Patents Examined by Lisa Caputo
  • Patent number: 10067106
    Abstract: A sensor includes a detector element, a connection terminal, and a separator. The contacting portion is in contact with a conductive member so as to overlap the conductive member in a thickness direction, which is a direction of thickness of the detector element between the principal surfaces. The separator includes an element accommodation space that accommodates a portion of an element contact portion and an element back portion, and a partition wall that separates the element accommodation space from a terminal accommodation space that accommodates the contacting portion and a portion of the conductive member and that is adjacent to the element accommodation space in the thickness direction. A frame main body is disposed in an element-side region, which is a region on an element-accommodation-space side in the thickness direction in a region obtained by extending the terminal accommodation space toward the front side in the axial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kunihiko Yonezu, Takehiro Oba, Hisaharu Nishio, Ginjiro Ito, Yuichi Yamada
  • Patent number: 10067096
    Abstract: The provided apparatus for automated nondestructive inspection of a metal structure having a surface comprises an ultrasonic nondestructive inspection unit, a nondestructive inspection unit based on magnetic flux leakage method, an eddy-current nondestructive inspection unit, a control unit connected to the ultrasonic nondestructive inspection unit, the nondestructive inspection unit based on the magnetic flux leakage method and the eddy-current nondestructive inspection unit for sending control signals to carry out inspection of the metal structure, and a navigation unit connected to the control unit, wherein the navigation unit determines a position of said apparatus relative to the metal structure, determines a state of the surface of the metal structure and sends signals into the control unit. The nondestructive inspection unit based on magnetic flux leakage method changes a magnetic field induction generated by this unit from a minimum value close to zero value to a predetermined maximum value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: Dakont Advanced Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Mikhail Evgenievich Fedosovsky, Mikhail Vladimirovich Sokolov, Edward Petit de Mange
  • Patent number: 10066983
    Abstract: A sensor system of a medical system, in particular a manually operable, gravimetric system for continuous ambulant peritoneal dialysis (CAPD), provides for detection of a treatment status. In particular, the sensor system provides for detection of a phase segment and/or a phase transition during the peritoneal dialysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: FRESENIUS MEDICAL CARE DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
    Inventors: Tobias Groeber, Peter Wabel, Sebastian Wieskotten
  • Patent number: 10067004
    Abstract: A temperature monitoring system for monitoring a temperature status of an item from a location different than a location at which the item is located is disclosed. The temperature monitoring system includes a base having a top surface and a bottom surface, and a first unit removably engageable with the top surface of the base in at least a first orientation and a second orientation. The first unit is configured to monitor a measured temperature, to display information regarding the measured temperature, and/or to transmit temperature information to a user device. The temperature monitoring system may also include at least one thermal or temperature probe configured to measure the temperature of the item, including a probe tip, probe wire, and probe plug. The temperature monitoring system may also include one or more probe supports configured to releasably attach to the base and configured to releasably retain a thermal probe thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: Weber-Stephen Products LLC
    Inventor: Christopher J. Allen
  • Patent number: 10059892
    Abstract: A device having cooperating surfaces, method of treating cooperating surfaces of a device, and method of installing device having cooperating surfaces, wherein the device may include a first cooperating surface and a second cooperating surface, and wherein the first and second surfaces form cooperating surfaces, and wherein at least one of the surfaces comprises a Self-Assembled Monolayer of Phosphonate (SAMP). The method of treating cooperating surfaces includes applying a coat of a Self-Assembled Monolayer of Phosphonate (SAMP) composition to at least one of said cleaned and dried surfaces. The method of installing may include installing said device into a section of a crude oil service operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: ELECTROLAB, INC.
    Inventors: Sean Eric Drees, Andrew Timothy Marzec, Brian Keith Brashear
  • Patent number: 10060568
    Abstract: The apparatus comprises a pipe PIG and a gauge. The PIG is for use with a pipeline and is of the type including: a body defining a longitudinal axis; and a pair of seals connected to the body and axially spaced apart from one another by the body. The gauge: has a longitudinal axis; has an outer periphery through which the longitudinal axis of the gauge passes centrally; has a central position relative to the body wherein the longitudinal axis of the body and the longitudinal axis of the gauge are at least substantially coincident; and is mounted to the body for generally radial movement relative to the central position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Inventor: Paul Pirner
  • Patent number: 10058983
    Abstract: A torque sensing device includes an idle wheel disposed between a force input shaft and a force output shaft, the idle wheel receives a tangential force from the force input shaft and the force output shaft to generate a counterforce as a loading, the center of the idle wheel is pivotally disposed on a positioning beam or a basis nearby, the positioning beam has a beam central line where a strain gauge installed. The positioning beam transforms the loading of the idle wheel along the beam central line to a normal force on the cross section of the positioning beam along the beam central line, the positioning beam generates a strain due to the normal force on the cross section of the positioning beam, the strain gauge detects the strain as the torsion sensing value of the output shaft on the region between the force input shaft and the force output shaft. A rotational driving tool is combined with the torque sensing device to improve the detecting precision of the torsion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: PRODRIVES & MOTIONS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chia-Sheng Liang, Yuen-Yang Hu, Meng-Jen Chiu, Chu-Hsiang Tseng
  • Patent number: 10060895
    Abstract: The invention discloses methods and devices for rapidly detecting a biological and/or chemical residue in a liquid sample. In some embodiments of the instant invention, a single antenna is generally employed in proximity to an aqueous solution in a disposable cup, with electrical outputs being recorded by an electrical metering device in communication with the single antenna. Commercial plastic cups may be used for detection of electric fields related to cleanliness of water samples. General and specific target detection may be performed with various embodiments of the instant invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: Light of Detection, Ltd.
    Inventors: Alan Joseph Bauer, Nethanel Raisch, Charles H. Panzarella
  • Patent number: 10060804
    Abstract: A cooling-heating stage-type fast scanning calorimeter capable of being integrated with other microscopic structure characterization techniques. The cooling-heating stage-type fast scanning calorimeter includes a sample chamber provided with light transmission and reflection transparent windows on the walls thereof, a cooling-heating stage provided with internal heating elements and coolant channels for temperature control and also provided with a transmission hole, a sample chamber temperature control system and a fast calorimetric system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: Nanjing University
    Inventors: Dongshan Zhou, Lai Wei, Jing Jiang, Qi Xue, Wei Chen, Xiaoliang Wang, Wei Jiang, Christoph Schick
  • Patent number: 10054490
    Abstract: A medical thermometer including a curved mirror and a radiation sensor is disclosed. The radiation sensor is disposed relative to the mirror in a configuration whereby the mirror reflects away from the sensor radiation that passes through the radiation entrance and that is oriented outside a range of angles relative to the mirror, and reflects toward the sensor radiation that passes through the radiation entrance and that is oriented within a range of angles relative to the mirror.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: Helen of Troy Limited
    Inventors: Aleksan Yildizyan, James Christopher Gorsich
  • Patent number: 10054499
    Abstract: A system may include at least one engine bank including a plurality of fuel injectors. At least one exhaust temperature sensor is coupled to the engine bank(s). The exhaust temperature sensor(s) is configured to output at least one temperature signal regarding an exhaust temperature of the engine bank(s). A traction system is configured to output at least one electrical signal related to a power output of a vehicle. A control unit is coupled to the exhaust temperature sensor(s) and the traction system. The control unit is configured to receive the temperature signal(s) and the electrical signal(s). The control unit is configured to determine a mechanical and electrical health of the plurality of the fuel injectors by determining a temperature differential value of the temperature signal(s) and a power differential value related to the electrical signal(s), and analyzing a combination of the temperature differential value and the power differential value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Milan Palinda Karunaratne, Benedict George Lander
  • Patent number: 10054512
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a liquid leakage detection apparatus. The apparatus includes a sample cavity, a housing with an opening and a housing contact face, an indicator body with an indicator body contact face, and a expansion element cavity between said housing contact face and said indicator body contact face. A liquid sensitive, expandable element is located in the expansion element cavity and a liquid path extends between the liquid collecting portion and the expansion element cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: Beerenberg Corp.
    Inventors: Geir Harris, Olav Bjorn Lygre
  • Patent number: 10054576
    Abstract: A computer-implemented system for nearfield gunshot and explosion detection comprising a hardware device with a differential air pressure sensor, a pressure amplifier that amplifies pressure signals generated by the differential air pressure sensor, a microphone, a microphone amplifier that amplifies audio signals generated by the microphone, and a pulse counter that calculates a total event length. The system includes a digital processor that processes the amplified signals from the differential air pressure sensor and the microphone and a data radio that generates alerts based on input from the differential air pressure sensor and the microphone. The system determines whether a gunshot event or an explosive event has occurred based on a pressure length sensitivity setting, a microphone length sensitivity setting, and a correlation sensitivity setting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Inventor: Allan Ward Overcast
  • Patent number: 10054492
    Abstract: A thermistor includes a case having a bottom section at one end and an opening section at the other end, a thermistor element housed in the case, a conducting wire housed in the case and connected to the thermistor element, and a lead wire connected to the conducting wire. The lead wire has a first portion including an insulating coating, and a second portion connected to the conducting wire and exposed from the insulating coating. A resin is filled up to a position away from an end edge of the opening section toward the bottom section so as to enclose at least the thermistor element, the conducting wire, and the second portion. The first portion is guided out of the resin to the outside of the case. An inner peripheral surface of the opening section is curved so as to increase an opening area of the opening section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignees: TDK CORPORATION, TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Satoru Shiraki, Keiichi Kaneshige, Masashi Matsumoto, Masayuki Ikemoto, Tsutomu Hatakeyama
  • Patent number: 10054471
    Abstract: An integrated sensor device including a first die, housing a sensor element to detect a quantity external to the sensor device and transduce the external quantity into an electrical sensing signal; a second die mechanically coupled to the first die so that the first and second dies are stacked on one another along one and the same axis; and at least one heater of a resistive type integrated in the first die and/or in the second die, having a first conduction terminal and a second conduction terminal configured to couple respective first and second conduction terminals of a signal generator for causing an electric current to flow, in use, between the first and second conduction terminals of the heater and generate heat by the Joule effect. It is possible to carry out calibration in temperature of the sensor element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: STMICROELECTRONICS S.R.L.
    Inventors: Dario Paci, Francesco Procopio, Carlo Valzasina, Paolo Angelini, Francesco Diazzi, Roberto Pio Baorda, Danilo Karim Kaddouri
  • Patent number: 10054494
    Abstract: An Apparatus and method are provided for sensing temperature of a sample. Apparatus 2 has a sensor 5, positionable relative to a sample 3, which is responsive to temperature of a region of the sample at each position of the sensor. Sensor circuitry 10 provides a response signal indicative of the sensor response at the position of the sensor. Sample-temperature controller 12 controls temperature of sample 3 independently of sensor 5. Sample-temperature controller 12 effects a time-dependent modulation of the sample temperature such that a time-dependent heat flux is generated between the sample and the sensor at the position of the sensor. Temperature analyzer 11 extracts time-averaged and time-dependent components of the response signal due to the modulation of the sample temperature, and processes the components to produce an output indicative of temperature of the sample at the position of the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Bernd Gotsmann, Fabian Menges, Heike Riel
  • Patent number: 10054497
    Abstract: A metal nitride material for a thermistor consists of a metal nitride represented by the general formula: MxAly(N1-wOw)z (where “M” represents at least one of Fe, Co, Mn, Cu, and Ni, 0.70?y/(x+y)?0.98, 0.45?z?0.55, 0<w?0.35, and x+y+z=1), wherein the crystal structure thereof is a hexagonal wurtzite-type single phase. A method for producing the metal nitride material for a thermistor includes a deposition step of performing film deposition by reactive sputtering in a nitrogen and oxygen-containing atmosphere using an M-Al alloy sputtering target (where “M” represents at least one of Fe, Co, Mn, Cu, and Ni).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI MATERIALS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Toshiaki Fujita, Hiroshi Tanaka, Noriaki Nagatomo
  • Patent number: 10048134
    Abstract: A non-contact medical thermometer is disclosed that includes an IR sensor assembly having an IR sensor for sensing IR radiation from a target, a distance sensor configured to determine a distance of the thermometer from the target, and a memory component operatively coupled at least to the IR sensor assembly and the distance sensor. The memory component contains predetermined compensation information that relates to predetermined temperatures of targets and to predetermined distances from at least one predetermined target. A microprocessor is operatively coupled to the memory component. The microprocessor is configured to perform temperature calculations based on the IR radiation from the target, the distance of the thermometer from the target, and the predetermined compensation information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: Helen of Troy Limited
    Inventors: Aleksan Yildizyan, Jiawei Hu, Charles Squires, James Christopher Gorsich
  • Patent number: 10046609
    Abstract: A writer for a tire pressure sensor is disclosed, which is adapted to hold the tire pressure sensor to write a program to the tire pressure sensor. The tire pressure sensor has a first connection port. The writer includes a housing, a positioning member, and an ejection device. A surface of the housing forms a receiving recess, and a second connection port is provided in the receiving recess. When the tire pressure sensor is received in the receiving recess, the first connection port thereof is connected to the second connection port. The positioning member connected to the housing has a block section abutting against the tire pressure sensor to keep the first connection port being connected to the second connection port. The ejection device is adapted to exert a pushing force on the tire pressure sensor to eject it for separating the second connection port from the first connection port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: MOBILETRON ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ming-Hung Hsu, Chia-Chang Wu
  • Patent number: 10048230
    Abstract: A method for determining the presence of damage in a structure includes applying energy to the structure to induce tension shockwaves in the structure. The method also includes detecting sound waves caused by the tension shockwaves using at least one acoustic emission sensor on the surface of the structure. Additionally, the method includes determining the presence of damage in the structure due to the applied energy based on detected sound waves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Alan F. Stewart, Hong H. Tat, Richard H. Bossi