Patents Examined by Monica S Young
  • Patent number: 11378439
    Abstract: A flow rate measurement device improves the flow rate measurement accuracy without increasing the size of the metering tank. The flow rate measurement device includes a metering tank having a supply port at its upper portion and a discharge port at its lower portion, an on-off valve that opens and closes a flow channel inside the metering tank, a weight measurement unit that measures a weight of the metering tank, and flow rate computing unit that supplies powders and/or grains continuously from the supply port to the metering tank, computes a flow rate of the powders and/or grains multiple times in a temporally-overlapped state on the basis of the weight of the metering tank measured by the weight measurement unit in a state where the on-off valve is closed, and computes an average flow rate of the powders and/or grains on the basis of the flow rate computed multiple times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: SATAKE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shigeki Uebayashi, Takeshi Okamoto, Koji Kawakami
  • Patent number: 11378435
    Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided to evaluate an amount of a biological sample in a specimen container. A fixture has a bottom surface configured to support a specimen container. A reference indicator is disposed at a predetermined height relative to the bottom surface. The reference indicator is configured to facilitate a visual comparison of the reference indicator with a height of a volume of a biological sample in the specimen container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: Quest Diagnostics Investments Incorporated
    Inventors: Christine Amendt, Sevag Bedrosian, Gordon Love, Mkrtich Daniyelyan, Miguel Torrero
  • Patent number: 11332362
    Abstract: A system is provided for providing vibration isolation and acceleration compensation for a device such as a vibration-sensitive oscillator or sensor. The system has an assembly that moves or vibrates relative to an external component. The assembly includes a plurality of components mounted to either side of a PCB. One or more accelerometers are configured to detect acceleration of the PCB in at least one of an X-axis direction, a Y-axis direction, and a Z-axis direction. The system includes plurality of isolators coupled to the assembly and configured to isolate or dampen vibrations that would otherwise transfer to the assembly from an underlying component to which the assembly is configured to attach to. In certain embodiments, the isolators are located between the assembly and the underlying component within vertical confines of an exterior perimeter of the PCB.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: Bliley Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jay Mitchell, David Lemmerhirt, Onnop Srivannavit
  • Patent number: 11299268
    Abstract: Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) for use in the detection, localization, and quantification of gas leaks are provided. More specifically the use of an in-situ sensor mounted to a UAS such that the sensor is positioned in a region unaffected by prop wash that is relatively undisturbed by the effects of the propeller(s) and other environmental conditions when in use is described. Additionally, methods of determining the optimal placement of the in-situ sensor on any given UAS are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Lance E. Christensen, Brendan J. Smith, Vlad Manzatianu
  • Patent number: 11280768
    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: November 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: Dionex Softron GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Wachinger, Christoph Hollnagel
  • Patent number: 11273866
    Abstract: Provided is a torque sensor and an electric power steering system, which are capable of suppressing a detection property fluctuation between two magnetic sensors. A retaining portion is disposed at first and second magnetism collecting members in such a position as to be magnetically symmetrical with respect to first and second magnetic sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: Hitachi Astemo, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroki Murakami, Kohtaro Shiino
  • Patent number: 11274960
    Abstract: A conveyor and metering device having a continuous conveyor belt or conveyor band, sub-regions of this conveyor belt or conveyor band being mounted on weighing devices for determining the mass of the conveyed material, which are connected to an electronic evaluation device, the weighing devices generating a signal proportional to the load of the conveyor belt or conveyor band and transmitting it to the evaluation device, weighing devices are provided, each of which includes a bearing bracket, which is used to receive an attachment in a form-filling manner from the outside, preferably from above, through an opening in the frame of the conveyor and metering device during the operation of the conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: Schenck Process Europe GmbH
    Inventor: Andreas Schuetz
  • Patent number: 11262374
    Abstract: A sensor unit includes a plurality of terminal members each of which includes a lead portion and an external terminal portion having an external connection end face, a sensor device connected to the lead portions, and a resin member that covers the sensor device and a part of the plurality of terminal members. The lead portion includes a thin wall portion having a thickness thinner than the external terminal portion and a protruding portion protruding from the thin wall portion to an external connection end face side. In a plan view from a direction where the terminal member and the sensor device overlap, the sensor device is disposed at a position overlapping the protruding portion and not overlapping the external terminal portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Inventors: Tetsuya Otsuki, Masataka Kazuno
  • Patent number: 11248951
    Abstract: A sensor device, including a sensor having a sound transducer to emit sonic waves and convert received sonic waves to electrical signals. A sensor evaluation unit carries out surrounding-area monitoring during a normal operation of the sensor, by evaluating electrical signals of the sound transducer. During a monitoring mode of the sensor, a monitoring unit of the sensor device measures an impedance of the sound transducer for different excitation frequencies of excitation signals produced with a signal generator of the sensor device. The sensor device includes a first and a second signal path, which are each connected to the sound transducer and are connectable to the signal generator. To reset the sensor from normal operation to the monitoring mode, a first control unit of the sensor device is configured to decouple the signal generator from the first signal path and to connect it to the second signal path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Dirk Schmid, Karl-Heinz Richter, Martin Reiche, Michael Frank, Peter Preissler
  • Patent number: 11249054
    Abstract: Provided herein are systems and methods for real time processing of signals from an array of transducers for detecting transient elastic waves originating from unknown locations in a body, which may propagate in a dispersive fashion. The systems and methods allow real time combination and analysis of signals, including decisions regarding storage as new data is received. The methods described herein include designing arrays of detectors and methods for processing signals in real time given the constraints of the body under test determining whether to store the set of information while a new set of information is received for processing within a real time environment. The methods described herein include methods which result in the determination or small time shifts which place all signals into a coherent time base which are then combined achieving a composite waveform that possesses an increased signal-to-noise ratio over any single element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Inventors: Brian M. Burks, Steven M. Ziola
  • Patent number: 11226259
    Abstract: A test fixture for securing a test article is disclosed. The test fixture includes a frame, an upper grip, at least one heat shield, a cooling assembly, and insulation. The frame defines an upper portion and a lower portion. The lower portion of the frame is releasably mounted to a vibration device. The upper grip is connected to the upper portion of the frame and the lower grip is connected to the lower portion of the frame. The heat shield is positioned to insulate at least one of the upper grip and the lower grip. The upper grip is configured to secure an upper portion of the test article along an upper interface. The lower grip is configured to secure a lower portion of the test article along a lower interface. The cooling assembly transports a cooling medium across at least one of the upper interface and the lower interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: David Mitchell Anderson, Aydin Akdeniz, Blake A. Bertrand, Perry Thomas Horst
  • Patent number: 11226228
    Abstract: A scale and scanner system includes a controller to control operation of the scale and scanner system. A scale calibration parameter memory for storing scale calibration parameters is coupleable to the controller. A scanning module and a scale module are coupleable to the controller. When the controller is not coupled to the scanning module or scale module, the scale calibration parameter memory remains in the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: NCR Corporation
    Inventors: Mark Allen Rambler, Paul Oliver Detwiler, Kenneth Joseph Fabian
  • Patent number: 11226349
    Abstract: A feeding system (2) for feeding disc-shaped objects such as sample cups (4) to an analyzer. The system (2) includes as infeed trade (22) angled downward from horizontal and the outfeed track (24) angled downward, plus a reject chute. The disc feeding system (2) uses two RFID readers/writers, one (32) a standalone desktop and a second (190) proximate the sample bay of the analyzer for more comprehensive track-and-trace capability. The information read from the cup (4) tag as it is scanned is also stored with the resultant spectra so that predictive processing is applied properly and without error. For post scan (after the sample scan is completed) the scan information itself may be written directly to the sample cup RFID tag including, reflection/transmission, characteristics, constituent results etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Inventors: Robert R. Wilt, Luigi Faustini
  • Patent number: 11226227
    Abstract: A scale and scanner system includes a controller to control operation of the scale and scanner system. A scale calibration parameter memory for storing scale calibration parameters is coupleable to the controller. A scanning module and a scale module are coupleable to the controller. When the controller is not coupled to the scanning module or scale module, the scale calibration parameter memory remains in the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: NCR Corporation
    Inventors: Mark Allen Rambler, Paul Oliver Detwiler, Kenneth Joseph Fabian
  • Patent number: 11221271
    Abstract: A detector comprises an optical parametric oscillator having a non-linear material adapted to convert via a parametric process pump light into down converted light of two different wavelengths, the first wavelength being longer than the second wavelength. The non-linear material is provided in a down converted wave cavity arranged to resonate only one of the first or second wavelengths. The detector comprises means for modulating light in the down converted wave cavity to induce an acoustic or pressure wave caused by absorption of the resonant one of the first and second wavelengths. The detector further comprises means located in the down-converted wave cavity for detecting the acoustic or pressure wave. The detector may be used for detecting or sensing very low levels of a fluid, for example a gas such as ethane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: FRAUNHOFER UK RESEARCH LTD
    Inventor: David Stothard
  • Patent number: 11204366
    Abstract: A physical quantity sensor includes a movable body that includes a beam portion, a coupling portion that is connected with the beam portion at connection positions and is provided in a direction intersecting with the beam portion, and a first and second mass portions that are connected with the coupling portion; a first and second fixed electrodes that are provided on a support substrate and are opposed to the first and second mass portions; and a protrusion is provided and protrude from the support substrate toward the first and second mass portions. In the intersecting direction, in a case where a distance from connection positions to end portions opposite to the beam portion is L, and a distance from the protrusions to end portions opposite to the beam portion is L1, the distance L1 is 0.18 L or longer and 0.88 L or shorter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Inventor: Satoru Tanaka
  • Patent number: 11169060
    Abstract: A filtering device is provided to an analyzing instrument to block the passage of oversized particles that may otherwise clog the aperture of a sample analyzing device. The filtering device can be arranged to be proximate to the mixing chamber. In certain examples, the filtering device is placed at or adjacent an output port of the mixing chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: Beckman Coulter, Inc.
    Inventors: Gabriel Santos, Janet F. Reyes, Gregory M. Colella
  • Patent number: 11162829
    Abstract: A multilayer body includes a piezoelectric body and a first acoustic matching layer in direct or indirect contact with the piezoelectric body. The first acoustic matching layer includes a plastic foam containing a plurality of closed pores. An average pore size of the closed pores is not smaller than 1 ?m and not larger than 100 ?m. The first acoustic matching layer has a density of not less than 10 kg/m3 and not more than 100 kg/m3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hidetaka Sugaya, Tomoki Masuda, Hidetomo Nagahara
  • Patent number: 11162925
    Abstract: The disclosed system and method improve analysis of chemical samples for measurement of trace volatile chemicals, such as by Gas Chromatography (GC) and Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (GCMS). The system can include two traps in series, the first of which removes most of the unwanted water vapor, while the second trap preconcentrates the sample using a series of capillary columns of increasing adsorption strength. The sample can be backflushed from the second trap directly to a chemical analyzer without splitting which can maximize sensitivity. The system improves elimination of water vapor and fixed gases from the sample prior to analysis, resulting in detection limits as low as 0.001 PPBb. The second trap allows faster release of the sample upon injection to the chemical analyzer without additional focusing, and can be cleaned up faster when exposed to high concentration samples relative to packed traps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: Entech Instruments Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel B. Cardin
  • Patent number: 11143631
    Abstract: A system and method directed to inspecting a high density polyethylene pipe. The system includes a pipe inspection tool that is positioned about a fused polyethylene pipe joint. The inspection tool may include search units, a pipe carriage, a pulser and a phased array testing instrument programmed to adjust an amplitude response signal from the search units based on a vertically established time corrected gain curve. The inspection tool is rotated around the high density polyethylene pipe joint while propagating acoustical waves at various patterns and angles through the polyethylene pipe joint. Prior to the joint inspection, the inspection tool is calibrated using a calibration tool which includes a block having an array of equal sized bores positioned along different axis' through the block's depth. The block is constructed of the same material type and grade as the pipes that were fused together to form-the polyethylene pipe joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: LOENBRO INSPECTION, LLC
    Inventor: Parrish Alan Furr