Patents Examined by Nigel Plumb
  • Patent number: 9604215
    Abstract: This invention relates to the design, construction and method of use of a novel thin film transport and applicator for use on XRF sample cups.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Premier Lab Supply Inc.
    Inventor: Donato Pompa
  • Patent number: 9606014
    Abstract: A pressure detector includes a passage casing, a fixing body, a sensing member, a sealing member, and a power supply member. The passage casing and the fixing body form a receiving space where the sensing member is disposed in. The sealing member is filled into the rest of the receiving space and separates the sensing member from the fixing body, and prevents a fluid to be measured coming from the chamber from leaking to outside space. The circuit board of the sensing member is protected from contacting the fluid to be measured directly. Thus, the accuracy of measuring pressure is improved, and the lifetime of the pressure detector is lengthened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Inventor: Ta-Min Peng
  • Patent number: 9593968
    Abstract: A sensing device includes a housing and at least one film extending across the housing. The at least one film divides the housing into a first compartment and a second compartment. At least one mass is disposed within the first compartment. The at least one mass id sized to rupture the at least one film. A fluid having a first color is disposed in the first compartment and a fluid having a second color is disposed in the second compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Inventor: Jessica Noel Garcia
  • Patent number: 9587996
    Abstract: A machine element designed for transferring a force and/or a torque and also for measuring the force or the torque to be transferred, as well as to an arrangement for measuring a force and/or a torque having such a machine element. A method for producing the machine element is also provided. The machine element according to the invention has a primary sensor for measuring the force to be transferred or the torque to be transferred and this sensor has a permanent magnetization. A measurable magnetic field occurring outside of the machine element is caused by the permanent magnetization and also by the force and/or by the torque. The permanent magnetization extends along a closed magnetization path. The permanent magnetization is formed in a surface layer of the machine element that has a greater magnetic permeability than at least the sections of the machine element located under the surface layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventor: Jan Matysik
  • Patent number: 9578808
    Abstract: A crop yields sensing system comprises a first sensor of a first type associated with a portion of a harvester to output first signals facilitating determination of crop yield and a second sensor of a second type different than the first type to output second signals facilitating determination of crop yield for the portion of the harvester. The system further comprises a processing unit to receive the first signals and the second signals and determine crop yield for the portion of the harvester based on a combination of the first signals and the second signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignees: Deere & Company, Iowa State University Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: Niels Dybro, Aaron J. Bruns, Matthew J. Darr, Robert McNaull
  • Patent number: 9581513
    Abstract: A diaphragm-type pressure gauge which is attached to a vessel to be measured and measures a pressure by introducing a gas inside the vessel includes a housing into which the gas is introduced, and a sensor unit which is arranged in the housing, and includes a diaphragm electrode, a measurement surface of which is arranged parallel to an introduction direction of the gas. When the housing is attached to the vessel, the measurement surface of the diaphragm electrode is arranged parallel to a direction of gravitational force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: CANON ANELVA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Haruzo Miyashita
  • Patent number: 9581518
    Abstract: A plate-shaped circuit board configured to receive a detection signal from a detector is housed in a case and is held by a holder with a flat substrate surface thereof intersecting with a bottom surface of a cover member. The holder is attached to the cover member. The cover member includes a cover body, and elongated supporting portions projecting from the bottom surface of the cover body into the case. The supporting portions each include a pair of support projections that support one of opposite side surfaces of the circuit board along a projecting direction of the supporting portions. The holder includes a flat portion provided with engagement pieces engageable with a second substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: NAGANO KEIKI CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hidebumi Seki, Hiroyuki Toba, Tomohiro Rokugawa
  • Patent number: 9581530
    Abstract: A non-destructive test system includes a plurality of impact devices including a knob configured to generate at least one flexural mode in a material when a surface of the material is impacted by the knob, a controller configured to independently control each of the plurality of impact devices, the controller having a communications channel for each of the plurality of impact devices, and a microphone configured to detect an acoustic response generated upon impact of the knob on the surface of the material, the acoustic response being based on the at least one flexural modes generated in the material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: Brigham Young University
    Inventors: William S. Guthrie, Brian Mazzeo, Jacob Larsen, Joseph McElderry
  • Patent number: 9574980
    Abstract: A device for fixing a rock sample, the device including: a lower clamp and an upper clamp. The lower clamp includes: a lower connector connected to a bottom loading base, a lower end cap for fixing samples, a lower chain connecting the lower connector and the lower end cap, a first spiral spring, a first central position-limit mechanism, and a second central position-limit mechanism. The lower end cap includes: a first sample fixing groove and a first connecting segment. The upper clamp includes: an upper connector connected to a top loading base, an upper end cap for fixing the samples, an upper chain connecting with the upper connector and the upper end cap, a second spiral spring, a third central position-limit mechanism, and a fourth central position-limit mechanism. The upper end cap includes a second sample fixing groove and a second connecting segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: SICHUAN UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Jianfeng Liu, Heping Xie, Yang Ju, Yong Xiang, Huining Xu, Yangmengdi Xu, Hang Zou, Zhiwei Zhou, Yue Zhuo
  • Patent number: 9568407
    Abstract: The instant disclosure relates to an apparatus, system and methods for determining the impact attenuation or hardness of a surface for a playground or sports field in order to mitigate or reduce sports and playground related injuries.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: Sonam Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Bradley A. Pittam, Christopher A. Hanson, Michael Hanson
  • Patent number: 9562821
    Abstract: A pressure indicator, which can be detachably connected to an air compressor for measuring the pressure of compressed air produced in the air compressor, includes a tube and a slider. The slider can be moved along a first bore and a second bore of the tube. The motion of the slider in the tube is similar to the motion of a piston body in a cylinder. The tube is provided with a tapered annular surface, between the first bore and the second bore, and defines an elongated opening. In addition, when the pressure of the compressed air exceeds a predetermined pressure, excessive air can be released into the ambient environment, without using a mechanical safety valve, so that an object can be prevented from over-inflation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Inventor: Wen-San Chou
  • Patent number: 9557256
    Abstract: A tension and compression tester for a fracture stress test of a compact pipe sample having a crack portion formed thereon, comprises: a pair of holders each of which is configured to surround both ends of the compact pipe sample respectively such that the crack portion is interposed between both ends of the compact pipe; fixing portions each of which is disposed between the compact pipe sample and the holder to enhance fastening between the compact pipe sample and the holder; levers each of which is connected with the fixing portion and the holder to deliver tension or bending to the compact pipe sample; and separation preventing portions for fixing both ends of the holder and the lever with each other to prevent separation of the lever and the holder. Accordingly, the tester can conduct both tension and compression tests, while easily applying loads on the sample during the test.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: Research & Business Foundation SUNGKYUNKWAN UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Changsung Seok, Suk Woo Hong
  • Patent number: 9554589
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods and systems for calculating a food additive. A first method includes identifying chemical compounds of an averse food ingredient, identifying chemical compounds of a flavorful food ingredient and calculating a set of chemical compounds for the food additive such that an olfactory perception of a mixture of the averse food ingredient, the flavorful food ingredient and the food additive is the same as an olfactory perception of only the flavorful food ingredient. A first device includes a database storing information identifying chemical compounds of an averse food ingredient and identifying chemical compounds of a flavorful food ingredient, and a processor for calculating a food additive such that an olfactory perception of flavors of a mixture of the averse food ingredient, the flavorful food ingredient and the food additive is the same as an olfactory perception of only the flavorful food ingredient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Kush R. Varshney, Lav R. Varshney
  • Patent number: 9551639
    Abstract: Device and method for measuring true triaxial creep of a geotechnical engineering test block, including a supporting structure; the device includes four confining pressure-plates and upper-and-lower compression-plates forming an enclosed cavity for the test block; confining pressure-plates include two long confining pressure-plates and two short-confining pressure-plates, upper-and-lower compression-plates are rectangular top and bottom steel-plates, two L-shaped long confining pressure-plates bent towards the outer side lapped on two adjacent side faces of the bottom steel-plate, two L-shaped short-confining pressure-plates bent towards the outer side lapped on remaining two-side faces of the bottom steel-plate, and bottom ends of the short-confining pressure-plates are placed on the bottom steel-plate; top ends of long confining pressure-plates lapped on the top steel-plate, and top steel-plate leans against inner side faces of two short-confining pressure-plates; vertically pressure sensors corresponds to
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: SHANDONG UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Shucai Li, Liping Li, Hongliang Liu, Qinghan Wang, Shaoshuai Shi, Qianqing Zhang, Zhenhao Xu, Zongqing Zhou, Jing Wang, Cong Hu
  • Patent number: 9551668
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for elemental analysis of a formation fluid from a subsurface tool having a housing, a sampling probe for collecting a sample of the formation fluid external to the housing, and a microplasma device within the housing and in fluid communication with the sampling probe. The microplasma device includes an upstream gas system, a sampling valve in fluid communication with the sampling probe and the upstream gas system, an expansion chamber for volatizing the formation fluid sample obtained from the sampling valve, and a microplasma chamber in fluid communication with the expansion chamber for ionizing the volatilized fluid sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Christopher Harrison, Neil Bostrom, Bradley Kaanta
  • Patent number: 9540224
    Abstract: The invention relates to a fluid meter (27) comprising a housing (28) defining at least one crankcase (29) and two cylinders (25, 26), a crankshaft (11) disposed in the crankcase (29), two pistons (3, 4) respectively mounted in the cylinders (25, 26) for reciprocal movement, a first connecting rod (12) connected to one of the pistons (3) and to the crankshaft (11) for rotating the crankshaft (11) in response to the movement of the one piston (3), and a second connecting rod (13) connected to the other piston (4) and to the crankshaft (11) for rotating the crankshaft (11) in response to the movement of the other piston (4), wherein the first and second connecting rods (12, 13) have yoke slots (16, 17) for receiving a crank pin (19) radially offset from the crankshaft (11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: Wayne Fueling Systems Sweden AB
    Inventors: Marie Hakansson, Bengt I. Larsson
  • Patent number: 9534973
    Abstract: A capacitive pressure sensor may be configured to transduce both a dynamic pressure and a static pressure using a single diaphragm. A capacitive pressure sensor may comprise a dynamic excitation signal module in parallel with a static excitation signal module, a summing amplifier module in connection with both the dynamic excitation module and the static excitation module, a dynamic charge amplifier stage in a parallel with a static charge amplifier stage, and a capacitive sensor connected to an output of the summing amplifier module, as well as an input of the dynamic charge amplifier stage, and an input of the static charge amplifier stage. Further, a dynamic excitation signal may be provided by the dynamic excitation signal module as a constant DC voltage signal, and a static excitation signal may be provided by the static excitation signal module as an AC voltage signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: ROSEMOUNT AEROSPACE, INC.
    Inventor: James Joseph McTighe
  • Patent number: 9535039
    Abstract: A multiple frequency ping transmitter which can be carried by a pig which is used in an underwater pipeline. The ping transmitter produces a ping chord which includes a plurality of different tone frequencies which are simultaneously transmitted in the ping chord. Procedures are also provided wherein the multiple frequency ping transmitter is used in a system and method for located a pig which is stuck in the underwater pipeline or for determining the relative velocity of a moving pig.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Control Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason Farqué, Eric Farqué
  • Patent number: 9534586
    Abstract: A device for measuring deformations of a rotor blade of a wind turbine generator system includes a position-measuring device having a first assembly and a second assembly. The first assembly is disposed so as to be movable relative to the second assembly. The position-measuring device is configured to measure a relative position between the first and second assemblies. An arm mechanically coupled to the first assembly has a first adhesive bonding surface configured to allow the arm to be permanently joined to the rotor blade. The second assembly has a second adhesive bonding surface configured to allow the second assembly to be permanently joined to the rotor blade. A first mounting element is fixed to at the second assembly and/or the arm. A second mounting element is adhesively attachable to the rotor blade. The first mounting element is detachably joinable to the second mounting element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: DR. JOHANNES HEIDENHAIN GMBH
    Inventors: Hermann Meyer, Thomas Sigl
  • Patent number: 9523617
    Abstract: A transducer assembly configured to accommodate a plurality of individually tunable sensing elements of various geometries and configurations by using a cap and an accompanying capillary tube. The configuration of the various embodiments described herein eliminate the header to flat plate welds of the prior art, and therefore better accommodates a plurality of sensing elements and corresponding header assemblies within one transducer assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: Kulite Semiconductor Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Gardner, Louis DeRosa