Patents Examined by Lisa M. Caputo
  • Patent number: 11686708
    Abstract: A system for non-destructive testing of a bond condition of concrete beams reinforced by steel rods is described. The system includes a transducing transmitter, a transducing receiver, and an ultrasonic pulse generator configured to generate drive signals for the transducing transmitter and receive a plurality vibrational waves at the transducing receiver. The system further includes a computing device including a measurement circuit configured to record a transit time for each vibrational wave and divide a distance between the transducing transmitter and the transducing receiver by the transit time to determine a pulse velocity of each vibrational wave, a comparison circuit configured to identify a highest pulse velocity of the vibrational waves and compare each highest pulse velocity to a first reference pulse velocity, and a decision circuit including an artificial neural network configured to identify a compromised bond condition around a steel rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University
    Inventor: Muhammad Saleem
  • Patent number: 11686602
    Abstract: A method of providing a hybrid distributed fiber optic sensing system (DFOS) that extends an existing fiber optic telecommunications network thereby providing that existing fiber optic telecommunications network with DFOS capabilities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignees: NEC Corporation, Verizon Patent and Licensing Inc.
    Inventors: Ming-Fang Huang, Ting Wang, Tiejun Xia, Glenn Wellbrock, Yoshiaki Aono
  • Patent number: 11680856
    Abstract: A controller configured for detecting a disturbance using a comparison of outputs of at least two sensors and for determining a pressure from the outputs of the at least two sensors. A ratio of the measurement sensitivity and the disturbance sensitivity should be different for the at least two sensors. A method for monitoring disturbances of a sensor assembly includes comparing the outputs of the at least two sensors. The controller and related method provide, while requiring only two sensors, a redundant system that is also able to detect excessive disturbances on a sensor assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: MELEXIS TECHNOLOGIES NV
    Inventors: Johan Vergauwen, Ben Maes, Maliheh Ramezani, Appolonius Jacobus Van Der Wiel
  • Patent number: 11674862
    Abstract: A pressure sensing unit, a capacitive hybrid sensor device, and an input apparatus using the same are provided. The pressure sensing unit for detecting pressing events includes a pressure sensing pad group and a floating conductive element. The pressure sensing pad group includes a first pressure sensing pad, a second pressure sensing pad, and a ground pad that are spaced apart from one another. The first and second pressure sensing pads are electrically shielded from each other by the ground pad. One among the floating conductive element and the pressure sensing pad group is configured to be movable in a movement direction relative to another one among the floating conductive element and the pressure sensing pad group. The floating conductive element overlaps with the pressure sensing pad group in the movement direction. Therefore, a signal-to-noise ratio can be increased and an erroneous detection can be prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: PIXART IMAGING INC.
    Inventors: Che-Chia Hsu, Yu-Han Chen, Chi-Chieh Liao
  • Patent number: 11672426
    Abstract: A photoacoustic imaging system is disclosed that includes an ergodic relay coupled optically to a light source configured to produce a light pulse and further coupled acoustically to a transducer. The ergodic relay is further configured to direct at least two PA signals to the transducer. Each of the at least two PA signals are produced at different positions within the field of view of the object to be imaged in response to illumination by a single light pulse. The transducer detects each of the at least two PA signals after each of at least two delays that correspond to the position at which each PA signal was produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Lihong Wang, Yang Li, Lei Li
  • Patent number: 11676802
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein include a substrate support having a sensor assembly, and processing chamber having the same. In one embodiment, a substrate support has a puck. The puck has a workpiece support surface and a gas hole exiting the workpiece support surface. A sensor assembly is disposed in the gas hole and configured to detect a metric indicative of a deflection of a workpiece disposed on the workpiece support surface, wherein the sensor assembly is configured to provide the benefit of allowing gas to flow past the sensor assembly when positioned in the gas hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Wendell Glenn Boyd, Jr., Govinda Raj, Matthew James Busche
  • Patent number: 11668681
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a detection system is provided that detects a state of a structure consisting of a first member that supports a traveling surface along which a vehicle travels from downward; a second member provided on an opposite side of the traveling surface with respect to the first member; and a welded portion that is provided along an end of the second member facing the first member and fixes the first member and the second member. The detection system includes: a first sensor group including first AE sensors; a second sensor group including second AE sensors; and a position orientator that performs separately a first determination that determines a generation source position of elastic waves based on the detection results of the first AE sensors and a second determination that determines the generation source position of elastic waves based on the detection results of the second AE sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Takashi Usui, Kazuo Watabe, Takahiro Omori, Hidefumi Takamine, Akihiro Kasahara
  • Patent number: 11668632
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for generating a controlled, predictable, reproducible and variable-size distribution of particulate matter (PM), particle number (PN) and/or facsimile/simulation, derived from vaporizing and condensing a specialized liquid, utilizing a vapor delivery device; a filter capability so as to remove a significant amount of ambient PM/PN as a secondary calibration process for the identification of fine and ultra-fine particles (e.g., 0.3 micrometers and smaller) as well as a computer-controlled ability to perform a pre-determined series of calibration routines, housed in a container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: 3DATX Corporation
    Inventors: Karl Ropkins, David Miller, John William Hynd, Jodi Miller, Craig Pfister, Andrew Burnette, Gurdas Sandhu
  • Patent number: 11668616
    Abstract: A stretchable sensor skin is provided, which is a soft tactile sensor sleeve that can cover large areas of a robot, and is both low-cost and robust. It is made of elastomer molded pouches (referred to as sensor taxels) that when contacted transmit pneumatic pressure to off-board barometric sensors, via stretchable channels. The entirely soft makeup of the sleeve makes it highly conformable to 3D curved geometries of a robot. The stretchable channels mean that it can cover joints without wiring getting caught. The stretchable rubber channels are also inherently more robust than stretchable conductor approaches, and the skin lacks fragile soft-rigid interfaces that has plagued many other sensor skins. The fact that there are no conductive components also makes the skin easy to sanitize and waterproof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University
    Inventors: Alexander M. Gruebele, Michael A. Lin, Mark R. Cutkosky, Daniel C. Brouwer
  • Patent number: 11660096
    Abstract: Some systems and methods for operating a vessel occlusion catheter may include a control and inflation device to control the filling of the balloon in such a manner that the vessel wall will not be overstressed while the safe occlusion of the blood vessel is achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: Miracor Medical SA
    Inventors: Jon H. Hoem, Oliver A. Kohr
  • Patent number: 11660404
    Abstract: A nebulizer has an aperture plate, a mounting, an actuator, and an aperture plate drive circuit (2-4). A controller measures an electrical drive parameter at each of a plurality of measuring points, each measuring point having a drive frequency; and based on the values of the parameter at the measuring points makes a determination of optimum drive frequency and also an end-of-dose prediction. The controller performs a short scan at regular sub-second intervals at which drive current is measured at two measuring points with different drive frequencies. According to drive parameter measurements at these points the controller determines if a full scan sweeping across a larger number of measuring points should be performed. The full scan provides the optimum drive frequency for the device and also an end of dose indication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: Stamford Devices Limited
    Inventors: Joseph Grehan, Niall Smith
  • Patent number: 11662263
    Abstract: A pressure sensor includes a housing, an isolator positioned at a first end of the housing, and a first cavity formed between the first end of the housing and the isolator. The pressure sensor further includes a second cavity formed in the housing and a channel with a first end fluidly connected to the first cavity and a second end fluidly coupled to the second cavity. A pressure sensor chip is positioned in the second cavity and includes a first diaphragm positioned at a top side of the pressure sensor chip laterally outwards from the second end of the channel to prevent a fluid from jetting onto the first diaphragm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: ROSEMOUNT AEROSPACE INC.
    Inventors: David P. Potasek, Ulf J. Jonsson
  • Patent number: 11662256
    Abstract: A temperature drift compensation method includes pre-aging a thermocouple, during which the thermocouple is subjected to temperatures and/or pressures that cause or facilitate an oxidation growth on the conductor elements of the thermocouple. During the pre-aging, temperature readings of the thermocouple are recorded, and a model including a time-based exponential expression is derived from the temperature readings. In addition, a temperature sensor system includes a pre-aged thermocouple, and a temperature compensation circuit that modifies initial temperature readings from the pre-aged thermocouple according to a model including a time-based exponential expression.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE CORPORATION
    Inventors: John Joseph Costello, Robert C. Dalley, Kenneth L. Graham
  • Patent number: 11662448
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for reducing a transient glitch in ultrasound applications are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a transducer to (A) output a signal during a transmit phase and (B) receive a reflected signal corresponding to the signal during a receive phase; a receiver switch coupled to the transducer at a first node, the receiver switch to (A) open during the transmit phase and (B) close during the receive phase; and a clamp coupled to the transducer at the first node, the clamp to provide a high impedance during the transmit phase and the receive phase and provide a low impedance during a transient phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Ravikumar Pattipaka, Raja Sekhar Kanakamedala, Aravind Miriyala, Vajeed Nimran P A, Sandeep Kesrimal Oswal
  • Patent number: 11656160
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an apparatus for sampling at least one analyte from a sampling fluid. The apparatus includes: a solid-phase microextraction (SPME) sampling instrument. A connector is attached to the SPME sampling instrument and is coupleable to an aerial drone. The apparatus includes a protective cover that is sized and shaped to at least partially surround the SPME sampling instrument. The SPME sampling instrument and the protective cover are movable in relation to each other between a protecting configuration and a sampling configuration. The SPME sampling instrument and the protective cover are (i) biased in the protecting configuration when the density of the fluid surrounding the SPME sampling instrument is less than the density of the sampling fluid; and (ii) biased in the sampling configuration when the density of the fluid surrounding the SPME sampling instrument is equal to or greater than the density of the sampling fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: JP SCIENTIFIC LIMITED
    Inventor: Janusz Pawliszyn
  • Patent number: 11656222
    Abstract: A sensor using ultrasound to detect presence and nature of analyte includes an ultrasonic element and a receptor thereon. The ultrasonic element includes a first electrode, a second electrode facing and spaced apart from the first electrode, an insulating layer between the first electrode and the second electrode, and a vibrating film between the insulating layer and the first electrode. The vibrating film carries the first electrode. A cavity is formed between the vibrating film and the insulating layer. The receptor is on a side of the first electrode away from the second electrode. The receptor can combine with a target substance in a test analyte. When the first electrode and the second electrode are applied with different voltages, certain ultrasound frequencies are generated as the vibrating film vibrates, and the presence and weight of different target substances are indicated by the changes in resonance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hsin-Hua Lin, Wei-Chih Chang, Po-Li Shih, Chao-Chun Yang, I-Min Lu
  • Patent number: 11656203
    Abstract: A system and method for determining when a sand separator should be purged to remove solids from the sand separator. The system can include an acoustic sensor which detects the frequency of audible sound coming from the inner chamber of the vessel and generate a signature signal representative of the frequency of audible sound. There is a processor connected to the acoustic sensor and configured to compare the signature signal with a set frequency range of audible sound which in turn generates a signal indicating when the signature frequency and the set frequency are in overlapping relationship.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: Batfer Investment S.A.
    Inventor: Jason Pitcher
  • Patent number: 11650141
    Abstract: An actuator control system, mechanical testing system, and method for adaptive control of an actuator of a mechanical testing device is provided. The method includes applying a mechanical load to the specimen with the actuator, resulting in receiving a load sensor signal from a load sensor and a displacement sensor signal from a displacement sensor, deriving lumped dynamics of the mechanical testing device by analyzing a phase and magnitude relationship between a current command of a motor of the mechanical testing device and a resultant deflection of the specimen, and controlling the actuator based on the derived lumped dynamics of the mechanical testing device such that the controlling results in a stable motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: WATERS TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kevin Alstrin
  • Patent number: 11650181
    Abstract: An apparatus which includes a mounting, a plurality of detectors provided to detect a condition of at least on parameter indicative of presence of one or more materials in a gutter channel and data processing capabilities. A sequence of signals are transmitted and received when the apparatus is in a detection mode, and the data processing analyses the received signals to provide an indication if a material is detected as being present in the channel and, if detected, a type of the material. On the basis of this analysis and identification of material, decision can be made as to whether any remedial action is required to clear the material and/or decide upon an ongoing monitoring and maintenance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: HD SHARMAN LTD
    Inventors: Mark De Rozarieux, Jakob Moeller-Jensen
  • Patent number: 11650142
    Abstract: A measuring system for reducing the effort necessary to measure tree strength that includes support posts, a winding device configured to wind a cable supported by the support posts, a winding device configured to wind the cable, a hoisting device coupled to the cable and configured to move in air when the cable is wound by the winding device, and a measuring device hung from the hoisting device and configured to measure the strength of a tree.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Kazuo Suyama