Patents Examined by Masoud H Noori
  • Patent number: 11434105
    Abstract: A suspension member load sensor configured for use with a suspension member in an elevator system is provided. The suspension member load sensor includes a housing bounded by an upper cover plate and a lower cover plate. The upper cover plate and the lower cover plates are configured to receive a rod extending therethrough. The lower cover plate is configured to seat adjacent a mounting plate. A strain gauge is disposed within the housing and configured to produce an electrical signal commensurate with a load on the suspension member. A plurality of spaced apart projections extend outwardly from a lower surface of the lower cover plate. The projections are configured to define a location for the introduction of force into the load sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Inventor: Tim Ebeling
  • Patent number: 11402284
    Abstract: A toe dynamometer is configured to accurately and precisely measure toe extensor strength. The toe dynamometer includes a platform configured to accommodate a patient's foot, and a sensor assembly comprising a force sensor and a toe cap connected to the force sensor. The force sensor is configured to measure forces applied to the force sensor by toe flexion on the force sensor and from toe extension away on the force sensor through the toe cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: The Board of Regents of the University of Oklahoma
    Inventors: Hongwu Wang, Elizabeth Hile, Mustafa Ghazi
  • Patent number: 11274980
    Abstract: A hitch force monitoring system includes a hitch ball having a stem downward mountable to a vehicle drawbar. Two or more sensors are attached to the stem to respectively measure longitudinal and lateral forces on the hitch ball. A controller is communicatively coupled to the two or more sensors to receive the measured longitudinal and lateral forces and the user interface. The controller is communicatively coupled to a user interface device to indicate the measured longitudinal and lateral forces on the hitch ball that represent push, pull and sway forces of a trailer load attached to the hitch ball.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Inventor: Brandon Schamer
  • Patent number: 11199460
    Abstract: An example sensor device is provided. The sensor device includes (a) a substrate having a first end and a second end, wherein the substrate includes a contact portion, a first sensor portion positioned between the first end of the substrate and the contact portion, and a second sensor portion positioned between the second end of the substrate and the contact portion, (b) a first strain gauge sensor positioned at the first sensor portion, and (c) a second strain gauge sensor positioned at the second sensor portion, wherein the first end of the substrate and the second end of the substrate are configured to be coupled to a rigid curved surface, and wherein the sensor device is configured such that a force applied to the contact portion of the substrate will be sensed by each of the first strain gauge sensor and the second strain gauge sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignees: University of Washington, The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Jianzhu Yin, Jonathan Posner, Veronica J. Santos
  • Patent number: 11187598
    Abstract: A strain body according to an embodiment includes a central portion, an outer peripheral portion, connecting portions, strain sensors provided on main surfaces of the connecting portions, reference resistors provided on a main surface of the central portion, and constructing a bridge circuit with the strain sensors, an electrode for taking a detection signal of the bridge circuit, a lead wire making electric connection between the electrode and the outside, and an anisotropic conductive film provided between the electrode and the lead wire to make electric connection between a terminal of the electrode and a terminal of the lead wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: NIDEC COPAL ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Toyohiko Akata, Subei Shun, Shigeaki Shingyochi
  • Patent number: 11150153
    Abstract: A torque-sensing and transmitting device is provided. The device includes a transmission body, two vibration-damping members, two inner casings, two outer casings, a first circuit board module, and a battery module. The two inner casings are disposed on a shaft of the transmission body, and a vibration-damping member is disposed between the inner casing and the shaft. The first circuit board module is disposed in one of the two inner casings, and the first circuit board module is covered by a vibration-damping layer. The battery module is disposed on the other inner casing, and the battery module is covered by a vibration-damping layer. With the configuration of the vibration-damping member and the vibration-damping layer, this device solves the problem of the first circuit board module and the battery module being damaged due to vibration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: China Pneumatic Corporation
    Inventors: Hsiu-Feng Chu, Yu-Te Chu
  • Patent number: 11137298
    Abstract: An all-fabric iontronic supercapacitive pressure sensing device utilizing a novel iontronic nanofabric as the sensing element is disclosed. The sensing device can be applied in several various wearable health and biomedical applications on complex body topologies. As an alternative to conventional flexible sensors, the all-fabric iontronic pressure sensor provides an ultrahigh device sensitivity with a single Pascale resolution. The device also allows rapid mechanical responses (in the milliseconds range) for high-frequency biomechanical signals, e.g., blood pressure pulses and body movements. The fabrication process for the device is low-cost highly compatible with existing industrial manufacturing processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Tingrui Pan, Ruya Li, Benjamin Arthur Bazor
  • Patent number: 11125667
    Abstract: An embeddable seepage module capable of being embedded into an interface ring shear apparatus is disclosed, wherein: the seepage module includes an annular cylinder, a seepage pressure regulation system, a top plate and a bottom plate; the interface ring shear apparatus includes an upper shear box and a lower shear box; the annular cylinder, the top plate, the bottom plate, the upper shear box and the lower shear box form an internal pressure cavity and an external pressure cavity; the internal pressure cavity is able to realize the precise double control of the soil seepage pressure and water flow through the seepage pressure regulation system; the external pressure cavity is able to collect fine soil particles under pressure seepage. In the case of soil seepage-shear coupling, the seepage module is assembled firstly for seepage, and after completing the seepage, the external pressure cavity is removed for ring shear tests.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: ZHEJIANG UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Lizhong Wang, Zhen Guo, Shengjie Rui, Lingling Li, Yi Hong, Yujie Li, Wenjie Zhou
  • Patent number: 11112322
    Abstract: A bicycle has a spider including a torque input section and at least one torque output section; a crank assembly coupled with the spider through the torque input section and applying an input torque to the spider; a chainring mounted to the spider through the at least one torque output section and receiving an output torque from the spider; a gauge disposed and oriented generally along a tangential direction or a quasi-tangential direction with respect to the torque input section and the at least one torque output section; and a circuitry coupled to the gauge and receiving a signal from the gauge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: GIANT MANUFACTURING CO. LTD.
    Inventors: Chih-Kai Chang, Ching-Yao Lin
  • Patent number: 11109986
    Abstract: An improvement to a prosthetic device which provides a spring member between first and second structural members that are rotatably connected to one another, the spring member providing predictable resistance as it is compressed by the rotation of the first and second structural members with respect to each other. The known resistance of the spring is used as an input to a model controlling a motor control circuit to provide counter-torque as rotational torque is applied to compress the spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: Otto Bock Healthcare LP
    Inventors: Weston Smith, Christopher Morse, Paul Balutis
  • Patent number: 11041769
    Abstract: A method for calibrating an output of a torsional vibration transducer can include: providing a torsional vibration transducer proximate to a body of a shaft configured to rotate along an axis of rotation, the torsional vibration transducer configured to measure a torsional vibration of the shaft; actuating the shaft to cause rotation of the shaft; while the shaft rotates, acquiring, using the torsional vibration transducer, a plurality of zero-stress measurements of the shaft across a plurality of gaps between the torsional vibration transducer and the shaft; calculating at least one calibration coefficient using the plurality of zero-stress measurements; and calibrating the output of the torsional vibration transducer according to the at least one calibration coefficient to reduce a sensitivity of the torsional vibration transducer to changes in gap between the torsional vibration transducer and the shaft when the torsional vibration of the shaft is measured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES OILFIELD OPERATIONS, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel Farr, Lysle Turnbeaugh, Trevor Cowan
  • Patent number: 11026325
    Abstract: A flexible circuit package. The circuit package includes a termination point on a flexible base substrate. The termination point is connected with an interface by conductive material on the base substrate. The conductive material extends across the surface area of the base substrate in multiple individual connections, which are in communication with each other and separated by voids in the conductive material for mitigating communication failure between the termination point and the interface during or following flexion, stretching, compression or other deformation of the base substrate and the circuit package. The termination point may include an input module such as a sensor, switch or other input. The termination point may include an output module such as a light, vibrator or other output. The interface may include an output interface for receiving data or an input interface for sending a command or other signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: ORPYX MEDICAL TECHNOLOGIES INC.
    Inventors: David Allan Viberg, Travis Michael Stevens, Kraig Elbert Nielsen, Michael Todd Purdy
  • Patent number: 11009435
    Abstract: A test fixture configured to attach to and apply a tensile force to a test specimen. The test fixture may include a first clevis section and a second clevis section that are each configured to be attached to the test specimen. Each of the first and second clevis sections may include a fixed block and a movable block. Connectors connect the clevis sections together and hold the test specimen. The first and second clevis sections may be moved apart to apply a force to the attached test specimen to test one or more properties of the test specimen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Dennis Lynn Coad, Bruno Zamorano Senderos, Garnel King, Stefanie Anita Meier, Rogie I. Rodriguez
  • Patent number: 10969312
    Abstract: Provided are a striking device and a natural frequency measuring device capable of simply and accurately measuring a natural frequency of a system including force detector. The striking device includes an arm capable of swinging around a spindle, and a steel ball arranged in an end part of the arm on a side opposite to the spindle. The spindle is supported by a supporting part capable of lifting up and down relative to a post erected on a magnet stand. A supporting part for supporting a supporting plate is arranged at a position in the post and above the supporting part. A permanent magnet is placed above the supporting plate. The steel ball falls down in an arc shape from a standby height position when the permanent magnet is removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignees: SHIMADZU CORPORATION, Osaka Research Institute of Industrial Science and Technology, City of Nagoya, AKITA PREFECTURE
    Inventors: Tadaoki Takii, Masaki Nishimura, Satoshi Taniguchi, Mitsuhiko Kimura, Norifumi Kasai
  • Patent number: 10942074
    Abstract: A method for monitoring the spindle preload amount of a spindle by: S1 obtaining a spindle preload amount through a PPC Preload Analyzer; and S2 obtaining an axial force sensor output of the spindle through an axial force sensor, wherein the axial force sensor output is calibrated using the spindle preload amount that is obtained through the PPC Preload Analyzer; establishing a relationship between the spindle preload amount and the axial force sensor output, then regarding the axial force sensor output as the spindle preload amount, and then monitoring the spindle preload amount by monitoring the axial force sensor output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: Precision Machinery Research & Development Center
    Inventors: Tadao Tsuneyoshi, Peng-Jui Chen, Chi-Cheng Kuo, Tung-Yi Lu, Hsing-Chieh Huang
  • Patent number: 10871407
    Abstract: Sensor devices comprise a sensor die having a first membrane between a first outside surface and a buried cavity, and a second membrane between the buried cavity and a recessed section of the sensor die forming a backside cavity, wherein the first and second membranes oriented vertically adjacent one another. The sensor die comprises first and second members that are attached together, the buried cavity is formed between the members, and the first member comprises the first diaphragm and the second member comprises the second diaphragm. The membranes are configured to enable sensing over different ranges. Electrical sensing elements are in the sensor die for measuring movement of each of the first and second sensing membranes over the different ranges. Electrical contacts connected with sensing elements are exposed along a sensor die surface for providing an output signal for monitoring by an external device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2020
    Assignee: MEASUREMENT SPECIALTIES, INC.
    Inventors: Ya-Mei Chen, James Hoffman
  • Patent number: 10866151
    Abstract: Strain gauge structures having high and accurately adjustable electrical resistances and improved heat dispersion properties include a substrate, at least one transducing element configured to change at least one electrical property thereof in response to deformations in the substrate, and one or more trimming grids electrically connected to the at least one transducing element and configured and operable to accurately set electrical resistance of the strain gauge element by setting length of a conduction path thereof, and at least one heat sink element thermally coupled to at least one of the at least one transducing element and the one or more trimming grids and configured to dissipate heat developed therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: EZMEMS LTD.
    Inventors: Nicola Molinazzi, Tsvi Shmilovich
  • Patent number: 10808422
    Abstract: A sensor pin coupled to a latch is described herein. The sensor pin includes a sensor pin body including a sensor, a sensor bolt extending from the sensor pin body and having a rod cavity arranged at a non-straight angle with regard to an interface pin cavity, an actuator rod slidably positioned within the rod cavity, and an interface pin slidably positioned within the interface pin cavity and mechanically coupled to the actuator rod such that actuation of the interface pin causes axial movement of the actuator rod toward the sensor. Additionally, actuation of the sensor by the actuator rod triggers transmission of a latch state signal by the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: CENTRIX AERO, LLC
    Inventor: Andres Hernandez
  • Patent number: 10751581
    Abstract: A tennis racquet extending along the longitudinal axis and capable of being tested under a forward/rearward bending test and a torsional stability test includes a frame having a head portion, a handle portion, and a throat portion positioned between the head portion and the handle portion. The head portion forms a hoop that defines a string bed plane. At least the head portion and the throat portion of the racquet are formed at least in part of a fiber composite material. The throat portion includes a pair of throat elements. When the racquet is tested under the forward/rearward bending test, the racquet has a forward/rearward deflection with respect to the longitudinal axis of at least 9.0 mm when measured in a direction that is perpendicular to the string bed plane and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. When the racquet is tested under the torsional stability test, the racquet has an angular deflection of less than 5.5 degrees about the longitudinal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: Wilson Sporting Goods Co.
    Inventors: William D. Severa, Dale J. Zwack, Robert T. Kapheim, Eloisa M. Compostizo
  • Patent number: 10718699
    Abstract: A Fatigue Performance Test induces a traffic analogous, 60 cycle, stress-strain environment into a road pavement cross section through a rolling cyclic fatigue platform. Data from the encounter dynamic reveals where strain build-up is occurring well before external, visually detectable evidence of fatigue failure is present in the pavement sample from cracks or permanent deformation. Responsive tuning of the embedded, sensor firmware establishes a baseline status for the sample whereupon incoming data gathered during the stress-strain encounter dynamic reveals details of fatigue build-up.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Inventors: William B. Coe, Joshua Coe