Patents Examined by Lisa Caputo
  • Patent number: 10151603
    Abstract: The explosion-proof housing for a sensor, in particular, for a rotary encoder having a shaft rotatably situated in the rotary encoder and axially aligned to detect a rotary angle, having a flameproof interior vis-a-vis the atmosphere, in which at least one sensor part is situated, and an at least two-part, approximately cylindrical overall housing is made up of a cover having a cable inlet, which is releasably coupled to a possibly multi-part housing by a plurality of fastening screws distributed around the circumference, and the contacting fastening planes of the cover and housing are designed as explosion-proof ex-joints, and at least the fastening screws between the cover and the possibly multi-piece housing create the separation between the flameproof interior and the atmosphere by forming ex-joints.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: HENGSTLER GMBH
    Inventors: Andreas Wöhrstein, Peter Elbel
  • Patent number: 10145786
    Abstract: A bonded structure includes a first member, a second member, an adhesive that bonds the first member and the second member together, and an optical fiber sandwiched between the first member and the second member. When pressure is applied to the optical fiber only from a predetermined direction, the sectional shape of the optical fiber changes to an elliptical shape, so that birefringence occurs, whereby the shape of the light spectrum changes so as to have multiple peaks. The optical fiber is used as a sensor for detecting the bonding condition between the first member and the second member based on the birefringence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignees: MISTUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD., THE UNIVERSITY OF TOKYO
    Inventors: Nozomi Saito, Takayuki Shimizu, Toshio Abe, Nobuo Takeda, Shu Minakuchi, Keigo Uhira
  • Patent number: 10145828
    Abstract: An automatic sensor excitation voltage adjustment feature, a multi-range concentration feature, a single calibration feature and a barrier circuit feature. The automatic sensor excitation voltage adjustment feature includes a transmitter having a transmitter microprocessor that provides an initial voltage to a sensor having a sensor microprocessor. As the voltage changes a correction signal is relayed from the sensor microprocessor to the transmitter microprocessor. The correction signal is used to adjust the voltage applied to the sensor. The multi-range concentration sensor feature includes an amplifier associated with the sensor/microprocessor to create gain settings used to optimize sensor resolution by changing a gain value for the sensor. This enables use of a single sensor for a variety of different concentration ranges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: Scott Technologis, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Edwin Mealy, Jr., Fatos Adami, Nicholas Anthony DeBlasio, Byron Eugene McLendon, Keli Chalfant Merkel, Edward Russell Propst, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10145762
    Abstract: A trace evidence material (TEM) collection device is disclosed that enables crime scene investigators to quickly and easily collect, analyze, annotate, securely store and electronically distribute images of large amounts of trace evidence materials and related crime scene information while also helping to comply with required trace evidence recovery procedures and documentation requirements. The TEM collection device includes a reusable handle and cassette drive mechanism, which may be used with a plurality of single-use cassettes. Each cassette includes a TEM collection media (such as a collection tape or swabbing pads attached to a substrate) that when moved across a surface is capable of collecting TEMs located on the surface. Preferably, each cassette also includes a sealing assembly that seals the TEM collection media after collection of the TEMs so as to preserve the collected TEMs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: AARDVARK FORENSICS, LLC
    Inventor: James David Taylor
  • Patent number: 10139289
    Abstract: A temperature measurement device includes a light emitting part including a first light source configured to output measurement light with a first wavelength and a second light source configured to output reference light with a second wavelength, a light receiving part configured to receive reflected light of the measurement light and reflected light of the reference light that have passed through a temperature sensing device that changes light transmission characteristics with changes in temperature, a control part configured to measure a temperature detected by the temperature sensing device based on an amount of light of the received reflected light of the measurement light and an amount of light of the received reflected light of the reference light, and a temperature adjustment part configured to separately adjust the temperature of the first light source and the temperature of the second light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Takari Yamamoto, Kenichiro Yamada, Shinya Yamanaka
  • Patent number: 10139286
    Abstract: A junction assembly having A) a first electrical cable in turn comprising a first and a second electrical conductor and an insulating coating made of insulating inorganic material, B) a second electrical cable having a third and a fourth electrical conductor and an insulating coating made of insulating organic material that coats and electrically insulates the third and fourth electrical conductor; C) a junction having a sleeve that forms two ends one of which is arranged to receive the first electrical cable and the other is arranged to receive the second electrical cable. The first and the third electrical conductor are mechanically and electrically connected together to form a first composite conductor. The second and the fourth electrical conductor are connected together to form a second composite conductor. An intermediate wall is arranged between the two.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: ITALCOPPIE SENSORI S.R.L.
    Inventor: Mario Noli
  • Patent number: 10139337
    Abstract: A system and method for testing a material system may include a support structure for mounting the material system, and a electromechanical device operably connected to the support structure, wherein the electromechanical device applies an electromechanical-induced force to the material system, and wherein the electromechanical-induced force causes a displacement in the material system equivalent to material displacement from thermal stress in significantly less time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Robert B. Greegor, Jeffrey D. Morgan, Quynhgiao N. Le, Julie M. Drexler, John A. Mittleider
  • Patent number: 10139296
    Abstract: A centrifuge calibration apparatus (10) configured to be spun in a centrifuge and to provide an indication (25) of performance of the centrifuge. Spinning of the apparatus in the centrifuge causes a piston (14) to exert centrifugal force to compress a spring (22), thereby generating relative movement between a pointer (24) and a scale (26). The scale may be calibrated in units of G-force or RPM. A ratchet mechanism (40) holds the pointer at its most displaced position upon completion of the spinning and removal of the apparatus from the centrifuge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Inventor: Richard Agostinelli
  • Patent number: 10139257
    Abstract: A closed loop system for the calibration of a multiphase meter, such as a multiphase flow meter or water cut meter, and a method of employing the system in calibration of multiphase meters in crude oil production processes. The system includes an oil and water separation vessel, oil and water flow meters, valves, pumps, and a single phase calibration unit. The system employs a two-step calibration process. First internal single phase oil and water meters are calibrated using the single phase calibration unit; subsequently multiphase meter calibration is achieved using the two precalibrated single phase flow meters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals
    Inventors: Aftab Ahmad, Luai M. Alhems
  • Patent number: 10139292
    Abstract: The invention relates to a calorimeter including at least one measurement sensor (4) for receiving at least one sample, and at least three stages (1, 2, 3) for controlling the temperature, with decreasing size, each including a mounting (10, 20, 30) and means for controlling the temperature, the smallest stage being associated with said at least one sensor (4), in which: a first stage (1) also includes a screen (11) forming a first enclosure with the mounting (10) of said first stage; a second stage (2) is placed inside (12) said first enclosure and the mounting (20) thereof is thermally coupled with the mounting (10) of the first stage by first thermal conductances (23) comprising Peltier elements; and a third stage (3) is placed inside the second enclosure defined by the second stage and is thermally coupled with said second stage (2) by second passive thermal conductances (33) defining an adapted time-constant value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE
    Inventors: Jean-Luc Garden, Pierre Brosse-Maron, Gaël Moiroux
  • Patent number: 10139290
    Abstract: Provided is an optical temperature sensor including a temperature sensing element having light transmission characteristics that vary with temperature, a hollow holding member that holds the temperature sensing element, and an optical fiber that is arranged inside the holding member, the optical fiber including a tip face that is disposed to face the temperature sensing element at a position separated from the temperature sensing element by a predetermined distance. The temperature sensing element allows light emitted from the tip face of the optical fiber to be incident thereon, allows the incident light to be transmitted therethrough, and allows reflected light of the transmitted light that has been reflected by a measuring object to be transmitted therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Takari Yamamoto, Kenichiro Yamada, Yoshiki Yamakawa, Yuji Mizuma, Hirokazu Taniguchi, Masatoshi Tabira
  • Patent number: 10132784
    Abstract: An automatic sensor excitation voltage adjustment feature, a multi-range concentration feature, a single calibration feature and a barrier circuit feature. The automatic sensor excitation voltage adjustment feature includes a transmitter having a transmitter microprocessor that provides an initial voltage to a sensor having a sensor microprocessor. As the voltage changes a correction signal is relayed from the sensor microprocessor to the transmitter microprocessor. The correction signal is used to adjust the voltage applied to the sensor. The multi-range concentration sensor feature includes an amplifier associated with the sensor/microprocessor to create gain settings used to optimize sensor resolution by changing a gain value for the sensor. This enables use of a single sensor for a variety of different concentration ranges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: Scott Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Edwin Mealy, Jr., Fatos Adami, Nicholas Anthony DeBlasio, Byron Eugene McLendon, Keli Chalfant Merkel, Edward Russell Propst, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10132727
    Abstract: Method for monitoring the odorous emissions of a plurality of zones (2, 3, 4, 5) of a given site (6); the method provides for the use of an electronic nose, and comprises a plurality of selective feeding steps, during each of which a respective sample coming from a relative zone is selectively conveyed to the electronic nose so as not to convey other gas samples coming from other zones to the electronic nose; according to some aspects of the invention, the selective feeding steps are repeated several times and the order of succession of the selective feeding steps is modified so as to control zones of particular interest more often.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: SACMI COOPERATIVA MECCANICA IMOLA SOCIETA' COOPERATIVA
    Inventor: Marco Remondini
  • Patent number: 10132695
    Abstract: A device for determining an extreme temperature location from a plurality of locations connects along a daisy chain of devices each of which mounts to a respective location from the plurality of locations. The device includes an input terminal operably connected to a remote device at a remote location from the plurality of locations via the daisy chain. The input terminal receives a remote temperature signal indicative of a remote temperature corresponding to the remote location and a remote location signal indicative of the remote location. The device also includes a local temperature determining logic that generates a local temperature signal indicative of a local temperature corresponding to the location of the device, and at least one comparator operably connected to the input terminal and to the local temperature determining logic and configured to compare the local temperature signal to the remote temperature signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: PARKER-HANNIFIN CORPORATION
    Inventor: Harold Raymond Leighton, II
  • Patent number: 10132689
    Abstract: The invention relates to a temperature sensor system comprising a temperature probe element and a first ceramic housing part. The temperature probe element comprises a sensor element and electrical feed lines. The first ceramic housing part comprises a sleeve-shaped lower part with a closed lower end and an open upper end, and an upper part connected to the open upper end. The sensor element is arranged in the sleeve-shaped lower part. The upper part has recesses in which the electrical feed lines are partially arranged and guided. The lower part and the upper part form one piece. Also disclosed is a method for producing a temperature sensor system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: EPCOS AG
    Inventors: Jan Ihle, Oliver Bard, Steffen Mehlig, Wolfgang Grundmann
  • Patent number: 10132698
    Abstract: A waterproof food temperature probe includes a penetrating portion for inserting into food during cooking; a cable for coupling the penetrating portion to a display unit separated from the penetrating portion; and, a high temperature resistant seal portion permanently covering at least part of the penetrating portion and at least part of the cable. The seal portion prevents moisture from entering the penetrating portion thereby preventing the temperature probe from malfunctioning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: Ewig Industries Macao Commercial Offshore Limited
    Inventor: Luk Wah Jackson Chu
  • Patent number: 10132830
    Abstract: Measuring a topographic profile and/or a topographic image of a surface of a sample includes positioning an indenter out of contact with a sample and in a constant position with respect to a headstock; positioning a topographic tip to detect a surface of the sample and positioning a reference structure at a predetermined distance from said surface; measuring the relative position of the indenter with respect to the reference structure by a relative position sensor; translating said sample perpendicular to said longitudinal axis while maintaining the reference structure at said predetermined distance from the surface of the sample by the feedback control system and the second actuator while measuring the relative position of the indenter with respect to the reference structure by the relative position sensor; and generating a topographic profile and/or a topographic image based on measurements of the relative position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: Anton Paar TriTec SA
    Inventors: Bertrand Bellaton, Richard Consiglio, Jacques Woirgard
  • Patent number: 10132670
    Abstract: The invention relates to a measuring device for measuring a level of a fluid in a container for holding a fluid, specifically a level sensor. The container is provided with a conduit for at least one of the supply and the removal of the fluid. A dynamic pressure probe, such as a pitot tube, is arranged in the conduit. The dynamic pressure probe is connected to a pressure sensor for measuring the pressure in the dynamic pressure probe. The fluid level in the container can be determined by using the measured pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: Marquardt Mechatronik GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Zimmer, Tobias Jauch
  • Patent number: 10132789
    Abstract: An apparatus (1) for detecting gas (4) in a high-voltage device (3) filled with an insulating medium (2) comprises an inlet (5) for introducing a carrier gas (16) and an outlet (6) for discharging a carrier gas (16); at least one gas sensor (12) for detecting a gas (4); a first pump (9) for conveying the carrier gas (16) in the apparatus (1); a membrane (13) which at least consists of at least one semipermeable material, is at least partially surrounded by the insulating medium (2) and is at least partially subjected to a flow of the carrier gas (16); a second pump (10) for conveying the carrier gas (16) into the apparatus (1) and for conveying the carrier gas (16) out of the apparatus (1); wherein there is no valve which can be used to convey the carrier gas (16) into the apparatus (1) or out of the apparatus (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: MASCHINENFABRIK REINHAUSEN GMBH
    Inventors: Sebastian Hollunder, Martin Kubiczek, Juergen Schuebel, Karsten Viereck
  • Patent number: 10132995
    Abstract: A sensing system that includes an optical fiber disposed helically around an outer surface of a structure along a longitudinal axis of the structure is provided. The optical fiber is disposed such that at least one complete helical turn of the optical fiber covers the length of the structure. Further, the sensing system also includes a fiber Bragg grating (FBG) set comprising a plurality of FBGs in the optical fiber. Each FBG in the set is configured to generate reflected light that is indicative of strain values at a location of each respective FBG on the optical fiber. Furthermore, the system also includes a processing system coupled to the optical fiber. The processing system is configured to determine location coordinates of each FBG and values of one or more of bending moment, tensile force, and torsional moment acting at each FBG location on the optical fiber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventor: Mahadevan Balasubramaniam