displacement pump, a confining pressure pump, a back pressure pump, containers, a planar model system, a data acquisition system, a back pressure valve and an oil-gas separator. The planar model system includes a planar model, an autoclave body, a heating temperature-controlling system, a Y-axis direction stepping motor, a X-axis direction stepping motor and an acoustoelectric detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: SOUTHWEST PETROLEUM UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Ping Guo, Zhouhua Wang, Yijian Chen, Bowen Sun, Chao Dong, Yisheng Hu, Shuoshi Wang
  • Patent number: 11668620
    Abstract: A leak detecting device for a fluid filled vessel including a housing, a solid shaft, an anchoring attachment, and a resilient member. The housing has a continuous perimeter edge sized to extend around an underwater surface, forms a hollow interior, and includes a first aperture formed through a wall of the housing and a second aperture formed through the wall of the housing. The solid shaft extends through the first aperture of the housing and has a first end on an interior side of the housing and a second end on an exterior side of the housing. The anchoring attachment is secured to the first end of the solid shaft. The resilient member is secured to the perimeter edge of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: Red Phino Leak Detection, Inc
    Inventor: Mark D. Marino
  • Patent number: 11668686
    Abstract: Recent progress related to energy harvesting solutions and printed electronics is opening the opportunity for a smart label to combine chemical/physical color change technology with an electronic based reader architecture, which can be achieved with printed electronics technologies and can be suitable for monitoring applications that are very cost sensitive. The smart label provides an innovative product architecture to achieve a very low cost solution to monitor packaged items during storage and shipment. Exemplary applications of the smart label include, but are not limited to, cold chain monitoring, food monitoring, and in-package control of sensitive devices, such as electronic components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: Flex Ltd.
    Inventor: Marco De Angeli
  • Patent number: 11660592
    Abstract: Multivolume liquid pipettes with nested plunger and vacuum chamber configurations and methods of using such pipettes are disclosed herein. These pipettes typically include a body and a fluid displacement assembly with a small plunger element slideably received within a larger plunger element, each movable within a vacuum chamber for the precise and accurate control of the displacement of fluid, such as air. In turn, this allows for a single device to aspirate and dispense a broad range of liquids in a dynamic, accurate, and precise manner. In addition, the devices disclosed herein may also include a multi-tiered spring-loaded ejection mechanism to allow the user to use and eject pipette tips of different sizes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: DeNovix, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel A. Schieffer, David L. Ash, David B. Ward
  • Patent number: 11661844
    Abstract: Systems and methods include a computer-implemented method for predicting fluid holdups along the borehole or the pipe on surface and to perform fluid typing and fluid properties characterization. Acoustic waves are transmitted by an array of acoustic wave transducers. Each transducer is configured to transmit acoustic waves at a different frequency. The acoustic waves are received by an array of acoustic wave receivers fixed on the bow centralizer on the tool used in the borehole. Each receiver is configured to receive only the given frequency of a given transducer, forming a receiver-transducer pair for the given frequency. Acoustic speeds measured at each given frequency and analyzed. A model is generated based on the analyzing. The model is configured to predict fluid holdups across the borehole and to perform fluid typing and fluid properties characterization in one phase, two phase, and three phase applications of gas, oil, and water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Mustafa A. Al-Huwaider, Shouxiang Mark Ma, Nader H. Hwety
  • Patent number: 11662360
    Abstract: A physical quantity sensor includes a substrate, a movable body that faces the substrate, a fixed portion that is fixed to the substrate, and a support beam that couples the movable body to the fixed portion. The movable body is displaceable with the support beam as a rotation axis, and includes, in a plan view, a first mass that is located on one side of a second direction with respect to the rotation axis, and a second mass that is located on the other side. Each of the first mass and the second mass has a plurality of through-holes which penetrate through the movable body and each of which has a square shape as an opening shape. When damping is indicated by C, and a minimum value of the damping is indicated by Cmin, C?1.5?Cmin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Inventor: Satoru Tanaka
  • Patent number: 11662338
    Abstract: A device for aging a drilling fluid includes a housing. The device also includes a lower cap that is configured to be coupled to or integral with a lower end of the housing. The device also includes an upper cap that is configured to be coupled to an upper end of the housing. The upper cap has an upper cap hole formed therethrough. The device also includes a piston that is configured to be positioned within the housing and between the lower and upper caps. The piston is configured to move axially within the housing in response to a pressure differential across the piston. The piston has a first piston hole formed therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kenneth Slater
  • Patent number: 11661834
    Abstract: A monitoring system operable to monitor an oilfield additive system having multiple components. The oilfield additive system is operable to transfer an additive-containing substance for injection into a wellbore. The monitoring system includes sensors each associated with, and operable to generate information related to an operational parameter of, a corresponding one of the oilfield additive system components. The monitoring system also includes a monitoring device in communication with the sensors and operable to record the information generated by the sensors to generate a database. The database includes information indicative of maintenance aspects of the oilfield additive system and/or the oilfield additive system components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Gregoire Omont, Rajesh Luharuka, Corey Ray, Jonathan Wun Shiung Chong, Chuong Nguyen, Lewis Callaway, Liang Du