Patents Examined by Lisa Caputo
  • Patent number: 10209120
    Abstract: A level sender for a tank includes a sensor device. A driven member is associated with a float assembly. The sensor device is adapted to determine a level of fluid within the tank based on an angular position of the driven member. A float arm is coupled to a float at a first end and is coupled to the driven member at a second end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: TI GROUP AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, LLC
    Inventors: Albert J. Boecker, Garrett M. Tetil
  • Patent number: 10209116
    Abstract: The measuring cup includes numerous embodiments configured for a user to precisely determine the cup contents without need to lift the cup to one's eye level or to lower the eye level to the level of the cup contents. The various embodiments include folding cups; cups having transparent passages in the wall; cups having adjustably positionable bottoms; cups having level indicator rods in the cup interior extending upward from the cup bottom; cups having one or more filaments extending across the cup interior; cups having rigid level indicators spanning the cup interior; cups having adjustably positionable level indicator tabs therein; cups having buoyant level indicator tabs adjustably positionable in the cup interior; and cups having removable clip-on scales extending down along the interior of the cup wall, the scales having a plurality of attachment points for the removable attachment of a level indicator tab at a desired attachment point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: King Saud University
    Inventors: Mohd Aftab Alam, Fahad Ibrahim Al-Jenoobi, Abdullah M. Al-Mohizea
  • Patent number: 10209160
    Abstract: The application relates to an apparatus (100) for fatigue testing a wind turbine blade, and to a system and method using such an apparatus (100). The apparatus (100) comprises a base (110) for supporting a first end (12) of the wind turbine blade (10), and an edgewise actuator assembly (120). The edgewise actuator assembly (120) includes a ground-supported edgewise actuator (130) and a flexible cable assembly (140) for connecting the edgewise actuator (130) to the blade (10). The edgewise actuator (130) and the flexible cable assembly (140) are adapted to cyclically deflect the blade (10) relative to the base in the edgewise direction by repeatedly pulling the blade (10) in a substantially horizontal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: Vestas Wind Systems A/S
    Inventors: William David Richards, Stuart Guy, Malcolm Barnsley
  • Patent number: 10209269
    Abstract: Described herein is a microelectromechanical detection structure, provided with: a substrate having a top surface extending in a plane; a detection-electrode arrangement; an inertial mass, suspended above the substrate and the detection-electrode arrangement; and elastic elements, coupling the inertial mass to a central anchorage element fixed with respect to the substrate, in such a way that it is free to rotate about an axis of rotation as a function of a quantity to be detected along a vertical axis, the central anchorage element being arranged at the axis of rotation. A suspension structure is coupled to the detection-electrode arrangement for supporting it, suspended above the substrate and underneath the inertial mass, and is anchored to the substrate via at least one first anchorage region; the fixed-electrode arrangement is anchored to the suspension structure via at least one second anchorage region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: STMICROELECTRONICS S.R.L.
    Inventor: Alessandro Tocchio
  • Patent number: 10206654
    Abstract: A pressure sensor of an embodiment includes a support portion, a transformable membrane part and a sensor portion. The membrane part includes an end portion supported by the support portion, and a first area and a second area. The first area is positioned between a center of the membrane part and the end portion and has a first rigidity. The second area is positioned between the first area and the end portion, and has a second rigidity lower than the first rigidity. The sensor portion is provided at the first area and includes a first magnetic layer, a second magnetic layer and a first intermediate layer provided between the first magnetic layer and the second magnetic layer. An end-side distance between the first area and the end portion is shorter than a center-side distance between the second area and the center of the membrane part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Kei Masunishi, Akiko Yuzawa, Yoshihiko Fuji, Michiko Hara, Yoshihiro Higashi, Kazuaki Okamoto, Kenji Otsu
  • Patent number: 10203238
    Abstract: A liquid detection apparatus for monitoring liquid stored in a wine barrel may include an upper portion configured to be inserted into an opening of the wine barrel and a lower portion configured to extend into the liquid when the upper portion is seated in the opening. A sensing device may be located within the lower portion and at least partially surrounded by a protective layer. The sensing device may be configured to obtain sensed input for the liquid through the protective layer. An alert system may be at least partially located within the upper portion and configured to generate an alert in response to the sensed input obtained by the sensing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: Barrelogix, LLC
    Inventors: Philip Dean Barrett, Marshal Dean Barrett, David Holcomb
  • Patent number: 10203282
    Abstract: The invention relates to a mineral wool product comprising mineral fibers that is marked with an UV or IR active substance and can therefore be identified under exposure to suitable radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: KNAUF INSULATION
    Inventors: Markus Mente, Stefan Kossler
  • Patent number: 10203293
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for lightning stroke identification and location on optical fiber composite overhead ground wire. In the method, according to the property that the lightning stroke will cause a sudden temperature rise at the lightning stroke position on the optical fiber composite overhead ground wire, optical fiber resources in the optical fiber composite overhead ground wire and the high-sensitivity detection and high-precision event locating capability of a distributed optical fiber temperature sensor can be fully utilized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignees: STATE GRID CORPORATION OF CHINA CO., LTD., GLOBAL ENERGY INTERCONNECTION RESEARCH INSTITUTE, CO., LTD., STATE GRID HEBEI ELECTRIC POWER COMPANY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Lidong Lv, Cheng Zhong, Fengzhen Zhou, Weiwei Miao, Yun Liang, Binglin Li, Jinghong Guo, Ningxi Song, Han Su
  • Patent number: 10203288
    Abstract: A multi-functional precious stone testing apparatus includes a microcontroller, a measuring unit for measuring properties of the testing object, and a functional unit. The measuring unit is arranged to measure one of a combination of ultraviolet and infrared distributions of the testing object and a combination of thermal and electrical conductivities of the testing object. The microcontroller analyzes a result from the measuring unit to generate a test result of the testing object, wherein the microcontroller includes a communication unit for connecting with an electronic device to transmit the test result thereto. The functional unit includes a voice indicator that generates a voice indication signal of the test result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: SHENZHEN DIKAI INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Xiuling Zhu, Gary Bruce Peckham
  • Patent number: 10197456
    Abstract: Systems and methods for measuring temperature in a gas turbine are disclosed. The method can include directing a first acoustic signal and a second acoustic signal towards a gas path in a turbine; receiving the first acoustic signal and the second acoustic signal at a downstream gas path location; combining the first acoustic signal and the second acoustic signal to create a combined acoustic signal, wherein the combined acoustic signal forms at least one of either a signal maxima or a signal minima; and based at least in part on the combined acoustic signal, determining a temperature of the gas path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Eamon P. Gleeson, Fei Han
  • Patent number: 10195738
    Abstract: Using various embodiments, methods, systems, and apparatuses are disclosed for data collection from a subject using a sensor apparatus. In one embodiment, an apparatus for use by a subject, the sensor apparatus is disclosed, comprising a sensor configured to capture and transmit data related to movements by the subject and a computing device coupled to the sensor to receive sensor data transmitted by the sensor, save the data in a track in a data file. The data file can have a plurality of tracks, each track saving data of a different sensor. The data thus saved can then be processed by another computing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Inventor: Heinz Hemken
  • Patent number: 10197457
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining a control temperature to control a function of an electronic device by using an atmospheric temperature when controlling a temperature of the electronic device, and for controlling the function of the electronic device according to a control step of the determined control temperature are provided. A method of operating an electronic device includes measuring an atmospheric temperature, determining at least one control temperature corresponding to the measured atmospheric temperature, measuring an internal temperature of the electronic device, and controlling a function in accordance with the measured internal temperature of the electronic device and the determined at least one control temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ki-Youn Jang, Min-Su Kim, Kun-Tak Kim, Chi-Hyun Cho
  • Patent number: 10197548
    Abstract: A method is provided for adjustment of a textile machine workstation based on yarn parameters measured by an associated yarn quality sensor at the work station. The method generates a first reference value of a selected yarn parameter by measurement of the yarn parameter or by calculation, wherein the first reference value is generated from the yarn parameter for a deliberately defective yarn intentionally produced at the workstation. The method then compares a current value or second reference value of the yarn parameter for yarn produced at the workstation of production quality or higher-than-production quality to the first reference value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: Rieter CZ s.r.o.
    Inventors: Pavel Kousalik, Petr Haska, Zdenek Beran
  • Patent number: 10197376
    Abstract: In a runout detection device for detecting runout of a rotating member, a displacement unit abuts on the rotating member, and is displaced in accordance with displacement of the rotating member while the rotor abuts on the displacement unit. An elastic member elastically deforms in accordance with displacement of the displacement unit. A heat flux sensor detects a heat flux generated by elastic deformation of the elastic member. The runout detection device is configured to detect runout of the rotating member based on the heat flux detected by the heat flux sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Norio Gouko, Toshihisa Taniguchi, Atusi Sakaida, Keiji Okamoto, Yoshihiko Shiraishi, Masahiro Asano
  • Patent number: 10197465
    Abstract: Systems and methods for sensing pressure, and protecting a sensor within a sensor assembly. A sensor assembly may comprise a sensor having at least one pressure input port; a first housing configured to encapsulate the sensor; a second housing configured to attach to the first housing to encapsulate the sensor; a first O-ring located between the first housing and the sensor; a second O-ring located between the second housing and the sensor; and a printed circuit board configured to receive detected pressure information from the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Jason Dennis Patch, Ian Bentley, Jim Cook, Todd Eckhardt
  • Patent number: 10197434
    Abstract: A Point-Of-Sale (POS) device detects vibrations produced from equipment in its operational environment. The vibrations are identified and one or more filters produced to remove the vibrations when the POS device is used to improve the accuracy of the POS device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: NCR Corporation
    Inventor: Theodore Heske, III
  • Patent number: 10190924
    Abstract: A pressure-sensing device including a pressed component that has a contact surface to which pressure is applied by contact from a presser; a polymeric piezoelectric element that is disposed at an opposite side from the contact surface of the pressed component and that has a piezoelectric constant d14 of 1 pC/N or more as measured at 25° C. using a stress-charge method; a curable resin layer that includes at least one selected from the group consisting of cold-setting resins, thermosetting resins, and actinic radiation-curable resins and that is in contact with at least part of a surface of the polymeric piezoelectric element; and an electrode that is in contact with at least part of a surface of the polymeric piezoelectric element or of a surface of the curable resin layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: MURATA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Tanimoto, Mitsunobu Yoshida, Shigeo Nishikawa, Masamichi Ando, Hidekazu Kano
  • Patent number: 10191076
    Abstract: A flow of air induces vibration of a tip of an airflow sensor. A cantilever coupled to the tip vibrates as the tip is displaced, and a piezoelectric element associated with the cantilever generates an electrical signal in response to mechanical stress or strain induced by vibration of the cantilever. A control element that is in communication with the piezoelectric element of the cantilever receives the electrical signal and derives at least one parameter indicative of the flow of air sensed by the sensor. The control element communicates or otherwise transmits an output signal that is indicative of the parameter to an output device to display sensor data to a user as desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Board of Trustees of the University of Alabama, for and on behalf of the University of Alabama in Huntsville
    Inventors: Gang Wang, Felix Ewere
  • Patent number: 10190967
    Abstract: The fatigue cracking machine for circumferential notched tensile (CNT) specimens is a device for pre-cracking a CNT specimen prior to SCC testing. The machine uses a specimen holding cylinder attached to the shaft of a motor by a coupling, the holding cylinder being rotatably mounted in a bearing mounted in a bearing support fixed to a platform. The machine also uses a load cylinder rotatably mounted in a load bearing supported in a load fork, the load fork having a shaft adjustably mounted in a bearing support block. A dial indicator is fixed to a post rigidly mounted on the platform with the indicator's plunger bearing against the load bearing. An adjustment bolt bears against the end of the load fork shaft to displace the load bearing, applying a bending force to the specimen while it rotates, the displacement being measured by the dial indicator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research
    Inventor: Rihan Omar Yousef Rihan
  • Patent number: 10190922
    Abstract: Described is a current-mode thermal sensor with calibration apparatus which comprises: a first transistor with a gate terminal coupled to a first node; a second transistor with a gate terminal coupled to a second node; a first resistor coupled to the first and second nodes; a second resistor coupled to the first node and a supply node; a diode coupled to the second node and the supply node; a third resistor coupled to the second node; and a switch coupled to the third resistor and a reference supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: INTEL CORPORATION
    Inventor: Matthais Eberlein