Patents Examined by Nguyen Q Ha
  • Patent number: 11796481
    Abstract: An inspection device that inspects a structure with a crack, including: an obtainer that obtains images of the structure captured at mutually different times while the structure is subjected to varying loads; a crack detector that detects a crack on a surface of the structure in each image; a motion estimator that divides each image into blocks having a predetermined size, and derives motion vectors of the blocks based on a positional relation between a position of each block relative to a reference in a first image and a position of each block relative to the reference in a second image, the reference being a tip of the crack detected, the first and second images being included in the images; and an inspector that determines safety of the structure based on a difference between ones of the motion vectors of symmetric positions with respect to the crack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Taro Imagawa, Hiroya Kusaka, Akihiro Noda
  • Patent number: 11794713
    Abstract: A method for leakage monitoring of a compressed air system of a motor vehicle is disclosed. The compressed-air system has a compressed air supply system, a compressor, and a plurality of compressed-air consumer circuits. The method includes: a) successive detection of a supply pressure via a pressure sensor in a main supply line or in a supply line of at least one compressed air consumer circuit at a predefined time interval; b) successive calculation of pressure gradients of the supply pressure from at least two consecutively detected pressure values; c) comparison of the determined pressure gradients with a predefined gradient limit value; and d) output of a warning signal when the pressure gradient within a predefined monitoring time period which comprises a plurality of delivery pauses of the compressor has not exceeded the gradient limit value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: ZF CV Systems Hannover GmbH
    Inventors: Stefan Brinkmann, Heinrich Diekmeyer, Dirk Hillbring
  • Patent number: 11788922
    Abstract: A burst-duct detection system is provided. The system may include a manifold; a rolling diaphragm dividing a chamber within the manifold into a top portion and a bottom portion; a high pressure chamber in fluid communication with the top portion of the manifold; an ambient pressure chamber in fluid communication with the bottom portion of the manifold; a piston disposed within the top portion of the manifold and operably connected to the diaphragm; a mechanical link may include a proximal end, a distal end, and a middle portion, the mechanical link being disposed within a core chamber of the manifold and the proximal end operably connected to the piston; and an indicator piston operably connected to the mechanical link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: PTI Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Joe Marban, Kanwar Suri
  • Patent number: 11788919
    Abstract: A leak detection sensor may be capable of dynamically adjusting a sampling time for acoustic data based on monitored fluid flow. The leak detection sensor monitors leak detection information associated with a fluid in a fluid transporting medium over a predetermined time interval, where the leak detection information comprises flow and pressure of the fluid in the fluid transporting medium, and processing the leak detection data monitored at the sampling time in the predetermined time interval, where the sampling time is determined based at least in part on the monitored flow of the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: Itron, Inc.
    Inventors: James Lee Kann, Philip Alan Cole
  • Patent number: 11781936
    Abstract: An airtightness evaluation device includes a differential pressure gauge to output a pressure difference between two spaces connected to two joints. A system joint for connecting a refrigeration cycle system is connected to one joint of the differential pressure gauge. A pressure vessel is connected to the other joint of the differential pressure gauge. The airtightness evaluation device includes a bypass circuit to connect the system joint and the pressure vessel to each other with bypassing the differential pressure gauge, and a bypass valve to open/close the bypass circuit. The airtightness evaluation device also includes a supply source joint for supplying a pressurization gas to the pressure vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Takehiro Koyano, Naohiro Ichikawa, Katsuya Taniguchi
  • Patent number: 11774044
    Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems for monitoring hydrogen leakage using a composite pipeline for transporting hydrogen are provided. In one aspect, a system of real-time whole-pipeline monitoring hydrogen leakage includes: a composite pipeline including a plastic pipe, a polyurethane foam layer, and a plastic protection layer that are disposed in sequence from inside to outside; joints for connecting sections of the composite pipeline; evacuation pipes; and hydrogen sensors. Each of the evacuation pipes is installed at a corresponding joint of the joints, and each hydrogen sensor is disposed in a corresponding evacuation pipe of the evacuation pipes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: ZHEJIANG UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Jianfeng Shi, Yutong Yuan, Jinyang Zheng, Riwu Yao, Zhoutian Ge
  • Patent number: 11774312
    Abstract: Method for testing and for an inspection of a functionality of an insulation work on industrial installations, especially a proper installation of an insulation surrounding a pipe, especially for transport of cooled media, whereby the insulation comprises at least one insulation element, preferably of an open porous material, especially made of bound mineral fibres, and a vapor barrier surrounding the insulation in an airtight manner at all ambient faces, whereby a pump is connected to a valve being connected to the insulation element, whereby the valve connects the inner part of the insulation with the surrounding area, whereby the inner air pressure of the insulation is increased or decreased by the pump to a predetermined pressure, preferably by up to 50 kPa above or underneath a surrounding atmospheric pressure, whereby the predetermined pressure is displayed on a gauge and whereby the stability of the predetermined pressure is tested and/or inspected during a predetermined time interval.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: Rockwool A/S
    Inventor: Thomas Marek Konietzny
  • Patent number: 11774463
    Abstract: In one example, dispenser stages described herein may include a dispenser platform comprising: a stage coupled to a rail system to move the stage in a first plane and a second plane, an alignment feature coupled to the stage to align a substrate nest coupled to the stage with a dispenser positioned above the stage, and a releasable fastener to couple the substrate nest to the stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Dennis R. Esterberg, Christie Dudenhoefer
  • Patent number: 11768121
    Abstract: A pressure sensor includes a Wheatstone bridge circuit including a first resistor, a second resistor, a third resistor, and a fourth resistor having matching output characteristics. The pressure sensor further includes a first trim resistor in series with the Wheatstone bridge circuit, wherein the first trim resistor has output characteristics matching the output characteristics of the first resistor, the second resistor, the third resistor, and the fourth resistor of the Wheatstone bridge. The pressure sensor additionally includes a second trim resistor in parallel or a parallel loop with the Wheatstone bridge circuit, wherein the second trim resistor has output characteristics matching the output characteristics of the first resistor, the second resistor, the third resistor, and the fourth resistor of the Wheatstone bridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: ROSEMOUNT AEROSPACE INC.
    Inventors: David P. Potasek, Robert Stuelke
  • Patent number: 11768145
    Abstract: An optical element includes a porous layer with a network of a plurality of interconnected voids. The porous layer is optically diffusive to at least one wavelength of light when the network of interconnected voids is substantially free of fluid. The porous layer of the optical element undergoes a detectable optical change upon fluid ingress into the network or egress from the network of interconnected voids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: John A. Wheatley, William B. Kolb, Audrey A. Sherman, Mark A Roehrig, Alan R. Dombrowski, Kurt J. Halverson, Steven P. Swanson, Del R. Lawson, Cory M. Arthur
  • Patent number: 11768144
    Abstract: A method of measuring petrophysical information from a crushed porous media including performing one or more NMR measurements on the porous media fully submerged in an NMR visible fluid, performing one or more NMR measurements on the porous media alone following centrifugation, performing one or more NMR measurements on the porous media after rinsing with a NMR invisible fluid, and analyzing the NMR measurements to extract a petrophysical property.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: Green Imaging Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Dick, Derrick P. Green, Dragan Veselinovic, Taylor Kenney
  • Patent number: 11768164
    Abstract: The invention provides a device for immobilizing and shipping crystals and for data collection via serial crystallography, the device having a first planar substrate defining a first transversely extending aperture, wherein the first substrate has a first laterally facing surface; a second planar substrate defining a second transversely extending aperture coaxial with the first aperture, wherein the second substrate has a second laterally facing surface; a third planar substrate and a fourth planar substrate positioned between the first and second substrates such that the first planar substrate, the second planar substrate, the third planar substrate and the fourth planar substrate are parallel; and a means for reversibly applying axial pressure to the first and second laterally facing surfaces so as to compress the third and fourth substrates together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: UCHICAGO ARGONNE, LLC
    Inventors: Alex A Lavens, Gyorgy Babnigg, Darren A. Sherrell, Andrzej Joachimiak, Youngchang Kim, Jessica L Johnson
  • Patent number: 11761844
    Abstract: A leak detection sensor is disclosed for detecting a leaking liquid spilled from an adapter-coupling position, and includes a first conductive layer, an insulator and a second conductive layer. The first conductive layer includes a first through hole. The adapter-coupling position is located adjacent to the first through hole. The insulator includes a second through hole. The second conductive layer is connected to the first conductive layer through the insulator, and includes a conducting surface in fluid communication with the adapter-coupling position through the second through hole and the first through hole. The first conductive layer and the second conductive layer are insulated from each other through the insulator. When the leaking liquid is spilled into the first through hole and the second through hole, and contacts the conducting surface, the second conductive layer is conducted to the first conductive layer to form a conducting-resistance value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: DELTA ELECTRONICS, INC.
    Inventors: Ming-Tang Yang, Yen-Hsuan Wang, Yu-Hao Shen, Wei-Chung Chen, Kun-Cheng Mao, Jhih-Hao Chen, Sheng-Chun Fang
  • Patent number: 11754462
    Abstract: There are described methods, systems, and computer-readable media for detecting events in a conduit. Multiple lengths of optical fiber positioned alongside a conduit are used to detect a signal. For each length of optical fiber, interferometric data is obtained from the detected signal. The interferometric data obtained for one length of optical fiber is compared to the interferometric data obtained for one or more other lengths of optical fiber. Based on the comparison, it is determined whether the signal originated from the conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: HIFI ENGINEERING INC.
    Inventors: Arne Dankers, Seyed Ehsan Jalilian
  • Patent number: 11753929
    Abstract: A system to retrieve a buoyant leak detector (76) traveling with the fluid flowing in a pipeline (24), includes a catchment device (38) located above the bottom interior of the pipeline. Flexible, elongate manifold structures (30) are constructed with fluid outlet openings (54) extending along the manifold structures. The manifold structures are deployable to lie across the lower inside perimeter of the pipeline, upstream from the catchment device. A source of pressurized air is routed to the manifold structure, whereby air bubbles are emitted from the nozzles of the manifold structure to form a sheet or curtain of air bubbles that flow in the direction downstream of the fluid flow in the pipeline and at an angle upwardly from the location of the manifold structures to cause the leak detector to be deflected by the bubble curtain toward the catchment device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: Russell NDE Systems Inc.
    Inventor: David E. Russell
  • Patent number: 11747234
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method of fabricating a liquid leak sensor and, more particularly, to a method of fabricating a liquid leak sensor, which is cheap and can be easily fabricated by consecutively disposing a nonconductive layer and a conductive layer and compressing the layers. The method may include shaping a nonconductive mold article having a flat top surface and bottom surface using nonconductive powder, shaping a conductive mold article having a flat top surface and bottom surface using a conductive raw material, alternately stacking the nonconductive mold article and the conductive mold article on a die up and down, shaping a single compressed article by applying pressure to the stacked nonconductive mold article and conductive mold article up and down using presses, sintering the molded compressed article, and performing skiving processing on a side of the sintered compressed article to a given thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Inventor: Beak Myeong Seong
  • Patent number: 11740149
    Abstract: The measuring device comprises a sensor element with an electrical transducer for providing a primary signal dependent on the measured variable and a sensor body with a flat surface portion. The measuring device also includes a measurement and operation circuit for driving the transducer and processing the primary signals. The measurement and operation circuit comprises at least one carrier, a plurality of circuit components including at least one integrated circuit, and passive components. The carrier comprises an electrically insulating carrier body and conductor paths which extend in the carrier body or on its surface. The integrated circuit and the passive component are arranged on the carrier body surface and contacted by the conductor paths. The carrier body is fixed to the surface portion, and the transducer is electrically connected to circuit components of the measurement and operation circuit via conductor paths, the components being encapsulated with a molding compound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: Endress+Hauser SE+Co. KG
    Inventors: Romuald Girardey, Nils Ponath, Alexander Bannwarth
  • Patent number: 11740152
    Abstract: A method of detecting a leak-induced abnormal condition in a fluid line system having a plurality of heaters includes determining a plurality of temperature characteristics at a plurality of locations of the fluid line system, where each temperature from among the plurality of temperature characteristics is associated with at least one heater from among the plurality of heaters and monitoring, for each of the plurality of heaters, an electrical characteristic of the heater. The method includes determining the leak-induced abnormal condition is present within the fluid line system in response to the electrical characteristic of a given heater from among the plurality of heaters and the temperature characteristic associated with the given heater satisfying a temperature-and-electrical characteristics (TEC) deviation condition and performing a corrective action in response to determining the leak-induced abnormal condition is present.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: WATLOW ELECTRIC MANUFACTURING COMPANY
    Inventors: Robert E. Johnston, Daniel Gander, Chelsea Hogard, Miranda Pizzella, Andrew D. Selvy
  • Patent number: 11733123
    Abstract: The present invention is a system and method for quickly and efficiently detecting water leaks and leak flow rates in plumbing systems which can include flexible materials and components. The preferred system is comprised of a static device (known as a “water widget”), an expansion gauge temporarily connected to the physical system through a controllable manifold, a mathematical model (known as a “phantom water widget”), and a software program which accepts input related to the physical system and which outputs a result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2023
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Inventor: Kenneth Lee
  • Patent number: 11733145
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a high-pressure helium shale porosity testing device and method. The device comprises a reference cylinder, a pressure cylinder, a sample cylinder, a differential pressure sensor, a pressure gauge, an venting and vacuumizing system, a temperature control system and a tubing and valve system, wherein the reference cylinder is respectively connected with a helium source, the pressure cylinder and the sample cylinder through the tubing and valve system, the differential pressure sensor is configured to measure changes of pressure difference between the sample cylinder and the pressure cylinder, the pressure gauge is configured to measure pressure at the pressure cylinder, the sample cylinder is further connected with the venting and vacuumizing system through the tubing and valve system, and the temperature control system is used for controlling the temperature of the whole device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: Northeast Petroleum University
    Inventors: Zhejun Pan, Tong Wu