Patents Examined by Ruben C Parco, Jr
  • Patent number: 11958264
    Abstract: A graphic arts support assembly is operable to be used with a graphic arts plate assembly in a press. The graphic arts support assembly and the plate assembly are configured for removable association with a lift mechanism including a shiftable lift element. The support assembly includes a graphic arts magnetic support structure operable to removably support the graphic arts plate assembly. The magnetic support structure includes a support plate, a magnet fixed relative to the plate, and an alignment element projecting from the support plate. The support assembly is operable to be mounted on the lift mechanism so that the lift element is aligned with a lift opening of the support plate, with the lift element shiftable through the lift opening to locate at least part of the graphic arts plate assembly away from the support plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: Universal Engraving, Inc.
    Inventors: Larry R. Hutchison, Eric A. Domsch
  • Patent number: 11946828
    Abstract: A side crash test apparatus uses a crash test structure including a center pillar, a roof-rail simulated part, and a rocker simulated part, and includes: a striker; a roof rail support; and a rocker support. The rocker support includes a rocker-rotation braking mechanism configured to restrain translation of the rocker simulated part, and support the rocker simulated part to be rotatable about an axis thereof and allow braking of the rotation. The rocker-rotation braking mechanism includes a rocker-rotation support member configured to rotate about the axis together with the rocker simulated part, a rocker-rotation shaft support configured to support a rotation center of the rocker-rotation support member, a rocker-rotation braking plate extended by rotation of the rocker-rotation support member while braking the rotation when the striker crashes into the center pillar, and a rocker rotation braking plate fixed portion configured to fix another end side of the rocker-rotation braking plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: JFE STEEL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hideaki Kobiki, Kentaro Sato, Tsuyoshi Shiozaki
  • Patent number: 11906538
    Abstract: A sensor module includes: a printed circuit board having a first recessed portion formed at a first side, a second recessed portion formed at a second side facing the first side, a third recessed portion formed at a third side, and a fourth recessed portion formed at a fourth side facing the third side; a metal cap including convex portions each bonded to a respective one of the first to fourth recessed portions; and a first inertial sensor and a second inertial sensor that are provided at a main surface of the printed circuit board. The first inertial sensor and the second inertial sensor are disposed outside a region surrounded by a line connecting both ends of the first recessed portion and the second recessed portion and outside a region surrounded by a line connecting both ends of the third recessed portion and the fourth recessed portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Masayasu Sakuma
  • Patent number: 11846508
    Abstract: A microelectromechanical gyroscope comprising first, second, third and fourth Coriolis masses, arranged in that order on an x-axis. In the primary oscillation mode, the Coriolis masses are configured to oscillate so that the second and third Coriolis masses move in linear translation along the x-axis away from a center point when the first and fourth Coriolis masses move in linear translation along the x-axis towards the first center point, and vice versa. When the gyroscope undergoes rotation about a y-axis which is perpendicular to the x-axis, the Coriolis masses are configured to oscillate so that the first, second, third and fourth Coriolis masses undergo vertical motion in a z-direction, wherein the first and third Coriolis masses move up when the second and fourth Coriolis masses move down, and vice versa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: MURATA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Anssi Blomqvist, Ville-Pekka Rytkönen
  • Patent number: 11835413
    Abstract: A resonant pressure sensor includes a first substrate and a resonator. The first substrate includes a diaphragm and a projection disposed on the diaphragm. The resonator is disposed in the first substrate, a part of the resonator being included in the projection, and the resonator being disposed between a top of the projection and an intermediate level of the first substrate. The first substrate is an SOI substrate in which a silicon dioxide layer is inserted between a silicon substrate and a superficial silicon layer. The intermediate level of the first substrate is disposed in the silicon substrate, and the resonator is disposed in the projection included in the superficial silicon layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: Yokogawa Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Takashi Yoshida, Yuusaku Yoshida, Atsushi Yumoto, Yoshitaka Suzuki
  • Patent number: 11835338
    Abstract: A sensor element includes a piezoelectric body, a plurality of excitation electrodes, and a plurality of detecting electrodes. The piezoelectric body includes a frame and a driving arm and detecting arm which extend from the frame within a predetermined plane parallel to an xy plane in an orthogonal coordinate system xyz. The excitation electrodes are located on the driving arm. The detecting electrodes are located on the detecting arm enabling detection of a signal generated by bending deformation of the detecting arm in a z-axis direction. The detecting arm includes first and second arms. The first arm extends from the frame in the predetermined plane. The second arm extends from a front end side of the first arm toward a frame side within the predetermined plane. An end part of the second arm on the frame side is formed as a free end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: Kyocera Corporation
    Inventor: Munetaka Soejima
  • Patent number: 11821510
    Abstract: A system and method of measuring torque generated by a drive train like that used in a rotating equipment drive. A drive motor is mounted to a rotatable brake assembly which, in turn, is coupled to a gear drive which, in turn, transmits rotational power. The brake assembly is coupled to a fixed cover of the gear drive by a gearbox torque sensor that prevents rotation between the brake assembly and the housing. The sensor can be a load cell or its equivalent. A control module may be configured to adjust operation of the rotating equipment drive in response to the torque signal. All input torque from the drive motor to the gearbox is measured when the brake is disengaged through the load cell. All input torque at the gearbox output shaft, through back-driving, is measured when the brake is engaged through the load cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: Eskridge, Inc.
    Inventors: Jesse Schmidtberger, Marshall Kolb, Jared Armstrong
  • Patent number: 11796560
    Abstract: The present invention relates to MEMS (microelectromechanical systems) accelerometers, in particular to an accelerometer designed to reduce error in the accelerometer output. The MEMS accelerometer includes a proof mass, which is capable of movement along at least two perpendicular axes and at least one measurement structure. The proof mass is mechanically coupled to the measurement structure along the sense axis of the measurement structure, such that movement of the proof mass along the sense axis causes the moveable portion of the measurement structure to move, and is decoupled from the measurement structures along an axis or axes perpendicular to the sense axis of the measurement structure, such that movement of the proof mass perpendicular to the sense axis of the measurement structure does not cause the moveable portion of the measurement structure to move.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: MURATA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Matti Liukku, Anssi Blomqvist, Hannu Vesterinen
  • Patent number: 11768220
    Abstract: A microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) accelerometer comprises a compliant spring structure with a first beam, a second beam, and a rigid structure. One end of the first beam and one end of the second beam are coupled to the rigid structure and a proof mass is coupled to another end of the second beam. Further, a spring anchor is coupled to another end of the first beam. In response to the proof mass moving, an extension coupled to the rigid structure moves in an opposite direction to motion of the proof mass to contact the proof mass and stop the movement of the proof mass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: NXP USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron A. Geisberger, Jun Tang
  • Patent number: 11754591
    Abstract: The disclosure describes techniques to damp the proof mass motion of an accelerometer while achieving an underdamped resonator. In an example of an in-plane micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) VBA, the proof mass may contain one or more damping combs that include one or more banks of rotor comb fingers attached to the proof mass. The rotor comb fingers may be interdigitated with stator comb fingers that are attached to fixed geometry. These damping comb fingers may provide air damping for the proof mass when the MEMS die is placed into a package containing a pressure above a vacuum. The geometry of the damping combs with a reduced air gap and large overlap area between the rotor comb fingers and stator comb fingers. The geometry of resonator of the VBA of this disclosure may be configured to avoid air damping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: John Reinke
  • Patent number: 11736037
    Abstract: A microelectromechanical system (MEMS) device includes a substrate and a movable element at least partially suspended above the substrate and having at least one degree of freedom. The MEMS device further includes a protrusion extending from the substrate and configured to contact the movable element when the movable element moves in the at least one degree of freedom, wherein the protrusion comprises a surface having a water contact angle of higher than about 15° measured in air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Yi Heng Tsai, Chia-Hua Chu, Kuei-Sung Chang
  • Patent number: 11714101
    Abstract: An inertial sensor includes a substrate, a first inertial sensor element provided on the substrate, a lid bonded to the substrate so as to cover the first inertial sensor element, a first drive signal terminal that is provided outside the lid and is for a drive signal to be applied to the first inertial sensor element, and a first detection signal terminal that is provided outside the lid and is for a detection signal output from the first inertial sensor element, in which, in plan view of the substrate, the first drive signal terminal and the first detection signal terminal are provided with the lid interposed therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Teruo Takizawa
  • Patent number: 11698256
    Abstract: A gyroscope comprises four Coriolis masses arranged around a center point where a lateral axis crosses a transversal axis orthogonally in the device plane. The first and second masses are aligned on the lateral axis, and the third and fourth masses are aligned on the transversal axis. The gyroscope further comprises four pairs of elongated mass elements. The mass elements of the first pair are transversally aligned on opposite sides of the lateral axis outside of the first mass. The mass elements of the second pair are transversally aligned on opposite sides of the lateral axis outside of the second mass. The mass elements of the third pair are laterally aligned on opposite sides of the first transversal axis outside of the third mass. The mass elements of the fourth pair are laterally aligned on opposite sides of the first transversal axis outside of the fourth mass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: MURATA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Anssi Blomqvist, Ville-Pekka Rytkönen
  • Patent number: 11698388
    Abstract: A micromechanical device includes a semiconductor body, a first mobile structure, an elastic assembly, coupled to the first mobile structure and to the semiconductor body and adapted to undergo deformation in a direction, and at least one abutment element. The elastic assembly is configured to enable an oscillation of the first mobile structure as a function of a force applied thereto. The first mobile structure, the abutment element and the elastic assembly are arranged with respect to one another in such a way that: when the force is lower than a force threshold, the elastic assembly operates with a first elastic constant; and when the force is greater than the threshold force, then the first mobile structure is in contact with the abutment element, and a deformation of the elastic assembly is generated, which operates with a second elastic constant different from the first elastic constant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Jean Marie Darmanin, Carlo Valzasina, Alessandro Tocchio, Gabriele Gattere
  • Patent number: 11693022
    Abstract: An accelerometer including: a housing having an internal cavity; a piezoelectric material disposed in the internal cavity; a mass movable disposed in the internal cavity; and a spring disposed between the piezoelectric material and a portion of the housing, the spring being compressively preloaded against the piezoelectric material; wherein the mass is movable when the housing experiences an acceleration such that the mass acts upon the spring and the spring acts against the piezoelectric material, the piezoelectric material outputting a signal corresponding to a magnitude of the acceleration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: OMNITEK PARTNERS LLC
    Inventor: Jahangir S Rastegar
  • Patent number: 11685644
    Abstract: This disclosure describes a microelectromechanical device comprising at least one mobile rotor. The rotor comprises a rotor measurement region and a rotor stopper region and a rotor isolation region which connects the rotor measurement region mechanically to the rotor stopper region and isolates the rotor measurement region electrically from the rotor stopper region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: MURATA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Marko Peussa, Pasi Kivinen
  • Patent number: 11566898
    Abstract: A bulk acoustic wave resonator apparatus includes a resonator member, at least one anchor structure coupling the resonator member to a substrate, and a comb-drive element connected to the resonator member. The comb-drive element includes first comb fingers protruding from the resonator member, and second comb fingers of a different material than the first comb fingers interdigitated with the first comb fingers to define sub-micron capacitive gaps therebetween. Respective sidewalls of the first comb fingers are oppositely-tapered relative to respective sidewalls of the second comb fingers along respective lengths thereof, such that operation of the comb-drive element varies the sub-micron capacitive gaps at the respective sidewalls thereof. Respective tuning electrodes, which are slanted at respective angles parallel to an angle of respective sidewalls of the resonator member, may also be provided for quadrature tuning between different resonance modes of the resonator member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: Georgia Tech Research Corporation
    Inventors: Haoran Wen, Farrokh Ayazi
  • Patent number: 11506493
    Abstract: An angular rate sensor. The sensor includes a Coriolis vibratory gyroscope (CVG) resonator, configured to oscillate in a first normal mode and in a second normal mode; a frequency reference configured to generate a reference signal; and a first phase control circuit. The first phase control circuit is configured to: measure a first phase difference between: a first phase target, and the difference between: a phase of an oscillation of the first normal mode and a phase of the reference signal. The first phase control circuit is further configured to apply a first phase correction signal to the CVG resonator, to reduce the first phase difference. A second phase control circuit is similarly configured to apply a second phase correction signal to the CVG resonator, to reduce a corresponding, second phase difference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: HRL LABORATORIES, LLC
    Inventors: Logan D. Sorenson, Raviv Perahia, David T. Chang, Randall L. Kubena, Deborah J. Kirby, Hung Nguyen, Richard J. Joyce
  • Patent number: 11500319
    Abstract: An image reading device includes a reading device body and a document feeder that is turnably attached on the upper side of the reading device body with hinge devices. An extended portion that extends outward from a rear frame is formed on a beam frame fixing the rear frame and a front frame of the document feeder at a predetermined interval, and a third coupling portion coupled to the turning member of the hinge device is formed in the extended portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Toshiki Nishimura
  • Patent number: 11493533
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a three-axis accelerometer. The three-axis accelerometer comprises: a substrate; at least one anchor block fixedly disposed on the substrate; a first X-axis electrode, a second X-axis electrode, a first Y-axis electrode, a second Y-axis electrode, a first Z-axis electrode and a second Z-axis electrode all fixedly disposed on the substrate; a framework suspended above the substrate and comprising a first beam column, a second beam column disposed opposite to the first beam column and at least one connecting beam connecting the first beam column and the second beam column; a proof mass suspended above the substrate; and at least one elastic connection component configured to elastically connect to the at least anchor block, the connecting beam, and the proof mass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: MEMSIC Semiconductor (TIANJIN) Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Leyue Jiang, Yang Zhao