Patents Examined by Philip Cotey
  • Patent number: 9234815
    Abstract: A torque measuring system is provided in a vehicle transmission including a clutch assembly having a two part, rotatable torque transmitting member, the two pans of the member being angularly movable relative to one another against the compression of at least one damper spring pack, and an actuator with a non rotatable cylinder for controlling the clutch. A device for radiating and receiving wave energy is arranged to irradiate the damper spring pack in order to receive a reflected modulation signal proportional to the current resonance frequency of the damper spring pack, and where the modulation signal is arranged to be converted to a torque value by a signal processing device, which torque value corresponds to the actual torque over the clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: Volvo Lastvagnar AB
    Inventors: Lars BrĂ¥the, Stefan Jansson
  • Patent number: 9226706
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed include a system and method for development of core muscles' support, comprising a means for identifying a user qualifying movement, a means for detecting a core muscle contraction in the identified qualifying movement, a means for discriminating between a core muscle contraction and no core muscle contraction in the identified qualifying movement; and a means to provide feedback to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: Alert Core, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory Takeo Uehara, Brian Taylor Brunn
  • Patent number: 9222840
    Abstract: The dual temperature sensor for an engine includes a first sensor configured for detecting the temperature of an engine and for generating at least one information signal corresponding to the detected temperature of the engine, and a second sensor configured for detecting the temperature of the engine coolant and for generating at least one information signal corresponding to the detected temperature of the engine coolant within the engine. An insulator is positioned between the first sensor and the second sensor. The dual temperature sensor is mounted in the thermostat housing such that the first sensor of the dual temperature sensor is positioned outside the thermostat housing wall so that the first sensor is in communicating relation with the engine and the second sensor of the dual temperature sensor is positioned inside the thermostat housing in communicating relation with the engine coolant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Inventor: Ali A. A. J. Shammoh
  • Patent number: 9212952
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to integrated circuits. More particularly, the present invention provides a circuit and method for sensing a voltage and/or temperature from an integrated circuit device such as a Serializer/Deserializer (SerDes) integrated circuit device. But it will be recognized that the technique can be used for monitoring other system on chip devices, such as micro-controllers, digital signal processors, microprocessors, networking devices, application specific integrated circuits, and other integrated circuit devices that may desire on-chip temperature and/or voltage sensing capability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: INPHI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Karthik S. Gopalakrishnan, Sadettin Cirit
  • Patent number: 9212895
    Abstract: A strain sensor includes a flexible substrate, a CNT film made of a plurality of CNT fibers aligned in an orientation direction, a pair of electrodes, and a protective coat. The electrodes are formed at the opposite ends of the CNT film in a perpendicular direction to the orientation direction of the CNT fibers. The protective coat protecting the CNT film is made of a resin, a water-based emulsion, or an oil-based emulsion. The protective coat is placed in contact with at least part of the CTN fibers on the surface of the CNT film. The strain sensor including the protective coat is able to prevent damage/breakage of the CNT film and to prevent foreign matters from entering into gaps between CNT fibers, thus improving durability in maintaining adequate sensing functionality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignees: YAMAHA CORPORATION, NATIONAL UNIVERSITY CORPORATION SHIZUOKA UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Katsunori Suzuki, Shingo Sakakibara, Koji Yataka, Yasuro Okumiya, Yoshiki Terada, Yoku Inoue
  • Patent number: 9207215
    Abstract: The evaluation method includes a first step, by using measurement means M1 which can measure force F acting between a swing subject and the sport hitting tool or a specific directional component F1 thereof, obtaining measured value Vf of the force F or the force F1 at time after the impact, and a second step of determining the hit feeling on the basis of the measured value Vf at least at the one time. Preferably, the force F or the force F1 is force Fs containing a component in a shear direction. Preferably, in the first step, the measured values Vf in a specific interval Z 12 from time T1 to T2 after the impact are obtained chronologically. Preferably, the evaluation is made based on a difference between a maximum value and a minimum value of the measured values Vf.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignees: DUNLOP SPORTS CO. LTD, SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Naoyoshi Ueda, Masahiko Ueda, Takeshi Asakura
  • Patent number: 9200965
    Abstract: A method of in-situ temperature measurement for a wafer treatment reactor such as a chemical vapor deposition reactor desirably includes the steps of heating the reactor until the reactor reaches a wafer treatment temperature and rotating a wafer support element within the reactor about a rotational axis. The method desirably further includes, while the wafer support element is rotating about the rotational axis, obtaining first operating temperature measurements using a first operating pyrometer that receives radiation from a first portion of the wafer support element, and obtaining first wafer temperature measurements using a wafer temperature measurement device that receives radiation from at least one wafer, the wafer temperature measurement device located at a first position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: Veeco Instruments Inc.
    Inventors: Alexander I. Gurary, Mikhail Belousov, Guray Tas
  • Patent number: 9202499
    Abstract: An apparatus is arranged to detect contact between an air bearing surface of a transducer and a medium using a modulated thermal sensor signal. A laser source produces modulated laser light. A thermal sensor is disposed at or near the air bearing surface and is subject to cyclic heating by the modulated laser light. The thermal sensor is configured to produce the modulated sensor signal in response to the cyclic heating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: James Dillon Kiely, Karl Scheppers, Declan Macken, Michael Thomas Johnson
  • Patent number: 9194831
    Abstract: A thermographic test method locally resolves detection and identification of defects near the surface in a test object. A surface area of the test object is heated up. A series of thermographic images following one after another at a time interval is recorded within a heat propagation phase, each image representing a local temperature distribution in a surface region of the test object recorded by the image. Positionally correctly assigned temperature profiles are determined from the images, each positionally correctly assigned temperature profile being assigned to the same measuring region of the test object surface. Variations over time of temperature values are determined from the temperature profiles for a large number of measuring positions of the measuring region. These variations are evaluated on the basis of at least one evaluation criterion indicative of the heat flow in the measuring region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: Institut Dr. Foerster GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Gerhard Traxler, Werner Palfinger
  • Patent number: 9194783
    Abstract: An apparatus for fatigue testing an article includes a base having a platform for receiving an article to be tested, a shaft extending toward said platform for applying a force to said article, a coupling assembly connected to said shaft, said coupling assembly comprising a joint that pivots about an axis, and flex pivots disposed to be aligned with said axis about which said joint pivots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: TA INSTRUMENTS-WATERS L.L.C.
    Inventors: Alan McMullen, Kristin M. McMullen, Jason Lusk, Troy Nickel
  • Patent number: 9194782
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a vacuum insulation material, which includes a barrier film and a core, wherein a rigid body thinner than a reference thickness or a getter harder than a reference hardness is formed between the barrier film and the core, or the rigid body thinner than the reference thickness is formed on the getter formed between the barrier film and the core to ensure surface flatness and surface hardness of the vacuum insulation material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: LG HAUSYS, LTD.
    Inventors: Seung-Min Jeon, Sung-Seock Hwang, Jung-Pil Han
  • Patent number: 9186224
    Abstract: A fatigue testing system provides simultaneous cycle testing for a plurality of prosthetic devices under simulated physiological loading conditions. A plurality of sample holders containing test samples of prosthetic devices is positioned between a distribution chamber and a return fluid chamber to form an integrated test chamber. A reciprocating linear drive motor operates a rolling bellows diaphragm to cyclically pressurize fluid within the test chamber and drive the pressurized fluid through the prosthetic devices being tested. The test chamber defines a return flow conduit in fluid communication with each of the sample holders, the return fluid chamber, and the distribution chamber. Compliance chambers and throttle valves associated with each of the sample holders regulate the pressure gradient and back pressure across the prosthetic devices being tested.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: BIOMEDICAL DEVICE CONSULTANTS & LABORATORIES LLC
    Inventors: Benjamin McCloskey, Craig Weinberg, Steven Weinberg
  • Patent number: 9188490
    Abstract: A temperature sensing system comprises a thermowell, a sensor, and a solid insert. The thermowell extends into a sensing region of a fluid flow. The sensor has a probe housed in the thermowell to sense a temperature in the sensing region. The solid insert is configured to removably support the probe within the thermowell and to provide a thermal contact between the thermowell and the probe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: Rosemount Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron Andrew Perrault, Andrew Steven Dierker
  • Patent number: 9188493
    Abstract: A main object of the present invention is to provide a method capable of measuring surface temperatures of a plurality of points of cast slab at a secondary cooling zone of a continuous caster with a good accuracy and at low cost. The method comprises the steps of inserting one end of a plurality of optical fibers 3 respectively to nozzles 1 and tubes 2, and installing each nozzle between support rolls that support the cast slab, while spraying purge air from each nozzle toward a surface of the cast slab, receiving a thermal radiation light from the cast slab at the one end of each optical fiber, gathering other ends of the optical fibers 3, 81 in a bundle to take images including a core image of the other end of each optical fibers by an imaging means 5, and calculating the surface temperature of the cast slab.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: NIPPON STEEL & SUMITOMO METAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tatsuro Honda, Chihiro Uematsu, Yoichi Inoue, Naoki Tajima, Yasuhiro Mizuno
  • Patent number: 9188519
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described for concurrently applying loads to multiple test specimens. The systems and methods are useful for cyclical tensile loading of specimens such as in fatigue strength evaluations. The systems and methods are also useful for low frequency cyclical loading evaluations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignees: THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AS REPRESENTED BY THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE, THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Joseph David McColskey, Andrew J. Slifka, III, Elizabeth S. Drexler, Marc Dvorak
  • Patent number: 9182518
    Abstract: In some embodiments, an apparatus and a system, as well as a method and an article may operate to move fluid from at least one fluid container into a flow line so as to cause the fluid to contact at least one surface having a condition affecting sensor information provided by a sensor. Additional activities may include adjusting operation of a fluid transport mechanism based on the sensor information and baseline information, to continue moving the fluid and change the condition until the fluid is depleted from the at least one fluid container or the sensor information conforms to the baseline information to a selected degree. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael T. Pelletier, Christopher Michael Jones, Gary D. Althoff, Mark A. Proett, Robert Atkinson, Jim W. Stoddard
  • Patent number: 9182291
    Abstract: A device for measuring the temperature in molten metals contains a thermocouple arranged in a ceramic tube that is closed on one side, and has an external protective body that surrounds the tube, forming an annular space between the outer surface of the tube and the inner surface of the protective body. The protective body is formed of a mixture containing 75 to 90% by weight aluminum oxide, 2 to 10% by weight silicon oxide, 7 to 15% by weight graphite, 0.1 to 1% by weight Fe2O3, 0.1 to 1% by weight (K2O+Na2O), and 0.1 to 1% by weight MgO.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: Heraeus Electro-Nite International N.V.
    Inventors: Martin Kendall, Marek Grabowy
  • Patent number: 9182215
    Abstract: A strain sensor includes a flexible substrate, a CNT film made of a plurality of CNT fibers aligned in an orientation direction, a pair of electrodes, and a protective coat. The electrodes are formed at the opposite ends of the CNT film in a perpendicular direction to the orientation direction of the CNT fibers. The protective coat protecting the CNT film is made of a resin, a water-based emulsion, or an oil-based emulsion. The protective coat is placed in contact with at least part of the CTN fibers on the surface of the CNT film. The strain sensor including the protective coat is able to prevent damage/breakage of the CNT film and to prevent foreign matters from entering into gaps between CNT fibers, thus improving durability in maintaining adequate sensing functionality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignees: YAMAHA CORPORATION, NATIONAL UNIVERSITY CORPORATION SHIZUOKA UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Katsunori Suzuki, Shingo Sakakibara, Koji Yataka, Yasuro Okumiya, Yoshiki Terada, Yoku Inoue
  • Patent number: 9176025
    Abstract: The present application relates to an apparatus and method for detecting defects in composite insulators used in power systems. The apparatus includes a test frame, a hydraulic cylinder connected to a first end of the test frame for imparting a load on a composite insulator, a hammer for imparting excitations into the composite insulator, and a data collection device for collecting frequency responses traveling in the composite insulator as a result of the hammer striking the insulator. The composite insulator is secured between the hydraulic cylinder and a second end of the test frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: Electric Power Research Institute, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew John Phillips, Kristopher C. Kozak
  • Patent number: 9170140
    Abstract: An ultrasonic flowmeter includes a meter body including a flow passage having wetted surfaces through which fluid flow is to be measured. The flowmeter includes a non-stick coating adhered to the wetted surfaces of the meter body. The flowmeter includes a first transducer and at least a second transducer arranged around the flow passage to transmit and receive ultrasonic energy. The flowmeter includes an electronic unit designed to generate and receive electronic signals from the transducers and to process the signals in order to compute information related to the fluid flow rate through the passage. A method for measuring fluid flow with an ultrasonic flowmeter. A method of making an ultrasonic flowmeter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: Cameron International Corporation
    Inventors: Gregor J. Brown, Donald R. Augenstein, Calvin R. Hastings, William R. Freund, Jr.