Patents Examined by Nigel Plumb
  • Patent number: 9518880
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a magnet unit (1) for a sensor device for detecting a measured variable which characterizes a rotational state of a steering shaft of a motor vehicle, by way of provision of an annular magnet element (3), provision of a sleeve (2) for connecting the magnet unit (1) to a shaft part of the steering shaft, and connection of the magnet element (3) to the sleeve (2), the sleeve (2) being configured with a main body (6) and a multiplicity of tabs (7) which protrude from the main body (6), and the connection comprising the tabs (7) being embedded into respective cut-outs (5) of the magnet element (3) with heating of the magnet element (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: VALEO Schalter und Sensoren GmbH
    Inventors: Roman Schoepe, Ekkehart Froehlich
  • Patent number: 9513185
    Abstract: A detecting element is provided for detecting leaks of an electrically nonconductive liquid, in particular of hydrocarbons, as well as a detection cable and a detection system using such a detecting element. The detecting element includes a detection member made of a material which inflates upon contact with the liquid and which is loaded with electrically conductive particles, to be conductive when not contaminated by the liquid, and to lose the conductivity when inflating from contact with the liquid. The detection member is electrically connected to an electronic management module, which is arranged for detecting the presence of the liquid by noticing a decrease in the conductivity of the detection member. In a preferred embodiment, the detection cable includes four insulated conductive wires, one of which is embedded in the detection member which is itself protected by an inflatable casing, which is also insulating and water-proof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: TTK
    Inventors: Olivier Gautier, Olivier Gillot, Stefan Balatchev
  • Patent number: 9513111
    Abstract: An optical fiber sensing spring of the present invention includes a longer cylindrical tension coil spring, a shorter cylindrical compression coil spring and a longer cylindrical tension coil spring that are connected in series to form a spring having the same inner and outer diameters. A single-mode optical fiber manufactured with a long section of fiber grating is placed in the manufactured spring. This section of the fiber grating is tensed to two ends of the cylindrical compression coil spring having a predetermined gauge length, and the force applied is released. A pre-tensing method for providing a maximum tolerable compression strain and manufacturing technology for this sensing element are then achieved. Thus, the self-tensed optical fiber sensing spring structure satisfies a standard 0.9 mm outer diameter, is fully spring jacketed by the full spring jacketing and protection layer, and forms a linear stress-strain relationship in an elasticity stretched elastic region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Jinn Her Enterprise Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yung-Yu Tsai, Chun-Chu Yang
  • Patent number: 9505230
    Abstract: A compliant micro device transfer head and head array are disclosed. In an embodiment a micro device transfer head includes a spring portion that is deflectable into a space between a base substrate and the spring portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Andreas Bibl, John A. Higginson, Hsin-Hua Hu
  • Patent number: 9500543
    Abstract: A torque angle sensor according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure includes a torque sensor unit and an angle sensor unit at a housing centrally arranged with a rotation shaft, the torque sensor unit including a stator installed inside the housing, a torque magnet rotatably installed at a center of the stator in conjunction with rotary operation of the rotation shaft, a collector installed at the housing to transmit a magnetic field of the torque magnet, a magnetic device module formed with an individually operating first magnetic device and a second magnetic device in one package to detect the magnetic field transmitted by the collector, and a PCB (Printed Circuit Board) mounted with the magnetic device module, wherein the PCB is arranged to a direction perpendicular to an axial direction of the rotation shaft and installed at a distal end with the magnetic device module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: LG INNOTEK CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chang Hwan Lee, Young Wuk Lee, Myung Chul Woo
  • Patent number: 9500574
    Abstract: A rock sample fixing device with a three-jaw chuck for cyclic tension and compression testing including: a lower clamp and an upper clamp; the lower clamp including a lower connector connected to a loading base at a bottom of a testing machine, a lower end cap for fixing samples, a lower chain connecting the lower connector and the lower end cap, a first central position-limit mechanism, a second central position-limit mechanism, and a first hydraulic mechanism; the upper clamp including an upper connector connected to a loading base at a top of the testing machine, an upper end cap for fixing samples, an upper chain connecting the upper connector and the upper end cap, a third central position-limit mechanism, a fourth central position-limit mechanism, and a second hydraulic mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: SICHUAN UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Jianfeng Liu, Yang Ju, Jianliang Pei, Huining Xu, Lu Wang, Yangmengdi Xu, Hang Zou
  • Patent number: 9494502
    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 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: SICHUAN UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Jianfeng Liu, Heping Xie, Yang Ju, Jianliang Pei, Lu Wang, Huining Xu, Fei Wu
  • Patent number: 9488560
    Abstract: A rock sample fixing device with position-limit spring components for cyclic tension and compression tests including: a lower clamp and an upper clamp; the lower clamp including a lower connector connected to a loading base at a bottom of a testing machine, a lower end cap for fixing samples, a lower chain connecting the lower connector and the lower end cap, a first central position-limit mechanism, a second central position-limit mechanism, and a first hydraulic mechanism; the upper clamp including an upper connector connected to a loading base at a top of the testing machine, an upper end cap for fixing samples, an upper chain connecting the upper connector and the upper end cap, a third central position-limit mechanism, a fourth central position-limit mechanism, and a second hydraulic mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: SICHUAN UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Jianfeng Liu, Heping Xie, Yang Ju, Jianliang Pei, Huining Xu, Lu Wang, Fei Wu, Wenxi Fu
  • Patent number: 9488559
    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, a second central position-limit mechanism, and a first hydraulic 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, fourth central position-limit mechanism, and a second hydraulic mechanism. The upper end cap includes: a second sample fixing groove and a second connecting segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: SICHUAN UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Jianfeng Liu, Jianliang Pei, Huining Xu, Lu Wang, Zhiwei Zhou, Yue Zhuo, Feng Dai, Wenxi Fu
  • Patent number: 9488539
    Abstract: A device (1) for determining the torque applied to a crankset shaft (10) moveable in rotation about an axis of rotation, includes a supporting element (50). The crankset shaft (10) has two separate parts that are moveable in rotation, the supporting element being designed to keep the two parts substantially coaxial with the axis of rotation. Furthermore, the two parts have respective contact elements designed to transform the rotational movement of one of the two parts into a simultaneously translational and rotational movement of the other of the two parts, as well as stop element designed to cooperate with the supporting element. The device also has at least one sensing element (80) designed to provide a signal representing a mechanical stress applied to the at least one sensing element, and a processing module configured to determine the torque as a function of the signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignees: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE FRANCE, CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventor: Manuel Morollon
  • Patent number: 9482534
    Abstract: The invention relates to integrated circuits, and more particularly, to systems, devices and methods of integrating a gyro sensing circuit with a gyroscope to detect a shock or a disturbance, and accurately differentiate rotation-based sense signals from noises introduced by the shock or disturbance. The gyro sensing circuit may be implemented in a differential or non-differential demodulation scheme, and comprises at least one demodulation unit and a peak detector. The at least one demodulation unit demodulates a gyro output signal provided by the gyroscope with a reference signal. In a demodulated gyro output signal, a shock signal or a gyro disturbance signal is substantially isolated out from interested gyro sense signals that are used to sense a rate of rotation. A peak detector samples the modulated gyro output signal, determines whether the signal exceeds a threshold level VTH and outputs a shock flag indicating a corresponding determination result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: Maxim Integrated Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Massimiliano Forliti, Christian Rosandini
  • Patent number: 9482603
    Abstract: Described is a device for solid phase extraction of a dried sample of a biological fluid. The device includes a support structure such as a plate or support block that has a first side to receive a dried sample card. The support structure also has a second side that is opposite the first side and a number of apertures that extend between the first and second sides. The device also includes a plurality of wells each containing a sample preparation material and having an inlet end that communicates with a respective aperture at the second side of the support structure. Each dried sample on the dried sample card is aligned with one of the apertures. Extraction samples in each well pass through the sample preparation material, such as a chromatographic sorbent, in the well to remove one or more constituents of the extraction sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: Waters Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Darryl W. Brousmiche, Pamela C. Iraneta, Erin E. Chambers, Moon Chul Jung
  • Patent number: 9475689
    Abstract: A sensor system includes a microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) sensor, control circuit, signal evaluation circuitry, a digital to analog converter, signal filters, an amplifier, demodulation circuitry and memory. The system is configured to generate high and low-frequency signals, combine them, and provide the combined input signal to a MEMS sensor. The MEMS sensor is configured to provide a modulated output signal that is a function of the combined signal. The system is configured to demodulate and filter the modulated output signal, compare the demodulated, filtered signal with the input signal to determine amplitude and phase differences, and determine, based on the amplitude and phase differences, various parameters of the MEMS sensor. A method for determining MEMS sensor parameters is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
    Inventors: Raimondo P. Sessego, Tehmoor M. Dar, Bruno J. Debeurre
  • Patent number: 9476786
    Abstract: A pressure sensor unit to be attached to an air inlet port of an air tool, comprising a valve portion configured to shut off an air supply from an air passage through an induction pipe insertion portion when an air induction pipe of the air tool is not inserted in the induction pipe inserting portion, and configured to open the air supply from the air passage into the air induction pipe by the valve portion being pushed by the air induction pipe when the air induction pipe is inserted into the induction pipe inserting portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: ANEST IWATA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Takayuki Hata
  • Patent number: 9470590
    Abstract: A coil spring modeling apparatus includes an actuator unit formed of a Stewart-platform-type parallel mechanism, a first inner load cell accommodated in a first attachment member, a second inner load cell accommodated in a second attachment member, and a rotation support mechanism. The actuator unit is rotatably supported by the rotation support mechanism about an axis. The first inner load cell is arranged on the first seat adapter coaxially with the rotation support mechanism, and detects an axial force acting on the lower spring seat and a moment. The second inner load cell is arranged under the second seat adapter coaxially with the rotation support mechanism, and detects an axial force acting on the upper spring seat and a moment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignees: NHK SPRING CO., LTD., NHK INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takahiro Nakamura, Kazuo Furukawa, Senri Moriyama, Ryuichi Sato, Shinichi Nishizawa
  • Patent number: 9461427
    Abstract: A process measurement instrument comprises a process adaptor for mounting to a process vessel or the like and operatively associated with a sensing element for sensing a process variable and including plural electrical conductors. An instrument housing includes a control circuit. A connector assembly is operatively disposed between the instrument housing and the process adaptor for removably connecting the instrument housing to the process adaptor. The connector assembly comprises a first connector including a cylindrical connector body having an offset boss with a first multi-pin wire connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: Magnetrol International, Incorporated
    Inventor: Paul G. Janitch
  • Patent number: 9459161
    Abstract: The various technologies presented herein relate to a sensor for measurement of high forces and/or high load shock rate(s), whereby the sensor utilizes silicon as the sensing element. A plate of Si can have a thinned region formed therein on which can be formed a number of traces operating as a Wheatstone bridge. The brittle Si can be incorporated into a layered structure comprising ductile and/or compliant materials. The sensor can have a washer-like configuration which can be incorporated into a nut and bolt configuration, whereby tightening of the nut and bolt can facilitate application of a compressive preload upon the sensor. Upon application of an impact load on the bolt, the compressive load on the sensor can be reduced (e.g., moves towards zero-load), however the magnitude of the preload can be such that the load on the sensor does not translate to tensile stress being applied to the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: Paul C. Galambos, Thomas B. Crenshaw, Erik E. Nishida, Damon J. Burnett, Jeffrey W. Lantz
  • Patent number: 9447563
    Abstract: A stroke operation diagnosis supporting device for a hydraulic cylinder includes: movable portions; hydraulic cylinders; a stroke sensor measuring a stroke length of the hydraulic cylinder; a reset sensor measuring a reset reference point at which a measurement value of the stroke length obtained by the stroke sensor is reset; a stroke end detection process unit detecting a stroke end position of the hydraulic cylinder; a calibration process unit calibrating the measurement value of the stroke length upon the detection of the reset reference point and/or the stroke end position; and a monitor displaying on a screen at least the measurement value of the stroke length obtained by the stroke sensor and a calibration state obtained by the calibration process unit, wherein the monitor displays continuous time change of the measurement value of the stroke length obtained by the stroke sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsuhiro Ikegami, Yoshiki Kami, Yuki Shimano, Hayato Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 9435672
    Abstract: A measurement transducer for process instrumentation includes a sensor for detecting a physical or chemical quantity, where a supply voltage to the sensor is regulated by a cross regulator to a constant value, and the current intensity of the current adjusted by the cross regulator and flowing parallel to the sensor is determined and monitored to maintain a specified criterion in order to detect a sensor error such that error conditions of the sensor can be determined in a particularly simple and effective way.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Eric Chemisky, Slava Friesen
  • Patent number: 9429483
    Abstract: A method for calibrating a transmitter with measurement circuitry electrically connected to first and second input terminals includes connecting a primary temperature sensor to the first input terminal and connecting a calibrated reference device to the second input terminal. The measurement circuitry is calibrated with respect to the first input terminal according to signals received from the second input terminal while measuring temperature according to signals received from the first input terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: Rosemount Inc.
    Inventors: Loren Michael Engelstad, Dirk Willy Bauschke, Jason Harold Rud