Patents Examined by Peter J. Macchiarolo
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Patent number: 11060465Abstract: A fuel supply system with a fuel pressure sensor includes a failure detection part which sets a first threshold value and a second threshold value which are deviated by first (smaller) and second (larger) predetermined values with respect to a target fuel pressure respectively; immediately detects a possibility of failure in the case where an absolute value of a difference between an output value of the fuel pressure sensor and the target fuel pressure exceeds an absolute value of a difference between the second threshold value and the target fuel pressure; and determines a failure of the fuel pressure sensor in the case where the absolute value of the difference between the output value of the fuel pressure sensor and the target fuel pressure has been exceeding an absolute value of a difference between the first threshold value and the target fuel pressure for a specified time or longer.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2019Date of Patent: July 13, 2021Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Yosuke Kosaka, Katsuji Wada
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Patent number: 11054333Abstract: A portable oil leak detection system having an oil sensor mountable to an engine and configured to detect the presence of oil and a processor positioned within a portable housing. The processor is configured to receive a signal indicative of the oil sensor detecting oil, record a timestamp in response to receiving the signal indicative of the oil sensor detecting oil, and activate an alert indicating that the oil sensor has detected oil.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2019Date of Patent: July 6, 2021Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Samuel James Boston, Samuel Jaroslav Stafl
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Patent number: 11054345Abstract: A method for collecting samples of one or more substrate can include the steps of: A) providing a sample collection tube having a first end and a second end, B) providing a cap pivotable about the first end and a footplate pivotable about the second end, C) biasing the cap and the footplate closed so that a watertight compartment can be established inside the tube; D) forcing the cap and the footplate open by attaching the cap and footplate to a releasable fastener, E) positioning the sample collection tube into the one or more substrate to collect the sample, followed by F) releasing the cap and footplate from the releasable fastener so that a watertight compartment is established inside the tube when the cap and the footplate are closed.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 2019Date of Patent: July 6, 2021Assignee: United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the NavyInventors: Kara C. Sorensen, Ignacio D. Rivera, Bart Chadwick, Chuck Katz, Cassandra Sosa
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Patent number: 11047769Abstract: In one example, fleet devices are monitored. The fleet devices include engines. A controller, such as an engine controller or centralized controller, receives sensor data indicative of a load on the engine from one or more of the fleet devices. The controller analyzes the load from the sensor data to identify a management function. The controller generates a message including the management function.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 2018Date of Patent: June 29, 2021Assignee: Kohler Co.Inventors: William Schnell, Martin Radue, Travis Andren, Todd Baumann, Mark Johansen
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Patent number: 11047873Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for making in-situ measurements of the sea bed 3 component fluid velocity field and sediment motion across a range of real ocean conditions using particle image velocimetry (PIV). A PIV system in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure can include a camera to capture images of the particles in motion, a laser to generate a laser sheet for illuminating the particles, and a synchronizer to act as an external trigger for the laser and the camera.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2019Date of Patent: June 29, 2021Assignee: The Government of the United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the NavyInventors: Joseph Calantoni, Edward Braithwaite, Callum Gray, Sean Griffin
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Patent number: 11041876Abstract: A system for measuring the distance of an obstacle, in which an optical flow is measured radially while rotating along a circle in a plane intersecting the obstacle; and the distance of the obstacle is determined according to the amplitude of the optical flow, the radius of the circle, and the speed of rotation.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 2017Date of Patent: June 22, 2021Assignees: UNIVERSITE D'AIX-MARSEILLE, CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUEInventors: Stephane Marie Vincent Viollet, Fabien Thierry Alain Colonnier, Erik Vanhoutte
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Patent number: 11041789Abstract: The present invention relates to an integrated system and method for in-situ 3-axis scanning and detecting defects in a CFRP composite (150) being loaded under static and cyclic test conditions. The system comprises a test system integrated with (10) a scanning system (20) that comprises a probe assembly (52) to generate eddy current on the surface of the CFRP composite (150) mounted on the test system, and a 3D scanner assembly (60) for movement of the probe assembly (50) over the entire surface area of the CFRP composite (150) along X-axis, Y-axis and Z-axis. An operator console (70) is connected to the test system and the scanning system (20) for controlling (3) mechanical test process in the test system and for controlling 3-dimensional movement of the probe assembly (52) along X-axis, Y-axis and Z-axis in a synchronous manner.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2017Date of Patent: June 22, 2021Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventors: Pradeep K, Chandru Haralakere Puttaswamy, Murali Mohan, Sunder Ramasubbu, Somayya Ammanagi
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Patent number: 11034356Abstract: A tire-mounted sensor includes a vibration detector, an acceleration sensor, a signal processor, and a transmitter. The vibration detector outputs a detection signal according to amplitude of a vibration of the tire. The acceleration outputs a detection signal according to an acceleration of the tire in a radial direction. The signal processor detects a rotational angle of the tire reaching a ground angle during each rotation of the tire, sets a measurement period including a time period during which the rotational angle of the tire is at the ground angle, extracts a ground contact section during which the portion of the tread provided with the vibration sensor is in contact with the ground, in the measurement period, and generates a road surface data based on the detection signal output from the vibration detector during the ground contact section. The transmitter transmits the road surface data.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 2019Date of Patent: June 15, 2021Assignee: DENSO CORPORATIONInventors: Takatoshi Sekizawa, Ryosuke Kanbayashi, Masashi Mori
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Patent number: 11035704Abstract: A sensor apparatus may include a channel structure configured to couple with an external element and a fluid conduit, such that the channel structure may receive a fluid, at least partially drawn through the external element from an ambient environment, and direct the fluid through the fluid conduit. A sensor may generate sensor data indicating a flow rate of the fluid through the fluid conduit based on monitoring a variation in a pressure at a location in hydrodynamic contact with the fluid conduit and in relation to an ambient pressure of the ambient environment. The sensor apparatus may enable generation of improved topography information associated with flows of fluid drawn from the external element based on measuring a local pressure at the location in hydrodynamic contact with the fluid conduit and determining the ambient pressure based on monitoring the local pressure over time.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2017Date of Patent: June 15, 2021Assignee: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: David B. Kane, Yezdi B. Pithawalla, Srinivasan Janardhan, Gerd Kobal
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Patent number: 11036013Abstract: Provided are an optical sensor and an analyzer, including an optical sensor section in which a cladding layer of an optical fiber is removed so as to expose a core layer by a predetermined optical path length, and a protective material is added to a surface of the exposed core layer, the protective material having higher resistance to an organic solvent, base, or acid than that of the cladding layer; a light source device that causes light to enter one end of the optical fiber; a light receiving device that receives transmitted light emitted from another end of the optical fiber; and a control device that controls the light source device and the light receiving device to measure optical transmittance in the optical sensor based on a ratio of intensity of the light emitted from the light source device to intensity of the light received by the light receiving device.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2019Date of Patent: June 15, 2021Assignee: HITACHI, LTD.Inventors: Makoto Takahashi, Yoshiyuki Takamori
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Patent number: 11029229Abstract: A method according to the invention for checking the plausibility of the function of a pressure sensor in an injection system of an internal combustion engine includes acquiring a calibrated actuation profile, by which peak current values for opening at least one electrically actuatable injection valve are assigned to existing internal pressures. An existing internal pressure is measured in the form of an actual sensor pressure value by the pressure sensor. The method includes obtaining the electrical peak current value corresponding to the measured sensor pressure value from a calibrated actuation profile, such that the corresponding electrical peak current value acquired in this way is applied to the injection valve. Subsequently, an opening state of the injection valve is monitored in reaction to the applied electrical peak current value, and a functional state of the pressure sensor is assigned as a function of the opening state of the injection valve.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2018Date of Patent: June 8, 2021Assignee: Vitesco Technologies GmbHInventors: Christoph Klesse, Tobias Ritsch, Claus Stephani, Thomas Uliana
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Patent number: 11022474Abstract: A measuring device for determining the filling level of a filling material in a container is simple and inexpensive to produce and allows largely continuous determination of the filling level of an unknown filling material in a container. The measuring device has at least three measuring sensors in mutually spaced relationship in a heightwise direction. A read-out device having at least three measuring inputs for reading out the measuring sensor signals is provided. Each measuring sensor signal depends on material properties of a filling material arranged adjacent to the respective measuring sensor. A calibration device which effects calculation of the filling level detected by a measuring sensor positioned neither right at the top nor right at the bottom in the heightwise direction, on the basis of the measuring sensor signal of the further upwardly arranged measuring sensor and/or the further downwardly arranged measuring sensor.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2017Date of Patent: June 1, 2021Assignee: ProMinent GmbHInventors: Jens Kaibel, Holger Bonicke, Klaus-Peter Bannas
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Patent number: 11022721Abstract: Multiple spatially diverse and compact weight sensors are statistically combined to reduce or eliminate errors caused by snow bridging. Data transmission using satellite communication minimizes the power consumption of the sensor station further allowing the entire system to be relatively compact and easily transported. The weight sensors may be combined with other standard sensors for measurement of air temperature and snow height, the latter measurement, for example, using ultrasound ranging or the like.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2019Date of Patent: June 1, 2021Assignee: WiSys Technology Foundation, Inc.Inventors: Austin S. Polebitski, James Pelegrin
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Patent number: 11015994Abstract: A pressure sensor includes a MEMS pressure transducer with a pressure sensing diaphragm and sensor elements, an isolator diaphragm spaced apart from the pressure sensing diaphragm, and a ceramic header body. The ceramic header body has an electrical conductor and transducer aperture with the MEMS pressure transducer supported therein. The isolator diaphragm is coupled to the to the MEMS pressure transducer by a fluid and is sealably fixed to the ceramic body. The ceramic header body bounds the fluid and the electrical conductor electrically connects the MEMS pressure transducer with the external environment. Differential pressure sensors and methods of making pressure sensors are also described.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 2018Date of Patent: May 25, 2021Assignee: Rosemount Aerospace Inc.Inventors: Christopher Sanden, James Joseph Mctighe, Cuong Tho Huynh
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Patent number: 11015989Abstract: A deformation sensing apparatus comprises an elastic substrate, a first strain-gauge element formed on a first surface of the elastic substrate, and configured to output a first signal in response to a strain applied in a first direction, and a second strain-gauge element formed on a second surface of the elastic substrate opposite to the first surface, and configured to output a second signal in response to a strain applied in the same first direction.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2019Date of Patent: May 25, 2021Assignee: Facebook Technologies, LLCInventors: Sean Jason Keller, Tristan Thomas Trutna, David R. Perek, Bruce A. Cleary, III
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Patent number: 11009415Abstract: The invention relates to a device (2). Said device has two machine parts (4, 6) that are movable relative to one another and are connected to each other by a supply line (8) along which a sensor line (10) is mounted for measuring torsion of the supply line (8); the sensor line (10) is connected to a measurement unit (11) which is designed in such a way that an electrical parameter (P) of the sensor line (10) is measured, the torsion being ascertained using said parameter (P). The invention further relates to a corresponding supply line (8), a sensor line (10) and a torsion measurement method.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 2017Date of Patent: May 18, 2021Assignee: LEONI Kabel GmbHInventors: Erwin Köppendörfer, Johannes Nachtrab
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Patent number: 11008213Abstract: A microelectromechanical and/or nanoelectromechanical device having a fixed part, at least one suspended part configured to be moveable in the plane of the device with respect to the fixed part along at least one first direction and a first suspension means for suspending the suspended part. The first suspension means includes two suspension elements each having a first end fixed directly to the suspended part and a second end connected to the fixed part, each suspension element having a half-ellipse shape in the plane and extending between the first end and the second end, and the two suspension elements being arranged with respect to each other so as to form an ellipse.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2018Date of Patent: May 18, 2021Assignee: COMMISSARIAT A L'ENERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ENERGIES ALTERNATIVESInventor: Helene Lhermet
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Patent number: 11002636Abstract: A pressure sensor for measuring pressures in combustion chambers of internal combustion engines includes a sensor housing with a longitudinal axis and an interior space, a measuring element in the interior space, and a rotation-symmetrically designed membrane with a peripheral edge section connected with an end of the sensor housing at the pressure chamber side to seal off the interior space of the sensor housing on the pressure chamber side. The membrane has a flexible annular membrane segment and a central plunger that interacts with the measuring element and the flexible annular membrane segment. The annular membrane segment connects the plunger with the peripheral edge section. The annular membrane segment is designed as a convex circular arc of constant material thickness on the pressure chamber side.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 2016Date of Patent: May 11, 2021Assignee: Kistler Holding AGInventors: Simon Brunner, Martin Giger
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Patent number: 10996127Abstract: A pressure detection device includes: a piezoelectric element that detects a pressure change via a diaphragm head or the like; a circuit board that is provided with a processing circuit that performs electrical processing with respect to a charge signal outputted from the piezoelectric element; a conductive housing member, which has conductivity and is disposed to cover (house) the circuit board, and which is connected to the ground of the circuit board; and a housing (a leading end side housing, the diaphragm head and a rear end side housing), which houses the piezoelectric element, the circuit board and the housing member, and which is electrically insulated from the piezoelectric element, the circuit board and the housing member.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 2017Date of Patent: May 4, 2021Assignees: CITIZEN FINEDEVICE CO., LTD., CITIZEN WATCH CO., LTD.Inventors: Yuta Kanamori, Masanori Yomoyama, Tetsuya Aiba, Ikuo Takahashi, Hiroshi Nakagawa, Kazuo Takahashi, Yusuke Satoh
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Patent number: 10989094Abstract: It is proposed a method for determining a quantity of a liquid in a tank, the tank comprising: a first ultrasound subsystem capable of measuring level of liquid present above a predetermined threshold level within the tank; and at least one second ultrasound subsystem, said second ultrasound subsystem being associated with a sensing area within the tank and being configured to measure a parameter characteristic of the liquid, said sensing area being located below the predetermined threshold level. The method comprises in the steps of: —checking the validity of the measurement performed by said first ultrasound subsystem (S10); —when it is detected that the measurement of said first ultrasound system is not valid: (a) checking (S22) the validity of the measurement performed by said second ultrasound subsystem; (b) determining (S24, S25, S26) a quantity of liquid, which quantity being based on a result of the validity check at step (a).Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2017Date of Patent: April 27, 2021Assignee: Plastic Omnium Advanced Innovation and ResearchInventors: Mamadou Saliou Balde, Pierre-Andre Guitard, Nicolas Hubatzeck, Jean-Philippe Rolland, Yacouba Sanogo