Patents Examined by Peter Macchiarolo
  • Patent number: 10006796
    Abstract: The present disclosure discloses a device, a container and a method for measuring a liquid volume in a container based on air pressure sensing. The measuring device includes a moving member, a unidirectional member, an air pressure detection device and a controller. The moving member is connected with a con tamer to be detected to form a gas storage space. By using the unidirectional member, the gas storage space is communicated with the external environment when the volume decreases, and remains sealed with the external environment when the volume increases. The air pressure detection device is disposed on the moving member to measure a pressure value in the gas storage space. The device accurately measures the liquid volume in the container, effectively eliminates the interference of liquid motion on the measurement result, and can be conveniently used to detect a water volume in the natural usage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Inventor: Xiaoliang Li
  • Patent number: 10001504
    Abstract: There is provided an acceleration detecting device capable of using a flat plate-like packaging substrate having no recess portion as a packaging substrate and reducing the height thereof. In an acceleration detecting device, an acceleration detecting element is held by first and second holding members therebetween so as to configure a plate-like structure. In the plate-like structure, at least one of a third surface and a fourth surface of the acceleration detecting element is located at the inner side relative to first holding member surfaces or second holding member surfaces of the first and second holding members in the thickness direction connecting the third surface and the fourth surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: MURATA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Eriko Nishioka, Tsuyoshi Futamata
  • Patent number: 9994107
    Abstract: A dial gauge assembly includes a single circuit board that supports light emitting diodes for both illuminating a pointer and backlighting a liquid crystal display. The dial gauge assembly controls illumination of the pointer by switching on and off a plurality of segments disposed within the LCD.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Kenichi Takato
  • Patent number: 9994041
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes, among other things, a device. The device includes a plurality of sensors, an output system, a processor coupled to the plurality of sensors and the output system, and a memory. The memory stores instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to receive a signal from the plurality of sensors, interpret the signal as a first Braille cell, and send a signal corresponding to the first Braille cell to the output system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Perkins School for the Blind
    Inventors: David Morgan, David A. Carhart, Michael C. Garrett, Stephen Lingle, Frank Pistorio, Jackson Wilson
  • Patent number: 9995657
    Abstract: This invention is related to a device for collection and test of fluid specimens, comprising a first cavity and a second cavity; wherein, the first cavity is located inside the second cavity; furthermore, the first and second cavities are interconnected; the said first cavity is available for mutual rotation with the second cavity to facilitate fluid to flow between them; the first cavity is provided with a first position and a second position inside the second cavity. The device of this invention can ensure adequate and uniform mixing of fluid inside the second cavity to facilitate further tests.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: ABON BIOPHARM (HANGZHOU) CO., LTD
    Inventors: Lin Hu, Haipeng Hu, Yinfei Wu
  • Patent number: 9997861
    Abstract: A latch indicator apparatus for indicating a locked status of an attachment between a cable housing and a cable receptor. The latch indicator apparatus includes a latch indicator attached to a cable housing at an attachment point, a first resistive element having a first resistance, and is attached to the cable housing at the attachment point. The restive element of the latch indicator attaches to an indicator tab. The latch indicator includes an indicator window, which is positioned to indicate a locked status of the latch indicator based on the first resistance of the first resistive element. The latch indicator tests a connection between a cable housing and a cable housing by indicating a locked status. The locked status is indicated by exerting a first force on the indicator tab by pulling the indicator tab in a direction away from the connection between the cable housing and the cable receptor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Paul W. Schaefer, Sandra J. Shirk/Heath
  • Patent number: 9995711
    Abstract: A method of wear detection of a coated belt or rope includes measuring an initial electrical resistance of one or more cords, strands or wires of the coated belt or rope. The initial electrical resistance is calibrated by repeating the measuring of initial electrical resistance and populating a database with the measured initial electrical resistance values. A true initial resistance is determined from the population of initial electrical resistances and subsequent measured values of electrical resistance of the one or more cords, strands or wires of the coated belt or rope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Michael Garfinkel, Daryl J. Marvin
  • Patent number: 9989398
    Abstract: A device for determining a predetermined fill level of a liquid in a container, with a sensor unit, comprising a unit capable of oscillating mechanically, a transmitter unit, and a receiver unit, which is electrically and mechanically coupled to the transmitter unit, and which transduces the oscillation of the unit capable of oscillating into an electrical receiving signal. An electronic unit, comprising a regulating unit, which regulates a phase difference that exists between the electrical transmission signal and electrical receiving signal to a determined value at which the unit capable of oscillating conducts oscillations at a resonant frequency, and which forms an oscillation circuit with the transmitter unit, receiving unit and the unit capable of oscillating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: ENDRESS + HAUSER GMBH + CO. KG
    Inventors: Sascha D'Angelico, Sergej Lopatin, Franco Ferraro
  • Patent number: 9983227
    Abstract: An accelerometer arrangement and method are described for determining accelerations of an inground tool. First and second triaxial accelerometers are supported such that a normal sensing axis of the first triaxial accelerometer is at least generally orthogonal to the normal sensing axis of the second triaxial accelerometer for determining the accelerations along the three orthogonal axes based on a combination of sensing axis outputs from one or both of the triaxial accelerometers. A weaker sensing axis of one triaxial accelerometer can be supported at least approximately normal to a weaker sensing axis of another triaxial accelerometer such that the weaker axes are not used. The triaxial accelerometers can be supported such that one axis of one accelerometer can be redundant with respect to another axis of another accelerometer. One triaxial accelerometer can be mounted on a tilted plane with respect to another triaxial accelerometer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Merlin Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Albert W. Chau, John E. Mercer, Scott Phillips
  • Patent number: 9983076
    Abstract: An adapter for a load cell in a rod pump system includes an outer shell including a mounting portion configured to attach to the load cell on a polished rod, a power supply configured to provide power to the adapter and the load cell, the power supply including a solar panel on the outer shell, a cable configured to connect to the load cell, the adapter configured to provide power to the load cell via the cable, and the adapter configured to receive a load signal from the load cell via the cable, a signal processor configured to receive and process the load signal and to output load signal data representative of a load experienced by the load cell, and a wireless transmitter to transmit the load signal data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: BODE ENERGY EQUIPMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Min Zhao
  • Patent number: 9983174
    Abstract: A method and assembly for verification of the calibration of a system for non-destructive testing of pieces. The assembly includes an ultrasound probe, a perfect reflector having reference defects, and recording and data processing units. The ultrasound probe scans the perfect reflector and ultrasonic reflections from the reflector are measured by the non-destructive testing system, a recording unit records the measurements, and a data processing unit forms a virtual map of the perfect reflector based on the amplitude and time of flight of the reflections and based on predetermined characteristics of the material of the reflector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Airbus Operations (S.A.S.)
    Inventor: Franck Bentouhami
  • Patent number: 9983038
    Abstract: A housing defines a bypass passage and a sub-bypass passage. The bypass passage draws a part of air flowing through an interior of a duct. The sub-bypass passage is branched from the bypass passage to draw a part of air flowing through the bypass passage. A flow sensor is equipped in the sub-bypass passage to cause heat transfer with air, which passes through the sub-bypass passage, and to generate an electric signal according to a flow quantity of air in the duct. An intake-air temperature sensor is configured to measure a temperature in the duct. A moisture sensor is configured to measure a humidity in the duct. The flow sensor and the multiple sensors are equipped in the sub-bypass passage and are located along a direction of flow of air in the sub-bypass passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Shinichi Kamiya
  • Patent number: 9977005
    Abstract: The invention relates to a gas sampling device for a filling station for hydrogen tanks, said device comprising a circuit comprising a first upstream end provided with an inlet connector to a detachably connected to an outlet connector of a filling station, and two conduits respectively for sampling and filling connected in parallel to the inlet connector, the sampling conduit comprising a valve system, a first pressure reducing valve and a container for collecting a sample of gas expanded by said first pressure reducing valve, and the filling conduit comprising a downstream end provided with a first outlet connector to a detachably connected to an inlet connector of a tank to be filled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: L'AIR LIQUIDE SOCIETE ANONYME POUR L'ETUDE ET L'EXPLOITATION DES PROCEDES GEORGES CLAUDE
    Inventors: David Carteau, Patrick Mauvais
  • Patent number: 9976926
    Abstract: Inspection methods and systems for detecting leaks in a vacuum bag assembly used in the manufacture of a composite part based on spraying helium over the vacuum bag and detecting the helium drawn by the vacuum inside the vacuum bag through a leak. The inspection methods comprise creating a local helium atmosphere in a chamber over the vacuum bag assembly by zones, following a programmed zonal sequence, for a first leak detection test of each zone and a subsequent second leak detection test if the first test gives a positive result. The inspection systems comprise a helium spraying system and helium detecting equipment arranged to implement the inspection methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: Airbus Operations S.L.
    Inventors: Georgina Galera Córdoba, Augusto Pérez Pastor, Francisco Javier Jordán Carnicero, Yolanda Miguez Charines, Ángel Pablo Gordo Arias, Laura Álvarez Antoñón
  • Patent number: 9976936
    Abstract: A fixture includes a vehicle body and a tube connected to the vehicle body. The tube has an axis, and the fixture includes a piston slideably disposed in the tube along the axis. A seat belt D-ring is mounted to the piston. The tube and the piston each define holes positioned to be aligned with each other when the piston is in multiple positions along the axis in the tube. A pin is engageable with the holes when the holes are aligned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Jamel E. Belwafa, William Gary Ballard
  • Patent number: 9977010
    Abstract: Systems and methods for processing sensor data and end of life detection are provided. In some embodiments, a method for determining the end of life of a continuous analyte sensor includes evaluating a plurality of risk factors using an end of life function to determine an end of life status of the sensor and providing an output related to the end of life status of the sensor. The plurality of risk factors may be selected from the list including the number of days the sensor has been in use, whether there has been a decrease in signal sensitivity, whether there is a predetermined noise pattern, whether there is a predetermined oxygen concentration pattern, and error between reference BG values and EGV sensor values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: DexCom, Inc.
    Inventors: Naresh C. Bhavaraju, Arturo Garcia, Hari Hampapuram, Apurv Ullas Kamath, Aarthi Mahalingam, Dmytro Sokolovskyy, Stephen J. Vanslyke
  • Patent number: 9970915
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for rapidly determining the partial pressure of CO2 (pCO2) in a body of water. The systems and methods are particularly useful for measuring p CO2 in coastal waters and other bodies of water where pCO2 can change rapidly and vary widely at sites that are in close proximity to each other. Additionally, pCO2 measurements can be important for industrial CO2 sequestration monitoring, monitoring pCO2 in wastewater and drinking water treatment plants, as well as monitoring and controlling pH in municipal and private swimming pools.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: Smithsonian Institution
    Inventors: Alexander Whitman Miller, Gerhardt F. Riedel, Karl John Klug
  • Patent number: 9970956
    Abstract: A movable part rotates about a rotation axis, which passes through a support, when an inertial force in a detecting direction is applied to an inertial sensor. The movable part includes a first region and a second region displaced in a direction opposite to a direction of the first region when the inertial force is applied. A second substrate includes first and second detection electrodes opposed to the first and second regions, respectively. The first detection electrode and the second detection electrode are provided symmetrically with respect to the rotation axis. A cavity is provided symmetrically with respect to the rotation axis. In a direction perpendicular to the detecting direction and a direction in which the rotation axis extends, a length from the rotation axis to an end of the first region and a length from the rotation axis to an end of the second region are different.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuhua Zhang, Heewon Jeong, Kiyoko Yamanaka, Masahide Hayashi
  • Patent number: 9970957
    Abstract: A rocker device for a micromechanical Z-sensor, including two rocker arms which are mounted around a torsion spring and which are asymmetric relative to the torsion spring; the rocker arms having first perforations; at least one of the rocker arms having at least one opening, a diameter of the first perforations being configured in a defined manner to be smaller than a diameter of the opening; and a cavity for connecting the first perforations to the at least one opening being formed in at least one of the rocker arms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Andreas Scheurle, Guenther-Nino-Carlo Ulrich
  • Patent number: 9970832
    Abstract: A strain sensor according to the present disclosure includes a flexible substrate, a rigid pattern on a side of the flexible substrate, and a conductive flexible pattern extending in a first direction on a side of the flexible substrate, in which the conductive flexible pattern overlaps the rigid pattern such that as the flexible substrate is compressed or stretched, the conductive flexible pattern is compressed or stretched, thereby changing electric resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: SNU R&DB FOUNDATION
    Inventors: Yong Taek Hong, Tae Hoon Kim