Patents Examined by Monica S Young
  • Patent number: 11965995
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a multi-physical field imaging method based on PET-CT and DAS, comprising: wrapping distributed acoustic sensors on a surface of a non-metallic sample to be tested, and then placing them in a pressure device; loading triaxial pressures; preparing a tracer fluid; pumping the tracer fluid into the non-metallic sample; collecting PET images and CT images of internal structure of the non-metallic sample, meanwhile, monitoring internal acoustic emission events of the non-metallic sample in real time; combining the PET images with the CT images, to obtain PET/CT images; locating the acoustic emission events, and obtaining occurrence time and spatial location of internal structural perturbations; and analyzing a mechanism of fluid-solid coupling effect in the non-metallic sample under loaded stress. The imaging method and system of the present disclosure can accurately and reliably image the fluid-solid coupling process in the material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Inventors: Yibo Wang, Zizhuo Ma, Yikang Zheng, Shaojiang Wu, Qingfeng Xue
  • Patent number: 11953472
    Abstract: A system for component interconnection for use in liquid chromatography includes a first switching valve and a second switching valve. A first connecting line fluidly connects the first switching valve to the second switching valve. A second connecting line fluidly connects the first switching valve to the second switching valve. A metering device is located in the first connecting line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: Dionex Softron GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Wachinger, Christoph Hollnagel
  • Patent number: 11953469
    Abstract: A fluid measuring device for determining at least one characteristic property of a fluid includes a measuring tube having a fluid duct and a measuring section in which the measuring tube is cylindrical on the inside and an area of a measuring tube wall is configured as a waveguide, and a transmitter for exciting acoustic waves in the waveguide and a receiver for receiving acoustic waves which are in direct contact with an outer surface of the waveguide, wherein acoustic waves excited by the transmitter are adapted to propagate as a volume wave through the fluid. The waveguide has an elongated waveguide path which extends at an acute angle to a longitudinal extension direction of the measuring tube and with a component in the circumferential direction, wherein in the area of the waveguide path, the measuring tube wall has a smaller wall thickness than in areas adjoining the waveguide path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignees: BUERKERT WERKE GMBH & CO. KG, BURKERT S.A.S.
    Inventor: Yannick Fuchs
  • Patent number: 11927568
    Abstract: A wireless ultrasound sensor 404 for non-destructive testing of a test object 502, the sensor comprising: an ultrasound transducer 406; a first induction coil 408, electrically coupled to the ultrasound transducer; a second induction coil 414, electrically coupled in parallel with the first induction coil; wherein the first and second induction coils are arranged to enable the transducer to be inductively operated by a remote device 504; and wherein the diameter of the second induction coil is greater than the diameter of the first induction coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: THE UNIVERSITY OF BRISTOL
    Inventors: Cheng Huan Zhong, Anthony Croxford, Paul Wilcox
  • Patent number: 11927574
    Abstract: A progressive cellular architectures has been presented for vapor-phase chemical analyzers. The progressive cellular architecture consists of a series of heterogeneous micro-gas chromatography cells. Each individual cell targets vapor species within a specific volatility range by using a unique combination of a preconcentrator and a separation column. The cells are connected progressively in series to cover a broad range of volatile analyte chemical vapors. Valves may inadvertently absorb or adsorb and subsequently release target chemical analyte molecules, thereby interfering with quantitative analysis. Therefore, the inlet to the cells is configured without a valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
    Inventors: Yogesh B. Gianchandani, Yutao Qin, Weilin Liao, Hsueh-Tsung Lu, Declan Winship
  • Patent number: 11921086
    Abstract: A device and method for mounting sensors to components comprising a mounting pad adapted for adhesive attachment to the component and further including a feature allowing for a secondary restraint. In various variations, the sensor may be an accelerometer, vibration sensor, temperature sensor or other sensor. The feature and secondary restraint may include one or more holes in the mounting pad for attachment by safety wire or other restraint to provide limited movement in the case of adhesive failure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: RMCI, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Cary Potts, Patrick Duane Hall, Jeremy Scott Branning
  • Patent number: 11912319
    Abstract: According to some embodiments, a load cell for determining a weight of a large object comprises a base plate comprising at least one recessed opening, a bulk metallic glass plug disposed in the at least one recessed opening of the base plate, and a top plate positioned above the base plate. A portion of the top plate is supported by the bulk metallic glass plug. The load cell further comprises a micro strain sensor coupled to the bulk metallic glass plug. The micro strain sensor is operable to determine a change in micro strain on the bulk metallic glass plug. The bulk metallic glass plug extends to a height where the top plate does not contact the base plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: FREIGHTLUCID, LLC
    Inventors: Bharanikumar Ramasundaram, James W. Talley, Jr., Michael D. Rainone, Calvin C. Schlau, Caleb N. Nehls
  • Patent number: 11892340
    Abstract: Various embodiments are directed to methods and apparatuses for determining a weight of one or more objects disposed about an area of the weight measurement device using a single force sensor to accurately measure a force generated by the one or more objects. In various embodiments, the apparatus comprises a housing, a receiving tray, a lever assembly configured to receive a weight force from the receiving tray and generate a collective lever force corresponding to the weight force, the lever assembly comprising a plurality of levers, wherein each lever of the plurality of levers being at least substantially fixed to the housing at a first lever location and configured to receive a partial weight force from the receiving tray at a second lever location, and a force sensor configured to define a fulcrum point along each of the plurality of levers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Bradley J. Huntzinger, James D. Cook, Bhim P. Khanal
  • Patent number: 11892362
    Abstract: There is provided a measuring device (dial gauge) capable of performing measurement with a desired measuring force regardless of the posture of the measuring device. A dial gauge in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a measuring force adjustment unit provided to a body case and capable of moving and being positioned and fixed in a direction substantially parallel to a moving direction of a spindle. A biasing means has one end directly or indirectly engaged with the spindle and the other end directly or indirectly engaged with the measuring force adjustment unit, and biases the spindle toward a tip end. The measuring force adjustment unit includes an external thread portion and a connection supporting member having one end screwed with the external thread portion and the other end coupled to the biasing means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: MITUTOYO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yuichi Ichikawa, Osamu Saito
  • Patent number: 11892376
    Abstract: A method of diagnosing a pneumatic system that (1) pressurizes the system to a first inflation pressure, (2) ceases the pressurizing for a settling-in time period, (3) measures a settled-in pressure after the settling-in time period, (4) measures a decayed pressure after a decay time period, (5) determines a determined rate of decay of the pressure in the system over the decay time period, and (6) compares the determined rate of decay to a first stored decay rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: Stryker Corporation
    Inventors: Justin Raymond, Darcy Richard Wank, Michael John Olson, Anuj K. Sidhu
  • Patent number: 11874199
    Abstract: A device for testing a sample via a gas stream that includes an opening, a generator for generating a gas stream in the device along at least one flow path, at least one pressure sensor, and a mass flowmeter configured to measure the mass flow rate of the gas stream along each flow path. The flow path including an exhaust path terminating at the opening, and the gas stream generator configured to exhaust a leakage gas along the exhaust path. The pressure sensor includes an exhaust pressure sensor configured to measure a pressure of the leakage gas along the exhaust path, and the mass flowmeter is configured to measure a parameter representing the mass flow rate of the leakage gas along the exhaust path. A calculation device determines the size of a leak hole, based on a measurement of the parameter representing the mass flow rate along the exhaust path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: ANEOLIA
    Inventors: Thierry Gosse, Philippe Lacarrere, Eric Schaller
  • Patent number: 11870973
    Abstract: A camera calibration tool for calibrating one or more cameras of a mobile machine comprising calibration targets and a net. Each of the calibration targets comprises identifiable indicia. The net is adapted to be coupled to the mobile machine. The net has one or more configurations that define predetermined target locations, with location markers, in a predetermined layout. The calibration targets are positioned respectively at the predetermined target locations in the predetermined layout to calibrate the one or more cameras by use of the calibration targets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Nicholas C. Baltz, Ashraf Qadir, Adam J. Royal
  • Patent number: 11860082
    Abstract: A method for evaluating a weld in a formed object includes performing a contact mechanics test of a first region that includes the weld and storing one or more corresponding weld surface mechanical property measurements, performing a contact mechanics test of a second region that excludes the weld and storing one or more corresponding base material surface mechanical property measurements, determining a relative difference in the weld surface mechanical property measurements and the base material surface mechanical property measurements, determining one or more weld width measurements on the exterior surface of the formed object, and evaluating the weld based on the determined relative difference in the weld surface mechanical property measurements and the base material surface mechanical property measurements in relation to the determined weld width measurements in order to provide an index of weld quality that is traditionally measured through a destructive test or examination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Massachusetts Materials Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Simon C. Bellemare, Steven D. Palkovic, Brendon M. Willey, Soheil Safari Loaliyan, Parth P. Patel
  • Patent number: 11851153
    Abstract: The disclosed invention describes a method for determining a current state of a gas cell in an airship, particularly the lift. A computing device receives depth measurements of the interior of the gas cell using a lidar sensor positioned outside the cell and uses these depth measurements to create a mesh, segment a space within the mesh into geometric shapes, calculate the volume of the shapes, and use the calculated volume to estimate the total volume of the space within the mesh, representing the volume of gas within the gas cell. The computing device then uses the estimated volume to calculate the lift of the gas cell and sends the calculated lift to a control module of the airship.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: LTA Research and Exploration, LLC
    Inventors: Kyle Vernyi, Dennis L Carter, Jonathan Wittmer
  • Patent number: 11844376
    Abstract: The invention discloses a pneumatic sensor and an electronic cigarette having same, wherein the pneumatic sensor comprises a main body, a trigger component and a waterproof and breathable membrane, wherein the main body is provided with an internal cavity and at least one suction hole communicated with the internal cavity, the waterproof and breathable membrane is mounted in the main body and covers each of the suction holes, and the triggering component is mounted in the internal cavity and is triggered when the airflow is sucked from the suction hole to the outside. The technical solution of the invention effectively prevents the phenomenon that tobacco liquid and condensed water penetrate into the sensor, thereby causing damage to the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Inventor: Junwei Ouyang
  • Patent number: 11835487
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for inspecting a material to be inspected using ultrasound waves, the method including the following step 201 to step 301, in which step 201 is performed in a condition where: the surface temperature of a material under inspection—atmospheric temperature>2° C., and inspection using ultrasound waves in step 301 satisfies: a refractive attenuation rate?1.5%. Step 201: blowing a fluid from a blowing port onto the material to be inspected. Step 301: inspecting the material to be inspected using the ultrasound waves after step 201 or at the same time as the step 201.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: Teijin Limited
    Inventors: Takashi Toyozumi, Hodaka Yokomizo, Makoto Ootsubo, Shuhei Suzuki, Akihiko Obata
  • Patent number: 11835541
    Abstract: A MEMS accelerometric sensor includes a bearing structure and a suspended region that is made of semiconductor material, mobile with respect to the bearing structure. At least one modulation electrode is fixed to the bearing structure and is biased with an electrical modulation signal including at least one periodic component having a first frequency. At least one variable capacitor is formed by the suspended region and by the modulation electrode in such a way that the suspended region is subjected to an electrostatic force that depends upon the electrical modulation signal. A sensing assembly generates, when the accelerometric sensor is subjected to an acceleration, an electrical sensing signal indicating the position of the suspended region with respect to the bearing structure and includes a frequency-modulated component that is a function of the acceleration and of the first frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: STMICROELECTRONICS S.r.l.
    Inventors: Alessandro Tocchio, Gabriele Gattere
  • Patent number: 11828728
    Abstract: An apparatus for inspecting a railroad track may include a first sensor, a second sensor, and a controller. The first sensor may detect a first signal while the second sensor may detect a second signal. The first signal may correspond to a response of the railroad track, at a first location on the railroad track, to a motion of a rail car wheel on the railroad track. The second signal may correspond to the response of the railroad track, at a second location on the railroad track, to the motion of the rail car wheel on the railroad track. The controller may generate, based on the first signal and the second signal, a transfer function corresponding to the response of the railroad track at the second location to stimuli applied at the first location. Defects in the railroad track may be detected by analyzing the transfer function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventor: Francesco Lanza di Scalea
  • Patent number: 11821801
    Abstract: In an aspect, a pressure sensor for determining pressure in an environment comprises: a source for emitting a coherent reference light characterized by a reference light frequency; a first lock-in mechanism configured to send an electrical signal to the source based on a reference resonance frequency; a reference cavity; wherein the reference cavity is characterized by the reference resonance frequency; a modulator configured a reference light to generate at least a first sideband frequency such that an output of said modulator is a measurement light characterized by at least the first sideband frequency; a frequency synthesizer configured to drive the modulator; a second lock-in mechanism configured to send an electrical signal to the frequency synthesizer based on a measurement resonance frequency; and a measurement cavity configured to receive at least a portion of the measurement light; wherein the measurement cavity is characterized by the measurement resonance frequency; and wherein the pressure of the
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: Stable Laser Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Josue Davila-Rodriguez, David Lee, Mark Notcutt, Michael Grisham, Nathaniel Phillips
  • Patent number: 11808650
    Abstract: A pressure sensing device may include a body configured to distribute a load applied between first and second parts positioned one against the other, and a pressure sensor carried by the body. The pressure sensor may include a support body, and an IC die mounted with the support body and defining a cavity. The IC die may include pressure sensing circuitry responsive to bending associated with the cavity, and an IC interface coupled to the pressure sensing circuitry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Alberto Pagani, Federico Giovanni Ziglioli, Bruno Murari