Patents Examined by Philip Cotey
  • Patent number: 10054497
    Abstract: A metal nitride material for a thermistor consists of a metal nitride represented by the general formula: MxAly(N1-wOw)z (where “M” represents at least one of Fe, Co, Mn, Cu, and Ni, 0.70?y/(x+y)?0.98, 0.45?z?0.55, 0<w?0.35, and x+y+z=1), wherein the crystal structure thereof is a hexagonal wurtzite-type single phase. A method for producing the metal nitride material for a thermistor includes a deposition step of performing film deposition by reactive sputtering in a nitrogen and oxygen-containing atmosphere using an M-Al alloy sputtering target (where “M” represents at least one of Fe, Co, Mn, Cu, and Ni).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI MATERIALS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Toshiaki Fujita, Hiroshi Tanaka, Noriaki Nagatomo
  • Patent number: 10054494
    Abstract: An Apparatus and method are provided for sensing temperature of a sample. Apparatus 2 has a sensor 5, positionable relative to a sample 3, which is responsive to temperature of a region of the sample at each position of the sensor. Sensor circuitry 10 provides a response signal indicative of the sensor response at the position of the sensor. Sample-temperature controller 12 controls temperature of sample 3 independently of sensor 5. Sample-temperature controller 12 effects a time-dependent modulation of the sample temperature such that a time-dependent heat flux is generated between the sample and the sensor at the position of the sensor. Temperature analyzer 11 extracts time-averaged and time-dependent components of the response signal due to the modulation of the sample temperature, and processes the components to produce an output indicative of temperature of the sample at the position of the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Bernd Gotsmann, Fabian Menges, Heike Riel
  • Patent number: 10048181
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to a device for performing a bending test having a base plate, counter bearings connected via the base plate, bearing blocks which in each case comprise a support for applying a bending sample, and a bending punch or a bending rail for exerting a force on a bending sample. The distance of the supports can be set precisely and in a force resistant manner by abutting the counter bearings and the bearing blocks against each other via contact surfaces inclined to the base plate. Further provided is a method for performing a bending test using a device according to the invention, in the case of which a bending sample is applied on the supports and in the case of which a force is exerted between the supports on the bending sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: Hydro Aluminium Rolled Products GmbH
    Inventors: Johannes Aegerter, Stefan Keller
  • Patent number: 10048145
    Abstract: A sensor assembly comprises a base plate and a sensor member displaceable relative to the base plate. A spring arrangement operates in first and second stages in response to displacement of the sensor member relative to the base plate. Different resolutions of force and torque measurements are associated with the first and second stages. A light sensitive transducer senses displacement of the sensor member relative to the base plate and generates corresponding output signals. A collimator directs a plurality of light beams onto the light sensitive transducer so that the light beams strike different pixels of the light sensitive transducer to sense displacement of the sensor member relative to the base plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: STRYKER CORPORATION
    Inventors: John J. Janik, Robert A. Brindley, Edward Tang, Leland J. Spangler
  • Patent number: 10041427
    Abstract: A sensor output value estimation device that effectively estimates sensor output values reflecting a response delay of a temperature sensor. The device includes an estimated gas temperature calculation unit for calculating an estimated gas temperature of an engine on a basis of at least a running condition of the engine and a state quantity of the gas in the engine. The device also includes an estimated sensor output value calculation unit for calculating an estimated sensor output value reflecting the response delay of the temperature sensor on a basis of the calculated estimated gas temperature and a pre-stored first model formula specifying a relation among the temperature change time constant of the temperature sensor, the gas flow rate, and the gas temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignees: ISUZU MOTORS LIMITED, TRANSFORM INC
    Inventors: Satoshi Hanawa, Yoshiaki Ikai
  • Patent number: 10024732
    Abstract: A feeding device for feeding an optical fiber from a coil and for recoiling unused fiber for use in an apparatus for measuring the temperature of a melt is provided. The feeding device includes a support for a coil, a feeding mechanism for decoiling the optical fiber from the coil and recoiling the optical fiber, at least one motor for driving the feeding mechanism, and a load for the optical fiber which avoids a spring back effect of the optical fiber from the coil. Blockage is avoided when decoiling and recoiling the optical fiber from the coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: Heraeus Electro-Nite International N.V.
    Inventors: Guido Jacobus Neyens, Michel Thys, Frank Stevens
  • Patent number: 10024812
    Abstract: A test apparatus for thermal energy measurement of disk-shaped test specimens has a cold mass assembly locatable within a sealable chamber with a guard vessel having a guard chamber to receive a liquid fluid and a bottom surface to contact a cold side of a test specimen, and a test vessel having a test chamber to receive a liquid fluid and encompassed on one side by a center portion of the bottom surface shared with the guard vessel. A lateral wall assembly of the test vessel is closed by a vessel top, the lateral wall assembly comprising an outer wall and an inner wall having opposing surfaces that define a thermal break including a condensable vapor pocket to inhibit heat transfer through the lateral wall from the guard vessel to the test vessel. A warm boundary temperature surface is in thermal communication with a lower surface of the test specimen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Administrator of NASA
    Inventors: James E. Fesmire, Wesley L. Johnson
  • Patent number: 10024837
    Abstract: A deterioration determination apparatus includes an oil temperature detector, an oil temperature rate of increase calculator, a threshold calculator, and a deterioration determination device. The oil temperature detector is configured to detect an oil temperature of oil for lubrication of a transmission in a vehicle. The oil temperature rate of increase calculator is configured to calculate a rate of increase in the oil temperature. The threshold calculator is configured to calculate based on a travel condition of the vehicle a first threshold. The deterioration determination device is configured to compare the rate of increase in the oil temperature with the first threshold. The deterioration determination device is configured to determine that the oil is deteriorated when the rate of increase in the oil temperature is equal to or higher than the first threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Toru Yamashita
  • Patent number: 10024725
    Abstract: The invention relates to a temperature sensor system comprising a first ceramic housing part comprising a sleeve-shaped lower part with a first lower end having a first opening, and a second upper end having a second opening, and an upper part connected to the second upper end. The temperature sensor system further comprises a temperature probe element which is at least partially arranged in the lower part and which has a ceramic sensor element housing, a sensor element arranged in the sensor element housing, and electrical supply lines. The sensor element housing is at least partially arranged in the first opening. The ceramic sensor element housing has a higher thermal conductivity than the first ceramic housing part. Also disclosed is a method for producing a temperature sensor system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: EPCOS AG
    Inventors: Jan Ihle, Oliver Bard, Gerald Kloiber
  • Patent number: 10018510
    Abstract: An apparatus configured to sense presence and motion in a monitored space is presented. The apparatus includes a dual-element assembly with a first thermal sensing element and a second thermal sensing element configured to produce a direct current output that is sustained at a level substantially proportional to an amount of thermal energy being received at the thermal sensing elements. A lens array (or equivalent optics) is coupled to the elements, having a plurality of lenses directing incident thermal energy from a plurality of optically-defined spatial zones onto the sensing elements. An electronic circuitry is configured to read a resulting signal of the dual-element assembly and an individual output signal of each the first thermal sensing element and the second thermal sensing element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: Excelitas Technologies Singapore Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Juergen Schilz, Arthur John Barlow, Wolfgang Schmidt
  • Patent number: 10001414
    Abstract: To provide a highly accurate temperature sensor circuit. The temperature sensor circuit includes a first constant current circuit; a first diode in which a first voltage reflecting the temperature of an object to be detected is generated between an anode and a cathode in accordance with a first current supplied from the first constant current circuit; a second constant current circuit; a second diode which includes an oxide semiconductor and in which a second voltage is generated between an anode and a cathode in accordance with a second current supplied from the second constant current circuit; and an amplifier circuit which amplifies a difference between the first voltage and the second voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jun Koyama, Shunpei Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 9989427
    Abstract: A force sensor includes: a base; a first movable portion arranged to face the base; a second movable portion arranged to face the first movable portion; a support that is provided on the base and rockably supports the first movable portion and the second movable portion; a joint that is provided to the support and rotatably supports the second movable portion; and a first detection unit that can detect a force component causing the first movable portion and the second movable portion to rock and a second detection unit that can detect a force component causing the second movable portion to rotate, when external force is applied to at least one of the first movable portion and the second movable portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: NSK LTD.
    Inventors: Seiichi Teshigawara, Kazuteru Tobita, Masaki Kuwahara
  • Patent number: 9977008
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to a method and apparatus for investigating the uniformity of concrete and/or grout. Embodiments can identify the existence of one or more anomalies in the uniformity of concrete and/or grout, and/or determine or estimate the size, shape, type, and/or location of one or more anomalies in the uniformity of concrete and/or grout. Embodiments can utilize a string of temperature measuring sensors placed within one or more access bore(s), such as tube(s), positioned at least partially within the concrete and/or positioned proximate the concrete. The measurements obtained from the temperature measuring sensors can then be used to assist in the identification of existence of, size of, type of, shape of, and/or location of anomalies in the concrete and/or grout.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: FUGRO USA LAND, INC.
    Inventors: Melvin Gerrard England, Paul Frederick Cheesman
  • Patent number: 9970836
    Abstract: Disclosed are a multi-axial force sensor capable of measuring multi-axial force and a grasper for sensing multi-axial force using the same. The multi-axial force sensor includes: a first operating section which includes a first member, and a first protrusion module formed protruding from one side of the first member; an elastic section which is formed at one end of the first member; a second operating section which includes a second member formed with one end to face one end of the first member with the elastic section therebetween, and a second protrusion module formed protruding from one side of the second member to face the first protrusion module; and an electrode section which is formed in the first protrusion module. With this, there is provided a force sensor capable of precisely measuring force through a simple structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: Research & Business Foundation Sungkyunkwan University
    Inventors: Hyouk Ryeol Choi, Yong Bum Kim, Ui Kyum Kim, Dong Yub Seok, Dong Hyuk Lee
  • Patent number: 9968082
    Abstract: A method of perfusing an organ or tissue includes perfusing the organ or tissue with a perfusion apparatus; detecting a condition representing at least one of an attitude of the perfusion apparatus or at least one shock experienced by the perfusion apparatus; and altering perfusion based upon the detected condition and/or recording the detected condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: LIFELINE SCIENTIFIC, INC.
    Inventors: Christopher P. Steinman, John Stark, Joel C. Hagen, Aaron R. Ferber, Rodney H. Monson, Evan D. Shapiro
  • Patent number: 9966783
    Abstract: In a portable electronic device components (2) consuming electrical power during operation may generate heat. A temperature sensor (1) for sensing an ambient temperature (TS) of the portable electronic device may as a consequence not supply the correct temperature value. It is suggested to provide a compensator (4) for determining a compensated ambient temperature (TA) dependent on at least the sensed ambient temperature (TS) and information (Pi) related to the electrical power consumed by at least one of the components (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: Sensirion AG
    Inventors: Andrea Sacchetti, Andreas Tiefenauer, Dominik Niederberger
  • Patent number: 9958336
    Abstract: The invention relates to a temperature probe which comprises a functional ceramic probe element and a ceramic housing. The probe element is mounted in the ceramic housing so that at a face of the probe element has direct and form-fitting contact with the ceramic housing. The invention further relates to a method for producing a temperature probe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: EPCOS AG
    Inventors: Jan Ihle, Gerald Kloiber
  • Patent number: 9958335
    Abstract: The invention relates to a temperature probe comprising two first ceramic plates, a second ceramic plate arranged between the first ceramic plates, and two third ceramic plates. Each of the two first ceramic plates comprises an opening in each in which an NTC sensor element is arranged. An electrode is arranged between the second ceramic plate and each of the first ceramic plates. The first and the second ceramic plates are arranged between the two third ceramic plates. An electrode is arranged between each third ceramic plate and a first ceramic plate. Each electrode electrically contacts an NTC sensor element. Each NTC sensor element is enclosed by ceramic plates. The first, the second and the third ceramic plates and the NTC sensor elements are sintered to form a ceramic body. The invention further relates to a method for producing a temperature probe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: EPCOS AG
    Inventors: Jan Ihle, Gerald Kloiber
  • Patent number: 9958427
    Abstract: A drop-in probe for determining phase changes by thermal analysis of a sample of a molten metal includes a measurement head having a first end which is an immersion end and an opposing second end having an end face. A sample chamber is arranged within the measurement head. An opening, which is free of any restrictions and which is in communication with the sample chamber, is formed in the end face of the second end of the measurement head. The sample chamber includes a first thermocouple having a first thermocouple junction enclosed within a wall which has a uniform internal geometry. A ratio D/H of an internal diameter D of the sample chamber to a length H extending between the opening and the first thermocouple junction is between 0.1 and 1.2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Heraeus Electro-Nite International N.V.
    Inventors: Paul A. Turner, Harry G. Clauss, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9945701
    Abstract: Actuator bracket having a sensor is disclosed. An example apparatus includes a bracket having a first side and a second side opposite the first side. The first side is to couple to a first surface of an actuator. The second side is to couple to a controller. The apparatus also includes a first sensor coupled to the first side of the bracket. When the bracket is coupled to the first surface of the actuator, the first sensor is adjacent the first surface to measure a characteristic of the first surface of the actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: FISHER CONTROLS INTERNATIONAL LLC
    Inventors: Shannon Eugene Jelken, Mark Allen Rachuy, Benjamin Uriah Good