Patents Examined by Laura Martin
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Patent number: 9791417Abstract: An acoustic wave detection probe includes a light projection section that emits measuring light to be projected onto a subject, an acoustic wave transducer disposed adjacent to the light projection section and capable of detecting an acoustic wave, an acoustic lens provided on a detection side of the acoustic wave transducer, and a housing accommodating the light projection section, the acoustic wave transducer, and the acoustic lens, in which the acoustic lens and a surface portion of the housing adjacent to the acoustic lens are formed to have an optical property in which the average diffuse reflection factor is 85% or more and the average absorption factor is 10% or less in a wavelength range of the measuring light.Type: GrantFiled: August 12, 2014Date of Patent: October 17, 2017Assignee: FUJIFILM CorporationInventors: Kaku Irisawa, Katsuya Yamamoto
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Patent number: 9778133Abstract: A method for checking an assembly wrench, having an integrated angular measuring device, includes: fixing the assembly wrench in a rotatable fixing device; activating the angular measuring device integrated in the assembly wrench; rotating the fixing device by at least one specified angle; reading off the angle of rotation measured by the angular measuring device integrated in assembly wrench; and comparing the angle of rotation measured by the angular measuring device integrated in the assembly wrench to the specified angle, by which the fixing device has been rotated.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2012Date of Patent: October 3, 2017Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBHInventors: Gerhard Lemke, Reinhard Hoss, Howard Reyer, Norbert Niehage, Christian Belke
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Patent number: 9778229Abstract: Provided are an apparatus and a method for measuring a nonlinearity parameter using laser, and more particularly, an apparatus and a method for measuring a nonlinearity parameter using laser for computing the nonlinearity parameter by irradiating laser of a toneburst signal on a surface of a sample by non-contact type laser so as to excite the sample, irradiating measurement laser beam on the surface of the sample so as to receive displacement information occurring on the surface of the sample over time, measuring the displacement in an interferometer principle, and performing a bandpass filtering for the measured signal so as to measure amplitude A1 of a component of a fundamental frequency and amplitude A2 of a component of a secondary harmonic wave.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2015Date of Patent: October 3, 2017Assignee: KOREA ATOMIC ENERGY RESEARCH INSTITUTEInventors: To Kang, Jin-Ho Park, Doo-Byung Yoon, Soon-Woo Han, Jang-Soo Lee
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Patent number: 9777591Abstract: A resonant frequency testing system for airfoils comprises a broach block, a clamp, an acoustic speaker, a laser vibrometer, and a control processor assembly. The broach block has a slot disposed to receive the airfoil in an airfoil location. The clamp has a torque-actuated shutoff, and is disposed to lock the airfoil in the broach block slot under a fixed clamping force. The acoustic sensor is disposed adjacent the airfoil location to emit sonic pulses, and the laser vibrometer is oriented towards the airfoil location to sense vibration signatures of the airfoil when excited by the sonic pulses. The control processor assembly is configured to control the acoustic speaker and laser vibrometer, to decompose the sensed vibration signatures into resonant frequencies of the airfoil, and to store the resonant frequencies in a digital storage database, correlated with a unique ID corresponding to the airfoil.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2015Date of Patent: October 3, 2017Assignee: United Technologies CorporationInventors: Steven Tine, Richard A. Lomenzo, Jr., Kevin J. Klinefelter, Elizabeth F. Vinson, Kaitlin Olsen, Thomas R. Davis
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Patent number: 9778237Abstract: Disclosed are methods, systems, and computer-readable mediums for determining combustion properties of wellhead gas. A methane concentration of a gas mixture is measured. A non-methane hydrocarbon concentration of the gas mixture is measured. An inert concentration of the gas mixture is calculated. A first surrogate for the non-methane hydrocarbon concentration is selected, where the first surrogate is selected as propane if the methane concentration is greater than a first threshold, and where the first surrogate is selected as pentane if the methane concentration is less than or equal to the first threshold. A methane number of the gas mixture is determined, where the methane number is based on the methane concentration, the first surrogate, and the inert concentration.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2015Date of Patent: October 3, 2017Assignee: Cummins, Inc.Inventors: Shu Li, Leon A. LaPointe, Aniket Gupta, Matthew L. Schneider
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Patent number: 9772312Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and device for detecting and analyzing deposits in liquid-bearing systems. More particularly, the device relates to being able to detect and analyze deposits in a liquid-bearing systems such as industrial plants that use and store fluids. The method relates to being able to determine a distribution of the run time of a detected ultrasonic reflection signal and analyzing the distribution to determine if deposits are deposited onto a heated reflecting area.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2012Date of Patent: September 26, 2017Assignee: Solenis Technologies, L.P.Inventors: Frank Seida, Christian Flocken, Patric Bierganns, Michael Schultz
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Patent number: 9766211Abstract: With a detector in which detection elements are placed in a spherical shape, a uniform resolution area is narrow. An acoustic-wave acquisition apparatus is equipped with a detector including a plurality of detection elements that receive acoustic waves from a subject, the receiving surfaces of at least some of the detection elements being at different angles. The apparatus includes a scanning unit configured to move at least one of the subject and the detector to change the relative position of the subject and a highest-resolution area determined depending on the placement of the detection elements.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2012Date of Patent: September 19, 2017Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Takuji Oishi
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Patent number: 9766209Abstract: Disclosed are an apparatus for detecting pipe wall thinning, which measures a natural frequency of a pipe and determines a level of the pipe wall thinning, and a method thereof. The apparatus for detecting the pipe wall thinning includes a hitting member 10 for hitting the pipe T, a vibration measurement sensor 20 which measures a vibration signal generated when the pipe T is hit with the hitting member 10, and a control part 30 which compares the natural frequency calculated from the vibration signal measured from the vibration measurement sensor 20 with a natural frequency generated from a normal pipe in which wall thinning does not occur, and determines the level of the wall thinning of the pipe T.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 2014Date of Patent: September 19, 2017Assignee: KOREA ATOMIC ENERGY RESEARCH INSTITUTEInventors: Soon-Woo Han, Doo-Byung Yoon, Jin-Ho Park, Hong Pyo Kim
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Patent number: 9766152Abstract: A leak testing system (210) for medicament sachets (200) is disclosed. The system (210) includes a base section (220) having a flat surface (226). A plurality of guide rods (230) extend from this flat surface (226) of the base section (220). A press section (240) incorporates a plurality of through-holes (242) that are used to movably mount the press section (240) on the noted guide rods (230). The press section (240) includes a flat surface (246) that is maintained in at least substantially parallel relation to the flat surface (226) of the base section (220). A medicament pouch (200) may be compressed between these flat surfaces (226, 246) of the base section (220) and the press section (240) by sliding the press section (240) along the guide rods (230) and in the direction of the base section (240). Multiple press plates can be added to adjust the force and weight to test for leaks.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2015Date of Patent: September 19, 2017Assignee: MALLINCKRODT LLCInventors: James G. Kostelc, Amelia G. Lukitsch
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Patent number: 9766111Abstract: A liquid surface detector includes a terminal, a covering portion, and a sealing film. The terminal includes a ridge portion between a first wall face and a second wall face. The terminal sends an electric signal relating to detection of height of a liquid surface. The covering portion covers the terminal. The sealing film is formed between the terminal and the covering portion and is put into close contact with the terminal and the covering portion. The terminal further includes a groove and two second slant faces. The groove has a V-shape in cross-section and includes two first slant faces. The groove cuts off in the V-shape the ridge portion of an area of the first wall face covered with the sealing film. The two second slant faces respectively connect together an area of the second wall face covered with the sealing film and the two first slant faces. A boundary portion formed by contact between the two second slant faces which are opposed to each other is continuous with a top portion of the groove.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2013Date of Patent: September 19, 2017Assignee: DENSO CORPORATIONInventors: Kenji Isobe, Yoshifumi Terada
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Patent number: 9759691Abstract: A method for characterizing a spot weld, including acquiring a sequence of A-scans from an ultrasonic phased array, wherein the A-scans describe individual portions of a field of view of the phased array; manually applying an interface gate and a flaw gate to each individual A-scan within the sequence of A-scans; calculating a gate ratio between a maximum amplitude under the interface gate and a maximum amplitude under the flaw gate for each individual A-scan; plotting the gate ratio for each individual A-scan as a function of location within the phased array field of view to generate a weld fusion map; using a predetermined threshold to differentiate fused locations from unfused locations on the weld fusion map; and calculating predetermined weld metrics, wherein the predetermined weld metrics include area, diameter, width, length, percent fused, or combinations thereof.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 2016Date of Patent: September 12, 2017Assignee: Cumberland & Western Resources, LLCInventors: Paul C. Boulware, Roger Spencer, Jeong K. Na
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Patent number: 9759690Abstract: Methods, systems and computer program products for nondestructive ultrasound imaging are provided. An example method defines a plurality of subarrays, each comprising a plurality of ultrasound transducer elements. The method transmits a plurality of ultrasound beams from each of the plurality of subarrays, each ultrasound beam being transmitted at a preset beamsteering angle. Subsequent to each transmit, the method receives, at the array, a plurality of ultrasound reflections corresponding to the plurality of ultrasound beams. For each point to be imaged, the method selects one set of received element data for each of the plurality of subarrays. The selected set of element data corresponds to an ultrasound beam having a focal point closest to the point to be imaged. Finally, the method reconstructs a point to be imaged based on the selected received element data, and constructs an ultrasound image by repeating this process for each point to be imaged.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2011Date of Patent: September 12, 2017Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Ralph Thomas Hoctor, Stephen Eric Zingelewicz
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Patent number: 9759739Abstract: A high-temperature drive component for a double-ended tuning fork (DETF). The drive component attaches to a surface of at least one of the tines. The drive component includes at least one piezoelectric trace sandwiched at least partially between two electrical traces. At least one of the tines includes a doped silicon base with drive component located thereon. One of the electrical traces is electrically connected to the doped silicon base and the other is electrically isolated from the doped silicon base.Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 2011Date of Patent: September 12, 2017Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventors: John Strehlow, Doug MacGugan
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Patent number: 9753053Abstract: A wind velocity sensor comprises a lower platform and an upper platform. Pillars are positioned or connected between the upper platform and the lower platform. Ultrasonic sensors are secured to corresponding ones of the pillars. A lower guard member extends outwardly from a reference ultrasonic sensor by a radial distance greater than a radial separation between any pair of the ultrasonic sensors.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2015Date of Patent: September 5, 2017Assignee: DEERE & COMPANYInventor: Christopher M. Masucci
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Patent number: 9752950Abstract: A device comprising a pressure monitor and a control means that receives a signal representing measured pressure at the pressure monitor and controls the controllable elements of a fluid system is utilized to monitor a fluid system for error conditions, to optimize operations and to diagnose the fluid system. By following a testing protocol that selectively enables parts of the system, the control means narrows the list of possible failing components. Comparing the measured pressure against normal pressures allows the device to identify error conditions. Determining the volume of fluid being transported and controlling the duration of the flow optimizes operation of the fluid system.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 2013Date of Patent: September 5, 2017Assignee: Waters Technologies CorporationInventors: Theodore D. Ciolkosz, James E. Usowicz, Peyton C. Beals, Russell Keene
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Patent number: 9747569Abstract: Fluid tanks in a hospital or similar environment include sensors to detect, e.g., state and location, which can be communicated to a central station where this data can be processed to permit predictions of resource usage and enable automated management of the fluid tanks.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2015Date of Patent: August 29, 2017Assignee: en-Gauge, Inc.Inventor: Brendan T. McSheffrey
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Patent number: 9739739Abstract: The described sensor allows determination of the concentration of a gas in a two-component mixture at variable pressure by measuring the diffusivity and the thermal conductivity. The sensor is provided to alternately heat the membrane of a thermally conductive cell and allow it to cool such that the temperature TM of the membrane passes from a first stable value to a second stable value and vice versa via a transient mode. The cell produces a signal representative of the temperature TM of the membrane and the sensor extracts from the signal a first and a second parameter that respectively relate to said first stable value and said transient mode of the signal. A value of the concentration of said gas and of the pressure of said two-mixture is calculated from these two parameters.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 2015Date of Patent: August 22, 2017Assignee: Belenos Clean Power Holding AGInventors: Yves De Coulon, Vincent Demarne
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Patent number: 9739690Abstract: A tire testing machine includes a tire and wheel assembly having a sensor configured to measure a parameter related to the tire and wheel assembly as it rotates on a rotating element. A holder supports the tire and wheel assembly. A processor is configured to receive an input at least based on the output signal from the sensor, and provide an output signal indicative of a parameter of a contact patch between a tire of the tire and wheel assembly and the rotating element. Controlled element(s) are configured to vary a parameter related to the contact patch and/or friction.Type: GrantFiled: August 1, 2014Date of Patent: August 22, 2017Assignee: MTS SYSTEMS CORPORATIONInventors: Bradley Charles Litz, Randal Lee Jenniges
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Patent number: 9739795Abstract: Techniques and architecture are disclosed for providing an optical system having an on-axis, internally mounted inertial measurement unit (IMU). In some cases, an IMU may be mounted within an interior region/cavity of an inner housing, which intern is configured to rotate within an outer housing. In some instances, a mirror assembly may be operatively coupled with the inner housing and permitted to rotate simultaneously with the IMU. Rotation of the inner housing may be achieved, in some example cases, by use of a suitable motor. In some instances, positioning componentry may be operatively coupled with one or more of the IMU and/or mirror assembly. Improvements in mechanical stability, system dimensions, and/or protection from external/environmental hazards may be realized, in some example cases.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 2016Date of Patent: August 22, 2017Assignee: BAE Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration Inc.Inventor: Steven P. Bibeault
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Patent number: 9739323Abstract: A disc brake vibration estimation method includes a step of obtaining input physical amounts that are physical amounts about the disc rotor and the pad, a step of estimating a vibration of the disc brake in an in-plane direction which is a circumferential direction of the disc rotor according to the obtained input physical amounts and a fluctuation in contact stiffness between the disc rotor and the pad, and a step of making a determination at least about squeal of the disc brake in the in-plane direction according to a displacement or a value derived from the displacement after a prescribed period from a start of estimation after the vibration of the disc brake is estimated.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2013Date of Patent: August 22, 2017Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Kouhei Shintani