Patents Examined by Mark H Paschall
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Patent number: 10926353Abstract: A method and system is provided for laser piercing of thick plate material that allows for rapid transition to a cutting operation that can reliably produce a piercing hole and complete a cutting operation of the intended shape in a short time, while improving the cutting quality of the cutting after switching from the piercing operation. The cutting nozzle has a centrally located laser. The piercing operation applies a laser beam to the cut work while axially supplied pure oxygen gas is applied towards the cutting work. Additionally, a direction controlled nozzle adjacent the main cutting port provides a discharge of high pressure compressed air non-axially relative to the cutting operation to clear excess molten metal and debris from the kerf thereby increasing the efficiency of the piercing and shortening the cycle time.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2017Date of Patent: February 23, 2021Assignee: Prima Power Laserdyne, LLCInventors: Chris Rasmussen, Mohammed Naeem, Jacob Williams, Terrence Schmidt
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Patent number: 10925315Abstract: An electrically operated aerosol-generating system configured to detect an adverse conditions, such as a dry heater or an unauthorized type of heater, is provided, including an electric heater including at least one heating element configured to heat an aerosol-forming substrate, a power supply, and electric circuitry connected to the electric heater and to the power supply and comprising a memory, the electric circuitry being configured to determine the adverse condition when a ratio between an initial electrical resistance of the electric heater and a change in electrical resistance from the initial resistance is greater than a maximum threshold value stored in the memory or is less than a minimum threshold value stored in the memory, and to limit power supplied to the electric heater, or to provide an indication to a user, if there is the adverse condition.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2016Date of Patent: February 23, 2021Assignee: Philip Morris Products S.A.Inventor: Stephane Bilat
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Patent number: 10927821Abstract: Examples are generally directed to techniques for controlling a temperature of a blade in a wind turbine system. One example of the present disclosure is a method of controlling a temperature of a blade in a wind turbine system. The method includes setting a target temperature, inputting physical conditions of the blade and ambient conditions about the blade into a processor, outputting a minimum amount of energy to a heating element of the blade required to reach the target temperature based on the physical conditions and ambient conditions, and adjusting the energy provided to the heating element to reach the target temperature.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2017Date of Patent: February 23, 2021Assignee: VESTAS WIND SYSTEMS A/SInventors: Paul Badger, Luke Spandley, Stephen Buggy, Karl Gregory
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Patent number: 10920996Abstract: Disclosed is a method for detecting domestic hot water use by a sanitary fitting during an observation period by analysing data relative to volumes of water passing through a water meter, the method including: receiving a first item of data, noted V?1, representing the maximum volume of fluid measured over a predetermined period, preferably equal to 5 minutes; receiving a second item of data, noted V?2, representing the maximum volume of fluid measured by the meter during another predetermined period, preferably equal to 15 minutes; and detecting that domestic hot water has been used when V?1>15 litres and V?2?20 litres.Type: GrantFiled: January 2, 2017Date of Patent: February 16, 2021Assignee: SUEZ GROUPEInventor: Hugues Haeffner
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Patent number: 10925120Abstract: An adaptable system for defogging a mirror in a steamy bathroom having a tube assembly with a plurality of openings with an impeller and a plurality of heating elements for blowing hot air through the openings onto the fogged mirror. In one example embodiment, the tube assembly has louvers directing the hot air from the openings. The system has a plurality of mounting assemblies configured for all types of mirrors operative for coupling to the tube assembly, such as a portable mounting assembly with a rechargeable battery that selectively attaches on or adjacent to a mirror. The system has an articulated arm mounting assembly in one example embodiment. The system has a mounting assembly fixture in another example embodiment. A kit comprises the tube assembly and at least one mounting assembly.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2019Date of Patent: February 16, 2021Inventor: Frank Winters
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Patent number: 10913429Abstract: An apparatus for clearing snow and ice is disclosed. The apparatus is provided at a windowpane or a side mirror or a windshield of a vehicle. The apparatus comprises a first layer and a second layer. The first layer or the second layer is removably coupled to the windowpane or the side mirror or the windshield. The apparatus comprises a heating element provided in between the first layer and the second layer. The apparatus further comprises a plug coupled to the heating element via a cable. Further, the plug is coupled to a receptacle provided at a dashboard of the vehicle. The plug inserted in the receptacle to introduce electricity into the heating element to increase the temperature of the heating element to clear the snow or ice formed on the windowpane or the side mirror or the windshield.Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 2018Date of Patent: February 9, 2021Inventor: James Neville
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Patent number: 10912152Abstract: A photographing apparatus for vehicle includes a photographing apparatus receiving photographing light passing through a window, a heater that is a heating wire generating heat when receiving electricity, a heated portion to which the heater is fixed, and a pair of electrical supply lines that is connected to both end portions of the heater respectively and supply the electricity to the heater. The heated portion releases radiation heat to the window when receiving heat from the heater. An amount of heat generated by the both end portions per unit time is smaller than an amount of heat generated by the heater's portion other than the both end portions. The both end portions of the heater are positioned on outer peripheral side with respect to the heated portion when viewed in a thickness direction of the heated portion.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 2018Date of Patent: February 2, 2021Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Ryuichi Shinkai
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Patent number: 10908195Abstract: A control system for controlling a heater includes a power converter, a sensor circuit, and a controller. The power converter supplies an adjustable power to the heater, and the sensor circuit is configured to measure an electrical characteristic of the heater. The controller is coupled to the power converter to control the power to the heater, and is configured to select a state model control, as an operation state of the heater, from among a plurality of defined state model controls. The controller controls the power supplied to the heater based on the operation state of the heater and on the electrical characteristics of the heater.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 2018Date of Patent: February 2, 2021Assignee: Watlow Electric Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Stanton Hopkins Breitlow, James Hentges, William Bohlinger, Matthew Yender, Keith Ness, Kurt Peterson, Eric Meech, Brittany Phillips, Larry Walters, Geoffrey Rozek
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Patent number: 10908196Abstract: The present disclosure is directed toward a control system for controlling a heater that includes at least one heating element. The control system includes a power converter operable to supply an adjustable voltage output to the heater, a sensor circuit that measures an electrical characteristic of the heating element of the heater, a reference temperature sensor that measures a reference temperature of a reference at the heater, and a controller. The controller is configured to calculate a primary temperature of a heater element based on the electrical characteristic and determines the voltage output to be applied to the heater based on at least one of the reference temperature and the primary temperature. The controller is configured to operate in at least one of an operation mode and a learn mode, and execute protection protocols when voltage is being supplied to the heater.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 2019Date of Patent: February 2, 2021Assignee: Watlow Electric Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Stanton Hopkins Breitlow, James Hentges, William Bohlinger, Matthew Yender, Keith Ness, Kurt Peterson, Eric Meech, Brittany Phillips, Larry Walters, Geoffrey Rozek
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Patent number: 10907838Abstract: A cooker hotplate control system, to heat to and maintain a foodstuff at a preset temperature the system comprising an electric hotplate; a power input to provide electricity to heat the hot plate and a controller to govern said power input; a temperature sensor to determine the temperature of the hotplate; an infrared sensor spatially separated from and to detect infrared radiation emitted by a foodstuff or a vessel containing a foodstuff on the hotplate; a first processor to determine the temperature of a foodstuff or a vessel from the detected infrared radiation and a first data storage means to store said data; a second processor, the second processor calculating the first and second time derivatives of the temperature data; a first fuzzy logic controller receiving as input the first and second time-derivative data from the second processor and producing an output to the controller, said output governing the amount of power supplied to the hotplate, the first fuzzy logic controller being active to bring aType: GrantFiled: November 30, 2015Date of Patent: February 2, 2021Assignee: King Abdulaziz UniversityInventors: Alessandro Ghelli, Hani Hagras, Daniyal Alghazzawi, Aysenur Bilgin, Ghadah Aldabbagh
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Patent number: 10905284Abstract: An apparatus for cooking food (10) includes a casing (14), a lid (20) and at least a support unit (11). The casing (14) has a compartment in which to insert a container (12) which may be temporally associated with the support unit (11), and the support unit (11) may be configured to temporally support the container (12) with respect to a support plane. The apparatus for cooking food (10) also includes a first heating unit (16a), a second heating unit (16b), a third heating unit (16c) and a weighing unit (18) associated with a control unit (36).Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 2016Date of Patent: February 2, 2021Assignee: DE'LONGHI APPLIANCES S.R.L. CON UNICO SOCIOInventors: Giuseppe De'Longhi, Gianpaolo Trevisan, Renzo Mazzon
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Patent number: 10897808Abstract: A filter device includes a plurality of coils of which central axes are spaced apart from one another and in parallel to one another and a plurality of ground members spaced apart from one another and extending in parallel to the central axes of the coils outside of the coils. Each of the coils is spaced apart from another coil closest thereto by a first distance. Each of the ground members is spaced apart from a coil closest thereto by a second distance. The number of ground members spaced apart from each of the coils by the second distance is the same.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 2017Date of Patent: January 19, 2021Assignee: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITEDInventors: Nozomu Nagashima, Naohiko Okunishi
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Patent number: 10897807Abstract: A cooling component suitable for cooling an electrical component disposed in a power source of a welding or cutting system includes a heat transfer surface, an inlet, an outlet, and a closed flow area. The heat transfer surface transfers heat away from the electrical component. The inlet receives process gas from a gas source and the outlet directs the process gas downstream towards a torch assembly. The closed flow area extends between the inlet and the outlet and is in thermal communication with the heat transfer surface so that the process gas enhances cooling of the electrical component as the process gas travels through the closed flow area, from the inlet to the outlet.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2018Date of Patent: January 19, 2021Assignee: The ESAB Group Inc.Inventor: Andrew Raymond
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Patent number: 10894612Abstract: The present disclosure relates systems and methods for treating various materials, such as carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP), with a Joule heating process so as to reduce or eliminate a risk of sparks or explosion due to lightning strikes. The disclosure also relates to an aircraft component with structures that have undergone a Joule heating process by way of the systems and methods described herein. An example method includes providing an electrode array having a first and second electrode set. Each of the electrode sets includes one or more disk-shaped electrodes that are arranged in an interdigitated, concentric stack about a central axis. The method also includes causing the electrode array to contact a conductive material. The method additionally includes causing a current source to provide electrical current through the first electrode set and the second electrode set so as to heat at least a portion of a conductive material.Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 2018Date of Patent: January 19, 2021Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventor: Shahriar Khosravani
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Patent number: 10881778Abstract: A medical treatment system, such as peritoneal dialysis system, may include control and other features to enhance patient comfort and ease of use. For example, a peritoneal dialysis system may include a control system that can adjust the volume of fluid infused into the peritoneal cavity to prevent the intraperitoneal fluid volume from exceeding a pre-determined amount. The control system can adjust by adding one or more therapy cycles, allowing for fill volumes during each cycle to be reduced. The control system may continue to allow the fluid to drain from the peritoneal cavity as completely as possible before starting the next therapy cycle. The control system may also adjust the dwell time of fluid within the peritoneal cavity during therapy cycles in order to complete a therapy within a scheduled time period.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 2018Date of Patent: January 5, 2021Assignee: DEKA Products Limited PartnershipInventors: Jacob W. Scarpaci, Robert J. Bryant, Jr., Geoffrey P. Spencer, David J. Hibbard, James D. Dale, John M. Kerwin, Andrew S. Coll, David A. Beavers, David W. McGill, Simon C. Helmore
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Patent number: 10883724Abstract: A temperature control system for appliances, such as an electric grill, air fryer, vacuum blender, convection oven, induction cooker (e.g., wok), coffeemaker, etc. The control system comprises digital circuitry for controlling temperature of the appliance, and includes a first safety component in the circuitry for stopping the heating function at a threshold parameter, such as a maximum temperature, and a second safety component in the circuitry for stopping the heating function at a second threshold temperature if the first safety component fails at the first threshold temperature. The first and second safety components, preferably switches or fuses, are connected in series to establish a redundant safety mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2018Date of Patent: January 5, 2021Assignee: NuWave, LLCInventors: Jung S. Moon, Byung Gab Choi, James Moon, Li Xiang Jun, Zeng Qing Ping, Kim Jong Rok, Luo Fei
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Patent number: 10879699Abstract: A power regulation circuit including an input from an alternating current (AC) power supply, a load element connected to the AC power supply input, a dummy power resistor connected in parallel with the load element, and a controller to dynamically control power to the load element and to the dummy power resistor in response to a variation in the power consumption of the load element.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2016Date of Patent: December 29, 2020Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.Inventors: David Soriano, Marc Soler, Marina Ferran
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Patent number: 10869974Abstract: An inhalation component generating device includes: a power supply; a load that evaporates or atomizes an inhalation component source by power from the power supply; and a control circuit that performs control based on an output of a temperature sensor. The control circuit performs: a process (a) of calculating power supply temperature on the basis of the output of the temperature sensor; and a process (b1) of determining whether the power supply temperature is in a first temperature range, and performing deterioration diagnosis on the power supply only in a case where the power supply temperature is in the range.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 2019Date of Patent: December 22, 2020Assignee: JAPAN TOBACCO INC.Inventor: Takeshi Akao
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Patent number: 10860005Abstract: There is provided a technique for detecting a fault of a device from an error in device data. According to the technique described herein, there is provided a substrate processing apparatus including: a pipe heater configured to heat a gas pipe; a temperature detecting unit provided at the pipe heater and configured to detect a temperature of the gas pipe; a control unit configured to control the pipe heater based on device data representing the temperature of the gas pipe measured by the temperature detecting unit by executing a process control program to adjust an electrical power applied to the pipe heater; a memory unit configured to store a monitored item table; and a device status monitoring unit configured to execute a device status monitoring program.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 2017Date of Patent: December 8, 2020Assignee: KOKUSAI ELECTRIC CORPORATIONInventors: Kazuhide Asai, Hiroyuki Iwakura, Hidemoto Hayashihara, Mitsuru Fukuda, Kazuyoshi Yamamoto, Kayoko Yashiki, Takayuki Kawagishi
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Patent number: 10856400Abstract: In some aspects, a plasma torch head for a plasma arc torch can include ports disposed within a base portion that are configured to receive fluids and electrical signals from a plasma torch lead via a plasma torch receptacle, the ports being shaped to align the torch head and the plasma torch receptacle during connection and including: a central coolant supply port to convey a liquid coolant to the torch head, the central coolant supply port extending a length to primarily align the plasma torch head with the torch receptacle, the central coolant supply port further including a flat surface shaped to secondarily align the torch head with the torch receptacle upon mating engagement, and an ohmic contact connector defining a tertiary alignment feature; and a connector disposed about the base portion shaped to engage with and couple to the torch receptacle.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2018Date of Patent: December 1, 2020Assignee: Hypertherm, Inc.Inventors: Brian J. Currier, Jeremy Beliveau, Stephen M. Liebold