Patents Examined by Robert R. Raevis
  • Measurement apparatus with circuitry for measuring acceleration
    Patent number: 11119247
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for measuring a local acceleration of gravity includes releasing a ferrous rod having a regular alternating pattern of reflective and non-reflective portions on a surface thereof from an electromagnetic holder so that the rod falls with a substantially vertical acceleration and substantially no angular velocity about a center of mass of the rod. The falling rod is illuminated with a light emitting diode (LED) configured to emit infrared (IR) light, and IR light emitted by the LED and reflected by the falling rod is detected with a photodiode. A two-state signal is generated corresponding to an illumination state of the photodiode by the reflected IR light. Times of transitions between the two states in the generated signal are calculated to determine kinematic data, and the kinematic data is fitted to a predetermined curve to calculate a local acceleration of gravity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: KING FAHD UNIVERSITY OF PETROLEUM AND MINERALS
    Inventors: Sohaib Abdelazem, Watheq Al-Basheer
  • Secondary sense loop with force feedback capability
    Patent number: 11112248
    Abstract: A secondary sense loop for a MEMS gyroscope comprises a secondary element comprising at least one mechanical resonator, an analog front end circuitry, a digital secondary loop circuitry and an analog back end circuitry. The digital secondary loop circuitry comprises a signal path receiving at its input an analog secondary input signal representing a detection motion of a mechanical resonator and providing at its output an output signal indicating an angular velocity said MEMS gyroscope is subject to, said signal path comprising an analog-to-digital converter configured to digitize the analog secondary input signal into a digitized secondary signal, and a digital force feedback circuitry controlling operation of a closed force feedback loop configured to adjust response function of the secondary sense loop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: MURATA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Rauli Collin, Konsta Wjuga, Lasse Aaltonen
  • Sensor calibration device having configurable elements
    Patent number: 11112284
    Abstract: A portable sensor calibration device that provides a reference to a sensor during a calibration procedure. The sensor calibration device may have a umber of adjustable functions providing for functional configurability, such as interchangeable target elements, adjustable pitch, adjustable target mounting, and locking elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignees: Bosch Automotive Service Solutions Inc., Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Scott Bartkowiak, Weston Myer
  • Physical quantity sensor, complex sensor, inertial measurement unit, portable electronic device, electronic device, and vehicle
    Patent number: 11112424
    Abstract: A physical quantity sensor includes a sensor element (acceleration sensor element) and a substrate (package) to which the sensor element is attached using a bonding material (resin adhesive), in which, when an elastic modulus of the bonding material is e, 2.0 GPa<e<7.8 GPa is satisfied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Inventor: Juichiro Matsuzawa
  • Method and system for measuring a wideband loop sensitivity for an acoustic transducer
    Patent number: 11112387
    Abstract: A method and system is disclosed for measuring a wideband loop sensitivity SL(f) for an acoustic transducer in an acoustic probe. A pulse signal is employed as a wideband reference signal Vr(t); and, in a pulse-echo measurement a corresponding wideband echo signal Ve(t) is obtained. A normalized loop frequency response {circumflex over (X)}(f) for the acoustic transducer is defined as a ratio of a Fourier Transform of the Ve(t) to a Fourier Transform of the Vr(t). A wideband loop sensitivity SL(f) for the acoustic transducer is defined as an absolute square of the {circumflex over (X)}(f) in decibel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: BROADSOUND CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ying-Wei Yuan, Jen-Chih Yao, Fu-Chieh Yang, Wen-Pin Lai
  • Apparatus and method for creating inferential process flow measurements using flow restrictor and upstream and downstream pressure measurements
    Patent number: 11105664
    Abstract: A method includes obtaining pressure measurements associated with fluid that passes through a flow restrictor, where the pressure measurements identify pressures upstream and downstream from the flow restrictor. The method also includes generating estimated flow measurements based on the pressure measurements. The method further includes comparing the estimated flow measurements and actual flow measurements generated by a flow meter that is fluidly coupled to the flow restrictor. In addition, the method includes determining whether a problem exists based on the comparison. The flow restrictor could provide a fixed restriction or a variable restriction for the fluid. An overall loss coefficient associated with the flow restrictor could be used to generate an estimated flow measurement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Randy M. Miller, Paul A. Sweeney, Nestor J. Perozo Piña
  • Gas probes
    Patent number: 11105716
    Abstract: A fluid sampling probe is provided. The probe comprises an elongate main tube having: an inlet end, an outlet end, and a fluid-sampling bore disposed within the elongate main tube and extending from the inlet end and to the outlet end; at least three elongate helical fins which are adapted to prevent or reduce probe damage caused by vortex-induced vibration. The elongate helical fins overlap along a length of the elongate main tube; and the fluid-sampling bore is open at or adjacent to the inlet end, and is adapted to receive a fluid-sample extracted from a fluid flowing past the fluid sampling probe. Numerous other aspects are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: Orbital Energy Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeremy Knight
  • System and method of conducting particle monitoring using low cost particle sensors
    Patent number: 11105715
    Abstract: There is disclosed a field calibratable particle sensor solution in a low-cost, very compact form factor. This makes a low-cost sensor more accurate for low-concentration pollution measurements and decreases the cost of pollution measurement systems having a wide geographic coverage. In a related embodiment, the invention illustrates a method and system to remotely and automatically calibrate one or more of the low cost sensors disclosed herein as well as other commercially available sensors (such as optical particle counters, photometers etc.) against a reference instrument (such as a beta attenuation monitor) which may or may not be physically located in the same place as the individual sensors. The method may require minimum (or no) user interaction and the calibration period is adjustable periodically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: TSI, Incorporated
    Inventors: Hee-Siew Han, James E. Farnsworth, Robert Caldow
  • Universal sensor fitting for process applications
    Patent number: 11099040
    Abstract: A universal fitting for in-line fluid measurement in a process application. The fitting includes an inlet and outlet port and also has a body with a fluid flow passage providing fluid communication between the ports. A sensor housing is provided that extends outwardly away from a wall of the body, wherein the housing is sized to receive a sensor assembly, which assembly measures at least one characteristic of the fluid. A base of each housing integrally formed with the wall and including a sensor seat for receiving a portion of the sensor assembly. A probe aperture receives a probe portion of the sensor assembly, each housing having the probe aperture disposed in the wall and extending from the fluid passage through its respective sensor seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: PENDOTECH
    Inventors: James F. Furey, Dustin James Rekow
  • Method for operating a measuring device and a measuring device
    Patent number: 11099049
    Abstract: A method for operating a measuring device having at least one measured value sensor for recording and forwarding measured values of a primary measured variable. To ensure a particularly high reliability and measuring accuracy, the recording of the measured value and/or the forwarding of the measured value is carried out in dependence on the operating state of the measuring device, recording of the measured value and/or the forwarding of the measured value being interrupted during a disturbance. The measuring device is wherein the measured value sensor is designed in such a manner that the recording of the measured value and/or the forwarding of the measured value is carried out in dependence on the operating state of the measuring device, wherein the recording of the measured value or the forwarding of the measured value is interrupted during a disturbance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: KROHNE MESSTECHNIK GMBH
    Inventors: Michael Deilmann, Michael Gerding
  • Liquid level sensor
    Patent number: 11092474
    Abstract: A liquid level sensor includes a base member disposed above the liquid. A lever arm is pivotally attached to the base member. The lever arm is configured to interact with the liquid so that it has an angular displacement relative to the base member. The angular displacement is a function of the level of the liquid in the liquid channel. A sensor senses angular displacement of the lever arm. A communications circuit transmits the angular displacement of the lever arm to a remote location. In a method of detecting a liquid level, a float that is buoyant in the liquid is placed into the liquid and is coupled to a lever arm. An angular displacement of the lever arm relative to a base member is measured. The liquid level is a function of the angular displacement of the lever arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: Mission Communications, LLC
    Inventor: Forrest Robinson
  • Vibration device and method for controlling the same
    Patent number: 11092440
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a method for controlling a vibration device includes a movable body capable of vibrating in a first direction, and a catch and release mechanism capable of catching the movable body that freely vibrates in the first direction, by an electrostatic attractive force, and releasing the caught movable body to freely vibrate the movable body in the first direction, wherein in a condition that tc is a time from a rise start time point to a rise end time point of an applied voltage for catching the movable body that freely vibrates in the first direction, by the electrostatic attractive force, and td is a period of the free vibration in the first direction of the movable body, the time tc is longer than the time td.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: KABUSHIKIKAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Ryunosuke Gando, Tamio Ikehashi, Etsuji Ogawa, Tetsuro Itakura, Yohei Hatakeyama, Yasushi Tomizawa
  • Physical quantity sensor, physical quantity sensor device, electronic device, and mobile body
    Patent number: 11085946
    Abstract: A physical quantity sensor includes a substrate, a fixed member fixed to the substrate, a movable member displaceable in a first direction with respect to the fixed member, a movable electrode assembly provided in the movable member, a fixed electrode assembly fixed to the substrate and opposing the movable electrode assembly in the first direction, and a restrictor configured to restrict a movable range of the movable member in the first direction. The movable member includes a first outer edge disposed on one side in the first direction and a second outer edge disposed on the other side. The restrictor includes at least one of a first restrictor facing the first outer edge across a gap and a second restrictor facing the second outer edge across another gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Inventor: Satoru Tanaka
  • Microelectromechanical structure with enhanced rejection of acceleration noise
    Patent number: 11079229
    Abstract: An integrated MEMS structure includes a driving assembly anchored to a substrate and actuated with a driving movement. A pair of sensing masses suspended above the substrate and coupled to the driving assembly via elastic elements is fixed in the driving movement and performs a movement along a first direction of detection, in response to an external stress. A coupling assembly couples the pair of sensing masses mechanically to couple the vibration modes. The coupling assembly is formed by a rigid element, which connects the sensing masses and has a point of constraint in an intermediate position between the sensing masses, and elastic coupling elements for coupling the rigid element to the sensing masses to present a first stiffness to a movement in phase-opposition and a second stiffness, greater than the first, to a movement in phase, of the sensing masses along the direction of detection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Luca Coronato, Gabriele Cazzaniga
  • Calibration of an air quality sensor in a device
    Patent number: 11079364
    Abstract: A device (1) comprising a cavity (5) defining an internal volume, an air quality sensor (9) being adapted to measure a concentration of at least one air compound present in the internal volume, the cavity (5) can be alternatively in: an open state in which air can enter into the cavity (5) from the outside of the cavity (5), and a closed state in which no air can circulate between the outside and the inside of the cavity (5), the air quality sensor (9) being adapted to be calibrated when the cavity (5) is in the closed state and once the internal volume no longer comprises the air compound or comprises a concentration of the air compound that is below a predefined threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: Withings
    Inventors: Charlotte Leger, Charlotte Bessis, Ianis Oueslati, Marc Besnard
  • Physical quantity detection apparatus and electronic apparatus
    Patent number: 11079262
    Abstract: To obtain a physical quantity detection apparatus that can reduce the outer shape of a housing in size. A physical quantity detection apparatus 300 detects a plurality of physical quantities of gas 30 to be measured flowing in a main passage 124. The physical quantity detection apparatus 300 has a housing 302 disposed in the main passage 124, a circuit substrate 400 insert molded in the housing 302, and a plurality of detection sensors 452, 453, 454, 455, and 456 each mounted on each of one face and the other face of the circuit substrate 400.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: HITACHI AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventors: Tsubasa Watanabe, Tsutomu Kono, Hiroaki Hoshika, Takahiro Miki, Takayuki Yogo
  • Apparatus and method for determining material properties of a material
    Patent number: 11073457
    Abstract: A device is provided for determining material properties of a material, preferably a wood or a wooden material, having a pin arrangement having at least two pins, a drive unit for at least partially driving the pins into the material using a defined force, and a measuring unit for measuring both the penetration depth of at least one of the at least two pins and also an electrical resistance between two of the pins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Inventor: Frank Rinn
  • Sensor for determining at least one parameter of a fluid medium streaming through a measuring channel
    Patent number: 11067420
    Abstract: A sensor for determining at least one parameter of a fluid medium, in particular an induction air-mass flow of an internal combustion engine, flowing through a measuring channel. The sensor has a sensor housing, in particular a plug-in sensor, which is introduced or may be introduced into a flow pipe and in which the measuring channel is developed, and at least one sensor chip, disposed in the measuring channel, for determining the parameter of the fluid medium. The sensor housing has a plurality of channel walls, which delimit the measuring channel. The sensor chip is situated on a sensor carrier. At least in the region of the sensor carrier, at least a first channel wall of the plurality of channel walls and a second channel wall of the plurality of channel walls, which differs from the first channel wall, or the sensor carrier have at least partly magnetic properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Alexander Markov, Edda Sommer, Uwe Konzelmann
  • System, method, and program for initializing attachment location of measurement sensor
    Patent number: 11051721
    Abstract: Disclosed are a system, a method, and a program for initializing an attachment location of a measurement sensor. The method of determining an initial attachment location of at least one measurement sensor includes at least: retrieving, by the terminal, identification information of the at least one measurement sensor selected from a user, as the terminal receives a selection input for the at least one measurement sensor attached to a particular location of a body of the user, from the user; and matching, by the terminal, the retrieved identification information with the particular location of the body where the at least one measurement sensor is configured to be attached such that the initial attachment location of the at least one measurement sensor is determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: NEOFECT Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hoyoung Ban, Younggeun Choi, Soobin Lee
  • Analyzing fault gas concentration in liquid
    Patent number: 11054406
    Abstract: According to an example aspect of the present invention, there is provided analyzing fault gas concentrations in a liquid. Concentration of at least one dissolved fault gas in the liquid is measured at least at two temperatures. Disturbing gas contribution is determined in at least one temperature on the basis of the fault gas concentration measurements. Fault gas concentrations are analyzed by compensating fault gas concentrations on the basis of the determined disturbing gas contribution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: Vaisala Oyj
    Inventor: Sami Virtanen