Patents Examined by Rodney T. Frank
  • Patent number: 10816564
    Abstract: A sample test automation system which is capable of reducing the workload of an operator and precisely carrying out necessary processes of each of samples without stagnation. In the sample test automation system, a sample tray 120 on which a plurality of samples 150 can be installed is prepared, an identifier for distinguishing the sample tray 120 is attached to the sample tray 120, a sample introducing unit 10 is provided with an identifier reading apparatus 111 which reads the identifier of the sample tray 120, and information about the samples 150 is switched based on the read identifier of the sample tray 120.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: HITACHI HIGH-TECH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takahiro Sasaki, Kenichi Takahashi, Hiroshi Ohga, Tatsuya Fukugaki, Shigeru Yano, Kenichi Yasuzawa, Nozomi Hasegawa, Masaaki Hanawa
  • Patent number: 10809278
    Abstract: A physical quantity sensor includes a substrate, a movable body that faces the substrate, a fixed portion that is fixed to the substrate, and a support beam that couples the movable body to the fixed portion. The movable body is displaceable with the support beam as a rotation axis, and includes, in a plan view, a first mass that is located on one side of a second direction with respect to the rotation axis, and a second mass that is located on the other side. Each of the first mass and the second mass has a plurality of through-holes which penetrate through the movable body and each of which has a square shape as an opening shape. When damping is indicated by C, and a minimum value of the damping is indicated by Cmin, C?1.5?Cmin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Satoru Tanaka
  • Patent number: 10802001
    Abstract: An apparatus for diluting a sample in a liquid chromatography system includes a metering pump, a sample needle and a sample valve. One of the sample valve ports is in fluid communication with the first pump port, a second one of the sample valve ports is in fluid communication with the second pump port, and a third one of the sample valve ports is in fluid communication with the sample needle. The sample valve can be configured in a first to conduct a solvent to the first pump port and to fluidically terminate the second pump port, and in a second state in which the sample needle is in fluid communication with the second pump port. A merge valve configurable in different states is in fluid communication with the sample valve. The states of the sample valve and merge valve can be controlled to perform online dilution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: WATERS TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Joshua A. Burnett, John M. Auclair
  • Patent number: 10794797
    Abstract: A device for sampling, preparing and analysing a sample, for example a suspension, comprises: a sampling device adapted to sampling a fluid sample, at least one sample preparation unit adapted to prepare the sample, and at least one analysing unit. By adapting the device for sampling and analysing a sample for placement in direct vicinity to a process pipe and adapting the sampling device to sample a fluid sample directly from a gate, a compact and cost-efficient device is provided, which also provides fast feedback to a process to be controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: BTG INSTRUMENTS AB
    Inventors: Niclas Andersson, Bengt Anders Skålén, Stig Norder
  • Patent number: 10794924
    Abstract: Certain embodiments described herein are directed to devices and system that can be used to fill a sample cell. In some examples, the system can be configured with a pressure device configured to provide a negative pressure to accelerate filling of the cell with the sample. In some embodiments, the negative pressure can be used to fill a flow cell at a selected fill rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignees: PerkinElmer Health Sciences, Inc., PerkinElmer Singapore PTE Ltd.
    Inventors: Nigel Thornton Hopley White, Steven Edward Liebold, Gary Vincent Millard
  • Patent number: 10794865
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for the separation of an oil-water mixture into its components are described. An acoustic radiation force moves oil droplets to the nodes of an acoustic standing wave generated in a vertical column containing the oil-water mixture. Once the droplets are sufficiently close together, attractive forces become dominant and the droplets may coalesce to form larger droplets, which have greater buoyancy, and separation of the mixture into a layer of oil and a layer of water occurs, not possible by simple gravitational separation. Acoustically-driven oil-water separation may be used for water-cut measurements in oil production wells, since separation of the oil from the water permits accurate sound speed measurements to be made for both the oil and the water, thereby allowing frequent in situ calibrations of the apparatus to determine whether sound speed measurements on the mixture are accurate in the event that one or both of the mixture constituents is changing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: Triad National Security, LLC
    Inventors: Dipen N. Sinha, Cristian Pantea
  • Patent number: 10782148
    Abstract: A method for correcting the driving amplitude of a gyro sensor, mainly comprises adjusting the size of a driving signal (a preset amplitude value) through feedback of a sensor response amplitude signal (an average amplitude value) in a resonance maintaining time period, so that the response amplitude of the resonance maintaining time period tends to be equal, and a stable resonance amplitude is maintained. Also provided is a system for correcting the driving amplitude of a gyro sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: CSMC TECHNOLOGIES FAB2 CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Huagang Wu
  • Patent number: 10781691
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for producing a continuous survey of a previously drilled portion of a wellbore. The method includes receiving a plurality of stationary survey measurements taken at a corresponding plurality of locations along the portion of the wellbore. The method further includes receiving at least one continuous survey including a plurality of continuous survey measurements taken between a pair of stationary survey measurements of the plurality of stationary survey measurements. The method further includes combining the plurality of stationary survey measurements and the plurality of continuous survey measurements to produce the continuous survey of the portion of the wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: Gyrodata Incorporated
    Inventors: Adrián Guillermo Ledroz, John Lionel Weston
  • Patent number: 10744501
    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: October 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Tatsumi Ito, Shoji Akiyama, Masaya Kakuta, Takeshi Yamasaki
  • Patent number: 10732195
    Abstract: A proof mass assembly comprising a first and a second resonator, each resonator comprising a first and a second bond pad, and a pair of elongated tines, wherein the first and the second bond pads are positioned at opposite ends of the elongated tines; a proof mass comprising a first and a second major surface, the first major surface of the proof mass comprising a bond region including at least one channel extending in a direction substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the elongated tines of the first resonator; a proof support comprising a first and a second major surface; at least one flexure connecting the proof mass to the proof support; and an adhesive bonding the first bond pad of the first resonator to the bond region and bonding the second bond pad of the first resonator to the first major surface of the proof support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: John Strehlow, Mitchell Novack
  • Patent number: 10712246
    Abstract: A carrier gas flow path of at least from a trap to an analyzing portion is shared between a state wherein a sample component is trapped within the trap and a state wherein the sample component is not trapped within the trap. In this case, even after the sample has been introduced into the analyzing portion through the carrier gas flow path, there is a time interval over which the carrier gas flows within the carrier gas flow path. This makes it possible, through the carrier gas that flows within the carrier gas flow path afterward, to remove the sample component from within the flow path, despite there being a sample component within the carrier gas flow path at the time of sample introduction, thus making it possible to prevent the sample component from remaining within the flow path after sample introduction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: SHIMADZU CORPORATION
    Inventor: Akira Aono
  • Patent number: 10704981
    Abstract: A scanning system for producing a path averaged concentration map of a leaking plume is provided. The system includes a tunable light source capable of tuning its wavelength over the absorption band of the specimen of interest, a lightweight mirror to scan the light, a lightweight collection optic, an array of detectors to measure reflected light, one or more processors configured to align the scanning with the detected signal and analyze the signal to produce a path averaged concentration map of the leaking plume, the one or more processors configured to use an analytical model of plume dynamics to compare the detected concentration map and calculate leak location and rate, and a flying platform that can fly in a control flight path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Niloy Choudhury, Cheng-Po Chen, Radislav Alexandrovich Potyrailo
  • Patent number: 10705112
    Abstract: An optomechanical device comprising a circuit configured to generate an optical signal using a tuning signal and modulate the optical signal at a frequency corresponding to one quarter of a Full Width at Half Maximum (FWHM) of an optical resonance of the proof mass assembly to generate a partially modulated optical signal. The circuit being further configured to filter the partially modulated optical signal to remove a central carrier from the partially modulated optical signal to generate a filtered optical signal, modulate the filtered optical signal to generate a modulated optical signal driven to the mechanical resonance of the proof mass assembly, and generate the tuning signal using a difference between a DC intensity level of a first optical frequency component in the modulated optical signal and a DC intensity level of a second optical frequency component in the modulated optical signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua Dorr, Chad Fertig, Arthur Savchenko, Neil Krueger, Steven Tin
  • Patent number: 10690608
    Abstract: A sensor assembly has a substrate with a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, at least one analyte sensor positioned on at least one of the first surface and the second surface of the substrate, and at least one electrical contact positioned on the substrate in electrical communication with a corresponding one of the at least one analyte sensor. The substrate is configured to define a tube having an interior surface, and an exterior surface. At least a portion of the first surface of the substrate defines the interior surface of the tube, and the at least one analyte sensor is disposed on at least one of the interior surface and the exterior surface of the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics Inc.
    Inventors: Jennifer A. Samproni, Jeffrey R. Jasperse
  • Patent number: 10690637
    Abstract: An autosampler is provided with a needle, syringe pump, needle drive mechanism, sample loop, and flow path switching mechanism. The flow path switching mechanism has a plurality of solvent delivery flow paths that each deliver a different solvent, an analysis flow path that is in communication with an analysis column for separating a sample, and a plurality of connection ports to which the ends of the sample loop are individually connected, and switches, by switching the Connection state between the connection ports, to either a loading mode for connecting all the solvent delivery flow paths to the analysis flow path without interposing the sample loop or an injecting mode for interposing the sample loop between all the solvent delivery flow paths and the analysis flow path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: SHIMADZU CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kenichi Yasunaga
  • Patent number: 10688618
    Abstract: A part comprising a one or more removable wear indicators is provided. The part may be a stator segment comprising a plurality of airfoils. The stator segment may also comprise one or more mock airfoils at each end of the stator segment. Each of the mock airfoils may comprise an indicator configured to wear during a polishing process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: Raytheon Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Micah Beckman, David Masiukiewicz, Edward Marchitto, Daniel Livchitz
  • Patent number: 10677813
    Abstract: A physical quantity detector according to the invention includes a substrate section including a base section, a movable part connected to the base section, a support section extending from the base section, an extending part extending from the support section, and a physical quantity detection element fixed to the base section and the movable part, and a weight fixed to the movable part, and the extending part and the weight overlap each other in a planar view from the thickness direction of the extending part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Kenta Sato
  • Patent number: 10670440
    Abstract: In order to provide a flow measuring device high in thermal responsiveness, the flow measuring device includes a temperature detecting element 2 for temperature detection, and a conductive metal lead frame 3 that supports and fixes the temperature detecting element. Of the metal lead frame, a part of the metal lead frame mounted with the temperature detecting element has a portion which is thinner than the thickness of the other metal lead frame or narrower than the width of the other metal lead frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinobu Tashiro, Keiji Hanzawa, Noboru Tokuyasu, Takeshi Morino, Ryosuke Doi
  • Patent number: 10670623
    Abstract: A capacitive accelerometer comprises: a substantially planar proof mass mounted to a fixed substrate by flexible support legs so as to be linearly moveable in an in-plane sensing direction. The proof mass comprises first and second sets of moveable capacitive electrode fingers. First and second sets of fixed capacitive electrode fingers interdigitates with the first and second sets of moveable electrode fingers respectively. A set of moveable damping fingers extend from the proof mass substantially perpendicular to the sensing direction, laterally spaced in the sensing direction. A set of fixed damping fingers mounted to the fixed substrate interdigitates with the set of moveable damping fingers and comprises an electrical connection to the proof mass so that the interdigitated damping fingers are electrically common. The damping fingers are mounted in a gaseous medium that provides a damping effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: Atlantic Inertial Systems Limited
    Inventors: Kiran Mysore Harish, Alan Malvern
  • Patent number: 10669837
    Abstract: A technique includes inducing a distributed temperature change along a portion of a wellbore and measuring a time varying temperature along the portion of the wellbore due to the induced change. The technique includes determining a distributed flow rate in the portion based at least in part on the measured time varying temperature before the temperature reaches equilibrium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: John R. Lovell, Valery Shako