Patents Examined by Nathaniel Kolb
  • Patent number: 9588582
    Abstract: This invention can be embodied in smart clothing for recognizing full-body human motion based on the pressure levels of a flowable substance within two different sets of flexible tubes or channels which are integrated into clothing (or a wearable accessory) and which span the same body joint. This technology can be used to create a wearable, mobile, reasonably-priced, and relatively-unobtrusive full-body motion-capture system which can be used in diverse environments. Compared to camera-based motion capture systems, this invention can be mobile and does not suffer from optical occlusion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Medibotics LLC
    Inventors: Robert A. Connor, Jedidiah Behymer, Matthew Hardyman, Matt Hericks, Garrison Hommer, Gus Lopez, Tyler Olson, John Smida, Alex Stein, Daniel Valencia, Eric Wong
  • Patent number: 9582072
    Abstract: This invention is an article of clothing or clothing accessory for measuring body motion, posture, and/or configuration comprising sets of multiple flexible electromagnetic, light, and/or sound energy pathways, wherein each set longitudinally spans the same body joint in a selected configuration to increase measurement accuracy. Multiple flexible energy pathways longitudinally spanning the same body joint can transmit the same type or different types of energy (e.g. electromagnetic, light, or sound) and can transmit energy flows with the same flow parameters or different flow parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: Medibotics LLC
    Inventor: Robert A. Connor
  • Patent number: 9581582
    Abstract: In some variations, this disclosure provides a method of verifying the presence of an admixture in association with a solid base material, by combining the admixture with a stable inorganic tracer. A sample of the solid base material may be analyzed, using suitable analytical techniques, to detect the presence of the inorganic tracer in excess of any native inorganic tracer. When the inorganic tracer is positively detected, it is confirmed that the traceable admixture has been properly dosed within the base material. The inorganic tracer may comprise a rare earth metal, such as selenium, molybdenum, bismuth, and combinations, alloys, or oxides thereof, for example. The solid base material may be a cementitious material, in some embodiments. The traceable admixture may be a water-repellent admixture, in some embodiments. The principles of the invention, however, are widely applicable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: ACM Chemistries, Inc.
    Inventors: Craig T. Walloch, Theodore G. Light, Marshall L. Brown, Matthew J. Oesterle
  • Patent number: 9574902
    Abstract: The invention relates to gyroscopic instruments. The method for calibrating the scale factor of an angular velocity sensor or an axisymmetric vibratory gyroscope, which method uses a control amplitude signal, a control precessional signal CP and a control quadrature signal CQ for exciting the vibration of a resonator on a resonant frequency, involves a first step of pre-calibration which consists of measuring and recording an initial scale factor and the value of an initial control signal, and a second step of measuring the value of the current control signal and establishing a scale factor SF that is corrected on the basis of a proportional relationship involving the initial scale factor SF°, the initial value of the control signal Y° and the current value of the control signal Y° according to the formula SF=SF°Y/Y°.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: INNALABS LIMITED
    Inventors: Isaak Markovich Okon, Alain Renault
  • Patent number: 9575044
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for assessing the disintegration of a dosage form in the gastrointestinal tract, comprising a wall surrounding a cell for being filled with a fluid and for receiving the dosage form, further comprising a pressurizable compartment arranged exterior to the wall for repeatedly deforming the wall between a first state and a second state wherein the volume of the cell in the first state is larger than in the second state, wherein the device also comprises controlling means for quantitatively controlling a fluid flow from and into the cell, and/or for quantitatively controlling a contact force that the wall exerts on the dosage form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Triskelion B.V.
    Inventor: Mans Minekus
  • Patent number: 9568410
    Abstract: Various embodiments include apparatus and methods of determining the viscosity of a fluid downhole in a well. A parameter of a response signal, obtained from driving a tube containing a fluid with an excitation signal for vibrating the tube, can be collected while maintaining the tube in a vibrating mode. The parameter can be evaluated to measure the viscosity of the fluid. In various embodiments, the fluid viscosity may be measured in-situ downhole in the well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Li Gao, Michael T. Pelletier, Bob Engelman
  • Patent number: 9561583
    Abstract: A torque wrench includes a mechanical structure and an electronic structure. The mechanical structure includes a tubular body, a flexible rod, an abutment member, an elastic member, a trip mechanism, an adjustment mechanism and a mechanical scale indication mounted in the tubular body for indicating the set torque of the wrench. The electronic structure includes at least one torque sensor and a display unit. When correcting the torque value of the mechanical structure, a force is applied to the wrench and the torque sensor detects the trip torque value of the wrench. The torque value of the mechanical structure is adjusted to match the torque value detected by the torque sensor so as to eliminate the error of the torque value of the mechanical structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: KABO TOOL COMPANY
    Inventor: Chih-Ching Hsieh
  • Patent number: 9551679
    Abstract: A device for measuring thermal conductivity of gas components of a gas mixture in order to determine fractions of the gas components includes a plurality of thermal conductivity sensors, each thermal conductivity sensor being a component of a resistance bridge circuit and being connected to an evaluation unit associated with the device. Each thermal conductivity sensor has a heating element and an integrated temperature measuring element, which elements generate two measuring voltages (UM3, UM2) when the temperature of the thermal conductivity sensor changes as a result of heat dissipation by the gas mixture. Voltages are compared in the evaluation unit in order to detect measuring errors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: CHEMEC GMBH
    Inventor: Eckard Brandau
  • Patent number: 9550158
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of operating a metering device (1) for metered dispensing of pumpable media, in particular of color pigment preparations, the metering device (1) comprising a dispensing means (2), which is in fluid connection with a plurality of canisters (3), wherein said metering device (1) comprises a controller (8) by means of which at defined times a defined dispensing volume of the medium is drawn from at least one of said canisters (3) and conveyed to said dispensing means (2) by means of a conveyor (10), wherein, in particular, by means of said controller (8) also an actual fill level is determined and/or calculated depending on a dispensing volume drawn from the respective canister (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Inventors: Alexander Essing, Michael Schmidt
  • Patent number: 9551605
    Abstract: A fuel-level measuring apparatus measures the level of fuel in a vehicle fuel tank. The apparatus can ensure a sufficient capacity of the fuel tank and sense the fuel level even when the fuel tank has a thin or complicated shape. A fuel-level measuring apparatus that senses the level of fuel in a vehicle fuel tank disposed below a floor panel of a vehicle includes a tank band that secures the fuel tank to a body of the vehicle, and a strain gauge attached to the tank band. The fuel level can be obtained from strain in the tank band detected by the strain gauge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Naoki Ogiwara, Masaki Wakao, Takeshi Watanabe, Kotaro Tanaka, Akihiro Taguchi
  • Patent number: 9534989
    Abstract: Devices, systems and methods are disclosed which relate to using a wet foam elution method for removal of particles from a flat filter. Particles are captured from the atmosphere onto the flat filter. The flat filter is then placed into an extractor which passes a stream of wet foam through the flat filter. Expansion of the foam works to efficiently remove captured particles. The foam flows from the filter along with the captured particles into a sample container. Once in the sample container, the foam quickly breaks down leaving an analysis ready liquid sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: INNOVAPREP, LLC
    Inventors: Andrew Edward Page, David Scott Alburty, Alec D. Adolphson, Pamela S. Murowchick, Zachary A. Packingham
  • Patent number: 9523624
    Abstract: A freezeless hydrant maintenance system for testing, troubleshooting, and repairing the functionality of a freezeless water hydrant prior to the seasonal freezing temperatures, the system comprising a pressure vessel adapted to receive and hold a fluid under pressure, an actuator adapted to release the pressurized fluid upon the user's command, at least one display and an adapter hose adapted to engage a hydrant and seal to prevent pressure loss, whereby the system is attached to a freezeless hydrant, the user opens hydrant pressurizing the vertical pipe and hydrant with water and air, observes the display determining if the freezeless hydrant drain hole is block, then operates the system applying additional pressure to clear blockage, and identifies a hydrant that needs replacement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Inventor: Chantry Davis
  • Patent number: 9523599
    Abstract: A fuel-level measuring apparatus measures the level of fuel in a vehicle fuel tank. The apparatus can ensure a sufficient capacity of the fuel tank and sense the fuel level even when the fuel tank has a thin or complicated shape. A fuel-level measuring apparatus that senses the level of fuel in a vehicle fuel tank disposed below a floor panel of a vehicle includes a tank band that secures the fuel tank to a body of the vehicle, and a strain gauge attached to the tank band. The fuel level can be obtained from strain in the tank band detected by the strain gauge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Naoki Ogiwara, Masaki Wakao, Takeshi Watanabe, Kotaro Tanaka, Akihiro Taguchi
  • Patent number: 9523632
    Abstract: A particulate matter sensor comprises an insulating body and a pair of electrodes disposed apart form each other on a main surface of the insulating body. The insulating body includes an insulating portion being equal to or higher than the height of the pair of the electrodes in a direction perpendicular to the main surface, formed on the part where the pair of the electrodes are. In one of the methods for manufacturing the particulate matter sensor, first, an electrode pattern composed of a material for the pair of the electrodes is formed on a body material composing the insulating body, and a mask, having identical pattern of the electrode pattern and composed of material which vaporizes at a temperature equal to or lower than a temperature that the electrode pattern is sintered, is formed on the electrode pattern. A thin film of the material composing the insulating portion is formed, and the electrode pattern and the thin film is sintered to form the electrodes and the insulating portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hiroki Nishijima, Tatsuhiro Hashida
  • Patent number: 9523600
    Abstract: A gauging method for a plastic fuel tank mounted on a hybrid vehicle, the tank including a reservoir including a gauge for measuring an amount of fuel in the tank, the method including: measuring the amount of fuel in the tank using the gauge; estimating deformation of the tank using at least one sensor onboard the vehicle; and correcting the amount measured by the gauge based on the estimated deformation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: Inergy Automotive Systems Research (Societe Anonyme)
    Inventors: Bjorn Criel, Vincent Cuvelier
  • Patent number: 9506799
    Abstract: Provided is a liquid level detection device with excellent bonding strength between components. This liquid level detection device is provided with a holder which has a magnet inside and which rotates in response to displacement of a float floating in the liquid the level of which is to be measured, a main body unit which rotatably supports the holder and has a magnetic detection element which detects magnetic pole change accompanying rotational movement of the magnet, and a cover which covers the holder and which is attached by welding to the main body unit to prevent the holder from falling away from the main body unit. The cover is welded to the main body unit by melting protrusions formed on the main body unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: NIPPON SEIKI CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Iryo, Yoshiyuki Shimazaki
  • Patent number: 9506797
    Abstract: An apparatus for estimating the level of feed present within a bulk feed storage tank allows the empty volume of the storage tank above the level of feed to be estimated in order to evaluate the need to order new supplies of feed to be placed within the storage tank. The apparatus includes a slide mechanism having a slide block moveable within a vertically oriented slide tube. A rope entrained around a pulley is attached to the slide block to power movement of the slide block upwardly. A striker member is connected to the slide block and positioned externally of the slide tube. A second rope is attached to the striker member to permit selective actuation thereof to strike the exterior side of the storage tank. The pitch of the reverberation from the striking of the striker member provides an indication of the level of feed within the storage tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Inventor: H. Lamar Zimmerman
  • Patent number: 9500593
    Abstract: A device indicates the location of an air leak in a vacuum bag used to process composite parts. The device includes a layer of material on the inner face of the bag that changes in appearance due to an oxidation-reduction reaction in areas of the layer exposed to oxygen caused by a leak in the bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: John N. Harris, Finley Miller, Michael R. Swift
  • Patent number: 9500152
    Abstract: A method for determining a polarization of a pump cell and/or a Nernst cell of a lambda probe for the diagnosis of the broadband lambda probe. A voltage or current pulse is applied to the pump/Nernst cell in a first method task, and, in a second method task, a voltage at the pump cell and/or the Nernst cell, or a variable that is related to the polarization or its time characteristic is determined and used as a measure of the polarization, and the function of the broadband lambda probe is monitored via the ascertained polarization. The determination of the polarization may be performed as a voltage measurement performed once or multiple times, or by determining the effect of the polarization in an associated controller, such as a pump current controller of an engine control unit. The variable associated with the polarization may be the reaction of the pump current control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Bernhard Ledermann, Claudius Bevot, Rolf Reischl
  • Patent number: 9494494
    Abstract: A calibrating apparatus of a tire testing machine of the present invention calibrates force components along a lateral direction of a load cell on a tire testing machine provided with a rotary drum and the load cell mounted to a shaft portion of the rotary drum and capable of measuring force applied to the rotary drum, and has a hook member hooked on an outer peripheral edge of the rotary drum, a linear body, one end side of which is connected to the hook member, a load applying member connected to the other end side of the linear body and capable of generating a reference load toward a downward direction, and a pulley device around which the linear body is wound to convert the downward force by the load applying member into an upward force on one end side of the linear body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: Kobe Steel, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takehiko Wakazono, Munenori Soejima, Takahiko Ishii