Patents Examined by Rodney T. Frank
  • Patent number: 11326880
    Abstract: Methods of calibrating strapdown heading sensors and strapdown heading sensors are provided. The methods include compensating raw sensor data generated by sensors of an uncalibrated strapdown heading sensor to compensate for errors in an instrument frame of the strapdown heading sensor. The strapdown heading sensor is put in a target apparatus and output data is compensated to compensate for errors in an apparatus frame relative to the instrument frame. The strapdown heading sensors include a housing and a compass module having a first sensor configured to detect a magnetic field of the Earth and a second sensor configured to detect a gravitational force of the Earth. The first sensor and the second sensor are each passively isolated from bending and/or flexing of the housing such that an alignment between the first sensor and the second sensor is not disturbed due to the bending and/or flexing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: TIAX LLC
    Inventors: J. Thomas Fowler, Matthew C. Wiggins, Vernon E. Shrauger
  • Patent number: 11326928
    Abstract: Embodiments of a portable verification system (5) can move from one in-field gas flow meter location to another and temporarily connect downstream of a main pipeline's meter run or station. A control valve (19) of the portable verification system (5) allows volume measurement at different flow velocities to be verified. In some embodiments, the portable verification system (5) is connected to the meter run (13) and the main pipeline by a corresponding slip or linearly adjustable pipeline section (30/70). This section (30/70) can extend horizontally and vertically, as well as swivel to provide versatility when connecting in the field. Adaptor fittings may be used to connect the system (5) to the meter run (13) and main pipeline or a quick connect/disconnect (105) may be used. Downtime is limited to the time required to complete a circuit between the meter run, portable verification system (5), and main pipeline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: Big Elk Energy Systems, LLC
    Inventor: Dennis McClintock
  • Patent number: 11299962
    Abstract: Interventionless testing casing within a wellbore to determine a location where the casing is leaking. Testing systems include a casing disconnect tool to receive an object, such as a ball, allowing for pressurizing to test a backside between new casing associated with the disconnect tool and older casing associated with a cased hole or open hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: Vertice Oil tools Inc.
    Inventor: Mohamed Ibrahim Saraya
  • Patent number: 11300475
    Abstract: There is described a testing apparatus (20) for testing the integrity of a tank (12). The apparatus comprises a control tube (22) configured to be at least partially submerged within the tank (12). The control tube (22) being controlled to open and close to permit the ingress and capture of fuel into the control tube (22) from the tank (12). A first gas tube (29) is connectable to a remote gas source (40) and is configured to deliver gas to an outer surface of the control tube (22) at a predetermined location. A second gas tube (29) is connectable to the remote gas source (40) and configured to deliver gas to an inner surface of the control tube (22) at a predetermined location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: Leighton O'Brien Technology Pty Limited
    Inventor: Peter Wagner
  • Patent number: 11300436
    Abstract: A fluid sensing apparatus is provided having a fluid flow channel having a flow restriction. A fluid sensor is in fluid communication with first and second fluid ports, and a laminar flow element. The laminar flow element includes a flow stabilisation rod which defines a fluid sensing portion of the fluid flow channel. The flow restriction comprises a reduction in the hydraulic diameter of the fluid sensing portion of the fluid flow channel which is caused by a decrease in diameter of the fluid flow channel, or by an increase in the diameter of the flow stabilisation rod, or by both a decrease in diameter of the fluid flow channel and an increase in the diameter of the flow stabilisation rod. Also provided is a mass flow controller including such a fluid sensing apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: FAS MEDIC S.A.
    Inventors: Davide Azzoni, Manuel Diaz, Joel Di Dio, Vincent Tanari
  • Patent number: 11287331
    Abstract: Described herein are methods and systems for configuring sensors to compensate for a temperature gradient. Multiple sensor sets, each having at least two sensors of a same type with orthogonal axes, are positioned to form at least one opposing sensor pair, in which an axis of one sensor of one sensor set is in an opposite orientation to an axis of one sensor of another sensor set. A combined measurement of each opposing sensor pair may be output which is compensated for an effect of a temperature gradient on sensor measurements of the sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Inventors: Mahdi Heydari, Karthik Katingari
  • Patent number: 11278215
    Abstract: An acoustic system can track gas emissions by exploiting the nostril-accessible nasal pathways of an animal. Actuators and microphones used in the apparatus can be similar to those currently found in cell phones, which in turn make the acoustic apparatus small and rugged. The nostril geometry can be mapped using sound waves, similar to the mapping done by an acoustic rhinometer. Where acoustic rhinometers assume a constant speed of sound to measure changes in geometry, acoustic approaches as disclosed herein can assume constant geometry to measure changes in the speed of sound. Approaches disclosed here are particularly useful with any gas, such as (for example) methane, hydrogen, helium, etc. that has a speed of sound higher than other typical gaseous components of exhaled air, such as nitrogen, carbon-dioxide, oxygen, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Nickolas Peter Demas, Ian W. Hunter
  • Patent number: 11275061
    Abstract: Described is a fluidic manifold that includes a block formed of multiple layers each bonded to at least one adjacent layer at a layer interface. Bonding may be achieved using a diffusion bonding process. The block includes one or more attachment surfaces and at least two fluidic channels. Each fluidic channel is at least partially disposed at one of the layer interfaces and has a first end at one of the attachment surfaces. Each attachment surface includes an attachment feature at the first end of one of the fluidic channels to enable a fluidic coupling of the two fluidic channels through a fluidic component. Attachment features include, for example, a compression fitting coupling body adapted to receive a conventional seal, such as a ferrule and compression screw, and a fitting body that permits a face seal or gasket seal between the fluidic component and the block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: WATERS TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jeffrey Musacchio, Keith Fadgen, Joseph D. Michienzi, Stanislaw Koziol
  • Patent number: 11262179
    Abstract: A surface texture measuring device according to the present invention includes a surface texture detecting component that outputs measurement results for a surface texture of a measurable object, where the measurement results are recognized as a change in the movement of a contact pin of a detector when tracing a surface of the measurable object with the contact pin; a posture detecting sensor that detects a measured posture, which is a posture at the time of measurement by the detector; a memory component that is preloaded with correction values corresponding to each of a plurality of postures; and a correcting component that compares the measured posture with the plurality of postures stored in the memory component, and corrects the measurement results using a correction value that corresponds to a posture equivalent to the measured posture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: MITUTOYO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Shinsaku Abe
  • Patent number: 11255714
    Abstract: An Apparatus for determining and/or monitoring at least one process variable of a medium in a container, comprising: a mechanically oscillatable unit a driving/receiving unit for exciting the mechanically oscillatable unit to execute mechanical oscillations by means of an electrical, exciting signal and for receiving and transducing the mechanical oscillations into an electrical, received signal a control unit, which is embodied to produce the exciter signal starting from the received signal and to set a predeterminable phase shift between the exciter signal and the received signal, an electromagnetically oscillatable unit, an active element for producing and/or maintaining electromagnetic oscillations in the electromagnetically oscillatable unit, which active element forms together with the electromagnetically oscillatable unit an oscillator, a coupling unit, which is embodied to tap an output signal from the active element, and an evaluation unit, which evaluation unit is embodied to determine the at least
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: ENDRESS+HAUSER SE+CO.KG
    Inventors: Thomas Blodt, Tobias Brengartner, Benjamin Mack, Peter Klofer
  • Patent number: 11255766
    Abstract: A vibronic sensor for monitoring a flowable medium, comprising: an oscillator to which a medium surrounding the oscillator can be applied; at least one electromechanical transducer for exciting the oscillator to mechanical vibrations in accordance with driver signals and/or for outputting transducer signals that depend on vibrations of the oscillator; an operating and evaluating unit for providing the driver signals for driving the electromechanical transducer, for capturing the transducer signals, and for determining the presence, the density, and/or the viscosity of the medium in accordance with the transducer signals, wherein the operating and evaluating unit is designed to detect whether the medium in the pipe has a flow velocity above a limit value on the basis of time-varying modifications of the transducer signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: ENDRESS + HAUSER SE+CO. KG
    Inventors: Andrea Berlinger, Ingo Buschke, Christof Huber, Peter Klofer, Sergej Lopatin, Torston Pechstein, Thomas Uehlin
  • Patent number: 11249065
    Abstract: A system for testing properties of a sample, the system including a test cell. The test cell includes a cell casing having a first end piece, a second end piece, and at least one wall extending between the first end piece and the second end piece. The cell casing defines a pressure boundary enclosing an interior region of the cell. The test cell further includes a sample chamber, a first reservoir, and a second reservoir disposed within the pressure boundary. The sample chamber defines an interior region. The first reservoir fluidly connects to the interior region of the sample chamber. The second reservoir fluidly connects to the interior region of the sample chamber. The test cell also has a piston assembly having a piston fluid chamber and a piston with a stem extending into the piston fluid chamber. The piston partially defines the sample chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventor: Mustafa Hakimuddin
  • Patent number: 11229907
    Abstract: A microchip is provided, which includes a substrate including a fluid channel structure. The fluid channel structure includes a first fluid introduction channel and a second fluid introduction channel configured to meet so as to allow merging of a first fluid introduced from the first fluid introduction channel and a second fluid introduced from the second fluid introduction channel. A tapered portion is configured to be positioned after merging the first fluid and the second fluid so as to suppress a spiral flow field generated after the merging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Tatsumi Ito, Shoji Akiyama, Masaya Kakuta, Takeshi Yamasaki
  • Patent number: 11215586
    Abstract: A system for measuring a gas concentration, the system including: a first oscillator including a first surface for placement in a sampling location, wherein the first oscillator oscillates at a frequency greater than 20,000 Hz but less than 300,000,000 Hz; a first counter to accumulate a count of oscillations of the first oscillator; and a comparator to calculate a difference between the accumulated counts of the first oscillator and a reference, wherein the difference calculated by the comparator is sampled at a frequency of less than 100 Hz.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: AROMATIX, INC.
    Inventor: Chowdhury F. Rahim
  • Patent number: 11215624
    Abstract: An illustrative embodiment of a flow cell may include a main chamber, base plate, and cover. The main chamber may be formed with an interior portion having a first angled surface, a first ramp, a second ramp, and a second angled surface. A secondary drain may be positioned at a point of relatively low elevation between the bottom portions of the first and second ramps. The main chamber may include first, second, and third inlet passages that may be in fluid communication with an inlet header formed in the base plate. A PLC and/or PAC may be in communication with various components of the flow cell and/or external components for monitoring, sensing, and/or providing other functionality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Inventors: Paul Lighton, Joshua Lighton
  • Patent number: 11204270
    Abstract: A flow measuring device comprising a measurement signal-generating sensor element and a metal connection element, especially one manufactured in a generative manufacturing method, for connecting the measurement signal-generating sensor element with an opening or sensor nozzle of a tube, where the connection element is connected with a pressure-bearing component comprising a sleeve and a wall, which extends over the entire cross section in parallel projection in the direction of a longitudinal axis of the sleeve, wherein the pressure bearing component has at least one electrical cable guide and a potting compound, wherein the potting compound fills the sleeve partially or completely, and wherein the pressure bearing component is arranged in the opening or in the sensor nozzle of the tube radially behind the connection element with reference to the longitudinal axis of the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: Endress+Hauser Flowtec AG
    Inventors: Stephan Gaberthüel, Alexander Grün
  • Patent number: 11204347
    Abstract: A test device for testing of an oxygen sensor uses a compressor to draw air from an external environment and deliver compressed air into a gas separation unit. A gas separation membrane is located in a passage of the gas separation unit such that compressed air from the compressor travels through the passage and passes through the gas separation membrane. The gas separation membrane separates at least one of nitrogen and oxygen from the compressed air to produce a calibration gas having a calibrated amount of oxygen that is different from an amount of oxygen in the air. The calibration gas coupling is configured to be fluidly connected to the oxygen sensor such that the calibration gas is deliverable from the calibration gas coupling to the oxygen sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Inventors: Ferrel D. Moore, James R. Moore
  • Patent number: 11199482
    Abstract: The invention relates to a probe for sampling a drilling fluid comprising a handle extending along an axis, and a sampling head located at a first end of the handle, the head defining an inner space opening outward through an opening. The head comprises a filtration device comprising a filtering wall disposed through the opening; and an extraction duct extending into the handle and opening into the inner space of the head. The filtration device comprises a cleaning blade designed to sweep an outer face of the filtering wall, the blade being mounted to move in translation in a direction parallel to the axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: EXCELLENCE LOGGING FRANCE
    Inventors: Louis Sourice, Samuel Giraudet
  • Patent number: 11201078
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for substrate position calibration for substrate supports in substrate processing systems are provided herein. In some embodiments, a method for positioning a substrate on a substrate support includes: obtaining a plurality of backside pressure values corresponding to a plurality of different substrate positions on a substrate support by repeatedly placing a substrate in a position on the substrate support, and vacuum chucking the substrate to the substrate support and measuring a backside pressure; and analyzing the plurality of backside pressure values to determine a calibrated substrate position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Tomoharu Matsushita, Aravind Kamath, Jallepally Ravi, Cheng-Hsiung Tsai, Hiroyuki Takahama
  • Patent number: 11162883
    Abstract: The present invention makes it possible to easily obtain a compressibility factor that is a characteristic of a fluid, and thereby dramatically improves the accuracy of flow rate measurement by an ROR system or the like. The invention is adapted to include: a chamber having a constant volume; a flow rate controller connected to the chamber so as to make it possible to introduce or lead a fluid into or out of the chamber at a constant flow rate; and an information processor adapted to calculate a compressibility factor depending on the pressure of the fluid on the basis of time changes in pressure inside the chamber when the fluid is introduced into the chamber at the same flow rate as each other through the flow rate controller under two different pressure conditions inside the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: HORIBA STEC, Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yasuhiro Isobe