Patents Examined by Mark Shabman
  • Leak detector
    Patent number: 11359990
    Abstract: A leak detector includes a leak sensor. The leak sensor includes a bottom ground plane, a porous bottom dielectric substrate arranged on the bottom ground plane, a conductor arranged on the porous bottom substrate, a top dielectric substrate arranged on the conductor, and a top ground plane arranged on the top dielectric substrate. The leak detector also includes readout circuitry electrically coupled to the conductor. The readout circuitry is configured to measure a change in electrical properties in at least the porous bottom dielectric substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: KING ABDULLAH UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Muhammad Akram Karimi, Atif Shamim
  • Determining a change in volume of fluid added or removed from a vessel
    Patent number: 11353353
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus (5) for determining a change in volume within a vessel (11) with regard to fluid (14) being added or removed from the vessel. The method involves measuring first and second surface levels (20, 20?) of fluid (14) within the vessel (11) (with regard to fluid being added or removed therefrom), first and second roll values (23, 23?) of the vessel, and first and second pitch values (26, 26?) of the vessel. From these measurements, and in conjunction with the known interior dimensions and known interior total volume of the vessel, there are calculated first and second fluid volumes that are compared to determine a change in fluid within the vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Inventor: Chad Daloia
  • Method and system for checking an oil for an internal combustion engine, in particular of a motor vehicle
    Patent number: 11346834
    Abstract: A method for checking an oil as a lubricant for an internal combustion engine includes: performing a laboratory test in which, independently of the internal combustion engine, a three-dimensional temperature-viscosity-shear rate characteristic field which characterizes the oil is determined, which includes a plurality of viscosities, shear rates and temperatures of the oil determined experimentally by the laboratory test and in each case associates shear rates and viscosities with the temperatures; checking whether the temperature-viscosity-shear rate characteristic field meets at least one predeterminable first criterion; and if the temperature-viscosity-shear rate characteristic field meets the first criterion: performing at least one test bench trial in which, via the internal combustion engine, it is checked whether the oil meets at least one predeterminable second criterion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Michael Rampfl
  • Grease interceptor level analyzer
    Patent number: 11340096
    Abstract: An analyzer for a grease interceptor for measuring levels of fat, oils, and grease (FOG), water, sludge and air having a probe which includes a controller and a sensor sub-unit. Sensor circuits include a microcontroller, timers, and sampling capacitors. The sensor sub-unit includes a plurality of electrode ring pairs coupled to a plurality of timers for converting capacitance measurements to frequencies under the control of a microprocessor in the controller. The frequencies identify the measured levels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: Water Analytics, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Spencer, Joseph Genovese, William J. Schneller, Robert A. Troiano, II
  • Multi-hole probe pressure sensors
    Patent number: 11340131
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatuses for taking pressure measurements are provided. A multi-hole pressure sensor probe can include a probe tip having a plurality of probe tip holes. The probe tip holes can lead to probe tip channels that convey fluid from the measurement environment to pressure transducers. The pressure transducers can operate using optical transduction techniques. A light source can be applied to the diaphragm, and the light reflected from the diaphragm changes as the position of the diaphragm changes. Further, a reflective material can be applied on the backside of the diaphragm to increase its reflective properties. The light can then be collected and analyzed using a photodiode to determine the environmental pressure acting on the different holes of the probe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA RESEARCH FOUNDATION, INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Haocheng Zhou, Mark Sheplak
  • Sensor bypass for gas meters
    Patent number: 11333540
    Abstract: A gas meter having a sensor module and at least one bypass module is described herein. In an example of the gas meter, an enclosure defines an interior cavity within which a manifold may be configured to include a sensor module connector, at least one bypass module connector, and an exhaust port. A sensor module may be connected to the sensor module connector of the manifold and may measure a flowrate through the sensor module and into the manifold. A bypass module may be connected to the bypass module connector of the manifold to bypass gas around the sensor module. A processor may be used to compute a gas flowrate through the meter using inputs including the measured flowrate and data based on the measured flowrate to adjust for gas that bypassed the sensor module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: Itron Global SARL
    Inventors: Christian Oskar Haag, Kanako Nenninger-Abe, Manfred Einhaus
  • Vibratory error compensation in a tuning fork gyroscope such as a Coriolis Vibratory Gyroscope (CVG)
    Patent number: 11333499
    Abstract: A gyroscope assembly includes a sense proof mass and a compensation proof mass. The sense proof mass has a sense frequency response in a sense dimension and is configured to move in a drive dimension in response to a drive signal, and to move in the sense dimension in response to experiencing an angular velocity about a sense input axis while moving in the drive dimension. And the compensation proof mass has, in the sense dimension, a compensation frequency response that is related to the sense frequency response.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel Endean
  • Fluid sensor and mass flow controller
    Patent number: 11334096
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a fluid sensor and a mass flow controller. The fluid sensor comprises at least two measuring tubes whose diameters have a proportional relationship. The fluid sensor provided by the present disclosure can guarantee measurement accuracy in a whole measurement range and also can improve device reliability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: BEIJING SEVENSTAR FLOW CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Qianyi Su, Zhihui Song, Zhengtang Chen
  • Aircraft weight and center of mass estimation system
    Patent number: 11320333
    Abstract: A system and various methods for determining a center of mass of an aircraft with a plurality of shock strut assemblies is illustrated. Multiple sensors, including a gas pressure sensor, and/or a position sensor, may be used to gather data and determine the center of mass of the aircraft. Various methods illustrated herein may evaluate the center of mass relative to a wheelbase axis and a wheel tread axis based on the gathered data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: Goodrich Corporation
    Inventors: Susanne M. Reber, Kevin Hawko, Amir Fazeli, Adnan Cepic
  • Magnetostrictive transmitter
    Patent number: 11313713
    Abstract: The present invention provides a sensor assembly for a magnetostrictive transmitter. The sensor assembly includes a holder, a substrate, a piezoelectric crystal, and a magnetostrictive wire. The piezoelectric crystal includes an inner surface. The piezoelectric crystal further includes a groove extending in the inner surface. A portion of the magnetostrictive wire is operable to be receive in the groove in the inner surface of the piezoelectric crystal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: Clark Reliance LLC
    Inventors: Syed Sultan, Steven R. McGuigan, Dennis M. Barrett
  • Contamination test rig
    Patent number: 11313753
    Abstract: System and methods are provided for a contamination test rig that includes a particle injection chamber including a pressure chamber, wherein a hopper, scale, and feeder are inside of the particle injection chamber, and wherein the test valve is disposed in a valve line that runs parallel to a by-pass line. A by-pass valve permits at least a portion of a mixture of air and contaminate particles to flow through the by-pass line instead of through the valve line when the by-pass valve is open, and prevents the mixture of air and contaminate particles from flowing through the by-pass line when closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Emily Holdmeyer, Bruce Crook
  • Plumbing stack leak test cell
    Patent number: 11300473
    Abstract: Semi-automated testing devices for a plumbing stack are disclosed. A semi-automated testing device in accordance with the present disclosure may comprise a transfer pump configured to automatically fill the plumbing stack; at least one automated gripping element configured to grip a supplemental pipe coupled to a pipe of the plumbing stack via a connection; at least one automated sealing element configured to seal the connection; and at least one sensor configured to measure a water level of the supplemental piping. A method of testing the plumbing stack with the semi-automated testing device is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: VBC Tracy LLC
    Inventors: Jack Cerenzia, Aaron Baker, Ramon Cardona, Braden Barranco
  • Electro-optic liquid sensor
    Patent number: 11300438
    Abstract: A method of operating an electro-optic sensor includes disposing at least a portion of the electro-optic sensor in a liquid chamber, providing light from a light source of the electro-optic sensor at a first intensity, driving a light detector of the electro-optic sensor at a first sensitivity level, receiving, via the light detector, a first amount of light from the light source; determining whether liquid is present in the liquid chamber according to the first amount of light, providing light from the light source at a second intensity, driving the light detector at a second sensitivity level, receiving, via the light detector, a second amount of light from the light source, and/or confirming whether liquid is present in the liquid chamber according to the second amount of light. The first sensitivity level may be different from the second sensitivity level. An electro-optic sensor is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited
    Inventors: Gregory Kopansky, David A. Weiser, Thomas C. Gross, Xin Pu
  • Method and system for detecting a fault condition in the measurement of the level of a medium in a tank
    Patent number: 11293796
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for detecting a fault condition in the measurement of the level of a medium in a tank having a floating roof. The method uses a radar level gauge to measure the level of the floating roof and a level measuring device to measure the level of the medium. The method includes recording the level of the floating roof during a defined time interval that comprises some filling/emptying cycles of the medium, recording the level of the medium during said time interval, determining the deviations between the level of the medium and the corresponding level of the floating roof, centering the deviations between the level of the medium and the level of the floating roof reduced by the thickness of the floating roof with the corresponding level data, and generating an alert message when the centered deviations exceed a tolerance threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: Endress+Hauser Group Services AG
    Inventor: Dimitri Vaissiere
  • Inspection apparatus and inspection method for inspecting whether or not there is leakage of three-way valve device
    Patent number: 11293830
    Abstract: The present invention includes: an inspection table configured to support a three-way valve device in such a state that a first opening and a second opening are sealed by a sealing member; a communication hole provided through the inspection table and configured to hermetically communicate with a third opening in a state wherein the three-way valve device is supported by the inspection table; an enclosure configured to cover the three-way valve device to form a sealed space except for the communication part; a helium-gas supply path for supplying a helium gas into the three-way valve device via the communication part and the third opening; a leak tester device configured to determine whether or not there is a leakage of the helium gas into the sealed space; and a helium-gas suction discharge path for suctioning and discharging the helium gas supplied via the third opening and the communication part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: Shinwa Controls Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Hirotaka Ikegami
  • Measuring device for measuring a mass flow rate of a material flow, method and measuring system
    Patent number: 11287300
    Abstract: A measuring device for measuring a mass flow rate of a material flow having a rotatably mounted, bladed measurement wheel for deflecting the material flow, a drive shaft for driving the measurement wheel, an output shaft rigidly connected to the measurement wheel, a bearing sleeve, surrounding at least part of the output shaft, for the rotatable mounting of the output shaft, a force-measuring apparatus, and a gearbox which has a first gearbox element and a second gearbox element, and an intermediate element for transmitting a torque from the first gearbox element to the second gearbox element. The measuring device has a rocker which is rigidly connected to the bearing sleeve and on which the intermediate element of the gearbox is mounted. The force-measuring apparatus is connected to the rocker, so that a force transmitted to the rocker can be measured by the force-measuring apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: Schenck Process Europe GmbH
    Inventor: Jens Kahle
  • Vibrator device
    Patent number: 11287260
    Abstract: A vibrator device includes: a vibrator element that includes a vibrator substrate including a vibrating arm, and an electrode arranged in the vibrator substrate; a base; a support substrate that includes a base mount fixed to the base, an element support that supports the vibrator element, and a beam that connects between the base mount and the element support, and supports the vibrator element relative to the base; a wiring pattern that is arranged in the support substrate, and is electrically connected to the vibrator element; and a buffer member that is arranged on the wiring pattern of the support substrate, and whose hardness is lower than that of the support substrate. Also the buffer member is arranged on a face of the support substrate, that opposes the vibrator element, and overlaps the vibrating arm in a plan view of the support substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Inventors: Masahiro Oshio, Keiichi Yamaguchi, Seiichiro Ogura, Ryuta Nishizawa
  • Piston assembly including leak detection in a dialysis machine
    Patent number: 11273246
    Abstract: Dialysis systems and methods for operating dialysis machines (e.g., peritoneal dialysis machines) for conducting dialysis treatments are disclosed. The dialysis system may include a dialysis machine for transferring dialysate to a patient from a dialysate source. The dialysate may flow from the dialysate source through a cartridge or cassette (e.g., a disposable cartridge or cassette) positionable within the dialysis machine. The dialysis machine includes a piston for pumping fluid (e.g., dialysate) from the cassette to the patient. In various embodiments, during use, the piston is arranged and configured to contact, compress, etc. a membrane defining one or more fluid chambers in the cassette. In one embodiment, the piston includes a sensor for detecting a leak at the interface between the piston and the membrane. The sensor may be a capacitive sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: Fresenius Mesical Care Holdings, Inc.
    Inventor: Kulwinder S. Plahey
  • Monitoring the state of a coil in a sensor
    Patent number: 11275010
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for monitoring state of a coil having at least two connection wires, which coil is part of an apparatus for determining at least one process variable of a medium in a containment, as well as relating to an apparatus for executing the method. The method, in such case, includes method steps as follows: ascertaining a desired-value of an ohmic total resistance for the coil and the connection wires, supplying the coil with an electrical excitation signal and receiving an electrical, received signal from the coil by means of the two connection wires, ascertaining an actual-value of the ohmic total resistance based at least on the received signal, and comparing the actual-value with the desired-value and ascertaining a state indicator based on the comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: Endress+Hauser SE+Co. KG
    Inventors: Raphael Kuhnen, Ralf Wacker, Izabella Sandor
  • Method of calibrating a sensor on a work vehicle
    Patent number: 11274416
    Abstract: A work vehicle including a body, an operational frame movable relative to the body about a primary joint, a linkage arrangement configured to adjust a position of the operational frame relative to the body, and a working implement coupled to the operational frame and movable relative to the body. A first sensor is positioned on the body. A second sensor is positioned on at least one of the operational frame, the linkage arrangement, and the working implement. A processor is configured to receive a first signal from the first sensor, where the first signal is representative of a measurement sensed by the first sensor, receive a second signal from the second sensor, where the second signal is representative of a measurement sensed by the second sensor, and determine a measurement error of the first sensor based on the signals from the first sensor and the second sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: David A. Veasy, Craig Christofferson, Michael D. Peat, Lance R. Sherlock