Patents Examined by Lisa M. Caputo
  • Patent number: 11619572
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a durometer enabling a contact portion in contact with an object to perform smooth piston motion. The durometer includes a main body unit including a movable unit pressed continuously against an object to be measured, a first sensor outputting acceleration information corresponding to an acceleration of movement of a contact part of the object to be measured in contact with the movable unit in a pressing direction, a second sensor outputting reactive force information corresponding to a reactive force at the contact part of the object to be measured in contact with the movable unit, a motor, a crank mechanism driven by the motor and causing the main body unit and the movable unit to perform piston motion, and at least one buffering member disposed on a periphery of the main body unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: Maxell, Ltd.
    Inventors: Akihiko Kandori, Yuko Sano, Yuhua Zhang, Shigemitsu Ando, Mitsunobu Watanabe, MItsuo Okimoto
  • Patent number: 11619523
    Abstract: A method for the non-destructive localization of underground optical fiber cables that utilizes distributed fiber optic sensing (DFOS) and time difference of arrival (TDOA) data associated with received signals of impulsive surface vibrations to localize the underground optical fiber cable by solving non-linear least square optimization problem(s). The method utilizes only TDOA information of received signals of impulsive surface vibrations to determine such localizations and does not require synchronization between a vibration source and DFOS receiver. The method may employ man-made impulsive vibrations to determine the localization. In operation the method involves 1) impulse-like vibration excitation and signal collection; 2) TDOA estimation of the received signals from DFOS; and 3) non-linear least square optimization applied to the TDOA information for underground optical fiber localization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Inventors: Ming-Fang Huang, Hansi Liu, Ting Wang
  • Patent number: 11614377
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a transparent and highly sensitive pressure sensor with improved linearity and pressure sensitivity including: a first substrate on which a micropattern having pyramidal structures is formed; a first electrode layer coated on the micropattern of the first substrate; a second substrate stacked on the first electrode layer; and a second electrode layer stacked on the second substrate, wherein the first substrate and the second substrate show a difference in light refractive index of 10% or less in the visible light region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: KOREA ADVANCED INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Steve Park, Han Byul Choi, Jin Won Oh, Jun Chang Yang
  • Patent number: 11614351
    Abstract: A cartridge-style flow sensor for sensing fluid flow. The flow sensor includes an exterior, interior, head, base, a circuit board, and first and second ports. The first and second ports permit fluid to flow into and out of the interior. A Hall Effect Sensor in the interior detects the number of revolutions of an impeller. An electric coupler interfaces with the sensor and a transmitter for communication of the revolutions of the impeller to a controller. The controller determines the rate of fluid flow in a conduit. The controller automatically issues a command signal to a component of a hydraulic system to alter the rate of fluid flow in the conduit. The cartridge-style hydraulic flow sensor is releasably engaged to a cavity of a hydraulic circuit manifold eliminating the need to cut and re-plumb a fluid conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Inventor: Dale Dietel
  • Patent number: 11614372
    Abstract: A load sensor having a centrally disposed aperture element through which a fastening element of a vehicle air suspension assembly passes to affix the load sensor between the vehicle air suspension assembly and the vehicle suspension, wherein the load sensor has a force measurement sensor disposed proximate an elongate slot to generate a load signal which varies based on an amount of strain in the load sensor, wherein the load signal received by a load calculator allows calculation of the load exerted from the vehicle frame to the vehicle suspension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: Driving Innovations, LLC
    Inventor: Timothy James Scott
  • Patent number: 11615367
    Abstract: A flexible sensor label including a reservoir chamber configured to store an activation medium. The flexible sensor label includes an irreversible chamber configured to store a first indicator medium. The first indicator medium is altered in response to the activation medium being released and the flexible sensor label being exposed to a first condition associated with the first indicator medium. The flexible sensor label includes a reversible chamber configured to store a second indicator medium. The second indicator medium is altered in response to the activation medium being released and the flexible sensor label being exposed to a second condition associated with the second indicator medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: Emerson Digital Cold Chain, Inc.
    Inventor: Casimir E. Lawler, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11611814
    Abstract: A temperature monitor, a system, and a method monitor temperature on a roof. The temperature monitor includes a base for attaching to the roof, a temperature sensor for detecting changes in temperature, the temperature sensor is attached to the base and positioned periodically on the base, and a roof sensor device attached to the base for transmitting measurement data received from the temperature sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Inventors: Xuewen Zhu, Jiang Li, Jianbin Xiao, John Petrachek
  • Patent number: 11609210
    Abstract: A monitoring device for a battery pack, which includes a plurality of battery cells, has at least one ultrasound source and at least one ultrasound sensor. The ultrasound source can be configured to generate and direct ultrasound at one or more battery cells of the battery pack. The ultrasound sensor can be configured to detect ultrasound reflected from or transmitted through one or more cells of the battery pack. A battery management unit receives one or more signals from the ultrasound sensor responsive to the detected ultrasound. The battery management unit can be configured to determine a state of the battery pack based at least in part on the detected ultrasound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: University of Maryland, College Park
    Inventors: Bhanu Sood, Michael G. Pecht, Michael D. Osterman
  • Patent number: 11609133
    Abstract: An object is to reduce the influence of noise due to electric conduction carriers trapped between the surface of a silicon substrate and an oxide and thus achieve strain detection with a high S/N ratio. This semiconductor strain detection element includes: a silicon substrate; and a first impurity diffusion layer having a conduction type different from the silicon substrate, the first impurity diffusion layer being formed inside under a surface of the silicon substrate, wherein an amount of strain in the silicon substrate is detected on the basis of change in a resistance of the first impurity diffusion layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Takaki Sugino, Koji Tanimoto, Yuji Kawano
  • Patent number: 11609196
    Abstract: A subsurface monitoring system and method is provided for measuring a rate of change in an amount of a reactive material within a subsurface formation using measurements of thermal parameters at one or more positions within the subsurface without the need for background correction which may lead erroneous calculations and require additional monitoring equipment. The measured thermal parameters may be used to determine the heat generated by the degradation of the reactive material. The method may include measuring a first temperature near the surface of a subsurface region and a second temperature further from the surface. In some instances, an estimated location of a planar subsurface heat source/sink due to exothermic degradation reactions within the subsurface may be selected. With the derived thermal parameters and the estimated location of the subsurface heat source/sink, change rates for the reactive materials in the subsurface region may be determined or estimated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY RESEARCH FOUNDATION
    Inventors: Thomas C. Sale, Kayvan Karimi Askarani
  • Patent number: 11608190
    Abstract: A support panel assembly includes a lower panel, an upper panel pivotally coupled to the lower panel by a central pedestal, and a first pressure sensor coupled to the central pedestal. In at least one example, the central pedestal is formed of an elastomeric material. In at least one example, bumpers extend downwardly from a lower surface of the upper panel. In at least one example, a sealing closeout extends around peripheral edges of the lower panel and the upper panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventor: Jamie J. Childress
  • Patent number: 11604101
    Abstract: A temperature measuring circuit, measuring apparatus and a measuring method thereof relating to the field of electronic circuits. The temperature measuring circuit includes control unit, wherein the control unit includes a first current output interface, a second current output interface, a first input/output interface, a second input/output interface, and a third input/output interface. Further, the first current output interface and the first input/output interface of the control unit are respectively electrically connected to a first interface of a temperature sensor; the second current output interface and the second input/output interface of the control unit are respectively electrically connected to a second interface of the temperature sensor; and the third input/output interface of the control unit is electrically connected to a third interface of the temperature sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignees: Gree Electric Appliances (Wuhan) Co., Ltd., Gree Electric Appliances, Inc. of Zhuhai
    Inventors: Pei Qian, Xiantao Zhu, Wenbo Liu, Baolin Zhou, Wanxing Chen, Shuanglin Guo, Haibin Liu, Zifeng Liang, Guohui Hu, Luping Zhong, Yanjun Peng
  • Patent number: 11602128
    Abstract: An ear tag module includes a rod member, a spike, a circuit component, and a temperature sensor. The spike is disposed on one side of the rod member, and the circuit component is disposed on another side of the rod member. The temperature sensor is electrically connected to the circuit component. When the spike penetrates an ear, the ear is in contact with a sensing area of the rod member, and the temperature sensor is located in the rod member to detect a temperature of the ear and transmit at least one temperature sensing information to the circuit component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Shu-Jung Yang, Yu-Lin Chao, Chih-Chung Chiu, Heng-Chieh Chien
  • Patent number: 11604105
    Abstract: An adhesive strain sensing pod includes at least one strain sensor, electronics for electrically sensing at least one strain signal from the at least one strain sensor, and a sensor adhesive for adhering the strain sensor to a surface of a structural element. The pod may have a protective case for protecting the strain sensor and the electronics and for transferring at least part of a force, pressing the pod against the surface, to press the strain sensor against the surface. The sensor adhesive may be a liquid adhesive contained in a fragile pouch that ruptures when the pod is forced against the surface, or may be a thermally activated adhesive film that is activated to bond the strain sensor to the surface. A protective film may protect the sensor adhesive prior to installation of the pod and is removed prior to installation of the pod on the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: 4IIII INNOVATIONS INC.
    Inventors: Kipling William Fyfe, James Hildebrandt, Ken Fyfe, Anna Miasnikova
  • Patent number: 11604294
    Abstract: A system for measuring a number of layers in a layered environment includes an ultrasound transducer positioned at an exterior surface of a first layer at a first location. At least one receiving sensor is positioned perpendicular to the exterior surface of the first layer at a second location. The ultrasound transducer and the at least one receiving sensor are in communication with a computer processor, power source, and computer-readable memory. The ultrasound transducer is configured to emit a first ultrasound signal into the first layer at the first location. The at least one receiving sensor is configured to receive a plurality of propagated ultrasound signals. The processor is configured to determine a total number of layers in the layered environment based on at least one from the set of: a number of signals received and a number of propagation direction changes only of the first ultrasound signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: PERCEPTIVE SENSOR TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Lazar Bivolarsky, Joel D. Burcham, William Coleman, James M. Heim
  • Patent number: 11598676
    Abstract: Provided herein is a tungsten-rhenium composite thin film thermocouple based on a surface micropillar array with gas holes. A tungsten-rhenium thin film thermocouple is arranged on a surface of a flat alumina ceramic substrate. Two tails of the tungsten-rhenium thin film thermocouple are respectively connected to a lead wire. A surface of the tungsten-rhenium thin film thermocouple is arrayed with a plurality of micron alumina micropillars to form an alumina micropillar array. Air is filled between the micron alumina micropillars to form the gas holes. The flat alumina ceramic substrate, the tungsten-rhenium thin film thermocouple and the alumina micropillar array form a three-layered laminated structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: XI'AN JIAOTONG UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Zhongkai Zhang, Bian Tian, Bingfei Zhang, Jiangjiang Liu, Zhaojun Liu, Libo Zhao
  • Patent number: 11596146
    Abstract: An embalming machine including a housing, at least one fluid tank supported by the housing, a plurality of hose segments disposed at least partially within the housing, a centrifugal fluid transfer pump, a pressure gauge, and a first solenoid is disclosed. The pump is engaged with at least one hose segment of the plurality of hose segments. The pressure gauge is configured to read a pressure of the fluid flowing therethrough. The first solenoid is configured to allow fluid to flow therethrough when current is applied to the first solenoid, and is configured to prevent fluid from flowing therethrough when no current is applied to the first solenoid, wherein the centrifugal fluid transfer is controlled to improve displacement output and pressure of embalming fluid entering a cadaver during an embalming process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Inventor: Joseph Mario Bernaudo
  • Patent number: 11592424
    Abstract: A system for inspecting flexible pipelines comprises a data analyzer, a data collector and an ultrasonic transducer. Further, the ultrasonic transducer is adapted to propagate shear wave into the annulus of the flexible pipeline. The data collector further comprises a data store and a communicator. Further, the system is capable of differentiating flooding and non-flooding condition of the annulus of the flexible pipeline which is subjected to high pressure. Using the system, an indicator of a flooded or non-flooded condition within the flexible pipeline may be calculated using transmitted and detected reflective waves or the lack of detected reflective waves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: Oceaneering International, Inc.
    Inventors: Vilmar da Silva do Vale, Rohit Bali, Samik Das, Sheethal Sasidharan, Vikrant Verma
  • Patent number: 11592349
    Abstract: Example apparatuses and systems for a combined temperature and pressure sensing device with improved electronic protection are provided. An example apparatus includes a media isolation chamber assembly having a sleeve member and a bellows member, a first circuit board element disposed in the bellows member and encapsulated by insulator media in the bellows member, a pressure sensing element disposed in the bellows member and electrically coupled to the first circuit board element; and a temperature sensing element disposed in the sleeve member and electrically coupled to the first circuit board element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Palani Thanigachalam, Vijayakumar S, Nirmala H J
  • Patent number: 11592341
    Abstract: The invention relates to a measurement device 1 comprising a rotatable magnetic object 4 which can oscillate with a resonant frequency if excited by an external magnetic torque. The measurement device 1 is adapted such that the resonant frequency depends on the temperature or on another physical or chemical quantity like pressure, in order to allow for a wireless temperature measurement or measurement of the other physical or chemical quantity via an external magnetic field providing the external magnetic torque. This measurement device can be relatively small, can be read-out over a relatively larger distance and allows for a very accurate measurement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Bernhard Gleich, Juergen Erwin Rahmer